DJI, the world’s leading manufacturer of civil drones and aerial imaging technology, is now releasing its new compact camera drone Mavic Air 2, with several updates to its predecessor, along with new technology from the higher models.
Mavic Air 2 reinvents the way to capture quality content with a folding drone. It allows you to record 4K videos at 60 fps and 120 Mbps, but also HDR and slow-motion videos 4X at 1080p/120fps and 8X at 1080p/240fps. It also allows you to take 12-megapixel images or with the new 48-megapixel high-resolution feature to shoot every detail, with three-axis mechanical stabilization. Mavic Air 2 also has a “Smart Photo” mode that takes multiple images in 12 megapixels but selects the best automatically through the advanced image analysis.
HDR video is available in three modes. The first one takes seven images and combines them together to increase the dynamic range. The second mode takes several shots in series and then merge them into a clear image, reducing the noise, generally caused by this type of environment. It is the function for low-light scenarios. The third mode analyzes the image and automatically selects the mode to improve the image according to, for example, the color, temperature, or content of the light.
When folded up, it can be held in the palm of the hand and uses the same system of arms and propellers that deploy. Although weighing only 570 grams, equivalent to a bottle of water, Mavic Air 2 boasts new engines, new ESCs, more aerodynamic design, and a flight autonomy of up to 34 minutes. Improvements have also been made to the environmental sensors. The drone now has the ability to sense obstacles as close as 35 cm, an improvement of 15 cm. The distance for these has also been doubled, from 12 meters to 24 meters.
The OcuSync 2.0 transmission, owned by DJI, has been enhanced to offer extremely reliable and stable HD video images from the drone up to 10 km away. OcuSync 2.0 supports both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency bands, with automatic selection for the strongest signal band, while the anti-interference system ensures the transmission of always clear video images.
Mavic Air 2 has also received three new AI modes for automatic flight. Active Track 3.0 automatically follows a selected object and should be faster at finding the object in the image if it is obscured. POI 3.0, or Point of Interest 3.0, follows a specific route around an object. The new version has become better at, among other things, analysis of the landscape. Spotlight 2.0 found in professional drones is now also available in Mavic Air 2. The mode locks the cameras on an object while being able to fly freely with the drone.
DJI is now accepting pre-orders for the new model, starting at $799 for a kit that includes the drone, controller, battery, and cables.
