The Mini 2 is still a very sensible option. We once speculated that it might gain more use, but with the arrival of the Mini 3 Pro it’s clear extra features will come at a higher price (if not a higher weight).

The drone also sports a hue-changing light for, er… well, it’s fun to change the color using the remote. Photographers have been rewarded with Raw, Exposure Bracketing (though only 3 stops), and DJI’s spectacular automated panorama features, while video enthusiasts finally have 4K under 250g (and a shiny logo near the lens to prove it), topped off with digital zoom (useful to have, not essential to use).

Together with more powerful motors and improved software this drone can handle Force 5 (not too bad for such a light craft).

The Mini 2 has essentially the same fantastic OcuSync controller from the Mavic Air 2 and later, with automatic frequency hopping. Principally these were: the radio range, the response to cross wind, and an assortment of camera features. Well, the ones who usually flew much more expensive drones mentioned, anyway. The Mini 2 is a reimaging of the DJI Mavic Mini (opens in new tab) (see below) it takes a well-engineered ultra-light airframe (the weight is non-negotiable) and addresses the areas which drone geeks complained about. See our full DJI Mini 3 Pro review (opens in new tab) We’re also huge fans of the new DJI RC which launched with this drone it is a relatively light controller (just 5g heavier than the standard remote) but with a built in 5.5” display. The camera isn’t at all bad, either, with a sensor nearly 0.8-inches across the diagonal and dual native ISO which produces excellent low-light video, at least at frame rates up to 30fps.Ĭreatives are blessed with a device which can be taken most places and operated without a license in FAA territory, yet can capture 48MP stills or 4K 60fps, shoot in D-Log, and has a full selection of DJI’s intelligent flight features including obstacle avoidance which doesn’t need to stop. Sure, the sensor isn’t as big, but in exchange the camera can be rotated to portrait and – crucially – the drone (with standard battery) is 249g. It manages to offer the same or better specification in nearly every practical category. The 2022 arrival of the Mini 3 Pro made us re-think the Air 2S’s former position at the top of this list.

The cine bay