Table Of Contents
DJI Mini 2 Specs
- Weight: 249 g
- Dimensions (Unfolded): 6.2″ x 8.0″ x 2.2″ (159 x 203 x 56 mm) (LxWxH)
- Dimensions (Folded): 5.4″ x 3.1″ x 2.3″ (138 x 81 x 58 mm) (LxWxH)
- Max Speed: 35.8 mph (16 m/s)
- Max Takeoff Altitude: 13,123 feet (4,000 m)
- Battery Capacity: 2,250 mAh
- Max Flight Time: 31 minutes
- Max Video Transmission Distance: 6.2 miles (10 km)
- Max Wind Speed Resistance: Level 5
- Operating Temperature Range: 32° – 104° F (0° – 40° C)
- GNSS: GPS + GLONASS + GALILEO
- Internal Storage: None (SD Card Only) (16 – 256 GB)
- Flight Modes: Cine, Normal, and Sport
- Camera Sensor: 1/2.3″ CMOS Sensor; 12 MP
- Camera Lenz: 83° FOV; f/2.8 Aperture
- Photography Modes:
- Single
- Interval
- Auto Exposure Bracketing
- Panorama: Wide-angle, 180°, and Sphere
- JPEG/DNG (RAW)
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD; 2.7K; FHD (60 fps Max); 100Mbps; MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC)
- Automated (QuickShot)a Video Modes:
- Circle
- Boomerang
- Rocket
- Dronie
- Rocket
- Remote Controller: 2.4 GHz; 5.8 GHz; 5,200 mAh battery; 720p Live View
Pros
- Great flight time
- Premium 4K Ultra HD video
- Automatic image quality enhancement for quick sharing
- RAW image capture
- Burst Shot
- Good live stream video quality with low latency
- Long flight range
- GPS + GLONASS + GALILEO tracking
- Great handling
- Very lightweight for an all-in-one camera drone
- Extremely compact, folding design
- Very quiet
- QuickShot mode gets great automated video shots
- Very affordable
- Now compatible with DJI Smart Controller!
Cons
- No ActiveTrack
- That also means it has very limited obstacle avoidance
- No Hyperlaps mode
- No internal storage
Still No Auto-Pilot?!
The biggest disappointment with the DJI Mini 2 is that it doesn’t have ActiveTrack. It’s not a surprise, since the first Mini didn’t have the feature either.
There are 3rd-party apps, like Litchi and Dronelink, that can replicate the official ActiveTrack feature. Instead of using a bunch of sensors, the apps use the camera and special algorithms to keep the drone locked on a moving target. They also come with their share of glitches.
On the other hand, maybe it’s better for beginners to be forced to fly manually. If you’re new to flying and aerial photography, the Mini 2 is one of the best drones to learn on.
With Level 5 wind resistance, 720p live view, and 10 km video transmission distance, you can get the hang of flying in a variety of environments.
QuickShot Classics
For anybody familiar with DJI drones, QuickShot modes are nothing new. For newbies, QuickShots are some of the best smart functions on the Mini 2. It’s also the closest thing you’ll get to the missing ActiveTrack mode, without one of the 3rd-party apps we mentioned before.
These intelligent flight modes capture professional video shots, and automatically return to you after completing the shot. The Helix, Circle, and Boomerang modes are my favorite because you get breathtaking 360° video shots.
Multiple Manual Flying Modes
When it comes to manual control, the DJI Mini 2 has 3 flight modes to choose from. You’ll find a physical toggle switch on the remote that allows you to go from Normal, Cine, or Sport before or during your flight.
For safety, it has downward-facing sensors that are enabled in all three flight modes, which is good for pilots of every skill level. Even though it’s not true obstacle avoidance, it automatically keeps the drone at a safe distance from the ground. Plus, it assists in safe descents and landings.
The Normal flight mode is perfect for getting a feel of how the Mini 2 handles. When you’re ready to capture some stills or videos, the Cine flight mode limits the top speed and other movements for super-smooth footage.
When you want to have some fun or you’re dealing with some wind, the Sport mode shows off the Mini 2’s power. Just be sure not to go downwind too far. This mode drains the battery the fastest, so you may not be able to get all the way back.
It’s usually not too big of an issue unless you’re flying over water or a cliff. The biggest mistake you can make as a beginner is to push your drone to the limit before you get used to it. One of the best habits when picking a takeoff and landing spot is to start your flight into the wind, so you’ll have a nice tailwind coming back.
Give It To 'Em RAW
The Photography mode is just as impressive as the 4K Ultra HD video mode. Featuring advanced modes like Auto Exposure Bracketing and multiple Panoramic angles, it’s good enough for light-commercial usage.
The best part of the Photography mode is the ability to shoot in JPG and RAW at the same time. This gives you a nice compressed version for instant sharing. Plus, you’ll get a RAW version for editing in post-production.
DJI Fly App
The DJI Mini 2 is also the best drone for beginners, because of the DJI Fly App. It’s an ultra-intuitive app that provides the Live View, camera controls, and drone controls during flight.
It has a built-in editor that allows you to add special effects, background music, and more. It even has a timeline layout, so you can combine multiple clips and stills to make videos on the fly. Plus, when you’re all done, you can share directly from the app.
Conclusion
Starting at under $500, the DJI Mini 2 has all of the essentials to help you learn and grow as a drone pilot. The all-in-one foldable design also makes this the best option for travelers.
After seeing everything the Mini 2 can do, the missing features like ActiveTrack and obstacle avoidance, seem minor. In the end, you’re getting a premium all-in-one camera drone for a fraction of the price.
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DJI Smart Controller
The DJI Smart Controller is more expensive than the DJI Mini 2 itself, so it may not seem practical. On the other hand, if you have (or plan to have) 2 or more Drones that are Ocusync 2.0+ compatible, it’s worth the investment.
Besides the convenience of having a phone-free controller, you’ll also be able to fly all of your compatible drones with this one controller. Plus, there’s plenty of little luxuries, like auto-connect and detachable control sticks.