DJI Avata 2 Review: Next-Gen FPV Drone

There are limitless opportunities for unique acrobatic movements.

FPV drones are not limited to orthogonal directional flight. Instead, they fly in any direction, with flips and sweeping turns being popular.

FPV drones like the DJI Avata 2 are popular for creating dynamic videos that show unique perspectives of flying like a superhero through a landscape or around objects.

This review will cover my experience flying an FPV drone for the first time and how I think it could be awesome for creators looking to put a unique spin on their drone footage.

DJI Avata 2 Specs

• Maximum Horizontal Speed: 60 mph/97 kph
• Maximum Flight Time: 23 minutes
• Number of Cameras: 1 – Wide Angle
• Sensor: 12 MP, 1/1.3″-Type CMOS Sensor with 12mm-Equivalent, f/2.8 Lens (155° FoV)
• Maximum Video Resolution: Up to UHD 4K at 60 fps / DCI 2K at 120 fps
• Sensing System: Downward/Backward Only
• Control Method: Included Transmitter
• Maximum Operating Distance: 8.1 Miles/13.0 km
• Mobile App Compatible: Yes, for Android & iOS
• App Name: DJI Fly
• Weight: 13.3 oz/377 g (Takeoff)

Build & Appearance

DJI Avata 2 with motion controller and DJI Goggles 2 headset.

The build and appearance of the DJI Avata 2 are very nice. Compared to other FPV drones on the market, it’s very polished and professional-looking.

DJI has clearly developed a consistent and professional brand with their drones, and that translates to the Avata 2.

I like the rugged feel of this drone—it’s clearly designed to crash and keep flying.

The durable frame and propeller guards are meant to take a hit.

Aside from the drone itself, the whole system on the Avata 2 is clearly well-built.

The updated DJI Goggles are very comfortable and well-padded, ensuring a comfortable fit.

The motion controller is lightweight and feels very comfortable in your hand.

Overall, the build quality of the Avata 2 is excellent and it feels like it will last a while in my kit.

Having crashed it several times (once at full speed) with hardly a scratch on the body, I can confidently say it’s a durable drone.

Ergonomics & Handling

DJI Avata 2 with motion controller and DJI Goggles 2 headset.

The ergonomics of the DJI Avata 2 are where it really shines.

As a second-generation drone, it benefits from a more refined and user-friendly design.

This is especially true with the Avata 2: DJI has introduced several impressive features that make flying feel comfortable and approachable, even for first-time users.

Whether it’s the quick flip of turtle mode that keeps you flying after a crash or the downward and backward visual positioning sensors, this drone is packed with helpful tools.

Traditional FPV drones are often complex systems that need to be custom-built, while the Avata 2 is a complete package ready to fly.

Putting on the immersive DJI goggles feels a little strange to traditional drone pilots, but all the necessary controls are at your fingertips with the motion controller.

The motion controller will guide your flight up/down and side/side as well as through the menu system.

FPV goggles were a new experience for me, but the DJI Avata 2 was quite easy to fly because of its well-designed user interface.

Don’t get me wrong, you’re still going to need a lot of practice before you can switch from normal mode to manual mode, but the Avata 2 is a great place to start.

Many FPV pilots prefer the DJI FPV Controller, which is more like a gaming controller.

I found the motion controller to be an easy place to start flying but also a little tricky to control when performing tight maneuvers for the first time.

Flying in manual mode is supposed to bring a next level of complexity to FPV flight, but I found the other modes to be much more comfortable.

Two other comforting features of this drone are the rock-solid video transmission and return-to-home features.

Despite flying behind trees and a good distance away, I never lost signal.

Also, knowing that the drone will return to home if it ever does lose signal was much appreciated.

The DJI Avata 2 is also capable of live streaming from the goggles. This is a fun feature for sharing your experience with others through a live feed.

This interface is easily accessed through the USB-C port on the new DJI Goggles 3.

It also allows new pilots to have someone monitor their flight and review footage in real-time.

Another improvement over the previous version of the Avata is the flight time.

The three batteries in the Fly More kit will provide over an hour of flight time.

One cool feature of these battery cases is that they can transfer charge from one battery to another.

Because it’s not very safe to fly a battery down to zero, the remaining charge from 2 batteries can be transferred to the third battery to give you a little extra juice for that final flight.

One thing to know, as with many drones, is that you will need to spend some time activating and setting everything up through the DJI Fly App.

Unboxing, activation, and firmware updates took me a couple of hours to complete, so keep that in mind when you first purchase the drone.

Ergonomics and handling are where the DJI Avata 2 really thrives. It’s a streamlined system that functions extremely well right out of the box.

If you’re new to FPV, the Avata 2 is a great starting place.

Focus Performance

Flying the DJI Avata 2 on a partly cloudy day.

Because the Avata 2 has a fixed focus, autofocus is not a concern.

I’ve always been quite happy with autofocus on my other DJI drones, but it was nice to have one less thing to think about on the Avata.

Everything beyond about a foot will be in focus all the time.

It’s similar to what you might find on an action camera or 360 camera.

Low Light Performance

Testing the DJI Avata 2 in a forested environment.

Low light performance is one area where the DJI Avata 2 is not designed to excel.

There are lots of other drones you might choose if low-light performance is your goal.

I would set your expectations to about the level of an iPhone when it comes to image quality on the DJI Avata 2.

It will produce passable quality footage to a certain point, but once it gets too dark, the quality drops off.

If you want to film in low light, I would strongly encourage you to check out the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.

It has a much larger sensor and will get good results as long as there is some light on the scene (e.g., a cityscape at night).

Video Quality

I had fun chasing my son playing soccer with the DJI Avata 2.

Although the DJI Avata 2 does take stills, it’s mainly focused on capturing dynamic fly-through videos.

Whether you’re flying around a beautiful mountain landscape or touring the interior of a building, the Avata 2 can provide a seamless first-person perspective.

With up to 4k 60p footage, you’ll be able to get up to 40% slow motion at 4k resolution.

If you really want to slow things down, you could switch to 2k 120p for 20% slow-motion footage at a slightly lower resolution.

I found the color and quality to be very good on this drone.

With the addition of 10-bit color, you’ll have more room to adjust the tone and feel of your videos.

With traditional FPV drones, people often mount a GoPro to the top of the drone to capture high-quality video.

DJI Avata 2 Sample Images

Here are some sample images I took using the DJI Avata 2.

DJI Avata 2 | 1/2000 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Avata 2 | 1/1000 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Avata 2 | 1/2000 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Avata 2 | 1/2000 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Avata 2 | 1/2000 f/2.8 ISO 100

Overall Performance

DJI Avata 2 in flight.

The DJI Avata 2 is an extremely fast drone with a top speed of 60 mph (97 kph).

It combines performance, innovation, and ease of use.

The smooth 4k video and responsive flight dynamics allow this drone to perform under a variety of conditions.

As I mentioned, one area of lower performance is low-light conditions.

The drone takes some set-up time and there’s a learning curve, but it’s less steep than manual FPV flying.

Other Useful Features

The Avata 2 includes several flight modes, from normal mode to sport mode and manual mode.

The DJI Avata 2 FPV drone is tailored for smooth indoor and close-quarters flying.

The propeller guard provides protection for the drone and surrounding objects.

Live streaming capabilities are also a really cool feature, especially in the days of social media.

How I Tested the DJI Avata 2

Flying the DJI Avata 2 with the DJI Goggles took some getting used to.

Over the course of a few weeks, I thoroughly tested the DJI Avata 2.

From the setup process to numerous flights, I documented the testing of this drone.

Having put hundreds of hours behind the controller on my Mavic 3 Pro, I found this drone to be familiar, but I was still not confident.

To get confident as an FPV pilot I think you would need at least a couple hundred flights.

While this drone is capable of some cool maneuvers with easy right-out-of-the-box programming, getting a complete grasp of its capabilities takes time.

I don’t claim to be an FPV pilot, but I did enjoy testing this drone and getting a taste for the FPV style without having to put in a ton of practice.

Alternatives to DJI Avata 2

The DJI Avata 2 is a highly specialized item, but it’s not the only option available.

The first alternative I would go to is the original DJI Avata FPV drone. It’s a similar but more affordable option from DJI.

It’s not as compact but still delivers solid image quality via a similar immersive FPV flying experience.

When you start looking outside DJI, you might look at the BetaFPV X-Force 2.

It’s a lower-cost solution for advanced FPV pilots and requires more technical know-how.

The Autel Robotics EVO Nano+ is a smaller and more portable option that lacks the immersive FPV experience.

And lastly, Fat Shark’s Shark Byte System is for hobbyists interested in building their own FPV drone.

Value for Money

The DJI Avata 2 is priced higher than many beginner-friendly drones, but it is priced competitively with other high-performance FPV options.

It might not be the best choice if you’re looking for casual drone flying but is more for those looking for FPV.

The DJI Avata 2 delivers an immersive flying experience with the DJI Goggles 2 and motion controller.

It stands out for being both high-quality and easy to use.

The 4k camera with stabilization allows you to capture cinematic, smooth footage in a portable package.

The DJI Avata 2 is worth the investment if you’re looking for immersive FPV flying with high-quality video.

However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need all the features, there are alternatives to consider.

Additionally, if you plan on becoming serious about FPV, you may want to learn to build and repair your own drones since many crashes occur often during the learning phase.

FAQ’s

What are the safety features of the DJI Avata 2?

The DJI Avata 2 is equipped with visual front and downward sensors, Return to Home (RTH) functionality, and GPS- assisted stabilization. It does not have obstacle avoidance like many other DJI Drones.

Does the DJI Avata 2 support manual flight mode?

Yes, the DJI Avata 2 offers manual flight mode for experienced FPV pilots who want full control over the drone.

Can I use the DJI Avata 2 for indoor flying?

Yes, the DJI Avata 2 is designed to be flown indoors and outdoors.

It’s small in size, has propeller guards, and has visual sensors that make it well-suited for indoor flying.

Is the DJI Avata 2 good for beginners?

Yes, the DJI Avata 2 is a great option for those new to FPV flying.

It includes safety features and a user-friendly interface for those just starting out in FPV.

DJI Avata 2 Review | Conclusion

DJI Avata 2 with motion controller and DJI Goggles 2.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to dip your toes into the world of FPV flying or an experienced pilot seeking a compact and powerful drone for cinematic shots, the Avata 2 delivers.

The Avata 2 brings FPV flying to a wider audience, making it accessible to more drone pilots looking for more creative angles.

I loved both the experience of flying this drone and the types of shots it allowed me to capture.

For my personal needs, having an FPV drone is not a priority, so this probably isn’t the best drone for me.

If you have the time and skill to learn how to fly this drone and your goal is to create cool footage, you might check this FPV drone out.

The learning curve isn’t easy, but it’s definitely doable for experienced traditional pilots (or those with good hand-eye coordination) and easier than the learning curve of a traditional FPV drone.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

DJI Avata 2

Compact, immersive and beginner-friendly FPV drone that’s durable and fun to fly.