DJI Unveils the Mini 2: 4K Camera and 10km Range in a Featherweight Body

DJI announced the Mini 2 today, November 5, 2020, a drone that still weighs under 249 grams, keeping it exempt from registration requirements in many countries. The new model comes with a 4K camera, 12-megapixel still photos, and a transmission range of up to 10 kilometers thanks to the OcuSync 2.0 system.

A major upgrade without crossing the exemption weight limit

The Mini 2 succeeds the original Mavic Mini, which was aimed mainly at tourists and casual photographers who didn't want to deal with drone licensing. The new model keeps the same foldable, compact design, but closes much of the gap that used to exist between it and DJI's larger, pricier models in terms of image quality and control range.

Staying under 249 grams is no minor detail. In many countries, that's the threshold below which a drone is exempt from registration with aviation authorities, making the device especially appealing to anyone who wants to fly without unnecessary bureaucracy.

A camera that jumps a full grade: from 2.7K to 4K

The most notable upgrade concerns the camera's capabilities. The previous model made do with 2.7K video and no vertical shooting option, a limitation that particularly bothered anyone filming for social media. DJI fixed that in the Mini 2.

• Video resolution: 4K (up from 2.7K in the previous model)
• Still photos: 12 megapixels
• Estimated flight time: about 31 minutes
• Maximum transmission range: 10 kilometers (a 150 percent increase over the Mavic Mini)

Better wind resistance and higher top speed

Beyond the camera and range, DJI also strengthened the drone's basic flight capabilities. Wind resistance is a critical parameter for such a lightweight drone, which tends to be more sensitive to changing weather conditions than heavier drones.

• Wind resistance: up to 38.5 km/h (up from 29 km/h in the previous model)
• Maximum speed in Sport mode: about 58 km/h
• Transmission system: OcuSync 2.0

Do the upgrades justify switching generations?

The practical question for anyone who already owns a Mavic Mini is whether the spec jump justifies an upgrade. A 2.5x increase in transmission range and the move to 4K are not cosmetic changes, but DJI has yet to publish an exact timeline for market availability or final details on local pricing, so Israeli consumers will need to wait for further details before drawing conclusions about the value proposition compared to the previous model or to competitors in the lightweight drone category.

What's already clear is that the Mini 2 keeps DJI focused on a category where it has almost no serious competitors: a drone you can take on any trip without thinking twice about weight, licensing, or carrying a separate gear bag.