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DJI Mini 2 SE

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Specifications

• Takeoff Weight: 246 g
• Dimensions:
• Folded (without propellers): 138×81×58 mm (L×W×H)
• Unfolded (with propellers): 245×289×56 mm (L×W×H)
• Max Flight Distance: 15.7 km
• Max Ascent Speed: 5 m/s
• Max Descent Speed: 3.5 m/s
• Max Horizontal Speed (at sea level, no wind): 16 m/s
• Max Takeoff Altitude: 4000 m - 2000 m when taking off with propeller guards.
• Max Flight Time: 31 minutes
• Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)
• Max Tilt Angle: 40°
• Operating Temperature: 0° to 40° C (32° to 104° F)
• Global Navigation Satellite System: GPS + GLONASS + Galileo
• Camera:
• Image Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 12 MP
• Lens: FOV: 83°
• Format Equivalent: 24 mm
• Aperture: f/2.8
• Focus: 1 m to ∞
• ISO Range
• Video: 100-3200
• Photo: 100-3200
• Shutter Speed: Electronic Shutter: 4-1/8000 s
• Max Image Size: 4000×3000
• Video resolution
• 2.7K: 2720×1530@24/25/30 fps
• FHD: 1920×1080@24/25/30/48/50/60 fps
• Video Format: MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)
• Max Video Bitrate : 40 Mbps
• Supported File System : FAT32 (≤ 32 GB) & exFAT (> 32 GB)
• Digital Zoom: 2.7K: 3× - FHD: 4×

I wrote update in quotation marks as there has actually been a step back in some areas compared to the Mini 2 version. As we can see, the maximum resolution on video is now 2.7K (2720x1530 at 30 FPS) and a Bitrate of 40 Mbps. On the Mini 2 it was possible to record 4K at 30 FPS and a bitrate of 100 Mbps. So it's a significant step back in terms of camera quality.

We have received the Mini 2 SE for testing in a Fly More Combo version. This means that there are two extra batteries with a charger hub that can charge all three batteries together. It can all be collected in a practical carrying bag.

A tour around the DJI Mini 2 SE

We have previously looked at the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro drones, along with the large Mavic 3 Pro. The style of the design is exactly the same as we have seen on the others in the Mini series, but even smaller here.

What they all have in common is that, in addition to being foldable, they also come in with a weight of less than 250 grams, which means that they are in the least restrictive class of drones.

The most striking thing about the Mini 2 Se is how much it lives up to its "Mini" name. Folded, it can easily be in one hand, and if you have half-sized pockets, it will not be a problem to have it there.

There are no sensors on the drone that we get on any of the larger ones in the DJI family. The only exception to that is the distance sensor at the bottom, which is used in connection with take off and landing.

The camera is placed in the front on a 3-axis gimbal, which ensures stable recordings. It is possible to tilt, roll and pan.

At the back of the drone there is a USB C connector along with a MicroSD slot. This is also where the battery is located under a small limb.

The power button along with a row of LED lights to indicate battery status is located at the bottom of the drone.

Unlike the other drones we have looked at from DJI, the Mini 2 SE does not come with the large integrated DJI RC controller. It is instead the smaller DJI N1 controller that must be used together with your smartphone and the DJI Fly app to control the drone.

Your smartphone attaches to the top with the built-in holder and then connects to the controller via a cable. You can then control the drone via the DJI Fly app.

The handlebars can be unscrewed and stored in the bottom of the unit for easy transport. There is also a USB C connector here for charging the controller.

Software

The software on which a large part of the interaction with your DJI Mini 2 SE drone will take place is the DJI Fly app, which can be found on your smartphone.

It is from here that you can control a large part of the functions built into the DJI Mini 2 SE. The steering itself is of course done with the two joysticks. However, all adaptations of settings and setup of which parameters you want to fly take place through the DJI Fly software.

The drone has a range and options that go beyond the current legislation in Denmark and the EU. So it is up to you to check yourself that the settings for, for example, height, etc., are set so that they comply with the rules.

You can also set a lot of different things around the camera and the gimbal which keeps it all stable. During flight, there are a number of different status indicators that tell you things like how far the drone is from you and how much battery time is left.

Although there are quite limited tracking and automatic options on the Mini 2 SE drone, there are still quite a few good automatic things built in. It is, for example, automatic take-off and landing, which makes the whole thing considerably easier.

A GPS position is still saved when you start your trip. It uses the drone to automatically find its way home if you lose connection to the drone or run out of battery. It's a pretty good security to have with you, and nice if you're a beginner. You can press a button in the app at any time and the drone will fly back to its Home Point and land.

Although the software in this test is run on my phone, instead of a dedicated controller as during my other DJI tests, the experience has been the same. An advantage of doing it this way is also that a separate SD card does not have to be used in the controller to save screenshots and images.

Everything is saved instead on your phone and is easy to find afterwards. It is even possible to save video from the drone directly to your phone. This can be done if you do not have an SD card in the drone, or the one you have has run out of space.

However, this method means that you can get a maximum of video in 720p resolution, as this is the format that is transmitted back from the drone.

A little about Danish/EU legislation

I will not go into great depth with the law here, but just take the time to mention it. There are quite a few rules in the area, and in the worst case scenario you can be punished if you end up violating the rules for drone flying, whether it is consciously or unconsciously.

A drone like the DJI Mini 2 SE falls into the category of drones with the fewest regulations. This is primarily due to the very low weight. The dividing line is 250 grams, and the Mini 2 SE stays exactly below that.

With a drone like the Mini 2 SE, you can fly "most" places without having to have a special permit. “Most” places are in quotes here, because there are MANY exceptions to the general rule. There are websites and apps, such as the Drone Airspace app, that can help show where you can fly and where you definitely shouldn't.

It is things like military areas, state and government buildings, embassies, etc. that you need to be aware of, in addition to airports and airfields of course. However, you must also be aware that some natural areas are protected and therefore also off limits.

This means that, for example, areas such as Copenhagen are very limited due to the many state and government buildings. It is 100% you as the drone operator who is responsible for keeping track of whether you are allowed to fly in an area.

It is also important to remember that there may be situations where the consent of unauthorized persons may be required. This can be the case, for example, if you fly in areas where you can enter people's private land, such as gardens or the like.

You should also be aware that even though the DJI Mini 2 SE is one of the drones with the fewest restrictions, you must still be a registered drone operator in order to fly it. This applies to all drones that have a camera.

Fortunately, you can be registered quite easily, but it requires a little theoretical knowledge and you have to pass an online test. It can be found on the Swedish Transport Agency's website www.droneregler.dk

It pays to spend a little time familiarizing yourself with the rules for drone flight. It is not exactly an easy web of rules to sift through. Through other work, I am used to reading statutory texts and finding my way around public notices, and it took me a while to make sense of things. So if you want to be on the safe side, you should set aside some time for legal research.

The drone regulations are basically common European and apply throughout the EU. However, there may be additional rules in certain countries, so look out. Outside the EU, there may also be special rules that you must be aware of.

The test

After a few encounters with DJI drones, I am quite familiar with them by now. Fortunately, the experience with the DJI Mini 2 SE is as easy and straightforward as the other drones we have tested.

Especially the small size, low weight and the more relaxed rules mean that the Mini 2 SE is an easy drone to take with you almost everywhere.

Among other things, I brought the drone to Taipei during our trip to Computex this year. It could easily be in an ordinary bag without filling the whole thing when it was on a trip and was quickly ready for launch.

The automatic take-off and landing functions make the whole process of getting started super easy. The only slightly frustrating thing was that it could take quite a while before it got enough GPS signal to save a Home Point.

Once it was in place, however, it was easy from there. There is of course a bit of a learning curve when flying a drone of this type for the first time. I would therefore recommend that you find a place without other people, or too many obstacles, until you have mastered the basic controls.

If you have played console games, or just with a gaming controller, you will no doubt feel right at home, as the controls are very similar.

The automatic functions in relation to take-off and landing along with automatic landing at the saved Home Point in case of low battery or lack of contact with the controller worked fine during my testing.

In the settings via the DJI Fly app, you can specify how it should behave in connection with the trip back to your Home Point.

Although there are no definite tracking functions with the Mini 2 SE, there is still the possibility to pair automatic functions, via QuickShots Modes. Here you can set it to focus on a specific subject with the camera and then do different maneuvers, such as Dronie, Helix, Circle and Boomerang. All five worked fine during my test, but if there are many people moving in the area you are standing, it may well have a little difficulty maintaining focus. You also cannot move during the recording, as is possible with any of the large drones from DJI.

The video quality is one of the areas where the Mini 2 SE stands out the most compared to the other DJI drones we've looked at.

The maximum resolution is 2.7K, as DJI calls it. It is a resolution of 2720x1530 at a maximum of 30 FPS. So the lowest resolution on a newer DJI drone. On top of that comes a relatively low bitrate of only 40 Mbps.

With the Mini 2 and Mini 3, there was the possibility of 4K recordings and a bitrate of 100 Mbps. So this is where DJI has cut to the chase, to bring the price down.

It can be seen in the recordings if you compare directly. There is not at all the same quality in the images as on the larger drones. It's certainly not bad footage, considering the drone and not least the price.

However, the clarity and level of detail is what suffers from the more limited camera. As you can see from our test footage below, the DJI Mini 2 SE is still capable of decent footage. Remember, however, that the recordings here have also gone through YouTube compression.

The quality is definitely usable for most hobby people's needs for holiday recordings etc. for Facebook or similar places.

It is also possible to save your recordings directly on the connected phone. This can be done if you do not have a MicroSD card in the drone, or if you have run out of space there. Then the only limitation you have is the storage space on the connected phone.

The disadvantage of this method, however, is that you are limited to a Low Quality Mode. This is of course because there are limits to the quality that can be streamed back to the controller and phone while flying. So here you are limited to 720p at 30 FPS.

The quality isn't super good, but that shouldn't surprise after all. However, it is a solution that can be used in a pinch if you run out of space or forget your SD card.

You can see on our test recordings here how the quality ends up when saved in this way. However, remember again that the recordings here have also gone through YouTube compression.

DJI lists the flight time on a fully charged battery at about half an hour, which in my testing has proven to hold up quite well.

Price

I can currently find the DJI Mini 2 SE in the Fly More Combo that we have had for testing, with an online price of just under 620$.

If you buy the drone only in the standard version, the price at the time of writing is just under 400$.

Conclusion

The DJI Mini 2 SE is clearly a drone that aims to hit a low price point, which DJI does very well. A base price of 400$ is, all else equal, not unreasonable for a drone that is as light and accessible as the Mini 2 SE.

Even if the image quality is not top notch, there are still many good functions built into the drone, and you can still benefit from the extensive experience at DJI.

The DJI Mini 2 SE is a really good place to start for a beginner who wants to get into drone flying.

The low weight also means that you are in the least restrictive class of drones. This means that it can be used in most places without major problems.

If you are a little more serious about the video recordings on your drone, I would probably consider whether you can find the around 200$ kroner more that it costs to buy the big brother DJI Mini 3, which comes with a good boost to the video quality.

We end up with a final score of 9 for a good beginner drone at a sharp price.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Good automatic functions
• Small size
• Low weight means you can fly most places

Cons:

• The video quality is not super good