DJI Mavic Air 2 The Comprehensive Review

This is the ultimate review to DJI Mavic Air 2.

In this comprehensive review I’ll cover:

  • What's the Mavic Air 2 key features
  • What's the good and bad stuff
  • Should I buy the DJI Mavic Air 2

Please read our definitive DJI Mavic Air 2 review before you buy it, we also provide a discount price if possible.

Let's get started.

Contents

Chapter 1 DJI Mavic Air 2 Key Features

Mavic Air 2 takes power and portability to the next level, offering advanced features in a compact form factor. Intelligent shooting functions and excellent image quality put aerial masterpieces within reach. Safer, smarter flight enables you to up your game while fully enjoying the creative process.

Let's count the key features of Mavic Air 2.

1. 48MP Photo | 4K/60fps Video

With a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor, Mavic Air 2 captures impressive 48MP photos. Get ready to take your aerial content to the next level.

Mavic Air 2 features SmartPhoto, which integrates scene recognition, HyperLight, and HDR into one mode for optimal results. Scene recognition optimizes different camera parameters for various scenes and supports intelligent recognition of five categories: sunset, skies, grass, snow, and trees.

Master creative aerial shots thanks to effortlessly smooth 4K/60fps video. The D-Cinelike flat color profile retains more information for post-processing. The HEVC (H.265) video codec records more image information, uses less storage, and preserves the dynamic range and detail of your footage, ensuring next-level content.

Mavic Air 2 combines a powerful camera with intelligent shooting modes for stunning results. Creative aerial photography has never been this easy.

2. 10km 1080p Video Transmission

Capture cinematic video clips automatically with QuickShots. With just a few taps, Mavic Air 2 plans and flies a complicated aerial route for a professional-quality shot. Add music, effects, and filters with super-intuitive Story templates so you can share your masterpiece directly to social media.

OcuSync 2.0 has a video transmission distance of up to 10 km and can also deliver 1080p FHD resolution livestream directly from the drone’s camera. Enjoy more freedom for exploring and more clarity for that perfect shot.

Mavic Air 2 supports 2.4/5.8GHz dual-frequency communication and automatically switches to the best channel with the lowest interference in real time. This significantly improves the aircraft's anti-interference ability in challenging environments, increasing flight safety.

3. 34-Min Max Flight Time

Stay in the air long enough to get the perfect capture with an impressive battery life of up to 34 minutes and pull off epic, fast-paced shots with a max flight speed of 68 kph in Sport mode.

Mavic Air 2 perceives its environment in three directions: forward, backward, and downward. An auxiliary light improves visibility, and the extra layer of security that obstacle avoidance provides is ideal for pushing the limits of what is possible.

4. FocusTrack

Professional-quality footage is effortless thanks to FocusTrack. This easy-to-use suite of intelligent tracking modes includes Active Track 3.0, Spotlight 2.0, and Point of Interest 3.0, allowing you to unleash your creativity.

5. HDR Photo | Video | Panorama

The secret to incredible HDR video is a high-performance Quad Bayer image sensor. A single frame separates exposure levels in different areas, accurately capturing light and dark details. The images are layered to create a colorful, balanced, and eye-catching picture with higher dynamic range.

Mavic Air 2 offers DJI’s most advanced panorama mode, with a higher dynamic range and colors that are vivid and incredibly accurate.

6. 8K Hyperlapse

Mavic Air 2 supports Hyperlapse in 8K, allowing you to warp time and space for especially stunning footage. Best of all, you can achieve this shot without complex post-processing. Choose from Free, Circle, Course Lock, and Waypoint modes, select the shooting location, and the DJI Fly app will do the rest.

Buy DJI Mavic Air 2 | Up Your Game | $799

Chapter 2 Compare to Mavic 2 Pro

As DJI's Mavic series new arrival, what's the difference from other Mavic drones?

Let's compare key specifications Mavic Air 2 to Mavic 2 Pro, and decide which one is the best DJI drone for you.

Mavic Air 2

DJI Mavic Air 2
  • 4K/60fps Video/48 MP Photos
  • 34-Min Max Flight Time
  • 10km 1080p Video Transmission
  • APAS 3.0 Obstacle Avoidance
  • 8K Hyperlapse
  • FocusTrack
$799 Buy Now

Mavic 2 Pro

DJI Mavic 2 Pro
  • Hasselblad Camera
  • 20 MP 1” CMOS Sensor
  • 8 km 1080p Video Transmission
  • 31min flight time
  • Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing
  • Hyperlapse
$1,599 Buy Now

Chapter 3 DJI Mavic Air 2 Experience & Verdict

The DJI Mavic Air 2 is the latest model in the Mavic line from DJI. It has managed to wow almost everyone with its impressive specs, including 48MP stills, 8K HyperLapse, 4K/60p video at 120 Mbps, and 10km (6.2-mile) transmission range thanks to OcuSync 2.0.

If you’re looking for an intermediate drone that’s easy to fly but still capable of capturing compelling photos and video, DJI Mavic Air 2 is the go-to model. It just costs less than a thousand dollars - $799 actually.

The Mavic Air 2 looks like a smaller Mavic 2 Pro and a bigger Mavic Mini. It’s also slightly bigger than the first Mavic Air, but it remains portable and easy to store in your backpack or a camera bag.

Remote Controller

The new Mavic Air 2 remote almost twice the size of any other DJI controller, puts the phone at the top and allows more size flexibility. A sprung grip (with in-built antennas) slides from the top and clamps your phone in place. Under the grip, you find a storage area for your chosen phone connector (Apple Lightning/USB-C/Micro-USB are all in the box). It’s neat a touch fiddly but secure. It’s much more comfortable to hold. That could be a big change to the new controller.

SmartPhoto

The Mavic Air 2 has an entirely new photo feature for DJI called SmartPhoto. It is basically automatic scene recognition, similar to what you might find on a point and shoot camera or a smartphone. It will adjust settings based on what the drone is pointing at, such as trees, snow, sunsets, or blue skies.

SmartPhoto scene recognition assists the camera in choosing settings, and automated QuickShots are there too, the latter benefiting from ActiveTrack 3.0 – the feature which identifies and follows subjects, even if they briefly pop out of view. “HyperLapse” time-lapses are also built-in, with 8K Hyperlapse promised for mid-May via a firmware update.

Noise handling is good up to about ISO 800. You could even push it to 1600 at times, which is far better than the original Mavic Air. The SmartPhoto mode gives the drone more control over ISO, capping the ISO to 540, extending the shutter speed, cleaning up some noise, and producing nice results. The differences are subtle but just enough to make this mode a worthwhile addition and this drone one of the best drones for photography.

Camera, sensor and video

For photographers, the 48-megapixel mode might be the headline grabber, though 4K at 60fps (or with HDR at 30fps), recorded in H.265 (or up to 240fps at 1080p) is even more exciting for video fans. Better yet, the bit rate is up to 120 Mbps, appreciable in the stunning video quality.

In terms of video, the Mavic Air 2 comes with significant upgrades over its predecessor. It can film 4K 60fps with a 120 Mbps bitrate, which even beats the flagship Mavic 2 Pro. It can record slow-mo footage up to 240fps at 1080p resolution, and you can film in three color modes: standard, Cinelike, and HDR.

Most consumer drones struggle to control image noise even at low ISOs, but the slightly larger sensor in the Air 2 does provide a noticeable improvement in this area. The noise that was present in the unedited footage could easily be removed by adjusting the dark tones. It’s not as good as the footage from the higher-end Mavic 2 Pro, but it’s an improvement over what we could expect from a sub-$1,000 drone.

Hyperlapse mode can now render out 8K exports, which is great, but there are still issues with hyper-lapse captures. Often, they need to be manually stabilized in Premiere or After Effects. And many times, there will be a shift in exposure in those final exports, ruining the footage.

There is also a number of limitations with the Air 2’s hyper-lapse feature in its current form. First, not all hyper-lapse modes are capable of 8K exports, though DJI has promised it will be adding more through software updates over the coming months. Second, you can’t download an 8K export directly onto your phone, only 1080p ones. Third, the 8K option doesn’t actually save image files for you to fix imperfections later. Fourth, the minimal interval between shots in six seconds, which makes the final export a bit too fast.

Flight time

DJI claims a maximum 34 minutes of flight time for the Mavic Air 2, a significant increase from the 21-minute life expectancy of the original Air model.

Overall

The DJI Mavic Air 2 is a massive improvement on its predecessor (and for action fans the best Mavic full stop). It has a better camera, a great range and far better flight times. The software has some niggles, but the AI is impressive, and the drone extremely capable in the air. Safety features are good too, though some will undoubtedly grumble about the lack of 360° collision sensors.

Overall, the Mavic Air 2 is an upgrade from the Mavic Air. It even does some things better than the flagship Mavic 2 Pro.

All that said, the Mavic Air 2 is the drone I’d recommend to someone looking for more advanced controls and better video and photo quality than entry-level models but isn’t willing to spend more than $1,000. You won’t find a better drone for anywhere near this price.

Our Verdict

Good Stuff
  • Much better connectivity
  • 1/2 inch sensor
  • Great photo modes
  • Stunning 60fps 4K video
  • AI Tracking
Bad Stuff
  • Image quality still not higher-end
  • Heavier and larger than predecessor
  • Auto flight modes aren't that advanced
  • Internal storage could be bigger
  • No side or top sensors

Buy DJI Mavic Air 2 | Up Your Game | $799

Chapter 4 Other Experts Reviews for DJI Mavic Air 2

Let's see what other drone enthusiasts (experts) say to Mavic Air 2.

Learn comprehensive to buy with confidence!

The Verge Review

The Verge handed the drone over to its video director for an in-depth look. This review heavily focuses on the camera’s capabilities, showing us the sensor size, a comparison between its 12MP and 48MP photo modes, scene recognition, and image noise. It also explores the video modes, including HDR video.

Tom’s Tech Time Review

Tom’s Tech Time has reviewed the DJI Mavic Air 2 in his normal fashion: a high-quality, in-depth review. He shows you what you get in the box, performs a quick noise test, and of course tests videos and photos in various modes. Tom also takes a look at the ActiveTrack 3.0 capabilities and examines the new controller.

FlytPath Review

Aldryn from FlytPath looks at almost every single feature found within the new DJI Mavic Air 2, as well as how the drone compares to the rest of the Mavic line. He goes into OcuSync 2.0, the new controller, video and camera modes with test footage, ActiveTrack 3.0, and the smart flight modes.

DroneDJ Review

We released our review on the launch date of the drone in a full-length 37-minute video going in-depth on the Mavic Air 2. In the video, Seth discusses some of its new features, compares the Mavic Air 2 to other DJI drones, and shows off a few test videos.

Moment Review

Shout Out to Mike Dewey the drone Wizard on our team for testing this thing out. Pretty epic did as usual from DJI!

Jesse Review

Jesse takes a less techy approach in his review video and gets straight out to test the Mavic Air 2. He visited downtown LA, Echo Park, Miracle Mile, and Venice and tests out ActiveTrack 3.0, along with a few of the smart flight modes, including asteroid and orbit.

Peter McKinnon Review

He unbox the DJI Mavic Air 2, explain technical details and compare to Mavic Air, Mavic 2 Pro.

So, is Mavic Air 2 The Last Drone You Should Ever Buy?

Buy DJI Mavic Air 2 | Up Your Game | $799

Chapter 5 FAQ for Mavic Air 2

Below are FAQs for Mavic Air 2.

It's including Camera, Remote Controller, Transmission, Sensing and Intelligent Features.

Is this satisfying for you? Did you get a discounted price?

What are the main upgrades of Mavic Air 2 compared to Mavic Air?

The camera performance, intelligent features, flight time, and transmission system have all improved significantly, and the new DJI Fly app provides an even more streamlined flying experience.

Is Mavic Air 2 compatible with the Mavic 2 remote controller?

No.

Is Mavic Air 2 compatible with the Smart Controller?

Yes. Mavic Air 2 will be compatible with the Smart Controller through a future firmware update.

Is Mavic Air 2 waterproof?

No.

Is Mavic Air 2 compatible with the DJI Goggles or DJI Goggles RE?

No.

Does Mavic Air 2 provide omnidirectional obstacle sensing?

No. Mavic Air 2 provides forward, backward, and downward obstacle sensing.

What is the difference between ActiveTrack 2.0 and ActiveTrack 3.0?

Integrating the APAS 3.0 obstacle avoidance system, ActiveTrack 3.0 has been greatly improved compared to ActiveTrack 2.0. Overall tracking capabilities have improved greatly and re-establishing tracking after the subject has been lost is faster than ever, all while actively avoiding obstacles.

How has OcuSync 2.0 been improved?

OcuSync 2.0 supports both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency bands. It features stronger interference resistance due to automatic frequency switching, delivering 1080p video transmission feeds at up to 10 km (when unobstructed, free of interference, and FCC-compliant).

What are the advantages of the new remote controller?

The remote controller boasts a prolonged battery life of up to 240 minutes, a more comfortable grip, an improved antenna design, and a more convenient line of sight when looking from screen to drone.

What photo resolutions and formats are available?

Normal photos can be taken in 12 MP or 48 MP, and RAW format is also available for more advanced editing.

What video modes does Mavic Air 2 support?

Mavic Air 2 supports normal video at up to 4K/60fps and HDR video at up to 4K/30fps. Slow-motion videos are available in 1080p with up to 240 fps (8x slow-motion).

What is SmartPhoto?

SmartPhoto integrates scene recognition, HyperLight, and HDR into one mode for optimal results. Scene recognition optimizes different camera parameters for different scenes and supports intelligent recognition of five categories: sunset, blue sky, grass, snow, and green trees. HyperLight optimizes photos taken at night or in low-light situations. HDR selects the best image from multiple layers thanks to an adaptive dynamic expansion algorithm that determines optimal parameters.

In what Hyperlapse modes can I record in 8K?

8K resolution can only be used in Free and Waypoint modes.

What is FocusTrack mode?

FocusTrack consists of three different intelligent tracking modes: ActiveTrack 3.0, Point of Interest 3.0 (POI), and Spotlight 2.0. All three modes offer different tracking features for any situation.

What intelligent flight modes does Mavic Air 2 support?

Mavic Air 2 supports QuickShots, Hyperlapse, and FocusTrack.

Is there a coupon for Mavic Air 2?

There is no coupon code for now. Maybe you can wait for The Black Friday at our coupon channel.

Where can I buy Mavic Air 2 at a discounted price?

Hahaaa, if there is, we follow. Try below!

Buy DJI Mavic Air 2 | Up Your Game | $799

Chapter 6 Appreciation Mavic Air 2 Excellence Works

Appreciation Mavic Air 2 extremely excellence works, including ocean scene, sailing scene, desert scene, mountain night scene, ski scene and whale in picture.

Please appreciate the vision brought by Mavic Air 2!

  • Mavic Air 2 Flying Self-portrait
    Mavic Air 2 Flying Self-portrait
  • Mavic Air 2 Ocean
    Mavic Air 2 Ocean
  • Mavic Air 2 Sailing
    Mavic Air 2 Sailing
  • Mavic Air 2 Desert
    Mavic Air 2 Desert
  • Mavic Air 2 Mountain
    Mavic Air 2 Mountain
  • Mavic Air 2 Ski
    Mavic Air 2 Ski
  • Mavic Air 2 Whale
    Mavic Air 2 Whale

Buy DJI Mavic Air 2 | Up Your Game | $799

More Creativity More Imagination
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