DJI Mavic Air 2 Is “Just Right” Drone

When DJI sought opinions on the Mavic Air 2, it must have dispensed with the focus group and just gone with one person: Goldilocks. And she said “just right,” because the Mavic Air 2 quadcopter really is as close to “just right” as a drone can get.

Now, don’t get me wrong: There are some flaws and weaknesses, but the simple fact is that Mavic Air 2 has so many strong attributes here, including the $799 price, that it’s hard to imagine buying another quadcopter at this price and size.

Size Does Matter

Let Papa Bear keep his Mavic 2. It’s more capable in some ways than the Mavic Air 2, but for those of us out for a little fun with family or friends, it shouts “too big” and “too costly.” And Mama Bear can have her Mavic Mini. It lacks the camera and flight capabilities of the Mavic Air 2, and for most of us, “too small” comes quickly to mind.

Mavic Air 2 measurements hit that “just right” description. Folded, it’s 7.1 x 3.8 x 2.9 inches—sized for a purse, backpack, or pocket of a jacket, hoodie or cargo pants. Mavic Air 2 weighs enough that you’ll have to register with the FAA, but at 1 pound, 4 ounces, it won’t strain anybody.

Fly Right

Mavic Air 2 is a fun flyer, although it has some surprising limits. Range isn’t one of them. MA2 has a seriously extended range of 6.2 miles. I found real-world range shorter, but that’s OK since it’s best to see at least some semblance of your drone in flight. Its flight time, realistically, is 25 minutes or more, close to the stated 30.

The top speed of 42 miles per hour is fast. Mini musters only 25 mph. The Phantom 4 and Mavic 2 approach 45 mph, but they cost nearly twice as much. Mavic Air 2 did fine in winds, rocking slightly in 23 mph gusts. The Mavic 2 and Parrot Anafi , both bigger and costing more, do better.

Mavic Air 2 is easily maneuvered with the included remote controller. The new ergonomic design fit my hands comfortably and securely. The smartphone is held fast above the remote controller in a cleverly designed bracket that’s also the antenna—a very good antenna. The DJI Fly flight program displayed telemetrics and avionics onscreen, making it easy to select commands.

An obvious shortcoming: Mavic Air 2 has obstacle detection only on the bottom, front and rear. Quickshots can be hazardous around obstructions—branches, wires, varying rooflines. Accustomed to better obstacle detection, I had to remember to be more careful with Mavic Air 2. It gives no warning of obstacles during Quickshots that send the drone sideways or simultaneously up and backward. But keep in mind that similarly priced competitors Anafi, FiMi X8 SE, Hubsan Zino 2 and Mavic Mini have zero obstacle avoidance.

High-Performance Imaging

Imaging is the standout feature. The camera sensor is a half-inch as opposed to the 1/2.3-inch sensor on the original Mavic Air.

The standard 12MP JPEGs are crisp with good color separation, but the star is anything shot in RAW. This format allows resolutions as high as 48MP and greater leeway in editing, especially colors. With 48MP, I found it easy to enlarge a detail without noticeably losing quality. There are other drones out there with 48K, such as the Autel Robotics Evo 2, but you’ll pay an 87 percent premium.

MA2’s ultra-high-definition 4K video at 60 frames per second converts well to slow motion. Both the $459 FiMI X8 SE and $590 Hubsan Zino 2 record in 4K, but at only 30fps. Want super slo-mo of your black Lab’s sloppy catches at the dog park? Use Mavic Air 2’s 1080p at 240 fps and you’ll dramatically slow the slobber coming off Barxalot’s well-chewed tennis ball.

The list of Quickshots is long, and importantly, Mavic Air 2 has Active Track, which Mini lacks. I could lock onto a subject by drawing a box onscreen and Active Track would follow, even when a sports car ducked under the foliage of a tree. Mavic Air 2 found it without a glitch when the car emerged.

Because of Active Track, your Quickshot subjects are not limited to a statue or a person imitating one. Included are Dronie, Rocket, Helix, Circle, Asteroid and Boomerang. Be warned: The special effects record only in 1080p.

Mavic Air 2 is a competent, enjoyable drone. It’s good enough that some professionals—real estate agents, developers, news reporters, vloggers, teachers, wedding photographers—could use it to good effect.

If you want accessories, including extra batteries and ND filters, consider the $988 Mavic Air 2 Fly More Combo, a bargain.