DJI Air 2S Review 2023: One of the Best Drones for Aerial Photography Enthusiasts

Introduction: As aerial photography professionals, we're always on the lookout for the latest drone innovations that can take our work to the next level. The DJI Air 2S is one of the most exciting new drones aimed at hobbyists and pros alike. We performed in-depth testing in a variety of real-world conditions to provide an unbiased hands-on review of the Air 2S's flight capabilities, camera performance, safety features and value. Read on to find out if the Air 2S is the best drone for your aerial photography needs in 2023.

In-Depth Flight Capabilities: The Air 2S builds on DJI's expertise with gimbal stabilization and intelligent flight modes. Despite its compact size, it handles winds up to 22mph thanks to optimized weight distribution and sensors. The 3-axis gimbal delivers professional-level stabilized footage, essential for crisp aerial video and photos. For new pilots, features like MasterShots, FocusTrack and QuickShots make capturing complex camera moves easy. Experts will appreciate the configurable manual flight settings like adjustable speed, acceleration and rotation angles. We found the 12km transmission range gave us the flexibility to capture a wide variety of landscapes and terrain. The 31 minute maximum flight time is also best-in-class for a drone of this size and price point.

Image Quality Review: The 1-inch CMOS sensor is a major jump up in image quality over previous DJI consumer drones. We were blown away by the level of detail, dynamic range and color rendering from such a compact drone camera. The 20 megapixel photos offer plenty of resolution for big prints and cropping flexibility. 5.4K video will allow videographers to crop and stabilize in post production. Overall, we found the camera delivered near professional-level performance on par with drones costing twice as much. The 10-bit D-log color profile also provides advanced grading options.

Safety Features: In addition to excellent performance, DJI built in a robust suite of safety features. The Air 2S has forward, backward and downward obstacle sensors that automatically avoid crashes. The Geofence system prevents flying near airports or restricted areas. Return to Home brings the drone back with the press of a button. For new pilots, these safety features provide huge peace of mind. Our Verdict on the DJI Air 2S in 2023: With customizable flight modes, excellent camera performance and intelligent safety features, the DJI Air 2S represents an outstanding value proposition for aerial photography enthusiasts and semi-pros. Hobbyists will love the convenience and image quality upgrades. For pros, it represents a capable secondary drone option compared to pricier models. For less than $1,000, the Air 2S packs impressive capabilities in a portable, beginner-friendly package.