DJI Mavic Mini 2 Drone Evaluation | Nonetheless Related In the present day?

As an avid drone pilot, I really like the evolution of drones which can be small, light-weight, inexpensive, and but extremely succesful.

The DJI Mavic Mini 2 is all of these issues and extra.

You could be questioning why I’m reviewing the DJI Mavic Mini 2 when the DJI Mini 3 Professional is the most recent mannequin.

Properly, I discover that when the most recent model of a chunk of substances is launched, the older model goes on sale and is even higher worth for cash!

In my view, the DJI Mavic Mini II is superb worth in 2022.

Positive, the most recent model has all the best bells and whistles, however simply earlier than it was launched, the DJI Mavic Mini 2 was the most recent model, proper?!

I’ve been flying DJI drones for a number of years now, and as they get smaller and extra highly effective, the varieties of issues you possibly can seize solely improve.

Proceed studying to search out out why I believe the DJI Mini 2 is ideal for amateurs {and professional} photographers/videographers who need to change their perspective.

Plus, drones are simply plain enjoyable – it’s like taking part in a real-life online game. 

DJI Mavic Mini II Evaluation | Specs

• Weight: 8.8 oz / 249 g
• Folded Dimensions: 5.4 x 3.2 x 2.3″ / 138.0 x 81.0 x 58.0 mm (L×W×H)
• Unfolded: 9.6 x 11.4 x 2.2″ / 245.0 x 289.0 x 56.0 mm (L×W×H)
• Max Velocity: 16 m/s, 36mph (S Mode)
• Max Service Flying Peak: 2.5 Miles / 4000 m
• Max Vary: 6.2 Miles / 10 km
• Max Flight Time: 31 minutes

Construct & Look

My first impressions of the DJI Mini 2 have been superb. It’s like a miniaturized model of my bigger DJI Mavic Professional 2.

Coming in at 249 grams, it’s below the burden restrict in most international locations that requires registration with the federal government. 

Flying professionally usually nonetheless requires registration, however informal hobbyist drone pilots is not going to must register their drones with the federal government.

I strongly encourage you to obey all legal guidelines and rules, however I do admire that the small dimension of the DJI Mini 2 will get round a number of the purple tape concerned with flying drones.

Other than the federal government restrictions, having a brilliant light-weight and compact drone is simply plain cool.

It means that you can carry it to locations the place bigger drones can be cumbersome.

The DJI Mavic Mini 2 is so compact that I by no means hesitate to throw it in my bag if I believe there could be a possibility to fly. 

Regardless of its nimble physique, the DJI Mavic Mini 2 could be very well-built. It feels sturdy sufficient to outlive a gentle crash (simply keep away from dunking it in water) and rugged sufficient to final years of use. 

This drone mimics the everyday folding design of earlier DJI drones but has a brand new cowl/harness to maintain all of the props neatly tucked away. When folded, it suits within the palm of my hand and weighs about as a lot as an apple.

On the entrance, you’ll see the small gimbal/lens that shoots clean 4k 30fps video in addition to 12-megapixel nonetheless photos. 

The battery on the DJI Mini 2 tucks neatly into the again of the drone and locks into place. I additionally love how the battery pack/charger prices the batteries sequentially by way of USB-C and doubles as a battery pack in case it’s worthwhile to cost the controller or anything whereas out touring.

DJI Mini 2 controller with iPhone XS

Along with the drone and battery pack, the controller is well-designed to supply a snug grip and straightforward telephone display screen viewing.

My solely criticism is that the face is a bit of giant in contrast with the compactness of the remainder of the package.

Regardless of this, all the pieces suits neatly right into a shoulder bag carrying case. I really like the slim design of the case as a result of it appears like the entire package can simply journey inside one other bag and stand alone whenever you simply need to exit and fly.

General, the construct high quality of the DJI Mavic Mini 2 is superb, particularly for the worth.

DJI Fly App

The DJI Fly app interface was designed to be simplified and intuitive. Parameters like sign power, flying mode, altitude, distance, and battery stage are simply seen throughout flight, so that you all the time have entry to the most recent data.

With a smooth and environment friendly interface, DJI Fly gives an expanded view for composition and capturing. Customers can simply regulate digital camera parameters with a single faucet, rapidly change between capturing modes, and regulate the gimbal angle on the display screen.

Capturing, enhancing, and sharing can all be performed in-app. Customers may also simply handle storage, with the flexibility to export or delete footage immediately within the app.

A number of templates, music choices, particular results, and extra can be found for fast and handy enhancing. With intuitive timelines, you possibly can edit footage flexibly and exactly.

The brand new editor additionally helps switching between portrait and panorama orientation, permitting you to shoot and edit the best way you like.

Ergonomics & Dealing with

DJI Mini 2 suits within the palm of your hand!

Dealing with and controls are important relating to flying a drone. The very last thing you need is to lack confidence in your skill to navigate your drone round obstacles.

The DJI Mini 2 feels very intuitive relating to ergonomics. It’s clearly the results of years of design refinement. The drone itself is straightforward to arrange: simply unsnap the prop cowl, take off the gimbal cowl, and unfold the arms. 

The controller securely holds your telephone above the distant, making it straightforward to see. At your fingertips, you might have loads of controls, together with my favourite, the flight mode change. 

I really like that DJI is now providing a easy “cine” mode that makes it so easy to seize clean video. If you wish to transfer rapidly, flip it to “sport” mode to get most velocity.

Different controls and capabilities are fairly easy to make use of and really acquainted you probably have used a DJI drone earlier than. The straightforward design of the controller makes it straightforward to take pleasure in flying the drone.

Contained in the DJI app, you will see that all of the controls it’s worthwhile to customise all of the options the drone gives. I like to recommend spending a while getting conversant in the settings if that is your first time utilizing a DJI drone. 

There are a variety of issues that you’ll doubtless need to customise relying in your type of flying. One instance is growing the Return to House altitude.

The very last thing you need is your drone flying into energy traces or a tree after shedding reference to the distant.

The Mini 2 gives Occusync 2.0, which supplies the drone/controller a rock-steady connection. DJI will declare 10km of video transmission, however the actuality is that it simply stays a bit of higher related when obstructions like timber get between you and the drone.

One different word is that this drone doesn’t provide any impediment avoidance sensors. Sensors will help you keep away from crashes however aren’t foolproof, and I believe it’s sensible to encourage new pilots to fly cautiously, particularly when they’re first studying.

General, the ergonomics and dealing with of the DJI Mini 2 are very well-designed. This drone is the legacy of many iterations, and I believe you’ll actually take pleasure in flying it.

Flight Efficiency

DJI Mini 2 | 1/1600 f/2.8 ISO 100

Relating to flight efficiency, the DJI Mini 2 actually shines. It gives a powerful 31 minutes of flight time and as much as round 30mph (48kph) of flight velocity.

In observe, I discovered the drone to be very responsive and fast. In Cine mode, it flies very easily and avoids the jerky motions that may be distracting whereas filming. 

You doubtless gained’t get a full 31 minutes of flight time, however the DJI Mini 2 does provide the confidence to fly additional distances and land with loads of battery left. I normally intention for 20% battery left as a security margin in case there are any points.

The gimbal has a great vary of movement and retains the digital camera regular even in windy environments or when flying ahead at prime velocity.

Earlier DJI drones typically struggled to have sufficient gimbal vary of movement to fly ahead at prime velocity with out getting the props within the subject of view or having the gimbal snap down.

With the strong controller/drone connection that Occusync 2.0 gives, you doubtless gained’t have any points with transmission until you push the space limits of the drone.

One factor to contemplate is that it is a smaller drone that may’t struggle robust wind. Wind might be stronger as you get increased within the air, so it’s price noting that this drone gained’t have the ability to overcome winds larger than about 25mph. In case you fly in windy areas, bear in mind and anticipate what you’ll do in case of a powerful gust of wind.

Lastly, I used to be very impressed with how quiet this drone is. It was considerably quieter than my DJI Mavic Professional 2, which tends to sound like a hive of bees.

As soon as the DJI Mini 2 is a few hundred ft within the air, you nearly can’t hear it in any respect.

General, I used to be very impressed with the flight efficiency of the DJI Mini 2, particularly contemplating its dimension.

Low Gentle Efficiency

DJI Mini 2 | 1/50 f/2.8 ISO 400

Low gentle shouldn’t be a powerful swimsuit of the DJI Mini 2. The mounted aperture f/2.8 lens on this drone is finest for daytime and golden hour. 

I might not advocate capturing above ISO 400 as a result of the 1 / 2.3in sensor begins to provide extra noise than I would really like.

Much like different small sensor cameras, you simply can’t count on a lot relating to capturing photos in darkish environments. 

That stated, most fascinating drone footage is captured round dawn and sundown when this drone can simply shoot at ISO 100. At that stage, the photographs look nice and are very crisp.

Provided that the aperture is mounted, you might need to think about getting some ND filters in the event you intend to shoot in very brilliant solar. This will help you expose issues correctly and in addition get the movement blur results that make your video look extra pure.

In order for you one of the best in low gentle efficiency from a reasonably sized drone, undoubtedly try the DJI Mavic 3. If compact dimension is extra necessary, I might stick to the DJI Mini 2.

Picture & Video High quality

DJI Mini 2 | 1/80 f/2.8 ISO 100

When contemplating how compact the DJI Mini 2 is, the photographs are fairly good.

I discovered the 12mp stills to be very sharp with good dynamic vary and distinction. The DNG uncooked information have plenty of room for enhancing in the event you use skilled software program like Adobe Lightroom.

In case you choose to maintain issues quite simple, the JPEG information look nice straight out of digital camera. The mounted focus and glued aperture assist you to seize photos with out worrying about whether or not the main target is locked on the topic.

When it comes to video high quality, this tiny drone can shoot as much as 4k 30fps. I used to be impressed with how good the footage regarded when it comes to colour, sharpness, and dynamic vary. 

This compact drone packs a punch relating to picture and video high quality. As all the time, you’re making some sacrifices as issues get smaller/lighter, however I used to be very impressed with the efficiency of the DJI Mini 2.

DJI Mini 2 Pattern Pictures

Under is a pattern of photos taken in numerous situations with the DJI Mini 2.

DJI Mini 2 | 1/400 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Mini 2 | 1/60 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Mini 2 | 1/4000 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Mini 2 | 1/400 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Mini 2 | 1/640 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Mini 2 | 1/50 f/2.8 ISO 200

DJI Mini 2 | 1/50 f/2.8 ISO 400

DJI Mini 2 | 1/120 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Mini 2 | 1/500 f/2.8 ISO 100

DJI Mini 2 | 1/160 f/2.8 ISO 100

Different Helpful Options

DJI Mavic Mini II battery charging pack could be very compact.

The compactness of the DJI Mini 2 is probably going probably the most spectacular and helpful characteristic it gives.

There are occasions when it’s important to slim down your digital camera package, and having a brilliant compact drone makes it that a lot simpler to carry alongside. 

After I do carry my drone, I’m all the time glad I did as a result of the aerial perspective is simply so cool. The photographs I seize really feel so distinctive, and it typically unlocks the flexibility to shoot from a spot that may in any other case be out of attain.

As I discussed earlier than, the battery charging hub can be used as a charger for different gadgets like your telephone. When touring, it all the time looks like one thing wants some juice, so it’s good that this battery pack can serve twin functions.

Lastly, I used to be very impressed with how quiet this drone is. Folks typically get cautious of photographers flying drones, and it typically attracts undesirable consideration.

Having the ability to quietly seize images and video makes this drone simpler to make use of in busy locations the place different folks would possibly begin asking questions and distracting you out of your focus.

Worth for Cash

The DJI Mavic Mini II suits into a really compact shoulder bag.

As I discussed at first of this text, the primary draw to the DJI Mavic Mini II is the worth. With the discharge of the Mavic Mini 3, this drone is more likely to see a value drop making it much more inexpensive. 

At round $600 for the fly extra combo (consists of further batteries and charging hub), this drone is superb worth.

It gives some professional-level options like 4k 30fps video in an ultra-compact and light-weight bundle. 

In case you’re simply stepping into flying drones, the DJI Mavic Mini II is a wonderful start line as a result of it’s comparatively inexpensive for the options it gives.

In case you’re knowledgeable photographer or videographer fascinated by a drone, it is a good drone to contemplate. 

I’ll warn you that in the event you begin with the DJI Mavic Mini II, you’ll doubtless love flying drones a lot that you simply’ll need to improve to the extra highly effective and costly choices that assist you to fly sooner/farther/and many others.

DJI Mavic Mini II | Conclusion

As knowledgeable drone pilot, the DJI Mavic Mini II felt a bit of like a toy once I first unboxed it, however after taking a number of flights, I really like the compact dimension.

I by no means hesitate to carry this tiny drone with me and can doubtless be holding it in my bag. It additionally makes a terrific backup drone in the event you’re flying professionally with the DJI Mavic 3.

Moreover, due to the light-weight design, it is a nice journey drone for international locations that prohibit bigger drones (make sure to all the time examine native rules to make sure you keep inside the authorized limits).

In case you’re out there for a starter drone with skilled options, I extremely advocate testing the DJI Mavic Mini II.