Working as a drone photographer can internet you critical financial institution, particularly if you happen to do it full-time. Having a specialty or area of interest helps, akin to actual property pictures.
The seek for a drone acceptable in your skilled aspirations warrants loads of cautious consideration and analysis between manufacturers, then particular person drone fashions.
Up to now, one of many drones in competition is the DJI Mini 2 SE.
It is a sensible, dependable drone for industrial and leisure flights, however is it the fitting one in your actual property initiatives? That’s the all-important query I’ll show you how to reply.
I’ve sufficient flight expertise with the Mini 2 SE to say I do know this drone totally. I’ve examined it each which manner, so you’ll be able to belief my insights about this drone’s appropriateness for actual property pictures.
DJI Mini 2 SE defined
The DJI Mini 2 SE got here out in March 2023, making it one of many latest entry within the Mini line (as of the time of publication) and one among DJI’s latest drones, interval.
The DJI line of Mini drones has change into well-known for weighing underneath 250 grams, a trait the Mini 2 SE proudly carries on.
This isn’t solely a moot level simply because you must register your drone as a industrial actual property photographer. You continue to desire a travel-friendly, moveable drone, and the Mini 2 SE actually suits the invoice.
I really like touring with this drone as a result of it’s so gentle I overlook I’m carrying it generally.
Its battery has 31 minutes of steady marketed flight, and its wind resistance is best than you’ll think about for a drone of this stature.
Its digital camera with a 1/2.3-inch CMOS lens takes video in 2.7K high quality and pictures in 12 MP.
The Mini 2 SE additionally has a wealth of Clever Flight Modes designed to facilitate a hands-off expertise.
It consists of the RC-N1 controller, a distant that hooks as much as your smartphone so you’ll be able to navigate, toggle options, and livestream. The distant has a digital camera button, energy button, RTH button, and a change for adjusting between Sport, Regular, and Cine modes.
I discover the distant fairly simple to make use of, and whereas I want it had a display, I can perceive why it doesn’t. It is a lower-cost entry within the Mini line, and a distant with a display would bump up the associated fee.
It retails for underneath $400 if you happen to purchase the bottom version, and the Fly Extra Combo is accessible for underneath $500.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Controller (All You Have to Know)
Why select the DJI Mini 2 SE for actual property pictures?
The Mini 2 SE can get many roles accomplished, and that features actual property pictures. Listed below are some methods it excels once you take it to work.
Simple to make use of
For those who’re an skilled drone pilot, the newbie options of the Mini 2 SE are simple sufficient to bypass.
You don’t have to the touch the tutorials within the DJI Fly app, and you’ll manually begin and cease your drone relatively than use one-touch launching and touchdown.
Nonetheless, if you happen to’re new to drones, however you’ve got your industrial license and are keen to begin capitalizing on it by earning profits, you’ve chosen nicely if you happen to purchase the Mini 2 SE.
This DJI drone has sufficient data and automatic options you can confidently take to the skies, get your work accomplished, and be on to the following mission whereas constructing confidence and familiarity in drone operation.
» MORE: Is DJI Mini 2 SE Good for Freshmen? (Fingers-on Evaluation)
Glorious wind resistance
The Mini 2 SE additionally has a surprisingly good diploma of wind resistance at Degree 5. It’s constructed to resist winds of virtually 24 miles an hour.
I’ve flown it in 25-mph winds, the place it nonetheless carried out okay, however I didn’t transcend that as a result of I didn’t wish to have my drone get thrown right into a tree.
Curiously, the Mini 2 SE has higher wind resistance than Avata, and its wind stage is akin to the Mini 2, Mini 3, and Mini 3 Professional.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Wind Resistance (Defined)
Gentle and moveable
I praised the portability of the Mini 2 SE within the final part, and also you higher imagine I’m doing it once more.
This drone is a good weight for taking up all of your actual property adventures, whether or not you’re working in your personal neighborhood or driving out of state.
I like to recommend the carrying bag DJI sells for the Mini 2 SE. Although it’s not included with the drone, it suits the Mini 2 SE completely and might stash just a few equipment.
In fact, any comparable bag or backpack you have already got is ok, too.
» MORE: Greatest Equipment for DJI Mini 2 SE
Good zoom
The Mini 2 SE is provided with 4x zoom. I really like a very good zoom in a DJI digital camera as a result of it’s greater high quality than most zooms you see in rivals’ drones.
Zoom can also be a nice security function. You don’t have to face on the sting of a harmful precipice to get your excellent shot.
Zooming may also come in useful when photographing properties on the market, as you will get in nearer to the element as your drone hovers over the house.
» MORE: The way to Dolly Zoom With a Drone (Step-by-Step Information)
Secure hovering
As an actual property photographer, your photographs don’t have probably the most creativity. They don’t should. You solely want images of the property to make a sale.
The Mini 2 SE’s hovering capabilities make it superior for taking as many overhead or side-angle images as you want.
The drone is provided with GNSS and imaginative and prescient positioning to maintain it in a single place.
The horizontal and vertical accuracy ranges are spot-on, so if you happen to set the Mini 2 SE in a spot, you’ll be able to moderately anticipate it to remain there.
» MORE: How Drones Can Hover (Defined for Freshmen)
Professional-level Clever Flight Modes
Regardless of the Mini 2 SE’s affordable worth, DJI doesn’t skimp on Clever Flight Modes.
This drone has thrice the Panoramas for taking encompassing photographs of a complete property. You’ll be able to set your panos to 180 Levels or Broad Angle, which is able to come in useful in on a regular basis work eventualities.
The Sphere mode is cool, however because it takes inventive liberties, you won’t use it that always (until you additionally fly this drone recreationally, which it’s best to!).
QuickShots modes are all video-based, however you’ll be able to all the time take stills out of your movies and save them as photographs. The modes embody Rocket, Helix, Dronie, Boomerang, and Circle.
Do I really feel like a number of the QuickShots modes are perhaps a bit too additional for actual property pictures jobs? In all probability, however it’s all the time higher to have the choice than not!
» MORE: DJI Clever Flight Modes (Together with Quickshots & Mastershots)
Good RTH
Have to make a fast touchdown? The Mini 2 SE consists of three RTH modes.
Failsafe RTH works in case your drone loses sign, Low Battery RTH prompts in case your battery is nearing zero, and Good RTH works in lots of different eventualities.
You don’t should be a newbie to understand RTH. It will possibly save your conceal in near-miss conditions, permitting your Mini 2 SE to outlive and fly one other day.
» MORE: Good Options in Drones (Defined for Freshmen)
Why the DJI Mini 2 SE will not be your best option for actual property pictures
Whereas I like to recommend the Mini 2 SE for actual property pictures for the above causes, it has just a few shortcomings which may make you rethink. Let’s speak about them for the sake of equity.
The picture high quality might be higher
The 12 MP picture high quality and 4K video high quality might sound stunning for a drone launched in 2023, however the Mini 2 SE continues the Mini 2 line.
That is an space the place it exhibits. The reasonably dearer but older Mini 3 Professional has 48 MP picture high quality, an enormous bounce in high quality.
Do you want one of the best picture high quality ever if taking actual property pictures? Sure and no.
I imply, your job is to promote the property, and since that’s all about visuals, you’ll be able to’t get away with crusty pixels and low-quality resolutions.
Perhaps for some static overhead photographs, however not for the inside and up-close photographs of the outside.
On this case, you’re higher off saving up and shopping for the Mini 3 Professional as an alternative.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Digicam High quality (With Photos)
Zoom is limiting
Do I really like that the Mini 2 SE has zoom? Sure, actually. Nonetheless, 4x zoom is a bit low for a DJI drone.
No, I’m not anticipating the identical diploma of zoom as what you’d discover within the Mavic 3 Professional with its triple-camera system. That drone is oodles dearer than the Mini 2 SE.
Nonetheless, a bit extra zoom, and even adjustable zoom, can be higher for actual property pictures.
Okay battery life
The default battery lifetime of the Mini 2 SE is 31 minutes. You’ll be able to’t improve the battery right here, in order that’s all you get.
And, in all my flight experiences, I by no means acquired to half-hour. I’d log just a few greater than 25 minutes, however not the marketed 31 minutes.
That’s as a result of drones are examined for battery life in impossibly excellent circumstances arduous to copy in on a regular basis eventualities.
Now, half-hour could be sufficient time to {photograph} just a few properties, relying on how large they’re and the way in depth you get.
I can’t assist however assume the battery life is not going to get you thru a complete day of labor.
The Mini drones normally have quick battery lives, however the Mini 2 SE acquired the particularly quick finish of the stick.
» MORE: Flight Time of All DJI Drones (Defined)
LightCut is for movies solely
I really like DJI’s LightCut app. It makes use of AI and gives single-tap edits. It saves me a great deal of time in put up, and I recognize how beginner-friendly it’s.
The one downside? It edits movies, not photographs. In your function, it gained’t come in useful a lot, so you’ll have no alternative however to edit your images after you’re completed with the job.
» MORE: Autel EVO II PRO vs. DJI Mini 2 SE (Right here’s My Favourite)
Do I would like a license to make use of the DJI Mini 2 for actual property?
That is determined by the form of license we’re speaking about.
For those who imply an actual property license, no, you don’t. You’re not technically promoting the property, solely serving to the true property brokers promote it together with your top-notch pictures.
Because you don’t deal instantly with consumers or sellers, you don’t want an actual property license.
Now, if you happen to imply a industrial drone license, sure, you do.
The FAA requires all pilots to have a license, whether or not it’s the TRUST certificates for leisure flights or the Half 107 license for industrial pilots.
It’s unlawful to fly with no license, and utilizing an expired license is simply as unhealthy!
» MORE: Greatest Half 107 On-line Check Prep Programs (With Greatest Cross Price)
Suggestions for utilizing the DJI Mini 2 SE for actual property pictures
Are you able to kickstart your profession and get extra actual property shoppers together with your Mini 2 SE? Right here’s tips on how to enhance as a drone photographer.
Shoot in RAW
The Mini 2 SE can take images in RAW file format. In comparison with JPGs and PNGs, RAW information retain a lot extra element.
The one factor that’s lacking is the noise, and belief me, you’re not going to overlook that.
RAW information might require much less enhancing since they’re already so crisp and interesting. Nonetheless, do be forewarned that RAW picture information take up fairly much more arduous drive area, which brings me to my subsequent level…
» MORE: Actual Property Drone Images: A Complete Information (Insider Suggestions)
Convey spare SD playing cards
The extra SD (microSD) playing cards you’ve got useful, the higher. Carry them in your drone bag, in your pocket, in your footwear if you must. Simply have them.
The one factor worse than operating out of battery mid-shoot is taking over all of the area in your drone’s arduous drive and never having the ability to proceed photographing.
Don’t let it occur to you!
» MORE: Greatest SD Playing cards for DJI Mini 2 SE
Make the most of pure lighting
Capturing in pure lighting is a given when taking exterior images, however I’m referring extra to the inside photographs.
Reasonably than activate each gentle in the home, open a window and let the pure daylight in. Nothing creates a extra interesting, fascinating impact than pure lighting, which is able to curiosity potential consumers.
» MORE: The way to Enhance Your Drone Images
Keep abreast of the climate
The FAA prohibits drone operation in stormy skies, so it’s extra than simply harmful to fly in unhealthy climate. It’s additionally unlawful.
For those who don’t have already got a drone app that tells you wind patterns and climate modifications, obtain a climate app with forecasts in your space. Watch the forecast like a hawk on the times you’re alleged to work.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE and Climate (Defined for Freshmen)
Take images from quite a lot of angles
You’ll be able to’t have each photograph you snap be overhead, overhead, overhead. Develop your horizons, making an attempt totally different angles to showcase the complete neighborhood or complete rooms.
That may create a real sense of what residing within the house is like.
