DJI perfectly dominates the drone market for photographers with their Mavic and Phantom models. And now they are taking a new group on target – a non-tech-interested hobby photographer, who previously did not dare to buy a drone.
The DJI announced the release of its new lightweight Mavic Mini. The weight of 249 grams and a collapsed size of 140x82x57 mm (and when Unfolded: 160×202×55 mm) make it DJI’s smallest drone to date – smaller than other Mavic models such as the Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom.
Its extreme lightweight – about the size of a smartphone – also puts it in a category that does not require registration in several countries.
Camera
The camera in the drone has 1/2.3” CMOS sensor and can take effective 12-megapixel photos, stabilized with a three-axis electronic gimbal. The Mavic Mini has built-in image stabilization. The user can shoot at 2.7K at 30 frames per second, or Full HD at 60 frames per second. The aperture is f/2.8, and the picture angle corresponds to 24 mm in the small image format.
This smallest DJI drone has the maximum speed of 13 m/s (29 mph) in sport mode, and the battery can handle up to 30 minutes of flight on a charge.
The DJI Mavic Mini works with GPS antennas and two sensors at the bottom for precise location – one of them is a camera. These bottom sensors are used to improve landing and to allow some locations even indoors. Mavic Mini comes equipped with a 360° Propeller Guard that fully protects the propellers and improves flight safety. Thanks to advanced sensors, it can also hover precisely.
DJI Fly – an intuitive app
Unlike previous Mavic products, the Mini is controlled with the new DJI Fly app for iOS and Android. It removed the LED display and displayed all flight data in the app itself. The data transmission between it and the drone is via Wi-Fi, which promises up to four kilometers away in environments with little interference and obstacles.
In addition, this app is meant to be extra intuitive for beginners with a built-in step-by-step guide and scaled-down interface. In DJI Fly, the user will have access to four presets: Rocket, Circle, Dronie, and Helix. Besides, DJI Fly also comes with ready-made templates for those who want to quickly put together a great movie. The templates contain ready-made texts, music, and transitions.
You can pre-order the Mavic mini for US$399. The package includes the drone, a remote controller, a battery, additional propellers, and the necessary cables for charging. And the Combo pack delivers all previous version accessories, with a propeller guard and drone body, two extra batteries, three additional propeller sets, and a carrying case for the price of $499 USD. The deliveries are expected to start on November 11.
