Camera drone DJI Mavic Mini 2 in the test: 4K, RAW & fat range

Now the second major innovation of the Mini 2: the camera. This now records in 4K and uses a 12-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with a fixed aperture of f/2.8 and a field of view of 83 degrees. The bit rate of the recordings is a whopping 100 MBit/s (H.264 codec). For comparison, the previous model only records with a bit rate of 40 MBit/s (H.265 codec). The maximum video resolution (4K) is now 2840 × 2160 pixels at a maximum of 30 fps. Videos in 2.7K are also possible with 30 fps. With Full HD recordings, the refresh rate is up to 60 fps.

The photos of the Mini 2 no longer only end up as JPEGs on the memory card. If you want, you can finally save them in RAW format (DNG) and get a lot more out of the pictures afterwards. The resolution is again a maximum of 4000 × 3000 pixels.

The new 2-cell battery is not compatible with the Mavic Mini batteries. Instead of a Li-Ion battery, a Lipo battery with a capacity of 2250 mAh is now used. From our point of view, this has a decisive disadvantage. While the batteries of the Mavic Mini could lie fully charged in your pocket for weeks until they were needed, this is no longer possible. Since the Lipo technology is relatively vulnerable, DJI has now also implemented automatic self-discharge in the battery of the Mini 2. After about five days, the battery begins to empty to a charge level of 72 percent, the so-called storage voltage. If you want to use the drone, you should always charge it one day before the flight. This is significantly less convenient than handling with the Mavic Mini, especially for those who fly infrequently.

The battery is pushed into the drone from behind and protected by a flap. According to DJI, the maximum flight duration is 31 minutes. Under real conditions – with wind and sporty maneuvers – we achieve about 26 minutes flight time before we get the message to return to the starting point. The charge status of the battery is monitored throughout the flight and displayed on the smartphone using an app. Charging takes place directly in the Mini 2 or in the triple charger of the Fly-More combo. A USB-C cable is now used for charging directly in the drone.

The remote control feels good in the hand and, when unfolded, offers enough space for the Huawei P30 Pro with a 6.47-inch display used in the test. The two control sticks are only screwed on and can be stowed in a recess in the transmitter for transport.

The live image for monitoring on the smartphone has a resolution of 720p at 30 fps. During the test flights (at a maximum distance of around 600 meters), image transmission with a Huawei P30 Pro was smooth and very stable. Those who had range problems with the Mavic Mini will be particularly happy about this.

Here is a direct comparison of the most important data of the Mavic Mini and Mini 2:

The free DJI Fly app is used to monitor the flight. Nothing has changed here compared to the Mavic Mini and so we found our way around the test without any problems. Compared to the Mavic 2 app, there are fewer setting options overall. This is significantly less confusing for beginners and simplifies operation. Thanks to satellite navigation, the Mini 2 automatically recognizes no-fly zones around airports or prisons and does not even take off. Even if DJI prevents abuse in this way, pilots should still familiarize themselves with the drone regulation.

Those who already have flight experience with drones will feel immediately familiar with the Mini 2. The good and very direct flight characteristics are fun and comparable to other Mavic models. The drone reacts precisely and reliably to even the smallest directional input from the pilot. In addition to the normal mode (N), the Mini 2 also has a cinema mode (C) and a sport mode (S). Ultimately, the flight modes only affect the speed of the drone. This has increased slightly in direct comparison to the Mavic Mini. The top speed in sport mode is now just under 58 km/h instead of 47 km/h before. Without incoming control commands, the Mavic Mini stands rooted to the air even in windy conditions. The maximum wind speed specified by DJI at which the drone will still fly reasonably.

The automatic return when the battery is empty, the radio is lost (or at the command of the pilot) works reliably and precisely in the test. It is important to store a reasonable return height in the app. In our opinion, the standard setting of 20 m is too low and there is a risk that the Mini 2 will get stuck in a tree.

The partially automated flight maneuvers also work reliably in the tests. The following maneuvers, the so-called quick shots, are available:

• Rocket : The Mavic Mini quickly flies into the air with the camera pointing down and following its subject.
• Orbit : The Mini 2 orbits its subject at a constant height and distance.
• Dronie : The Mini 2 flies backwards and upwards at the same time while keeping the camera aligned with the subject.
• Helix : The Mini 2 flies upwards in a spiral while moving away from the subject at the same time.
• Boomerang : The Mini 2 orbits the pilot in an elliptical course.

Unfortunately, the Hyperlapse function in 4K resolution is not yet available in the pre-release version of the app. We really liked this on the Mavic Air 2, so we’ll be retesting it as soon as possible.

picture quality
To say it straight away, the weather during the first test flights was anything but ideal for photo and film recordings. Despite the poor conditions, the quality is very good. We will be uploading more material in the next few days for a better classification.

The video quality of the Mini 2 is, that much can already be said, impressive and does not have to hide from more expensive models like the Mavic Air 2. Due to the smaller image sensor, the Mini 2 is slightly at a disadvantage, especially in difficult lighting conditions. Image noise occurs more quickly here and overall the image dynamics are not quite as high. Overall, the recordings look a little less brilliant. However, this is criticism on a very high level, because the 4K videos actually look very good. If you don’t plan to use the recordings commercially, you should definitely be satisfied with the picture quality. The new 4K resolution makes it possible to zoom in losslessly up to 1080p via software.