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DJI Avata 2 vs. DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV—Side-by-Side Comparisons of All 3 DJI FPV Drones

BY Zacc Dukowitz
8 May 2024

DJI recently launched the Avata 2, the second generation of its groundbreaking cinewhoop drone. (A cinewhoop is a quick, nimble drone made to shoot FPV fly-through tours.)

dji-avata-2
Credit: DJI

But before the Avata and the Avata 2, DJI also put out the DJI FPV.

So if you’re in the market for an FPV drone, which one is best? And how can you choose between the three?

Avata vs. FPV

Before we even go into specs and pricing, start by asking yourself: What kind of FPV flying do you want to do?

The answer to that question may be all you need in making the DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV choice.

That’s because:

  • The Avata line is made for shooting cinematic FPV footage.
  • The DJI FPV is made for flying FPV for drone racing, freestyle, or just for fun.

A Quick Quiz to Help You Decide

Are you more interested in:

  • Capturing cinematic FPV footage
  • Shooting beautiful cinewhoop-style fly throughs
  • Flying indoors or in tight, confined spaces to get great FPV shots
  • Maybe doing some FPV flying for racing or just fun

→ The DJI Avata or Avata 2 is probably the best choice for you.

avata-2-fpv
The DJI Avata 2 | Credit: DJI

Are you more interested in:

  • Drone racing
  • FPV freestyle flying
  • Just flying FPV for fun
  • Maybe capturing some cinematic FPV footage (but it’s not your main focus)

→ The DJI FPV is probably the best choice for you.

DJI FPV Combo
The DJI FPV | Credit: DJI

To sum this up, if you’re interested in capturing smooth, cinematic footage in potentially cramped or intricate indoor environments, the DJI Avata or Avata 2 would be your go-to drones. On the other hand, if you’re interested in high-speed outdoor flying with the opportunity for racing and dynamic maneuvers, the DJI FPV will be your best choice.

Think you might want to do both types of flying? Then decide which type is most important to you between the two, and use that choice to guide your decision.

DJI Avata 2, DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV Specs

One of the first things to call out in a 3-way comparison between the Avata 2, the Avata, and the FPV is price.

Check out the introductory pricing for combos that include goggles:

  • Avata 2 Fly More Combo—$999
  • Avata Explorer Combo—$829
  • DJI FPV Combo—$999

What jumps out right away is that the Avata 2 is a great value.

The FPV Combo is the same price as the Avata 2 Fly More Combo—and it came out three years ago.

And while the Avata Explorer may be $170 less than the Avata 2, it’s important to note that the Avata 2 combo comes with the RC Motion 3 and the Goggles 3, which are the newest versions. (The Avata Explorer Combo comes with the RC Motion 2 and the Goggles Integra.)

Here are side-by-side specs for all three drones:

avata-vs-fpv

Avata 2 vs. Avata

Above we shared the specs for the Avata 2 and the Avata. But specs alone don’t always capture the updates made to a new drone in a series.

To make it easy to see what’s been upgraded, here’s a list of the main changes made from the Avata to the Avata 2:

  • Lighter, more stable airframe. The Avata 2 weighs .7 pounds less than the Avata, and has an improved airframe that provides greater stability in flight.
  • Larger camera sensor. The Avata 2 has a 1/1.3″ sensor compared to the 1.17″ sensor on the original.
  • Longer battery life. The Avata 2 has 5 minutes more flight time than the Avata (23 minutes vs. 18 minutes).
  • Longer transmission range. The Avata 2’s transmission range is 1.8 miles longer than the Avata (8 miles vs. 6.2 miles).
  • Greater range of gimbal tilt. The Avata 2 has five more degrees of gimbal tilt than the original.

avata-2-vs-fpv
Credit: DJI

Learn More About Each Drone

Here’s an overview of each of DJI’s FPV drones.

(Note that we’re omitting the specs here since they’re shared in the side-by-side chart above. Instead, we’re sharing special features that haven’t been covered yet in this DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV article.)

The Avata 2

The Avata 2 just came out. It’s the second generation of DJI’s cinewhoop line and it’s brand new as of the publication of this article.

Rumors about whether DJI planned to make a sequel to the Avata have been flying around for years. But they weren’t substantiated until leaks started coming out a few months ago, confirming that DJI was working on an Avata 2 and that it’s launch was close, leading to mounting excitement and curiosity throughout the drone industry.

Here are some standout features for the Avata 2:

  • Airframe design. The Avata 2’s design deviates from the original. Ducted props are expected on cinewhoops but the Avata 2 takes this functional design element a step further, fully encasing them within the airframe to make for even safer flying in tight or confined spaces.
  • Bigger propellers. The Avata 2 has triple-bladed 3″ props, helping stabilize the drone and improve flight performance overall.
  • Smoother slow-mo. The camera on the Avata 2 is the same as the Avata’s, except that it can record 1080p at 240fps, helping shoot smoother slow-mo than the original (the Avata records at 120fps).
  • Bigger battery. The Avata 2 has a 50.1Wh battery while the original comes with a 35.7Wh, helping it get that extra 5 minutes of flight time (the Avata 2 has 23 minutes while the Avata has 18 minutes).
  • Stabilization technology. RockSteady 3.0+, HorizonSteady, and HorizonBalancing.

Learn more about the DJI Avata 2 on DJI’s website.

The Avata

The Avata is DJI’s first ever cinewhoop. It came out in August of 2022, so it’s about a year and 9 months old at this point.

DJI - Introducing DJI Avata

The Avata was an exciting release from DJI because it was the company’s first-ever cinewhoop. At the time, cinewhoops had burst into the mainstream thanks to smooth, impressive fly throughs like Jay Christensen’s Right Up Our Alley, which contributed to cinewhoop shots going viral.

Here are the cinewhoop-related features you’ll find on the Avata:

  • Propeller guards. Prop guards help the drone fly in confined spaces, letting it bump into objects and walls and continue flying unharmed.
  • Wide Field of View. The Avata’s 155° super-wide FOV creates for a more immersive, true-to-life visualization of what the drone encounters while flying (according to DJI most cameras offer only 84° FOV).
  • Stabilization. RockSteady 2.0 actively reduces camera shake in real-time and HorizonSteady locks your footage to a level horizon for cinematic effects.
  • Turtle mode. If the Avata falls on its back due to a collision, Turtle mode allows it to resume flying without any manual intervention.
  • Low-altitude flight. The drone’s binocular vision and ToF infrared sensing help it fly very close to the ground while maintaining its safety.
  • Emergency Brake button. This button lets pilots stop immediately, keeping the drone hovering in place to avoid potential accidents while flying quickly through tight spaces.

Learn more about the DJI Avata on DJI’s website.

The DJI FPV

The DJI FPV was DJI’s first ever FPV drone. It came out in August of 2022, so it’s about a year and 9 months old at this point.

DJI - Introducing DJI FPV

The DJI FPV was a big deal when it first came out because it was a ready-to-fly FPV drone—as opposed to a drone you have to build, like many FPVs—making it poised to lower the barrier for entry to FPV flying so anyone could get into it.

Here’s are the standout features for the DJI FPV:

  • Hybrid drone. Can be used for both FPV racing and FPV aerial cinematography.
  • New motion controller. It comes with an optional motion controller that lets you control the drone with just hand movements.
  • Immersive experience. Combining 6.2 mile (10km) HD Low-Latency Video Transmission and the new motion controller, you might feel like you’re actually flying through the sky yourself when you pilot the DJI FPV.
  • Adjustable lights. Front LEDs and aircraft arm lights come in customizable colors.
  • Safety. Emergency Brake and Hover allow you to stop on a dime and hover at any moment. Other safety features include an auxiliary bottom light, Smart and Low Battery Return to Home, and both forward and backward obstacle sensors.

Learn more about the DJI FPV on DJI’s website.

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