Comparison
DJI Mavic Air 2 vs DJI Air 2S
Would you notice?
Air 2 vs Air 2S: You would notice the sensor (1/2-inch CMOS vs 1-inch CMOS) in evening light; you would notice max video only if you slow-mo or grade HDR. You would not really notice weight, flight time, wind. UK: unmarked on every one of these. Flyer ID and Operator ID apply from 100 g with a camera — that is every drone here.
Set I fly on the home bench to see net upgrade cost from your airframe (CeX cash vs used / RRP). It stays in this browser.
| Spec |  unmarked · 570 g |  unmarked · 595 g |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Released | 27 Apr 2020 | 15 Apr 2021 |
| App | DJI Fly Same | DJI Fly Same |
| Weight & UK law | ||
| Takeoff weight | 570 g Ahead | 595 g |
| UK class / IDs | unmarked · Operator ID + Flyer ID Same | unmarked · Operator ID + Flyer ID Same |
| Open subcategory | A3 Far from People Same | A3 Far from People Same |
| From uninvolved people | No class mark. CAA legacy weight table: 50 m from uninvolved people; 150 m from built-up areas. No overflight. A2 only with an A2 CofC. Flyer ID + Operator ID. Same | No class mark. CAA legacy weight table: 50 m from uninvolved people; 150 m from built-up areas. No overflight. A2 only with an A2 CofC. Flyer ID + Operator ID. Same |
| Height (Open) | 120 m AGL Same | 120 m AGL Same |
| Folded size | 180 × 97 × 84 mm | 180 × 97 × 77 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main sensor | 1/2-inch CMOS · 48 MP · 24 mm | 1-inch CMOS · 20 MP · 22 mm Ahead |
| Aperture | f/2.8 Same | f/2.8 Same |
| Field of view | 84° Same | 88° Same |
| ISO (photo / video) | 100–6400 / 100–6400 | 100–12800 / 100–6400 |
| Colour / log | D-Cinelike | D-Log M |
| Other cameras | Single camera Same | Single camera Same |
| Max video | 4K/60 | 5.4K/30, 4K/60 Ahead |
| Gimbal / vertical | 24° tilt Same | 24° tilt Same |
| Flight | ||
| Lab flight time | 34 min Ahead | 31 min |
| Hover time | 33 min Ahead | 30 min |
| Wind resistance | Level 5 · 10.5 m/s | Level 5 · 10.7 m/s Ahead |
| Max speed | 68.4 km/h Sport Same | 68.4 km/h Sport Same |
| Climb / descent | 4 / 3 m/s | 6 / 6 m/s Ahead |
| Max takeoff altitude | 5000 m Same | 5000 m Same |
| Sensing | ||
| Obstacle sensing | Front / back / down Same | Front / back / down Same |
| Transmission | ||
| Video range (CE) | 6 km CE · O2 (10 km FCC) Same | 8 km CE · O3 (12 km FCC) Same |
| Power & storage | ||
| Battery | 40.4 Wh Same | 40.4 Wh Same |
| Internal storage | 8 GB Same | 8 GB Same |
| microSD | microSD, up to 256 GB Same | microSD, up to 256 GB Same |
| GNSS | GPS + GLONASS | GPS + GLONASS + Galileo |
| Operating temperature | −10 to 40 °C | 0 to 40 °C |
The i beside a spec is the explainer — hover or tap.
Questions
Will I notice the camera?
Air 2 main: 1/2-inch CMOS · 48 MP · 24 mm, 4K/60. Air 2S main: 1-inch CMOS · 20 MP · 22 mm, 5.4K/30, 4K/60. You would notice sensor class in low light; you would not notice the word 4K if both already do it.
Do I need to register the Air 2S in the UK?
Air 2S is unmarked, takeoff about 595 g (595 g with battery. No class mark.). In the UK a Flyer ID is required from 100 g, and an Operator ID is required from 100 g with a camera or from 250 g — this airframe needs both. This is not legal advice; read the CAA Drone Code for the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
How far from people can I fly the Air 2S in the UK?
Air 2S (unmarked): A3 Far from People. No class mark. CAA legacy weight table: 50 m from uninvolved people; 150 m from built-up areas. No overflight. A2 only with an A2 CofC. Flyer ID + Operator ID. Open height is 120 m AGL. Never over crowds. This is not legal advice — the CAA Drone Code (March 2026) applies to the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
Which is better at dusk?
Air 2S on paper. Air 2 is 1/2-inch CMOS with Front / back / down; Air 2S is 1-inch CMOS with Front / back / down. Nightscape still needs texture and a minimum lux — it is not night vision.
Which is better for travel?
Air 2 if the constraint is a bag and UK class (unmarked, 570 g). Air 2S if you will accept unmarked and 595 g for the bigger airframe.
Can I keep my Air 2 batteries, controller or ND filters?
You can keep: DJI RC-N1. You cannot take: Mavic Air 2 Intelligent Flight Battery. Phone clamp for Mini 2, Mini 4K, Mini 3 family, Air 2, Air 2S and original Mavic 3. Does not fly Mini SE (Wi-Fi stick), Mini 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, Flip or Air 3.
How much more does it cost?
DJI UK RRP (as of 2026-08-31): Air 2 —, Air 2S —. Used and CeX sit on the price board below — some of these are discontinued as new.
Who should buy which?
Air 2: Dual camera and wind; you accepted C1. Air 2S: Dual camera and wind; you accepted C1.
Should I skip Air 2 and buy Air 2S used?
Heliguy’s launch split is the map: Air 2S added the 1-inch sensor, 5.4K and O3. Air 2 is 1/2-inch 48 MP, 4K/60, O2, 570 g. RC-N1 flies both. Packs do not swap even though one Air 2S pack version prints the same 40.42 Wh. Both unmarked A3. Buy Air 2S if the 1-inch is why you fly; buy Air 2 if the used price is the only number that matters.
Price board
UK pounds, dated snapshots. Each cell names the box that figure is for. EAN is the barcode on that carton when a UK listing cited one; otherwise we leave it blank rather than guess. Not live APIs. Buying used checklist.
| Air 2 as of 2026-08-31 | Air 2S as of 2026-08-31 | |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Store UK RRP | — Discontinued as new — Mavic Air 2 (not Air 2S, not Air 3) | — Discontinued as new — Air 2S (not Air 3, not Air 3S) |
| Amazon UK | See Amazon No new Air 2 buy-box — search only; confirm it is not Air 2S | See Amazon No new Air 2S buy-box — search only |
| eBay UK band | See eBay Used Air 2 kits — confirm it is not Air 2S | See eBay Used Air 2S kits; Fly More at the top — confirm it is not Air 3 |
| CeX sell | — CeX search — no SKU invented | — CeX search — no SKU invented |
| CeX cash / voucher | See CeX CeX search — no SKU invented | See CeX CeX search — no SKU invented |
Reviews that put these together
- DJI Air 2S vs Mavic Air 2 vs DJI Mavic 2 Pro
1-inch vs Air 2, 5.4K, no class mark, front/back/up/down sensing
Heliguy · 2021-04-15