Introduction
Now this is an older drone released in the spring of 2021, but I think this drone is one of the best drones on the market for photography in the sub 1000 price range right now. If you’re new to the channel, my name is Mark Berger, a Photographer and filmmaker, and I do Gear reviews here on YouTube, as well as a variety of other things. So if you are interested and you’re new to the channel, I would appreciate a subscribe or hit the like button.
The DJI Air 2S is a drone that promises to deliver exceptional performance for landscape photography. With its high resolution and advanced features, it has become a popular choice among photographers looking for professional-level results. In this review, we will delve into the key features and capabilities of the DJI Air 2S.
The DJI Air 2S: The Best Drone for Landscape Photography
Outdated Technology, but Still Great for Photography
Although this drone may be a little outdated in terms of technology, with DJI releasing newer models such as the Mavic 3 and Mavic Air 3, it still holds a strong position for photography. The DJI Air 2S, despite being over two years old, has one standout feature that sets it apart – the 20-megapixel sensor up front.
Higher Resolution for Crisp and Clear Photos
Compared to many other drones on the market that offer 12 megapixel sensors, the DJI Air 2S boasts a native 20 megapixels. This larger sensor size allows for higher resolution and better quality photos. While other drones may claim to have 48 megapixel sensors, they are actually achieving this through shifting a 12 megapixel sensor, resulting in a perceived 48 megapixel image. However, having 20 megapixels native in the sensor ensures sharper and superior image quality.
Compact and Portable Design
Another advantage of the DJI Air 2S is its relatively compact size. This drone is designed to be portable, making it easy to carry around and capture stunning landscapes on the go. Its lightweight build does not compromise its functionality, providing stability and precision during flights.
Intelligent Flight Modes
The DJI Air 2S is equipped with various intelligent flight modes that enhance the photography experience. From ActiveTrack to follow subjects, to Point of Interest mode that circles around a specific point of interest, these features allow users to capture dynamic shots effortlessly. Additionally, the drone’s ability to shoot in RAW format provides photographers with more flexibility during post-processing.
Impressive Image and Video Quality
In addition to its high-resolution sensor, the DJI Air 2S delivers exceptional image and video quality. With its ability to shoot 5.4K video at 30 frames per second, the drone captures stunning footage with vibrant colors and sharp details. The inclusion of HDR capability further enhances the dynamic range, resulting in more balanced and vivid imagery.
Enhanced Safety Features
Safety is always a priority when flying drones, and the DJI Air 2S excels in this aspect as well. It is equipped with obstacle sensing sensors that detect and avoid potential obstacles, reducing the risk of collisions. The drone’s Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS 4.0) intelligently navigates around obstacles, ensuring smooth and safe flights even in complex environments.
Build Quality and Appearance
The DJI Air 2S is based on the popular Mavic Air Platform. It maintains a sleek and compact design, making it easy to carry around for landscape photography. The drone is equipped with a 20-megapixel sensor, which is similar to what you would find on the more expensive Mavic 3. Despite its smaller size, it offers great image quality and performance.
Ergonomics
The DJI Air 2S is designed with user-friendliness in mind. It features a compact body that is easy to handle and control. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced drone pilot, you’ll find the controls to be intuitive and responsive. The drone is lightweight, which contributes to its ease of use and maneuverability.
Focus Performance
When it comes to capturing crisp and clear images, the DJI Air 2S excels in focus performance. It utilizes advanced technologies to ensure accurate and fast autofocus. This allows you to capture stunning landscape shots with ease. Whether you’re shooting in bright daylight or low-light conditions, the drone’s focus performance remains consistent and reliable.
Low Light Image Quality
One of the standout features of the DJI Air 2S is its ability to capture high-quality images even in low-light situations. The 20-megapixel sensor, combined with its advanced image processing capabilities, allows for excellent low-light performance. This is particularly beneficial for landscape photographers who often encounter challenging lighting conditions during sunrise or sunset.
Overall Performance
In terms of overall performance, the DJI Air 2S delivers exceptional results. It offers smooth and stable flight, thanks to its advanced flight control system. The drone’s intelligent features, such as obstacle avoidance and return-to-home function, further enhance the user experience. Whether you’re capturing still images or shooting videos, the DJI Air 2S provides excellent image stabilization, resulting in professional-grade footage.
The DJI Air 2S is an excellent choice for landscape photography. Its compact size, high-resolution sensor, and impressive performance make it a top contender in its price range. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional photographer, this drone will not disappoint. With its exceptional image quality, ease of use, and reliable performance, the DJI Air 2S is undoubtedly one of the best drones for landscape photography in 2023.
DJI Air 2S: The Best Drone for Landscape Photography
Durable Build Quality
The DJI Air 2S drone boasts impressive build quality that sets it apart from its competitors. Designed to be robust and durable, this drone can withstand crashes and accidents. Many users have reported crashing the DJI Air 2S, only to find it surviving remarkably well. DJI has truly refined their style and construction to ensure their drones can survive even the harshest conditions.
Missing Obstacle Avoidance
While the DJI Air 2S excels in various aspects, it does have one drawback: it lacks omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. The drone is equipped with sensors on the front, bottom, and back, providing protection in these directions. However, if you are flying the drone from side to side or want to capture shots from different angles, you won’t have the same protection. It’s essential to be cautious and aware of potential obstacles when flying in these situations.
Photography Features
For landscape photography, the DJI Air 2S is an excellent choice. When capturing images, you typically fly the drone to a specific spot and compose your shot. In this scenario, the absence of omnidirectional obstacle avoidance is less significant. The drone allows you to capture stunning aerial photographs without worrying about obstacles in your direct path.
Videography Potential
When it comes to videography, the DJI Air 2S offers an array of features and capabilities. Its durable build ensures the drone can handle more complex movements and maneuvers while recording videos. However, it’s important to note that increased movement also increases the risk of crashing. Nevertheless, with proper maneuvering and control, you can capture incredible cinematic shots and visually stunning videos with this drone.
Seamless Battery Compatibility
One of the notable features of the DJI Air 2S is its battery compatibility with the previous Air 2 model. If you already own an Air 2, you can upgrade to the Air 2S without having to purchase additional batteries. This seamless compatibility is a convenient and cost-effective aspect for drone enthusiasts who wish to upgrade their equipment.
The DJI Air 2S is an exceptional drone for landscape photography. Its durable build and robust construction ensure it can withstand crashes and accidents. While it lacks omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, this limitation is not a significant concern for aerial photography. Moreover, the drone offers remarkable videography potential, allowing you to capture cinematic shots and visually stunning videos. The battery compatibility with the previous Air 2 model adds further convenience for existing DJI users. Ultimately, the DJI Air 2S is a reliable and versatile drone that caters to the needs of both photography and videography enthusiasts.
Ergonomics and Handling
When it comes to the DJI Air 2S drone, one of the things that stands out is its ergonomics and handling. While it lacks obstacle avoidance on the side, this drone is still quite powerful and flies quickly. It has the capability to overcome wind, making it a reliable choice for landscape photography.
Focus Performance
The DJI Air 2S drone boasts a fixed aperture lens, which ensures sharpness in your images. The autofocus feature works well, and you won’t have to worry about blurry shots. However, keep in mind that the fixed aperture lens means you might need to use ND filters to adjust exposure beyond the camera’s limitations. Overall, the focus performance of this drone is impressive.
Low Light Performance
When it comes to low light performance, the DJI Air 2S drone holds its ground. If you plan on capturing images in darker environments or filming at night, this drone does a decent job. However, if low light performance is a top priority, you might want to consider a higher-end drone or one with a lower resolution. The Mavic 3 and the Mavic Air 3 are good options, as they offer larger sensors or larger pixels, resulting in better low light performance.
Image Quality
The real highlight of the DJI Air 2S drone is its image quality. With a 20-megapixel sensor, this drone captures breathtaking photos. Whether you’re capturing landscapes or intricate details, the image quality of the Air 2S is impressive. It allows you to capture vibrant colors and fine details, making every shot stand out.
The DJI Air 2S is a powerful and reliable drone for landscape photography. While it may lack some features like side obstacle avoidance, its overall performance and image quality make up for it. Whether you’re an amateur or professional photographer, this drone will surely impress with its capabilities and stunning image capture. Don’t forget to invest in ND filters to enhance your exposure control.
High Image Quality
One of the standout features of the DJI Air 2S is its ability to capture beautiful, sharp, and crisp images. With a resolution of 12 megapixels, it may seem adequate for many users. However, for those who are keen on printing their images or require the flexibility to crop in, having that extra resolution can be extremely valuable. The DJI Air 2S delivers stunning results that are printable and work great for various applications.
Value for Money
While the DJI Air 2S may not have all the latest and greatest features found in some of the newer drone models, it offers excellent value for money. For a price that is below $1000, users can enjoy high-resolution capabilities along with most of the features they would need, especially if their main focus is on photography. The ability to shoot in raw and have color gradable images sets it apart from other drones available in the market, providing users with a higher quality image output.
Professional-level Performance
The DJI Air 2S is an ideal purchase for individuals looking for an entry-level drone that offers professional-level performance. Its excellent photography capabilities make it a suitable choice for photographers who want to elevate their landscape photography to the next level. The drone’s ability to deliver high-quality images combined with its user-friendly features makes it a reliable companion for capturing breathtaking shots in the great outdoors.
Overall, the DJI Air 2S proves to be the best drone for landscape photography in its price range. Despite being an older model, its 20-m
The DJI Air 2S is undoubtedly one of the best drones for landscape photography. Its ability to capture stunning, high-resolution images sets it apart from other drones in its price range. The combination of value for money, advanced features, and professional-level performance makes it a worthwhile investment for photography enthusiasts. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced photographer, the DJI Air 2S is a drone that will exceed your expectations and deliver exceptional results.
