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As you'd expect with such a small sensor, this isn't a drone for shooting in gloomy conditions. The Mini 2's video struggles when the sun drops, though its photos bear up a bit better. Its propensity to underexpose slightly also compounds middling performance in dimly lit scenes. In turn, we’d recommend keeping flights to bright and beautiful days when possible. Flight time is measured in a controlled test environment. Specific test conditions are as follows: flying forward at a constant speed of 17 kph in a windless laboratory environment, in photo mode (without photo-taking operation during flight), and from 100% battery level until 0%. 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). The DJI Fly app is a well-balanced combination of simple to use, but powerful enough to offer depth to more experienced fliers. Piloting the drone is very familiar if you’ve ever flown another DJI aircraft, or indeed any drone with altitude-hold and GPS (some toys have these features). These technologies are designed to make life easier for photographers and enthusiasts, and they work, especially in combination with the choice of Cine, Normal or Sport flight modes. Outside Cine mode you should exercise care though; the drone is responsive but still needs some room to counter its own momentum. It should also be kept in its case in anything beyond a 24mph (force 5) breeze – a definite improvement, but the low weight still has its limits. 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
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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 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.
Sliding the battery in and out is a little fiddly, thanks to the sprung plastic clip, but better that than having it lose connection mid-air. The new 2,250mAh battery weighs less, just 86.2g, though it’s very frustrating if you were considering upgrading and had a supply of spare Mavic Mini batteries. EU rules about ‘all-up’ weight no doubt benefit, and the newer batteries can accept more charge so this is progress for all but upgraders. The app is also where you can tap into the front LED’s RGB spectrum, giving the DJI Mini 2 a gaming laptop vibe. Handy when flying with multiple drones, it makes identifying yours a doddle, and you can switch out the RGB mode across breathing, rainbow, and solid too. Steady flight, a strong 720p video stream to your phone via DJI's O2 protocol, and excellent wind resistance contribute to a largely safe flight experience, though we do have one reservation. The Mini 2 SE omits obstacle detection sensors, so you need to take care when flying it low to the ground.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. 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.
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