- DJI has released the Mini 2, a successor to its Mavic Mini drone.
- The new model has 4K video and more than twice the range of the Mavic Mini.
- It’s now available at a higher price of $ 449.
The Mavic Mini was one of the best (and most important) drones of 2019 thanks to its combination of high quality video recording and competitive pricing, so it should come as no surprise that there’s already a sequel to come. DJI has introduced a Mini 2 drone that fixes the relatively few shortcomings of its predecessor, albeit a paid one.
The most noticeable upgrade concerns the camera. DJI’s Mini 2 eventually records 4K at 100Mbps (albeit at 30fps) instead of the 2.7K and 40Mbps of its predecessor, making it a much better choice for your airborne video projects. You can take 12MP RAW still images in addition to JPEG images. By recording 1080 video, you can activate a 4x zoom mode that allows you to get closer to a subject without flying the drone. The entire film material remains stabilized by a three-axis gimbal.
DJI has significantly improved the performance of its latest mini drone. The Mini 2 offers more reliable OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology, which is reported to offer a range of 6.2 miles, which is a 150% increase over the Mavic Mini’s 2.5 miles. You still need to keep those long-haul excursions short, but the Mini 2 offers a top flight time of 31 minutes. DJI has promised improved motors with higher speed, higher acceleration and the ability to counter wind speeds up to 24 MPH.
It should also be easier to share your footage. The Mini 2 can now be connected directly to the DJI Fly mobile app without a remote control, so downloading, editing and sharing your photos and videos should be faster.
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Like previous mini DJI drones, the new model is aimed in part at newbies and others who’d rather not do the hard work. Simplified controls get you started, while preprogrammed QuickShot modes like Dronies (subject tracking shots) and Rocket (flying straight up and down) take the guesswork out of convincing videos. You can take spherical and conventional panoramas, while photographers can use automatic bracketing and timed exposures.
The improvements come at a cost. DJI currently sells the basic Mini 2 kit with a controller and battery for $ 449, or about $ 50 more than the Mavic Mini predecessor when new. When you pay $ 599, you get a Fly More Combo with three batteries, a charging node, and a carrying case. This is not a trivial issue, especially if you are new to drones, but DJI is clearly betting that it will seem like a bargain if you’ve previously had to look for more expensive drones like the Mavic Air 2 if you’re into 4K video or a want greater reach.
To learn more about the DJI Mini 2 and other great drones, be sure to visit our partner site: Drone Rush.