DJI's New Mavic Air Drone Is a Beefed-Up Spark With 4K Video Support (arstechnica.com)

Earlier today, DJI announced the latest entry in its popular line of consumer drones: the Mavic Air. The drone starts at $799, which is $400 more than the Spark's current going rate and $200 below the cost of a new Mavic Pro. "The entry-level package does include a dedicated controller, though, albeit one without an integrated display," reports Ars Technica. "The Mavic Air is available for pre-order today, and DJI says the device will start shipping on January 28." From the report: At first blush, the Mavic Air appears to find a middle ground between DJI's beginner-friendly Spark drone and its pricier but more technically capable Mavic Pro. Like both of those devices, the Mavic Air is small -- at 168x184x64mm, it's a bit larger than the Spark but smaller than the Mavic Pro. Like the latter, its arms can be folded inward, which should make it relatively easy to pack and transport. Its design doesn't stray too far from the past, either, with the rounded, swooping lines of its chassis punctuated by stubby, Spark-like propeller arms. The whole thing weighs 430 grams, which is much lighter than the Mavic Pro's 734g and a bit heavier than the Spark's 300g chassis. DJI says it can reach up to 42.5 miles per hour in its "sport" mode, which is faster than both the Spark (30mph) and Mavic Pro (40mph). It has a flight range of 2.5 miles with the included controller -- provided you keep it in your line of sight -- which is closer to the Spark than the Pro. With a smartphone, that range drops to 262 feet, the same as the Spark. The drone carries a 12-megapixel camera with a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor and a 24mm F2.8 lens. As with all DJI drones, it comes integrated into the device. Notably, like the Mavic Pro, it's capable of capturing video in 4K up to 30 frames per second, with 1080p video up to 60fps. It can also take DNG photos.

Comments

mavic is 799 at costco

[Hugh Jorgen]

mavic pro is 799 at costco unless you need the format of the spark, get the Mavic or wait until Mavic refresh.

Re:mavic is 799 at costco

[cayenne8]

On Amazon Prime day...I dunno if I caught a glitch or what, but I got the Spark with Intelligent Fly More combo (external remote, extra batteries, prop guards, battery charger, etc)...all for $268.50.

I had to double and triple check myself, but it went through.

I kept expecting Amazon to nullify the sale, but nope...was a brand NIB set as described for only $268.50.

I've had fun with it, I'll learn with this and eventually get a Mavic Pro. I'm guessing in the not too long term, the Mavic Pro will be due for an upgrade.

Has anyone else experience a "glitch" on Amazon getting a product for a ridiculously low price?

I told a friend after I got mine, and the deal had disappeared before they could get it.

Mind you, it wasn't a Prime Day advertised deal...I just happened to see one similar to it and saw the combo was at this low price....weird.

But some times, you get lucky and catch a break, eh?

Re:mavic is 799 at costco

[Anonymous Coward]

badly configured price adjustment bots.

And they’ll sue you if you point out flaws

[Anonymous Coward]

... in their software.

Do the world a favor and let these guys go out of business so more responsible and responsive companies can take their place.

DJI is EVIL

[Anonymous Coward]

This Evil little company is making me part with my hard earned cash again! NOooOoo!

Damn you DJI! Damn you!

incorrect video recording info

[Anonymous Coward]

It can film at 4k 30/24 fps at 100mbs and it can do 2.7k at 60fps and 1080p at 120fps.

Re: incorrect video recording info

[Anonymous Coward]

Added note, it can also take panormic shots with I think 16 pictures in 5 seconds. It also has boomerag and asteroid present filiming panning.

Not mentioned.....

[Anonymous Coward]

The drone uses your phone to send the location and flight path in realtime to DJI who in turn sell that information to local authorities, governments, pretty much anyone who pays for their drone tracker software, with the ability to watch the camera feed in realtime together with the phone camera feed.

Welcome to DJI, where even taking a fancy selfie requires surveillance.

Pass.

Re:Not mentioned.....

[Zocalo]

Citation needed, and no, the US Army's claims that lack supporting evidence do not count - especially given they generally include the word "may".

Sure, DJI is definitely doing *some* data collection (as are most of the action cam/drone systems, either directly through the device or through on-line accounts associated with it) because they tell you so, but they're also claiming to be actively taking steps to improve enduser privacy and have blocked third party apps that have been caught doing so. Like MS Windows' telemetry, it's 100% clear that some data is being collected, but the actual extent of it seems to be based mostly speculation and rumour rather than fact and I've yet to see any really definitive articles that quantify with actual proof the scope of what is being collected and what countermeasures a privacy concious user might take to minimise the "damage" (and any operational compromises those countermeasures might entail). For instance, you claim that DJI is tracking location data in realtime using your phone, which is certainly possible, but the handset-drone comms uses the controller radio transmitter and the phone is USB tethered, so you should be able to put the phone into flight mode and simulate being in an area with no reception - or even just *be* in an area with no reception to prevent that from happening - unless they retrospectively upload it later, but again, I've not seen any definitive articles with evidence to back this up.

So, for anyone considering a drone purchase or that already has one and is getting concerned about the levels of tracking, does anyone have any decent links on this?

Chinese drone?

[James - Teddy Bear]

Big Brother is watching you.

Re:And they’ll sue you if you point out flaw

[Anonymous Coward]

Funny, I've submitted several bug reports to them while using my Phantom. I never got a legal notice, just a free tshirt.