Make Your Moments Fly with the DJI Mini 2
11/04/2020Just in time for the holidays: DJI announces the highly anticipated Mini 2. The follow-up to last year’s popular Mavic Mini, the Mini 2 arrives with several impressive upgrades that should once again make it a hit this shopping season. Here’s everything you need to know about DJI’s latest miniaturized flyer.
Same Size, Bigger Features
In terms of its physical design, there’s not a whole lot separating the Mini 2 from the Mavic Mini. At less than 250g, it’s still tiny. Like the original, the Mini 2 also sports a foldable body that makes it incredibly portable and accessible. In fact, apart from a little color here, a new decal there, it’s pretty tough to tell the difference between the two.
But differences there are.
The first, and perhaps most significant, distinction between the Mavic Mini and the Mini 2 is that the Mini 2 can now shoot 4K video. There were very few criticisms of the original Mavic Mini, but one that did get some traction was that it could “only” capture 2.7K video. The Mini 2 resolves this criticism by offering 4K recording at 30 fps, along with 2x digital zoom. Digital zoom, by the way, is another video feature not supported by the original Mavic Mini. With the Mini 2, you get 2x digital zoom at 4K, 3x at 2.7K, and up to 4x digital zoom if you’re shooting FHD. For stills there is an improvement in the form of DNG raw support for higher-quality images and better post-production.
Another big upgrade is how the Mini 2 transmits images. Instead of the enhanced Wi-Fi system we saw in the Mavic Mini, the Mini 2 uses OcuSync 2.0 for image transmission. This dual-band system is a fairly significant upgrade, because it allows the Mini 2 to transmit images much farther—up to 10km unobstructed. OcuSync 2.0 also utilizes automatic frequency shifting, which means the Mini 2 is more resistant to transmission interference. Bottom line: The Mini 2 can transmit images farther and more effectively than its predecessor.
Confirmation Bias
Despite the notable upgrades, the Mavic Mini and Mini 2 do have quite a bit in common. In addition to the same general design as its predecessor, the Mini 2 boasts a similar 31-minute flight time, what appears to be the same 12MP image sensor, the same QuickShots, and more. All of these similarities are good things. They were standout features in the original Mavic Mini, so incorporating them (or a slightly better version) into the Mini 2 makes sense.
Mini MIA
OcuSync 2.0 and the ability to shoot 4K boost the already impressive Mini series into serious rare air. What was arguably the best, most sophisticated beginner’s/toy-size drone now appears to have that title completely locked down. There are some missing features we would have loved to see in the Mini 2 (follow-me tech and obstacle tracking, for example), but those will probably come the next time around. Regardless of what future generations hold, right now the Mini 2 looks like the top drone available for beginners who want the highest level of performance possible.
The DJI Mini 2 and Mini 2 Fly More Combo are available now at B&H.
What do you think about the new Mini 2? If you have the Mavic Mini, are you ready to upgrade? Let us know in the Comments section, below!
Comments
21 Comments
In the video above, there was a shot labeled "1080p Upscalled to 4K @ 60FPS" - how do we do that? If I'm wanting to shoot in 60 FPS and 4K, is that something I can do right in the software on the controller, or in separate video editing software on my computer?
Hi Ania -
The up-scaling takes place in-camera.
How does this new Mini 2 compare to the original Mavic Air? Seems to have similar specs.
Hi Allen -
Yes, some of the specifications do match up closely.
Please refer to the pages below for a full comparison:
https://www.dji.com/mavic-air
https://www.dji.com/mini-2/specs
Its new Mavic mini able to shoot raw?
Hi, Robert! The Mini 2 does shoot both JPEG and RAW formats. The original Mavic Mini only supported JPEG, so this is a nice upgrade for anyone who wants more control over how their aerial photos look.
It can shot STILLS in RAW. it cannot shoot VIDEO in RAW.
I have the Mavic Mini with the Fly More Combo. Are all the cords, batteries and accessories compatible with the Mini2? I'd be interested in the Mini 2 if I didn't have to buy all the accessories over again.
Hi, Michael! That's a really great question. So, according to DJI, it's kind of a mixed bag when it comes to which accessories will work with which Mini. Most of the standard cords and cables should be compatible, but unfortunately the batteries are not. Technically, the Mavic Mini's battery will work with the international version of the Mini 2, but you won't get as much juice and the size of it actually pushes the Mini 2 over the 250g weight threshold, so that's gonna be another hit to the total flight time. On the plus side, the Mini 2's Fly More Combo does come with the new Two-Way Charging Hub, which does look like a pretty handy accessory.
Thanks.
“On the plus side, the Mini 2's Fly More Combo does come with the new Two-Way Charging Hub, which does look like a pretty handy accessory.”
The original Mini Fly More 3-battery Charging hub is also Two-Way so you can charge your phone or other USB device from it.
Ah, forgot to ask another question: One of the biggest limiting factors of the Mini (imho) is the restricted upward angle of view. It does fine looking straight down, but not good looking up. Has this been resolved, or at least improved, in the Mini 2? Thanks.
Hi, Bret! So, I haven't had the chance to take the Mini 2 out for a test flight, but based on what I've seen, I don't think you're going to see much (if any) difference in viewing angles. According to DJI, the Mini 2's gimbal has the same movement range as the Mavic Mini and its FOV is exactly the same: 83 degrees. Again, without having tested it, I can't say for 100-percent certain that it's going to be the same, but the technical specs definitely suggest so.
I have a Mavic Pro 2 and a Mini. The Mini has a slightly wider-angle FOV, which is often nice to have, especially in tighter spaces, but also for landscapes. Is there a difference in the FOV of the Mini 2, and does it vary at 2.7K and 4K resolution? Does "panorama" mode on the Mini 2 increase FOV without cropping? Thanks for answers here.
Hi, Bret! (great name btw) I touched on this a bit in your other question, but the Mavic Mini and Mini 2 do have the same FOV and gimbal range, with no indication from DJI that either are affected by the video resolution you're shooting. As far as the Panorama mode goes, DJI doesn't go into too much detail about how the Mini 2 captures 180 panoramas, but my guess is that it's the same process you see with the other Mavic drones - it likely auto-captures something around 20 photos, then stitches them together in the app for a final pano image.
Having recently paid $399 for the Fly More Mavic (original) Mini package, I cannot imagine paying $599 for the Mini 2 version of the same package. As a first drone for me, for $400 was about the most I was ready to pay
The original Mini 2.7K Video is plenty excellent, as good as many 4K competitors with similar prices.
The improved transmission tech is nice, but I don’t plan to fly out of sight anyway so not a huge issue for me. This very compact drone handles wind amazingly well, but I’d prefer to see directly, the wind conditions where I fly it.
I’m very happy with the orthogonal Mavic Mini.
*original
A benefit of the Mini 2 not often mentioned - the phone holder is above the controller rather than below the controller.
The fact that the Mini is on it’s 2nd version and still doesn’t have obstacle avoidance included is lame. Why spend another $1,000 for the Mavic Air just for that?
As I understand it, the obstacle avoidance would require extra sensors (cameras) that would drive it over the 250g limit.
Then, why not change the limit? What it be with obstacle avoidance? Maybe that would be worth it. It surely would be to me.
Exactly. A key benefit of the Mini is no requirement for FAA or other registration in other counties.
There are other drones with obstacle avoidance if that 250g weight isn’t important to you.