The DJI Mini 2 drone is extremely compact and can be slipped into a jacket pocket to launch in seconds.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro has succeeded it, but the model is still available as an affordable alternative. It is one of the top beginner drones for anyone who wants to capture 4K video but doesn’t need the advanced technology of the DJI drones.
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Release date and price
Design
Handling and control
Performance and features
Video and photo quality
Do I need to buy it?
- DJI Mini 2, Amazon, US$449
Although the DJI Mini 2’s design is almost identical to the Mavic Mini’s, the controller has undergone a redesign. It is now more efficient and offers a better experience.
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The Mini 2’s collasible arms, just like the larger Mavic sibling, can be unfurled to transform the small unit into a drone.
Mini 2 is less than 249g. It doesn’t need to register with any aviation agencies in the US, UK or Australia at this time. However, it is worth checking your local laws. Recent changes to UK drone law mean that it must be registered regardless of its weight.
DJI Mini 2 specs
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 12MP
Lenses:f/2.8 ,24mm equivalent (84° FOV).
Weight: 249g
Video: 4K/30p, 1080/60p (100Mbps bit-rate)
Photos12MP (JPEG & raw)
Flight time: 31 minutes per charge
Transmission: OcuSync 2.0 transmission
Dimensions (folded: 131x81x58mm
Although this weight is less impressive than the first Mavic Mini, we can’t understate how convenient the Mini 2 is on all fronts.
During our DJI Mini 2 review we discovered that the controller was its most impressive feature. The entire game has been redesigned. It is simpler than ever, with fewer moving parts. However, it still retains a Johnny 5-like charm.
DJI Fly is a balanced combination of easy-to-use and powerful features. The main interface is easy to use for casual drone flyers, but the app has many features to learn.
DJI’s stable stability has been as synonymous with the brand’s products as all the shades of grey they use. We’re here to help you all.
First, the DJI Mini 2’s video shows that it is rock-steady even in the most windy conditions. This is quite impressive for such an inexpensive drone. This quadcopter was able to fly through the London skyline, even with wind resistance level 5.
Unedit footage can look flat or underexposed in overcast situations. DJI handles footage with care and has video editors on hand. It is acceptable. If you shoot in 4K, digital zooming is limited at 2x. However, you can still get usable 3x zoom footage at 1080p. The Mini 2’s zoom range and usable footage drop as soon as the lighting drops.
Solid battery life was the final thing. On a windy day, we managed to get around 30 minutes flight time shooting at mixed 1080p resolution and 4K resolution. The Fly More Combo’s three batteries combined can last for approximately 90 minutes.
Price and release date for DJI Mini 2
- Announced November 2020
- Two bundles are available, including a Fly More Combo
- Prices start at $449 / PS419 / AU$749
The DJI Mini 2 was announced in November 2020. It is available in two flavors: the plain vanilla package with the drone and some extras and the Fly More Combo, which includes a lot of additional kit, including a triple-battery pack.
The standard package includes the mini-drone ship, a battery and camera guard, controller and a few cables and rotary blade options. It costs $449 / PS419 / AU$749.
We used the DJI Mini 2 fly more combo, which included three batteries and a battery pack that simultaneously charged all three. It also turns the battery pack into a portable power source. The package also includes extra rotary blades, screws, and a clasp to secure the blades. It also comes with an 18W power charger and a bag that can be used for transportation of the drone and its accessories.
The 360-degree propeller guard is a notable addition to the original Mavic Mini Fly More combo. This premium package costs $559 / PS549 / AU$949.
The Mavic Mini’s original price was $399 / PS369 / AU$599. Anyone who has used it will be familiar with the increase in price. We will be closely monitoring the Mavic Mini’s pricing, as it may drop into bargain territory.
DJI Mini 2 review: design
- Only 131x81x58mm in size and 249g
- It has vision sensors at its base but does not have obstacle avoidance
- now has USB-C charging instead of microUSB
The DJI Mini 2 design combines the Mavic Mini’s palm-sized dimensions with foldable arms to create a small size that won’t distract you while flying it through the air.
It weighs in at 249g. This is a major feature as you don’t need to register the drone in the US, UK or Australia. However, UK law changes will change this. The Mavic Air 2 is extremely compact and light, but DJI makes it even smaller with the Mini 2. It really does feel like a take-it-anywhere camera.
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(Image credit: Future)
The three-axis stabilized camera is located on the Mini 2’s front. It’s protected by a camera shield that can be removed when the Mini 2 is in flight. The back has a microSD card slot and a USB-C port. This upgrade was made possible by the Mavic Mini. This port can be used to charge your device on-the-fly. These are the battery flaps. It’s easy to swap out storage and battery. We love the hot-swapping feature.
The DJI Mini 2 does not have obstacle avoidance sensors, unlike the DJI Mavic Air or larger drones. However, the DJI Mini 2 does have a few sensors at its base that detect obstacles or surfaces below and will automatically jump up to avoid them. You can also find a light and a battery meter under the undercarriage so that you can keep your drone in sight even at night.
Review of DJI Mini 2: Controller and Handling
- New antenna-free controller design
- Experience the DJI Fly app
- Simple and powerful
The DJI Mini 2’s controller is the best feature. The controller has been completely redesigned. Simplicity is the new standard. The DJI Mavic Air2 is the only one with the same advanced controller.
The DJI Mini 2 controller, which is powered by a 5,200mAh lithium battery, weighs in at 390g. This is significantly heavier than the drone. The joysticks for left and right are located in the bottom of the unit. They can be attached to their ball-socket elements without much fuss.
The spring-loaded phone holder extends from the top of controller. It houses a connector cable with three shipping options: micro USB, Lightning and USB-C.
The Fn button is set to automatically pan vertically by default. There’s also a mode switch and buttons for power and landing. A physical slider switches between Cine, Normal and Sport modes. This is a great addition for those who don’t want to use a digital interface.
The R trigger is located at the back of controller. Where the L trigger would be, a jog dial controls vertical panning on the DJI Mini 2. The joysticks and dial have a unique feature that registers incremental nudges. You can achieve smooth, slow, and silky pans in Sports mode. Once you are comfortable with it, the sky is the limit for stylized maneuvers.
The DJI Mini 2’s ease of use is another highlight. Although the original Mavic Mini was a marvel of engineering, DJI has outdone themselves with an intuitive controller and a control system that feels more sophisticated.
The Mini 2 has a 150% increase in range compared to its predecessor, with a video transmission that can reach 10km. Although we would love to claim that we drove it to its limits like our experience with the Mavic Mini in the same Drone-safe zone, we were unable to legally fly high enough or far enough to make the Mini 2 connect. This is a great thing.
DJI Mini 2 review: DJI Fly App
- Navigation and connection
- App with improved controller less reliance
- Access QuickShots to change modes and access QuickShots
DJI Fly is an app that’s simple to use but also powerful enough to provide depth for more experienced pilots.
The main interface is sufficient for casual drone flyers. You will find a take-off/land button on the controller, as well as a map shortcut at the bottom, and a shutter release button at the right. There is also a mode switcher, gallery shortcut, and toggle between manual and video.
There are a variety of useful information scattered around the DJI Fly App UI. These include height, remaining record times, exposure compensation, battery percentage and controller signal.
The expanded menu is where the app shines for power users. You can access it by clicking the three dots at the top right. Here you can set max altitude, distance, and your Mini 2’s location.
You can also tap into the front LED’s RGB spectrum from the app, giving your DJI Mini 2 an almost gaming laptop feel. It is handy for flying multiple drones at once, as it allows you to identify your drones quickly. You can also switch between RGB modes breathing, rainbow, solid, and solid.
It’s admirable how DJI has incorporated the most advanced features into a simple interface.
The app also allows for manual photo-taking with an optional shutter speed up to 4 seconds for photos, and 1-60 seconds for video. There is also an option for ISO up to 3200 for both modes.
Review of DJI Mini 2: Features and Performance
- Up To 4K Resolution 30fps
- 12MP still images
- Five QuickShot modes
The DJI Fly app allows you to press the shooting modes button. A simple menu appears from the right with a variety of shooting modes. You can go deeper into each option to find more specific settings.
You can toggle between taking one photo at a moment, AEB (autoexposure bracketing), for HDR shots, and auto-timer within Photo mode. You can choose Video mode to adjust frame rates and resolutions (up to 60fps for 1080p and 2.7K, respectively)
Five QuickShot modes are pre-defined flight paths which track a subject (Circle Boomerang Dronie Rocket, Dronie and Rocket) and three panorama options (traditional 180-degree, 360-degree, and 360-degree).
How about battery life? We were able to shoot at both 1080p resolution and 4K resolution on a windy day for around 30 minutes. The Mini 2 intelligently returns to its base point when the battery runs low to ensure it doesn’t get drained.
Fly More packs are great because they allow you to do more. You can fly for around 90 minutes with the three included 2,250 mAh batteries.
The drone’s battery doesn’t have to be the only thing worth talking about. The Mini 2’s controller battery of 5,200mAh is enormous, lasts for hours and takes only a few minutes to charge up. You can also charge your phone while it is connected.
The Fly More Combo’s powerpack also transforms the three batteries that the DJI Mini 2 comes with into an 18W fast-charging powerbank for your smartphone, or any other accessory.
Review of DJI Mini 2: Video and Photo Quality
You’ve probably used any DJI product at one time or another, including the DJI Om 4, DJI Pocket 3 or any other DJI drone. The overriding theme is smoothness and stability. DJI’s stable stabilization is as well-known as the various shades of grey on all its products. We’re here to help you with all your DJI needs.
First, the DJI Mini 2’s video shows that it is rock-steady even in the most windy conditions. This is quite impressive for such an inexpensive drone. A blustery London skyline was easy to capture with the DJI Mini 2’s level five wind resistance.
It can fly in all three modes: Normal (medium), Cine(slow), and Sports (fast). While sudden changes of direction can cause the horizon to drop off, even experienced flyers can capture stunning footage. The Mini 2 is very quick and can usually resolve any issues quickly.
This upgrade will be a great deal for existing Mavic Mini owners, as the core sensor/lens specifications match those of last year’s model.
Mini 2’s 83 degree field of view (24mm equivalent) means that the drone’s framing isn’t dissimilar from a human eye. However, it’s slightly wider. The f/2.8 aperture fixed focus lens is also wide open but narrow enough to prevent the skies from blowing too much.
The Mavic Mini 2 and Mini 2 both have 12MP 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensors with a resolution of 4000×3000 or 16:9, 4000xx2250.
Although the DJI Mini 2’s hardware may be familiar, the motors, stabilization, wind resistance, and improved motors make the camera and gimbal easier to use. The results are generally impressive.
Unedit footage can look flat or underexposed in overcast conditions. DJI makes sure to process footage with care and with video editors in place. You can add shadows to an edit but not remove blown-out highlights. The Mini 2’s video can be easily picked up in post, particularly when shooting in overcast.
It’s a welcome increase in the video resolution from 2.7K up to 4K. Technically, it’s not possible to think of a 4K capture being missing from last year’s model. However, in well-lit scenes the additional recorded pixels allow for more zooms and cropping.
If you shoot in 4K, digital zooming is limited at 2x. However, you can still get usable 3x footage at 720p. The Mini 2’s zoom range is reduced as soon as the light dims.
This drone is not designed to be used in dark conditions, as you would expect from a tiny sensor. Although the Mini 2’s video is not as sharp when the sun sets, its photos are quite good. The Mini 2’s tendency to underexpose makes dimly lit scenes less appealing. We recommend that flights be kept to bright, beautiful days whenever possible.
Manual photo and video shooting can be used to override auto mode for better low-light performance. Panorama is also a great feature, performing better than the 64MP DJI Pocket 2 in terms of dynamic range over an extensive scene.
Do I need to buy the DJI Mini 2
It’s a good deal if…
The best pocketable drones are what you want
The DJI Mini 2 is the most lightweight drone on the market. It features 4K video, improved controller, increased range, wind resistance, and a boosted range. Although the original Mavic Mini remains its main competitor, it is outperformed in all other areas.
You will need 4K video
The 4K capture of the DJI Mini 2 ensures sharp zooms and better cropping in well-lit scenes. You won’t have to compromise on quality by splicing DJI Mini 2 footage together into a 4K project.
You’re a novice drone user
The DJI Mini 2 is currently not required to be registered in many countries because of its small size. You’ll find no better drone for hovering above the ground due to its intuitive control system.
It’s not worth the risk if…
You have a tight budget
The DJI Mini 2 is an excellent starter drone if money is no object. If you want the best value, the original Mavic Mini is a better choice. You can find it cheaper if you shop around. The camera hardware is almost identical, so footage is comparable even though the resolution is only 2.7K.
Already have a Mavic Mini?
Although the DJI Mini 2 is a better DJI Mini than the Mavic Mini it’s not a big leap. If you are happy with 2.7K resolution footage then upgrading to the DJI Mini 2 will bring the most benefit in the form an improved controller. We recommend waiting for the DJI Mini 3 instead.
Night-time flyer
A DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 is a better choice for drone pilots who plan to fly late at night. It makes up for what it lacks in portability and wallet-friendliness with its 1-inch sensor and pro-grade features.
Also, consider…
Have you read our DJI Mini 2 review? Are you now considering other options? These are the top three drones you should consider…
The Evo Nano+ drone is sub-250g, which is similar to the DJI Mini 3 Pro. However, it’s also a great choice for beginners. Its low-light performance was excellent. This makes it a great drone for taking photos of sunsets and nightscapes. It lacks the polish of rival DJIs.
Ryze Tello review ” data-widget-type=”deal”>
You are looking for a drone that is affordable to improve your flying skills? The Ryze Tello is based on DJI flight tech. It is small and lightweight, and packs in a 5MP camera and 720p HD Video. You shouldn’t expect super smooth video or a drone capable of handling anything other than a light breeze.
DJI Mini 3 Pro review ” data-widget-type=”deal”>
The DJI Mini 3 Pro may be a bit too expensive for some, but the price is well worth it if you can afford it. Apart from the larger sensor measuring 1/1.3in, the Mini 3 Pro has many other benefits. These include the obstacle avoidance sensors which are very helpful for people who are just learning to fly. It is almost unbelievable that all this can be packed into a 249g package.
