When DJI announced its first venture into the 360 drone market, it was met with hype and praise, but upon closer look, is the hype justified?
Taking a closer look at the Avata 360, with its impressive specs and thorough testing, I can definitely say it’s a must for those who want to take their creativity to the next level, and for First-Person-View (FPV) thrill seekers, you’re in for a treat.
But for those who only want to capture their special trips or the special moments they can look back on, take advantage of the endless possibilities for angles, and never miss a moment with the Avata 360.
Video and image quality
The 1-inch sensor produces sharp and detailed images. It also offers the option to record up to 8k 60FPS HDR video, a handy tool for those who want to deliver sharper content. The panoramic option that the Avata 360 provides solves the problem most 360-degree cameras have: poor resolution after cropping.
I took the drone to two places: the neighborhood near where I live and the beaches of San Juan, La Union, and both times it felt like I wasn’t really using a drone or a flying camera, thanks to its clean footage and ability to take sharp photos.
I didn’t have to line up the drone to always get the perfect shot; I just took off and focused on the line I was taking, knowing that I could adjust everything later when I transferred the files to my devices.
One aspect worth mentioning is the DJI Fly and DJI Studio apps for your phone and personal computer, respectively. These apps feel really easy to use and learn, especially when you’re on the go at the beach or even in an urban environment.
Design and build quality
Holding the Avata 360, you immediately feel a sense of industrial grit that justifies its “flagship” title. At roughly 455g, it has a dense, purposeful weight that makes it feel less like a plastic hobbyist toy and more like a high-performance tool.
The mechanical pivot also ensures that once you’re airborne, the camera block rotates 90 degrees to give the dual lenses a clear, vertical view of the entire world, and the Single Lens mode also provides you the freedom to turn the drone into a traditional flyer.
One of the biggest hurdles for beginners in First Person View (FPV) has always been the crash risk, but the Avata 360’s integrated propeller guard gives me total peace of mind when flying in a crowded environment or avoiding low-hanging branches in my neighborhood.
The drone is equipped with an omnidirectional obstacle-sensing system that operates even in low-light conditions down to 1 lux. The forward-facing LiDAR system also enables obstacle detection and braking in pitch-black environments where GPS signals may be spotty.
The Avata 360 ecosystem
For those who prioritize the adrenaline of the experience over manual dial-turning, the Motion Fly More Combo reimagines the FPV (First Person View) landscape. Integrating the Goggles N3 and RC Motion 3.
It introduces a virtually easy acro mode that makes high-skill FPV flights easier. By translating intuitive hand movements into sophisticated aerial stunts, it allows even novice pilots to perform barrel rolls and power loops with a single turn, effectively turning high-difficulty maneuvers into a seamless extension of the pilot’s intent.
Never missing a moment
For the creator or the average user who wants to capture breathtaking photos and videos, the Avata 360 feels like an evolution that’s earned, bridging the gap between the thrill of FPV flying and the high-fidelity work of modern photography and cinematography.
For the professional, it offers a shoot now, frame later flow that can be used in a number of ways; for the traveler, it ensures that not a single sunset or coastline is ever missed because the camera is pointing the wrong way.
As we often treat footage as memory assets meant to be looked back upon, and personally, as a fan of high altitudes and new perspectives, the Avata 360 was quite literally a new way to see the world, with the limit only how far I was willing to fly.
Starting at PHP 38,290 for the base DJI Avata 360 with the RC 2, while it may offer a great experience for the average flyer, upgrading to the Motion Fly More Combo with the DJI Goggles N3 at PHP 47,890 is your entry to experience the world of FPV
Specs:
- Camera System: Dual-lens 360 camera with 1/1.1-inch 64MP CMOS sensors, capable of 8K/60fps (7680×3840) video and 120MP photos.
- Lens: Dual 200° FoV lenses (f/1.9) with a 360° virtual gimbal and 1-axis physical stabilization.
- Video Modes: 8K 360° mode, 4K/60fps single-lens mode (normal FPV), and up to 2.7K@120fps for slow motion.
- Flight Time: Up to 23 minutes.
- Speed: Maximum horizontal speed of 40.3 mph (18 m/s).
- Transmission: DJI O4+ system, providing up to 20km range (FCC) and 1080p/60fps live feed.
- Weight: 455 g (not in sub-250g category).
- Safety: Integrated propeller guards with omnidirectional obstacle sensing enhanced by forward-facing LiDAR.
- Controller/Goggles Compatibility: Paired with DJI Goggles 3/N3 and RC Motion 3 or FPV Remote Controller 3.
- Storage: 42GB internal storage plus a microSD card slot.
