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This post originally appeared on our partner site, Drone Rush.
DJI has unveiled the new DJI Mavic Air 2. It may be a successor to the initial 2018 Mavic Air, but it is more of a true Mavic drone than the original. No matter how it looks, the new camera is something we’ve all been waiting for.
For us, the main feature of the Mavic Air 2 is the new 48MP camera with 1/2 inch sensor. It captures 12MP images through pixel grouping, and we are very impressed with the first results.
DJI Mavic Air 2 practical and first impressions
DJI Mavic Air 2 description
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is designed in a very similar way to most others Mavic drones out there. You’re looking at the gray color scheme with the family folding design.
The camera hangs from the front with a stabilized 3-axis articulated gimbal.
Rear-facing obstacle avoidance sensors add to the forward and downward sensors you’ll find on almost every DJI drone. There’s also a downward-facing light to help you see the ground after dark, or just as an ambient light for a fun photo shoot below.
The propellers are quick-release and the same folding design as the low-profile accessories on the Mavic Pro Platinum and Mavic 2 series drones. They are not interchangeable with the other drones, but offer a similar high-efficiency flight.
With efficient propellers and a bit of engine tuning, the Mavic Air 2 is a new market leader in DJI’s consumer quadcopter, offering up to 34 minutes of flight time.
The drone itself is almost exactly the midpoint between the Mavic Mini and the Mavic 2 series drones. We are talking about size, weight and price. We will review the price later. For now, keep in mind that it will be a tight fit to put the Mavic Air 2 in your pocket, but it’s still a comfortable weight to slip into your backpack when hiking.
In the sky, the Mavic Air 2 is agile. It is unfair to call it too fast as it is rated for the same top speed as the Mavic 2 drones and the previous Mavic Air. Instead, we’ll call it sporty. The Mavic Air 2 accelerates at a surprising rate. You should be careful with the sticks if you fly in tight places.
Controls are smooth and responsive. You can slowly adjust the orientation of your Mavic Air 2, or you can actually get stuck on the sticks to see it shoot at up to 45 mph.
Flight modes and security features include DJI Quickshots, as well as APS 3.0, FocusTrack autopilot modes, and the new AirSense, which is an ADS-B receiver. Scanning local air traffic is a great way to ensure a safe flight, and DJI made it easy for everyone to use.
There is a new remote control for the Mavic Air 2. This new unit holds your smartphone above, rather than below. It also offers up to 10 km of connectivity. Excellent for staying connected in congested radio frequency environments.
DJI Mavic Air 2 camera
As mentioned, the camera is the premium feature of the new Mavic Air 2. It is a 48MP 1/2 inch CMOS sensor. Like many smartphones on the market today, it uses pixel grouping technology and produces 12MP still images. You can capture 48MP photos if you want, they are not that bad.
The camera sensor also takes video to new levels. First, we really like the HDR of this drone. It has a good balance, especially when watching that 4K video. However, turn off HDR and you will be able to boost 4K video to 60fps. With a video data rate of 120Mbps, these are some of the best aerial clips we’ve seen on a drone underneath the Mavic 2 Pro.
Stay tuned for our full DJI Mavic Air 2 camera review to see more.
DJI Mavic Air 2 price and availability
The DJI Mavic Air 2 will go up for pre-order immediately, with first shipments due on May 11, 2020.
DJI is offering its regular packages for the Mavic Air 2. That’s just the drone, and then the Fly More combo.
DJI Mavic Air 2 for $ 799
- Airplane structure
- Remote control
- A battery
- Charger
- A couple of extra propellers
- All cables to connect
DJI Mavic Air 2 Fly More combo for $ 998
- Airplane structure
- Remote control
- Three stacks
- Charger
- Charging hub
- Additional propellers
- All cables to connect
- ND filters
- Shoulder bag
We are working on a detailed camera review as well as our full review of the new DJI Mavic Air 2. Go ahead and order in advance, then stay tuned for more coverage.
