The consumer drone market has seen rapid innovation over the past several years. With so many capable models available from leading brands like DJI, it can get confusing trying to determine which is the right pick for your needs and budget. Two popular ultralight options that illustrate this dilemma are the Mavic Mini and the newer DJI Mini 2. At first glance, these portable drones share a lot in common – including the compact form factor, beginner-friendly controls, and sub-250g takeoff weight that removes the need to register with aviation agencies like the FAA. But look closer, and you‘ll notice key areas where the Mini 2 pulls ahead as an upgrade over the venerable Mavic Mini.
In this in-depth comparison guide, we‘ll uncover the meaningful differences between these two quads to help you decide if forkng over extra cash for the Mini 2 is worthwhile. Here‘s what prospective buyers need to know.
DJI Mini 2 vs. Mavic Mini: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Spec | Mavic Mini | DJI Mini 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/2.3" CMOS, 12 MP | 1/2.3" CMOS, 12 MP |
| Max Video Resolution | 2.7K (24/25/30 fps) | 4K (24/25/30 fps) |
| Max Video Bitrate | 40 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Lens | f/2.8, FOV 83° | f/2.8, FOV 83° |
| Digital Zoom | None | 2X Lossless (4K), 4X Lossless (1080p) |
| Sensors | Downward | Downward |
| Flight Modes | Standard, Cine, Sport | Standard, Cine, Sport |
| Internal Storage | None | MicroSD Support |
| Weight | 249 g (8.8 oz) | 242 g (8.5 oz) |
| Dimensions (Folded) | 140 x 82 x 57 mm | 138 x 81 x 58 mm |
| Stabilization | 3-Axis Mechanical | 3-Axis Mechanical |
| Photo Format | JPEG | JPEG & DNG (RAW) |
| Video Format | MP4 (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC) | MP4 (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC) |
| Max Image Size | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max Flight Time | 30 minutes | 31 minutes |
| Top Speed | 13 m/s (Sport Mode) | 16 m/s (Sport Mode) |
| GPS | GPS/GLONASS | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo |
| Transmission Range | 2 km FCC, 4 km CE | 6 km FCC, 2 km Lightbridge Mode FCC |
| Battery | 2400 mAh | 5200 mAh |
What the Specs Mean in the Real World
On paper, you can clearly see upgrades like 4K video, longer flight times, and Galieo satellite support. But what do these improvements actually look like out in the field when you‘re flying either drone? Here‘s an in-depth look at the key benefits of DJI Mini 2 over the Mavic Mini.
4K/100Mbps Video Quality
While the 12 MP, 1/2.3" CMOS sensors remain unchanged between models, the Mini 2‘s image processing and superior 100 Mbps bitrate means you can capture incredibly detailed footage at up to 3840 x 2160 4K resolution with rich color depth and minimal compression artifacting. Paired with full zoom capabilities, it‘s like having an interchangeable lens camera in the air. The older Mavic Mini peaks out at 2.7K, which is decent – but you‘ll definitely notice the extra sharpness and clarity jumping to 4K on the Mini 2 provides if viewing content on a UHD screen. Slow motion options are also improved up to 1080p120 or 4x slo-mo in post from the 100fps mode.
OcuSync 2.0 Transmission
Rather than Wi-Fi based communication of past entry-level drones, DJI equipped the Mini 2 with their robust, long range OcuSync 2.0 system. This allows for a FCC max of 6 km line of sight control (10km FCC max advertised with ideal conditions), keeping smooth low-latency 720p feeds even if the craft is far away or there‘s interference. By comparison. the Mavic Mini‘s Enhanced Wi-Fi allowed only 2 km under FCC regs. Fly confidently in more environments knowing connection drops are less likely.
31 Mins Max Flight Time
Thanks to intelligent energy efficiency optimization and a beefy 5200 mAh li-ion battery (up from 2400 mAh), the Mini 2 can remain airborne for up to 31 minutes on a full charge. That‘s around 25% longer than the Mavic Mini‘s 30 minute rating. More flight time means capturing more footage and less time spent swapping batteries. Combined with the faster top speed of 57.6 km/h in Sport mode, you have more flexibility in the types of sweeping video sequences and creative shots you can achieve.
Enhanced Motors & Resistance
The upgraded brushless motors make the Mini 2 punchier on ascents, quicker to accelerate, and more resistant when flying in adverse windy conditions. DJI quotes wind resistance up to 38 kph, handily beating the Mavic Mini‘s 29 kph rating. Strong gusts that previously may have overpowered and flipped older Mini‘s can be fought against. This added stability lets you fly with confidence in tougher environments.
RAW & Low Light Photos
A neat bonus over the JPEG-only Mavic Mini is the DJI Mini 2‘s ability to capture images in RAW DNG format. This allows far greater creative flexibility adjusting dynamic range, colors, and fine details in advanced editing suites like Lightroom or Photoshop. Low light sensitivity is also improved through both auto and manual settings – you can comfortably shoot sharp stills even in fading light. HDR modes provide extra highlight and shadow detail or bracketed exposure options.
Other Changes
While mostly subtle, other upgrades like the redesigned body with smoother contours, triggers with better tactile feedback, and modern USB-C charging all combine to make the Mini 2 feel more polished as an overall package compared to earlier Mavics. And being slightly lighter by 7 grams while having a larger battery is also impressive engineering by DJI.
Is the DJI Mini 2 Worth the Upgrade?
For casual users that purchased the original Mavic Mini as an affordable way to dip into aerial photography and videography with no hassles, the existing feature set likely remains perfectly adequate if used mainly for stuff like social media. But more advanced fliers hungry for pro-level 4K footage, lossless zoom, and extra flight endurance get a lot of bang for buck spending a bit more on the Mini 2.
And at $449 for the base version ($599 bundled with essential accessories), the Mini 2 still compares very favorably to other drones in its payload class while boasting DJI‘s industry-leading build, camera, and flight performance. Considering that separately buying a GoPro HERO9 and accessories needed to achieve similar video quality would cost over $700 total, the Mini 2‘s all-in package continues offering outstanding overall value even as an upgrade over its predecessor.
Reasons to Pick the DJI Mini 2 Over the Mavic Mini
- 100 Mbps high bit-rate 4K/30 fps video perfect for post-production
- 5.8 GHz DJI OcuSync 2.0 transmission for long range, stability
- Up to 31 minutes flight times on a single charge
- 2 km+ FCC transmission range – over 3x farther than WiFi
- More intelligent shooting modes like 180° panoramas
- DNG RAW support for greatly increased photo editing flexibility
- Extra resistance in high wind speeds up to 10.5 m/s (38 kph)
- Slightly lighter (8.5 oz. vs 8.8 oz.) with a bigger capacity battery
- 10-bit color depth for over 1 billion hues vs. Mavic‘s 16.8 million
- 60 fps slow-mo full HD vs. 30 fps allows more detail in action scenes
- Improved low light sensitivity for clearer night time still photography
- USB-C charging/data transfer standard vs. Micro USB
Final Thoughts
In engineering the Mini 2 as an evolution of 2019‘s Mavic Mini, DJI concentrated on improving the camera optics, video processing, flight characteristics and intelligent shooting modes. The result offers a noticeably better user experience not just on spec sheets but out in the field capturing stunning aerial views. Stepping up to 4K opens artistic possibilities the older 2.7K model simply can‘t match. And O3 transmission paired with longer 31 minute sorties gives you the flexibility to film from vantage points farther away for longer periods smoothly. While the original fused innovation with affordability to create the ultralight category, DJI‘s Mini 2 moves the bar higher across the board as one of the best performing drones under 250 grams. Either option makes accessing aerial photography simple and fun – but those wanting next-level image quality should strongly consider making DJI‘s latest palm-sized powerhouse their go-to flying camera.
