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 in case you are on a price range.
Many individuals contemplate 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 current drone with extra primary expertise.
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
It is a less complicated and cheaper model of the DJI Mini 2, providing a extra accessible entry level to drones.
It reuses a number of the applied sciences discovered within the DJI Mini and Mini 2, providing a easy but useful drone that ticks a lot of the containers of a newbie drone.
Beneath are its foremost options:
- 2.7K decision for creating first rate footage.
- OcuSync 2.0 offers a steady transmission for short-range and barely longer flights.
- Foldable design for portability.
- Sub-250 grams weight, which exempts you from some rules.
- Clever flight modes like Quickshots and Panorama.
- A 1/2.3-inch sensor dimension is first rate if you wish to get into pictures.
- RAW taking pictures functionality permits you to learn to edit RAW footage, a essential ability for skilled pictures.
» MORE: Is the DJI Mini 2 SE Price 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 have been both advanced or fairly costly.
Beneath are the options that appealed to most customers and would attraction to most individuals right this moment:
- Hand gestures for straightforward management and having enjoyable when outside.
- Compact dimension for portability.
- Topic monitoring (Comply with Me) so as to add creativity and enjoyable to your outside actions.
- 2-axis gimbal for stabilized flights.
- Tapfly for ease of use.
- Entrance impediment avoidance for protected 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.
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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 all the way 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 the next decision.
Lastly, the DJi Mini 2 SE is a more recent drone, so its batteries might be largely 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, under 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 gives 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 permits you to movie in 2.7K with extra body fee choices, whereas the Spark is proscribed to 1080p and has restricted body fee choices.
- Higher battery efficiency – If you happen to might discover a DJI Spark, chances are high will probably be a used one, so the batteries is not going to be at their optimum situation. In consequence, chances are you’ll not get as a lot flight time, and will probably be difficult to get extra batteries.
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DJI Mini 2 SE
DJI does its finest to launch drones focusing on totally different customers, and the DJI Mini 2 SE is one such drone.
Whereas lots of people have been on the lookout for 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 presumably take good footage as they contemplate 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 Inexperienced persons? (Arms-on Overview)
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, Underneath 249 g, Return to House, Computerized Professional Shoots, Drone with digital camera for Inexperienced persons.
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DJI Spark
On the time of its launch, the opposite drones out there have been the Phantom collection and the DJI Mavic Professional. These have been bigger, dearer drones that weren’t very interesting to newcomers.
» MORE: DJI Tello Vs. Spark: Which Drone Is Higher?
The DJI Spark modified all the things 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 useful when utilizing these capabilities.
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Head-to-Head Comparability
Photograph and Video Recording
Winner: DJI Mini 2 SE
If you wish to get into severe pictures and videography, you’ll have a higher expertise with the DJI Mini 2 SE digital camera. DJI has come a great distance, and so they can now match a number of digital camera 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 taking pictures 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 encompasses a 4X zoom, permitting you to shoot first rate footage from a distance. You possibly can’t obtain the identical with the DJI Spark.
How about picture stabilization? The DJI Mini 2 SE encompasses a 3-axis gimbal, compensating for vibration within the Pitch, Roll, and Yaw drone actions.
However, the DJI Spark encompasses a 2-axis gimbal that solely stabilizes footage in Pitch and Roll, so that you would possibly get shaky footage if you happen to incorporate Yaw actions into your pictures.
Lastly, the DJI Mini 2 SE helps taking pictures RAW footage, which lets you edit the footage to your liking. To begin doing skilled pictures, it’s essential to learn to take care of RAW footage.
Customers hoped DJI would ultimately add RAW footage functionality to the DJI Spark, however they by no means did, and so they aren’t creating 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 embrace:
- Panoramas – This function permits the drone to take a number of pictures and sew them collectively to kind a picture that appears prefer it was taken with a wide-angle digital camera. If you wish to present the expansiveness of a panorama, Panoramas would turn out to be useful.
- Quickshots – This encompasses a mixture of automated drone actions. You should use them to automate filming a topic in numerous features, which might be useful when you may have restricted battery life and have loads of filming to do. These actions embrace Circle, Helix, Rocket, and Dronie.
- Tapfly – If you wish to fly to a sure level rapidly or are nonetheless not good at flying, you may faucet on the display screen, and the drone will routinely fly to that time. It’s also possible to use it to movie a topic by guiding the drone to fly in direction of it.
- Gesture management – That is one other fascinating function that made the DJI Spark fairly well-liked. With a number of clicks, you may activate gesture management, permitting you to regulate the drone by waving at it – discuss superpowers! Wave to the precise, and the drone will comply with your arm. It’s also possible to 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 function permits you to monitor a topic routinely, and it will possibly establish frequent topics like individuals or automobiles. I used to be stunned to study that this drone had this function, 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 function, and it really works significantly better now, but it surely was nice to have it on a tiny drone.
The DJI Mini 2 SE does function QuickShots and Panoramas, so it’s not that badly off. Moreover, it additionally consists of an additional Quickshot, Boomerang, which provides even methods to make use of your drone outside.
» 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 isn’t foldable, so it’s not as straightforward to bundle as a foldable drone. Nonetheless, the propellers fold in to make it simpler to pack up.
It additionally weighs 300 grams, which is gentle 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 except you employ it for skilled functions.
» MORE: Drone Legal guidelines in the USA
Vary
Winner: DJI Mini 2 SE
The DJI Mini 2 SE comes with OcuSync 2.0, which ensures a spread of as much as 6 miles. In areas with plenty of interference, it gives an honest transmission.
The DJI Spark doesn’t have OcuSync. As an alternative, it options an HD Wi-Fi transmission system that ensures a spread of as much as 1.2 miles.
One person noticed that you just get good transmission when flying in a straight line, however while you begin turning, the vary reduces. There are equipment you might purchase that would assist focus the sign and even amplify it, however you’ll not get the identical expertise as you’ll with the OcuSync system.
It’s uncommon to get the complete vary marketed by the producer, however in a real-life take a look at, the DJI Mini 2 SE outshines the DJI Spark.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Vary Defined (The whole lot You Want To Know)
Security Options and Impediment Avoidance
Winner: DJI Spark
Impediment detection is one other stunning function 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 embrace 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 outside to gauge how they react earlier than making an attempt them in confined areas.
Some customers have crashed their drones after they initiated the Quickshots too near obstacles and the drone flew proper into them.
Whereas the DJI Mini 2 SE doesn’t function impediment avoidance, it consists of imaginative and prescient sensors, GPS, and RTH, that are nice to have, and you’ll have protected flights if you happen to 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 may have a greater probability of getting a minimum of 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 previous, extensively used, and never that steady because of utilization.
The DJI Mini 2 SE is a a lot newer launch, so getting new batteries is straightforward 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 permits you to management it in two methods: the controller and the smartphone.
In case you are on the lookout for a straightforward and cheaper approach to make use of the Spark, utilizing a smartphone is an efficient possibility. 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 value however permits an extended vary and higher transmission.
The DJI Spark can also be appropriate with DJI Goggles, the primary FPV goggles from DJI. Nonetheless, these are additionally discontinued, and chances are 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 see that for the Mavic, Air, and Mini drones. It’s straightforward to make use of, wants a smartphone, and regardless that there’s 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 far simpler to make use of.
Don’t get me incorrect, the DJI GO app gives extra management choices, but it surely was generally too sophisticated for DJI Spark customers, and issues would have been simpler if it got here with the DJI Fly app.
The DJI Spark appears interesting in case you are on the lookout for a drone with totally different management strategies. Nonetheless, I select stability and higher connection, and I’ve no concern attaching a smartphone to the controller.
That’s why I’d nonetheless go for the DJI Mini 2 SE.
» MORE: The best way to Hand Launch / Land a DJI Drone (Step-by-Step Information)
Coloration Choices
Winner: DJI Spark
If you happen to’d like the choice to pick out your drone’s coloration, the DJI Spark is available in totally 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 grey. You possibly can customise the Mini 2 SE with stickers or skins if you’d like, however they won’t be from DJI.
Conclusion
The Mini 2 SE, with its higher transmission, greater filming decision, foldable design, and improved battery efficiency, outshines the DJI Spark in virtually each facet.
For customers searching for a dependable entry-level drone with trendy options, the DJI Mini 2 SE is a transparent alternative.
Its sub-250-gram weight exempts it from sure rules, making it a superb possibility for newcomers and fans alike.
The Mini 2 SE’s clever flight modes, 3-axis gimbal for steady footage, and prolonged vary by way of OcuSync 2.0 contribute to an excellent aerial expertise.
DJI Spark has carved its place in historical past as an progressive and compact drone, and it was an incredible drone at the moment. Nonetheless, its getting older expertise and limitations in transmission and determination make it much less aggressive in right this moment’s drone panorama.
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