K i t Z o n e
130 DIGITAL CAMERA^ MARCH 2020 http://www.digitalcameraworld.comMini Test
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
£1,099/$1,439
http://www.dji.comWeight: 905g | Dimensions (folded): 214 x 91 x 84mm
| Dimensions (unfolded): 322 x 242 x 84mm |
Controller: Ye s | Video resolution: 4K HDR 30fps |
Camera resolution: 12MP (Pro is 20MP) | Battery
life: 31 minutes (3,850mAh) | Max range: 8km/5mi)
| Max speed: 72kph/44.7mphI
n 2016, DJI’s Mavic Pro changed what
was possible with a camera drone,
making it possible to fold and carry a
decent-quality lens without it being overly bulky.
Its successor is available in two versions: Mavic
2 Zoom and Mavic 2 Pro (£1,349/£1,729). Both
feature DJI’s stunning Hyperlapse mode, an
aerial time-lapse capture. They also gain
a dolly zoom effect, which is great fun.
The airframe feels beefy for something that
folds up so small, but it brings with it powerful
motors and speed control systems. This makes
it nearly as capable as heavier drones in the
wind, with a high maximum speed and responsive
controls (which can be softened for cinematic
work). The omnidirectional sensors also make
it hard to crash at normal speeds.
Go for the Mavic 2 Zoom and you get a
24-48mm-equivalent optical zoom lens, paired
with a 1/2.3 inch 12-megapixel sensor. The Mavic
2 Pro boasts a larger 20MP 1-inch image sensor
and a max ISO of 12,800, but its fixed 28mm
lens limits creativity.PROS Genuinely useful zoom lens; small yet
stable airframe; amazing Hyperlapse featureCONS Fairly pricey; small 1/2.3-inch image
sensor; 4K video not 60fpsVerdict
DJI Inspire 2
£3,059/$3,499
http://www.dji.comWeight: 4000g | Dimensions: 605mm diagonal |
Controller: Ye s | Video resolution: 5.2K 24fps |
Camera resolution: 20.8MP | Battery life: 23-27
minutes (4,280mAh dual battery) | Max range:
7km/4.1mi | Max speed: 94kph/58mphT
he Inspire 1 brought with it a jaw-
dropping sci-fi inspired airframe design
that keeps the propellers comfortably
out of most shots while allowing for a big, stable
shooting platform. The Inspire 2 cements that
professional quality with a magnesium hull
and lots of dual redundancy for safer flight.
One of these built-in precautions is the battery,
or rather batteries. You need two to fly the drone,
and they buy you about 25 minutes of flight time
depending on the camera you choose. That’s
great, but a spare pair is an eye-watering £360.
The Inspire 2 can be specced with several
different cameras. The Standard model gets
DJI’s Zenmuse X4S camera, comparable to the
Phantom 4 Pro’s. The Inspire 2 Professional
boasts an X5S interchangeable-lens camera,
but flight times come down, and the price goes
up to over £10,000/$11,000. There’s even
a 6K-capable Inspire 2 Cinema Premium model,
if you’ve got Hollywood-deep pockets.
The Inspire 2 also has sophisticated object
tracking, multi-user operation, and other pro
features that novice fliers are unlikely to need.PROS Pro video quality with multiple camera
options; solid build quality and backup systemsCONS High purchase cost; overkill for beginners;
dual battery design makes spares expensiveVerdict
DJI Mavic Air
From £768/$919
http://www.dji.comWeight: 430g | Dimensions (folded): 168 x 83 x 49mm |
Dimensions (unfolded): 168 x 184 x 64mm | Controller:
Ye s | Video resolution: 4K 60fps | Camera resolution:
12MP | Battery life: 21 minutes (2,375mAh) | Max
range: 10km/6.2mi) | Max speed: 68kph/43mphT
he Mavic Air is an incredibly capable
drone that could well be the only flying
camera you’ll ever need. With front,
downward and rear-facing distance sensors, the
drone can identify obstacles and not just warn
the pilot, but also plot a course to avoid them.
The Air’s max 10km range is very impressive,
and DJI’s app includes some cool effects.
All this computing power comes with a
downside. The battery life is a quoted 21 minutes,
and is somewhat less in real-world conditions.
Unfolding the Air is also surprisingly fiddly. As
with other DJI drones, an extra Fly More pack
is available, which bundles useful extras like
a case and spare batteries, but you’ll need
to part with £180/£200.
The controller folds away beautifully (you can
even unscrew the sticks), but it is a little awkward,
as the grips that hold your phone in place can make
it hard to swipe up to activate the phone. It’s also
not ideal that the screen is below your hands
(bigger controllers position it above), but the
range is certainly impressive, and DJI’s app
includes some cool effects.PROS Folds away neatly; 4K 60fps 100Mbps
video; object avoidance with course correctionCONS Flight time could be better; carrying
case costs extraVerdict
Camera drones
Drones are no longer a novelty for remote-control
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