DJI Mini 2
November 2020
Release DateThe DJI Mini 2 is an updated Mavic Mini, now with a 4K camera, Ocusync 2.0, and updated flight features in a package still small enough to avoid FAA registration.
Description
The original DJI Mavic Mini was a very important machine for the consumer hobby drone market. The DJI Mini 2 is the next generation of super-compact camera drone, it’s a solid improvement over the original Mini, especially in terms of the camera and flight capabilities. You still get a sub-250 gram drone, but now get a 4K camera, vastly improved connectivity, a more durable design, and more power.
The newer 1/2.3-inch sensor produces 12MP stills, and 4K video at 30 fps and 100Mbps data rate. For some, the most exciting update is lossless zoom. With up to 4X zoom, you can safely fly at distance from your subject, perfect for those pet photos or to capture shots of a waterfall in the distance.
DJI continues their accessory package trend, you can get the DJI Mini 2 for $449, or grab the DJI Mini 2 Fly More combo for $599.
What is the DJI Mini 2?
The DJI Mini 2 is the next generation of the small, light, extremely portable, capable, reliable, and affordable drone that can shoot good photos and smooth video from the sky.
Just like the first generation Mavic Mini, the Mini 2 weighs in at 249 grams, or 0.548 lbs, so you do not need to register the Mini 2 with the FAA before you fly. Of course, the moment you add the prop guards, or a heavy decorative sticker, it may tick over and require registration. Part 107 operators need to register regardless the weight.
The Mavic Mini managed to exceed our expectations of a drone this size, and we cannot find any way in which the Mini 2 is not the same or better. Make no mistake, however, there are very few outward differences between the drones, the changes are largely internal. If you place the two machines side-by-side, you’ll have to look for the differences. In the air, however, you’ll appreciate the extra performance, we immediately appreciated the addition of OcuSync 2.0, and the camera output. We also appreciate the upgrade to USB Type-C ports on the drone, remote and the Charging Hub.
DJI Mini 2 performance
The Mini 2 manages to scoot around at over 29 mph, and the little 2,250mAh battery provides up to 31 minutes of flight time. Not bad at all!
Three main flight modes are available, in traditional DJI style: P mode is the standard mode for a balance of speed, but full functionality of flight sensors and modes. CineSmooth mode reduces the max speed and most operations to get the smoothest shots possible. Finally, Sport mode is how you get the top speed out of the drone, just be prepared to possibly see some shaky video and you’ll not have access to all the flight features, such as the Quickshots.
The Mini 2 has, so far, overcome all of the video hiccups we identified with the Mavic Mini. The Mavic Mini occasionally jittered when spinning the drone in place, the camera would jerk to re-center as it didn’t quite balance the mechanical and digital stabilization. That was mostly fixed on the Mavic Mini through software updates, but still remained a little. Second, the superior connectivity of OcuSync 2.0 eliminated any signal interference that caused us some erratic drone movements on the Mavic Mini.
DJI Mini 2 camera
In terms of the camera, the Mini 2 has a 1/2.3-inch sensor shoots 12Mp photos and 4K video at 30fps. Pilots can now save photos in JPG and RAW formats. You can also enjoy some zoom for your shots. At 1080p resolution, you can zoom 2X lossless, then up to 4X in lossy digital zoom. When shooting in 4K, you can capture 2X lossy zoom. Here is a simple shot, in completely default automatic mode. (No edits to the image, except to shrink/crop to 1920×1080.)
DJI Mini 2 software
The DJI Mini 2 is the third drone to use the DJI Fly app. This more simplistic experience than the DJI GO 4 app makes it easy for novice pilots to safely fly their drone. You’ll get a map and some drone telemetry, but many of the advanced settings and controls have been stripped away.
