Hey there, and welcome to my overview of the Autel EVO II Professional and DJI Mini 2 SE. This can be a head-to-head I’m excited to cowl, contemplating these are two of my favourite drones.
The EVO II Professional stays on the high of its recreation, even when it’s not the most recent drone.
Conversely, the Mini 2 SE is a testomony to DJI’s unimaginable lineage of accomplishments in drone expertise.
Though these two drones couldn’t look or function extra in a different way, they’re each acceptable selections for business functions and leisure flights, the latter of which I primarily use them for.
Should you had been purchasing for a whole drone fleet, it could be a simple selection, as you possibly can purchase each. Nevertheless, you’re right here since you wish to select one of the best between these two.
I’ve been in related predicaments myself, and I’m pleased to supply my experience primarily based on tons of of flight hours between the 2.
This overview will unpack the numerous virtues of the Autel EVO II Professional and DJI Mini 2 SE, holding them beneath a microscope (figuratively, after all!) to check them within the areas you want data on, equivalent to flight efficiency and battery life. I’ll additionally elaborate on their variations primarily based on my private flight experiences. You’ll quickly see why I chosen the EVO II Professional because the stronger of the 2.
Lingering on a drone determination is agonizing. I’ve been there, and it feels just like the longer you drag out your determination, the much less readability you might have.
That’s what I hope that will help you with.
You’ll have all of the info it’s worthwhile to boldly go forth and choose up the suitable drone in your skilled pursuits so you possibly can stay regret-free along with your determination.
Transient overview
Autel EVO II Professional
When Autel launched the preliminary EVO II Professional, they didn’t depart properly sufficient alone, and thank goodness! Then we wouldn’t have gotten the V2 version or the even higher V3, which is certainly one of my private all-time favourite drones.
Let’s handle the elephant within the room. The EVO II Professional is 5 occasions the price of the Mini 2 SE. That alone is perhaps sufficient to disqualify it from rivalry, however that will be an enormous mistake!
In any case, to skip over the EVO II Professional would imply lacking out on these options:
- An industry-defining Sony CMOS digital camera with a one-inch sensor (don’t fear, you possibly can configure the aperture) that takes 6K Extremely HD movies and 20 MP photographs.
- Among the finest impediment avoidance methods you’ll see in a drone. That alone makes the EVO II Professional definitely worth the cash, as you possibly can fly with confidence as a beginner.
- An intuitive, easy-to-use Good Controller SE that allows you to fly while not having your telephone as a display screen. I like the scale of the touchscreen and the way rugged it’s. It’s even waterproof!
- A jam-packed packing record positive to make you notice the worth of your buy, as you might have each accent you want as a first-timer and afterward, while you get extra into the nitty-gritty of what the EVO II Professional can do.
- The superb Dynamic Monitor 2.0 can monitor stationary or shifting topics such as you wouldn’t imagine. You possibly can monitor many topics concurrently, so you possibly can take on extra concerned drone jobs.
» MORE: Autel EVO II Professional vs. DJI Mavic 3 (Right here’s My Selection)
DJI Mini 2 SE
The Mini 2 SE is likely one of the latest Mini drones, however regardless of its launch date of 2023, it follows within the spirit of different Mini 2 drones. Meaning simplicity is essential.
This is likely one of the lowest-cost DJI drones you should buy. Even the Fly Extra Combo is out there for beneath $500, making it an superior entry-level drone. If I had began flying in 2023, I might simply see the Mini 2 SE being my first drone.
In addition to its easy-to-swallow worth, the Mini 2 SE has these epic options:
- An honest battery lifetime of over half-hour, which isn’t unhealthy for its dimension. Should you don’t have an enormous to-do record, you possibly can reliably get work finished with the Mini 2 SE.
- Many newbie options, from its registration-free weight (provided that you fly it recreationally) to the included tutorials for studying how the drone works, computerized launching and touchdown, dependable hovering, and different auto flight modes, together with RTH.
- A few of DJI’s most pleasant Clever Flight Modes, equivalent to QuickShots, with entry to the beginner-friendly LightCut app to create pro-level footage utilizing single-tap edits, even in case you’ve by no means taken images and movies with a drone earlier than.
- Newbie-appropriate video (2.7K) and picture (12 MP) high quality, bolstered by options like 4x zoom and a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor.
» MORE: Does DJI Mini 2 SE Have Comply with Me? (Answered)
Fast verdict
Your time is valuable, and I don’t wish to depart you on pins and needles.
Right here at Droneblog, all suggestions we make for one of the best drones between two fashions are offered after in depth flight apply and testing.
With our experience and drone data, you possibly can take our recommendations to the financial institution.
So, which drone wins?
The Autel EVO II Professional is the standout drone between it and the DJI Mini 2 SE. It has impediment avoidance sensors (which the Mini 2 SE doesn’t), higher picture and video high quality, a for much longer battery lifetime of 40 minutes, and extra picture settings, from a excessive max ISO to an adjustable aperture.
In fact, I’m not undercutting the Mini 2 SE fully. Its Clever Flight Modes are among the finest you will discover, and this drone has so many beginner-friendly options.
Actually, then, which drone between these two is best for you comes right down to what you’re on the lookout for in a drone.
Should you’re procuring in your first or a newbie simply beginning to fly commercially, equivalent to a social media star or influencer, the Mini 2 SE will enable you develop your sea legs quick.
Should you want a heavy-duty drone that may stand as much as the weather and maintain flight in your extra in-depth drone initiatives, the EVO II Professional is finest.
It’s the higher all-around drone between the 2, nevertheless it’s not almost as beginner-friendly.
» MORE: Can You Fly the DJI Mini 2 SE at Night time? (Defined for Novices)
What are the principle variations?
The Mini 2 SE and EVO II Professional are about as completely different as apples and potatoes. Since these variations can encourage your buying determination, it’s pertinent to overview all of them. Right here’s the exhaustive record.
- Value: The Mini 2 SE retails for beneath $400 in case you select the bottom drone, whereas the EVO II Professional prices near $2,000. That’s an enormous worth differential.
- Weight: The official weight of the Mini 2 SE is 246 grams. The EVO II Professional weighs 1,191 grams. Whereas it’s important to register any drone used for any business functions, most pilots discover lighter drones are higher.
- Measurement: The EVO II Professional can be a lot bigger than the Mini 2 SE. Unfolded, it measures 457 by 558 by 108 millimeters. The Mini 2 SE is 245 by 289 by 56 millimeters unfolded with propellers.
- Security options: The impediment avoidance system included with the EVO II Professional is likely one of the finest round. That makes the shortage of impediment avoidance within the Mini 2 SE conspicuous in its absence. Nevertheless, it has primary impediment sensing.
- Picture and video high quality: Listed here are two areas the place the EVO II Professional shines. Its 20 MP picture decision might not be nice in comparison with most drones available on the market right now, nevertheless it positive beats the 12 MP picture high quality the Mini 2 SE is able to. The video high quality, a distinction of 6K versus 2K, can be stark.
- Flight time: The EVO II Professional has a projected flight time that’s 10 minutes longer than the Mini 2 SE’s. That’s sufficient to save lots of your pores and skin when you might have a decent deadline on the horizon.
- Colours: It might be a small factor to a few of you studying this, however Autel’s shade selection has at all times impressed me. The EVO II Professional is out there in vivid orange to extend your visibility when flying it (however nonetheless inside VLOS guidelines, after all). The Mini 2 SE is a light-weight grey drone.
- Newbie-friendliness: Positive, the Autel drone has some options designed to make it a pleasant flight expertise for learners, nevertheless it has nothing on the Mini 2 SE on this space. Virtually all options of the latter drone are there to assist learners really feel like professionals in brief order.
» MORE: Autel EVO 2 Professional vs. DJI Mini 2 (Right here’s My Selection)
Autel EVO II Professional
The Autel EVO II Professional deserves its accolades. Though it’s maybe not the most recent drone, even within the Autel household, it’s nonetheless among the best available on the market because of the forward-thinking options carried out.
The V3 version is newer than the OG EVO II Professional, which is a part of how this drone manages to maintain up with the massive canine because the 2020s roll on.
It has certainly one of my favourite cameras in any drone. The CMOS from Sony is one inch, which could not appear that particular initially, however you then study you possibly can set the aperture as much as f/11, and now you might have extra prospects.
In fact, your photographic prowess with the EVO II Professional goes a lot deeper. For instance, its ISO vary is as much as 44,000. I additionally love that picture recordsdata are 12-bit DNGs with an expansive shade profile of properly over 60 million hues, a wealthy dynamic vary, and pure lowlights and highlights.
All this interprets to much less modifying time per picture and video. Should you’re deadline-driven like me, you wish to spend as little time wrapping up initiatives as attainable so that you could be on to the following one. The EVO II Professional is prepared for that.
» MORE: Autel EVO II Professional vs. DJI FPV (Right here’s What I Like)
Its 40-minute marketed flight time is great, and its expansive impediment detection and avoidance system is high-tech.
The EVO II Professional has nearly 20 teams of sensors that work at the side of the digital camera to alert the drone of an impediment so it will possibly get away in real-time.
I haven’t even talked about the Hyperlapse photograph mode, which shoots in lifelike 6K. It can save you your Hyperlapse recordsdata as RAW photographs.
Although Hyperlapse accelerates the panorama, you should have such high-quality footage you’ll be beaming while you present it off to your consumer.
The Moonlight Algorithm 2.0 additionally deserves heaps of reward. Whereas it’s powerful to seek out locations to fly at night time as a result of FAA drone legal guidelines, in case you can, please don’t miss this characteristic.
You nearly received’t imagine you’re capturing at night time, because the EVO II Professional retains its shade depth and element after darkish.
By the best way, the Moonlight Algorithm additionally works in low-light conditions, so in case you stay someplace the place you possibly can’t legally fly after sundown, strive it there!
Autel Robotics EVO 2 PRO V3
Autel EVO II Professional V3 is upgraded with Autel drone’s all new SkyLink 2.0 video transmission expertise, permits video transmission from as much as 15 km.
We earn a fee in case you make a purchase order, at no extra value to you.
12/06/2023 11:32 am GMT
DJI Mini 2 SE
There might not be a greater first-time drone available on the market than the Mini 2 SE.
This DJI drone is made for learners in all arenas. It’s light-weight sufficient that you may skip the registration if flying it for enjoyable.
Its worth is accessible, it has Stage 5 wind resistance for sturdiness, and the DJI Fly app tells you every thing it’s worthwhile to know to get began.
You don’t need to be an skilled pilot to make use of the Mini 2 SE for the primary time since this drone contains one-tap launching and touchdown.
The steady hovering retains your drone upright in between, whereas RTH ensures you face fewer bushy conditions, such because the Mini 2 SE flying out of vary or having too little battery.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE vs. Holy Stone HS720E (Which One is Greatest)
Whenever you consider the Mini 2 SE within the lens of a first-timer’s drone, its 12 MP picture high quality and 2K video high quality don’t appear so unhealthy.
This drone has all one of the best DJI digital camera tools, equivalent to a three-axis motorized gimbal and a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, so it doesn’t skimp there.
It additionally doesn’t skimp on Clever Flight Modes. Get nearer to all of the enjoyable utilizing 4x zoom, or take a 180-degree, broad, or sphere Panorama.
The QuickShots modes are solely automated and embrace Rocket, Helix, Boomerang, Circle, and Dronie.
You possibly can then load your footage into LightCut, slapping on filters, including in cool digital camera cuts, and implementing soundtracks with single-tap edits pushed by AI.
DJI Mini 2 SE (Fly Extra Combo)
Light-weight Drone with QHD Video, 10km Video Transmission, 3 Batteries for Whole of 93 Minutes Flight Time, Underneath 249 g, Automated Professional Photographs, Digicam Drone for Novices.
We earn a fee in case you make a purchase order, at no extra value to you.
12/06/2023 11:56 pm GMT
Head-to-head comparability
Digicam system
Winner: Autel EVO II Professional
As talked about, contextually, the picture and video high quality of the DJI Mini 2 SE aren’t unhealthy.
First-timers not often nitpick pixel high quality and readability the identical means skilled pilots do as a result of they don’t have a backlog of expertise to attract on.
They primarily care about getting one thing on-line. Contemplating the Mini 2 SE is a DJI drone, it’s not like your footage goes to endure from shoddy high quality.
That mentioned, as you start getting extra skilled drone jobs, you’ll shortly notice that the picture and video high quality of the Mini 2 SE is not going to will let you rise above your friends.
Their higher-quality drone cameras will outrank yours each time.
It’s then that you just’re able to discover a drone just like the EVO II Professional. Its 6K Extremely HD video high quality will blow you away, particularly after graduating from the Mini 2 SE.
The 20 MP picture high quality, whereas nothing to jot down house about in comparison with different DJI drones, is a lot better than the Mini 2 SE’s 12 MP picture high quality.
Contemplating it can save you some picture recordsdata in RAW and others in 12-big DNG, the EVO II Professional proves it’s the king of digital camera high quality versus the Mini 2 SE.
» MORE: Digicam Know-how in Drones (Defined)
Efficiency
Winner: Autel EVO II Professional
I like how light-weight, zippy, and moveable the Mini 2 SE is. It’s bought surprisingly nice wind resistance, and it’s sturdy in some ways you wouldn’t count on.
Nevertheless, I can’t give it the efficiency class in good conscience.
The first purpose is its lack of impediment avoidance.
You’ll recall the Mini 2 SE has a downward-facing imaginative and prescient system that may gather impediment knowledge. Nevertheless, the drone will make no strikes to keep away from obstacles.
Contemplating how beginner-perfect the Mini 2 SE is in each different means, this lacking characteristic is a big detriment. Novices want impediment avoidance to keep away from sinking their $400 within the ocean.
I do know DJI has solely carried out impediment avoidance in Mini drones right here and there, however the Mini 2 SE ought to have had it, even when it meant driving up the worth a couple of hundred {dollars}.
Now, by comparability, any impediment avoidance system would have sufficed, however the EVO II Professional has among the best methods within the recreation.
Its many sensor teams work onerous to detect obstacles throughout your drone, then dodge them earlier than the going will get too powerful.
In fact, drone efficiency is about greater than impediment avoidance. The EVO II Professional can fly lengthy and makes these flights extra pleasant with its good options.
I like DJI’s Clever Flight Modes, and whereas I feel they’re higher than some other drone producer’s, the Mini 2 SE doesn’t have that many.
» MORE: How Quick Can Drones Fly? (An In-Depth Information)
Portability
Winner: DJI Mini 2 SE
This one was a no-contest.
The EVO II Professional is loads moveable, don’t get me flawed. It folds down, and it’s not so giant that you may’t convey it with you in its included carrying case or a third-party bag.
You shouldn’t battle to verify in with it on the airport as a carry-on.
Nevertheless, it’s heavy, and in comparison with the Mini 2 SE, it’s additionally cumbersome. The DJI drone is rather more streamlined, and it weighs so little that you just received’t really feel it when carrying it in your travels.
Basically, if the burden of your smartphone doesn’t hassle you, then the Mini 2 SE received’t both.
» MORE: The Final Information to Touring with a Drone
RC compatibility and vary
Winner: Autel EVO II Professional
Let’s speak controllers, lets?
The Mini 2 SE makes use of the DJI RC-N1, and it’s the one controller that works with it.
The RC-N1 has a monster record of suitable DJI drones, such because the Mini 2 earlier than it, the Mini 3, the Mini 3 Professional, the Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Basic, Mavic Air 2, and Air 2S.
The controller is boxy however light-weight, and the beveling within the design offers you a spot to relaxation your fingers when holding it. I like how this controller isn’t too heavy and handles properly.
Nevertheless, the RC-N1 doesn’t have a display screen. You should connect your telephone to the holster.
The EVO II Professional makes use of the Autel Good Controller SE, which works with different EVO drones and the EVO Lite. It has a built-in touchscreen measuring a beneficiant 6.4 inches.
In addition to the OLED display screen, the bolstered processor and SkyLink transmission system allow you to ship HD-quality photographs with out stressing about interference. The distant can deal with temperatures of as much as 104 levels Fahrenheit.
The transmission distance the EVO II Professional distant is able to is 9.3 miles. The Mini 2 SE has a transmission distance of 6.21 miles, which ain’t unhealthy contemplating this drone’s viewers, however is lower than the Autel drone.
» MORE: Can You Fly DJI Mini 2 SE And not using a Telephone (Answered)
Battery life
Winner: Autel EVO II Professional
One other space the place the Mini 2 SE is lower than the Autel drone is in battery life.
Most of DJI’s Mini drones don’t fly for longer than 35 minutes. Within the case of the Mini 2 SE, it’s solely 31 minutes. Nevertheless, these are the marketed minutes.
In every flight expertise I’ve had with this DJI drone – and it’s so pleasant, I’ve had many – I logged beneath half-hour. It was nearer to 27 minutes or just a little beneath.
That’s not shocking, contemplating drones by no means fly so long as marketed. That’s why the 40-minute flight time of the EVO II Professional yields an IRL time of round 36 minutes.
Irrespective of the way you slice it, the EVO II Professional flies longer, providing you with extra leeway to get work finished.
» MORE: Drone Batteries (In-Depth Info)
Conclusion
Each drones have many deserves, however the EVO II Professional stands head and shoulders over the Mini 2 SE for its longer flight time, extra sturdy digital camera system, and impediment avoidance, a characteristic the DJI drone regrettably lacks.
Nevertheless, in addition to that omission, the Mini 2 SE is a superb newbie drone that’s positive to result in many enjoyable moments.
The EVO II Professional, whereas much less beginner-friendly, is the following finest step in your profession.
» MORE: Are the DJI Mini 2 and DJI Mini 3 Batteries the Similar? (Defined)
