The preeminent drone manufacturer in the world (DJI) has recently released a new addition to their ‘Mavic’ series of drones; the DJI Mavic Mini. This drone is notable for a number of reasons, not the least its small size and low weight. I recently purchased one, and am inspired to share some of my initial thoughts on this aircraft.
Of course, the drone reviewers on YouTube made quite a bit of fanfare about this drone, focusing on its size and capabilities (which are all noteworthy). They obtained pre-release ‘beta’ drones, so I had a chance to familiarize myself with the aircraft and its capabilities prior to the official release (in the fall of 2019).
Pretty much everyone agreed that the drone was exceptional, and pretty much everyone ranted about how great it was. These were people who already had other, more expensive drones, so their positive comments seemed even more credible, in light of the drones they had to compare with Mini to.
Before I begin my own impressions of the drone (and summarize those of others), let’s get one thing right; this drone is a marvel of technology. It is also a marvel of manufacturing, and of marketing, but let’s stick to the technology part for now…
The drone is what is loosely classified as a ‘camera drone’. It has a gimbal-mounted, High Definition plus (2.7K) video camera (which also serves as a 12MP still camera), with a 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor. While we have become accustomed to high-quality camera sensors (and a bit jaded about them), the fact is this is an incredible camera, which just a few years ago would claim an almost unbelievable level of performance. Remember, Ansel Adams and Fan Ho used far less capable cameras in creating their now-famous pictorial art. Many famous movies were shot on far less capable cameras.
For those not familiar with the operation of a gimbal, it is a device that acts as a camera/sensor mount, and rotates (in three axis- pitch, yaw, and roll) as needed to maintain a level platform for the camera. This alone is a marvel of modern technology, especially at the size and performance level DJI has offered. The end effect of all this is that the drone can move about in the wind, maneuver through turns and banks, and still maintain a steady, level camera shot. It is mechanical image stabilization at its finest.
Let’s look below at some more of the camera specifications:
Mavic Mini Camera Specifications
- Sensor: 1/2.3″ CMOS
- Pixels: 12 million (12MP)
- Lens FOV: 83°
- (Effective) Aperture: f/2.8
- Electronic Shutter Speed: – 1/8000s
- Still Image Size: 4:3 (4000 × 3000)
- Still Image Size: 16:9 (4000 x 2250)
- Video Image: 2.7K (ultra HD)
- Max Video Bit Rate: 40 Mbps
Note the 12MP (mega-pixels) capability of the camera for ‘still’ photos. Since many of our smart-phones boast as much, we have become a bit jaded as to what exactly that means. It means a image resolution that is almost beyond belief, especially for such a tiny sensor. I won’t bore you with techno-geek rambling about specifics, but for those wishing to delve into the subject more deeply, I have found the YouTube channel ‘Filmmaker IQ’ to be very interesting and informative (and geared for those who arrive with little or no knowledge). The fact remains that this is a very capable camera, mounted on a three-axis gimbal, that exceeds what you might expect for performance.
Okay, so the camera is great. So what? Well, the ‘so what’ part is that this video/still camera is mounted on a drone. It captures aerial images, at angles previously impossible to capture (at least for the common photographer). That alone is incredible, even though we are quickly becoming (ho-hum) used to such incredible technology.
Add to that the fact that the drone itself is capable of speeds up to thirteen meters per second (about 28.3 mph or 50 kph in ‘sport’ mode), and it truly begins to seem a marvel of modern technology. But when we consider all these features are packed into a package that weighs 249 grams (250 with SD memory card, slightly over half a pound), it approaches the downright incredible. Not only is the drone light weight, it folds into about the size of an old-fashioned, portable ‘transistor radio’ (a more modern correlation is about the size of two packages of Ramen noodles, stacked one atop the other).
This is indeed a marvel of modern technology, but when you consider the basic drone costs less than four hundred dollars (even with a tariff on Chinese-made products), it is even more remarkable…an affordable marvel of modern technology. With the ‘fly more’ kit (a carrying case, drone, controller, and three-battery charger with batteries) coming in at just under five hundred dollars, it is a portable, affordable marvel of modern technology (the kit in its carrying case is about the size of a medium-sized hard-cover book).
The batteries alone are worth mentioning. The flight time provided by these ‘smart’ batteries is listed at thirty minutes per battery, which exceeds the flight time of most (more expensive) drones.
For those interested in more details about performance and specifications, visit the DJI web site at https://www.dji.com/mavic-mini/specs .
I could go on an on about this drone – and will, in future blog posts. I have ranted about some of the challenges associated with the drone, and about some of the joys of it. You can watch these on my YouTube channel “69th Drone Detachment”. I will undoubtedly make some posts on why I love the Mavic Mini..and why I hate it. But love it or hate it, all must admit that the drone is exceptional: exceptional performance, price, and product.
Stay tuned for more about this exceptional, fun little drone. Or better yet, get one and find out for yourself!
A Brave New Drone World 