Introduction
We all want a quality drone that is capable of shooting in 4k resolution. DJI Mini 4k is derived from the mini 2 and the mini 2 SC, equipped with a 4k camera and a gimbal for $2.99. DJI is clearly ahead of the game by repackaging their drone, making it a compelling option for many, even competing with the Potensic Atom.
Usage Instructions
To turn on the DJI Mini 4k, simply press the power button twice. A convenient way to control the drone, especially without a remote controller with a screen, is to utilize an old phone as a display. This method provides you with a semi-permanent screen extension, ensuring that you have a clear view of what the drone’s camera sees.
Features and Functions
Upon turning on the drone, it connects and displays a message to take off with caution due to the lack of GPS signal initially. As the drone acquires GPS signal, it notifies the user with the number of satellites connected and updates the home point for return-to-home functions in case of low battery or signal loss.
Additionally, the display shows the speed, altitude, and battery level, providing essential information for a smooth and controlled flight experience. Despite being fresh off the charger, the battery level indicates 98%, ensuring a decent flight time.
Control Options and Photography Mode
The DJI Mini 4k drone offers the power of higher-end DJI drones with user-friendly control options. It provides information on run time as you start flying, making it easier to manage your flights. The drone excels in photography mode, allowing for crisp and clear photos to be captured effortlessly.
Video Mode and Flight Performance
Switching to video mode, the DJI Mini 4k is ready to shoot high-quality videos. Even in windy conditions of 10 to 12 mph, the drone performs admirably. Testing the sound, speed, and wind resistance, the drone showcases its capabilities in different scenarios. Switching to normal mode for takeoff, the drone effortlessly lifts off, showcasing its ease of use.
Hover and Rotation Tests
An important aspect of any drone is its ability to hover and maintain position. The DJI Mini 4k excels in this aspect, demonstrating stable hovering even in the face of strong winds. Conducting rotation tests, the drone shows its agility and precision, maintaining its position despite external forces trying to push it off course.
Noise Level and Weight
The DJI Mini 4k drone is slightly noisier than its predecessors, the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro. However, weighing under 250g at around 241g, this compact drone packs a lot of power.
Flight Speed and Safety Features
Operating in normal mode, the DJI Mini 4k lacks obstacle sensing capabilities, requiring the pilot to exercise caution during flights. It provides the option to land or return to home, with the default altitude for the latter set at 100m. Adjusting this to a more standard 25m is recommended for better control.
Flight Performance
During a test flight, the DJI Mini 4k showcased agility and responsiveness, making it easy to maneuver and control. Despite encountering windy conditions, the drone maintained stability and provided around 31 minutes of flight time. However, strong winds can impact flight duration as the drone works harder to stay aloft.
Photo and Video Quality
After completing a 5-minute test flight, the DJI Mini 4k was used to capture photos and videos. The drone delivered sharp images and smooth footage, even in challenging weather conditions. Its ability to handle gusts of wind while maintaining clarity in visuals impressed the tester.
Flight Modes
Using power to be stable so right there, this is normal mode. I’m going to do a flyby and it’s about 13 miles per hour. Let me go to cinematic mode. Cinematic mode affects stop speed as well as turning speed. As you can see, it’s not turning so fast because turning is very harsh on the video making it abrupt. So right there it’s about 8 miles per hour in cinematic mode. Finally, we are going to go to sport mode with the flick of a switch and we go lower, it’s very sporty. You have to mind your stopping distance in sport mode.
Camera Quality Test
What I’m going to do now is go up in the sky and take a bunch of photos so you can see the 4K quality of this drone. So right there, I’ll do a little rotation. 4K at 30 frames per second is what we’re dealing with. Against the sun, the dynamic range is not super high and there’s not a lot of raw formats, no dlog format or any of that, so it’s more basic. Next, I’ll take some photos pointing down.
Dynamic Shooting Mode
Here is a cool little feature called droney. The drone will go straight out and the camera will keep pointing at me. Let’s try it and then we say start. It’s backing up and you can see the effect. What’s really cool about the droney feature is…
Camera Quality
Is it also works on post, editing, video? You can reverse it. Uh lets just do a rocket start, so there it is. It should shoot up, hey hi and then one thing Id like to do is see the camera right there uh or the the battery life the battery life 0 minutes to return to home 14 minutes until four slant.
Battery Life
So I’m going to do a little speed run and, and it is going 13 ms and then this way – 14 ms, so that shows you how fast this guy is so it’s a cool little drone. Right here it says slow battery return to home. So it’s really cool here what’s happening is it gives you an audible signal, saying return to home, uh or otherwise we’re going to do it for you, so it’s giving it to me with 1 minute 36 left so we’ll just ignore it as I go high. Oh, it dropped down to 10 seconds, not just because I used it elevating, but it says oh you’re getting farther all right. So there you go and even though it’s going to return to home, it still has 3 minutes and 30 seconds of battery left. And now it gives me a chance to cancel or confirm the return to home so 3 seconds it’s going to confirm so right there returning to home.
Video Recording
Why don’t we take a video while we’re doing that it got pretty high 25 M and then it was to the right of that bag.
Size and Design
The DJI Mini 4k is a compact and lightweight drone that offers impressive performance for its size. Compared to its predecessors, the Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro, the Mini 4k has a smaller footprint, making it easier to carry around and maneuver.
Camera Quality
One of the key features of the DJI Mini 4k is its camera quality. With the ability to capture 4k video footage, the drone allows users to shoot high-definition videos with stunning clarity and detail. The Mini 4k also excels in photo quality, producing sharp and vibrant images that rival those taken with more expensive drones.
Gimbal Performance
The gimbal on the DJI Mini 4k is well-designed and provides stable footage even in windy conditions. This ensures that your videos are smooth and free from any jitter or vibration, giving you professional-looking results every time.
Battery Life
Despite its small size, the DJI Mini 4k offers impressive battery life, allowing you to fly for extended periods without needing to constantly recharge. This is perfect for capturing those epic shots without interruptions.
Overall Verdict
The DJI Mini 4k is a budget-friendly drone that delivers outstanding performance in terms of video quality, photo clarity, and battery life. Whether you’re a beginner looking to get into drone photography or a seasoned pro in need of a reliable backup drone, the Mini 4k is definitely worth considering.
Conclusion
Overall, the DJI Mini 4k proves to be a promising budget-friendly option for beginner drone enthusiasts. With its 4k camera, stable gimbal, and user-friendly controls, it offers a solid performance comparable to higher-end models. Whether you are capturing stunning aerial footage or exploring new horizons, the DJI Mini 4k is definitely worth considering for your next drone purchase.
