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First impressions: DJI Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom

04 Sep

The DJI Mavic 2 is a foldable drone that comes in two versions: the Mavic 2 Pro features an integrated Hasselblad camera with a 1” sensor and the Mavic 2 Zoom has a 2x optical (4x digital) zoom lens.

The bodies of the two drones are identical. Both include 10 sensors which combine to detect obstacles in any direction, utilize a 3-axis mechanical gimbals, come with 8GB of internal storage and feature a number of automated flight modes. I had a chance to test both drones in flight before launch and was generally impressed with what I saw.

Like the original Mavic Pro, the Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom models are foldable—making them ideal for travel. Unfolding the drones and preparing them for flight is as easy as you would expect it to be. The Mavic 2 has a solid feel and is slightly larger and heavier than the original Mavic Pro. A button on the top of the drone turns it on and within seconds the camera orients itself to give you a straight horizon line once you take flight.

The Mavic 2 Pro (front) and Mavic 2 Zoom (rear) are physically identical except for their cameras, though the Mavic 2 Zoom has a couple of extra tricks up its sleeve that require a zoom lens.

The controller is also foldable. Your smartphone clicks right into place, and it uses the familiar DJI GO app, along with the physical controls, to pilot the drone. The controller is similar in size to the one from the Mavic Air, and I found it comfortable to hold. Like the Air, it also features joysticks that can be unscrewed to make its profile smaller when packed. I found all the controls to have well designed ergonomics, and all were easy to access with your thumb and index finger. The controller for the Mavic 2 also features its own display, making it useful for things such as monitoring battery levels on the drone.

During my flight I found the controller to be quite responsive—a light touch gave me the movements I was looking for, although you’ll surely be able to adjust this within the DJI GO app to match your preferences. Since both models are identical except for the cameras the experience of flying them was the same.

I found the experience of flying the Mavic 2 so intuitive that I was able to focus on getting epic shots, rather than worrying that the drone might drift into something and crash.

The real beauty of the Mavic 2 is that you don’t have to be an expert flier to keep this drone in the sky. The omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors, along with a variety of automated flight modes, make the Mavic 2 a drone that you can essentially launch into the sky and with minimal movements on the controller grab beautiful and seamless footage. I found the experience of flying the Mavic 2 so intuitive that I was able to focus on getting epic shots, rather than worrying that the drone might drift into something and crash.

The compact Mavic 2 controller is similar to that seen on other recent DJI models, and includes its own screen to display much of the information you would normally monitor through the DJI GO app. One of the dials on the back of the remote can be used to control zooming on the Mavic 2 Zoom.

Zooming while flying Mavic 2 Zoom is also a breeze; you control the zoom function of the camera using the dial on the back right side of the remote. If you’ve spent limited time with video game controllers or previous drones it’s an intuitive movement.

The Mavic 2 Zoom features two new automated modes: Dolly Zoom and Super Resolution, both of which leverage its 2x zoom lens, and I tried out both during my test flight. Dolly Zoom is an automated video mode where the drone physically moves away from a subject while the camera zooms in—it’s an old cinema effect popularized by folks like Alfred Hitchcock that was once quite tricky to pull off. With the Mavic 2 Zoom it’s all automated and can be found in the quickshot menu in the DJI GO app. It takes just a few steps to activate the feature and in use I found it very smooth.

The Mavic 2 Zoom can create dolly zoom effects by automating the process of synchronizing the drone’s movement with its optical and digital zoom, keeping a subject in place while changing the perspective of the surrounding scene. Video courtesy of DJI

Super Resolution is a photo mode which uses the optical zoom to shoot 9 overlapping images of a scene and then automatically stitches them together to create a 48MP image. I wasn’t able to take the sample images with me after my test flights, so we can’t comment on the level of detail captured, but the process of shooting the images and stitching them together was quick, and from the phone screen appeared to be quite accurate.

The Mavic 2 Zoom can capture 48MP ‘Super Resolution’ images by shooting nine overlapping photos and stitching them together automatically. Image courtesy of DJI

The drone’s updated OcuSync 2.0 gave me nearly instant access to the photos and videos from my flight, including 1080p video and full resolution JPEGs. These can be saved to your phone and immediately shared.

In the air the two new drones are noticeably quieter than the original Mavic Pro as well. There is of course some noise, but the familiar drone hum isn’t found here.

The Mavic 2 is larger than DJI’s Mavic Air (pictured), and is also slightly larger than the original Mavic Pro.

Landing the Mavic 2 is just as easy as getting it into the air. I flew during the middle of the day so I didn’t get to see the auxiliary LED lights in action, but according to DJI these additional lights will help with landing the drone in low light conditions.

I was impressed by the performance of both Mavic 2 models during my brief hands on time with the products. They’re compact, easy to fly and the number of automated flight modes should make the Mavic 2 appealing to enthusiasts and even some pros. We’re planning a full review of both models to see how they stack up against the competition, as well as to see how the different cameras perform.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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What you need to know about DJI’s new Mavic 2 series drones

26 Aug

Two new Mavics

DJI’s orignial Mavic Pro became tremendously popular thanks to an impressive set of features shoehorned into a foldable drone that seemed almost purpose-built for travel. However, two of the most frequent requests from Mavic Pro users have been to upgrade the camera with a larger 1″ sensor, similar to the one found on the Phantom 4 Pro/Advanced twins, and to make a model with a zoom lens.

It appears that DJI was listening to its customers, offering its new Mavic 2 model in two versions: the Mavic 2 Pro includes a camera with a 1″-type sensor and the Mavic 2 Zoom ships with a 2x optical (4x digital) zoom lens, effectively delivering on both requests. Physically, the two models are identical except for the camera module and as a nice touch both include 8GB of internal storage: perfect for that time when you’ll eventually forget to bring a memory card with you.

On the following pages, we’ll take a look at what sets these two models apart, along with some of the headline features that they have in common.

Mavic 2 Pro

The Mavic 2 Pro will appeal to those who want a portable drone, but who have been waiting for a camera with a larger sensor. Its camera is built around a 20MP 1″-type sensor, similar to the one found on the Phantom 4 Pro/Advanced models. It uses a 28mm equiv. lens (compared to 24mm on the P4 Pro and 26mm on the Mavic Pro) with a F2.8-F11 aperture range.

This is the first DJI consumer drone to feature a Hasselblad-branded camera, which the company says was “co-engineered in partnership with Hasselblad.” (Though it’s not the first time DJI as put a Hasselblad on one of its aircraft.) We’re not sure to what degree Hasselblad was actually involved in the camera’s design, however we’re optimistic that the Hasselblad name means that DJI has set a high bar for image quality. DJI says it’s using Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS) technology to ensure good color accuracy.

The Mavic 2 Pro also has a couple features not found on the zoom model: 10-bit Dlog-M color profile and 4K 10-bit HDR support using hybrid log gamma (HLG) for use on HDR TVs and displays.

Mavic 2 Zoom

The Mavic 2 Zoom uses a 12MP, 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor similar to the original Mavic Pro, but adds a 2x optical zoom lens with an equivalent range of 24-48mm. If you need to zoom further, a 2x digital zoom extends the range to 96mm, though video is limited to HD resolution when it’s used.

DJI says that improvements in its hybrid AF system (phase detect + contrast detect) allow this model to focus up to 40% faster than previous models while still benefiting from improved focus accuracy.

The Mavic 2 Zoom’s lens also enables a couple features not found on the Mavic 2 Pro: Dolly Zoom mode and Super Resolution mode. We’ll take a look at those next.

Dolly Zoom

A dolly zoom is a camera technique you’ve probably seen in films before, and was popularized by directors like Alfred Hitchcock. It’s performed by physically moving the camera away from your subject while using the lens to zoom in at a rate that exactly offsets the camera’s movement. (Or vice versa.) It results in a shot in which the perspective shifts around an apparently unmoving subject.

The Mavic 2 Zoom includes a Dolly Zoom mode that coordinates the movement of the camera and zoom lens to automate dolly zoom moves, opening the door to produce some very creative shots.

Super Resolution

Above: Super Resolution image of New York City captured by the Mavic 2 Zoom. Courtesy of DJI

In addition to 12MP still photos, the Mavic 2 Zoom can also create ‘Super Resolution’ images. Using its optical zoom lens, the drone will automatically shoot 9 overlapping photos which it automatically stitches together to create a much more detailed 48MP image.

Of course, it’s possible to create your own Super Resolution images from any camera using a series of images and some post processing, but the extra telephoto reach from the zoom lens should allow the Mavic 2 Zoom to capture a bit more fine detail of distant subjects, while automating a process many users might not bother to do manually. We look forward to seeing how well this feature works.

Video

Despite having very different cameras, both Mavic 2 models share very similar video specifications. Both can capture UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 30p, 2.7K up to 60p, and HD up to 120p, and video can be recorded using either H.264 or H.265 codecs at up to 100Mbps.

Noticeably absent is support for 4K/60p recording, which is available on the older Phantom 4 Pro/Advanced twins, as well as support for cinema DCI 4K (4096 x 2160), found on both the Phantom 4 Pro/Advanced and the original Mavic Pro.

As mentioned previously, the Mavic 2 Pro also includes a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile and supports 4K 10-bit hybrid log gamma. The Mavic 2 Zoom includes DJI’s D-Cinelike color mode.

HyperLapse Mode

Creating cinematic camera moves with a drone can be challenging without a lot of practice, which is why intelligent flight modes can be so useful. The Mavic 2 drones introduce a new HyperLapse feature designed to show the passage of time, and includes four different ways to direct the motion of the drone.

‘Circle’ mode automatically flies the drone in a circular pattern around your subject, ‘Course Lock’ keeps the camera fixed on a subject as the drone flies in a straight line, and ‘Waypoint’ allows you to plan a flight path using both GPS coordinates and altitudes to set up complex shots. Finally, there’s a ‘Free’ mode in which the pilot can fly the drone manually while it takes photos.

DJI says HyperLapse shots can be shared immediately to social media, but the drone also saves the JPEG and Raw files in case you want to do your own processing later.

ActiveTrack 2.0

The Mavic 2 series also benefits from DJI’s ActiveTrack 2.0, the newest version of its autonomous subject tracking system, which works in conjunction with the obstacle avoidance system to prevent collisions.

ActiveTrack 2.0 uses the main camera and front dual vision cameras to create a 3D map of the area in front of the aircraft, and it analyzes motion to predict the path of a subject up to three seconds in advance, which should improve tracking accuracy. DJI claims the system will even continue to follow your subject if it’s temporarily blocked from view by something else in the frame.

Smarter flying

The Mavic 2 models have an updated version of DJI’s FlightAutonomy system that uses 10 sensors around the drone which combine to detect obstacles in any direction, and an improved version of DJI’s APAS (Advanced Pilot Assistance System) analyzes the environment surrounding the aircraft so that it can fly without stopping. This should allow users to focus more on the creative process, such as framing a shot, without the drone drifting into something.

There’s also a new bottom auxiliary light that activates automatically when landing in low light situations, such as dawn or dusk, to ensure safe landings under such conditions.

OcuSync 2.0

DJI has also updated its OcuSync video transmission system to version 2.0. According to DJI, OcuSync 2.0 is more effective at resisting interference, supports both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz bands, and includes auto-switching capability. It can even use the different frequencies to separate uplink and downlink data streams.

OcuSync 2.0 allows the Mavic 2 to transmit live 1080p video up to a claimed distance of 8km, and thanks to this improved transmission users will have immediate access to full HD video clips from the cache in the DJI app. It’s also possible to save original resolution JPEG files directly to your mobile device for immediate sharing, without needing to transfer image files from the aircraft.

Hardware and performance

Above: The Mavic 2 (left) next to the Mavic Air (right).

The original Mavic Pro became popular thanks to its compact size and weight. The new Mavic 2 models weigh in higher than the original (907g/2lb vs. 734g/1.6lb). However, DJI says that the new design also reduces body drag by up to 19% compared to the Mavic Pro. In fact, despite being slightly larger, the Mavic 2s have a respectable flight time of 31 minutes.

Both models can fly up to 72 kph (44 mph) in sport mode, making them useful for following some quickly moving subjects, though maybe not that Ferrari you’ve been meaning to shoot.

DJI claims that the Mavic 2s also use a more efficient, quieter propulsion system and noise reducing propellers to keep noise to a minimum. This is good news, especially since noise has been a bit of a sore point for some users of DJI’s recently released Mavic Air.

Price and availability

The Mavic 2 Pro retails for $ 1499, while the Mavic 2 Zoom is $ 1199. That’s still more than the current prices for the older Mavic Pro ($ 999) and smaller Mavic Air ($ 799), and more in line with the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 ($ 1499) and Phantom 4 Advanced ($ 1199), both of which have 1-inch type sensors, but lack the compact foldability of the Mavic 2s.

Assuming you need some additional accessories, it’s probably worth considering DJI’s ‘Fly More’ kit, which includes two additional batteries, a multi-battery charging hub, a car charger, a battery to power bank adapter, extra props, and a case for $ 319. Extra batteries on their own will cost you $ 119 each.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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DJI releases highly anticipated Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom compact drones

23 Aug

DJI has announced the Mavic 2 Pro, featuring a 1-inch type CMOS sensor (left), and the Mavic 2 Zoom, which includes a 2x optical zoom lens (right).

Drone manufacturer DJI has announced the arrival of two new drones to its Mavic series: the Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom.

The Mavic 2 Pro is the first drone with an integrated Hasselblad camera—a project that the companies collaborated on for the last two years. The Mavic 2 Pro utilizes a newly redesigned 1-inch CMOS sensor and 10-bit Dlog-M color profile, which allows the Mavic 2 Pro to capture four times the level of color as its predecessor, the Mavic Pro. The drone can shoot 20-megapixel images, has an ISO sensitivity of 100-6400, an aperture range of F2.8 to F11 and shoots 4K video with 10-bit HDR.

Mavic 2 Pro sample video. Courtesy of DJI

The Mavic 2 Zoom is the first consumer-oriented drone with zooming capabilities. It offers users a 2x optical zoom (24mm-48mm) and a 2x digital zoom (49mm-96mm) and can capture lossless video in full HD resolution. It’s built around a redesigned 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, can shoot 12-megapixel images, has an ISO range of 100-3200 and improved focusing speed thanks to its upgraded phase and contrast detection.

A new auto mode on the Mavic 2 Zoom, called Super Resolution, uses the drone’s optical zoom to shoot nine individual images of a scene and then automatically stitch them together into a 48-megapixel photo. The drone’s zooming capabilities have led to new video modes too. Dolly Zoom QuickShot allows videographers to quickly replicate cinematic techniques popularized by folks like Hitchcock, where the camera zooms in on a subject while moving backwards.

The Mavic 2 Zoom can automatically create dolly zoom effects by coordinating the drone’s movement while adjusting the focal length of the lens. Courtesy of DJI

The bodies of the two new models are identical, and are slightly larger than the original Mavic Pro; like the orginal, they also fold down for easy transport. Both are equipped with omnidirectional sensors that can track the drone’s movements left, right, up, down, forward and backward, utilize a 3-axis mechanical stabilization and feature new auxiliary lights on the bottom to help with landing and flying in low-light situations (like dusk and dawn). A redesigned winglet and new motors make the two drones quieter than earlier models.

Example of a ‘Super Resolution’ photo, in which the Mavic 2 Zoom automatically stitches together 9 individual photos to create a high resolution image. Courtesy of DJI

Both models can record at a maximum bitrate of 100 Mbps using H.265 compression, include 8GB of internal storage, and can capture 4K video at up to 30fps as well as HD video up to 120fps. Each has a respectable flight time of 31 minutes.

The new drones also feature updated intelligent flight modes like Hyperlapse and ActiveTrack 2.0, which can now avoid obstacles and continuously track subjects thanks to the 10 sensors found on each drone. OcuSync also gets an update and help keeps the controller and the drone in communication—the Mavic 2 drones can transmit 1080p video up to five miles away from the controller.

The Mavic 2 Pro will retail for $ 1449, while the Mavic 2 Zoom will retail for $ 1249. Both models are available today from DJI.

Press release:

DJI Introduces Mavic 2 Pro And Mavic 2 Zoom: A New Era For Camera Drones

Mavic 2 Series Features Two Industry First Camera Options With New Intelligent Features And Optimized Flight Performance

August 23, 2018 – DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, today introduced a new era for camera drones with two additions to its iconic Mavic series: Mavic 2 Pro, the world’s first drone with an integrated Hasselblad camera, and Mavic 2 Zoom, the world’s first foldable consumer drone with optical zoom capability.

The Mavic 2 is the most advanced DJI camera drone ever built, designed for professionals, aerial photographers and content creators. Incorporating the iconic folding design of the world’s most popular Mavic Pro, the Mavic 2 is a powerful platform with new gimbal-stabilized cameras and advanced intelligent features like Hyperlapse and ActiveTrack for easier and more dynamic storytelling. With an impressive flight time of up to 31 minutes and a more stable video transmission system, Mavic 2 delivers the optimal flight experience for capturing epic shots.

“When the Mavic Pro was launched two years ago, it redefined the way people looked at a drone and expanded possibilities for creators around the world,” said Roger Luo, President at DJI. “Today, we enter a new era of aerial photography with the introduction of DJI’s new flagship product, the Mavic 2 series. The Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom will enable photographers and videographers to take their inspirations to the air quickly and elevate their creative ideas to new heights.”

Mavic 2 Pro: Superior Image Quality with Hasselblad

Co-engineered in partnership with Hasselblad, the world’s leader in medium format photography, the Mavic 2 Pro is the world’s first drone with an integrated Hasselblad camera for outstanding image quality with superior light and color performance. Housing a 1-inch CMOS sensor with a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile, the camera captures four times as many levels of color per channel compared to Mavic Pro to provide maximum flexibility for photo and video editing. The Mavic 2 Pro can capture 20-megapixel aerial shots with utmost color accuracy using Hasselblad’s unique Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS) technology, while an adjustable aperture from f/2.8-f/11 provides more control across a wide variety of lighting conditions. With 4K 10-bit HDR support, the Mavic 2 Pro can be plugged into a 4K TV with HLG and will play back footage with the right color tones.

Mavic 2 Zoom: A Dynamic Perspective with Optical and Digital Zoom

Powered by a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, the Mavic 2 Zoom is DJI’s first foldable consumer drone with zoom, providing a dynamic perspective that ushers in a new era of creative storytelling. With the Mavic 2 Zoom, you can get closer to your subject at a moment’s notice by combining two-times optical zoom (24-48mm) with two-times digital zoom to simulate a 96mm telephoto lens that captures lossless video in full HD resolution. Hybrid auto-focus on the Mavic 2 Zoom combines phase and contrast detection for higher focus accuracy with an increased focus speed of up to 40% faster than before. Shoot vivid 12-megapixel photos or take advantage of the new Super Resolution feature that uses optical zoom to automatically capture and stitch nine photos together for a highly detailed 48-megapixel image, making it an ideal option for landscape photography.

Exclusive to the Mavic 2 Zoom, the new Dolly Zoom QuickShot mode opens a new visual language for storytelling that was previously reserved for professional cinematographers. It creates an otherworldly warped perspective by automatically zooming in as it flies away from its subject, keeping the subject the same size while the full background of the scene is revealed.

Mavic 2 Series: DJI’s New Flagship Consumer Drone with Powerful Camera Options

Both cameras capture vivid 4K ultra-high definition video with extreme detail, recording at a maximum bitrate of 100 megabits per second using the H.265 compression codec to give you an exceptional degree of latitude in post-production workflows. For photographers, new Enhanced High Dynamic Range capabilities blend a sequence of photos for ghost-free high dynamic range, giving the Mavic 2 Pro an impressive 14 stops of dynamic range and Mavic 2 Zoom up to 13 stops.

New Intelligent Tools For Epic, Cinematic Shots

The Mavic 2 is the ultimate tool for aerial content creation with new intelligent flight modes that make capturing professional-quality results almost effortless. A new Hyperlapse feature produces establishing shots that show the passing of time, which you can share to social media immediately. JPEG and RAW photos can be simultaneously saved on a Micro SD card or the internal storage, leaving more room for post editing. Choose between Circle, Course Lock, Waypoint or Free mode to create timelapses with a simple tap of a button in the DJI GO 4 Mobile App:

Free – pilots the drone manually while shooting a Hyperlapse video.
Circle – automatically flies the drone in a circular pattern around a subject you select to create a timelapse video that captures the action.
Course Lock – keeps the camera fixed on shooting subject while the drone flies in a straight direction to create a unique perspective.
Waypoint – plans a complex flight path based on both altitude and GPS coordinates to capture complex shots.

Keeping a moving subject in the frame is now easier than ever with ActiveTrack 2.0. This enhanced auto-track feature delivers a powerful combination of autonomous tracking and obstacle sensing capabilities never before seen in a DJI drone. Using the main camera and the front dual vision cameras, the Mavic 2 creates a three-dimensional map of the area in front of it, and uses new trajectory algorithms to analyze motion and predict the subject’s path up to three seconds in the future. When tracking a target, the Mavic 2 can recognize and avoid obstacles while shooting your target without interruption. It can stay on target, even if your subject momentarily goes behind an obstacle, and can track the subject at higher speeds of up to 44 mph (72 km/h).

Safer, Smarter and Stable Flight

The Mavic 2 delivers autonomous flight capabilities that help you capture shots with even more confidence in complex environments. A fully upgraded FlightAutonomy system transmits data to a more powerful central processor for more accurate obstacle sensing and safer flight. For the first time ever in a DJI drone, Mavic 2 has 10 sensors on all sides of the aircraft to automatically detect obstacles in its path and help prevent collisions, allowing you to focus on capturing the perfect shot.

An improved Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) allows the aircraft to analyze its surrounding environment and automatically fly around obstacles without stopping. In addition, the Mavic 2 has a Bottom Auxiliary Light that turns on automatically to ensure safe and precise landings in low-light situations.

A newly designed OcuSync 2.0 video transmission system enables a more stable connection between the drone and its remote controller. The system features stronger interference resistance and auto-switching capabilities that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency bands with the capability to use different frequencies for uplink and downlink data streams. It delivers 1080p video transmission feeds at a distance of up to 8km, allowing you to instantly edit and upload Full HD footage directly from the video cache in the DJI app in a wider variety of situations. Original resolution photos in JPEG can be saved directly to your mobile device, so you can immediately share what you create without the need to transfer files from the drone.

Aerodynamic Design and Extended Flight Time

The Mavic 2’s redesigned, more aerodynamic airframe reduces body drag by up to 19% compared to the Mavic Pro, allowing the Mavic 2 to fly at speeds of up to 44 mph (72 km/h) in Sport mode. Combined with a more efficient, quieter propulsion system and noise reducing propellers, the Mavic 2 has a maximum flight time of up to 31 minutes.

To ensure crisp photos and smooth, shake-free footage, the Mavic 2 houses an ultra-precise three-axis mechanical gimbal to stabilize its camera even during high-speed motion. Photos and videos can be saved directly to the drone using its 8 GB onboard storage. All DJI users have control over how their data is stored and managed, as part of DJI’s commitment to protecting its customers’ data.

A redesigned remote controller features detachable control sticks for ease of storage and portability. The Mavic 2 is compatible with DJI Goggles with the gimbal (yaw) control range up to -75°¬– +75° in Head Tracking mode, offering users a more immersive FPV flight experience.

Price and Availability

The US retail price of a Mavic 2 Pro, including the drone, battery, remote controller, charger, and four pairs of propellers, is $ 1,499 USD. The US retail price of a Mavic 2 Zoom, including the drone, battery, charger, remote controller and four pairs of propellers, is $ 1,199 USD. A Fly More Kit, including two additional batteries, a multi-battery charging hub, a car charger, a battery to power bank adapter, two pairs of propellers and a carrying bag, retails at $ 319 USD. A gimbal replacement service exclusively for Mavic 2, will be available soon.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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DJI Mavic 2 drones leak with Zoom and Pro model variants

31 Jul

DJI will release two variants of its upcoming Mavic 2 drone, according to a leaked product listing. The Mavic 2, which hasn’t been officially announced, appeared in a catalog issued by UK retailer Argos, which lists two model variants: the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom.

The catalog listing, which was shared on Twitter by Brett Thake, describes the DJI Mavic 2 as a small drone with a 45mph / 72kph top speed, 31-minute max flight time, omni-directional obstacle sensing with APAS and Active Track 2.0, and an 8km / 5-mile transmission range, including 1080p video transmission. The Mavic 2 Pro is described as having a 1-inch CMOS Hasselblad camera, while the Mavic 2 Zoom variant advertises a 24-48mm equiv. 2x optical zoom.

DJI confirmed the leak in a statement to CNET, explaining that catalog was preprinted and scheduled before July 18, the date DJI originally planned to launch the Mavic 2

Assuming the catalog details are correct, this represents a significant upgrade from the original Mavic Pro and Pro Platinum. In particular, a 1-inch CMOS sensor should deliver significantly better performance than the 1/2.3″ sensor found in the earlier models, and has been one of the most frequently requested features from users.

Additionally, The Verge is reporting that users will be able to switch lenses on the camera.

The new models will also see an increase in flight time from 27 minutes to 31 minutes, as well as a top speed increase from 40mph to 45mph. Pricing information was not leaked by the catalog, but it does feature a partial image of the two drone variants.

DJI confirmed the leak in a statement to CNET, explaining that catalog was preprinted and scheduled before July 18, the date DJI originally planned to launch the Mavic 2. The event was ultimately postponed, but Argos apparently didn’t get the memo, proceeding with publication of the catalog including the Mavic 2 details. We’ve reached out to DJI for a statement and will update this article with any new information.

“This early look just hints at the many exciting features and capabilities DJI will announce at the proper time,” the company said in its statement.

Via: DroneDJ

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Rumor: DJI Mavic Pro II will sport 1-inch sensor, may arrive in March

06 Feb

When the DJI Mavic Air came out, we pretty much knew right away that it wasn’t the sequel to the Mavic Pro (or Pro Platium) that many had been hoping for. Following in Apple’s nomenclature footsteps, DJI’s Mavic Air is kind of like the MacBook Air—still powerful, but mostly built for extreme portability, not as a followup to the MacBook Pro.

Fortunately for those people who are still waiting for a true Mavic Pro successor, it sounds like you won’t have to wait very long.

According to a new report from DRN, the upcoming DJI Mavic Pro II is already in production, and may see its official announcement as early as March, 2018. What’s more, DRN got its hands on some rumored specs, claiming the Mavic Pro II will have:

A 1-inch CMOS sensor with 28mm lens
A 4820 mAh battery that will give it 35 minutes of flight time
Binocular rear sensors

They’re also expecting it to take design cues from the sleeker Mavic Air, only in a larger package that can carry the bigger sensor and battery.

As with all rumors, nothing is confirmed until DJI says so, but the drone rumor mill should really heat up ahead of any official announcement in March. In the meantime, the folks at Autel might need to get a head start developing their next drone; that Autel EVO that out-specs DJI’s Mavic Pro Platinum… it might not be superior for long.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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PolarPro unveils collection of filters and accessories for the DJI Mavic Air

01 Feb

Accessories manufacturer PolarPro has introduced new versions of its Cinema filter series for those ordering the DJI Mavic Air drone. The filters are designed to give photographers control over the shutter speed of their footage, as well as polarizing reflected light to improve color saturation.

The company has also announced it will make two cases for the drone, as well as a customizable mount for filming with the drone hand-held.

Filters

Users will be able to choose from a pack of ND filters in ND4, ND8 and ND16 strengths, or to have the filters combined with a polarizer to intensify color as well as reduce the amount of light reaching the lens.

For especially bright conditions a further pack of NDs is available in ND32 and ND64 strengths both with and without a polarizer.

The filter packs will cost $ 80 for the three-packs of ND and ND/PL units, and $ 150 for all six together. The Limited Collection of extra dense filters will be $ 100. For more details see the PolarPro website.

Cases

Both cases on offer have soft exteriors, with the Minimalist ($ 30) designed to be as compact as possible, and the Rugged ($ 50) designed to provide the most protection.


DJI Mavic Air Soft Case – Rugged	DJI Mavic Air Soft Case – Minimalist

Katana ‘Tray’ System

Finally, the Katana Pro Tray system allows used to clamp the Mavic Air into a set of handles so that it can be used to film at ground level and in places where drones aren’t allowed to fly. Depending on your preferred filming orientation, you can go with the standard DJI Mavic Air Tray ($ 50) or purchase the Air Tray/T-Grip Combo ($ 80) for one-handed operation and low-angle camera control.


DJI Mavic Air Tray	DJI Mavic Air Tray/T-Grip Combo

To learn more about these products or pick any of them up for yourself now that the DJI Mavic Air is officially shipping, head over to the PolarPro shop to browse the entire PolarPro Mavic Air collection.

Press Release

PolarPro Announces Lens Filters and Cinematic Accessories for New DJI® Mavic Air

Consumers placing orders for the newly-release DJI Mavic Air can now preorder the PolarPro accessories to take their aerial filmmaking to the next level.

Costa Mesa, C.A. – January 30, 2018 – PolarPro, developer of products inspired by adventure, announced today it is opening preorders for its newly designed line of cinematic lens filters and purpose-built accessories for the DJI® Mavic Air. Known for producing some of the industry’s highest quality lens filters for pilots looking to maximize the cinematic aspects of their drone video, PolarPro is now offering polarized, neutral density and UV filters to help Mavic Air pilots improve overall color saturation and control shutter speed. Additionally, PolarPro’s Mavic Air line includes landing gear, handheld mounts for shooting from the ground and other workflow-streamlining accessories that have been adapted to DJI’s latest drone model. PolarPro anticipates preorders will begin to ship by early February 2018, and the full list of offerings for the Mavic Air can be found here: https://www.polarprofilters.com/collections/dji-mavic-air-filters-and-accessories.

“The new generation of consumer drones from manufacturers like DJI become more advanced every day, and though their native video capabilities are great, anyone who is looking to create videos with more cinematic qualities needs some specific tools to achieve that particular look,” said Austen Butler, VP and Co-Founder of PolarPro. “Our lineup of Mavic Air accessories includes a newly designed line of lens filters to help content creators capture the best possible footage of their adventures that stand out from the rest. We also have custom protective cases to keep their sensitive gear safe on the way to the shoot, and other camera solutions to help streamline their capture process while on location.”

PolarPro Mavic Air Lens Filters

For any drone pilot looking to ensure the best possible quality from their aerial video, no accessory is more important than a set of high quality lens filters. PolarPro offers a series of Mavic Air Filter Packs which include combinations of commonly used polarizing lenses (PL) for enhancing color saturation, UV filters for reducing haze and glare, as well as a substantial lineup of all-important neutral density (ND) filters and hybrid polarizing/ND filters for slowing shutter speeds to achieve cinematic looks.

PolarPro uses lightweight yet durable AirFrame Aluminum, producing filters that weigh just .59 grams. Combined with industry-leading HD glass and coatings for razor sharp clarity, PolarPro filters work seamlessly with the Mavic Air camera gimbal for uninhibited performance.

All PolarPro lens filters are produced in Standard Series (three pack and six pack options available) and Cinema Series (detailed below). Cinema Series filters feature production grade multi-coated glass for pilots who demand the best. PolarPro Mavic Air filters collections include:

Cinema Series Shutter Collection ($ 79.99): For controlling shutter speeds, includes straight ND4, ND8, and ND16 filters

Cinema Series Vivid Collection ($ 79.99): For controlling shutter speeds and boosting saturation, includes hybrid ND4/PL, ND8/PL, and ND16/PL filters

PolarPro Mavic Air Six Pack ($ 149.99): Combines the Shutter and Vivid collection in a single bundle

Cinema Series Limited Collection ($ 99.99): For bright light conditions, includes ND32, ND32/PL, ND64, ND64/PL filters

For more information on which PolarPro filters will fit particular pilot needs, please refer to PolarPro’s Filter Guide for the Mavic Air: https://press.polarprofilters.com/dji_mavic_air_filters/

PolarPro DJI Mavic Air Cases

With some expensive and delicate components, the Mavic Air needs to be properly protected when traveling to shooting locations or stored away in-between shoots. PolarPro has designed two Mavic Air Cases to suit the needs of most users.

Minimalist Edition ($ 29.99): This custom molded soft-shell case takes up the least amount of space in a pack. Featuring customizable dividers, the Minimalist Edition has space for the Mavic Air, three extra batteries, remote, charger, charging hub and filters.

Rugged Edition ($ 49.99): Designed with a laser cut foam insert to act as a shock absorber, the Rugged Edition snugly holds the Mavic Air, four extra batteries, remote, charger, charging hub, filters and cables. A removable shoulder strap is included for added carrying configurations.

Hand-Held PolarPro Katana Tray

The Katana Mavic Air Tray ($ 49.99), and even more dynamic Mavic Air Katana Pro($ 79.99) are essentially force multipliers for the UAV. The drone’s compact size and high-quality imaging capabilities make it a great filming platform for just about any situation, and with a little help from the PolarPro Katana it can become a powerful handheld shooting camera as well. Ideal for capturing ground-based footage, the Katana allows pilots to still shoot in no-fly zones such as national parks where drones are banned. The Katana Tray is crafted from durable glass-filled nylon and features two sturdy grips on either side of the clamping mount that holds the drone securely in position. The Katana Pro also features a T-Grip enabling one-handed and low angle camera control. Each version includes an integrated smartphone mount that lets users utilize the drone’s companion app for framing and camera controls.

For more information about these and other new PolarPro solutions for the Mavic Air, including individual anticipated ship dates, please visit: https://www.polarprofilters.com/collections/dji-mavic-air-filters-and-accessories.

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DJI Mavic Air: What you need to know

25 Jan

DJI Mavic Air

This week at an event in New York City DJI introduced its newest drone, the Mavic Air, a foldable model that looks like a mashup between the company’s popular Mavic Pro and diminutive Spark models. There’s a lot to be excited about here, given that it seems to have inherited most of the advanced features from the Mavic Pro while visually resembling the smaller Spark.

Who’s it for? The event’s tagline, ‘Adventure Unfolds’, provides a pretty good hint. DJI is clearly aiming the Mavic Air at travelers, outdoor photographers, and particularly adventurers who plan to go off the beaten track. We expect it to be popular among athletes and adventure filmmakers, though its combination of advanced features in a small package will likely appeal to users of all types.

Size and weight

Above: The folded Mavic Air is actually slightly smaller than the Spark, though it’s still a bit heavier.

The Mavic Air weighs in at a svelte 430 grams (a little less than a pound). That’s a bit heavier than the 300 gram Spark, but substantially lighter than than the larger Mavic Pro (734 grams). Impressive, given that its feature set is much closer to that of the Mavic Pro than the Spark.

Also, when you consider the folding design of the Mavic Air, it’s arguably more portable than the Spark which, while very lightweight, doesn’t benefit from the folding design. Unless cost is a deciding factor, it would be hard not to choose the Mavic Air if portability is your priority.

Camera and gimbal

The Mavic Air uses the same 12MP 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor as the Mavic Pro, so it’s reasonable to expect similar image quality at the sensor level, though some miniaturization was required to fit the camera onto such a small drone.

The Air has a 24mm (equiv.) F2.8 lens, providing a 85º FOV. That’s a bit slower than the Mavic Pro, which has a 28mm F2.2 lens with a 79º FOV. In this respect, the Air’s camera has more in common with the Spark, which has a 25mm F2.6 lens and a 82º FOV.

Despite its very small size, the gimbal is a 3-axis design rather than the 2-axis design found on the Spark. That’s a good thing. In our review of the Spark we called out the 2-axis gimbal as one of that model’s weak points. DJI tells us that it put a lot of effort into the design of the gimbal on the Mavic Air, building in multiple layers of vibration reduction and creating a recessed casing that protects the camera. It also claims that it’s the smallest camera mounted on a 3-axis gimbal on the market.

Still photography

The Mavic Air has a lot for still photographers to like. It has the same 12MP sensor as the Mavic Pro and Spark, however unlike the Spark the Air supports Raw image capture in DNG format. Lack of Raw support was one of our major cons when we reviewed the Spark, and we know that it was a showstopper for a lot of photographers who otherwise liked that model. With the Air, there’s now an option for a tiny drone that does shoot Raw, and we anticipate that it will be a product that motivates many photographers to take the leap into the world of drones.

In addition to Raw capture, the Air can capture vertical, horizontal, and 180º panoramas. It will also create very high resolution 32MP spherical panoramas, which it does by automatically shooting 25 still images and stitching them together in about 8 seconds. A built-in HDR function is available for shooting scenes with high dynamic range.

We know a lot of photographers were hoping for a 1″-type sensor similar to the one found on the Phantom 4 Pro/Advanced models. As much as we love the idea ourselves, it’s probably an unrealistic expectation for a drone of this size, especially considering DJI’s focus on making the Mavic Air as compact as possible.

Video

The Mavic Air has impressive video capabilities, and even outperforms both the Mavic Pro and Spark in this area. It captures UHD 4K/30p with a 100Mbps H.264 codec, similar to the more expensive Phantom 4 Pro/Advanced. Unlike those models, however, it doesn’t provide the option to record in the newer HEVC (H.265) codec that retains more detail at a similar bit rate.

In the event that slow motion video is needed, the Mavic Air also captures 2.7K/60p, as well as 1080/120p.

Controller

The included controller works with a smartphone and operates at a range up to 4km / 2.5mi. It appears visually similar to the Mavic Pro and Spark controllers, but unlike those models DJI designed the Air’s controller to be as compact as possible for transport. It’s even possible to remove the flight control sticks if necessary to fit into a very tight space. This should be a welcome feature to adventurers who may want to stuff the Air into a backpack full of other equipment, such as climbing gear and ropes, without risking damage or taking up any more space than absolutely necessary.

Gesture control

Gesture control is a feature that the Mavic Air inherits from it’s smaller sibling, the Spark, which can be used to control the drone using hand motions. This is particularly useful if you’re trying to film yourself while doing an activity, such as climbing or kayaking, in which your hands are occupied with other tasks. (Or, for that matter, when you just don’t want the controller in your shot.)

In our review of the Spark we noted that gesture control was a very hit or miss experience. DJI tells us that the gesture control system on the Mavic Air has been ‘significantly improved’ and has more precision and reliability. Based on our hands-on experience with the Air at DJI’s launch event, we’re inclined to believe this. It seemed much more responsive to our gestures and didn’t hesitate to respond to our commands. We’ll give it a more rigorous test in our full review, but signs are good. Gesture control should work at distances up to 5.8m / 19ft.

One additional useful feature when using gesture control is the obstacle avoidance system; you won’t have to worry about accidentally backing the drone into something if it mis-reads your gestures.

Obstacle avoidance

Above: Obstacle avoidance sensors on the Mavic Air.

Obstacle avoidance is becoming a more common feature on drones, and the Mavic Air has a very comprehensive system, including dual forward, downward, and backward cameras. While not foolproof, obstacle avoidance makes it much less likely that you’ll accidentally run your drone into a barn. We know it sounds kind of funny, but it does happen and can be an expensive mistake.

This feature is useful for other reasons as well, such as when you (or your aircraft) invoke the ‘return to home’ function. With obstacle avoidance, your drone is more likely to actually make it.

Advanced Pilot Awareness System (APAS)

In addition to obstacle avoidance, the Mavic Air goes a step further with a feature DJI calls ‘Flight Autonomy 2.0’, which conducts real-time positioning by building a 3D map of the environment around the aircraft.

This 3D mapping supports DJI’s ‘Advanced Pilot Awareness System’ (or APAS), which provides more sophisticated obstacle avoidance. Instead of simply stopping in its tracks when an obstacle is detected, APAS will plan a path to bypass or go around obstacles, allowing the drone to continue on its course.

Intelligent flight modes

One of the more useful features on DJI’s drones is its ActiveTrack technology. ActiveTrack follows a moving subject while allowing the pilot to focus on getting the right shot, and often results in more cinematic looking footage. However, it’s not infallible and will often lose a subject.

DJI claims that ActiveTrack on the Mavic Air is much more precise than on previous models, and notes that it now has the ability to detect multiple subjects simultaneously. (We’re not sure what will happen when those subject go in opposite directions, but we’ll make sure to test that when we review the product.) Also, thanks to APAS, the Air will be able to follow subjects more effectively thanks to the drone’s ability to navigate around obstacles.

Intelligent flight modes

Above: ‘Asteroid mode’ begins with a spherical panorama and zooms in.

In addition to improved ActiveTrack technology, DJI has introduced two new intelligent flight modes called ‘Asteroid mode’ and ‘Boomerang mode’.

Asteroid mode creates a sort of hybrid clip in which a spherical panorama zooms in to a short video clip. Boomerang mode does pretty much what its name suggests, flying up and away from a subject before returning, creating an interesting cinematic effect.

Animated GIF showing ‘Boomerang mode’ in action.

Memory and connections

Like most drones, the Mavic Air stores photos and video on a microSD card. However, it also includes 8GB of built-in onboard storage. This is a thoughtful addition, and any drone pilot who has been flying for a while has probably had at least one experience of arriving on location only to discover an empty memory card slot. Having some amount of built-in memory could save the day. This is particularly true given the Air’s target audience of adventurers, many of whom may be a long way from their car when discovering their mistake.

The Mavic Air also adopts the newer USB-C standard for connecting to other devices.

Battery

The Mavic Air’s battery provides 21 minutes of flight time. That’s quite a bit less than the Mavic Pro (27 minutes), but five minutes more than the Spark (16 minutes). However, considering that it’s more similar in weight to the Spark it seems to be a reasonable compromise, and extra batteries are relatively small.

Speaking of extra batteries, if you want to add some to your kit they’ll run you $ 79 each. DJI also sells a battery charging hub for the Air that charges up to four batteries in sequence according to their power levels. At $ 49 it seems like a very useful accessory.

Performance

The Mavic Air has an operational ceiling of 5000m / 16,404 ft. It’s unlikely to be a critical factor for most people, but adventure filmmakers documenting mountaineers will probably take all the altitude they can get. DJI is quick to point out that the Mavic Air is the fastest Mavic to date, with a top speed of 42.5 Mph in Sport mode. Is that important? Possibly. If you’re shooting a bicyclist barreling down a hill at breakneck speed it’s likely helpful, though maybe not so much if you’re filming someone canoeing across a glassy pond.

Colors

The Mavic Air is available in three impressively descriptive colors: Arctic White, Onyx Black, and Flame Red. Take your pick.

We were a bit disappointed to discover that there’s no option for DPReview Blue, but we’ll mention this to the folks at DJI so they’ll remember next time around…

Availability

The Mavic Air costs $ 799 in the standard package, which includes a protective case, propeller guards, and a remote control. A ‘Fly More’ combo that includes an additional set of propellers, two extra batteries, a folding charging hub that charges two batteries, and a shoulder pack will be available for $ 999.

It’s possible to pre-order the Mavic Air immediately, with shipments and retail availability expected beginning on January 28.

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DJI unveils the Mavic Air: Mavic Pro specs in a Spark-sized body

24 Jan

DPReview was on hand in New York City as DJI unveiled its newest drone, the Mavic Air, which fuses enthusiast-oriented features and foldable design from the company’s Mavic Pro line of drones with the compact form factor if its Spark model. The Mavic Air also introduces some exciting new technologies that should make drone flying safer, easier, and more creative.

Key features include:

A 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor
3-axis gimbal
24mm (equiv.) F2.8 lens
12MP still images w/ Raw support
4K/30p video with 100 Mbps H.264 codec
Full HD video up to 120fps
32-megapixel spherical panorama mode
HDR capture mode
8GB internal storage in addition to MicroSD card
Foldable legs with integrated omnidirectional antenna
Updated flight autonomy system with 3D modeling
Improved ActiveTrack technology
New ‘Asteroid’ and ‘Boomerang’ intelligent flight modes
Obstacle-avoidance sensors in the front, back, and bottom
Advanced pilot awareness system (APAS)
Visual positioning system for better control, hovering and indoor flying
2.5 mile range with controller
42.5 Mph in Sport Mode
Flight ceiling of 16,404 ft.
21-minute flight time
USB-C port
Compatible with DJI’s SDK for third party applications

DJI has clearly aimed the Mavic Air at travelers, outdoor photographers, and particularly adventurers who may go off the beaten track. It’s small size is impressive, as DJI’s Michael Perry demonstrated by pulling three of them out of his pockets on stage, and its rich feature set is sure to appeal to people like adventure filmmakers.

The Mavic Air is reminiscent of DJI’s tiny Spark drone, but packs in all the features found on the Mavic Pro.

With a weight of 430 grams, the Mavic Air is heavier than the diminutive Spark (300 grams), yet substantially lighter than the Mavic Pro (734 grams), demonstrating just how much technology DJI has been able to cram into a very small package.

It uses the same 12MP 1/2.3” CMOS sensor found in the Mavic Pro, so it’s fair to expect similar image quality. The camera is mounted on a compact 3-axis gimbal, a welcome improvement over the 2-axis gimbal found on the Spark.

Imaging features

Videographers will be happy to learn that the Mavic Air captures 4K/30p video at bit rates up to 100Mbps using the H.264 codec, though it doesn’t shoot 4K/60p as some rumors had suggested. Additionally, full HD capture is now supported at 120 fps.

In addition to 12MP Raw image capture, DJI has added new features for still photographers as well. In addition to vertical, horizontal, and 180º panoramas, the Mavic Air can create 32MP spherical panoramas by automatically shooting 25 still images and stitching them together in under 8 seconds. There’s also a built-in HDR function which should help to better capture scenes with high dynamic range.

Anyone who flies drones regularly has probably had at least one experience where they arrived on site only to realize that they left their memory card at home. In a nod to forgetful pilots everywhere, the Mavic Air includes 8GB of on-board storage – something that may be particularly helpful for adventurers far from the car.

Controls

Taking a popular gesture from the Spark, the Mavic Air includes gesture controls, allowing users to control the drone’s movements and certain functions (such as taking a photo) using their hands. This can be particularly useful to anyone trying to film themselves, such as a climber on a rock wall. Also, thanks to a rear obstacle avoidance system, the drone will sense if you’re trying to back it into an object.

In our review of the Spark we noted that its gesture controls were often far from reliable, however DJI tells us that the system on the Air has been ’significantly improved’ for more precision and reliability. Based on our hands-on experience with the Air at the launch event we’re inclined to believe this. The air seemed much more responsive to our gestures, and we didn’t notice any hesitation when directing it to move. Gestures will work up to a distance of 19 ft.

Also included is a compact controller that’s visually similar to that of the Mavic Pro, however it’s now possible to detach the sticks to make it as compact as possible for travel. Using the controller the Mavic Air can be controlled at a range of up to 2.5 miles, likely more than enough when operating with visual line of sight.

Obstacle avoidance and intelligent flight modes

A very useful feature on a drone is obstacle avoidance, and the Mavic Air is full of it. It includes seven onboard cameras for sensing and avoidance, including dual forward, downward, and backward cameras. Also included is a feature DJI is calling ‘Flight Autonomy 2.0’, which conducts real-time positioning by building a 3D map of the environment around the aircraft.

Thanks to this 3D mapping, the Mavic Air also includes an ‘advanced pilot awareness system’ (APAS) for advanced obstacle avoidance. Instead of simply stopping when an obstacle is detected, APAS will plan a path to bypass or go around obstacles, allowing the drone to continue on its course.

DJI has also added two new intelligent flight modes, ‘Asteroid Mode’ and ‘Boomerang Mode’. Asteroid mode creates a sort of hybrid clip in which a spherical panorama zooms into a short video clip. Boomerang does more or less what the name suggests, flying up and away from a subject before coming back to create an interesting cinematic effect. Additionally, DJI claims to have improved its ActiveTrack technology, giving it more precise tracking as well as the ability to detect multiple subjects simultaneously.

These animated GIFs illustrate the Mavic Air’s new ‘Asteroid’ (top) and ‘Boomerang’ (bottom) intelligent flight modes. (Courtesy of DJI)

Performance

There are some notable performance improvements as well. With a top speed of 42.5 Mph in Sport mode, the Air is the fastest Mavic to date, and it has an operational ceiling of 16,404 ft. Some drone users may be disappointed with the 21-minute flight time. We suspect it’s a necessary tradeoff in order to achieve the Mavic Air’s compact size, and it’s still 5 minutes more than you’ll get from the Spark.

DJI says the Mavic Air will also be compatible with a wide range of accessories including a car charger, ND filters, and DJI’s flight goggles for a first person view flying experience.

Price and availability

The Mavic Air will be available for $ 799. The standard package includes a protective case, propeller guards, and the newly designed remote control. A ‘Fly More’ combo that includes an additional set of propellers, 2 extra batteries, a folding charging hub that charges two batteries, and a shoulder bag will be available for $ 999. It’s available in three impressively descriptive colors: Arctic White, Onyx Black, and Flame Red.

Preorders begin today through DJI.com and other retailers, with shipments and retail availability beginning on January 28.

Editor’s note: This story is developing, refresh for updates.

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DJI Mavic Air leaked ahead of announcement, looks like a Spark-Mavic hybrid

23 Jan

Close-up of a banner of the DJI Mavic Air, which DJI is supposedly planning to announce officially in less than 24 hours.

We’re less than 24 hours away from the drone announcement DJI started teasing last week, and it looks like our guesses based on the tagline “adventure unfolds” were spot on: it’s going to be a folding drone. More specifically, a followup to the folding DJI Mavic Pro… but not the followup most of us expected.

According to Drone DJ, who got ahold of a treasure trove of leaked specs and photographs of the upcoming drone, DJI is preparing to announce the DJI Mavic Air: a drone that looks like a hybrid between the DJI Spark and DJI Mavic Pro.

If these leaked photos and specifications are accurate, the Mavic Air will put Mavic-level hardware—a 3-axis gimbal, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, 4K 60p video capture, obstacle-avoidance sensors on the front, back, and bottom—into a body that looks very much like the diminutive DJI Spark. The upside is that 4K 60p video capture that the Mavic Pro and even Mavic Pro Platium has been missing; the downside is that the smaller body means even less flight time, which is rumored at just 21 minutes. The drone is also purported to have a 32MP panorama mode.

Here’s a look at the real thing:

And here are the full set of leaked specs, as reported by Drone DJ:

1/2.3 CMOS sensor and new Image Processor
32-megapixel panorama mode
4K/60p video capture
3-axis gimbal
Four Foldable Legs
Obstacle-avoidance sensors in the front, back, and bottom
Equipped with aVisual Positioning System for better control, hovering and indoor flying
Gesture control
21-minute flight time (9 minutes less than the Mavic Pro Platium)
It will be available in at least three colors: white, black and red
Compatible with DJI Goggles

We won’t be able to confirm these specs until the official announcement tomorrow morning (DJI is streaming the event live at 10am Eastern), but leaks this major and this close to the official reveal are rarely faked. Which leaves us feeling a bit… “meh” about the whole thing.

With Autel Robotics releasing its Mavic Pro competitor Autel EVO at CES, and the original Mavic Pro now nearly a year and a half old, we were hoping for a true Mavic Pro replacement. The Mavic Air seems, instead, like a DJI Spark upgrade… or even what the DJI Spark should have been at launch.

That said, we agree with Drone DJ when they say that this is probably not the true successor to the DJI Mavic Pro, but a separate product line—sort of like Apple’s MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro. It just means we have a bit longer to wait before we see a true Mavic Pro replacement.

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Autel unveils the EVO drone, serious competition for the DJI Mavic Pro

12 Jan

Autel Robotics released something pretty exciting at CES this week, although it’s stayed (ironically enough) somewhat under the radar so far. Meet the EVO: a folding, portable drone that looks like it could be the first serious competitor for DJI’s extremely popular Mavic Pro.

When DJI first introduced the Mavic Pro—and later bumped up the battery live with the Mavic Pro Platinum—the company liked to say it had “revolutionized personal flight.” The thing is, DJI kind of had a point: the Mavic Pro was both extremely portable and extremely capable, opening up the joys of droning to a whole new range of potential consumers.

But with the debut of the Autel EVO, DJI might want to watch its back.

At first, the EVO seems like an almost shot-for-shot remake of the DJI Mavic Pro Platinum. The folding drone looks very similar, both sport a 3-axis gimbal, both boast intelligent flight modes and obstacle avoidance, they both offer 30 minutes of flight time, and both feature a max operating distance of 4.2 miles (7 km).

Where the EVO manages to rise above (see what I did there…) the Mavic Pro Platinum is exactly where it counts: in the camera and remote control department.

The stabilized camera can shoot at 4K/60p (DJI maxes out at 4K/30p) and the remote comes with a built-in 3.3 inch OLED screen that gives you a live feed at up to 720p—no need to plug your phone into your drone’s remote controller. Finally, the EVO also maxes out at a speed of 20 meters per second (44 miles per hour), which is just a hair faster than the Mavic Pro can handle.

Unfortunately, Autel isn’t quite ready to commit to a specific release date for the EVO, but they did say it will arrive “very soon” and will cost $ 1,000 USD—that’s $ 100 cheaper than the DJI Mavic Pro Platinum, or the same price as the standard Mavic Pro, which can’t quite keep up on battery life.

With DJI suffering from some PR problems of late, Autel has a real opportunity to steal some Mavic market share here. For our part, we’re going to try and get an EVO in the office for testing as soon as possible.

To learn more about the Evo, check out the full release below or head over to the Autel Robotics website.

Press Release

Autel Robotics Announces New Aircraft EVO at CES 2018

At CES 2018, Autel Robotics USA announced its new flagship aircraft line, the EVO.

EVO is a portable camera drone with foldable arms and a sleek, compact form factor. We’re incredibly excited about this product, and after showing it off at CES, are eager to get it out into the wild for our customers to enjoy.

EVO:

4K UHD 60FPS camera equipped on a 3-axis gimbal
Front & Downward (Computer Vision) and Rear (IR Sensor) Obstacle Avoidance Systems
3.3 Inch built-in OLED screen remote controller with 720p live video
30-minute flight time
Speeds up to 20 meters per second
4300 mAh Li-Po Battery, 1.3 hour recharge time
7km (4.2 mi) Range
Autel Explorer app allowing for intelligent flight features & more

We’ve been both humbled and honored by the overwhelmingly positive response to our announcement of the EVO. The EVO’s expected price point at launch is $ 999.00 USD. The launch date for the EVO will be announced as we close in further on our release timeline.

While we are close to launching, we want to ensure that we deliver products that provide the utmost quality and reliability for our customers.

Last year at CES we set some expectations that we did not achieve. We were not able to deliver a high quality, reliable offering with the Thermal and 1” Sensor for our X?Star series. There are many reasons that these units did not come to fruition.

We realize that a big part of meeting our delivery goals for our customers is refining our messaging to ensure that we can always do what we say we will do.

Moving forward with EVO we will focus on that goal of communicating clearly and never overpromising. As such, all we can say for now as to EVO’s release date is “very soon”. We’ll publish details on our website and social media as soon as they are available.