DJI Mavic Air 2 Zoom [features and how to]

Due to a recent firmware update, the DJI Mavic Air 2 can zoom into shots. You can do smooth zoom using a combination of button presses and rolls and cut into a zoom using software buttons. The Mavic Air 2 packs a lot of highly advanced technology and is a very popular drone. It can fly 6.2 miles or 10 km and has a flight time of 34 minutes. I am in no doubt that the firmware update will be popular for many users.

You can access the Mavic Air 2 zoom by upgrading the firmware and app. By pressing the 1X button you are able to access digital zooming. Smooth zooming can be achieved by holding the same button or combining the function button and the flywheel on the remote control.

The firmware upgrade also provides a number of other advantages that we will look at below.

Firmware upgrade

The firmware upgrade V01.00.0340 was the first update that provided digital zoom, a new hyperlapse resolution, improved obstacle avoidance and much more.

Check for updates of the firmware in the DJI fly app. Navigate to the about section and click “check for updates”.

The addition of the zooming feature provides an incredible dynamic perspective on the scene and gives the drone pilot much more creative freedom in framing their photos and videos.

The firmware upgrade means that you can now digitally zoom in on a subject. Depending on the resolution that you are filming in, you will be able to get different levels of zoom features.

• In 4K zoom mode supports 2x digital zoom
• 2x digital zoom in 2.7 K
• the full 4x digital zoom is only available up to 1080p at 60 frames per second in video mode.

The firmware upgrade also brings safety flight modes, optimised FPV mode for the gimbal, optimised hyperlink, optimised sports mode, and optimised active track.

The continuation of improvement to the different features of the drone means that it is very important to keep your firmware updated as it may bring some in-demand features. DJI is very active at satisfying its customer base with additional features when the community requests them.

Is the zoom function on the Mavic Air 2 good?

Some users have reported that digital zoom introduces a lot of noise into the image.

If you are using the Mavic Air 2 for professional usage it is recommended that you stay away from the zoom feature as in 4K there is noise that is increased in full high definition. For hobby users, the zoom function will be okay.

Digital zoom is often a great feature when you cannot get close to the subject of the photo but, navigating closer to the subject of the photo or video is always the best option as it provides the photo or video in full resolution without noise.

If you are looking for a drone that has a good and noise-free zoom function you should check out the DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro

How do you use the zoom feature on Mavic Air 2

there are three ways that you can use the zoom feature on the Mavic Air 2. Firstly, you can press a button on the screen, press and hold the same butter for smooth zoom shots, and you can also hold the function button and use the flywheel on the remote to perform a smooth zoom.

Press the button on the screen

The first way to use the zoom feature on the Mavic and 2 is to press the on-screen zoom button on the fly app. You should see a 1X button that you can press to change the zoom.

Depending on your filming resolution, you’ll be able to achieve different levels of maximum zoom.

Pressing the button will quickly cut into the new zoom. If you want a smoother zoom, you can press and hold the button.

Press and hold

Pressing and holding the same 1X button will open up a sliding zoom scale for you and provide a way to zoom into your framing smoothly.

The slider provides an intuitive way to control the camera’s zoom, and you can change the speed of the zoom by pushing the slider further.

Getting used to navigating the first-person view of your drone and all of the features you can access using the fly app will allow you to quickly navigate through different functions and features without running down your battery while searching for the best feature.

Hold the function button and use the flywheel

You can also use the zoom feature using the remote control.

By holding the function button and using the flywheel at the rear of the remote control, you’ll be able to change the digital zoom of your shot smoothly.

I prefer using this method to change the zoom of my shots as it is intuitive and allows me finer control with the flywheel than I can get using the on-screen software sliders.

If your zoom feature isn’t working, there are several things that you can try, and we will look at them in the section below.

If the Zoom feature isn’t working

If the soon feature isn’t working on your DJI Mavic Air 2, you can do several things, including updating the phone or smart device you are using to fly your drone, and refreshing the firmware by plugging it into your computer and updating the fly app.

Some phones do not support the zoom function

Some older phones do not support the soon function because you cannot upgrade the DJI fly app.

Users have reported that for phones of a similar age as the iPhone 5, the soon function is not available.

To solve this issue, I recommend updating your phone to a newer model or purchasing a smart device that you can use to fly your drones, such as an iPad or tablet.

Most of us will be able to utilise our everyday smartphone, but others will have two purchase an extra smart device to ensure that they have the latest features available and full compatibility with the fly app.

Refresh Firmware

Connect your drone to your computer with DJI software and do a fresh firmware install of the most up-to-date version.

The software will rewrite the firmware onto your drones, so make sure that you have completely removed any photos and videos from the internal storage of your drone.

Update App

Make sure that the fly app is updated to at least 1.1.6. Always ensure that your fly app is updated to the latest version, as it has some extra features and bug patches.

DJI is also known to increase the security of their firmware and app over time, so you’d be silly not to make the most of any update that gets pushed your way.

Summary

In this article, we have covered everything you need to know about updating your firmware on the DJI Mavic Air 2 to access the zoom function and other important and exciting features.

Ensure you have the most up-to-date firmware and app for flying your drone to access the zoom feature.

You can cut into the digital zoom by pressing a software button or access smooth zoom via the same software button or utilising the function button on the remote control combined with the flywheel.

This feature is a fantastic add-on that DJI has placed on the Mavic Air 2 and will allow for much more creative freedom and flexibility for drone pilots and photographers.