With affordable technology and the increasing popularity of quad-copters, improved drone operated cameras continue to be released to the public. Camera drones are no longer exclusive to the movie industry. The new DJI Mavic Air 2 is easy to fly and capable of capturing breathtaking vistas in photo and video.

The power of drones is limitless. 360° Virtual Business Tours® uses drones to capture stunning aerial 360° photos for Google Maps, real estate properties, hotels, construction companies, and much more. An aerial 360° photo is only as good as the drone and the operator used to take the shot. 360° Virtual Business Tours® uses only the best.

Learn more about the DJI Mavic Air 2 and how to select a drone for photography.

Camera Drone Features

Camera drones come with a ton of features, and it is important to consider which aspects are most important to you. Before discussing the new DJI Mavic Air 2, let’s cover important features to consider when comparing drone-based cameras.

NOTE: If you are new to flying drones, start with a basic $15 camera-less model to learn the basics.

Image Quality: In the drone market, a 1-inch sensor is the new gold standard for professional photography. Expect to see at least 12-mega pixel photographs.

4K Video: Shooting a video in 4K allows for crisp videos as editing decreases the footage resolution. Look for video speed of  24 fps (frames per second) to 30fps for smooth footage. For special effects like slow motion, however, consider using 60fps.

Raw/DNG format: Professional photographers that edit photos will benefit from a camera drone that can shoot RAW/DNG photos. RAW/DNG photos can be edited in a variety of fashions in post-production.

Stable hovering: Early model drones would constantly rise, fall, or drift, resulting in blurry images. A mounted gimbal provides stable hovering and thus, crisp and clear photos.

Transmission: Video transmission, in real-time, allows the pilot to view what is being captured by the drone (and avoid expense crashes). Advanced transmission systems will support dual 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency bands for longer transmitting distance.

Battery length: Drone cameras often advertise a 30-minute battery life, but the reality is closer to 25 minutes (wind can decrease battery life). A best practice is to have additional batteries charged and ready to go.

DJI Mavic Air 2

360° Virtual Business Tours® uses only the best drone cameras to capture aerial 360° photos and videos. Our team is constantly testing and evaluating new models.

The release of DJI’s Mavic Air 2 caught our attention. The Mavic Air 2 carries on the Mavic Air legacy all while maintaining a price point under $1,000. Furthermore, this version includes a better camera system and more technology.

Key Specs

• ½ inch Image Sensor
• 4K/60fps Video
• 48-megapixel photo
• OcuSync 2.0 10km 1080p/30fps Video Transmission
• 8K Hyperlapse
• 4K 3-axis gimbal camera
• 3-directional environment sensing
• Takes 32 MP Sphere panoramas quickly
• SmartCapture mode

Mavic Air 2 Details

First and foremost, the Mavic Air 2 now has a bigger 1/2-inch sensor capable of shooting 4K 60fps video and 48-megapixel images. For comparison, the Mavic Pro 2 has a larger desirable 1-inch sensor in its camera system. The Air 2’s sensor does allow the option of detailed high-resolution photos or lower-resolution images with better dynamic range.

DJI released a new photo feature with the Mavic Air 2 called SmartCapture. It is an automatic scene recognition, reminiscent of the point and shoot feature on a traditional consumer camera. SmartCapture will automatically adjust settings based on what is in the drone viewfinder, such as cityscapes or sunrises.

In terms of video, the Mavic Air 2 comes with significant upgrades over its predecessor. It can film 4K 60fps (the speed needed for proper slow-motion editing). Additionally, it can record slow-motion footage up to 240fps at 1080p resolution. Similar to timelapse, the Mavic Air 2 contains 8K hyperlapse to speed up the motion of something that moves very slowly.

Included with the Mavic Air 2 is DJI’s proprietary OccuSync 2.0. OccuSync is used instead of wi-fi to control the drone and is far superior than previous systems.

The Mavic Air 2 has a similar design to the larger Mavic 2 Pro and smaller Mavic Mini. The Air 2 is slightly bigger than the first Mavic Air, but is still portable and easy to store.

Pros

• Much better connectivity between controller and drone (OccuSync)
• Bigger image sensor
• Great photo modes

Cons

• Image quality still behind higher-end models
• Heavier and larger than its predecessor
• Autonomous flight modes are not as advanced as other drones

All in all, the Mavic Air 2 is the recommended drone for someone desiring more advanced controls, and better video, and photo quality than entry-level models yet still under $1,000. A better drone doesn’t exist at this price point.

The licensed pilots of 360° Virtual Business Tours®  take every precaution when taking aerial 360° photos and videos.  Our first will always be using the best technology to capture your property. Call us today for a free consultation.