DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV Drone - Is It an Upgrade?

The DJI Avata and DJI FPV Drone are VERY similar, but are built for different flying styles. Let's discuss which one is right for you!

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:38 - DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV Drone
01:05 - Similarities
04:40 - DJI FPV Drone Benefits
06:53 - DJI Avata Benefits
08:46 - DJI Avata Camera vs. DJI FPV Drone Camera
09:27 - DJI Goggles 2
10:53 - Final Thoughts

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My Gear:
DJI Mavic 3:

DJI RC Pro:

DJI FPV Drone:

DJI Air 2S:

Autel EVO II Pro:

Sony a7 III:

Sony GM 16-25 f2.8:

DJI Mic:

Studio Mic:

EcoFlow Delta Mini:

SanDisk SSD:

MacBook Pro M1 Max:

iPad mini:

Peak Design 30L Backpack V2:

SanDisk SD Cards:

SanDisk Micro SD Cards:

ALL GEAR:

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FOLLOW ME:

[billykyle]

Quick heads up - the specs for the cameras that I put on the screen at 9:12 are flip flopped! Sorry about that, but the labels for all of the footage is correct.

[GoldenEarsVideography]

Great review. As an owner of the FPV and the soon to be delivered Avata, what you didn't really push is the portability for videography. Throwing this in a backpack for hiking, biking, skiing, etc. is a major selling feature for me.

[danielporterAZ]

The FPV camera isn’t as bad as everyone claims. Shooting in d-cinelike allows for color grading and pulling detail from the shadows in post while also using nd filters allows for reducing overexposure and getting motion blur if so desired. The lower resolution is unnoticeable on a cell phone screen which is where 99% of viewers will watch the footage. This is my humble opinion…

[cerealeverymeal]

I agree with your assessment between the Avata and DJI FPV 100%. The Avata is the most fun I have had with a drone in a long time. I am flying with my FPV goggles V2 and controller 2. I have had many bumps and small crashes with the Avata and it is surprisingly durable, most of the time it bounces off drunkenly and then just keeps flying without having gone down. I feel far more confident flying the Avata fast and close in to the scenery. I also think the Avata in normal or spot mode is far easier to fly than a traditional cinawoop, It is definitely a great drone for beginners or experienced FPV flyers.

[nicolasestrem]

I've got both, the FPV does not allow any mistakes in manual mode after a year of experience on it, all it takes is a split second to destroy it and everything on its way. The avata in acro mode gave mixed results (I know it's a cinewhoop) with propellers turning into dust instantly. On the other hand the thing can handle a 250m high dead drop from the sky without much damage. If you never flew fpv start with the Avata and many, many many hours in a simulator software. DJi FPV's are selling for $390 on eBay those days without googles or controller.

[Dajlec]

Avata for me:
- Googles 2 (diopter!, smaller, lighter..)
- better camera + rocksteady 2.0/horizonsteady
- prop guards
- motion controller
- 50% smaller/lighter
- cinematic capability

Speed is not that important for me...which I see as the only benefit of owning a FPV drone. Besides it is just too intimidating.

Really too bad that Avata is not a sub 250g...but one can dream though:)

With Avata, DJI literally brought two worlds together (FPV and cinematic world) which was unheard of till now.

The fun factor of Avata is insane..I am not a professional but I have owned Spark, Mavic Air (1st gen), Mavic 2 Zoom and now I'm wanting Avata to squeeze the fun factor out of my flying which is the main reason why I love drones so much...

[iamanil]

We know what the dialogues are but the scenes are fresh and new ❤️💙

[aptrunner]

Great video and review. I had been about to pull the trigger on the FPV when the Avata hit the market so I have been doing a TON of research and watching videos like yours. You nailed it and broke things down really concisely.

[mckrackin]

I think it's important to mention that the Avata cannot fly in manual mode out of the box since DJI doesn't offer a combo that comes with the controller. The motion controller is all you can get. The regular controller is sold separately and out of stock more often than not. So, for $1400, sport mode is the best you can get.

[kylecarter]

You made a good point about the two being built for different flying styles and purpose. Both are high quality commercial fpvs.

[nbomb]

I want to also address something else that I have seen no one else address. The cost. The Avata in all FPV combos costs more than the FPV. The FPV BNF kit costs $1000 new, while the cheapest BNF kit for the Avata costs over $1100, and you don't even get the regular RC at the top end kit. It's also worth noting that the Goggles 2 are currently not compatible with existing DJI air units for other FPV drones. This means if you buy an Avata, you must make the choice to either forego the head tracking feature or forego the compatibility with existing Air Units. In my opinion, if you are just getting into FPV, go with the FPV, don't spring for the Avata. It's cheaper, you get a closer to standard RC, and you can jump to other digital drones. If you are either already flying an FPV or you are looking to use a drone for filming purposes, buy the Avata, but even then the FPV will suffice. 99% of people are not filming movies, instead producing simple content. High end phones have only just gotten to 12 MP cameras, and everyone agrees they look great. Most people also consume media on their phones. They will not be able to tell the difference between 48 MP and 12 MP. The Avata's main one up is it's small size that allow it to fly indoors and around people easily.

[Flamamacue]

I've played flying games all my life, and the motion of the controller has come very easy to me for both regular drone flying and FPV. I can rip pretty hard on FPV sims and generally have no real issues but I get in my head way too hard with ta fragile $1400 ($AUD) FPV drone. I never want to take any risks with it and fly very conservatively which doesn't result in the killer shots. It's such a fragile design and unlike the DIY FPV systems it's usually a headache to fix anything more than a prop breaking & due to this I find myself barely using it & certainly not to it's real potential. Ordered the Avata knowing a cinewhoop (that doesn't require a gopro strapped to it for anything decent) is actually what I wanted from the DJI FPV

[shutter]

Avata is sweet but I still like the fpv more ..love the speed

[hotrodindaytona]

The big deal of Goggles 2 is the diopter going to +8 for people with glasses like me. That opens it up to another whole audience which includes many of us older guys who fly drones. (You'll find out when you hit 40 Billy =p)

[shootdaj]

Hi Billy - just a note that the specs you showed during the camera comparison were reversed. I had to do a double take and then check on the website.

[linkiny]

Finally someone who covered the vertical speed part. Watching everyone's reviews and first impressions, no one mentions anything about the Avata's ability to fly freely around, and even the ones who made videos "preparing" a dive have never shown one. 13.5 mph vertical speed limit explains it, and it heavily limits the drone's capabilities for FPV. As a cinewhoop it looks great, but it really shouldn't be called an FPV drone, like, at all!

[jgreg]

Your flight footage quality is the best I’ve seen yet and I’ve watched every Avata video possible since the release, so I don’t know what your doing differently over there but you may just need to make a video on that alone. 👍

[RBourn]

I just wanted to thank you for making short, concise, to the point videos. Too many other sites blabber on about stuff that is irrelevant. I don't have time for that so I appreciate you getting the information out as efficiently as possible.

Can you provide the link for that Avata teardown video please? Thank you.

[mmcneilsat]

Great review Billy! I already had the DJI FPV, but I ordered the Avata mainly for travel considerations (same reason I have a Mavic2 Pro & Zoom, along with a Mini for travel). I can now take both the Mini & Avata (with the smaller goggles 2) and easily fit into my overhead backpack for airline flights! Thanks!

[VRCATION]

Gonna wait for the 3D version, my credit card is ready