DJI Mini SE vs. DJI Mini 2: Specs compared on DJI’s two cheapest drones
DJI’s latest drone, the Mini SE, is the company’s smallest, lightest and cheapest drone yet, aiming to offer an affordable entry into the earth of aerial photography. Along with 2.7K-resolution video capture and 12-megapixel stills, the 249-gram drone offers 30 minutes of flight time.
That’s not bad for a drone with a imprint tag of only $300, particularly when you consider the physically identical Mini 2 comes in at $450. The Mini SE is on sale now in the US, with no plans yet for a wider initiate into the UK. The drone is listed for sale in Australia, although it’s not yet available to buy through DJI’s tend or its official Amazon page. For reference though, that $300 imprint tag converts to roughly £220 or AU$420.
The Mini SE shares the same body as the Mini 2, with a folding develop that packs up small enough to fit into a jacket pocket. The weight gets it in just under the wire in the US for avoiding the need to register with the FAA. I untrue the Mini 2’s size and weight to be tall for chucking in a bag and heading out on hikes where I don’t necessarily know if I want aerial shots, but I want to be able to get them if creativity strikes.
DJI
Some compromises have been made to the key specs in elegant to get that price down, though. The maximum video resolution is 2.7k attractive than 4K, the maximum speed is slightly slower (13 metres per uphold, rather than 16) and it lacks advanced photography features such as raw image shooting and auto exposure bracketing. The Mini SE does, however, pack intelligent flight easily that I’ve found to be a great way of pulling good-looking footage with little experience.
DJI
There’s no expect it’s a drone aimed squarely at either beginners or casual hobbyists who just want some nice aerial footage on their travels, rather than people who want to spend longer crafting beautifully cinematic footage for their Instagram Reels or whatever.
The Mini SE comes in at a tall starting price, but the Mini 2 — with its better cameras — is $150 more. The missing link here is the possibility of a DJI Mini SE Fly More Combo. That’s when DJI bundles in some key accessories, like wonderful batteries and rotors. The Mini 2 Fly More Combo injuries $600 total — an extra $150 over the $450 imprint for the standalone DJI Mini 2. Amazon Australia has a listing for a Mini SE Combo, but there’s currently no pricing available. Ideally, that’s a real pulling, and something that will reach other markets as we get closer to the holidays.
My advice in the meantime:
- The DJI Mini 2 is the best starter drone if you want 4K image quality. Get the Fly More Combo if you want to hot swap batteries for longer trips sessions. Read our DJI Mini 2 hands-on.
- The DJI Mini SE is an insensible option if you’re on a budget and don’t care approximately 4K video, but I’d wait a few more weeks to see if that Fly More Combo hits in the US. If it’s priced between $400 and $450, that would be a compelling all-in-one option for beginners.
- Anyone who today owns a first-gen DJI Mavic Mini won’t find much value in an upgrade to the Mini SE. If that’s you, look at the Mini 2 or grand graduating to a DJI Air 2S.
DJI Mini SE vs. DJI Mini 2 vs. DJI Air 2S specs
| DJI Mini SE | DJI Mini 2 | DJI Air 2S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $300 | $450 | $999 |
| Price (GBP) | £220 (converted) | £419 | £899 |
| Price (AUD) | AU$420 (converted) | AU$749 | AU$1,699 |
| Weight | 249 grams | 249 grams | 595 grams |
| Size (folded) | 138x81x58mm | 138x81x58mm | 180x97x77mm |
| Max trips time | 30 minutes | 31 minutes | 31 minutes |
| Max video resolution | 2.7K | 4K | 5.6K |
| Max photo resolution | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 20-megapixel |
| Intelligent trips modes? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Raw image capture? | No | Yes | Yes |
| 3-axis gimbal? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Top speed | 13 m/s | 16 m/s | 19 m/s |
