DJI has unveiled its latest consumer drone. The DJI Air 2S combines the portability the Air series is known for with a new, larger camera sensor for better videos and pictures. The 1-inch sensor can process still images or 5.4 KB video at 20 megapixels, according to DJI, and there is new night-flight software that promises to do some of the heavy lifting for you too.
This is known as MasterShots and it takes advantage of a number of new features to create a fully edited video in the end. The drone plans its trajectory autonomously, says DJI, selects from the recording modes « proximity », « portrait » or « landscape » and then starts recording the footage.
At the end you can choose from different topics and the DJI Fly app processes the raw material accordingly. Other video tools include FocusTrack, which lets you highlight a subject and then let the Air 2S fly around autonomously, track it to keep it in the picture, or flow it manually while the subject remains automatically centered, as well the usual QuickShots and Hyperlapse presets.
The camera can record 5.4 K with 30 fps or 4K with 60 fps and 150 Mbit / s. A new digital zoom supports 4X zoom at 4K 30fps, 6X at 2.7K 30fps, 4X at 2.7K 60fps, 6X at 1080P 60fps or 8X at 1080P 30fps. It is mounted on a three-axle gimbal frame for smoothing. You can choose between the color profiles H.264 or H.265 as well as the color profiles Normal (8 bit), D-Log (10 bit) and HLG (10 bit).
For still images, the new SmartPhoto mode uses scene analysis to automatically switch between HDR, Hyperlight and scene detection modes, which the drone can use to achieve the most attractive result. 8 GB of onboard storage is also included for pictures and videos.
The flight takes up to 31 minutes on a single charge. The DJI Air 2S features four antennas and the company’s latest OcuSync transmission system, O3, for a range of up to 12 km and better resistance to radio-density environments. Four-way sensors – including improved front, rear, bottom, and top obstacle sensors – promise better capabilities at detecting incoming objects at higher speeds.
The Air 2S even adjusts the flight angle depending on how fast you are steering it and what requirements the obstacle detection system meets. At lower speeds, DJI’s Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) 4.0 offers a wider field of view than before. Fly faster, however, and the Air 2S will tilt forward so the new upward obstacle sensor can be brought into play better.
There is also an improved RTH (Return-To-Home) function that returns the Air 2S to its starting position if the battery is critically low or the connection to the controller is lost. Of course, there is also geofencing for areas where you shouldn’t be flying drones at all.
The DJI Air 2S, which appears to have dropped the « Mavic » logo used on the previous DJI Mavic Air 2, is available to order today at a price of $ 999. For this you will receive the drone itself, the remote control, a battery and the necessary cables and parts. A $ 1,299 Fly More Combo includes two additional batteries – three total – plus a charging node, ND filter, and a shoulder bag for everything. DJI also offers DJI Care Refresh for the Air 2S, its drone insurance plan that covers crashes and aircraft accidents.
Ref: https://www.slashgear.com
