Corona or not, DJI is pushing forward with new technology and earlier today they introduced the Mavic Air 2 – an advanced mid-range drone with a whole range of new capabilities. Several photographers and vloggers (including Philip Bloom‘s take of the new drone above) got their hands on it and we have all the specs and updates for you as well as footage and prices.
The original Mavic Air has introduced a couple of years ago and was a big hit being a mid-range (and mid-price) model for DJI. The new version 2, although slightly bigger and heavier improves on almost any aspect of the original version from the camera to flight time and controller.
Here is a list of most of the major improvements and features of the Mavic Air 2:
- New Camera – Mavic Air 2 has a new (and larger) Sony sensor measuring 1/2″ mounted on a 3-axis gimbal, capable of recording 12MP images (with enhanced low light) or high detail 48MP images
- Better Video – Mavic Air 2 is the first Mavic drone to offer 4K video at 60fps and the first DJI drone to offer 240fps (the drone also shoots 4K at up to 120Mbps).
- 8K HyperLapse – Mavic Air 2 is also the first DJI drone to include 8K Hyperlapse (this feature should be available in mid-May 2020 via a firmware update).
- SmartPhoto – With this feature, the drone will optimize the camera settings and choose one of three modes – grass, trees, sunsets, snow, or alternatively HyperLight for low-light scenes.
- HDR Features – Advanced HDR features including HDR video and HDR panorama are also available (they max out at 4K 30p).
- Improved flight time – The new drone has an updated battery technology, better aerodynamic design, new motors/ESCs and more which allows for a jump from around 21 min in the previous version to the max flight time of 34 minutes (hovering though will decrease this time so keep this in mind). The range was also improved due to the use of the OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology which can transmit up to 10km (although most countries still require you do be in line of sight of the drone while flying). The OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology will help you stay in touch with the drone better than WIFI did on the original Mavi Air (which sometimes had issues with dropped signals).
- APAS – The new DJI APAS 3.0 is the company’s latest advanced autonomous flying technology that uses new mapping and flight path algorithms for a smoother flight.
- FocusTrack – This feature will let you choose one of 3 new modes to capture videos with a subject locked in the frame.
- Spotlight 2.0 – with this new feature you can tell the drone to automatically follow a target letting you focus on flying the drone.
- Point of Interest 3.0 – This feature lets you mark a target and set a flight near or around it (the new version recognizes targets better).
- DJI Fly App – The Mavic Air 2 uses the new DJI Fly app which has several new features including ones for beginners which can help you learn the basics and get started safely and easily.
- A new Remote – The Mavic Air 2 comes with an all-new ergonomic remote controller.
- AirSense – the Mavic Air 2 is DJI’s first consumer drone to include AirSense which provides a warning for the drone operators of other aircraft nearby (it will only work in North Amerca at launch).
- Additional Safety Features – the Mavic Air 2 comes with obstacle sensors on 3 sides to let users know when they are getting too close to anything and it also has an auxiliary light (so that planes and helicopters can see it clearly).
As for pricing, the Mavic Air 2 basic kit will sell for $800 starting this May (in the U.S.) and a kit with extra batteries and more accessories will sell for just under $1000.
An official DJI video on the innovations and features of the Mavic Air 2
iPhondo on the Mavic Air 2
Cnet video look at the new DJI drone
iJustine on the Mavic Air 2
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Iddo Genuth 
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