If you know anything about DJI drones, you know that they come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re a firefighter using the Matrice 300 RTK or you’re a videographer shooting 8K Hyperlapse videos with the DJI Air 2S, there’s a DJI drone perfectly tailored to your needs. DJI even has a few micro drones that are perfect for beginners, with easy-to-use controls and smart features that make operating the drone a breeze.

Fans of the DJI Mavic Mini and Mini 2 will rejoice at the release of DJI’s latest micro drone: the DJI Mini SE. The Mini SE is an excellent upgrade from the Mavic Mini and a much more affordable option than the DJI Mini 2, with a powerful camera and upgraded wind resistance and transmission system that can compete with the bigger DJI drones. If you’re trying to dip your toes into the world of DJI drones or find something affordable and fun, then the Mini SE is an excellent choice.

Highlights

Dimensions (LxWxH) : 140x82x57 mm Folded, 160x202x55mm Unfolded
Image Sensor Size : 1/2.3 Inches
Max Photo Resolution : 12 MP
Max Video Resolution : 2.7K/30fps
Video Transmission Distance : 4 km
Weight : 249g
Max Flight Speed : 46.8 kph
Max Flight Time : 30 Minutes
Max Wind Resistance : 37.8 kph
Storage : MicroSD Cards upto 256GB

Compact and affordable

Like DJI’s previous micro drones, the DJI Mini SE’s claim to fame is its small size and weight. With a weight of only 249 grams, the Mini SE falls just under the 250g weight limit set by Transport Canada. This means that you don’t need a license or registration to fly this micro drone, making the Mini SE perfect for first-time fliers who don’t want the headache of applying or filling out paperwork. The DJI Mini SE has up to 30 minutes of flight time with a fully charged battery, which means you can fly it just as long as most other consumer DJI drones.

The Mini SE is also incredibly affordable compared to other DJI drones and micro drones on the market. It’s only $479 CAD for the Fly More Combo, which gives you much more than just the micro drone itself. The Fly More Combo comes with the remote controller, three flight batteries, a charging hub, a carrying case, RC cables, and more. That’s a lot of extra features for roughly half the price of one of the bigger consumer drones.

Simplified

The DJI Mavic Mini SE is truly the perfect beginner drone, as it comes with several intelligent features that carefully optimize user experience. With features like Smart Return to Home, automatic takeoff, and precise hovering, operation is more streamlined and safer than ever.

Smart return to home

Smart Return to Home (RTH) is a useful safety feature of the Mini SE that you’ll see on many DJI drones. Whenever the user taps the RTH button on the DJI Fly app or on the remote controller, the micro drone will begin flying back to its home point. The stop icon in the app allows users to pause the drone mid-flight in case they change their mind.

Automatic takeoff and precise howering

Automatic takeoff is particularly useful for anyone who is still getting the hang of flying DJI drones. By pressing the Auto TakeOff icon on the DJI Fly app or using the remote controller, the Mavic Mini SE will automatically launch itself into the air. Precise hovering also gives you a smoother flight by allowing you to keep the drone hovering at a certain height without having to manually control it. Both of these features can help you explore the different features of the Mini SE without having to worry about damaging it.

Camera

While micro drones often have to sacrifice some of the power and quality of the camera in order to fit it into such a small size, the DJI Mavic Mini SE has quite a powerful camera compared to many of the micro drones on the market. Its camera shoots 2.7K video at 30 frames per second, with a 4x digital zoom when shooting in 1080p.

This will give you crystal clear videos that enable you to capture details up close without having to put the drone in harm’s way. The DJI Mini SE also captures 12-megapixel photos in jpeg format, allowing you to snap gorgeous shots of the skyline that you can later edit and post online.

The camera is set on a 3-axis stabilizer gimbal, which ensures the stability and smoothness of your footage. If you’re looking for a micro drone that doesn’t skimp on the camera quality, you can’t do any better than the Mini SE.

Range

Another great feature of the DJI Mavic Mini SE is its long range, which performs much better than most drones of its size. It has an enhanced WiFi transmission system that gives you perfect video transmission from a distance of up to 4K. With the 2.4/5.8GHz Dual Frequency system, the transmission automatically switches between the two frequencies in order to cut through interference. This guarantees you a reliable signal and a smooth flight experience. Thanks to DJI’s optimized algorithms and protocols, interference and signal fading are a thing of the past.

Wind resistance and flight speed

Many micro drones suffer from being less sturdy and more prone to damage. But the DJI Mavic Mini SE is quite durable, with an upgraded wind resistance of up to 37.8 km/h. The DJI Mini SE has a power and propulsion system that is similar to the DJI Mini 2 in that it uses the same propellers, motors, batteries, and charging hub. However, the system has been improved to allow for increased reliability and resistance to wind. It also has a higher maximum flight speed of up to 46.8 km/h, allowing you to travel farther and faster than ever before.

USB-C Port

One of the best things about DJI drones is the way you can quickly plug the drone straight into your computer to download the videos and photos you shot during flight. The Mini SE uses a USB-C port for data transfer to the computer as well as charging. This means that you can use the same cord to transfer videos to your computer for editing as you can to plug it into the wall to charge, saving you the need for any extra cords.

Compact remote controller

There are two ways that you can use the DJI Mavic Mini SE: with the DJI Fly app, which has a simplified app interface perfect for beginners; or with the compact remote controller, which has a simplified layout for ease of use and transportation. The remote controller has a built-in foldable device holder and removable sticks that make it easy to grip the controller while flying the drone.

Quickshots

Dronie : The first QuickShot mode is also one of the simplest. The Dronie mode causes the Mini SE to hover close to you before flying back away from you and up into the air. This creates an eye-opening effect of snapping you up close before pulling back to reveal the stunning landscape behind you.

Helix : The Helix is another cool QuickShot mode that performs a complex motion even the most advanced fliers would have trouble performing manually. This mode begins with the DJI Mini SE starting out close to you before flying backward while rising up and circling you. The drone flies in the shape of a helix, adding some flair to what would be an otherwise simple shot.

Rocket : Have you ever wondered what it would look like to film from the bottom of a rocket launching into space? This QuickShot mode helps make that effect a reality by aiming the camera straight down below the Mini SE while it flies straight up into the air. The Rocket mode gives you a bird’s eye view that can capture a pretty interesting video whether you’re in the forest or in your backyard.

Circle : The next QuickShot mode is perfect for showing off your surroundings. The Circle mode keeps you in the middle of the frame while slowly flying around you in a perfect circle. This can capture a complete 360-degree view of your surroundings while making sure you remain the star of the show.

DJI's lowest priced drone, the DJI Mini SE, is now available in the USA at around $300 which is its lowest price yet for one of their drones.