The DJI Avata 360 stands as a monumental leap forward in the FPV drone market. While both drones share a similar durable design and flight time, the Avata 360 introduces a revolutionary 360° FOV and a 1-inch equivalent image field. This allows pilots to capture 16K stills and 8K/60fps video, providing total visual freedom that far surpasses the 155° FOV and 4K capabilities of its predecessor.
Beyond raw image quality, the Avata 360 significantly raises the bar for flight safety and intelligence. It introduces a nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing system and forward-facing LiDAR, allowing for confident navigation in low-light conditions. Furthermore, new intelligent features like ActiveTrack 360° and Spotlight Free mode automate complex cinematic manoeuvre, making it easier for novice pilots to achieve high-energy, professional-looking results that previously required manual expertise.
Ultimately, the choice between these two aircraft comes down to your budget and your thirst for cinematic innovation. The Avata 2 remains a highly capable and more affordable entry point, making it a solid choice for those who already own the hardware or are just starting out. However, the Avata 360 provides a future-proof experience with superior safety, vastly better resolution, and a unique immersive perspective that defines the next generation of flight. If you are looking to unlock the full creative potential of the skies, the Avata 360 is the definitive winner.
DJI Avata 2
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DJI Avata 360
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| DJI Avata 2 | DJI Avata 360 | |
| | | |
| Price | Starting at $609.00 CAD / $439.00 USD Starting at $809 CAD | Starting at $249.00 CAD / $199.00 USD Starting at $899 CAD |
| Weight | Approx. 377 g | Approx. 455 g |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 185×212×64 mm | 246×199×55.5 mm |
| Max Flight Time | Approx. 23 Minutes | Approx. 23 Minutes |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K/60fps | 8K/60fps |
| Effective Pixels | 12 MP | 64 MP per Sensor |
| Image Sensor Size | 1/1.3-Inch | Dual 1/1.1-Inch |
| Obstacle Sensing | Downward and Backward | Omnidirectional |
| Internal Storage | 46 GB | 42 GB |
| Max Video Transmission Range | O4: Approx. 13 km | O4+: Approx. 20 km |
| Max Field-of-View | 155° | 360° |
The DJI Avata series is known for providing a one-of-a-kind, immersive flight experience. The previous entry in the Avata series was the DJI Avata 2, a thrilling FPV drone that gave beginners and experts equal footing in exploring the skies. Now, with the release of the DJI Avata 360, the company has outdone itself yet again with better visuals, powerful new features, and an omnidirectional obstacle-sensing system that transforms the FPV flying experience.
To help you understand how the latest drone in the DJI Avata series compares to its predecessor, we’ve gathered a feature-by-feature breakdown of the Avata 2 and the Avata 360.
Visually, the DJI Avata 2 and the Avata 360 are quite similar. Both drones are square-shaped, with four propellers and a camera in the middle of the front portion of the aircraft. The propeller blades are protected by integrated guards, offering a bit more protection during flight. In terms of size and weight, they’re close enough not to have a noticeable difference. The Avata 2 comes with 46 GB of internal storage, while the Avata 360 has slightly less at 42 GB.
The biggest design difference is the lens. The DJI Avata 360, true to its name, delivers 360° visuals, capturing every inch of your surroundings in crystal-clear resolution. While the Avata 2 boasts an impressive 155° FOV, allowing you to toggle between ultra-wide-angle, wide-angle, and normal-angle FOV options, the Avata 360 opens up the entire sky. You can rotate the drone in an endless loop, perform a complete perspective flip, and even zoom into an Asteroid view, all while maintaining a steady flight path. Its lenses are also replaceable, as the Avata 360 has an optional Replacement Lens Kit that lets you swap out the lens elements without sending the drone for repair.
The Avata 2 is equipped with a 1/1.3-inch image sensor that captures 12MP photos, working especially well in low-light conditions. The optional 10-bit D-Log M Mode enhances color details in highlights and shadows, while the range of FOV options lets you tailor your shot to how much of the world you want to capture. Its video capabilities are also quite spectacular compared to other DJI drones. The Avata 2 captures 4K HDR video at 60 fps, letting you record fast-moving, acrobatic manoeuvre without worrying about blur or noise.
As advanced as the Avata 2 is compared to its predecessors, the Avata 360 takes things to a whole new level. Its dual lenses features an unprecedented 1-inch equivalent image field, which unlock total visual freedom in midair. The Avata 360 captures 120MP/16K 360° stills, while the 2.4 μm pixels maintain stunning clarity in all shades of light and shadow.
The Avata 360’s video capabilities are equally impressive, as the drone captures 8K/60fps HDR 360° video from which you can easily crop any number of crisp, social-media-ready photos. Additionally, the drone offers dual-channel color video transmission, allowing you to view it at 1080p/60fps or with the full-color FHD Vision Assist. If you wish, you can even switch between full 360° immersion to Single Lens mode, which records video in the same 4K/60ps quality as the Avata 2.
Both the Avata 2 and the Avata 360 have a maximum flight time of approximately 23 minutes, which is average compared to other DJI drones. PD fast charging and parallel charging support on the Two-Way Charging Hub enable a quick recharge for multiple flights in a short period, so you should be able to get plenty of time to scope out shots in an afternoon.
The DJI Avata 2 relies on DJI O4 video transmission, with two transmitters, four receivers, and four antennae that eliminate interference to generate uninterrupted 1080p/100fps footage. This gives the Avata 2 a maximum video transmission distance of up to 13 km, with 24ms ultra-low latency and a maximum transmission bitrate of 60 Mbps.
The DJI Avata 360 uses O4+ FHD video transmission, extending the video transmission distance up to 20 km with a high-definition 1080p/60fps live feed. While the extra anti-interference capabilities may not be as noticeable outside complex environments, the added video transmission distance definitely will be.
In addition to built-in propeller guards, both the DJI Avata 2 and the Avata 360 feature several safety features to protect the drone during flight. While the Avata 2 lacks obstacle sensing, binocular fisheye sensors on the bottom and rear of the aircraft enhance its visual positioning, making it easier to fly at low altitudes or indoors. There’s even a Turtle Mode that automatically flips the drone back into its takeoff position if it ever gets upside down. With the RC Motion 3, you can bring the Avata 2 to an immediate stop, while the Return-to-Home function returns it to the starting point when the battery is low or the signal is lost.
The Avata 360 goes above and beyond with a nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing system that automatically detects and avoids danger in mid-flight. Forward-facing LiDAR sensors allow the drone to fly safely in low-light conditions, detecting obstacles in the dark and giving you more freedom over when and where you fly. Together with the built-in propeller guards, these safety features are advanced enough to rival some of the best DJI drones on the market.
Most of the special features for the Avata 2 come when paired with the RC Motion 3 or DJI Goggles, but the aircraft itself has a couple of intelligent features that make it easier and more intuitive to operate. RockSteady 3.0+ enhances the drone’s stability in flight, keeping footage smooth at high speeds or in windy environments. The HorizonSteady feature even keeps the horizon centered in the frame, even as the aircraft turns or sways.
The Avata 360 has several advanced tracking features that can turn even the most novice user into an experienced pilot. ActiveTrack 360° automatically selects the proper tracking mode, choosing between Standard for steady-distance shots and Cycling for more high-energy tracking with rapid twists and turns. The drone can lock onto people, vehicles, and vessels, fluidly tracking their movements so you can focus on flying the aircraft.
Spotlight Free mode locks onto a subject and takes over the camera movement, capturing dynamic, cinematic shots without you needing to do a thing. With Spotlight mode, the Avata 360 will fly straight toward your subject, keeping it locked in frame while you trigger manoeuvre like Circle or Dronie for a show-stopping effect. Lastly, the FPV Gimbal Mode will add a natural banking effect to manual flight, ActiveTrack 360°, and Spotlight Free modes. This adds a unique high-speed effect to the footage while giving you the freedom to make changes during post-production.
The FPV Remote Controller 3 is a traditional DJI remote controller with two joysticks and no screen. It’s compatible with the Avata 2 and available as an optional accessory to be paired with the DJI Goggles 3. If you’re looking for an immersive experience better suited to manual flying, this remote controller offers greater precision and responsiveness than the RC Motion 3.
The RC Motion 3 is the standard remote controller that comes with the Avata 2. It’s also available in the Avata 360 Motion Fly More Combo. This remote controller also requires DJI Goggles and is the most beginner-friendly of the three remotes. Unlike the FPV Remote 3, it comes with only one joystick, relying solely on joystick and wrist movement to pilot the drone. Easy ACRO lets you perform 360° flips and rolls, and 180° drifts, giving beginners the ability to execute sleek midair movements with no learning curve.
When used with the Goggles 3, you gain access to an AR cursor that lets you adjust camera settings and enable certain functions. Advanced pilots can toggle between Normal, Sport, or Manual modes depending on the level of control you want over your flight.
The RC 2 is the most advanced of the three remotes, a two-handed controller with a built-in screen that doesn’t require DJI Goggles to operate. This pairs the best features of the RC Motion 3 and the FPV Remote 3, letting beginners use it easily while advanced pilots can unlock greater control over flying whenever they like. The only downside of the RC 2 is that it’s less immersive than the other two controllers, since it doesn’t use the DJI Goggles. This remote controller is not included with the DJI Avata 2, but it is included with a couple of Avata 360 bundles.
The DJI Goggles 3 are compatible with both the Avata 2 and the Avata 360, giving you an immersive flight that makes you feel like you’re really there in the sky. The Goggles 3 deliver a Real View PiP, showing precisely what the aircraft sees from the sky on a micro-OLED high-definition display. You can easily toggle between an interactive interface and a live view of your surroundings as needed, keeping your awareness of what’s in front of you without removing the goggles.
Low-pressure padding makes the Goggles 3 comfortable to wear throughout the flight, and there’s even a defogging feature to keep the lenses clear. You can also adjust the dipoter from -6.0 D to +2.0 D to achieve maximum clarity. With the battery integrated into the headband, the Goggles 3 have a 3-hour operating time.
The DJI Goggles 3 are compatible with both the Avata 2 and the Avata 360, giving you an immersive flight that makes you feel like you’re really there in the sky. The Goggles 3 deliver a Real View PiP, showing precisely what the aircraft sees from the sky on a micro-OLED high-definition display. You can easily toggle between an interactive interface and a live view of your surroundings as needed, keeping your awareness of what’s in front of you without removing the goggles.
Low-pressure padding makes the Goggles 3 comfortable to wear throughout the flight, and there’s even a defogging feature to keep the lenses clear. You can also adjust the dipoter from -6.0 D to +2.0 D to achieve maximum clarity. With the battery integrated into the headband, the Goggles 3 have a 3-hour operating time.
The DJI Goggles N3 are a more affordable, entry-level option for immersive viewing. They come with a standard LCD-style display with 1080p visuals, but they don’t offer the Real View PiP function that lets you see outside the goggles while flying. The Goggles N3 are compatible with both the Avata 2 and the Avata 360, and they come included with the DJI Avata 2 Fly Smart Combos and the Avata 360 Motion Fly More Combo.
The Avata 2 comes in four different combos. The DJI Avata 2 Fly Smart Combo is priced at $809 CAD and comes with the aircraft, the RC Motion 3, the Goggles N3, the Two-Way Charging Hub, and one Intelligent Flight Battery. The other Fly Smart Combo includes two additional batteries, priced at $999 CAD. Lastly, the DJI Avata 2 single battery Fly More Combo is priced at $1,159 CAD and the DJI Avata 2 three battery Fly More Combo is priced at $1,279 CAD, but both bundles feature the DJI Goggles 3 instead of the Goggles N3.
The Avata 360 is available in three different options. The basic bundle costs $899 CAD and includes the aircraft, the DJI RC 2, and one battery. The DJI Avata 360 Fly More Combo costs $1,269 CAD and adds on a Two-Way Charging Hub and two additional batteries. Lastly, the DJI Avata 360 Motion Fly More Combo also costs $1,269 CAD, but swaps out the RC 2 for the RC Motion 3 and the Goggles N3.
The DJI Avata 360 comes with a bunch of shiny new features that make it a worthy successor to the Avata 2. While the omnidirectional obstacle sensing, extra intelligent features like Spotlight Free, and extended flight distance are all more than worth the added charge, it’s the 360° FOV that truly sets this drone apart. The camera quality is simply next level, and with the ability to toggle between 360° view and Single Lens view, there’s no downside to getting the Avata 360 over its predecessor.
If you already own an Avata 2 and you’re enjoying it just fine, there’s no rush to replace it just yet. But if the idea of greater cinematic potential excites you, then you might find it’s worth splurging on this exciting new addition to the Avata series.
Dr Drone
Author
DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.