DJI Mini 2 SE Review

The DJI Mini 2 SE is a beginner-friendly camera drone that has been making waves in the drone market. With its compact size and easy-to-use features, it has quickly become a favourite among drone enthusiasts. We are excited to explore the DJI Mini 2 SE and share our thoughts on this impressive drone.

One of the standout features of the DJI Mini 2 SE is its lightweight and compact design. Weighing in at less than 249 grams, it is incredibly portable and easy to take with you on the go. Despite its small size, it still boasts impressive features such as 2.7K video recording, 4x digital zoom, and a 31-minute flight time.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced drone pilot, the DJI Mini 2 SE has something to offer. Its intelligent modes and beginner-friendly features make it easy to fly and capture stunning footage. We look forward to delving deeper into the DJI Mini 2 SE and sharing our experiences with you.

Whats New With The DJI Mini 2 SE?

The DJI Mini 2 SE is a budget-friendly drone that is worth buying. It is a lightweight, portable drone that is perfect for beginners and hobbyists. The drone has a 1/2.3-inch CMOS camera that delivers 12MP photos and up to 2.7K videos. With the DJI Mini 2 SE, you can record beautiful moments with family and friends, or capture the full scope of natural scenery on a trip.

The DJI Mini 2 SE has a transmission range of up to 6.2 miles in FCC areas and 3.7 miles in SE, SRRC, and MIC zones. However, you won’t be able to fly as far because you will be limited by the battery life of the drone and the need to return the drone to you.

Features of DJI Mini 2 SE

The DJI Mini 2 SE has several features that make it an excellent drone for beginners and hobbyists. Some of its key features include:

• Ultralight and portable design
• 1/2.3-inch CMOS camera that delivers 12MP photos and up to 2.7K videos
• 3-axis gimbal for stable footage
• QuickShot modes for easy and creative shots
• Intelligent features such as QuickTransfer and Trimmed Download for seamless sharing and editing of your footage

Benefits of DJI Mini 2 SE

The DJI Mini 2 SE has several benefits that make it a great investment for anyone looking for a budget-friendly drone. Some of its key benefits include:

• Lightweight and portable design makes it easy to take with you on the go
• High-quality camera and 3-axis gimbal provide stable footage and excellent image quality
• Intelligent features make it easy to edit and share your footage
• Budget-friendly price point makes it accessible to beginners and hobbyists

Overall, the DJI Mini 2 SE is an excellent drone that is worth considering if you are looking for a budget-friendly option. Its lightweight and portable design, high-quality camera, and intelligent features make it an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists alike.

Obstacle Avoidance System:

The DJI Mini 2 does not have an obstacle avoidance system. This is one of the trade-offs made to keep the drone light and compact. It does, however, have a downward vision system to aid with hovering and landing. The system requires non-reflective, discernable surfaces and adequate lighting (lux > 15, Normal exposure environment of indoor fluorescent lamp) to operate effectively. The hovering range of this system is 0.5-10 m.

DJI Mini 2 SE Price and Availability

The DJI Mini 2 SE is currently available for purchase from DJI UK, DJI US, and DJI AU. The standard version, which includes the Mini 2 SE drone, the RC-N1 Remote Controller, one battery, spare propellers/screws, screwdrivers, cables, and a gimbal protector cover, is priced at £309/$339/AU$599. The DJI Mini 2 SE Fly More Combo, which includes an additional battery, a two-way charging hub, a shoulder bag, a propeller holder, and more, is priced higher at £439/$489/AU$799. Both versions are also available at select third-party retailers, such as Drone Safe Store.

DJI Mini 2 SE Compared to DJI Mini SE

The DJI Mini 2 SE offers several improvements over its predecessor. It can ascend, descend, and fly faster than the Mini SE. The maximum take off altitude has been increased to 4,000m from 3,000m, and flight time has been improved by one minute. The drone now includes the RC-N1 Remote Controller, an updated version of the original Mini SE’s remote controller. This new controller is more ergonomic with an improved button layout. The DJI Mini 2 SE also added a new global satellite system (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) and now has the capability to shoot in RAW (DNG), which wasn’t an option with the Mini SE.

Flight Performance

The DJI Mini 2 SE’s flight performance is impressive. Not only does the drone have the same flying prowess as its more expensive sibling, the Mini 2, but it also has Level 5 wind resistance (up to 10.7 m/s or 38 km/h) and ±0.1 m vertical and ±0.3 m horizontal hovering accuracy (with vision positioning). This, combined with the superb gimbal performance, ensures that the DJI Mini 2 SE stays where you left it in the air.

There are three flying modes: Normal, Sport, and Cine. You’ll need to set the drone in Sport mode to reach maximum ascend, descend and flight speeds, whereas, in Cine mode, flight speed is limited for more stable video capturing. I’d recommend using Cine mode for absolute beginners, at least until you get used to controlling the DJI Mini 2 SE.

The drone also has a few different return-to-home (RTH) modes. Smart RTH uses GPS to find its way back to the controller, while Low Battery RTH is triggered when the battery is depleted to the point that might risk the return of the DJI Mini 2 SE if not performed immediately. There is also a Failsafe RTH option that backtracks the drone’s flight path if it loses connection to the controller (up to 50 meters).

To make beginner pilots’ life easier, the drone has Auto Take off and Auto Landing functions. These can be initiated via the DJI Fly app. For landing, the drone uses its Downward Vision System to determine if it’s safe for the Mini 2 SE to descend; however, you can force land the drone by pressing the left joystick down. I don’t recommend this to beginner drone pilots, but I thought I’d mention it in case someone starts panicking that they can’t land the aircraft.

When compared to its rivals, the DJI Mini 2 SE holds its own quite well. For instance, the Potensic Atom SE, while offering more flying modes and some extra features, may not provide the same level of stability and wind resistance as the DJI Mini 2 SE. The Autel Evo Nano, on the other hand, boasts a three-way obstacle avoidance system for added in-flight safety, which the DJI Mini 2 SE lacks. However, the DJI Mini 2 SE’s user-friendly features such as Auto Take off and Landing, different return-to-home modes, and its ability to shoot photos in RAW format make it a strong contender in its price range.

Camera Performance

Despite the cheaper price, the DJI Mini 2 SE inherited many of the QuickShot modes of the Mini 2, including Helix (the drone ascends around an object in a spiral fashion), Circle (spiralling movement at a set altitude) and Boomerang (the Mini 2 SE ascends and then descends along an elongated oblong circle route). You can also shoot Sphere, Wide Angle, and 180° panoramas using the aircraft.

Interestingly, the Mini 2 SE uses the same 12 MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor as the Mini 2, the latter of which can shoot videos in 4K, whereas the Mini 2 Se can only shoot 2.7K footage up to 30 fps. Sadly, the DJI Mini 2 SE hasn’t got a True Vertical Shooting option either – as found on the DJI Mini 3 Pro – so you’ll need to crop the videos if you prefer to post vids on Instagram/TikTok.

Drone photographers will be delighted to hear that the Mini 2 SE can shoot photos in RAW, allowing you to edit your pictures in more detail using software such as Adobe Lightroom and the like. RAW capability is the main reason I recommend the DJI Mini 2 SE, not just for beginners but also avid photographers; under the correct light conditions, you can shoot pretty decent photos with the drone.

When compared to its rivals, the DJI Mini 2 SE’s camera performance is competitive. For instance, the Potensic Atom SE, while offering more flying modes and some extra features, may not provide the same level of camera performance as the DJI Mini 2 SE. The Autel Evo Nano, on the other hand, boasts a 1/2-inch camera for ravishing 4K footage and 48-megapixel stills, which the DJI Mini 2 SE lacks. However, the DJI Mini 2 SE’s ability to shoot photos in RAW format and its QuickShot modes make it a strong contender in its price range.

Final Thoughts: A Worthy Investment

The DJI Mini 2 SE is a superb drone for beginners. It offers plenty of user-friendly features, such as QuickShot video modes, Auto Take off and Landing, different return-to-home modes and more. Better still, it can also help you progress towards more professional-grade drones by allowing you to shoot photos in RAW format and fly the aircraft in different modes (slow, normal and fast).

There are a couple of small trade-offs, such as the lack of 4K video resolution and no True Vertical Shooting options, but at this price point, it’s hard to be mad at the DJI Mini 2 SE. You get what you pay for and then some. Beginner drone pilots and aerial photographers on a budget – don’t miss this!

When compared to its rivals, the DJI Mini 2 SE stands out for its balance of price, performance, and features. The Potensic Atom SE, while offering more flying modes and some extra features, may not provide the same level of camera performance as the DJI Mini 2 SE. The Autel Evo Nano, on the other hand, boasts a 1/2-inch camera for ravishing 4K footage and 48-megapixel stills, plus three-way obstacle avoidance for added in-flight safety. However, it’s significantly more expensive than the DJI Mini 2 SE.

In conclusion, the DJI Mini 2 SE is a fantastic choice for those starting their journey into drone piloting or aerial photography. It’s affordable, easy to use, and offers a range of features that are usually found in more expensive models. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the ropes or an intermediate pilot on a budget, the DJI Mini 2 SE is a worthy investment.

DJI Mini 2 SE Pros and Cons 

Pros:

1. User-friendly features: The DJI Mini 2 SE offers a range of features that make it easy for beginners to use, such as Auto Take off and Landing, different return-to-home modes, and more.
2. RAW photo shooting capability: The ability to shoot photos in RAW format allows for more detailed post-processing, which is a feature usually found in more expensive models.
3. Good flight performance: The DJI Mini 2 SE has impressive flight performance, with Level 5 wind resistance and three flying modes.
4. Affordable: Compared to other drones with similar features, the DJI Mini 2 SE is quite affordable, making it a great choice for beginners and intermediate pilots on a budget.
5. Compact and lightweight: The DJI Mini 2 SE is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around and fly without needing a Flyer ID in the UK.

Cons:

1. Lack of 4K video: Unlike some of its rivals, the DJI Mini 2 SE can only shoot up to 2.7K video at 30 frames per second.
2. No obstacle avoidance: The DJI Mini 2 SE does not have an obstacle avoidance system, which is a feature found in some other drones in its price range.
3. No True Vertical Shooting option: The DJI Mini 2 SE does not have a True Vertical Shooting option, which means you’ll need to crop the videos if you prefer to post videos on platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
4. Limited flight time: While the DJI Mini 2 SE has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes under ideal conditions, this may be limited in real-world conditions.
5. Plastic body: The body of the DJI Mini 2 SE is made of hard plastic, which may not be as durable as the materials used in some more expensive models.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum flight time of the DJI Mini 2 SE?

Answer: The DJI Mini 2 SE has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes under ideal conditions.

Does the DJI Mini 2 SE support RAW image format?

Answer: The DJI Mini 2 SE supports RAW (DNG) image format, allowing for more detailed post-processing.

Can the DJI Mini 2 SE shoot in 4K?

Answer: No, the DJI Mini 2 SE can shoot up to 2.7K video at 30 frames per second.

What is the weight of the DJI Mini 2 SE?

Answer: The DJI Mini 2 SE weighs 246 grams, including the battery, propellers, and a microSD card.

What are the different flying modes of the DJI Mini 2 SE?

Answer: The DJI Mini 2 SE has three flying modes: Normal, Sport, and Cine.

Does the DJI Mini 2 SE have obstacle avoidance?

Answer: No, the DJI Mini 2 SE does not have an obstacle avoidance system.

What is the maximum wind resistance of the DJI Mini 2 SE?

Answer: The DJI Mini 2 SE has a Level 5 wind resistance, which is up to 10.7 m/s or 38 km/h.

What is included in the DJI Mini 2 SE Fly More Combo?

Answer: The DJI Mini 2 SE Fly More Combo includes the Mini 2 SE drone, the RC-N1 Remote Controller, two batteries, a two-way charging hub, a shoulder bag, a propeller holder, and more.

How does the DJI Mini 2 SE compare to its rivals?

Answer: The DJI Mini 2 SE offers a balance of price, performance, and features that make it a strong contender in its price range. While some rivals may offer more flying modes or better camera performance, the DJI Mini 2 SE stands out for its user-friendly features and RAW image capability.

Is the DJI Mini 2 SE suitable for beginners?

Answer: Yes, the DJI Mini 2 SE is a superb drone for beginners due to its easy-to-understand controls, accessible price point, and decent camera performance. It also offers features like Auto Take Off and Landing, different return-to-home modes, and more that make it a user-friendly choice.