DJI Launches the Air 2S

In April 2021, DJI launched the Air 2S, its latest premium cinematic drone. With an upgraded image sensor and safety features, the DJI Air 2S has succeeded the earlier Mavic Air 2. Additionally, the Air 2S comes equipped with interesting automatic flight maneuvers. Although slightly more expensive than the Mavic Air 2, it packs flagship-level performance in a small and lightweight body. The drone retails at $999.99.

DJI Air 2S Specifications

Given below are the primary specifications of the Air 2S:

Takeoff Weight	595 g
Dimensions	3.3 by 3.8 by 7.1 inches
Max. Flight Time	31 minutes
Max. Flight Distance	18.5 km
Max. Transmission Range	12 km
Max. Flight Speed	19m/s
Max. Altitude (ASL)	5,000 m
Image Sensor	20 MP | 1” CMOS
Lens	FOV: 88° | Aperture: f/2.8
ISO Range	100-12800
Video Resolution	5.4K @ 30 fps | 4K Ultra HD @ 60 fps

Larger Image Sensor

The Air 2S packs a 1” CMOS sensor with 20 MP effective pixels. Compared to the DJI Mavic Air 2, which has a 1/2″ CMOS sensor, the Air 2S sensor has twice the surface area. This means that it can capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. The large sensor has also unlocked the ability to capture 5.4K videos.

The 2.4µm pixels capture one billion colors in the 10-bit Dlog-M color profile. Additionally, the Air 2S can capture RAW images with a dynamic range of up to 12.6 stops. This gives professional photographers great flexibility over image exposure. Thereby enabling them to shoot in almost any lighting condition. The Air 2S camera lens has an increment of 4° in its field of view (FOV) from the Mavic Air 2. With a FOV of 88°, it can capture much wider shots than ever before.

MasterShots

This time DJI has introduced several autonomy features in the Air 2S. MasterShots is a feature wherein the drone performs 10 autonomous maneuvers to capture a cinematic montage from various angles and orientations. The drone then compiles the captured footage to form a cinematic video with the subject centered in the frame. There are three types of tracking mechanisms that the Air 2S uses to keep its subjects in focus:

1. Spotlight 2.0: This mode is used when you require close-up shots of subjects in motion.
2. ActiveTrack 4.0: This mode is used to track and follow moving subjects smoothly while avoiding obstacles.
3. Point of Interest 3.0: This mode is used for circular shots while keeping the subject in focus.

Safety Features

DJI has tried to make the Air 2S as safe as possible with the inclusion of several crucial safety features. The Air 2S is equipped with eight obstacle avoidance sensors on four sides: upwards, front, downwards, and backward. The company has mentioned that its improved algorithms for Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS 4.0) are more effective at autonomously detecting and avoiding obstacles at high speeds.

DJI has also worked towards future-proofing the Air 2S against upcoming regulations from the FAA. The company has included an ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) sensor in its drone. This sensor receives ADS-B signals from manned aircraft in the vicinity and displays audio and visual alerts to the pilot.

The Fly More Combo

The Fly More Combo has been one of the most popular deals offered by DJI. While the standalone drone starts at $999.99, the Fly More Combo costs $1299.99. This combo comprises a battery charging hub, three intelligent flight batteries, a shoulder bag, a set of ND filters, a DJI smart controller, and an extra set of propellers. The combo includes almost everything needed to get started. To learn more about the DJI Air 2S, visit here.