DJI today launched the Avata, its latest FPV (first person view) drone, and the reviews have started to pour in. While maybe suited for professional production, the Avata hits its target niche perfectly: a solidly constructed entry-level FPV drone that might not have all of the features of more advanced models, but delivers a fantastic flying (and recording) experience at an appealing price point. Reviewers universally cite the Avata’s sturdy construction, intuitive motion control, and next-generation goggles as high points. Here’s a taste of what people are saying:
The color quality and sharpness are what you’d expect from DJI: clean, bright, and sharp, at least in the standard color mode. The option for D-Cinelike is also available for more production-level filming to get the most out of your shots. With the internal electronic image stabilization (EIS), you get very smooth shots which is nothing new for DJI. – Chris Lambeth, PetaPixel
The camera can shoot video in 4K resolution at up to 60 frames per second, and the footage looks great. It’s smoothly stabilized and handles high dynamic scenes well, balancing bright skies against darker foregrounds. There’s plenty of detail and enough resolution for the TikTokers among you to do a vertical crop down the middle — because the camera cannot shoot in portrait mode. It struggles more in low-light areas, however, so keep that in mind if you’re planning your own flight around a dimly lit bowling alley. – Andrew Lanxon, CNET
When I combine those goggles with the bundled motion controller, it lets me do things I would normally never do on my very first try with a drone — like fly up into the canopy of a tree to see a bird or underneath a volleyball net. It helps that you can see a real-time reticle inside your goggles that shows where the motion controller is pointing — and that the drone automatically and smoothly brakes when you let go of the trigger. – Sean Hollister, The Verge
The Avata is now available from DJI at three price points. There is a standalone option for just the drone its self for $629, a bundle with the DJI FPV Goggles V2 and DJI Motion Controller for $1,168, and a bundle with the DJI Goggles 2 and DJI Motion Controller for $1,388.
Tech Roundup: Aerial Drones 2021
