DJI Mavic Air 2

DJI does it again: this is the best value drone for 4K videography and brilliant, pin-sharp stills

JI’s brand new Mavic Air 2 is quite a different bird to the one we were expecting. In fact, in terms of size and to some degree weight, it’s actually closer to the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom than it is to the previous Mavic Air. But a pleasant surprise is the plethora of extra advanced features this new drone brings to the table, along with a new, vastly improved camera.

We were never going to be disappointed by how well the Mavic Air 2 flies. And sure enough it’s impeccable in every respect – very confidence-inspiring and steady as a rock, even in a stiff breeze. It’s also one of the quietest DJI drones we’ve (n)ever heard – a pleasant low silky tone that almost disappears when the drone reaches about 10 metres in altitude.

The Mavic Air 2 boasts forward, backward and downward obstacle sensors making it nigh on impossible to crash. The drone’s Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) has also been given an overhaul, enabling the Air 2 to automatically negotiate its way around obstacles in a more accurate and smoother manner.

D$1,499 dji.com

But the camera is where things get really interesting. The drone’s new half-inch CMOS sensor will shoot to a frankly incredible 4K/60fps at 120Mbps. That’s a better spec than the one fitted to the current Mavic 2 Pro. It excels at shooting stills too – in a BIG way. Yes its burst photo resolution is the same as the Mavic Air and Mini (12MP) but keep it in single shot mode and you can take advantage of a whopping 48MP to shoot ravishingly sharp and detailed shots like never before.

Aside from the now obligatory automotive Quick Shots, the Mavic Air 2 also comes with three FocusTrack functions to make professional-style aerial cinematography easily accessible to everyone. Chief among these is the new Spotlight 2.0, which allows you to fix the camera on a subject while the pilot concentrates on controlling the drone. The others are ActiveTrack (a sort of follow-me feature) and Point of Interest (the drone sets a flight path around subjects, both static and moving).

Despite the fact DJI has dropped the smooth lines of the Mavic Air, it’s still an incredible feat of engineering that never ceases to amaze. It’s just so rock steady in flight and a joy to use. If you want to up your game and take some of the best photos and footage you’ve ever seen come out of a drone, then this is the model to buy.