DJI Air 2S vs Mavic Air 2: What's Different?
The DJI Air 2S is the latest edition to the DJI family and has become one of the best all round and value for money drones on the market. With a 1-inch sensor, 5.4K video, Mastershots, OcuSync 3.0 and updated tracking, it's hard to find a better option on the market at this price point. The biggest question we get is, how does the DJI Air 2S stack up to its predecessor? How much better is it? Is it worth the upgrade and why is it all in one?
There are 4 key areas where the DJI Air 2S has improved over its predecessor, the Mavic Air 2.
Camera Performance: The bigger the size, the better the results
| DJI Air 2S | Mavic Air 2 | |
| Sensor | 1-inch CMOS Sensor | 1/2"-inch CMOS Sensor |
| Video Resolution | 5.4K/30fps 4K/60fps 2.7K/60fps 1080p/120fps |
4K/60fps 2.7K/60fps 1080p/240fps |
The Mavic Air 2 without a doubt, still remains as a powerful and versatile option when it comes to footage quality. However, the DJI Air 2S raises this bar up another notch with a 1-inch CMOS sensor and the ability to shoot in 5.4K resolution.
A bigger sensor is a big deal for many reasons especially is low light situations, you will be able to capture more details in the shadows than before. Instead of the shadows appearing as black or with large amounts of grain, the DJI Air 2S sensors captures a significantly greater portion of detail in the shadows. So when it comes to low-light or night time shooting, the DJI Air 2S significantly outperforms the Mavic Air 2.
Safety: Advanced technology for worry-free flight
| DJI Air 2S | Mavic Air 2 | |
| Sensor | APAS 4.0 | APAS 3.0 |
| Sensing System | 4 Directional Sensing (Upwards, downwards, forward and backwards) Effective forward sensing speed is 15 m/s. |
3 Directional Sensing (Downwards, forward and backwards) Effective forward sensing speed is 12 m/s. |
The Mavic Air 2 introduced APAS 3.0 and allowed the drone to follow the subject and avoid obstacles whilst in active track. However this was let down by a slow maximum speed. Now with the DJI Air 2S, this maximum speed has increased a fair margin, allowing the drone to autonomously track and avoid obstacles at more usable speeds.
Thanks to the upwards sensors, the APAS 4.0 can fly in S Mode, which is a whole new addition.
One of the reasons obstacle sensing is such a benefit for pilots of any skill level is that it lets them focus on the shot instead of worrying about surroundings. Pilots should always be aware of their environment and fly safely, but obstacle avoidance is indispensable when trying to get cinematic shots in complex environments like a wooded forest or a rocky coastline.
Transmission: Long Range Flights
| DJI Air 2S | Mavic Air 2 | |
| Transmission | OcuSync 3.0 Transmission System, Up to 12km range, 1080p feed | OcuSync 2.0 Transmission System, Up to 10km range, 1080p feed |
DJI Air 2S features an upgraded OcuSync Transmission System, O3. This is the same transmission system as the DJI FPV drone and gives incredible range along with low latency flight. The drone has an additional two antennas that provide stronger and more reliable transmission which now means the controller support omnidirectional signal reception, offering strong, reliable and stable signal when the drone is flying.
Intelligence: Epic is easy with MasterShots
| DJI Air 2S | Mavic Air 2 | |
| Intelligent Shooting | Master Shots Quick Shots |
Quick Shots |
The DJI Air 2S offers on of DJI's most impressive intelligent features for creators: MasterShots. This new feature essentially gives anyone the ability to get all the best shots in any location within just a few minutes and a couple of taps.
Master Shots is considered to be of an evolution of Quickshots where Quickshots required the user to select, choose and record the quickshots. If someone wanted all of them, this was a lot of hassle to do. Now with Mastershots, everything is automatic which combines 10-15 shots where they are flown in sequence while the drone focuses on a subject of your choice and records. it even creates smooth transitions. More than 20 templates are available to choose from, all of which were created by professional aerial photographers.
This DJI Air 2S feature is an extremely powerful and convenient way for anyone to get all the shots they want in any location. With Mavic Air 2, users had to either use either quickshots or fly and record manually to achieve the same results, which would take much longer and require an expert-level pilot in some cases. Whether you're a beginner or expert, you can get numerous cinematic clips of any subject effortlessly with MasterShots, leaving you with more time to explore and create.
General Comments
When flying the drone, they both perform in a similar manner however we found the DJI Air 2S to be ever so slightly more responsive and stable in flight. We also found the video feed to be more stable with slightly less latency than the Mavic Air 2.
The biggest difference came from the sensors and the ability to shoot in Dlog-M, this meant the video feed was also affected which meant seeing shadows was a lot easier, which made it perfect for navigating challenging environments.
Where to Buy
Purchase the DJI Air 2S from D1 Store and receive local support and service along with free shipping on orders over $99.
Take advantage of our conveniently located stores across Australia where you can experience and feel the DJI Air 2S.
