DJI’s palm-sized Mini 2 drone flies further and shoots 4K for $ 449

Last year’s DJI Mavic Mini might have been the smallest and lightest full-featured drone on the market, but it was also a bit compromised from the start. Today the DJI Mini 2 – don’t call it the Mavic – is addressing some of its limitations.

While the new $ 449 drone may look identical to the original, even weighing in at the same 249 grams (meaning you don’t need to register it with the FAA), it now comes with DJI’s OcuSync 2 wireless connectivity for up to 2.5 times the More stable wireless range and connectivity. The original was unusual among DJI drones for relying on relatively unstable Wi-Fi, which was definitely a deal breaker for me.

It uses the same controller as the new Mavic Air 2, although of course you won’t get the advanced obstacle avoidance and tracking of that drone because it has far fewer sensors.

Image: DJI

The Mini 2 also increases its maximum video resolution up to 4K at 30 frames per second at a 100Mbps bit rate, up from the 2.7K, 25 / 30p @ 40Mbps video it recorded before, and you can now shoot RAW photos instead. JPG only, as well as Auto Exposure Bracketing. However, you’re still looking at a fairly small 1 / 2.3-inch sensor when all is said and done, so keep your expectations in check. It also keeps shooting 1080p at up to 60fps.

DJI also says it has upgraded the Mini’s flight engines for faster acceleration and a top speed of 35.8 mph (compared to 29 mph) and cites an additional minute of battery life (31 minutes vs. 30 minutes). . It should also withstand wind gusts of 24 mph, compared to the previous 18 mph.

Image: DJI

The only downside we can see so far is a higher $ 50 starting price (and possibly the removal of portrait photography mode, as DJI didn’t mention it in the press release). You’ll pay $ 449 for the DJI Mini 2 with a controller and battery, or $ 599 for the Fly More Combo with three batteries, a charging hub, and a carrying case. You should find it for sale today, right here.

It’s worth noting that the original Mavic Mini got a useful mid-cycle software update that added manual exposure, manual white balance, and a more cinematic 24fps mode. If you can find it at a great discount now that its successor is here, it might be worth checking out.