Welcome to my evaluate of the Autel EVO Lite+ and the DJI Mini 2 SE.
These two handheld drones are geared towards pilots who by no means like to remain in a single place, as they’re filled with options for facilitating simpler (learn: autonomous) and extra pleasant flights.
Nevertheless, except you’re stocking up for a complete fleet, you solely want one in all these drones. I’ve examined the EVO Lite+ and Mini 2 SE over many hours apiece that can assist you determine which is the perfect of the bunch.
This evaluate will dive deep into the variations between the Autel EVO Lite+ and DJI Mini 2 SE and share extra of my insights and experiences flying them each. You’ll study why the EVO Lite+ has what it takes to outshine a DJI drone, which isn’t any simple feat!
Let’s discover your dream drone!
Temporary overview
Autel EVO Lite+
The EVO Lite+ got here out on the similar time that Autel revised the sensor measurement of the unique EVO Lite and launched the EVO Nano (two variations).
Though that was loads abruptly, the EVO Lite+ stands out for myriad causes. It diminished the price of what you’d must pay to personal an OG EVO Lite.
It additionally simplified the gimbal system, going from a four-axis to a three-axis gimbal.
Perhaps that doesn’t sound so nice in case you’re of the mindset that extra superior tech is all the time higher, however let me inform you this.
4-axis gimbals are fairly darn cool, however a three-axis gimbal continues to be greater than enough.
For my part, it’s a kind of “don’t repair what isn’t damaged” eventualities.
However I digress. Let’s examine what else rocks concerning the EVO Lite+:
- It lasts within the air for 40 minutes at a clip, so you may get extra executed with out having to spend hours charging your battery.
- The transmission vary of seven.4 miles shouldn’t be too shabby for a DJI competitor and is a lot competent for brand new pilots.
- Its 1-inch CMOS RGGB digital camera shoots in unparalleled 6K video at 30 frames per second and 20 MP picture decision.
- It has computerized flight options like Energetic Monitor and SkyPortrait for hands-off images and videography, one other A+ characteristic for social media stars and influencers. SkyPortrait is even branded as “your private paparazzi,” which is true up your alley in case you’re chronically on-line.
- Glorious images and videography modes, from Defog Mode to pure coloration restoration, the Moonlight Algorithm, adjustable aperture, HDR composites, and twin autofocus.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite+ Video Evaluation (Video)
DJI Mini 2 SE
The DJI Mini 2 SE got here out in 2023 as a follow-up to the Mini 2. It’s a stable drone, providing loads of options pilots covet, particularly freshmen.
They embody:
- A neat weight of below 249 grams, so that you don’t have to hassle your self with drone registration.
- A stabilizing three-axis gimbal that homes a digital camera with a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that shoots in 12 MP picture high quality and a pair of.7K video.
- Newbie options similar to single-tap launching and touchdown, a Propeller Guard (should buy individually although), and tutorials by the DJI Fly app. Now freshmen can really feel like consultants in document time!
- Inventive templates and enjoyable edits by the DJI Fly app for modifying and posting your footage when you’re nonetheless within the discipline (nice for constructing your portfolio or maintaining with the Joneses on social media).
- Enjoyable Clever Flight Options like QuickShots that maneuvers your drone for you, utterly hands-free (properly, you continue to want to carry the controller, however you get what I imply).
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE App (Learn This Earlier than Downloading)
Fast verdict
Though I principally fly drones for enjoyable, I all the time understand buying selections from the opposite aspect of the coin, as I do know most pilots are in it for industrial achieve.
Right here at Droneblog, we delight ourselves on recommending the highest merchandise available on the market after tons of of hours of analysis and testing.
By means of my expertise with each drones, I’m assured in saying the Autel EVO Lite+ is the higher drone in comparison with the DJI Mini 2 SE. The DJI drone has video and picture high quality that’s been surpassed a number of instances over by the EVO Lite+. The Autel drone has extra options to bolster your picture and video high quality and higher security options.
Something the Mini 2 SE can do, the EVO Lite+ can do higher.
Picture high quality? Video high quality? Pictures settings? Flight time? These are all areas the place the EVO Lite+ excels.
Nevertheless, I don’t need to utterly solid the Mini 2 SE apart. In case you’re brand-new to drones or looking for a light-weight, ultra-portable answer, the Mini 2 SE will serve you properly.
It’s received respectable video transmission and battery, making it extra relevant for leisure than industrial endeavors.
DJI by no means mentioned the Mini 2 SE is a industrial drone. Its web site is stuffed with individuals utilizing this drone for enjoyable, a function I’ve primarily used it for as properly.
If that’s what you stick to, you may nonetheless have a blast with the Mini 2 SE.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE vs. Autel EVO Nano (Right here’s My Alternative)
What are the primary variations?
It’s comparability time.
I really like a great comparability as a lot as anybody. I’m very meticulous with my purchases and must really feel like I’m making the only option by cautious consideration and analysis.
What higher means to do this than by analyzing what these drones have and lack?
Right here’s some info that may show you how to make up your thoughts.
- Weight: A reputation just like the EVO Lite+ would most likely make you assume this drone weighs below 250 grams. Properly, it doesn’t. As an alternative, it weighs 835 grams or virtually three kilos. The Mini 2 SE, by comparability, is way lighter. It weighs under 250 grams. That’s about as a lot as your smartphone.
- Evening pictures: Isn’t nighttime videography and images simply the best? You’ll definitely agree in case you select the EVO Lite+, which boasts Autel’s Moonlight Algorithm for noise management and readability in darkish environments. Though you’re solely legally permitted to make use of your drone at night time in restricted eventualities, having night time footage in your portfolio might show you how to land gigs or promote your footage quicker. The Mini 2 SE doesn’t have a characteristic just like the Moonlight Algorithm, though later DJI drones have their reply to this characteristic.
- Security options: The strategy to security every drone producer took is wildly completely different right here. The Mini 2 SE comes outfitted with…properly, not a lot. Okay, to be truthful, it has a downward sensing system that makes use of infrared expertise to gauge what’s round it, however it could possibly’t actively keep away from obstacles. The prop guards aren’t sufficient to reserve it if it careens right into a tree.
- Colours: You need colours? You bought ‘em! The EVO Lite+ is available in three hues for all tastes. Your choices are white, black, and electrical orange. The Mini 2 SE is simply accessible in white, with no choice to customise your drone coloration except you set a pores and skin on it.
- Newbie-friendliness: The EVO Lite+ has some beginner-friendly options, however principally, this drone’s viewers is the extra established pilot. Oppositely, the Mini 2 SE is made principally for freshmen. Skilled pilots would possibly discover a few of its options too rudimentary.
- Price: The Mini 2 SE is accessible for below $350, which isn’t unhealthy for a brand new drone launched in 2023. By comparability, the EVO Lite+ is properly over $1,000.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite+ vs. DJI Mavic 3 Professional (Which Is Higher?)
Autel EVO Lite+
The EVO Lite+ is a mid-level drone for industrial and leisure use, though it’s handier for the previous.
This follow-up to the OG EVO Lite launched cost-effective, consumer-friendly options, proving that an Autel drone needn’t break the financial institution.
It has options to seize your consideration, but it surely’s rather more than flash and panache.
This drone has substance, as evidenced by its 40-minute flight time, industry-leading video high quality, and high-level impediment avoidance.
It’s received good options to rival any DJI drone, with automated flight modes similar to Flick, Fade Away, Orbit, and Rocket which are very similar to DJI’s QuickShots capabilities.
These single-button modes shoot robotically, simply as DJI QuickShots modes do.
Higher but, you should utilize the Autel Sky app to jazz up your footage instantly after taking pictures, apply filters, and choose a banger soundtrack.
Pilots clamber for SkyPortrait, particularly within the social media sphere. You possibly can ship the EVO Lite+ into the air by itself trajectory to trace you and your buddies, then take images.
The digital camera will robotically embody everybody and make changes, so that you don’t must.
That’s solely a style of this drone’s superior topic monitoring, because it additionally consists of Dynamic Monitor 2.1.
This improved model of Dynamic Monitor permits the EVO Lite+ to trace virtually something. I’m speaking about individuals, automobiles, even animals.
The drone will seize footage, so you continue to have to watch it, however you may depend on its main impediment avoidance sensor and digital camera system to stop it from crashing into a close-by tree.
You possibly can increase your images in new and surprising methods. Pure coloration restoration renews the hues of your photos with out oversaturating them.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite+ Evaluation
The HDR characteristic takes a composite of your photos with the optimum spotlight and shadow steadiness, and Defog Mode is ideal in case you’re up with the solar or taking pictures vivid movies from a mountain.
The form of footage you may put collectively utilizing the EVO Lite+ is nothing wanting astounding. This can be a drone designed that can assist you achieve a aggressive benefit.
These options are intuitive sufficient for any newbie however catered towards drone execs with extra expertise below their belt.
That’s one in all my favourite elements concerning the EVO Lite+: the way it toes the road between newbie and seasoned pilot.
Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ Premium Bundle
1” CMOS Sensor with 6K HDR Digicam, No Geo-Fencing, 3-Axis Gimbal, 3-Approach Impediment Avoidance, 40Min Flight Time, 7.4 Miles Transmission, Lite Plus Extra Combo.
We earn a fee in case you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
11/07/2023 12:36 am GMT
DJI Mini 2 SE
The Mini 2 SE is a member of DJI’s long-running Mini collection.
It’s about as light-weight as a Mini drone comes and is ultra-beginner-friendly, filled with tutorials and prop guards to stop pilot mishaps (and painful lacerations from these sharp propellers – ouch!).
May you utilize it as a critical industrial drone pilot? I suppose, however I ponder why you’ll need to.
There are numerous extra drones within the Mini collection higher suited to your targets, together with the Mini 3 Professional and Mini 4 Professional.
In spite of everything, the Mini 2 SE lacks any impediment avoidance, a significant shortfall when surveying or doing any form of environmental work with a drone.
Is the Mini 2 SE good for leisure drone exploration? You betcha. It’s so light-weight and intuitive that audiences, from children to adults, can choose it up and fly it.
It’s filled with sufficient options that can assist you study the ropes of drone flight that I’d advocate the Mini 2 SE as the primary drone for any pilot.
Heck, I want it had existed after I discovered to fly a drone. I really feel it could have made issues loads simpler.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Battery (All You Have to Know)
And positive, most of the Mini drones earlier than and after the Mini 2 SE are simply as beginner-friendly, however there’s one thing about this one which I nonetheless like.
It has a pleasant appeal and enjoyable options that make the expertise with this drone one in 1,000,000.
It has a full extent of the Clever Flight Options. This can be a DJI drone we’re speaking about right here, and regardless that it’s a fundamental one, particularly by right this moment’s requirements, it nonetheless makes use of QuickShots.
You possibly can select from 4 modes: Rocket, Helix, Dronie, and Circle.
You may as well take off with out manually doing it, and land robotically. New drone pilots can proceed with the utmost confidence due to all this cool automation.
DJI Mini 2 SE (Fly Extra Combo)
Light-weight Drone with QHD Video, 10km Video Transmission, 3 Batteries for Complete of 93 Minutes Flight Time, Beneath 249 g, Computerized Professional Pictures, Digicam Drone for Inexperienced persons.
We earn a fee in case you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
11/06/2023 05:31 pm GMT
Head-to-head comparability
Digicam system
Winner: Autel EVO Lite+
I don’t need you to really feel like I’m beating up on the poor Mini 2 SE as a result of it’s an distinctive, zippy little drone in some ways. Nevertheless, its digital camera shouldn’t be one in all them.
The three-axis gimbal is ok.
That’s the identical sort of gimbal the EVO Lite+ has, decreasing its axes from 4 to a few between the primary and second EVO Lite. It’s additionally a DJI gimbal, so it’s greater than satisfactory.
The issue is with the digital camera itself. For a drone launched in 2023, its 12 MP picture high quality and a pair of.4K video high quality don’t minimize it.
When you think about that the EVO Lite+ has 20 MP picture high quality and 6K video, that distinction is large!
The Autel drone doesn’t even have the perfect picture high quality in comparison with many different drones within the Mini collection, however the Mini 2 SE shouldn’t be one in all them.
As for the video high quality, it’s a steep uptick for the EVO Lite+ in comparison with the Mini 2 SE.
Do most individuals even care about video and picture high quality? That will depend on what sort of drone pilot you’re asking.
If it’s a industrial pilot, sure, completely. You need to, as getting high quality footage is a part of your job description.
As for leisure pilots, it relies upon. In case you’re model new to drones, which is the viewers the Mini 2 SE caters to, then you definitely don’t actually know any higher to say definitively, “Sure, that is superior digital camera high quality.”
Nevertheless, in case you’re an influencer or social media star, you’ll care about picture and video high quality. You most likely received into drones within the first place to offer your self a bonus over the competitors.
In case your video and picture high quality is poor by comparability, that benefit evaporates.
» MORE: Digicam Expertise in Drones (Defined)
Efficiency
Winner: Autel EVO Lite+
I need to give the Mini 2 SE brownie factors for efficiency. It’s light-weight, simple to fly, intuitive, responsive, and simply an all-around good drone.
Nevertheless, I couldn’t rightfully give it the efficiency prize when it has impediment detection however not avoidance.
The EVO Lite+ has an clever impediment avoidance system that has a large discipline of frontal imaginative and prescient. It’s constructed to cut back blind spots and forestall unintended collisions.
When you think about this drone solely prices about $500 greater than the Mini 2 SE (sure, it’s nonetheless costly right this moment), the dearth of an impediment avoidance system within the Mini drone is much more obtrusive.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite Plus vs DJI Air 3 (Right here’s My Favourite)
Portability
Winner: DJI Mini 2 SE
I really like my EVO Lite+, however there’s one factor that’s bothered me about it. For a drone that’s known as the Lite, it isn’t.
You wouldn’t anticipate the Nano to be an enormous, hulking drone, so why does the Lite weigh twice the restrict to register a drone recreationally?
The Mini 2 SE is certainly a mini. It’s below 250 grams, so have fun, hobbyists. You don’t must register it, however watch your payload to make sure your drone doesn’t push over the load restrict.
Apart from being lighter and simpler to tote round, the Mini 2 SE can be smaller.
This can be a newbie drone, but it surely’s strong sufficient which you can retailer it in a drone backpack and see the world with it.
The EVO Lite+ is greater than able to dealing with the identical form of journey circumstances. It’s just a bit greater and just a little heavier, so it would depart you with rather less area in your journey bag.
» MORE: Do I Have to Register My Drone? (And Tips on how to do It)
RC compatibility and long-range flights
Winner: Autel EVO Lite+
The Mini 2 SE comes filled with its personal RC-N1 controller that attaches to your smartphone. It’s a boxy controller with two handles and some buttons on the entrance.
It could be finest if it got here with a display screen, however what are you able to do?
That is the one distant that works for the Mini 2 SE, which makes use of OcuSync 2.0 transmission.
I might say the Mini 2 SE’s controller is about on par with the EVO Lite+’s. Each require you to make use of your smartphone because the display screen.
It’s actually not the top of the world, however utilizing your cellphone because the display screen in lieu of a display screen constructed into your drone controller drains the battery quicker, so put your cellphone in low-power mode and shut down any apps you aren’t utilizing.
This Autel controller is suitable with EVO Lite and Nano collection drones, so it has extra compatibility than the Mini SE’s controller.
As for long-range flights, it is a no-contest. The Mini SE has about 2.5 miles of vary versus the 7.4 miles for the EVO Lite+.
That is contemplating the DJI O2 system is an improve over different fashions.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Controller (All You Have to Know)
Battery life
Winner: Autel EVO Lite+
A 30-minute flight time is fairly good for a Mini drone, however admittedly might be higher, particularly for a drone launched in 2023.
But DJI solely guarantees 31 minutes of flight for the Mini 2 SE.
When you think about that the half-hour is simply DJI’s projection, you’ll solely find yourself getting 26 or 27 minutes out of this drone.
I couldn’t get its battery to final for half-hour in any check circumstances (and also you don’t need to drain that battery to zero, anyway), however at the very least the battery expenses quick so you may get again on the market and fly once more.
The EVO Lite+ is meant to fly proudly for 40 minutes. Once more, it’s not fairly that. I logged some flight instances between 36 and 38 minutes, however that’s nonetheless about 10 minutes greater than you get with the Mini 2 SE’s battery.
What are you able to do in 10 additional minutes? That may be the distinction between wrapping up a undertaking or not!
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite+ vs DJI Air 2S
Conclusion
It’s an fascinating day when Autel bumps out DJI, however that’s the case within the battle of the EVO Lite+ and the Mini 2 SE.
The DJI drone is extra beginner-friendly however is hampered by outdated battery instances, picture decision, and video high quality.
It’s additionally scant on flight options and doesn’t offer you as many choices for configuring your images settings because the EVO Lite+.
Plus, most vital is the dearth of impediment avoidance in a drone launched in 2023.
Impediment avoidance and Mini drones have by no means been the perfect of mates, showing sporadically, but it surely’s one thing right this moment’s pilots anticipate as a baseline characteristic.
I discovered the EVO Lite+ an amazing all-arounder.
