A little over a year ago, DJI introduced the Mavic Mini. Its most notable feature was a takeoff weight that fell below the threshold of 250g (0.55 lbs). Now DJI is back with the Mini 2, which addresses the most important requests from users and still checks in at 249g. In the process, the Mavic branding has given way to a shorter name: the DJI Mini 2.

Key Features

  • 249g total weight
  • OcuSync 2.0 transmission
  • 1/2.3" CMOS image sensor
  • 24mm equivalent lens (84º FOV)
  • F2.8 aperture (fixed)
  • 12MP photo resolution
  • JPEG + RAW images
  • 4K/30p and 1080/60p video (100 Mbps bit rate)
  • Up to 4X (2X lossless) zoom
  • 31-minute flight time

Let's start by comparing the Mini 2 to its predecessor, the Mavic Mini. Though some specifications are similar, those that have changed are significant.


Mavic MiniMini 2
Takeoff weight249g249g
Flight time30 minutes31 minutes
Drone size (Folded)140x81x57 mm131x81x58 mm
Camera Sensor1/2.3-inch CMOS, 12MP1/2.3-inch CMOS, 12MP
Max. Video Resolution2.7K/30p @ 40 Mbps4K/30p @ 100 Mbps
LensF2.8, FOV 83º, 35mm equivalent at 24mmF2.8, FOV 83º, 35mm equivalent at 24mm
Photo File TypeJPEGJPEG + RAW
Video File Type.MP4.MP4
Zoom CapabilitiesNone2X @ 4K, 2X @ 2.7K, 4X @ 1080p
TransmissionWi-FiOcuSync 2.0
Maximum Distance4km10km
Image ModesTimed ShotsAEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) Triple Shot, Timed Shots

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

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.

Camera

The Mini 2 has a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor with a 12MP camera, much like the original Mini and Mavic Pro. The camera has a 24mm (equiv.) fixed-aperture F2.8 lens with an 83º FOV, and an ISO range of 100-3200. What many buyers will appreciate this time around is the ability to capture Raw images in addition to JPEG.

The camera on the Mini 2 fits into an impressively small, but effective, 3-axis gimbal.

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

A useful feature that seasoned photographers will surely make use of is Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB); the Mini 2 can take up three shots, one underexposed, one normal, and one overexposed. While DJI says the shots are automatically stitched together, I found all three appeared separately on my memory card. Either way, they can be combined in post-processing for an HDR image.

The original Mavic Mini could only capture up to 2.7K/30p footage at 40 Mbps. The Mini 2 now allows you to record in resolutions up to 4K/30p, 2.7K/30p, and 1080p/60p at 100 Mbps. You can also zoom in on subjects while recording. Both 4K and 2.7K allow up to 2X zooming, and 1080p resolution allows you to hone in on a subject up to 4X, though the quality only remains lossless at 2X zoom.


The Controls

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.

The remote for the Mini 2 follows the trend of the new Mavic Air 2, mounting a smartphone above the control sticks instead of below for improved visibility.

The front of the remote contains a 'Return to Home' button on the left-center area. This is a useful feature for beginner pilots who may not be comfortable with flying back to the home point – especially when battery life is running low. In the center is a switch that allows you to navigate between three flight modes – 'Cine,' which slows the drone down to 13 mph for cinematic-type footage, 'Normal' (22 mph), and 'Sport' which lets you fly up to 36 mph. To the right is the 'Power' button. I'm a fan of this simple layout as it gives you instant access to necessary commands.

An 'Fn' button on the top-left-hand corner activates an auxiliary light that's useful for visibility when landing in poorly lit scenarios. On the upper-right-hand side is the 'Photo/Video toggle' button that allows you to instantly switch back and forth between the two modes. A gimbal wheel on the top-left-hand corner allows you to tilt the camera up and down while the top-right-hand corner contains a shutter button for taking images or recording video clips. The joysticks can be unscrewed and stored on the bottom of the remote for easier transport.

The DJI Fly app

With the release of last year's Mavic Mini, DJI also introduced the Fly app. It's cleaner, powers the Mavic Air 2, and is more streamlined than DJI's GO 4 app – which is compatible with more advanced drones including the Phantom 4 and Mavic 2 series. A top progress line allows you to view how much battery life is left on the drone, and the control panel can be accessed in the upper-right-hand corner.

The DJI Fly app is more streamlined than the DJI GO 4 app used with DJI's more advanced drones, and offers a good balance of simplicity and control for beginners.

On the left-hand side, above the shutter button, is a rectangular photo icon. This pulls out a menu that serves as access to all the features you need to capture imagery. Starting from the inside, a menu displaying the options of Photo, Video, QuickShot, and Pano appears. From there, you can customize your settings for each mode.

On the photo end, you can select regular, AEB, and Timed Shots. Video pulls out to a menu that allows you to select resolution and frames-per-second. When you start recording, a zoom button displaying either '2X' or '4X' depending on the resolution appears next to the Shutter button on the right-hand side. You can also slide it up and down for smoother zooming. It's easy to use even while recording.