Verdict
Rather than building a flying 360 camera, DJI has designed a performance drone that captures spherical video. The difference shows in every aspect of the Avata 360’s design, from its zippy flight characteristics to its flexible controller options. Yes, you’ll need to edit 360 footage afterward, and yes, other DJI drones capture better traditional video. But if you want one drone that can race through gaps and reframe cinematic shots with equal competence, nothing else comes close.
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Dual 64MP sensors deliver strong 10-bit 8K 60fps video
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Fly solo with RC controller or bring FPV goggles for immersion
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Fast, nimble flight even in windy conditions
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Significantly cheaper than the Antigravity A1
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Air 3S and Mavic 4 Pro produce better image quality
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Buying both controller systems gets expensive
Key Features
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Review Price:
£409
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8K 60fps 360 recording
Dual 1/1.1-inch sensors on opposite gimbal faces capture complete spherical footage
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Two control options
Traditional RC 2 twin-stick controller or Goggles N3 paired with RC Motion 3
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UK1 certification
New class rating allows operation closer to people and in more locations
Introduction
Here’s the interesting thing about DJI’s first 360 camera drone: it feels like they didn’t start with a camera then add flight capability.
Instead, it started with the Avata platform – a proven FPV performer – and integrated dual spherical capture. The result is fundamentally different from Antigravity’s A1, which pioneered the 360 drone category but approached it from the opposite direction.
That design philosophy means that the Avata 360 flies faster, handles wind better, and responds more crisply to control inputs. It gives you options for how you want to pilot it.
And crucially, when you don’t need 360 footage, it switches to standard forward-facing 4K recording that effectively turns it into a traditional camera drone.
I’ve been testing the Avata 360 for several weeks, flying it with both the RC 2 controller and the full FPV setup in various conditions ranging from calm mornings to breezy coastal afternoons.
Price and Availability
DJI offers four purchase configurations for the Avata 360, depending on what gear you already own. The bare aircraft-and-battery package starts at just £409 for existing DJI controller owners. Step up to the RC 2 bundle and you’re looking at £639.
The Fly More Combos represent better value if you’re starting fresh. At £829, both variants include three batteries, a charging hub with 100W fast-charge support, spare props, a collapsible landing mat, and a nice carrying bag. Pick your poison: one comes with the RC 2, the other with Goggles N3 and RC Motion 3.
Comparing this to the competition reveals significant savings. The Antigravity A1 Standard Combo, even with recent discounts applied, costs well over £1,000 and includes less gear.
The elephant in the room is US availability. Given DJI’s ongoing regulatory battles in American markets, this drone won’t officially launch stateside. That’s unfortunate for US consumers, who’ll miss out on the most interesting 360 drone currently available.
Design and Build
- Flat “whoop”-style drone shape
- 455g weight with UK1 class designation
- 42GB of built-in storage, plus microSD slot
DJI’s recent flat quadcopter design, as seen on the Avata 2 and Neo models, reappears here with one obvious modification: the gimbal-mounted camera sports dual lenses on opposite faces instead of a single forward-facing unit. Those integrated prop guards that define this form factor serve double duty, protecting the propellers during collisions as well as providing structural rigidity to the airframe.
The Avata 360 weighs around 455g, which puts it well over the old 250g threshold, but recent UK CAA changes introduced the UK1 class designation.
This certification opens up significantly more flying locations for heavier drones like this: you can operate within 50m horizontally or above uninvolved people (not crowds) and across built-up residential and commercial zones.
During testing, this meant I could fly in suburban parks and coastal areas without needing special permission.
The extra mass translates to robust construction. Where the featherweight A1 feels delicate, the Avata 360 conveys durability.
The trade-off of the design is that, with minimal ground clearance and no landing gear, you need flat surfaces for take-off and landing. The included collapsible mat in the Fly More bundles isn’t just a nice extra, then – it’s practically essential if you’re launching from grass or uneven ground.
The camera lenses are user-replaceable. Given that their exposed position makes scratches more likely than on traditional drone cameras, it’s a good move from DJI. Replacement lenses cost a lot less than sending the entire drone off for repair.
The drone has a USB-C port for charging and file transfers and a microSD slot for expansion beyond the 42GB internal memory (cards up to 1TB are supported). The batteries, which offer around 23 minutes of claimed flight time (15 minutes is more realistic in my experience), slot into the rear.
The controller options define this drone’s flexibility. The RC 2 delivers traditional twin-stick piloting with a built-in screen, and is ideal for solo operation. Switch to the FPV setup (Goggles N3 plus RC Motion 3, though Goggles 3 and FPV Remote Controller 3 also work) and you get immersive first-person flying – but legally you’ll need to bring someone to act as spotter for you. One practical note: the Goggles N3 fit comfortably over my glasses, unlike the Antigravity headset.
Flight Performance
- Up to 23 minutes of flight time
- O4+ video transmission system
- Omnidirectional vision sensors, plus forward-facing LiDAR
Flight performance separates the Avata 360 from its competitor more than any spec sheet comparison. In testing, particularly during windier coastal sessions, the drone maintained precise control and quick responses.
The A1 flies cautiously in comparison – adequate but far from exciting. The Avata 360 feels much more eager, darting through tight spaces and executing sharp turns with minimal lag between input and reaction.
Sport Mode deserves special mention. Disable the obstacle sensors and the Avata 360 transforms into a proper speed demon, reaching approximately 40mph (18m/s). Cine and Normal modes provide the expected progression from cautious to balanced, with omnidirectional obstacle avoidance using vision sensors, front-facing LiDAR, and down-facing infrared detection keeping you out of trouble.
The O4+ transmission system maintained rock-solid connectivity throughout my two weeks of testing, and I experienced no dropouts, stuttering or concerning latency issues even at extended range. Return-to-home worked reliably on the occasions I tested it, too.
Subject tracking covers people and vehicles, functioning in both automated flight and automated 360 framing modes. You can configure altitude, distance and approach angle, then let it follow you walking, cycling or driving. The obstacle avoidance integrates seamlessly here, with the drone navigating around trees and fences while maintaining its pursuit.
I really found the control flexibility to be a boon, because it fundamentally changes how you can use this drone. Using the RC 2, you’re flying solo using familiar twin-stick controls identical to any mainstream DJI drone. There’s no spotter needed, and no learning curve if you’ve flown a Mini, Air or Mavic before. It’s perfect for quick sessions or times when bringing a friend along isn’t practical.
FPV mode requires a bit more commitment – you legally need a spotter with you due to the goggles covering your eyes, and the motion controller takes a bit of getting used to – but delivers real immersion by placing you essentially inside the drone’s perspective. The motion controller makes this accessible even for FPV newcomers, though purists should note that full manual FPV flight isn’t available. DJI told me they have no current plans to add it, either.
Camera Performance
- Dual 64MP 1/1.1in CMOS sensor
- Video capture up to 8K 60fps quality
- 10-bit and D-log M support
Two 64MP sensors sit behind ultra-wide lenses on opposite faces of the Avata 360’s nose-mounted gimbal. Together they capture complete spherical coverage at up to 8K 60fps with 10-bit colour depth. The specs edge past the Antigravity A1 (which tops out at 8K 30fps), but more importantly, the larger sensors and higher bitrate produce noticeably cleaner footage with better dynamic range.
D-log M colour profile support matters for anyone who grades their own footage. I spent time working with 10-bit D-log files in DaVinci Resolve, and they held up well to colour correction and exposure adjustments. You’re not getting Mavic 4 Pro image quality, but for a 360 platform the Avata 360 punches well above its weight.
The 360 workflow requires post-production, which I suspect some users will find burdensome. After you capture your footage, you must use either DJI Fly (mobile) or DJI Studio (desktop) to reframe it. Both apps work similarly: select your viewpoints and save them as keyframes, then use the software to generates smooth transitions between them. If you’ve used 360 cameras before, you’ll adapt quickly. If you haven’t, expect a learning curve, but I wouldn’t call it particularly difficult.
Don’t want to edit? Switch to single-lens mode. This uses only the forward-facing camera to record traditional 4K 60fps video, much like any other drone. It essentially transforms the Avata 360 into a capable conventional aerial camera.
Should you buy it?
ou want one drone that handles FPV and 360 capture without compromise
The dual control options and strong flight performance make it significantly more versatile than the Antigravity A1 at a lower price.
You’d rather skip post-production entirely or need the absolute best image quality
Traditional DJI camera drones like the Air 3S deliver superior video without requiring reframing in editing software afterwards.
Final Thoughts
DJI has approached the 360 drone category in a different way than Antigravity’s pioneering but limited A1, and manages to beat it in every major area. The Avata 360 flies better, offers more control options, costs less and delivers superior image quality.
Users who accept that 360 footage demands some editing effort, and who understand that DJI’s flagship camera drones produce better traditional video, will have a great time. And if your goal is maximum versatility – a drone that races through tight spaces one day and captures immersive spherical footage the next – there’s nothing currently available that matches the Avata 360’s combination of performance, features and value.
How We Test
We test every camera we review thoroughly. We use set tests to compare features properly and we use it as our main device over the review period. We’ll always tell you what we find and we never, ever, accept money to review a product.
FAQs
The bare aircraft-and-battery package starts at £409 for existing DJI controller owners. Step up to the RC 2 bundle and you’re looking at £639.
The Fly More Combos represent better value if you’re starting fresh. At £829, both variants include three batteries, a charging hub with 100W fast-charge support, spare props, a collapsible landing mat, and a nice carrying bag.
Given DJI’s ongoing regulatory battles in American markets, this drone won’t officially launch in the U.S. That’s unfortunate for US consumers, who’ll miss out on the most interesting 360 drone currently available.
