Whereas DJI has launched a number of newer fashions, a lot of their older ones are nonetheless worthwhile, too, and will make good newbie drones, particularly if you’re on a funds.
Many individuals take into account two drone fashions for his or her first drone or as a present for family members seeking to get into drones: the DJI Spark, an older drone mannequin, and the DJI Mini 2 SE, a latest drone with extra fundamental know-how.
So, the DJI Mini 2 SE vs. the DJI Spark, which one would I select? Learn on to search out out why I choose the DJI Mini 2 SE.
DJI Mini 2 SE Temporary Overview
This can be a easier and cheaper model of the DJI Mini 2, providing a extra accessible entry level to drones.
It reuses among the applied sciences discovered within the DJI Mini and Mini 2, providing a easy but useful drone that ticks many of the bins of a newbie drone.
Beneath are its important options:
- 2.7K decision for creating respectable footage.
- OcuSync 2.0 offers a secure transmission for short-range and barely longer flights.
- Foldable design for portability.
- Sub-250 grams weight, which exempts you from some laws.
- Clever flight modes like Quickshots and Panorama.
- A 1/2.3-inch sensor dimension is respectable if you wish to get into images.
- RAW capturing functionality lets you learn to edit RAW footage, a needed talent for skilled images.
» MORE: Is the DJI Mini 2 SE Value It?
DJI Spark Temporary Overview
The DJI Spark is a newbie drone geared toward offering a extra simple entry-level into drones at a time when most drones had been both advanced or fairly costly.
Beneath are the options that appealed to most customers and would enchantment to most individuals right now:
- Hand gestures for straightforward management and having enjoyable when open air.
- Compact dimension for portability.
- Topic monitoring (Comply with Me) so as to add creativity and enjoyable to your out of doors actions.
- 2-axis gimbal for stabilized flights.
- Tapfly for ease of use.
- Entrance impediment avoidance for secure flight in areas with obstacles.
- There are two management choices: smartphone and controller, permitting you to decide on one that matches you.
- Computerized flight modes enable for creating cinematic pictures extra simply.
» MORE: Can DJI Spark Fly within the Snow? Right here’s What You Must Know
Fast Verdict
The DJI Spark has many enjoyable options which have since been improved or eradicated in DJI’s later releases. Nonetheless, when it comes right down to which drone to decide on between the Spark and the DJI Mini 2 SE, I’d go for the Mini 2 SE.
Why? It comes with the OcuSync transmission, which works higher than DJI Spark’s Wi-Fi transmission. Secondly, you get to movie in a better decision.
Lastly, the DJi Mini 2 SE is a more recent drone, so its batteries can be principally new, and you can even get guarantee protection.
I wouldn’t say the identical for the DJI Spark because it’s discontinued.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE – Newbie’s Information
What are the Primary Variations?
DJI Mini 2 SE vs. DJI Spark – what’s new?
That includes newer applied sciences and being a more recent launch, beneath are the primary variations that set the DJI Mini 2 SE other than the Spark.
- Longer vary – The DJI Mini 2 SE comes with OcuSync 2.0, which presents a comparatively extra prolonged vary and higher efficiency in numerous conditions in comparison with a normal Wi-Fi connection just like the one on the Spark.
- Higher high quality footage – Whereas each drones have an identical sensor and shoot 12MP stills, the DJI Mini 2 SE appears to supply a greater high quality imaging expertise. It additionally lets you movie in 2.7K with extra body price choices, whereas the Spark is restricted to 1080p and has restricted body price choices.
- Higher battery efficiency – When you might discover a DJI Spark, likelihood is it will likely be a used one, so the batteries is not going to be at their optimum situation. Consequently, it’s possible you’ll not get as a lot flight time, and it will likely be difficult to get extra batteries.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE vs. Potensic Atom SE (Right here’s My Alternative)
DJI Mini 2 SE
DJI does its finest to launch drones concentrating on completely different customers, and the DJI Mini 2 SE is one such drone.
Whereas lots of people had been in search of extra options to be included on the DJI Mini 2, all many customers needed was a easy drone that they might begin with, learn to fly, and probably take good footage as they take into account whether or not they should get a extra superior drone, or maintain having enjoyable with their present drone.
» MORE: Is DJI Mini 2 SE Good for Rookies? (Palms-on Evaluation)
That’s why even after releasing the DJI Mini 3 Professional, the DJI Mini 3, and later the DJI Mini 4 Professional, the DJI Mini 2 SE nonetheless appeals to many customers – these on the newbie finish of the spectrum.
Nice Starter Drone
DJI Mini 2 SE
Light-weight and Foldable Mini Drone with 2.7K Video, 10km Video Transmission, 31-min Flight Time, Below 249 g, Return to Dwelling, Computerized Professional Shoots, Drone with digicam for Rookies.
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01/21/2024 03:41 pm GMT
DJI Spark
On the time of its launch, the opposite drones available in the market had been the Phantom collection and the DJI Mavic Professional. These had been bigger, dearer drones that weren’t very interesting to rookies.
» MORE: DJI Tello Vs. Spark: Which Drone Is Higher?
The DJI Spark modified every part by being cheaper and smaller whereas providing many options that would make proudly owning a drone enjoyable.
DJI Spark
Flight SafetyWorry-free flight within the palm of your hand ; Propeller guards are really helpful when utilizing these features.
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01/22/2024 07:17 pm GMT
Head-to-Head Comparability
Photograph and Video Recording
Winner: DJI Mini 2 SE
If you wish to get into severe images and videography, you’ll have a higher expertise with the DJI Mini 2 SE digicam. DJI has come a great distance, they usually can now match a number of digicam options right into a miniature drone.
That’s why you get a greater sensor and may do extra with a small drone now in comparison with 5 years in the past. The 12MP you get from the DJI Mini 2 SE will look higher than the one from the DJI Spark.
As talked about earlier, the DJI Spark can also be restricted to capturing at 1080p at 30fps, whereas the Mini 2 SE can shoot 2.7K and 1080p with a wider vary of body charges.
The DJI Mini 2 SE additionally incorporates a 4X zoom, permitting you to shoot respectable footage from a distance. You may’t obtain the identical with the DJI Spark.
How about picture stabilization? The DJI Mini 2 SE incorporates a 3-axis gimbal, compensating for vibration within the Pitch, Roll, and Yaw drone actions.
However, the DJI Spark incorporates a 2-axis gimbal that solely stabilizes footage in Pitch and Roll, so that you may get shaky footage when you incorporate Yaw actions into your pictures.
Lastly, the DJI Mini 2 SE helps capturing RAW footage, which lets you edit the footage to your liking. To begin doing skilled images, you need to learn to take care of RAW footage.
Customers hoped DJI would finally add RAW footage functionality to the DJI Spark, however they by no means did, they usually aren’t growing any enhancements for this drone, because it’s discontinued.
Clever Flight Modes
Winner: DJI Spark
DJI designed the DJI Spark as the last word selfie drone, that includes a number of automated options, which is why it options a few clever flight modes, a few of which we don’t see in more moderen drones.
Clever Modes on the Spark embody:
- Panoramas – This characteristic permits the drone to take a number of pictures and sew them collectively to type a picture that appears prefer it was taken with a wide-angle digicam. If you wish to present the expansiveness of a panorama, Panoramas would turn out to be useful.
- Quickshots – This incorporates a mixture of automated drone actions. You need to use them to automate filming a topic in numerous points, which may be useful when you’ve restricted battery life and have a number of filming to do. These actions embody Circle, Helix, Rocket, and Dronie.
- Tapfly – If you wish to fly to a sure level rapidly or are nonetheless not good at flying, you’ll be able to faucet on the display, and the drone will mechanically fly to that time. You can too use it to movie a topic by guiding the drone to fly in the direction of it.
- Gesture management – That is one other fascinating characteristic that made the DJI Spark fairly standard. With a couple of clicks, you’ll be able to activate gesture management, permitting you to manage the drone by waving at it – speak about superpowers! Wave to the appropriate, and the drone will observe your arm. You can too depict framing a shot telling the drone to take the selfie.
- ActiveTrack – On the time of its launch, we had already seen ActiveTrack in drones just like the Phantoms. This characteristic lets you monitor a topic mechanically, and it could possibly determine widespread topics like individuals or automobiles. I used to be stunned to be taught that this drone had this characteristic, too. Nonetheless, many customers skilled points with the drone dropping the topic. You’d have to make use of it in a straight line with out taking sharp corners to keep away from this. DJI has since improved the ActiveTrack characteristic, and it really works a lot better now, however it was nice to have it on a tiny drone.
The DJI Mini 2 SE does characteristic QuickShots and Panoramas, so it’s not that badly off. Moreover, it additionally contains an additional Quickshot, Boomerang, which provides even methods to make use of your drone open air.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Clever Capabilities (All You Must Know)
Weight and Design
Winner: DJI Mini 2 SE
Whereas the DJI Spark is tiny, it’s not foldable, so it’s not as simple to package deal as a foldable drone. Nonetheless, the propellers fold in to make it simpler to pack up.
It additionally weighs 300 grams, which is mild however over the 250-gram restrict that exempts customers from registering their drone.
However, the DJI Mini 2 SE is small, foldable, and weighs 242 grams, so you’ll not should register it until you employ it for skilled functions.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in the US
Vary
Winner: DJI Mini 2 SE
The DJI Mini 2 SE comes with OcuSync 2.0, which ensures a variety of as much as 6 miles. In areas with a lot of interference, it presents a good transmission.
The DJI Spark doesn’t have OcuSync. As a substitute, it options an HD Wi-Fi transmission system that ensures a variety of as much as 1.2 miles.
One person noticed that you simply get good transmission when flying in a straight line, however once you begin turning, the vary reduces. There are equipment you can purchase that would assist focus the sign and even amplify it, however you’ll not get the identical expertise as you’d with the OcuSync system.
It’s uncommon to get the total vary marketed by the producer, however in a real-life check, the DJI Mini 2 SE outshines the DJI Spark.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Vary Defined (Every little thing You Want To Know)
Security Options and Impediment Avoidance
Winner: DJI Spark
Impediment detection is one other stunning characteristic within the DJI Spark, particularly for people who find themselves used to the drones DJI launched a lot later. Nonetheless, these sensors are on the entrance, so they won’t detect obstacles on the perimeters, high, or again.
Nonetheless, even the DJI Mini 2, which is barely higher than the Mini 2 SE, doesn’t have impediment avoidance.
The DJI Spark’s different security options embody GPS, RTH, and Imaginative and prescient Sensors that assist stabilize its flight indoors.
When utilizing this drone, be very cautious with the automated flight modes. It’s finest all the time to check them open air to gauge how they react earlier than attempting them in confined areas.
Some customers have crashed their drones once they initiated the Quickshots too near obstacles and the drone flew proper into them.
Whereas the DJI Mini 2 SE doesn’t characteristic impediment avoidance, it contains imaginative and prescient sensors, GPS, and RTH, that are nice to have, and you’ll have secure flights when you rigorously choose the place to fly.
» MORE: Drone Security Options (All You Must Know)
Flight Time
Winner: DJI Mini 2 SE
Whereas each drones are marketed to supply greater than half-hour of flight time, you’ve a greater probability of getting not less than 20 minutes with the DJI Mini 2 SE than with the DJI Spark.
Most customers reported getting 12 to 16 minutes. Moreover, most batteries you may get are outdated, extensively used, and never that secure attributable to utilization.
The DJI Mini 2 SE is a a lot newer launch, so getting new batteries is simple to do.
» MORE: Flight Time of All DJI Drones (Defined)
Strategies of Management
Winner: Relies upon
The DJI Spark barely wins out on this class as a result of it lets you management it in two methods: the controller and the smartphone.
If you’re in search of a simple and cheaper approach to make use of the Spark, utilizing a smartphone is an efficient choice. All you want is the DJI GO app, and you’ll have entry to the controls proper there on the app.
Nonetheless, utilizing your smartphone limits the working vary and transmission high quality. The controller comes at an additional price however permits an extended vary and higher transmission.
The DJI Spark can also be suitable with DJI Goggles, the primary FPV goggles from DJI. Nonetheless, these are additionally discontinued, and it’s possible you’ll not simply be capable to get used ones which might be in good working situation.
The DJI Mini SE makes use of the RC-N1 controller, a normal controller that you will discover for the Mavic, Air, and Mini drones. It’s simple to make use of, wants a smartphone, and regardless that there may be the RC-N2, the RC-N1 is just not discontinued.
The DJI Mini 2 SE additionally makes use of the DJI Fly app, which is way simpler to make use of.
Don’t get me unsuitable, the DJI GO app presents extra management choices, however it was generally too difficult for DJI Spark customers, and issues would have been easier if it got here with the DJI Fly app.
The DJI Spark appears interesting if you’re in search of a drone with completely different management strategies. Nonetheless, I select stability and higher connection, and I’ve no situation attaching a smartphone to the controller.
That’s why I’d nonetheless go for the DJI Mini 2 SE.
» MORE: Hand Launch / Land a DJI Drone (Step-by-Step Information)
Coloration Choices
Winner: DJI Spark
When you’d like the choice to pick your drone’s coloration, the DJI Spark is available in completely different colours, together with Alpine White, Lava Crimson, Meadow Inexperienced, Skyblue, and Dawn Yellow.
DJI now not does this, and most of their later drones solely are available in grey. You may customise the Mini 2 SE with stickers or skins if you need, however they won’t be from DJI.
Conclusion
The Mini 2 SE, with its higher transmission, increased filming decision, foldable design, and improved battery efficiency, outshines the DJI Spark in virtually each facet.
For customers in search of a dependable entry-level drone with trendy options, the DJI Mini 2 SE is a transparent selection.
Its sub-250-gram weight exempts it from sure laws, making it a superb choice for rookies and fanatics alike.
The Mini 2 SE’s clever flight modes, 3-axis gimbal for secure footage, and prolonged vary by way of OcuSync 2.0 contribute to an impressive aerial expertise.
DJI Spark has carved its place in historical past as an revolutionary and compact drone, and it was an ideal drone at the moment. Nonetheless, its growing older know-how and limitations in transmission and backbone make it much less aggressive in right now’s drone panorama.
» MORE: Autel EVO 2 Professional vs. DJI Mini 2 SE (Right here’s My Favourite)
