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Tribune News Service

If you are looking for an inexpensive recreational drone that is super easy to pilot, has more flight time and can take great-quality photos and videos, look no further than the DJI Mavic Mini 2.
This second-generation model can fly for 30 minutes at a distance of up to six miles (9.6km) from the pilot. The drone transmits live high-definition video and captures 4K video. If the pilot and drone lose contact, the drone returns to where it took off.
All of this is contained in a body that folds down to fit in the palm of your hand and weighs less than 250g (8.8oz).
The Mini 2 improves on the original Mavic Mini (2019) model in some very important ways.

First, let’s look at the camera. The original Mavic Mini had a 2.7K@30 frames-per-second video camera. This was fine, but because there were other drones with 4K cameras, this was thought of as a weakness in the original Mini’s feature set. Still photos are captured as JPEG files.
The Mini 2 finally gets a 12-megapixel 4K@30fps camera with a 4x digital zoom (the first Mini had no zoom). A digital zoom is different from an optical zoom. Digital zooms make the image larger by cropping in on the sensor and enlarging the image. The image quality suffers with digital zoom.
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The Mini 2 captures stills as JPEG or Raw files. The camera is mounted on a three-axis gimbal that keeps the video and stills looking very sharp and stable.
Operating range has also improved. The original Mini used a direct Wi-fi link between the drone and the controller. This gave the user a 2.48-mile range.
The Mini 2 uses a technology called OcuSync 2.0 that is also used on DJI’s higher-priced drones. OcuSync 2.0 has a transmission range of just over six miles. It also has a stronger resistance to interference and uses two frequencies, so it can switch between them to find the best signal.

Flight speed has also been upgraded. The original Mini has a top speed of 29mph, while the Mini 2 has a top speed of 35.7mph. This helps you get the drone to a far-off shooting position faster, which helps you maximise flying time before changing batteries.
The DJI Fly app, which the Mini 2 uses for flying, now has some enhanced photo and video features to allow the user to process and edit photos and videos before they are uploaded to a computer or social media account.
The Mini 2 has Level 5 wind resistance, meaning it is safe to operate in wind speeds of up to 24mph.
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When the drone senses unsafe wind speeds (higher than 25mph), you’ll see a warning in the app, because strong wind from the wrong direction might cause your drone to use more battery on the way back to you and it might run out of power.
The take-off weight is 249 grams. This is an important number, as any drone under 250g is considered fairly harmless, is subject to fewer restrictions and does not require any type of registration in the United States and many other countries.
The Mini 2 has GPS, which makes all the difference for features like Return To Home. I can’t tell you how reassuring it is to know that I can push one button and the Mini 2 will fly back to me and land pretty much in the same spot where it took off.

The Mini 2 with the remote controller and one battery costs US$449. The Fly More Combo package adds two additional batteries, a charging case for all three batteries and a nice carrying case for US$599.
The pictures and videos from the camera are really incredible for a drone of this size and price. This is a great first drone for learning how to fly and shoot video.
For beginners and fliers who love the small size, the Mavic Mini 2 is just the right combination of small and not too expensive, and now it has a much improved camera.


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DJI Mavic Mini 2 review: upgraded mini drone is faster and lighter, shoots 4K video, travels further, and returns at the touch of a button

The DJI Mavic Mini 2 is faster than the Mavic Mini, flies further, and shoots 4K video. Photo: DJI

The DJI Mavic Mini 2. Photo: DJI/TNS

The interface on the Mavic Mini 2’s controller. Photo: DJI

The range of the Mavic Mini 2 has been extended to 6 miles (9.6km). Photo: DJI

Drones will try to rescue three dogs trapped by La Palma volcano

For weeks now, drones have dropped packages of food for the dogs. Photo: Reuters

General view of ash-covered earth surrounded by volcanic lava following an eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, in the area of Todoque on the Canary Island of La Palma, Spain in this undated screen grab taken from a handout video. Video recorded with a drone. LA PALMA LOCAL GOVERMENT/VOLCANIC LIFE/TICOM SOLUCIONES/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.

A dog lies on the ash-covered earth surrounded by volcanic lava following an eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, in the area of Todoque on the Canary Island of La Palma, Spain in this undated screen grab taken from a handout video. Video recorded with a drone. LA PALMA LOCAL GOVERMENT/VOLCANIC LIFE/TICOM SOLUCIONES/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.

Lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano flows into the Atlantic Ocean, on the Canary Island of La Palma, Spain, September 29, 2021 in this still image taken from a drone video recorded on September 29, 2021. REUTERS/ReutersTV

China to unveil new reconnaissance and attack drones at air show

The WZ-7 is a high-altitude drone that could be used for missions like border reconnaissance and maritime patrols. Photo: Weibo

== PICTURE CAPTURED FROM WEIBIO == Chinese CH-6 Drone.Photo: WEIBIO

DJI to shut its Causeway Bay flagship store as Hong Kong tightens rules for flying recreational aerial drones

A view of DJI’s Hong Kong flagship store in Causeway Bay on August 11, 2021. Photo: Nora Tam

The DJI Hong Kong Flagship Store in Causeway Bay has issued a store closure notice informing customers of its permanent closure from August 16, 2021. 11AUG21 SCMP / Nora Tam

A employee (R) demonstrates an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV or Drone) during the opening of the DJI flagship store in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong on September 24, 2016. DJI is a Chinese technology company founded in 2006 by Frank Wang and makes unmanned aerial vehicles (UVA or Drones) for aerial photography and videography. / AFP PHOTO / ISAAC LAWRENCE

29 August 2016: DJI, the world's largest maker of drones, will soon open a flagship store in Hong Kong. The new three-storey, 10,000 sq ft shop in Causeway Bay will be its third retail location after Shenzhen and Seoul. Source: DJI

Lifestyle

Gadgets


The Mavic Mini 2 recreational drone captures 4K video, can fly for 30 minutes and returns to where it took off if you lose contact
Weighing in at less than 250 grams, the Mavic Mini 2 avoids many regulations that restrict the use of larger drones



The Mavic Mini 2 drone can fly for 30 minutes at a distance of up to 9.6km from the pilot; if it loses contact, it will return to where it took off. It is faster than the first Mini and records 4K video.


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