DJI debuts Mavic Air 2 drone

GaryPageau , ,
DJI Mavic Air 2

DJI introduced the Mavic Air 2 drone, a compact and easy-to-use folding drone featuring 8K recording.  A larger 1/2” camera sensor offers high-resolution photos and videos to make content stand out, while advanced programmed flight modes, intelligent features and imaging technology make capturing professional-looking content effortless, the company claims. Pilots can now stay in the sky longer with enhanced maximum flight time, capture vivid imagery with completely revamped autonomous capabilities, and wholly transform their content with in-app editing features.

“Mavic Air 2 is another milestone for DJI, demonstrating that our smartest consumer drone does not have to be the largest,” said Roger Luo, president, DJI. “While the Mavic Air 2 bears all the hallmarks of the Mavic drone family, we had to completely rethink its design and development process. Our goal was to create a drone that offered the best overall experience possible to even the most novice pilot. We hope our drones can help boost creativity and become a fun yet educational experience that can be enjoyed, even at this unprecedented moment in history.”

Mavic Air 2 is the first Mavic drone to offer 4K video at 60 fps and 120 Mbps. Users can record content using HDR video, 4X Slow Motion in 1080p at 120 fps or 8X Slow Motion in 1080p at 240 fps. Pilots can record 12-megapixel images or 48-megapixel images, while a mechanical 3-axis gimbal helps compensate for camera shake to create smooth and stable footage.

The new SmartPhoto records 12-megapixel photos using advanced scene analysis and deep learning to automatically choose one of three image capture options:

  • HDR photos: Mavic Air 2 automatically captures seven varying exposures of the same photograph, merging them together.
  • Hyperlight: Hyperlight is designed for low-light scenarios, taking multiple photographs and merging them to bring out a clear image with less of the noise.
  • Scene Recognition: Mavic Air 2 can recognize five categories of scenes including sunsets, blue skies, grass, snow, and trees, then optimize settings.

Flight Performance

The Mavic Air 2 features new motors, new electronic speed controllers (ESCs), enhanced battery technology and an aerodynamic design to provide a maximum flight time of up to 34 minutes, claims DJI. DJI’s proprietary OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology was upgraded to deliver an extremely reliable and stable HD video feed from the drone at a maximum distance of 10km. OcuSync 2.0 supports both 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands and uses an auto-switching feature to move between the two based on signal strength.

FocusTrack offers three different capture modes:

  • ActiveTrack 3.0: The third iteration of ActiveTrack uses mapping technology and flight-path algorithms to offer improved subject tracking and obstacle avoidance, along with the ability to quickly re-engage the subject if it temporarily moves behind an object.
  • Point of Interest 3.0: Set an automated flight path around a specific subject. The updated iteration improves surface recognition to better dynamically track subjects.
  • Spotlight 2.0: Found in professional DJI drones, Spotlight locks a subject in the frame while the user has free operation of the drone’s movement.

A Hyperlapse feature brings the visual appeal of timelapse but with the added element of the drone physically moving. For the first time, Hyperlapse can be shot in a max resolution of 8K while pilots can choose four flight modes including Free movement, Circle, CourseLock and WayPoints. Pilots can also choose from several pre-programmed flight maneuvers.

An updated version of the DJI Fly app now adds in-app editing features.

The Mavic Air 2 will be initially available for immediate purchase in China while other regions will begin taking preorders today with an expected ship time of mid-May. Mavic Air 2 will be available in two purchasing options: a standard package which includes Mavic Air 2, one battery, remote controller and all the required wires and cables for $799 USD, and the Fly More option which includes all items from the standard version as well as a shoulder bag, ND filters, charging hub, and 3 batteries for $988 USD.