The DJI Mini, originally marketed as the DJI Mavic Mini, is a series of teleoperated compact quadcopterdrones for personal and commercial aerial photography and videography use, released by the Chinese technology company DJI.The Mini is a miniaturized version of the DJI Mavic designed to bypass drone registration requirements in most countries, with all variants weighing under 250 g in normal configuration.A licensed version is produced in Malaysia by Cogito Tech as the Specta Mini.
Design and development
DJI announced the Mavic Mini on 30 October 2019 as a replacement for the DJI Spark as DJI's beginner camera drone, with sales commencing on 11 November.[1][2] A miniaturized derivative of the DJI Mavic, the Mavic Mini was designed to bypass drone registration requirements in most countries, with the "general version" weighing only 249 g.[3]
The Mini SE (the Mavic branding was dropped with the Mini 2) was released mid-2021, being basically the original Mavic Mini built in the Mini 2 shell.[6] Compared to the Mavic Mini, the Mini SE has improved wind resistance and a smaller battery capacity of 2250 mAh, but still has a maximum flight time of 30 minutes.[6][7] The Mini SE retains the 12MP 1/2.3" CMOS camera and Enhanced Wi-Fi transmission system of the Mavic Mini.[7]
Mini 2 series
The successor to the Mavic Mini was released November 2020 as the Mini 2, dropping the Mavic name.[8] Compared to the Mavic Mini, the Mini 2 has a reduced battery capacity of 2250 mAh, though flight time was slightly increased to 31 minutes.[9] The camera was improved with the ability to record 4K footage, and wind resistance was increased to 24 mph; up from the Mavic Mini's 18 mph.[9] The Enhanced Wi-Fi transmission system of the Mavic Mini was replaced with OcuSync 2.0, giving it a max transmission range of 10 km.[8][9]
DJI released the Mini 2 SE in February 2023 as a successor to the Mini SE.[10] The Mini 2 SE differs from the Mini 2 in that it has a maximum resolution of 2.7K, and is slightly lighter at 246 g.[10][11] Although it did not initially support Remote ID, a firmware update in June 2024 added support after several countries began to require it.[12]
The Mini 4K was announced in April 2024.[13] It is nearly identical to the Mini 2 SE, differing in that it re-added the 4K camera.[14][15]
Mini 3 series
The DJI Mini 3 Pro was made available on 10 May 2022.[16] Unlike previous Mini variants, the Mini 3 Pro has a full 3-axis obstacle avoidance system.[17] The Mini 3 Pro features a new 48MP 1/1.3" CMOS camera capable of capturing 4K video at up to 60FPS and is equipped with an with O3 transmission system, allowing transmission of live 1080p video at 30 frames per second (FPS).[18][19] The standard Intelligent Flight Battery has a capacity of 2453 mAh, giving the drone a maximum flight time of 34 minutes. Alternatively, the drone could be fitted with a 3850 mAh Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, increasing flight time to 47 minutes at the cost of exceeding the 250 g weight limit for unregistered drones.[19]
On 9 December 2022, DJI released the Mini 3 as a cheaper version of the Mini 3 Pro. The primary differences between the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro include the removal of the obstacle avoidance sensors and limited intelligent camera modes.
Mini 4 series
The Mini 4 Pro was released on 25 September 2023.[24] The Mini 4 Pro introduced the Omnidirectional Vision Sensing collision avoidance system, which uses four fisheye and two downward binocular vision sensors and a time-of-flight sensor.[25] The drone also features an O4 transmission system transmitting 1080p footage up to 20 km away.[26] The Mini 4 Pro's camera is an improved version of the one found on the Mini 3 Pro, with the added capability to capture slow motion 4K video at 100FPS.The gimbal can also rotate 90 degrees to shoot vertical video.[27]
Mini 5 series
The Mini 5 Pro was launched on 17 September 2025, though it was not made available in the United States.[28] The Mini 5 Pro uses Model 6028F propellers and features a 50MP 1-inch camera sensor; being the first mini camera drone with such a camera.[28][29] The drone has a flight time of 36 minutes with the standard Intelligent Flight Battery or 52 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus.[28][30] According to DJI, the Mini 5 Pro with a standard Intelligent Flight Battery has a weight of 249.9 g with a ±4 g margin of error, placing some drones over the 250 g weight limit for unregistered drones in many countries.[31][32]
Licensed version
Hong Kong-based Cogito Tech produces a licensed version of the Mini 2 SE as the Specta Mini.[33] Though Cogito denied any connection to DJI, The Hill reported the Specta Mini and Specta Air (the company's version of the DJI Air 3) are virtually identical to their Chinese counterparts, including performance and software, and likely use DJI's proprietary OcuSync video transmission system.[34] Despite this, the Specta Mini is not a carbon copy of the Mini 2 SE as it has a 4K camera.[35]
Variants
Mavic Mini
Mavic Mini
Company designation Model MT1SS5. and MT1SD25.[4][36] Miniaturized Mavic with a 12MP 1/2.3" CMOS camera, Enhanced Wi-Fi transmission system, and a 2400 mAh battery giving it 30 minutes of flight time.[3][4] The MT1SS5 is controlled exclusively on the 5.8 GHz radio band, while the MT1SD25 can be controlled on either the 5.8 GHz or 2.4 GHz bands.[4] Introduced in November 2019.[1]
Mavic Mini (JP version)
Version for the Japanese market with a 1100 mAh battery giving it 18 minutes of flight time and reducing total weight by 50 g.[4]
Mini SE
Company designation Model MT2SS5.[37] Budget model with Mavic Mini internals in a Mini 2 shell, improved wind resistance, and a 2250 mAh battery giving it 30 minutes of flight time.[6][7] Introduced in mid-2021.[6]
Mini 2
Mini 2
Company designation Model MT2WD.[38] Improved Mavic Mini with a 4K camera, improved wind resistance, OcuSync 2.0 transmission system, and a 2250 mAh battery giving it 31 minutes of flight time.[8][9] Introduced in November 2020.[8]
Mini 2 SE
Company designation Model MT2SD.[39] Budget model with a 2.7K camera and a slightly reduced total weight.[10]
Mini 3
Mini 3 Pro
Company designations Model MT3M3VD, MT3M3VDB, and MT3M3VZ.[42][43][44] Improved Mini 2 with a 48MP 1/1.3" CMOS camera, O3 transmission system, 3-axis obstacle avoidance, and a 2453 mAh battery giving it 34 minutes of flight time.[17][18] An optional 3850 mAh battery increases flight time to 47 minutes, but increases total weight by about 40 g.[19] Introduced in May 2022.[16]
Mini 4
Mini 4 Pro
Company designation Model MT4MFVD.[46] Improved Mini 3 Pro with an Omnidirectional Vision Sensing collision avoidance system, O4 transmission system, 4K slow motion capabilities, and a 2590 mAh battery giving it a flight time of 34 minutes. An optional 3850 mAh battery increases flight time to 45 minutes, but increases total weight by about 40 g.[25][26] Introduced in September 2023.[24]
Mini 5
Mini 5 Pro
Company designation Model MT5MFND.[29] Improved variant with a 50MP 1-inch camera sensor, an O4+ transmission system, Model 6028F propellers, and a slightly increased weight of 249.9 ±.[28][31][32] Maximum flight time was increased to 36 minutes with the standard Intelligent Flight Battery or 52 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus.[30] Introduced September 2025.[28]
Accidents and incidents
On 9 January 2025, a DJI Mini 3 collided with a Canadair CL-415 that was fighting the wildfires in Southern California.[47][48] The collision created a hole in the left wing of the CL-415, forcing the aircraft to be grounded for repairs.[49] The drone was violating a temporary flight restriction (TFR) put in place to protect firefighting aircraft.[49][50] According to Los Angeles County Fire Department chief Anthony Marrone, the Federal Bureau of Investigation planned to deploy "aerial armor" to prevent drones from entering the restricted airspace.[50]
Total weight was slightly reduced to 248 g with the Intelligent Flight Battery, while maximum flight time was increased to 38 minutes (51 minutes with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus).
Company designation Model MT3PD.[45] Downgraded Mini 3 Pro with obstacle avoidance sensors removed and an OcuSync 2.0 transmission system. Flight time was increased to 38 minutes with a 2453 mAh battery or 51 minutes with an optional 3850 mAh battery.[20][21][23] Introduced in December 2022.[22]
