When the DJI Mavic Mini arrived in October 2019, it was pretty unique: a sub-250g drone that actually had a decent 2.7K camera and combined it with DJI's useful autonomous flight modes. It has since been succeeded by the DJI Mini 2, which can shoot 4K video. But that doesn't mean the Mavic Mini isn't worth considering. It's still considerably cheaper than the Mini 2, and if you're happy shooting 2.7K/1080p video, it's still one of the best beginner drones you can buy. One of the main selling points of the DJI Mavic Mini when it arrived was its 249g weight, which narrowly avoided the need to register with many civil aviation authorities. This is no longer the case in some countries, such as the UK, which have since updated their registration requirements to include all camera drones. Still, it's currently true that the Mavic Mini doesn't need to be registered in the US and Canada, and the drone itself remains an attractive option for those just starting out but unwilling to spend more money on a range. high. model like the new DJI Air 2S.
- DJI Mavic Mini at Amazon for € 324.99
In addition to its exemption from the requirement to be registered in certain countries, the Mavic Mini has other advantages over its competitors like the Parrot Anafi. The Mini has three-axis mechanical stabilization (the Anafi has two, its 'third' axis is electronic stabilization) and packs useful features like a hot-swappable microSD card slot. It also has better range than the Anafi, with an estimated flight time of 30 minutes. However, the Mavic Mini is not without its flaws. Video capture tops out at 2.7K resolution with a 30fps frame rate, which will leave some videographers who need 4K footage, or the ability to slow down to 2.7K, to look elsewhere. It also lacks the incredibly handy object-avoidance and tracking intelligence that its big DJI brothers have. That said, it's also worth noting that the DJI Mini 2 also lacks these features, which tend to be found on higher-end models like the DJI Mavic Air 2 and DJI Air 2S. So if you're looking for a small drone suitable for travel and capable of shooting high-quality 1080p video, then the Mavic Mini might be worth considering over its new sibling.
(Image credit: future)
DJI Mavic Mini release date and price
The DJI Mavic Mini is available for purchase right now in two versions: there's the Basic Bundle (drone, battery, controller) or the Fly More Combo, which also includes a two-way charging hub that can double as a power bank. , a 360 degree propeller guard and two extra batteries. The basic drone is $399 / £369 / AU$599, while the Fly More Combo is $499 / £459 / AU$799. If you ask us, the Fly More Combo is worth the extra cost just for the extra batteries. , giving you around 90 minutes of total flight time. For new drone pilots or indoor pilots, security guards are also invaluable.
(Image credit: future)
Integrated
Like its big Mavic siblings, the Mavic Mini is foldable, with arms that open to transform with a few spring-loaded maneuvers. Appearance wise, this is a DJI product through and through. The color scheme is gray and dark grey, just like the DJI Osmo Action and DJI OM 4, and its front is adorned with a pair of 'eyes', set beneath a flat, beveled, angry top. It's still one of the nicest drones we've ever seen. On the front of the Mavic Mini is the 3-axis stabilized camera. Out of the box, it's protected by a camera guard, which can be removed when you simply fly it. On the back is an exposed microSD card slot and a micro USB port for charging. Above is the battery door. Compared to the Parrot Anafi, whose SD card slot is hidden under the battery, DJI's design is much more convenient for frequent storage swappers.
(Image credit: Future) As mentioned, the Mavic Mini is specially designed to weigh a fraction of less than 250g, so it can avoid the need to be registered with aviation agencies in the US and Australia. However, as we mentioned above, the UK has changed its drone registration laws, extending them to all drones equipped with a camera, so it's worth checking your local laws. DJI achieved this lightweight form factor by combining a drone that weighed around 150g with a battery that weighed around 100g. The fact that it doesn't fall apart every time it's stolen is wonderful, and while lightness is often associated with cheap quality, the Mavic Mini is anything but cheap. However, the Mini is not impact resistant; there are no obstacle avoidance sensors on its sides, front, or rear, like on the DJI Mavic Air 2. That said, there are some sensors on the base to allow for smooth landings, along with a battery and light meter, so you can keep an eye on your drone in the air and keep it in your sight, even at night. The Mavic Mini's arms are relatively skinny, and we actually broke one of ours with a 1.8-meter drop, while it still runs smoothly, something that wouldn't have happened if security guards had been posted. If you're a beginner, plan to fly indoors, or know you'll be flying in high winds, it's worth taking the Fly More package to get the 360-degree propeller protection.
(Image credit: future)
DJI Mavic Mini Controller
Unlike other drone controllers, the DJI Mavic Mini does not include a screen; instead, it unfolds to contain an Android or iOS smartphone. The bolt-on joysticks are hidden in its body, so when folded the controller has a flat profile and when opened it offers a traditional feel. On the left side of the controller is a micro USB port for charging and connecting to your phone. The drone also comes with Lightning, micro USB, and USB-C cables, so whatever smartphone you have, as long as its software supports DJI Mavic Mini's Fly app, you've got it covered. The control wheel on the controller at the top rotates the camera vertically 90 degrees, so you can look down. Unlike the Parrot Anafi, it cannot look up, which would have been an advantage, but its range is typical of most drones. Note buttons include the L trigger, which starts video recording, and the R trigger, which takes a photo – perfect if you're operating the drone with gloves on. Setting up the flight experience is a bit tricky: you have to feed the controller cables into your phone, screw in the throttles, and launch the app, which takes about a minute. From a portability standpoint, though, the experience is as compact as we'd expect when the drone and controller collapse, while still remaining sturdy and natural in flight. Once connected, we had no problem pairing the drone with our phones; we tested it with phones running Android 9 and 10, as well as an iPhone.
(Image credit: future)
DJI Fly App
DJI's Fly app has been updated since we first used it and now comes with guides and sample videos, so you can see what kind of footage it'll capture in its different modes. It's a strange mix of experiences. On the one hand, some aspects are very important: the feature tutorials and tips in the app are polished and practical, and the main user interface is also intuitive and responsive; but some articles appear in Chinese and the Fly Spots component, which highlights safe areas to fly, is not found outside of China. Get past these drawbacks, however, and you're in for a treat. The modes are simple enough that you can cruise through, and the three speeds, which we'll get to in the next section, are very straightforward and offer a lot of versatility. Quickshots, as found on the Mavic Air, are making a comeback as well, which is great. These preprogrammed vol trajectories could engage the dynamic panoramas in appuyant sur un bouton, autor tournant d'un objet, et bien qu'il y ait una omission notable - Asteroid - le reste des Quickshots, y compris notre favori, Helix, sont pris consider.
(Image credit: Future) Control over image and video capture is relatively minimal, with no ability to change contrast or saturation. You can still overlay useful tools like a histogram and grid lines to help with framing, but we would have liked to see more options for enhancing images. Additionally, the gimbal supports two modes: Follow mode, which keeps the horizon level, and FPV mode, which takes the perspective of the drone itself, while keeping everything incredibly stable. This isn't just useful in flight - you can use the Mavic Mini as a fantastic handheld steady cam in a pinch, and switching between those modes makes it possible.
Camera
The DJI Mavic Mini records 2.7K video at 30fps or 1080p video at 60fps. Its 1/2,3-inch sensor can also capture 12MP images in a variety of modes, including Position mode for basic operation, Sport mode for faster flight, and CineSmooth mode, which extends pause time. and slow things down for smoother shots and more cinematic footage. . Once you've got it on your computer, drone footage looks faster than it does in the field, so we ended up in CineSmooth mode to get the lingering shots we were looking for. All modes provided stable images, although there was noticeable judder when changing direction when shooting in sport mode, as you can see at 2:30am in the sample images below: The fact that there's no 2.7 option K at 60fps also increases the need to slow things down in the sky, as you won't have the option to do this in the editing phase with 30fps footage. However, if you're happy with shooting at 1080p, the frame rate bumps up to 60fps. Footage looks punchy, details captured are solid in good lighting, and dynamic range is decent, though we did notice a few clips screaming at an ND filter multiple times. There's not much chance of extracting detail from highlights on sunny days, so the Mavic Mini won't be a professional filmmaker's dream drone, but its image quality is still great for it...