DJI has unveiled its newest drone, the DJI Mini 4K. The entry-level flyer is essentially a rehash of the four-year-old Mini 2, sporting all the same specs, but that’s no bad thing, since it’s got everything aspiring drone pilots might need. Perhaps the perfect choice for underwater filmmakers who want to add a bit of aerial footage to their masterpieces?
The camera is stabilized via a three-axis gimbal and records 4K/30p at a decent 100Mbps bit rate. You can record 2.7K/60p footage, but the Mini 4K lacks the 4K/60p HDR video recording of last-year’s more-expensive DJI Mini 4 Pro. However, it does share that drone’s compact form factor, weighing in at less than 249 grams, which ensures it doesn’t require FAA registration. On the stills side, the camera supports both 8-bit JPG and 12-bit DNG formats.
Beginners will appreciate the drone’s full complement of features, including one-tap takeoff and landing, return-to-home functionality, and pre-programmed flight modes. There are also QuickShot modes like Helix, Dronie, Rocket, Circle, Boomerang, and Panorama, which help inexperienced drone fliers achieve cinematic footage and thrilling photos. The companion app has step-by-step instructions that beginners will find very handy, too. The Mini 4K offers a range of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and can reach altitudes of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). With its out-of-the-box battery, the drone can fly for up to 31 minutes, but it can fly for over 90 minutes with the “Fly More” bundle.
The DJI Mini 4K is exclusively sold through DJI’s Amazon storefront. It’s available on its own with a single battery for $299, in a two-battery package for $348, and in the three-battery “Fly More” package for $449.
