Skydio 2 VS DJI Mavic Mini
This century is all about technology and how it evolves. This evolution has a big impact on the drone industry as well, which is good for us. With the advanced technology, the manufacturers are able to build drones with a decent camera, high-quality sensor and lots of intelligent flight modes for way less than before. In this article, we will analyze 2 drones that have all these aspects and we’re gonna see which is better. Let’s start the race between the Skydio 2 vs DJI Mavic Mini.
Design and build
Skydio 2
The Skydio 2 has a way better built than its predecessor the R1. First of all, it’s way smaller, it’s only 10.7 by 8.7 by 3. And therefore the battery lasts even longer. Also looking at the transportation it is really easy to travel with the drone because you’ve got a hard traveling case in which the drone fits perfectly. One cool thing about Skydio 2 is that the batteries connect magnetically, with a satisfying sound and pairing with the app is seamless, something even DJI can’t seem to manage. Your first flight will be effortless because it’s ready to fly the drone. After you take it out from the box you just simply hold the launch button in the app on your phone and you’re ready to go.
Mavic Mini
Mavic Mini is an appropriate name for DJI’s latest drone. Just like its Mavic family members, it’s foldable, with arms that unfurl to transform it in a couple of spring-loaded maneuvers.
When it comes to looks, this is a really massive DJI product. The color theme on this drone is gray and dark gray, and on the front, there is a pair of ‘eyes’, nuzzled under a flat, beveled, angry-looking top-side. Overall it has a modern and stylish look.
On the front of the Mavic Mini is a 3-axis gimbal that supports the camera. In the box, the camera it’s shielded by a camera guard, which is removable when you come to fly it. On the back, there is an exposed microSD card slot and a micro USB port for charging. Above that, you can find the battery flap.
Camera
Skydio 2
The Skydio is capable of shooting 4K video and 12-megapixel stills with its camera. There are some manual options as well for the camera like you can tweak white balance, shutter speed, and ISO and there’s exposure compensation too. The image mode also depends on you, if you’re not really into editing and stuff you can choose JPG, but if you want to bring out the best of your photos you can choose RAW.
The predecessor had a generous 64GB built-in, meaning you didn’t need a memory card. But now you depend fully on a memory card, which is a bit easier for data transfer. Another benefit is the placement because the camera now is placed right up front, with nothing above it (unlike most DJI’s) which means the camera can also point upwards.
Overall, the image quality of Skydio 2 is stable. The sensor on the Skydio 2 is 1/2.3 inches, which puts it in the same category as the Mavic Air. The Mavic 2 Pros which has 1-inch sensors. Overall for most situations with normal lighting conditions, Skydio 2 delivers great results.
However, there are some areas that Skydio 2 could improve. The main one is the FPV range. When controlling the drone with just your phone the Skydio claims a range of over 600 feet under ideal conditions. When using the controller, though, you can take it for a little farther.
Mavic Mini
The DJI Mavic Mini’s camera shoots 2.7K video at 30fps or in 1080p at 60fps. It has a 1/2.3-inch sensor that can also capture 12MP still images across a range of modes, including Position mode, Sports mode (which is for more high-speed flight), and CineSmooth mode.
The fact that there isn’t a 60fps 2.7K option also combines the need to slow things down in the sky, as you won’t have the option to do so in the editing phase with 30fps footage. But honestly, I advise you to capture in 1080p, most of the people can’t even play 4K the way it’s meant to be played, however, then frame rates do climb up to 60fps.
On the footage, all the details captured are soli when they were recorded in good light, and dynamic range is fair. There isn’t a good amount of scope to pull detail out of highlights so the Mini won’t be a pro filmmaker drone, but for day to day use is perfect.
Performance
Skydio 2
When it comes to performance the Skydio 2 works way better than the R1, it has more obstacle avoidance sensors which are a real treasure when we talk about drones. The obstacle avoidance cameras dotted around the drone are much higher resolution, then the one on R1. This means that it can see in more detail, and theoretically, avoid more things with more precision.
As for the intelligent flight options they are improved as well. The R1 executed all of the flight options pretty well but somehow it wasn’t enough. Now with the Skydio 2, all of that has changed. But in order for the drone to work to it’s the best performance, you need to buy 2 controllers. Each of them has an additional price but after all, it’s worth it.
Mavic Mini
As you can see from our Skydio 2 VS DJI Mavic Mini comparison, the Mavic Mini performs really well. Just like any other DJI product it has powerful motors, so powerful that It flies really still even in the wind.
As for the intelligent flight options, it has some, like the orbit mode, and some others but it doesn’t have nearly as much as a Mavic 2 pro or a DJI Zoom 2, it has no hyper-lapse, and it is built with fewer camera settings. It has just the necessary, nothing more.
You can buy them from the DJI from the Official Store and Skydio 2 from their Store.
