DJI Mavic Air 2 Review: Best Drone for Quality Videos and Pictures

DJI Mavic Air 2 review. The Mavic Air 2 was a major game changer when it was released in April 2020. The new model, which grew out of the success of its predecessor, included a much-improved battery and several useful additional photography functions. DJI wanted to make a drone that was simple to fly but yet gave skilled pilots and photographers plenty of options. In many ways, the drone feels identical to the Mavic Pro, although it costs significantly less.

The Mavic Air 2 is incredibly easy to fly. The arms fold out of the case, making the propellers simple to install (taking care to match the colour codes with the motors). The smart battery fits snugly into the top. Overall, it’s a small package that should appeal to the majority of drone pilots.

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Its 1/2-inch CMOS sensor isn’t as good as those found on some of DJI’s more current models—the somewhat newer Air 2s, for example, has a 1-inch sensor—and it also misses some of the sophisticated AI functions seen on newer versions. However, especially at this price point, it’s still a very capable drone.

Because this isn’t a toy, like most DJI drones, you’ll need to follow all drone restrictions in your area when flying. To get the most out of your new gear, we recommend reading through our list of drone photography tips and tricks if you’re just starting out with the sport.

DJI Mavic Air 2 Specifications

DJI Mavic Air 2 design

The Mavic Air 2 is attractive just by looking at it. It simply looks professional. If there is one criticism, it is that the uniform grey colour does not lend itself to high visibility in all situations (though DJI does sell proprietary coloured ‘overcoats’). However, because it sits low to the ground, you’ll need to either use a landing mat or purchase extension legs to lift it clear of any grass that isn’t precisely cut.

When it comes to cameras, drones of this size are quite delicate. Any type of physical abuse is harmful. The same can be stated about the drone’s overall construction. The MA2 has a solid build quality, but heavy handling, such as when removing it from its case or putting it away, is not recommended. Heavy-duty cases with built-in padding are available, but they are large and cumbersome.

The MA2 is accompanied by a new controller, which lacks a screen but does have a cable connection to a smartphone and thus the DJI Fly App. The controller is both durable and light. Apart from the two toggles, which are kept in neat recesses at the back when not in use, there is an on/off button, a mode selector (between Cine, Normal, and Sport), an RTH button, one function button, and one for switching between video and camera with a click. A shutter button is on the front right, and a gimbal control wheel is on the front left.

Your smartphone is connected to the controller through a wire, which has one minor flaw: the way the cord is stored suggests that it may tear over time if care is not taken. The data on the screen is easy to read, with battery life and remaining flying time in the top right corner, as well as satellite acquisition data.

Two more icons appear next to these, one indicating the strength of the communication between the drone and the controller, and the other indicating the status of the vision sensors. The bottom left shows height, speed, and distance from you, while the bottom right shows video and camera information. When you press the film icon in the middle right, drop-down menus appear with all of the video and still possibilities.

A white dot icon on the top right leads to menus for Safety, Control, Camera (status), Transmission, and “About,” which displays information about the drone, including if the firmware and software version are current.

Overall, the information you receive, most of it in real-time, as well as the visual stream from the camera, could not be simpler to comprehend. It gives you a pleasant feeling of being in command. Voice prompts and messaging round out the picture.

DJI Mavic Air 2 Functionality

• 4K video and stills up to 48 megapixels, with 12 megapixels as standard.

• Quick images, hyperlapse; Spotlight 2.0; Active Track 3.0

• OcuSyn 2.0 video transmission improves video transmission.

• Obstacle detection sensors

In Cine and Normal modes, the Mavic Air 2’s front, backward, and downward sensors provide appropriate protection, but not in Sports mode, where the system is unable to keep up with the speed.

Although the sensors are a great safety feature, there are a few things to keep in mind. It may seem self-evident, but there are no top or side sensors, unlike the Autel Evo range, for example. It is possible to ignore this and slide the drone into a tree or even a brick wall when shooting a long, slow panning shot.

In terms of obstacle avoidance, the system allows for both braking and by-pass; they perform well, but be aware of the restrictions and control the drone by seeing it in flight as well as what is displayed on the screen.

Aside from the three flight modes, the Mavic Air 2 includes a number of unique features, such as Focus Track. In Active Track, you may draw a box around your subject on the screen, and the camera will lock onto it and the drone will follow it, either at a constant distance or in parallel. As with obstacle avoidance, it’s important to make sure there’s enough room for these maneuvers.

Quickshots (where Active Track is found) also have the normal suite of Dronie, Rocket, Circle, Helix, Boomerang, and Asteroid modes, which cause your drone to perform particular flight moves and produce some cool video clips.

Hyperlapse shooting is also available on the Mavic Air 2, allowing you to manage time and motion whether photographing a cityscape or sunset. The 12 inch Quad Bayer sensor substantially improves both video and still photography by allowing for clearer images. With a tiny sensor, though, noise is unavoidable, and ISO 400 is likely the highest setting you’ll be able to utilise. Raw photography is only for experienced photographers.

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DJI Mavic Air 2 Performance

• Cine, normal, and sports flying modes are all readily switchable.
• Flight time is limited to 34 minutes.
• System for avoiding obstacles.

This drone is simple to fly and has many safety features and pre-sets for both beginners and advanced pilots. It even includes controller lessons to walk you through each phase of the flight.

This establishment pays close attention to safety. Aside from the avoidance detection system, the Mavic Air 2 includes the Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) 3.0, which allows the drone to modify its direction when it encounters something in its way (again, not available in Sports mode, so be careful when flying the drone at its top speed).

Airsense (available only in the United States) uses aero-technology to detect signals from surrounding aircraft and display a visual warning on the control screen. It’s a useful feature at a time when the skies are becoming increasingly crowded.

Geofencing is built into every DJI drone, preventing it from flying in restricted locations such as near an active airport or other dangerous regions. If the necessary permissions are sought and granted, DJI can unlock this capability for certain uses.

In the air, the Mavic Air 2’s remarkable stability in windy situations (up to Beaufort Force 5) means that the pilot can focus solely on composing the images when taking video or stills.

The controller also has a very long battery life. If you purchase the “Fly More” option, you will receive three more flight batteries, giving you plenty of time to fly the drone and create your videos/stills.

DJI Mavic Air 2 pros

• Safety features include obstacle avoidance
• Very easy to fly
• Increased flight time of 34 minutes
• Excellent video and stills quality

DJI Mavic Air 2 cons

• Sits low when on the ground
• Video feed can ‘judder’ and cause blur

DJI Mavic Air 2 is it wealth buying

If you want a low-cost high-quality drone that is easy to operate and produces video and stills that are near to professional quality, the Mavic Air 2 is the one to get.

It has a lot of functions for creative work, and the safety safeguards on board provide you with peace of mind. If you’re concerned about safety, the Airsense feature, which uses ADS-B technology, will notify you of approaching aircraft. It all contributes to a safe and secure drone flight.

Our verdict

Just when you thought the Mavic Mini was the most remarkable tiny drone on the market, DJI introduced the Mavic Air 2, which slots squarely between it and the two Mavic 2 prosumer models.

The whole design has been substantially modified, and this is a significant leap over the previous Mavic Air, with improved connection to the controller, noticeably longer battery life, 4K video at 60 fps, 48MP stills with the new 1/2-inch Quad Bayer sensor, and a whole host of new capabilities.

The Mavic Air 2 sets a new standard for what we can expect from DJI drones now and in the future for photographers and videographers who need a highly portable drone that can be easily transported alongside other photography equipment to capture Raw stills, 4K/60p video, and slow motion FHD film.

The Mavic Air 2 is a drone that will definitely appeal to a wide range of people thanks to its amazing smart flight capabilities, stills and video functionality, as well as the updated design, motors, and batteries that bring considerable performance improvements over the previous model.

The Mavic Air 2 isn’t flawless, but it’s a joy to fly and photograph, and it has the potential to become the most popular DJI drone to date.