DJI Mini 2 review: The best drone for most people
Our Verdict
Go the DJI Mini ii if you're looking for the all-time drone under $500.
For
- Like shooting fish in a barrel to wing
- Long flight fourth dimension
- 4K video
Confronting
- Express motion tracking
Tom's Guide Verdict
Get the DJI Mini 2 if you lot're looking for the best drone under $500.
Pros
- +
Easy to fly
- +
Long flight time
- +
4K video
Cons
- -
Limited move tracking
DJI Mini 2: Specs
Size (folded): 5.5 x iii.2 x 2.two inches
Size (unfolded): 7.9 x 6.3 x two.2 inches
Weight: 249 grams (8.8 ounces)
Camera: 12MP, one/2.3"
Video resolution: 4K/30 fps
Flying fourth dimension: 31 minutes
Stockings, get ready to be stuffed. But in time for the holidays, DJI has rolled out the Mini 2, the second generation of its least expensive drone, and one sure to tickle the flights of fancy of many an aspiring pilot.
The differences betwixt the $450 DJI Mini 2 and its predecessor, the Mavic Mini, aren't radical. But then over again, DJI could have left the Mini the same, and it would still have been a tiptop pick.
While the Mini 2 looks identical to the Mini, it has a better camera, which lets you capture 4K video. It also has a 6-mile range. Nearly importantly, though, the Mini 2 is only every bit easy to fly as earlier, and this Mini ii review will show how that makes it the best drone for most everyone.
DJI Mini ii review: Cost and availability
The Mini two is bachelor starting today (Nov. 4). It'southward being sold in two configurations: The Standard version ($450) comes with the drone, controller, and a single battery. The Fly More combo ($599) includes everything in the standard version every bit well as 2 actress batteries, a battery charger and a carrying example.
DJI Mini 2 review: Pattern
Outwardly, the DJI Mini two looks identical to its predecessor (the Mavic Mini), which is a proficient thing. This drone is wonderfully small and light. In fact, at but 249 grams, it'south low-cal enough so that yous don't have to register it with the FAA. it's so light, information technology feels almost toylike.
The Mini 2 sports the same folding-arm design that DJI popularized and many other drone makers take since copied. Folded, the Mini 2 is most the size of a can of soda, which makes information technology ridiculously easy to stuff in a backpack. I similar that DJI at present includes a strap that wraps around the drone and secures the propeller blades, and so they don't accidentally snap off while in your purse.
The biggest difference physically betwixt the two is the controller. The Mavic Mini has a much smaller controller with folding arms that hold your phone below; the Mini 2's controller is at least twice the size, and has an extending arm on the top to concord your smartphone. While there's something to be said for the smaller size of the original controller, the newer one—the same equally the one that comes with the Mavic Air ii—makes it easier to see your phone.
DJI Mini 2 review: Operation
The Mini ii proved simply equally nimble, stable, and easy to fly as every other drone from DJI that I've flown. The Mini two took off and hovered in the air, remaining as motionless equally if it were withal on the ground.
DJI upgraded the motors in the Mini two, so in addition to getting an boosted minute of flight fourth dimension (up to 31 minutes), it tin can also be flown in winds upwardly to 24 mph, a boost from the 17.9 mph limit of the older model.
Apart from its larger size compared to the controller that came with the Mavic Mini, the Mini two'southward controller communicates with the drone using DJI's Occusync 2.0 transmission technology, rather than Wi-Fi. This more than doubles the maximum effective range of the Mini ii from 2.four miles to 6.1 miles. Given that you should ever keep your drone in sight, this range is more than theoretical than anything.
DJI Mini 2: Photo and video quality
While the DJI Mini 2 has a similar-sized sensor every bit its predecessor (1/2.3"), it's been improved then you lot can now shoot video at resolutions up to 4K/30 fps. (The first-generation Mavic Mini maxed out at 2.7k). This as well enables a few other tricks.
For instance, when shooting video at 1080p, you now have 2x and 4x digital zoom, which turned out to be a skillful, not peachy feature. Yous tin't incrementally increase zoom—it jumps right from 1x to 2x to 4x—and at the max, you lose a lot of definition. Still, from my vantage point, I could get a much better look at the acme of the Verrazano Span and the skyscrapers of Manhattan, which were most 14 miles away.
I was impressed by the quality of the videos and photos I took with the Mini ii. From the pinks of people's coats to the reds of falling leaves to the greenish grass, colors were vivid and saturated. Video was precipitous with no artifacting, and the Mini ii's gimbals were so steady that there were no jitters equally I panned and moved the drone around.
Still photos were also crisp and colorful, from a panoramic view of Manhattan to closeups of a brilliant red tree and a curious squirrel.
New to the Mini 2 is the ability to take photos in JPG and RAW, which volition no doubt appeal to enthusiast photographers. Auto Exposure Bracketing will tell the Mini 2 to have three photos at different exposures, to become the best possible picture. Another new photographic feature is a Broad Panorama style, in which the drone will take nine pictures and stitch them together to create a not-quite 180-degree image.
There are a few key differences between the Mini 2 and the pricier and larger Mavic Air 2 (which starts at $799). For starters, the Mavic Air two tin can tape video at 4K/60 fps, 240fps slo-mo video can take 48MP however images. The Mavic Air 2 likewise has more advanced motility tracking capabilities. For instance, with the Mini 2, y'all can only track a person in one of the preset Quickshot modes. Moreover, the Air ii tin can remain locked on a person even if they temporarily disappear from view.
DJI Mini 2 review: Verdict
DJI could have probably left the Mavic Mini untouched for the next five years and it would all the same be ane of the best drones around. As this Mini 2 review has shown, its improvements are incremental, only the foundation on which it's built is as solid as e'er. It's compact, easy to fly, and takes fantastic videos and photos. Those looking for more than avant-garde tracking and camera features should check out the Mavic Air ii, though.
While the Mini 2 costs about $fifty more its predecessor, information technology withal remains the best drone for almost people. You'll want to pick up an extra battery or two, because you won't want to stop flight.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/dji-mavic-mini-2
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