Dji Mavic Air 2 vs Dji Air 2S - Comparison

Camera - Air 2S will take better pictures

The most important improvement of the Air 2S is its camera. The new drone has gained 1-inch CMOS sensor, which is quite an achievement for a drone of this size. The matrix is responsible for transmitting light, and its size affects the quality of photos. And it usually is - the bigger the matrix - the bigger the m.in. photo resolution. Well, that's usually the case, because, although the Mavic Air 2 has a smaller sensor (half an inch), it's capable of taking photos at resolutions as high as 48 MP. This is due to technology quad - bayer, which, in a nutshell, relies on neighboring pixels together to collect image information.

On the Air 2S, the maximum photo resolution is 20 MP, however, thanks to the size of the sensor, more detail can be recorded in both highlights and shadows, and photos in low-light conditions, such as in the evening or at night, can turn out better quality.

Video - low-quality recordings

The video quality of the newer drone has been taken to an even higher level, the Dji Air 2S shoots videos in amazing quality- 5.4K at 30 fps./s. This is the best result on the market for a drone at this price. Until now, video in this resolution could only be recorded by the DJI Inspire 2 with Zenmuse camera for over 30 thousand. pLN. In comparison, the Mavic Air 2 records 4K at 60 fps./s that is, still in film quality.

Also to be considered digital zoom, which allows pilots to get close to an object without moving the drone. The Air 2S has 8x digital zoom (including 4x zoom at 4K / 30 fps)./s) , while the Mavic Air 2 doubles zoom at the same resolution or 4 -fold zoom at 1080p.

Intelligent shooting modes - new intelligent mode

Both drones offer a range of modes to help pilots create amazing shots. QuickShots allow you to take great shots at the click of a button - the drone can autonomously circle the subject, for example.

The new mode on the Air 2S is MasterShots, which is a combination of automatic pilot and video editor in one. MasterShots creates in sequence, then combines 10-15 shots and creates a video clip with music, filters and smooth transitions. There are more than 20 templates to choose from, which were created by professional aerial photographers.

The improvement is also the most refined version of the ActiveTrack i.e object tracking in 3 modes.

Range and flight time - stronger connection between drone and pilot

The range has been increased from 6 km to 8 km, with the latest version of OcuSync 3.0 and doubled antennas. This makes the connection between the drone and the pilot even more stable and secure. It also affects the speed of image transmission. The maximum video transmission speed has increased from 120 to 150 Mb / s. The flight time of the drones listed in the specifications is 31 minutes for the Air 2S and 34 minutes for the Mavic Air 2. This is because the DJI Air 2S has a new camera, more sensors and a slightly heavier body than the Mavic Air 2.

Keep in mind that the real flight length of both drones will decrease by several minutes in real conditions - wind resistance, fast turns. That's why we always recommend buying a package Fly More Combo, in which, at a good price, there are two additional batteries and a number of other most necessary accessories.

Security - more, more efficiently, faster

Sensors and obstacle detection capabilities are another feature that has been solidly improved. DJI Air 2S is equipped with additional obstacle detection sensor at the top, so it has the ability to detect the environment in four directions: up, down, forward and backward.

In addition, the DJI Air 2S has an improved advanced pilot assistance system (APAS 4.0), which offers autonomous obstacle avoidance in more complex scenarios and at high speeds. The field of view is wider compared to previous versions. As a result, the drone is able to detect obstacles more efficiently and faster.

Also new is that the new drone is equipped with a sensor AirSense. This is the technology ADS-B, which warns pilots about nearby planes and helicopters by displaying a message in the app. Leaving aside industrial drones such as. DJI Matrice 300, the new Dji Air 2 is the first semi-professional drone equipped with this technology.

DJI Air 2S drone and EU regulations

Both drones in the DJI Mavic Air 2 series, due to their weight, fall into the category of A2 and above. This means that in order to fly a drone you need to register on the ULC website and undergo training for categories A1/ A3. It lasts about 15 minutes and takes place online. After such an exam, you can fly at a minimum distance of 150m from buildings and people. To reduce this distance to 50m obtain unmanned aircraft certificate. Such training is both in the nursery (price is about 20 zloty). A list of entities authorized to conduct such training is available on the ULC website .

It should be noted that neither the Mavic Air 2 nor the Air 2S has a class rating, which means that the use of such a drone after the end of the transitional regulation period (January 1, 2023r.) can be difficult. The drone is likely to undergo recertification - just like the rest of the drones that are on the market, as no drone on the market has yet been certified. Read more about this contentious topic and drone classes in the article Drone certification - transitional provisions of the new EU law .

Summary

In a nutshell, the Drone Air 2S has a larger sensor and better camera, advanced obstacle detection sensor system, stronger range, new tracking and recording features. It combines the features of professional and industrial drones, which were previously available to a narrow audience. And while the Dji Mavic Air 2 is still a drone with great features, the Dji Air 2S is an improved version of it.

If you want to learn interesting facts about the DJI Air 2S and find answers to frequently asked questions, be sure to read the article DJI Air 2S questions and answers (FAQ)