DJI Unveils Mavic Air 2: A $799 Camera Drone with 4K at 60fps

DJI announced the Mavic Air 2 today, April 27, 2020, a camera drone aimed at consumers and content creators that shoots 4K video at 60 frames per second and 48-megapixel still images. The drone starts at $799, slotting between the entry-level Mavic Mini and the flagship Mavic 2 Pro.

Camera specs that blur the line with professional drones

The Chinese company is positioning the new model as a middle-ground option: not a tiny beginner drone, but also not a premium tool for professional producers. The camera's technical specs form the core of the pitch, with an emphasis on a relatively high bitrate for a drone at this price point.

• Video: 4K resolution, 60 frames per second, 120 Mbps bitrate
• Stills: 48-megapixel resolution photos
• HDR shooting support
• Starting price: $799

Automated flight modes and an upgraded tracking system

Beyond the hardware, DJI continues to invest in smart flight modes designed to simplify aerial photography for those without piloting experience. The main focus is on subject tracking and generating complex panoramic images with a single button press.

• Upgraded ActiveTrack for following moving subjects
• Panorama mode that stitches up to 25 photos into a single high-resolution image
• Collision-avoidance sensors on the front, rear and facing the ground

OcuSync 2.0 comes to the Air series, with 34 minutes of flight time

One of the most notable upgrades in the new model has nothing to do with the camera and everything to do with the communication link between the drone and its controller. DJI is bringing OcuSync 2.0 to the Air series for the first time, a transmission system that had previously been reserved mainly for pricier models in the company's lineup.

The system is expected to significantly extend control range and video feed stability compared to the original Mavic Air. DJI also reports a rated flight time of 34 minutes, a figure above the current average for consumer drones on the market.

Does the price really make this drone accessible to the masses?

The $799 price tag clearly places the Mavic Air 2 above much cheaper entry-level products, yet still below the price ceiling of the Pro-series models. The practical question in the market is whether the combination of 4K60 video, collision sensors and OcuSync 2.0 justifies the gap versus the Mavic Mini, or whether this is mainly a marketing move meant to fill the shelf space between the company's two existing price extremes. Not every consumer needs a 120 Mbps bitrate or 48 megapixels, and many will still weigh whether the added features are worth the price difference compared to lighter, cheaper models.