DJI Mini SE vs. Mini 2: Full Comparison with Specs, Price, and More

Key Points:

• The DJI Mini 2 has superior video resolution, transmission range, speed, and camera capabilities over the more affordable Mini SE.
• With a compact, foldable design, both drones weigh under 250g, making them highly portable travel companions to capture aerial footage.
• While the Mini 2 costs $220 more, its extra features like 4K video, 10km HD video transmission, and 31 minutes of flight time may justify the higher price for many buyers.

Are you looking to purchase an easy-to-fly drone that captures incredible aerial shots and video? As two of DJI‘s most popular consumer drone models, the DJI Mini SE and DJI Mini 2 both fit that description. But with different price points and some key feature differences, you may be wondering how to decide between the two.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll compare the Mini SE vs. the Mini 2 across all specifications and capabilities. Looking at factors like camera resolution, transmission range, speed, portability, and more, we’ll highlight the strengths of each mini drone to help you determine the best match for your budget and needs.

DJI Mini SE vs Mini 2: Full Spec Comparison

Pricing

The most obvious difference between the two drones is cost. The DJI Mini SE retails for $299, while the Mini 2 sells for $449 — $150 more expensive. Keep this price gap in mind as we explore what extra capabilities you get by stepping up to the Mini 2.

Weight and Dimensions

In terms of physical design and portability, the Mini SE and Mini 2 are almost identical. They share the same lightweight folding body that measures only 159×203×56 mm when unfolded. Both models weigh an ultra-light 249 grams — under the 250 gram threshold that requires FAA registration to fly drones recreationally in the United States. This lightweight build makes them incredibly easy to pack along wherever your travels take you.

You can see that the dimensions and weight are identical. The ultra-portable form of both models allows travelers to easily pack them in carry-on bags and backpacks.

Speed and Wind Resistance

When used in Sport Mode with ideal conditions, the maximum flight speed does differ slightly:

• DJI Mini SE – 13 m/s
• DJI Mini 2 – 16 m/s

So the Mini 2 has a faster top speed. However, both can withstand moderate wind speeds to capture stable video. The drones resist winds up to Level 5 (29-38 kph). This makes them versatile to fly in less than ideal weather.

The maximum flight altitude is also a bit higher on the Mini 2:

• DJI Mini SE – 3,000 meters
• DJI Mini 2 – 4,000 meters

So if capturing aerial footage from higher elevations, the Mini 2 has the edge. But both drones offer good altitude ceilings for recreational use.

Camera and Video Quality

One of the biggest differences lies with the on-board camera system.

The DJI Mini SE camera has a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor that can shoot 12MP still photos and capture up to 2.7K video at 30fps or 1080p video at 60fps.

The DJI Mini 2 steps up to a full 4K camera and video — a big leap in resolution and video quality. Its 1/2.3” CMOS camera also shoots crisp 12MP photos.

** So for photographers and videographers needing higher resolution footage, the Mini 2 certainly delivers over the 1080p maximum video resolution of the Mini SE.

Both models utilize a 3-axis gimbal for smooth and stable shooting. This stabilization produces clear, distortion-free video even during flight maneuvers or wind.

But the far superior 4K 30fps video recording of the Mini 2 makes it the easy choice for serious content creators. Casual users who mainly want to capture video for personal use or social media may find the cheaper Mini SE’s 2.7K video more than adequate though.

Transmission Range and Control

The maximum transmission range is another big differentiator between models that directly impacts the flying experience:

• DJI Mini SE – 4 km
• DJI Mini 2 – 10 km

Thanks to DJI‘s proprietary OcuSync 2.0 technology, the Mini 2 can transmit 1080p video back to the pilot from an astounding 10 km away. This allows you to explore farther and capture wide-sweeping land vistas or cityscapes from a distance.

The more limited 4 km range of the Mini SE requires staying closer to keep a reliable signal. However, 4 km still allows quite a wide radius to work with.

Both drones utilize DJI‘s intuitive mobile app control interface. This lets you view a live feed from the drone camera directly on your smartphone as you manually control it. You can also launch automated flight patterns and video shots with the tap of a button.

Another benefit of OcuSync 2.0 on the Mini 2 is faster video download speeds — up to 50 Mbps. This allows quick transfer of photos and video from the drone to phone so you can review footage on the spot and share instantly to social platforms. Unfortunately, the Mini SE maxes out at slower 18 Mbps speeds.

Flight Time

With batteries fully charged, users can expect right around 30 minutes of flight time on a single charge with both models:

• DJI Mini SE – 30 minutes
• DJI Mini 2 – 31 minutes

The batteries are interchangeable, so you can pack extras to extend time aloft. But battery life is very comparable between the two drones. Thirty minutes gives ample time to scout locations and capture a variety of aerial shots.

QuickShot Modes

DJI includes automated QuickShot functions on both the Mini SE and Mini 2. With the tap of a button, either drone will smoothly execute preset video moves like dramatic reveal shots, orbital circling, or unique top-down perspectives while keeping your main point of interest properly framed.

However, the higher resolution 4K camera and faster maximum speed (16 m/s) of the Mini 2 allows more dramatic-looking QuickShot videos. Still, casual users will likely find perfectly acceptable automated video good enough with the cheaper Mini SE model.

Other Features

A few other capabilities differ between models:

• The DJI Mini 2 offers zoom functionality, allowing up to 4x digital zoom when shooting 1080p video to focus on far away subjects. The Mini SE has no zoom abilities.
• The Mini 2 supports vertical shooting for portraits and social media stories.
• The Mini 2 features DJI‘s FocusTrack subject tracking that automatically keeps a selected subject (person, pet, bike, car, etc) centered in the frame during flight.

While not must-have features for everyone, these do add creative flexibility.

On the flip side, one advantage of the Mini SE controller design is its more portable, foldable controller handles. This makes it slightly more backpack and travel friendly compared to the larger fixed controller of the Mini 2.

Mini SE vs Mini 2: Which Should You Buy?

So reviewing the specs and features side-by-side, is the DJI Mini 2 worth $150 more than its little brother, the Mini SE?

For most buyers, the answer is yes. Unless you are on a tight budget, the 4K camera, 10 km transmission range, and overall enhanced video capabilities make the Mini 2 the better all-around option. Even with a higher price tag, it still offers incredible value in an ultraportable form factor.

However, the DJI Mini SE definitely retains appeal for drone fliers with less demanding video needs. If capturing cinema quality production footage isn’t a requirement, the Mini SE produces very solid HD video and photos at a bargain cost.

Just recognize that its limitations in areas like lower 2.7K camera resolution, slower transmission speeds, and shorter 4 km range cap its creative potential for travel or landscape aerial videography. But these restrictions matter less to users mainly looking to play around with casual drone flying and capture some fun home movies.

Ultimately, both pack lots of performance into tiny rugged frames. And their sub-250 gram builds make the Mini SE and Mini 2 a thrill to fly anywhere for years to come. Weigh your priorities around video quality needs, transmission distance, and budget to decide if those extra capabilities of the Mini 2 justify the higher price over the still-capable Mini SE. Either provides huge value for the money.