Two minute exam
The DJI Mini 2 is an ultra-compact drone that is so small and easy to use that you can take it out of a jacket pocket and launch it in seconds. This makes it the perfect drone for beginners who want to capture 4K video without some of the high-tech magic of the more expensive DJI drones that dominate our best drones list. The layout of the DJI Mini 2 is virtually identical to the Mavic Mini, but what has been redesigned is this controller, which is beautifully simplified and offers an improved experience.
- DJI Mini 2 at Walmart for € 449
Like their larger Mavic siblings, both Minis are foldable, with arms that fold down to transform the palm-sized unit into a drone with just a few spring-loaded maneuvers. The Mavic Mini weighs less than 249g. This means that you currently do not need to be registered with aviation agencies in the US, UK and Australia, but check your local laws; It should also be noted that changes to UK drone law since the end of December mean that it will be. must be recorded, regardless of this identical weight. That weight might be less impressive the second time around - it was the original Mavic Mini that broke that glass ceiling - but we really can't overestimate how practical the Mini 2's weight makes it on all wheel fronts. The best thing about the new DJI Mini 2 is its controller. Completely revamped, simplicity is the name of the game here, and while it looks less like a Transformer due to its few moving parts, it still has an undeniable Johnny 5 charm. The DJI Fly app is also a balanced blend of ease of use. use, but with powerful functions. Casual drones won't need to venture beyond the main interface, but there's a lot to master.
(Image credit: Future) DJI's reliable stabilization has become as synonymous with the brand as the shades of gray that adorn all of its consumer products, and we're here for it. The first thing to note about the DJI Mini 2's video is that it's stable in all but the windiest of conditions, which is pretty impressive for such a lousy drone. Even with level five wind resistance, a stormy London skyline was a breeze for this quadcopter. Raw footage can look a bit flat and underexposed in covered scenes; It is clear that DJI treats images with caution and with video editors in mind. The clarity is respectable. Digital zoom is limited to around 2x if you're shooting in 4K, though you can get usable footage with 3x zoom at 1080p. As soon as the light goes out, however, the Mini 2's usable zoom range and usable images follow suit. To finish off with solid battery life, on a slightly windy day we had about 30 minutes of flight time on a single charge when shooting at mixed 1080p and 4K resolution, and the Fly's three batteries. More Combo combine for about 90 minutes in the air.
(Image credit: future)
DJI Mini 2 price and release date
- Announced in November 2020
- Available in two packages including a Fly More combo
- Prices start at € 449 / € 419 / AU € 749
Announced in November 2020, the DJI Mini 2 comes in two flavors: the regular vanilla bundle with the drone and a few extras, and the Fly More Combo that comes with a bunch of extra kit, including a triple battery pack. The standard package includes the mini-drone with battery, camera shield, controller, and some cable and rotary blade options, and costs $449 / £419 / AU$749. During our week with the drone, we used the DJI Mini 2 Fly. More Combo, which includes three total batteries and one battery that charges all three simultaneously and turns it into a portable power pack. It also includes spare blades and extra swivel screws, a clip that keeps the blades in place, an 18W power charger and a practical bag to carry the drone and all its accessories. One notable omission, compared to the Mavic Mini's original Fly More combo, is the 360-degree propeller guard. Price-wise, this premium bundle will set you back $559 / £549 / AU$949. Anyone familiar with the Mavic Mini will also notice an increase in price over the original, which released a year before the Mini 2. for $399 / £369 / AU$599. We'll keep an eye on the price of the Mavic Mini as it could be a bargain.
Integrated
- Measures only 131x81x58mm and weighs 249g
- It has vision sensors in its base, but it cannot avoid obstacles.
- Now it has USB-C charging, instead of microUSB
The design of the DJI Mini 2 inherits the palm-sized dimensions and folding arms of the Mavic Mini for a size so small that it won't cause distraction when you fly it through the air. In fact, it weighs just 249g, a headline feature as there is currently no need to register this drone in the US, UK and Australia (although UK law changes since late December unfortunately , they will change that). Sure, the Mavic Air 2 is incredibly compact and lightweight, but DJI doubles down with the Mini 2 – it really does feel like your own on-the-go aerial camera. Image 1 of 3
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(Image credit: Future) On the front of the Mini 2 is the three-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, as well as a USB-C port (upgraded from micro-USB on the Mavic Mini). This can be used for charging on the go. Above is the battery cover and it is very easy to replace the battery and storage; we love the convenient hot swapping. Unlike the DJI Mavic Air and larger drones, the DJI Mini 2 does not feature obstacle avoidance sensors on the sides, front, or rear. That said, there are a few sensors in the base, so when it senses a surface or obstruction below, it abruptly jumps to avoid it. The landing gear also houses a battery indicator and light, so you can keep the drone in sight, even at night.
Controller and handling
- New controller design without antenna
- Family experience with the DJI Fly app
- powerful and easy to use
The best thing about the new DJI Mini 2 is its controller. Completely renovated, simplicity is the name of the game here. Only the DJI Mavic Air 2 so far has the same advanced controller. Loaded with a 5200 mAh battery, it's no surprise that the DJI Mini 2 controller weighs 390g, much heavier than the drone itself. Its left and right joysticks are stored on the bottom of the device and screw into their respective ball joint element without fiddling too much. The spring-loaded phone holder extends from the top of the controller, its cavity housing a connection cable, with three shipping in the box: Lightning, Micro USB, and USB-C. As for the buttons, there is by default an Fn button set to scroll on the vertical axis with a single press, a mode switch, and buttons for landing and power. There's also a physical slider that toggles between Cinema, Normal, and Sport modes, an incredibly useful mid-flight addition for anyone who doesn't want to use a digital interface.
(Image credit: Future) On the back of the controller is an R trigger, and where the L trigger would be, there's a jog wheel that controls the vertical panning of the DJI Mini 2. Which is awesome as far as controls go. , the gamepads on the dial, this is the degree to which incremental nudges register. Even silky, slow, smooth pans can be achieved in Sport mode, so when you get the hang of it, the sky really is the limit when it comes to styling maneuvers. Another highlight of the DJI Mini 2 is the ease with which we were able to get it off the ground, fly, and pull off all sorts of party tricks. We thought the original Mavic Mini was an easy-to-use wonder, but DJI has outdone itself with a more intuitive controller and what feels like a more nuanced control system overall. With video transmission up to 10 km, the Mini 2 increases your range by 150% compared to the original. I wish we could say we pushed it to the limit, but unlike our experiences with the Mavic Mini, in the same drone-safe zone, we couldn't legally fly high enough or far enough for the connection to falter. it's pretty awesome.
DJI Fly App
- Easy connection and navigation
- Less application dependency with an improved driver
- Switch modes and access QuickShots
The DJI Fly app is a balanced mix of ease of use, yet powerful enough to provide depth for the most experienced flyers. Casual drones won't need to venture beyond the main interface. There's a takeoff and landing button (which is also on the controller), a map shortcut on the bottom left, a trigger on the right, as well as a mode dial, gallery shortcut, and toggling between manual photo and video. A lot of useful reading is scattered throughout the DJI Fly app's user interface. These include tone, remaining recording time, exposure compensation, battery percentage, and controller signal.
(Image credit: Future) Where the app sticks out for power users is the extended menu, accessed by tapping the three dots in the top right. This is where you can set the maximum altitude and distance, as well as the home point of your Mini 2. The app is also where you can take advantage of the front RGB LED spectrum, giving the DJI Mini 2 a laptop-like vibe. for games. Convenient when flying multiple drones, it makes it easy to identify yours and you can also turn the rgb mode between breaths, rainbow and solid. With extensive options to activate a histogram, overexposure warnings, and grid lines, not to mention changing the refresh rate to 50Hz and 60Hz, it's commendable how well DJI has balanced professional features with an interface. Finally, the app opens up manual photo shooting with an optional shutter speed of up to four seconds for photos and 1/60th of a second for video, and a maximum ISO sensitivity of 3200 in both modes.
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Resolution up to 4K 30fps12MP still imagesFive QuickShot...