DJI Announces Mavic Air 2 Drone With 8K Support, Larger Camera Sensors, and Longer 34 Minute Flight Time

[MacRumors]

DJI this week announced the Mavic Air 2, a new foldable drone that features 8K functionality, a larger 1/2" camera sensor for higher resolution photos and videos, and upgraded flight modes. The Mavic Air 2 can also stay in the air longer thanks to better battery life.

The company said that this is the first drone in the Mavic family to offer 4K video at 60fps and 120 Mbps. The drone supports HDR video, 4X slow motion in 1080p at 120fps or 8x slow motion in 1080p at 240fps. It can record images with up to 48-megapixels and has a mechanical 3-axis gimbal to create stable footage.

The Mavic Air 2 weighs about 570 grams and features new motors, electronic speed controllers, enhanced battery technology, and an aerodynamic design. DJI said that all of this helps provide a maximum flight time for the new drone of up to 34 minutes. While it's in the air, OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology delivers HD video to a connected smartphone at a maximum distance of 10km.

When connected to an iPhone or Android device, users will be able to take advantage of DJI's updated Fly app, which has more advanced functionality. This includes new in-app editing features for videos and photos, all of which DJI described as user-friendly so that anyone can pick up the DJI Fly app and interact with the Mavic Air 2.

More features of the Mavic Air 2 include:

• HDR photos: Mavic Air 2 automatically captures seven varying exposures of the same photograph, merging them together to bring out a highly dynamic image.
• Hyperlight: Hyperlight is designed for low-light scenarios, taking multiple photographs and merging them to bring out a clear image with less of the noise which usually occurs in low-light scenes.
• Scene Recognition: Mavic Air 2 can recognize five categories of scenes including sunsets, blue skies, grass, snow, and trees, then optimize settings to make the photograph pop by bringing out the highest degree of color, detail, and tones.
• ActiveTrack 3.0: Select a subject for Mavic Air 2 to automatically follow. The third iteration of ActiveTrack uses state-of-the-art mapping technology and new flight path algorithms to offer improved subject tracking and obstacle avoidance, along with the ability to quickly re-engage the subject if it temporarily moves behind an object.
• Point of Interest 3.0: Set an automated flight path around a specific subject. The updated iteration improves surface recognition to better dynamically track subjects.
• Spotlight 2.0: Found in professional DJI drones, Spotlight locks a subject in the frame while the user has free operation of the drone's movement.

The company also mentioned the safety features of the Mavic Air 2 in its announcement post, including obstacle sensors on the front and rear of the drone. Additional sensors and auxiliary lights on the bottom of the drone assist with automatic landing, and geofencing features help keep the Mavic Air 2 away from high-risk flying locations.

Due to current shipping restraints happening across numerous industries, the Mavic Air 2 is available today in China, while other regions will be able to pre-order the drone today with an expected shipping date in mid-May.

The Mavic Air 2 will be available in two purchasing options: a standard package with the Mavic Air 2, one battery, one remote controller, and all the required wires and cables for $799. Then there's the Fly More option with all items from the standard version as well as a shoulder bag, ND filters, charging hub, and 3 batteries for $988.

There are several DJI drones available to purchase on Apple.com, but it's not clear yet if the Mavic Air 2 will launch on Apple's website soon.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with DJI. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: DJI Announces Mavic Air 2 Drone With 8K Support, Larger Camera Sensors, and Longer 34 Minute Flight Time

 

[Mdracer]

I only have one recommendation with these Drones being from China.

Download the app on a separate cheap iPad mini, set up the drone and immidialaty disconnect it from the internet and do not let it connect online. I love my Mavic 2 Pro but I will never trust it and the information it may or may not be sending back to its homeland.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Not even for updates/bug fixes? I think if the concern that the product is from China is that great, the recommendation should be not to buy them.

 

[clayj]

It's already a known fact that DJI equipment and apps send data back to China. Everyone needs to stop buying or using anything from DJI.

 

[GadgetBen]

This looks awesome, but has anyone managed to master ‘follow me’ AI technology yet?

 

[Mdracer]

Not even for updates/bug fixes? I think if the concern that the product is from China is that great, the recommendation should be not to buy them.

You are correct, it there is an important update the drone and the app are firstly scrubbed of any pertinent information then reset and upadated.

Client locations and flight metrics are all kept as secure as possible.
[automerge]1588091564[/automerge]

It's already a known fact that DJI equipment and apps send data back to China. Everyone needs to stop buying or using anything from DJI.

That is exactly the way I wish it were but the camera/sensor and imagery on DJI is far better than anything else on the market, unless you are smart enough custom build a unit from scratch and use a mounted DSLR or Panasonic GH5.

 

[MacLawyer]

I would love something like this, but I live close to a GA airport and driving to an isolated location to fly a drone is discouraged now.

 

[obargy]

Even US military uses their drones. Where does your privacy concern come from？

 

[Sedulous]

I only have one recommendation with these Drones being from China.

Download the app on a separate cheap iPad mini, set up the drone and immidialaty disconnect it from the internet and do not let it connect online. I love my Mavic 2 Pro but I will never trust it and the information it may or may not be sending back to its homeland.

That is exactly what I do too. Would definitely not recommend using anything DJI with device with personal information or active internet connection.

 

[MacNut]

It's already a known fact that DJI equipment and apps send data back to China. Everyone needs to stop buying or using anything from DJI.

And your iPhone was made in China. Will you stop buying those now?

 

[clayj]

And your iPhone was made in China. Will you stop buying those now?

I trust Apple more than I trust DJI -- but I do want Apple to move their iPhone assembly out of China, along with everything else.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

This looks awesome, but has anyone managed to master ‘follow me’ AI technology yet?

Follow Me is pretty good on the original Mavic Air and other drones are even better, creating a 3D map of the surroundings and then finding the best path that maintains focus on the subject while keeping the craft safe. The Mavic Air 2 still only has forward backward and downward sensors, so it won’t be able to dodge anything above it.

 

[hxlover904]

It's already a known fact that DJI equipment and apps send data back to China. Everyone needs to stop buying or using anything from DJI.

Genuinely curious- do you have any links on this?

 

[clayj]

Genuinely curious- do you have any links on this?

Here's a New York Times article from 2017 -- hardly tin-foil hat stuff:

Drone Maker D.J.I. May Be Sending Data to China, U.S. Officials Say (Published 2017)

A memo from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau says the firm’s commercial products may be sending sensitive information about U.S. infrastructure back to China, raising security concerns.

www.nytimes.com

 

[decypher44]

From China? That’s a big NOPE for me.

 

[MacNut]

I trust Apple more than I trust DJI -- but I do want Apple to move their iPhone assembly out of China, along with everything else.

Every electric device you use has fingers in China. So unless you are going to fall off the grid you will have to deal with it.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

As a content producer, I love the advancements we've seen in drone technology. It really is mind-boggling to see how far we've come.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

It's already a known fact that DJI equipment and apps send data back to China. Everyone needs to stop buying or using anything from DJI.

Well crap.

Is there a line of cinematography/photography drones that don't?

 

[nutmac]

I only have one recommendation with these Drones being from China.

Download the app on a separate cheap iPad mini, set up the drone and immidialaty disconnect it from the internet and do not let it connect online. I love my Mavic 2 Pro but I will never trust it and the information it may or may not be sending back to its homeland.

It's always good to be cautious, especially since DJI has a history of getting hacked.

However, the company isn't state owned like many famous Chinese tech companies (e.g., Huawei, TCL) and no one has accused the company of sending private data to mainland for possible abuse.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

It's always good to be cautious, especially since DJI has a history of getting hacked.

However, the company isn't state owned like many famous Chinese tech companies (e.g., Huawei, TCL) and no one has accused the company of sending private data to mainland for possible abuse.

There's literally a post in this thread saying otherwise:

Here's a New York Times article from 2017 -- hardly tin-foil hat stuff:

Drone Maker D.J.I. May Be Sending Data to China, U.S. Officials Say (Published 2017)

A memo from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau says the firm’s commercial products may be sending sensitive information about U.S. infrastructure back to China, raising security concerns.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Mdracer]

Even US military uses their drones. Where does your privacy concern come from？

Looks like someone has hurt your feelings here. Sorry bout that.

 

[now i see it]

Unfortunately flying a drone in the USA is illegal just about everywhere you'd want to fly one. Unless you're a real estate photographer- flying a drone in most of the USA is just asking for trouble

 

[verniesgarden]

It's already a known fact that DJI equipment and apps send data back to China. Everyone needs to stop buying or using anything from DJI.

if only someone would make as good or better drone. the market is pretty dominated by DJI, they make really really really good drones.

 

[sunsetrunner]

Mavic Air 2 more looked like a "Mavic 2 Pro mini" to me considering the size&weight. As a drone hobbyist since first Phantom series, I'd phased out all my big drones and recently settled down only with a Mavic mini which I've been really enjoying. My two previous drones were Mavic Pro and Mavic Air in respective order. Now Mavic Air 2 is out and I'm definitely keeping my Mavic mini.


(Screenshot curtesy of FlyPath)

 

[northernmunky]

Well this thread turned into paranoia central pretty quickly.