DJI Mini 2 vs DJI Mini 4 Pro - Is it time to upgrade?

Summary

In this video, the host compares the DJI Mini 2 with the newly released Mini 4 Pro, highlighting key upgrades. The Mini 4 Pro boasts a larger sensor for improved low-light performance, an enhanced gimbal, 360-degree obstacle avoidance, longer flight times with optional high-capacity batteries, and advanced video transmission capabilities. It also introduces true vertical shooting and color profiles like HLG and 10-bit D-Log M. The host advises Mini 2 owners to consider these features and their usage before deciding on an upgrade.

Takeaways

• 🚁 The Mini 2 drone, despite being three years old, remains popular for its performance, transmission, and camera quality.
• 📸 Both the Mini 2 and Mini 4 Pro drones can shoot 12-megapixel photos in JPEG and RAW formats, with the Mini 4 Pro offering a 48-megapixel option.
• 🔒 Both drones are under 250 grams, which means they may not require FAA registration depending on the location.
• 🏞️ The Mini 4 Pro features a larger 1/1.3 inch CMOS sensor compared to the Mini 2's 1/2.3 inch sensor, improving low-light performance.
• 💻 The gimbal design on the Mini 4 Pro is an upgrade from the Mini 2, addressing issues with camera twitching during certain flight maneuvers.
• 🛑 The Mini 4 Pro introduces 360-degree omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, a feature not present in the Mini 2.
• ⏱️ The Mini 4 Pro offers longer flight times with a standard 34-minute battery and an optional 45-minute high-capacity battery.
• 📡 The Mini 4 Pro uses O3 transmission technology, providing a 20-kilometer range, an improvement over the Mini 2's 10-kilometer range with O2 technology.
• 🎥 The Mini 4 Pro allows for true vertical shooting, enabling 4K vertical video capture, a feature not available on the Mini 2.
• 🎨 The Mini 4 Pro provides additional color profiles, including HLG and 10-bit D-Log, for post-processing flexibility.
• 🤔 Owners of the Mini 2 should consider their specific needs and use cases when deciding whether to upgrade to the Mini 4 Pro or another model.

Q & A

How does the DJI Mini 2 compare to the newer Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro in terms of popularity and updates?

The DJI Mini 2, despite being almost three years old, is still considered a 'rock star' in the drone world, indicating its enduring popularity. However, the script mentions several updates with the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro, suggesting advancements and improvements over the Mini 2.

What is the significance of the 'sub 250' classification for drones?

The 'sub 250' classification refers to drones that weigh less than 250 grams. This is significant because in many locations, drones under this weight limit do not require FAA registration, making them more convenient for casual users.

Do the DJI Mini 2 and Mini 4 Pro have the same speed capabilities?

Yes, both the DJI Mini 2 and Mini 4 Pro have similar speed capabilities for ascending, descending, and horizontal flight at sea level.

What are the camera specifications for both the DJI Mini 2 and Mini 4 Pro?

Both the DJI Mini 2 and Mini 4 Pro shoot at 12 megapixels, with the Mini 4 Pro offering a 48 megapixel option. They both support JPEG and RAW formats.

How does the size of the DJI Mini 4 Pro compare to the Mini 2?

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is slightly larger than the Mini 2, but it is still considered a mini drone due to its portability and ease of travel.

What is the main upgrade in the camera sensor of the Mini 4 Pro compared to the Mini 2?

The Mini 4 Pro has a larger sensor, a 1/1.3 inch CMOS sensor, compared to the Mini 2's 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor, which should provide better quality in low light conditions.

What is the issue with the gimbal on the DJI Mini 2 that was addressed in the Mini 4 Pro?

The DJI Mini 2 had a 'twitch' issue when the camera was pointed straight down and the drone was flown forward at higher speeds. This issue was resolved in the Mini 4 Pro with a redesigned gimbal configuration.

Does the DJI Mini 2 have obstacle avoidance capabilities?

No, the DJI Mini 2 does not have obstacle avoidance capabilities. It only has landing sensors at the bottom.

What is the difference in flight time between the DJI Mini 2 and Mini 4 Pro?

The DJI Mini 2 has a battery life rated for 31 minutes, while the Mini 4 Pro offers a standard battery with 34 minutes and an option for a larger capacity battery with 45 minutes.

What is the range of the video transmission for the DJI Mini 2 and Mini 4 Pro?

The DJI Mini 2 uses OcuSync 2.0 technology with a range of about 10 kilometers, while the Mini 4 Pro uses O3 technology, extending the range to about 20 kilometers.

What new feature does the DJI Mini 4 Pro have that allows for true vertical shooting?

The DJI Mini 4 Pro has the ability to rotate the camera from horizontal to vertical, enabling true vertical 4K video shooting, which is not available on the Mini 2.

What are the additional color profiles available on the DJI Mini 4 Pro compared to the Mini 2?

The DJI Mini 4 Pro offers additional color profiles including HLG and 10-bit D-Log M, which are useful for post-processing, while the Mini 2 is limited to standard or normal mode.

Outlines

00:00

🚁 Drone Comparison: Mini 2 vs Mini 4 Pro

This paragraph discusses the comparison between the Mini 2 and the newer Mini 4 Pro drones. The Mini 2, despite being three years old, is still considered a top choice due to its good transmission and camera quality. However, the Mini 4 Pro offers several upgrades, including a larger camera sensor for better low-light performance, a redesigned gimbal to eliminate the twitching issue experienced in the Mini 2, and 360-degree obstacle avoidance. Both drones share common features such as being under 250 grams, similar flight speeds, 12-megapixel photo capability, and portable size. The speaker also mentions the potential for users to consider upgrading to the Mini 4 Pro based on these improvements.

05:01

🔋 Enhanced Features of the Mini 4 Pro

The second paragraph delves into the enhanced features of the Mini 4 Pro over the Mini 2. It highlights the improved camera sensor, the new gimbal design that allows upward camera pointing, and the addition of 360-degree obstacle avoidance. The Mini 4 Pro also offers longer flight times with an option for a higher capacity battery, a more advanced video transmission system with a range of up to 20 kilometers, and the ability to shoot true vertical 4K video. The paragraph also discusses color profiles available on the Mini 4 Pro for post-processing, such as HLG and 10-bit D-Log M. The speaker advises Mini 2 owners to consider whether the new features are necessary for their use cases and if an upgrade would be beneficial based on their needs for picture and video quality, obstacle avoidance, and tracking capabilities.

Keywords

💡Drone

A drone, in the context of this video, refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of flying autonomously or being remotely controlled. The video discusses the evolution of drone technology, focusing on the DJI Mini series, which are popular for their portability and ease of use. The term is central to the video's theme as it discusses the features and upgrades of different drone models.

💡Mini 2

The Mini 2 is a specific model of drone within the DJI Mini series, known for its compact size and ease of transport. It is highlighted as being 'almost three years old' yet still considered a 'rock star' in the drone community. The video uses the Mini 2 as a reference point to compare with the newer Mini 4 Pro model.

💡Mini 4 Pro

The Mini 4 Pro is the newer model in the DJI Mini series, introduced as an upgrade to the Mini 2. It features improvements such as a larger camera sensor, an updated gimbal, and enhanced obstacle avoidance capabilities. The video script frequently mentions the Mini 4 Pro to illustrate the advancements in drone technology.

💡Camera Sensor

The camera sensor is a crucial component of a drone's camera system, determining the quality of photos and videos captured. The script mentions that the Mini 4 Pro has a 'larger sensor' (1/1.3 inch CMOS) compared to the Mini 2 (1/2.3 inch CMOS), which implies better performance in low light conditions and overall image quality.

💡Gimbal

A gimbal is a stabilizing mechanism used in drones to maintain the camera's orientation and absorb vibrations, ensuring smooth footage. The video script discusses the redesigned gimbal in the Mini 4 Pro, which addresses issues with the previous model's gimbal, such as the 'weird little twitch' when flying at higher speeds.

💡Obstacle Avoidance

Obstacle avoidance is a feature in drones that uses sensors to detect and avoid collisions with objects. The script explains that the Mini 2 lacks this feature, while the Mini 4 Pro boasts '360 omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensing,' providing a safer and more reliable flying experience.

💡Flight Time

Flight time refers to the duration a drone can stay airborne on a single battery charge. The video script compares the flight times of the Mini 2 (31 minutes) and the Mini 4 Pro (34 minutes with an option for a 45-minute battery), emphasizing the importance of battery life for extended flying sessions.

💡Video Transmission

Video transmission is the process of sending the drone's camera feed to the remote control or a connected device. The script mentions the use of the RC N1 for the Mini 2 and the option to use the RCN2 or RC2 for the Mini 4 Pro, highlighting the improvements in transmission technology, including the increased range from 10 km to 20 km.

💡True Vertical Shooting

True vertical shooting is the ability to capture images or videos with the camera in a vertical orientation. The script points out that the Mini 4 Pro allows for this feature, enabling 'true vertical 4K video,' which is not available in the Mini 2, thus providing more creative flexibility for content creators.

💡Color Profiles

Color profiles in video and photography refer to preset configurations that affect the color reproduction and tonal range of the footage. The script notes that the Mini 4 Pro offers different color profiles, including HLG and 10-bit D-Log, which provide more flexibility for post-processing compared to the standard or normal mode available in the Mini 2.

💡Intelligent Flight Modes

Intelligent flight modes are automated flight patterns that drones can follow, such as following a subject or tracking a moving object. The script mentions that the Mini 2 does not have these capabilities due to the lack of vision camera sensors, while the Mini 4 Pro does, enhancing the drone's functionality for various shooting scenarios.

Highlights

The DJI Mini 2 drone, despite being three years old, remains popular for its excellent transmission and camera quality.

New updates have been released with the Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro, and Mini 4 Pro, offering potential upgrades for Mini 2 owners.

Both the Mini 2 and Mini 4 Pro drones are under 250 grams, which means they don't require FAA registration in most locations.

The speed of the Mini 2 and Mini 4 Pro is comparable, with no significant difference in ascent, descent, or horizontal flight.

Both models shoot 12-megapixel photos in JPEG and RAW formats, with the Mini 4 Pro offering a 48-megapixel option.

The size of the Mini 4 Pro is slightly larger than the Mini 2, but both are portable and easy to travel with.

The Mini 4 Pro features a larger 1/1.3 inch CMOS sensor, improving low-light performance compared to the Mini 2's 1/2.3 inch sensor.

The gimbal design on the Mini 4 Pro has been completely revamped, addressing issues with the Mini 2's gimbal during high-speed flight.

The Mini 4 Pro allows the camera to point upward, a feature not available on the Mini 2 due to design limitations.

The Mini 4 Pro introduces 360-degree omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, a feature absent in the Mini 2.

The Mini 4 Pro offers intelligent flight modes like ActiveTrack and Follow Me, which are not available on the Mini 2.

The Mini 4 Pro has a longer flight time with a 34-minute battery and an optional 45-minute high-capacity battery.

The Mini 4 Pro utilizes O3 transmission technology, providing a 20-kilometer range, doubling the 10-kilometer range of the Mini 2's O2 technology.

The Mini 4 Pro supports true vertical shooting, enabling 4K vertical video, a feature not present in the Mini 2.

The Mini 4 Pro offers different color profiles, including HLG and 10-bit D-Log M, for post-processing, unlike the Mini 2.

For Mini 2 owners considering an upgrade, the decision may come down to desired features like obstacle avoidance and improved camera quality.

Ultra Estacio from flightpath.com provides valuable insights for drone enthusiasts considering the Mini 4 Pro or other models.

Transcripts

now even though this drone is almost

three years old this thing is still an

absolute rock star we have great

transmission really good camera but

there's been so many new updates now of

course with the Mini 3 Mini 3 Pro and of

course now the Mini 4 Pro and for those

that did pick up this drone a little

while back is that mini for the next

drone that you might want to upgrade to

possibly you want to go even higher than

that but in this video just want to talk

to you about some of those main

differences here between the mini 2 and

the all-new Mini 4 Pro now before we get

into the differences I do want to talk

about a lot of things that they still

have in common because that's definitely

a good thing to know even though we have

a lot of new drones there's still a lot

of pluses here on both of these and

let's talk about those real quick now

the first thing they have in common of

course sub 250 so depending on where you

live if you're over 250 you need to

register you might have to register your

drone under 250 you don't that's the

reason why this drone became so popular

is that if it's under 250 in most

locations you don't necessarily have to

register your drone with the FAA next

we'll talk about speed and the great

thing is both of these have about the

same speed whether you're ascending or

descending or you're flying a horizontal

sea level they have about the same speed

so big difference there if you're

looking at jumping up to the higher ones

like the air the mavic those fly a lot

faster the ascent and D7 faster next is

photos now they actually both shoot at

12 megapixel there is a 48 megapixel

option on the mini 4 but technically

they still shoot 12 megapixels and they

both shoot JPEG and RAW and finally last

thing they have in common is just the

size I mean when you're talking about

mini drones something that's portable

easy to travel with you're gonna want to

grab a mini drone now the Mini 4 Pro is

a little bit bigger than the mini 2 but

not as big of course when you start

jumping up to the air line up there are

three mavic pros now those are a few

things that they do have in common but

now let's jump over to the things that

are definitely a big upgrade on the mini

4 compared to something like the mini 2.

first we'll talk about is the camera and

camera sensor we do have a larger sensor

on the mini 4 Pro one over 1.3 inch CMOS

sensor we're here on the mini 2 we do

have a one over 2.3 inch CMOS sensor

with a larger sensor definitely going to

get better quality in low light but for

me it wasn't just the upgrade on the

camera that's a significant difference

the gimbal is actually a completely new

design compared to the mini 2. I'm

really glad that they did change the

gimbal from this setup over into the

Mini 3 Mini 3 Pro setup now of course

the Mini 4 pro has that same gimbal uh

configuration but I'm glad they changed

it because if you've ever flown the mini

tube and you're pointing straight down

and you want to fly forward there is a

weird little twitch that happens the

camera kind of Twitches whenever you're

going at a higher rate of speed if the

camera's pointed too far down and I

think that was a pretty common thing

with the mini 2 the mini one the mini SC

and they fixed that twitch when they

change this whole gimbal setup as well

as the new design here at the very front

now allows you to point your camera

upward where here on the mini 2 you

weren't able to point upward because

you're also getting blocked by the nose

of the Drone next we'll talk about of

course is obstacle avoidance the mini 2

does not have any obstacle avoidance it

does have these Landing sensors down

here at the very bottom we have the

landing sensors here actually upgraded

Landing sensors here on the mini 4 Pro

but we do have that 360

omnidirectional obstacle avoidance

sensing so if you are the type to fly

your drone and you wanted to be able to

have optimal avoidance you know left and

right forward and back you now have that

here on the mini 4 Pro where here if

you're flying this type of drone with no

obstacle bands you just want to make

sure you're above the trees away from

buildings because you have no sensors

here on the mini too that's one of the

reasons why we also don't have those

certain intelligent flight modes on the

mini tube we don't have the ability to

follow you don't have the ability to

track subjects you do have that here

with the Mini 4 Pro because we have

these vision camera sensors next we'll

talk about flight time and batteries now

with the mini 2 we have this battery

right here rated for 31 minutes and we

have a 34 Minute battery rated on the

mini 4 Pro but you also have the option

to get the larger capacity battery which

will give you 45 rated minutes those

extra minutes that extra battery life is

definitely going to help you out here on

the mini 4 Pro because of the fact that

if your drone is struggling or having to

work harder you're going to burn through

the batteries so you definitely want the

ability to have a higher capacity

battery to be up in the air a little bit

longer next we'll talk about this video

transmission now with the mini 2 you

would use something like this the RC N1

remote control you're going to need to

put your phone on this one we're here on

the mini 4 Pro we do have the option to

use a similar remote which is your rcn2

or this one here which is the rc2 now

when it comes to range we do have the O2

Rock usink 2 technology on the mini 2

giving you about 10 kilometers in

distance with this setup now here on the

mini 4 Pro we have the 04 technology

giving us about 20 kilometers in range

between your drone and the remote

control next update we'll talk about is

the true vertical shooting you are able

to turn that camera from horizontal to

vertical and with the camera changing

you are now able to get true vertical 4K

video we don't have that option here on

the mini 2. so a vertical content is

something that you like to make you can

still do vertical by just cropping in

after after the fact but here if you

wanted to have a self-contained video

you are able to do that with something

like the Mini 4 Pro next upgrade we have

on the mini 4 Pro that we don't have

here on the mini 2 is we do have a

different color profiles on the midi 4

Pro where here you're pretty much just

shooting in standard or normal mode

where if you do some post processing on

your footage you do have options here

with hlg as well as 10 bit d-log M on

the mini 4 Pro now those are just some

of the upgrades of the Mini 4 Pro that I

highlighted here over the mini 2 there's

definitely a lot more but if you have

the mini 2 and you've been flying it for

the past couple years and you know that

you just don't do these things you don't

need obstacle avoidance because I fly

out into a field and I'm always flying

above something and I'm not really

around other obstacles so obstacle

abundance would do nothing for me or if

I don't have the need to track I don't

want to follow myself on a bike I don't

want to follow a car then you don't

necessarily need to always think about

some of those features on here it's nice

to have but if you know you just aren't

using those features then you might just

be fine with the Mini too taking the

optical avoidance and the active track

away it really comes down to am I happy

with the picture quality do I want maybe

a little bit higher quality coming out

of my videos and photos that the mini

you know 4 Pro can offer and if that's

the case then maybe I might even just

move over to the mini three if you

really had a use case for the quality of

video and photos but if you were the

mini 2 owner and you like man it would

be nice to have that updated gimbal

higher a little bit higher quality but

really open up the obstacle avoidance

and active track features that you just

don't have here then of course jump over

here to the Mini 4 Pro huge shout out to

all my mini two owners out there I still

absolutely love this drone we just of

course three years later have a lot of

different options if you feel like you

have the need to use them hopefully you

guys got some value from this video and

if you did a big like be much

appreciated if you want a lot more

information about the Mini 4 Pro do I

get the mini 4 Pro or do I get the air 3

I have all those videos I'll list them

either here or one more over here this

is ultra estacio with flightpath.com

I'll see you guys in the next video take

care