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Hands on with the compact, clever DJI Air 2S

With great auto flying skills and excellent imaging capabilities, DJI's new drone has much to like.

Andrew Lanxon headshot
Andrew Lanxon headshot
Andrew Lanxon
Andrew is CNET's go-to guy for product coverage and lead photographer for Europe. When not testing the latest phones, he can normally be found with his camera in hand, behind his drums or eating his stash of home-cooked food. Sometimes all at once.
Andrew Lanxon
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DJI's new Air 2S is a compact, lightweight drone that's been kitted out with a new larger image sensor for better video quality. It can shoot video up to 5.4K resolution and has a variety of intelligent automatic flying modes that make it easier than ever to get cinematic footage when you're out and about. 

The Air 2S is available now and costs £899 (converts to $1,240, AU$1,600) for the drone and controller. Or you can get the Fly More combo which adds in two extra batteries, a charging hub, a set of ND filters for the camera and a carry bag for £1,169.

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The camera has a 1-inch image sensor which is physically larger than its predecessor and allows for better dynamic range in its footage. 

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Physically, it's much the same as last year's Air 2, and will comfortably fit in a lens slot in a photography backpack. 

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The battery is removable and in my testing should give you around 25 minutes of mixed flying. 

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The controller is chunky, but connects to your phone and is simple to use. 

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I'm pleased with the image quality. This image -- taken in DNG raw and edited in Adobe Lightroom -- has plenty of detail and excellent dynamic range. 

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An unprocessed raw file. 

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Sensors on all sides of the drone stop it from crashing into things. 

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The Fly More combo gives you a total of three batteries, plus this neat charging hub. You'll be able to get around an hour of flight from the set.

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Keep clicking and scrolling through to see more of the drone. 

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