DJI Mini 2. Flying Camera for Every Day

On November 5, 2020, DJI introduced the second version of the lightest GPS drone in the hobby – DJI Mini 2! Read more about the new product in our review.

Introduction

The long-awaited drone, which will finally allow those who have been thinking about it for a long time due to legislative ambiguity or lack of management skills to finally decide to buy. DJI Mavic Mini is a compact quadcopter with exponentially powerful potential, weighing a little more than an average smartphone, allowing any user to capture the brightest moments of their lives from the best angle without difficulty and troubles with registration. By tradition, let’s start with the features of the device.

Peculiarities

• Drone flight weight 249 gr
• Portable foldable design
• Positioning: GPS/GLONASS + three-sensor system
• Max. flight time 30 min
• Max. FPV removal distance 4 km
• Poppy. flight speed 46.8 km/h
• 12MP 2.7K camera built on 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor in tandem with 24mm lens, f/2.8 aperture, and 83° field of view
• 3-axis motorized gimbal
• Max. bitrate 40 Mbps
• Control: remote control (with removable sticks) + smartphone
• 3 × flight modes (Position/CineSmooth/Sport)
• 4 × automatic flight and shooting modes
• New Intuitive DJI Fly Mobile App
• Social platform Discover Popular Spots
• DIY Creative Kit
• Additional accessories

Equipment

The developer offers the drone in two trim levels:

1. Mavic Mini – The Everyday FlyCam
2. Mavic Mini Fly More Combo

Add. accessories

• The Two-Way Charging Hub is a charging station that charges up to three batteries in sequence. It can also be used to store and transport batteries, and even as a “Power bank” for charging a mobile device.
• The DJI Mini Bag is a carry bag for the drone and other related items such as Osmo Action and Osmo Pocket.
• The DIY Creative Kit is a kit for external customization of the drone through on-board stickers that the user can color in with complete markers.
• Snap Adapter – for attaching a wide range of compatible accessories to the drone, such as LED displays or building blocks.
• Charging Base is a charging base designed in an unusual form factor that allows you to discreetly display your Mavic Mini while charging.
• The Propeller Holder is a lightweight prop holder that protects your flying camera props from damage during transport. It can also be used to attach the Mavic Mini to a bag or belt.

Specification

Drone

Takeoff weight:

249 g

Dimensions (L×W×H):

When folded:
140×81×57mm
Unfolded:
159×202×55mm
Unfolded (with propellers):
245×289×55mm

Diagonal size:

213 mm

Max. climb rate:

14.4 km/h (S mode)
7.2 km/h (P mode)
5.4 km/h (mode C)

Max. sink rate:

10.8 km/h (S mode)
6.48 km/h (P mode)
3.6 km/h (mode C)

Max. horizontal speed flight

(above sea level in calm):

46.8 km/h (S mode)
28.8 km/h (P mode)
14.4 km/h (mode C)

Max. flight altitude above sea level:

3000 m

Max. flight time:

30 min (measured while flying at a speed of 14 km/h without wind)

Wind resistance:

8 m/s (4 points on the Beaufort scale)

Max. tilt angle:

30° (S mode)
20° (P mode)
20° (mode C)

Max. angular velocity:

150°/s (S mode)
130°/s (P mode)
30°/s (mode C)

Operating temperature range:

0°C to +40°C

Operating frequency range:

Model MT1SS5:

5.725-5.850 GHz

Model MT1SD25:

2.400-2.4835 GHz, 5.725-5.850 GHz

Transmitter power (EIRP):

Satellite positioning:

GPS + GLONASS

Positioning accuracy

:

suspension

Mechanical range of rotation angles:

Tilt: -110° to 35°
Roll: -35° to 35°
Rotation: -20° to 20°

Operating range of rotation angles:

-90° to 0°(default) -90° to +20°(extended mode)

Stabilization:

3-axis (tilt/roll/roll)

Max. controllable speed (Tilt):

120°/s

Angular vibration range:

±0.01°

Camera

Matrix:

1/2.3″ CMOS
Number of effective pixels: 12 million

Lens:

Field of View (FOV): 83°
35 mm (equivalent to 24 mm format)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focus: 1m to ∞

ISO range:

Video:

100–3200 (auto)

A photo:

100–1600 (auto)
100–3200 (manual)

Shutter speed:

Electronic Shutter Speed: 4-1/8000s

Max. image size:

4:3:

4000×3000

16:9:

4000×2250

Photo modes:

Frame-by-frame
Interval: 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60s

Video resolution:

2.7K:

2720 ​​× 1530 @ 24/25/30 fps

FHD:

1920 × 1080 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps

Max. video bitrate:

40 Mbps

Supported file systems:

FAT32 (≤ 32 GB)
exFAT (> 32 GB)

Photo formats:

JPEG

Video formats:

MP4 (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC)

Remote Control

Operating range frequencies:

Model MR1SS5:

5.725-5.850 GHz

Model MR1SD25:

2.400-2.4835 GHz, 5.725-5.850 GHz

Max. signal transmission range

(in open space, without interference):

Operating temperature range:

0°C to +40°C

Transmitter power (EIRP):

Battery capacity:

2600 mAh

Slave. current/voltage:

1200 mA 3.6V (Android)
450mA 3.6V (iOS)

Compatible mobile size devices:

Max. length: 160 mm
Max. thickness: 6.5 – 8.5 mm

Types of USB connectors:

Lightning, Micro USB (Type-B), USB Type-C

Video stream transmission system

:

enhanced Wi-Fi

Video stream quality:

720p@30fps

Max. bitrate:

4 Mbps

Signal delay (depends on site conditions and mobile device):

170–240 ms

Charger

Input voltage:

100–240V, 50/60Hz, 0.5A

Output voltage:

12V 1.5A/9V 2A/5V 3A

Rated power:

18W

Intelligent flight battery

Capacity:

2400 mAh

Voltage:

7.2V

Max. charging current:

8.4v

Battery Type:

Li-ion 2S

Power:

17.28 Wh

Net weight:

100 g

Temperature range for charging:

+5°C to +40°C

Max. charging power:

24 W

Intelligent Flight Battery (1100mAh)

Capacity:

1100 mAh

Voltage:

7.6V

Max. charging current:

8.7V

Battery Type:

LiPo 2S

Power:

8.36 Wh

Net weight:

50 g

Temperature range for charging:

+5°C to +40°C

Max. charging power:

18 W

Sensor system

Lower:

Working range: 0.5–10 m

Working conditions:

Flying over a non-reflective recognizable surface
Diffuse reflection (>20%)
Sufficient illumination (>15 lux)

Mob. Appendix

Name:

DJI Fly

System requirements:

iOS 10.0 or Android 6.0 and later

Supported SD cards

Type and recommended specifications:

MicroSD, UHS-1, Speed ​​Class 3 or higher.

Recommended microSDs:

Notes and recommendations

Notes and recommendations:

Appearance

Does not require registration

Mavic Mini weighs less than 250 grams and is almost as light as a regular smartphone. This makes it exceptionally portable and places it in the lightest and safest drone weight class, which in many countries can free the owner from cumbersome registration procedures.

New mobile app

The new DJI Fly app offers a simple and intuitive user interface that lets you create cinematic shots with just a few taps. It even has a “Flight Tutorial” to help the novice user get started using the Mavic Mini quickly and safely.

Easy editing and sharing

The DJI Fly app offers a variety of “Creator Templates” that create amazing videos with one tap. Even beginners with no editing experience can turn any moment into a social media hit.

Safe flight

The Mavic Mini did not get a sensor-based obstacle detection system, but the developer did not bypass safety by designing a 360° removable rotor guard (360° Propeller Guard) for the copter, which fully protects the folding propellers, thereby increasing flight safety. And thanks to the lower refined sensor system, Mavic Mini holds its position with confidence.

The 360-degree propeller guard is available in the Mavic Mini Fly More Combo and can also be purchased separately through official DJI stores.

Shooting

Mavic Mini delivers 12-megapixel aerial photos and 2.7K Quad HD video. The camera is mounted on a 3-axis motorized gimbal providing excellent camera stability and crisp, ultra-smooth video.

The quality of shooting drone Mavic Mini.

Control

Drone control is implemented exclusively through the remote control and smartphone. The tandem allows you to fly the drone in first-person mode at a distance of up to 4 km for the FCC-compliant model (MT1SS5) and 2 km for the CE-compliant model (MT1SD25). The measurements were carried out in an interference-free environment.

Flight time

The Mavic Mini’s weight allows it to stay in the air longer than comparable consumer FlyCams. A fully charged Mini battery provides up to 30 minutes of flight time. The flight duration parameter was measured at a constant speed of 14 km/h in calm conditions.

Quickshots

Shots that look like they’ve been taken by a professional cinematographer, made possible by the automatic QuickShots shooting modes. Simply select any of the four (Dronie/Rocket/Circle/Helix) QuickShot scenarios from the app menu, and the Mavic Mini will perform a programmed flight within the preset settings. A short video can be shared with friends on social networks immediately after the auto execution of the mode.

CinemaSmooth mode

Slow down the Mavic Mini’s movement speed for an extra level of precision and stability. This mode is especially useful when flying in narrow or difficult spaces.

Discover Popular Spots

The DJI Fly app provides users with integrated access to SkyPixel, a social platform for users to share their aerial photos and videos. Browse works, share your own, and even find popular aerial photography spots in your area. The Fly Spots feature is currently only available for China. All flight locations displayed by the Fly Spots feature are based on voluntarily submitted location tags from SkyPixel users. DJI never collects or shares user data without the user’s consent. Always check and follow local regulations wherever you fly.

Price

DJI Mavic Mini is available for purchase in all official stores, as well as on various online marketplaces. Depending on the configuration, the developer set the prices for the drone as follows:

1. Mavic Mini – The Everyday FlyCam – $399
2. Mavic Mini Fly More Combo – $499

Add. accessories

Conclusion

DJI Mavic Mini from $399

Functionality

9/10

Flight time

9/10

flight qualities

8/10

compactness

9/10

Equipment

10/10

Reliability

10/10

Price quality

10/10

pros

• Flight weight 249 gr
• Quality of performance and work
• Foldable design
• Positioning accuracy
• Shooting quality
• Flight time
• FPV Removal Distance
• Automatic flight and shooting modes
• Easy to use
• Price

Minuses

• Doesn’t shoot in 4K
• Doesn’t fly around obstacles
• Return to the place of takeoff is carried out with an error
• Fragile

A simple ultra portable drone that does not require registration procedures. It will be the best tool for realizing aerial photography for any user, regardless of ownership experience. Thanks to the adaptability of the device for interaction with the community, it will show itself as much as possible on vacation and while traveling. The main audience of users are beginners and amateurs of shooting in selfie format. Age limit 16+.

On November 5, 2020, DJI introduced the second version of the lightest GPS drone in the hobby – DJI Mini 2! Read more about the new product in our review.

FAQ

Drone

Q. Why does the Mavic Mini weigh 249 grams?

A. The weight of 249 grams places the Mavic Mini in the lowest and safest drone weight class, which may exempt it from certain regulations in many countries. For example, in countries such as USA, Germany, the United States, and Canada, users can fly the Mavic Mini without having to register the drone with government authorities.

Q. Why can’t I turn on Mavic Mini right after unboxing?

A. To ensure transport safety, Mavic Mini Intelligent Flight Batteries are put into sleep mode before shipping. Just connect the drone to the charger to activate the battery and start using.

Q. How to activate Mavic Mini?

A. Connect your mobile device to the remote controller and then connect it to Mavic Mini via the DJI Fly mobile app. Follow the app’s instructions to activate the drone.

Q. Does Mavic Mini come with a remote control?

Oh yeah. Mavic Mini comes with a remote control. For ease of transportation and storage, the control sticks can be dismantled and placed in the console.

Q. What color options are available for Mavic Mini?

A. Currently, light gray is the only color option for the Mavic Mini. However, a DIY Creative Kit is available that contains outline stickers and colorful markers that can be used to personalize and decorate the drone. The DIY Kit can be purchased separately through official DJI sources.

Q. How do I deploy the Mavic Mini’s arms into flight position?

A. Always unfold the front arms first, then the rear arms.

Q. Does the Mavic Mini have built-in memory to store footage?

Oh no. To store the captured photo / video material, you need a microSD memory card.

Q. What microSD cards are recommended for use with the Mavic Mini?

A. Recommended microSD cards:

• 16 GB:

  SanDisk Extreme, Lexar 633x

• 32 GB

  : SamSung Pro Endurance, SamSung Evo Plus, SanDisk Industrial, SanDisk Extreme V30 A1, SanDisk Extreme Pro V30 A1, Lexar 633x, Lexar 667x

• 64 GB:

  SamSung Pro Endurance, SamSung Evo Plus, SanDisk Extreme V30 A1, Lexar 633x, Lexar 667x, Lexar 1000x, Toshiba EXCERIA M303 V30 A1, Netac Pro V30 A1

• 128 GB:

  SamSung Pro Plus, SamSung Evo Plus, SanDisk Extreme V30 A1, SanDisk Extreme Plus V30 A1, Lexar 633x, Lexar 667x, Lexar 1000x, Toshiba EXCERIA M303 V30 A1, Netac Pro V30 A1

• 256 GB:

  SanDisk Extreme V30 A1

Q. Is Mavic Mini waterproof?

Oh no.

Q. Can Mavic Mini recognize obstacles?

Oh no. The developer recommends using the drone in tandem with the 360° Propeller Guard to fully protect the rotors and improve flight safety.

Q. Can I use the “360° Propeller Guard” and “Snap Adapter” accessories at the same time?

A. The developer does not recommend using these accessories together.

Q. What do I need to know before installing the 360° Propeller Guard?

• After installing the 360° Propeller Guard, the altitude ceiling is reduced to 1500m as there are some weight-related safety issues when flying with this accessory at high altitudes.
• To ensure flight safety, after installing the 360° Propeller Guard, the maximum speed is limited to 28.8 km/h, the flight altitude is limited to 120 meters, and the flight distance is limited to 100 meters.
• After installing the 360° Propeller Guard takeoff and hover, the drone will automatically enter payload mode within six seconds and notify the user. If the system does not detect the accessory, you can enable payload mode manually in the DJI Fly app.
• After installing the 360° Propeller Guard, the drone will weigh over 250 grams. This means that in some countries and regions you may need to obtain the appropriate license to fly with the accessory installed. Always follow local laws and regulations.

Q. What is the maximum altitude ceiling for the Mavic Mini?

O. 3000 m

Q. Does Mavic Mini support Auto Return to Home (RTH)?

Oh yeah. The developer recommends that you always pay attention to the environmental conditions before flying and set the correct altitude for this function in order to avoid collisions when performing automatic return to the takeoff point.

Q. Does the Mavic Mini support automatic flight modes and QuickShots?

Oh yeah. In the list of QuickShot modes of the DJI Fly mobile application: Dronie, Circle, Helix and Rocket. In the process of recognizing and locking the object for shooting, during the execution of one of the QuickShots modes in the application, an algorithm is launched that takes up a lot of memory on the mobile device paired with the drone. Therefore, the performance of the DJI Fly app may vary depending on the technology of the smartphone being used. It is also recommended to close any idle background applications or programs before using QuickShots.

Q. Can Mavic Mini automatically follow a subject?

Oh no.

Q. What app does the Mavic Mini work with?

A. The Mavic Mini can only be used with the DJI Fly app, which has been designed to provide users with intuitive controls that make flying easier than ever. Users can even enjoy in-app training courses to improve flight safety.

Q. Can I download full-length 2.7K videos from Mavic Mini to mobile devices?

Oh yeah.

Q. When does the Mavic Mini have height and/or distance restrictions?

1. In Beginner mode, flight altitude and distance are limited to 30 meters.
2. If the GPS signal is weak, the aircraft’s flight altitude will be limited.
3. When the aircraft is flying near a restricted flight zone or in a GEO zone with altitude restrictions.
4. Flight altitude and distance limits can be set manually in the DJI Fly app.

Gimbal and Camera

Q. What is the maximum photo and video resolution of the Mavic Mini?

A. Photo resolutions:

4:3:

4000×3000;

16:9:

4000×2250. Video Permissions:

2.7K:

2720 ​​× 1530 at 25/30 fps;

FHD:

1920 × 1080 at 25/30/50/60 fps.

Q. Can the Mavic Mini’s camera zoom?

Oh no.

Q. What axes does the gimbal stabilize the camera on?

A. The gimbal provides mechanical stabilization on three axes of tilt, roll and pan.

To avoid damage to the image stabilization system, before any activation of the drone, do not forget to remove the gimbal and camera transport protection!

Remote Control

Q. What mobile devices are supported by the remote control?

A. Smartphones with a thickness of 6.5-8.5mm and a length of no more than 160mm will easily fit into the remote control clips.

Q. Does the remote control support a USB-A type port?

Oh no. Requires a Micro USB OTG cable, available from the DJI online store.

Q. Does the Mavic Mini support single smartphone control without using the remote control?

Oh no. You can only control Mavic Mini with the remote controller.

Q. What type of interface does the Mavic Mini and remote control support?

A. Mavic Mini, Remote Controller and Two-Way Charging Hub support Micro USB interface.

Q. Does the remote control support HDMI?

Oh no.

Power point

Q. What is the maximum flight time for the Mavic Mini?

A. With a fully charged battery, the Mavic Mini provides up to 30 minutes of flight time.

Q. Do propellers need to be removed for storage and transport?

Oh no.

Q. How often do the Mavic Mini propellers need to be replaced?

A. Propellers should be checked for cracks, wear, deformation, corrosion, and loose propellers before each flight. If any of these conditions are present, the rotors must be replaced. Follow the instructions in the user manual to replace them.

Q. How can I replace Mavic Mini propellers?

A. Use the included screwdriver to replace the propellers. Follow the instructions. Remove two blades and propellers on one motor and replace them with new propellers with the same markings. Attach the marked propellers to the marked motors and the unmarked propellers to the unmarked motors. Check propellers and motors for security before each flight.

Video transmission

Q. What video transmission system does Mavic Mini use?

A. Enhanced Wi-Fi.

Q. What is the maximum video transmission resolution of the Mavic Mini?

A. 720p@30fps

Q. What is the transmission delay of the Mavic Mini?

A. 170-240 ms (depending on environmental conditions and the manufacturability of the mobile device).

What should I do if there is a significant delay in the transmission of the video stream?

• It is recommended to fly in open areas in an interference-free area.
• Close other running programs in the background of the mobile device you are using.
• Pay attention to the orientation of the antennas and make sure they are facing the aircraft while flying.

Food

Q. How can I charge Mavic Mini?

A. You can directly connect the aircraft to the charger using a micro USB cable, or use the “Two-Way Charging Hub” to charge up to three batteries in sequence.

Q. What are the features of the Two-Way Charging Hub?

A. Charger functions:

• Charges up to three batteries in a row.
• Automatically charges a connected external device when all batteries are fully charged.
• Battery level control.
• When not charging, the charger can be used as an energy storage device to charge mobile devices.

Q. How does the Two-Way Charging Hub charge and discharge the battery?

O.

Accumulator charging:

The batteries with the most charge are charged first and then sequentially according to their charge level. Any newly inserted battery will be read and the charge sequence will be reevaluated and adjusted.

Discharge:

When discharging, the battery with the lowest charge is discharged first. Any newly inserted battery will be read and the discharge sequence will be reviewed and adjusted.

Q. What is the function of the power button?

1. Short press + press and hold: turn on/off the drone.
2. Short press: view the battery level of the aircraft.
3. Press and hold for three seconds: Link with remote control.

Q. Does Mavic Mini support fast charging?

A. The drone supports Quick Charge 2.0 18W.

Q. How long does it take to charge the battery?

A. It takes 90 minutes to fully charge the battery using the Quick Charge 2.0 18W USB charger (50 minutes for a 1100mAh battery).

Q. How often should the battery be charged and discharged?

A. It is recommended to do this process every three months. It is recommended to charge the battery to approximately 60% before storage.

Q. What is the battery capacity, charging time and battery life of the Mavic Mini Remote Controller?

A. The Mavic Mini remote controller has a 2600 mAh battery. Charged with DJI 18W USB charger, charging time takes about 120 minutes. When connected to an Android device – 2 hours; When connected to an IOS device, about 6 hours.

App

Q. What should I do if the drone and battery firmware versions are incompatible?

A. Connect your Mavic Mini to the DJI Fly app. The app will then automatically check for firmware compatibility. If required, you can update them according to the instructions.

Q. What factors can cause a software update to fail?

A. Factors leading to failure:

• Low battery. Before updating, make sure that the battery level is above 50%.
• Turning off the Mavic Mini or remote controller during an update. If this happens, please restart Mavic Mini and remote controller and start the update again.
• Internet was disabled during firmware download.
• If the update error persists or the remote control is not paired with the drone, there may be firmware inconsistencies between devices. In this case, use DJI Assistant 2 for Mavic on your computer to update the aircraft and remote controller to the latest versions separately. During the update, the quadcopter will reboot several times and turn off automatically after the update is completed.

A photo

Video

DJI Mavic Mini Extreme Range Test.

DJI Mavic Mini vs Hubsan Zino vs Mi Drone 4K.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01yjIN9DtFU

Mavic Mini video from the developer.

Video instructions from the developer.

Setting and activating QuickShot modes.

How to edit and share videos using the DJI Fly mobile app.

How to use the “Smart Return To Home” feature.

Comparative test for the quality of shooting Mavic Mini vs Mavic Air vs Mavic Air 2 vs Mavic 2 Pro.

Comparative test for video quality Mavic Mini vs Mi Drone 4K.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu-74Rkg60A