Drones have revolutionized photography and videography. As consumer interest grows, more options cater to enthusiasts seeking professional-grade aerial filming capabilities. That brings us to two standouts – DJI‘s Mavic Air 2 and Air 2S.
These compact yet powerful models share strong similarities but also hold meaningful distinctions explored here through an extensive feature-by-feature showdown. By evaluating their target buyer, strengths, weaknesses and performance benchmarks side-by-side, we uncover the right fit based on budget and expectations.
Introduction to the DJI Mavic Family
Founded in 2006, DJI pioneered easy-to-fly drones for the masses. Their popular Mavic series offers portable packages with increasing sophistication to suit beginners and expert pilots. The Air 2 and Air 2S represent their mid-range consumer tier.
Reviewers praise both models for lightweight and foldable designs made for travelers. You can toss them in any backpack or bag for mobility. Top speed clocks around 68 kph in Sport mode ensuring you won‘t miss a shot.
So in the same compact chassis, what exactly sets the Air 2 and Air 2S apart? Which gives buyers more bang for their buck? Let‘s break it down feature-by-feature.
Head-to-Head Specs Rundown
| Model | Mavic Air 2 | Mavic Air 2S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $999 |
| Camera | 48MP, 1/2" CMOS 4K/60fps video |
20MP, 1" CMOS 5.4K/30fps video |
| Battery Life | 34 minutes | 31 minutes |
| Weight | 570g | 595g |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Forward/Backward/Downward | Forward/Backward/Downward/Upward |
| Max Control Range | 10km | 12km |
| Auto Flight Modes | QuickShots, Hyperlapse, Active Track 3.0 | + MasterShots |
From resolution to sensors to safety, you can already distinguish areas one model exceeds. Now we‘ll examine the critical performance categories impacting real-world usage.
Obstacle Avoidance Technology
Pilots want assurance their drone won‘t crash. Obstacle avoidance capabilities provide that peace of mind using vision sensors to automatically detect then bypass objects in the flight path.
The Air 2 equips front, bottom and rear sensors for mapping its environment. Reviewers found the Mavic Air 2 returned safely when tested in cluttered settings. But lacking upward firing sensors leaves blindspots.
The Air 2S adds that fourth upward positioning sensor to identify overhead obstacles. Commercial Pilots Association reviewer Tyler Morgan called the upward add-on "a huge perk I utilized constantly navigating under treetops and bridges." This gives the Air 2S a safety advantage in tougher navigational contexts.
Capturing Superior Footage
As imaging devices, camera performance plays a starring role. A larger image sensor paired with higher resolutionpotentially means clearer, more professional-level results.
The 1-inch CMOS sensor inside the Air 2S beats the 1/2-inch version in the Air 2. According to Digital Camera World‘s Mat Gallagher, the bigger sensor gave the 2S "…poignantly better dynamic range and low light performance." This pays off with superior contrast and richer details in suboptimal lighting situations – a key scenario when shooting outdoor events.
Resolution charts a similar story – 5.4K on the Air 2S versus max 4K definition on the Air 2. Those additional pixels translate to over 50% more image data for heightened detail, especially important producing video assets.
Of course, benefits accompany tradeoffs. You‘ll pay a premium for the hardware upgrades driving the Air 2S digital imaging excellence. So based on budget and skill level, the still stellar 4K capture capabilities from the Mavic Air 2 pulls its weight for most fans.
Battery Life
Air time per charge comes down to battery efficiency balancing size and power demands. Here the Mavic Air 2‘s 3500 mAh cell beats out the identical battery source embedded in the sensor and processing-heavy Mavic Air 2S.
Pilots noted a percentage point uptick reaching 34 minutes flight time on the Mavic Air 2 over the still impressive 31 minutes for the Mavic Air 2S in real life testing.
For many, that extra few moments aloft could mean recording the money shot before a recharge. Still, carrying extra batteries as swappable backups can mitigate any performance gaps in either model.
Auto-Pilot Flight Modes
While both leverage advanced stabilization and computer vision for tracking techniques that enhance capturing footage, the Air 2S does flaunt a couple extra tricks up its sleeve.
The marquee exclusive feature is MasterShots which autonomously plans and executes an entire cinematic sequence with just a tap. The onboard AI handles all the mid-air maneuvering and framing. It‘s like having a drone film a short movie completely unaided!
So while staples like Hyperlapses and Quickshots benefit both models, the automated creative input from MasterShots demonstrates the design innovation DJI packs into their higher tier offerings.
Which Floats Your Drone Filming Aspirations?
For many, sticking to a $799 budget makes sense grabbing the Mavic Air 2. Its superb 4K video recording capabilities and long-life battery thrill for the price. Novices can master commanding visually-stunning aerial films without overwhelmming complexity or compromises.
Moving upscale to the Mavic Air 2S brings best-in-class options thanks to next-gen hardware and software powering 5.4K ultra high definition footage showcasing brilliant textures, colors and contrast even in low light scenes.
Obsessive pilots will appreciate unlocked possibilities from upgrades like MasterShots automated artistic input along with enhanced safety configuration monitoring all flight zones.
In the end, grabbing the Mavic model matching both preference and spending sensibilities equals the formula for capturing inspiring, screen-worthy aerial magic bound to attract envy and engagement.
