DJI Mini SE Review 2022: Is It A Good Drone?

Is there a need to spend more money when the DJI Mini SE is the entry point into the drone market on a budget? We will explain all the key information about this drone to help you decide whether it is worth buying!

The DJI Mini SE is meant to be a good value drone, and it really is. It is a drone with many of the same features as its predecessor, the DJI Mavic Mini, but in the Mini 2’s body.

With the exception of detail-obsessed and power users, there are some concerns about range and a small feature list, but the core functionality is present and powered by the same software as much more expensive drones, making this feel like an amazing value.

Keep reading and find out more!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Powerful tool for a very good price
• Video and photo are richly
• DJI Fly has good usability
• Can be flown without phone/app
• Manual shutter speed / ISO available
• Four stylish Quickshots

Cons

• 2.7K resolution is lower than many phones
• No collision sensors
• JPEG-only images; no Raw.
• Range could be better

What’s in the Box?

This is actually a big choice depending on whether you opt for the “Fly More Kit” or the standard package. The former includes a case and a three-battery charging hub in addition to three batteries in place of the standard one. A charging hub is a device that can sequence the charging of power-hungry batteries so that as soon as one is finished, the next can begin, saving time.

The fold-out drone, a controller with fold-out arms to grip a phone (which serves as a monitor), and three connection cables for iPhone Lightning port, MicroUSB, or USB-C, which covers the majority of phones are included in both cases. To use the drone, you must download the free DJI Fly app.

Also Read: DJI Mini 2 Reviews

Design and Controller

Although the controller resembles the retired Mavic Mini(opens in new tab), the aircraft design is almost identical to the DJI Mini 2. The Mini SE uses essentially the same parts as the Mini 2, the middle-tier ultra-light in the DJI lineup, but encases them in the more sophisticated Mini 2 moulding. The radio system, which makes up a sizeable portion of the electronics, was updated for the Mini 2 to offer a longer range and to accommodate a newer controller design.

The Mini SE’s controller may not have the newest technology, but it outperforms its successors in terms of size and weight by folding down to a small size. We tested it with the iPhone 13 Pro Max, and the bottom-emerging phone grips are still capable of holding the newest large phones. On the left, there is a Micro-USB socket that can be used to connect a phone or to charge the included 2,600mAh battery. There are perfect supplied connectors for this, so there are no dangling cables. Strangely, Android phones use a charge and the controller lasts slightly less than 2 hours, while the iPhone does not, leaving the controller with a charge that can last up to 4.5 hours.

The sticks must be unscrewed and tucked into clips under the phone grips when the controller is folded up for packing. The antenna also folds down during this process. The sticks are made of hard plastic rather than metallic like other DJI models, but they still feel good. The constant worry of losing them outweighs the controller’s portability.

Camera

As I mentioned earlier in the article, the camera is identical to the original Mavic Mini; it has a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with a fixed aperture, a 24mm lens, and an 83° field of view.

Only 12MP images can be captured by the camera, which may disappoint photographers. The DJI Mini 2 is the best choice if you’re looking for a good entry-level drone for photography or videography.

The camera can record videos at a maximum bitrate of 40Mbps in 2.7k at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps.

With the controller’s upgraded WiFi technology, you can stream live video in 720p while the 3-axis gimbal stabilizes it to minimize any distortion in your photos and videos.

There are drones within the same price range as the DJI Mini SE that can record videos at a higher resolution, like for example the very popular Holy Stone HS720E, however, Because the footage and images are much smoother, the color accuracy is better, and none of its rivals have a 3-axis gimbal, I still prefer the Mini SE.

DJI Mini SE Flight Characteristics

The Mini SE uses the same DJI Fly app as other DJI aircraft (like the Mavic 3 or Mini 3 Pro), so the experience of starting up and taking to the air with them is very similar. The app includes a helpful tutorial with on-screen instructions and crystal-clear animated graphics. It’s not ostentatious or monotonous, and it gives you much better flight equipment than a straightforward video would.

That indicates that you’ll soon be flying and pushing the drone’s capabilities. The three flight modes are Cine, P (Normal), and Sport, and switching between them is simple thanks to an on-screen button. It is not surprising that Normal and Sport feel a little slower than more expensive drones, with the exception of the purposefully slow Cine mode. Nevertheless, we continued to enjoy switching the gimbal to FPV mode. (As a result, flying feels quick and enjoyable because the camera doesn’t try to stay horizontal.)

Realistically, we don’t believe that many users will be bothered by the slower speeds, but with a maximum descent speed of 3 meters per second (as opposed to the Mini 3 Pro’s 5 m/s), it is clear that there isn’t the same power or processing performance to match more expensive siblings.

DJI Mini SE Photos

Because there aren’t many options, the Mini SE makes taking pictures simple. Any angle between straight down and directly forward can be used to aim the camera; on an extended setting, it can even tilt up 20 degrees.

The camera has a 1 / 2.3″ 83 mm (24mm EFL) field of view and 12 megapixels CMOS. Only 100-3,200 ISO is supported, and the electronic shutter has a range of 4 seconds to 1/8000. The latter is essentially a crop because stills can be taken at either 4:3 or 16:9, both at 4000px wide.

In order to keep the pictures coming in case flying becomes distracting, photos can be taken as single shots or in interval mode (with options between 2 and 60 seconds), which could then be manually assembled later to create a timelapse.

There aren’t many options, which simplifies operation. However, users have the choice to switch from Auto to Manual, releasing on-screen dials to regulate shutter speed and ISO. The menus also offer a live histogram (drag to position as you like) and over-exposure “blinkies” to help out. It’s a good idea because it served as a reminder to override the Auto mode, which can occasionally be lax about overexposure. Other than that, the pictures and video are on par with a good phone; there is no aggressivity in the sharpening, but they are also not too soft. In keeping with other DJI drones, the colors appear to be natural, perhaps with a slight hint of extra saturation, but only enough to make grass and trees look good.

Battery Life 

You can have a flight time of 30 minutes with a fully charged battery, and the battery life and charging hub are unmatched for a drone for beginners of this size. The drone’s small size and increased weight make this possible. Like a small smartphone, it is similarly hefty.

DJI Mini SE Software: DJI Fly

The mini se’s software is the same as all other DJI drones, and it’s arguably one of the best software among drone manufacturers. With the DJI Fly app, you can fly the beginner drone, capture images/videos, and even edit and share them with the tap of a few buttons. Even for novice users, navigating through the app is a breeze thanks to its straightforward and intuitive interface.

Mini SE‘s software also gives you free tutorials on how to fly your drone better, how to get the optimal flight time, how to raw image quality capture, and, as we mentioned before, has an editing and camera-enhancing feature that will make your footage even more incredible.

Can the DJI Mini SE Follow You?

The DJI Mini SE cannot follow you with the DJI Fly app, unlike the other drones in the Mini series.

But if you really want follow me mode and other well-liked intelligent flight modes like point of interest and waypoint, there is an app that will give you access to these features.

The app is called Litchi and it is very popular with Pilots of DJI drones should consider using it instead of the DJI Fly app because it gives you access to the follow me mode for the DJI Mini SE.

Although it is available for both iOS and Android devices, there is a cost associated with this app; on the App Store, it is $22.99, and on the Google Play Store, it is $24.99.

Final Verdict on DJI Mini SE

The DJI Mini SE is a fantastic little drone that has all of the same features as its predecessor but is much less expensive. It is the best drone in its price range, and I highly recommend it, if you want some alternatives, then click on the button below for the best drones under $300.

What’s amazing about this deal is that we get a full Fly More kit with three batteries for less than the 4K Mini 2 with one battery. If the limitations bother you, DJI has plenty of more expensive options available. I consider that to be a good deal.

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FAQ About the DJI Mini SE