Source: theverge.com
A little over a year ago, DJI introduced the first-generation Mavic Mini drone. It weighed less than 250 grams, so it did not need to be registered in the US, USA, or other countries with similar restrictions. In the new Mini 2, the Chinese company has corrected the main flaws of the first model, while maintaining a weight of 249 grams. Should current Mini users buy the new product? What about newbies? Let’s try to figure it out together.
What’s new
The Mavic brand disappeared from the name, and now the miniature quadcopter is simply called the DJI Mini 2. The first generation Mini was packed to capacity with various functions and was very easy to control. Together with him, the company presented the DJI Fly application with a somewhat truncated (compared to DJI GO4), but at the same time convenient and intuitive interface. At the same time, the drone had a number of drawbacks, including a not very reliable connection and photography exclusively in JPEG.
The Mini 2 fixes these issues and adds a host of new features that will delight pilots of all skill levels. The drone has become a little more expensive, but at the same time it has received an improved camera that allows you to shoot video in 4K / 30p and shoot RAW + JPEG photos. Importantly, Mini 2 uses a more reliable proprietary data transfer system OcuSync 2.0 instead of Wi-Fi.
Characteristics
Let’s start by comparing the main characteristics of the two generations. Although much has remained unchanged, the Mini 2 is superior to the old model in a number of ways.
table { border-collapse: collapse; }
| Mavic Mini | Mini 2 | |
| The weight | 249 g | |
| Flight time | 30 minutes | 31 minutes |
| Dimensions (folded) | 140x81x57 mm | 131x81x58 mm |
| Matrix | 1/2.3″ 12MP CMOS | |
| Maximum Resolution | 2.7K/30p at 40Mbps | 4K/30p at 100Mbps |
| Lens | f/2.8, FOV 83º, 24mm equiv. | |
| Photo Format | JPEG | JPEG+RAW |
| Video Format | .MP4 | |
| Zoom | Not | 2x 4K, 2x 2.7K, 4x 1080p |
| Return home | Yes | Yes |
| Communication technology | WiFi | OcuSync 2.0 |
| Maximum distance | 4 km | 10 km |
| Shooting modes | Timed Shots (timelapse) | AEB Triple Shot (photo with increased dynamic range), Timed Shots (time lapse)
|
Of the notable external innovations – only the inscriptions “Mini 2” and “4K” on the camera. Source: DJI/techradar.com
Design
Very little has changed in the design of the Mini 2. The body of the quadcopter is still very compact, the propellers screw on and off and the legs fold down. The battery and microSD card slots are located at the back, while the position sensors remain at the bottom of the case. All in all, without the Mini 2 logo and “4K” branding on the new camera, the two generations are almost impossible to tell apart.
As in the previous generation, the drone lacks obstacle avoidance sensors – this feature appears in older models of the DJI lineup, starting with the Mavic Air.
Camera
The Mini 2’s camera is equipped with a 12-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, similar to the first Mini and Mavic Pro. However, despite the similar matrix, the novelty offers a more advanced photo and video. Above is 24mm equiv. f/2.8 fixed aperture lens with 83º field of view. The ISO range of the device is 100-3200. Many aerial photographers will appreciate the ability to shoot in RAW format in addition to JPEG, which allows more flexibility in editing the resulting shots and “pulling out” details in dark and highlight areas.
The camera in Mini 2 remains the same compact, but the quality of shooting has improved significantly. Source: DJI/techradar.com
Users unfamiliar with the first Mavic Mini will be impressed with how the Chinese company managed to fit a 3-axis mechanical gimbal onto such a tiny quadcopter (the drone fits easily in the palm of your hand).
Not many drones of this size can boast a mechanical gimbal, which significantly improves the quality of shooting. As before, the gimbal allows you to get a very smooth and stable picture. However, the stability of the picture is also affected by the overall stability of the drone. And then there was an improvement: according to DJI, thanks to the updated motors, the second Mini can withstand wind speeds up to 11 m / s.
Experienced photographers will appreciate the new AEB Triple Shot shooting mode: the drone takes three shots in a row at different exposures, from which you can get one photo with a wide dynamic range.
While the first Mavic Mini was limited to video quality up to 2.7K/30p at 40Mbps, the Mini 2 allows you to shoot up to 4K/30p, 2.7K/30p and 1080p/60p at 100Mbps. With. In addition, you can now zoom video while shooting: 2x in 4K and 2.7K, 4x in 1080p. However, only 2x zoom is available without loss of quality.
Control
DJI decided to completely change the remote control. The new device replicates the design and functionality of the controller from Mavic Air 2. The upgrade is justified for several reasons: the new remote feels better in the hand, and it’s easier to look at the smartphone’s screen because it is now above the remote instead of below it.
The drone has got a new remote control. Source: www.pcmag.com
A Return to Home button has appeared on the remote so that the drone can automatically return to home – this is especially convenient for novice pilots. In the center there is a flight mode switch – a mode for video shooting (speed up to 21 km / h), normal (up to 35 km / h) and sports (up to 58 km / h). On the right is the power button. In general, this is a very simple and convenient layout with instant access to the necessary functions.
The Fn button in the upper left corner turns on the additional light, which is useful when landing in poorly lit areas. In the upper right corner there is a button to switch between photo and video modes. The gimbal wheel lets you tilt the camera up and down, while the top right corner houses the shutter button for taking photos and recording videos. Joysticks can be unscrewed and stored in a special compartment at the bottom of the console.
DJI Fly App
The Fly app for Mini 2 and Mavic Air 2 has a simpler interface than the GO 4 app for more advanced models like the Mavic Pro series, Inspire and more.
DJI Fly app interface. Source: Kara Murphy/dpreview.com
On the top right side of the screen, you can see the battery life. There is also a button to access the control panel. Above the large, round shutter button, there is a shooting options icon that lets you select different modes – photo, video, panorama, and QuickShot.
Shooting modes
In photo mode, you can choose between standard shooting, AEB Triple Shot, which we talked about above, and Timed Shots for shooting time-lapses. In the menu item dedicated to video, you can select the resolution and frame rate.
Mini 2 received five different QuickShot modes versus four in the first model. The new mode – Boomerang – is when the drone flies away from the object and returns back along an ellipsoidal trajectory. Unlike more advanced models like the Mavic 2 Pro, there are no “smart” flight modes like points of interest and ActiveTrack tracking.
But there are three panorama modes: Sphere, in which the drone takes 26 shots, creating a picture in the style of a “little planet”, “180º” – seven shots in landscape orientation, and Wide – a classic 3×3 panorama of nine shots. There is no vertical panorama unlike the Mavic Air 2.
Other updates
In addition to the improvements already mentioned, the latest Mini has two more important updates: improved motors and DJI OcuSync 2.0 technology.
As for the motors, according to colleagues from the resource dpreview.com, who have already been able to fly the new quadcopter, the Mini 2 is much quieter. Professional drone pilot Cara Murphy reports that the new motors make the drone accelerate significantly faster both during takeoff and during flight, especially in windy conditions.
Drone got new motors. Source: DJI/theverge.com
One of the problems for which the first generation Mini was criticized was the unreliable communication with the remote control. This is not surprising, because the drone used Wi-Fi for communication and data transmission, the stability and range of which leaves much to be desired. The new proprietary OcuSync 2.0 system, which was borrowed from older models, operates at two frequencies and automatically switches channels to prevent signal interference between the remote control and the drone. According to DJI, the connection range is now 10 km. In any case, you must always keep the drone within sight, regardless of the maximum capabilities of the device.
Results
Pros of Mini 2:
- 4K zoom camera.
- RAW photo.
- Data transfer via OccuSync 2.0.
- Quieter motors.
Minuses:
- Lack of obstacle avoidance sensors.
- Lack of .MOV format.
Among the accessories for the new quadcopter are propeller guards, a charging hub and a compact bag. Source: DJI/theverge.com
DJI has taken a great drone for beginners as a basis and, having listened to the wishes of users, has made a number of significant improvements. Overall, the Mini 2 looks like a versatile compact drone that comes with a lot of advanced features. In terms of feature set and shooting quality in the mini-drones category, the DJI Mini 2 has essentially no competitors.
If you have an old Mavic Mini, then buying a new version looks like a worthwhile move given the improvements in all key parameters – image quality, flight performance and connectivity.
If you’re just about to get your first drone and you’re choosing between the first and second generation, in our opinion, the $100 surcharge (the novelty’s starting price is $499, while the first Mini was $399 at launch) for the new Mavic 2 looks completely justified.
* when preparing the article, materials from the resource dpreview.com were used (Kara Murphy).