There are two other significant upgrades to the latest Mini beyond the camera: upgraded motors and the addition of DJI's OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology. Unedited footage can look a bit flat and underexposed in overcast scenes; it’s clear DJI processes footage cautiously and with video editors in mind. The clarity is respectable. Digital zooming is limited to about 2x if you’re shooting in 4K, though you can get usable 3x zoom footage at 1080p. As soon as the light drops, though, so too does the Mini 2’s usable zoom range, and indeed usable footage.

Apart from its larger size compared to the controller that came with the Mavic Mini, the Mini 2’s controller communicates with the drone using DJI’s Occusync 2.0 transmission technology, rather than Wi-Fi. This more than doubles the maximum effective range of the Mini 2 from 2.4 miles to 6.1 miles. Given that you should always keep your drone in sight, this range is more theoretical than anything. DJI Mini 2: Photo and video quality

Raw images are a bit flatter, color-wise, and retain more data. They're what you'll want to use if you want to fine-tune the look of your images, but it does mean you'll need to take some time to edit them before sharing. As happy as I am to see Raw added for serious photographers, it would be nice to include more tools those who want to add some artistic flair to their aerials when capturing ready-to-share JPGs. To recap, both the Mavic Mini and Mini 2 feature 12MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensors with a maximum resolution of 4000 x 3000 (or 16:9, 4000 x ×2250).

For those not familiar with the Mavic Mini and looking at a Mini 2 for the first time, you'll be impressed with the 3-axis gimbal DJI managed to place on such a tiny machine that easily fits in the palm of your hand. The footage captured is typically smooth and stable. DJI also claims this particular drone can withstand wind speeds up to 24mph, thanks in part to upgraded motors. For those looking at a miniature drone for the first time, you'll be impressed with the 3-axis gimbal The Mini 2’s 83-degree (24mm equivalent) field of view means the drone’s framing isn’t dissimilar to that of a human eye, if slightly wider. Meanwhile, the f/2.8 aperture fixed-focus lens is wide open, but still narrow enough to keep skies from blowing out too easily. Not much has changed when it comes to the overall design of the Mini 2. Its body is compact, its propellers need to be screwed in, the legs are foldable, the battery and MicroSD slots are located in the rear, and the vision positioning sensors are placed on the bottom of the aircraft. If not for the '4K' lettering imprinted on the camera and a 'Mini 2' logo on the top left-hand arm of the vehicle, it would be difficult to tell them apart. Registering the Mini 2 with the FAA, or other regulatory agencies with a similar 250g cut-off isn't required The DJI Fly app is a well-balanced combination of simple to use, but powerful enough to offer depth to more experienced fliers. The drone’s battery isn’t the only cell worth talking about. The Mini 2’s 5,200mAh controller battery is huge, lasts for ages and takes a couple of hours to power up. It also charges your phone while connected.Tested with a production model DJI Mini 2 SE in a controlled environment. Actual experience may vary depending on the environment, usage, and firmware version. Given the aircraft without battery weights about 150g (5.29oz) it feels very sturdy –the sprung folding of the arms definitely isn’t going to come loose. The improved global positioning (GPS/GLONASS/Galileo), altitude sensor and the three downward-facing distance and optical sensors mean the drone has nearly-flawless perception of its positioning and can hover as well as much more expensive alternatives. I was impressed with the original Mavic Mini and am even more delighted with the upgrades that the Mini 2 boasts. The updated motors really make all the difference as far as general noise and acceleration are concerned. Lately, it's been windy where I live, and the drone handled gusts quite well, delivering smooth footage and crisp images. The step up to 4K is unarguably welcome. Whether creators need 4K is hardly the point anymore –it’s a standard feature on a mid-range phone. It also means the system is now capturing 100Mbps, which is good to know (though between that and Raw you might want a slightly bigger MicroSD card).

For stills, the Mini 2 SE supports JPG and Raw DNG capture with 8MP (16:9) or 12MP (4:3) output. The JPG color profile matches the standard look, while DNG pictures save more data so you can edit them to your heart's content in software like Adobe Lightroom Classic or a different Raw converter. Overall, picture quality is in line with mid-range smartphones; we again point to the Mini 3 or Mini 3 Pro as a step-up option for more demanding creators, as their larger Type-1/1.3 Quad Bayer cameras are more in line with those on premium compact cameras and flagship smartphones. Like most consumer drones, a smartphone is a must-have for the Mini 2 SE. The drone includes a remote, the DJI RC-N1, as part of its basic bundle, but it's not the type with a built-in screen and app; the fancier DJI-RC doesn't work with the Mini 2 SE. Therefore, you need to load the free DJI Fly app on your phone (available for Android and iOS) to complete the setup and ultimately fly the drone.Also worth noting: the Mini 2's 249g weight doesn't exempt anyone from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) rules and regulations for operating unmanned aircraft. It just means registering a Mavic Mini with the FAA, or regulatory agencies in other countries with a similar 250g cut-off, isn't required. DJI decided it was time to do away with the remote from the first Mavic Mini. Replacing it is a remote that replicates the design and functionality of the controller on the Mavic Air 2. This upgrade makes sense for a lot of reasons; it's easier to hold and despite the fact that I still find it challenging at times to clamp my smartphone in, its placement above rather than beneath the remote makes viewing the display screen way more convenient.

DJI upgraded the motors in the Mini 2, so in addition to getting an additional minute of flight time (up to 31 minutes), it can also be flown in winds up to 24 mph, a boost from the 17.9 mph limit of the older model. Vision positioning requires non-reflective, discernable surfaces, and adequate lighting. Available at altitudes from 0.5-30 m. The vertical and horizontal positioning accuracy is within ±0.1 m. The Mini 2 proved just as nimble, stable, and easy to fly as every other drone from DJI that I’ve flown. The Mini 2 took off and hovered in the air, remaining as motionless as if it were still on the ground. Although it isn't immediately obvious to the eye the Motors have been given an increase in power compared to the predecessor. the software is also able to identify a crosswind and help maintain a hover in wind up to 24mph (force five). All of this, together with the new controller, makes you feel close to big-drone confident flying the Mini 2. With expanded options to fire up a histogram, overexposure warnings, and gridlines, not to mention switching out the refresh rate across 50hz and 60hz, it’s commendable just how well DJI’s balanced the pro features with a simple UI at the heart.Unobstructed, free of interference, and when FCC-compliant. Maximum flight range specification is a proxy for radio link strength and resilience. It only refers to the maximum, one-way flight distance without considering Return to Home. Always follow local rules and regulations and fly your drone within your visual line of sight unless otherwise permitted.