DJI launched its new drone DJI Mavic Mini, a new entry level drone replacing DJI Spark from its lineup. I owned a DJI Spark but replaced it with an Mavic Air for two reasons: Air shoots 4K video and is actually smaller as it folds for travel. In this comparison I want to take a closer look at the specs what changed compared to DJI Spark and the differences compared to the more expensive DJI Mavic Air.
DJI Mavic Mini vs DJI Spark vs DJI Mavic Air
DJI Spark vs DJI Mavic Mini vs DJI Mavic Air
DJI Spark vs DJI Mavic Mini vs DJI Mavic Air – Drone Specs
DJI Spark
- Weight: 0.66 lbs / 300 g
- Dimensions unfolded:
143 × 143 × 55 mm
Dimensions folded:
not possible - max Speed: 31 mph / 50 kph
- Distance: 1.24 miles / 2 km
- Battery Capacity: 1480 mAh
- Flighttime: 16 min.
- Price: 399 USD
DJI Mavic Mini
- Weight: 0.55 lbs / 249 g
- Dimensions unfolded:
245×290×55 mm
Dimensions folded:
140×82×57 mm - max. Speed: 30 mph / 46 kph
- Distance: 2.49 miles / 4 km
- Battery Capacity: 2600 mAh
- Flighttime: 30 min.
- Price: 399 USD
DJI Mavic Air
- Weight: 0.95 lbs / 430g
- Dimensions unfolded:
168 × 184 × 64 mm
Dimensions folded:
168 × 83 × 49 mm
- max. Speed: 42 mph / 68 kph
- Distance: 2.49 miles / 4 km
- Battery Capacity: 2375 mAh
- Flighttime: 21 min.
- Price: 919 USD
There’s not really a choice if you should go for DJI Spark or DJI Mavic Mini – DJI Spark is not available anymore. At least at the DJI store, maybe there are some clearance sales. Since Mavic Mini is the same price point it seems to be a no brainer to go for Mavic Mini. But is it worth to upgrade? DJI Mavic Mini as a lot more to offer: it’s lighter, more compact for travel and the flighttime is longer – even longer compared to DJI Mavic Air. Also the flight distance was improved compared to DJI Spark and DJI Mavic Mini is stated to have the same controllable distance as DJI Mavic Air.
The point of achieving a weight lower than 250g is a legal limit. Drones below 250g don’t need FAA registration in the US, are allowed to fly in Canada, don’t need registration in Germany,… The EU is planning to introduce a law for every EU member state that requires drones above 250g to be registered (according to drafted law).
There is even a 199g version for Japan to avoid registration! (one battery only)
DJI Mavic Mini – 199g version for Japan
DJI Spark vs DJI Mavic Mini vs DJI Mavic Air – Camera Specs
DJI Spark
- Sensor: 12 MP
1/2.3″ (CMOS) - Video Resolution:
4K – n/a
2.7K – n/a
1080p – max. 30 fps - Lens: FOV 81.9°
aperture f/2.6 - Bitrate: max. 24 Mbps
H.264, .mp4 - max. Photo Resolution:
12 MP – 3968×2976 – .jpg - HDR Photo: no
- Stabilizer: 2-axis gimbal
Pitch: -85° to 0° - Storage: microSD card
n/a
DJI Mavic Mini
- Sensor: 12 MP
1/2.3″ (CMOS) - Video Resolution:
4K – n/a
2.7K – max. 30 fps
1080p – max. 60 fps - Lens: FOV 83°
aperture f/2.8 - Bitrate: max. 40 Mbps
H.264, .mp4 - max. Photo Resolution:
12 MP -4000×3000 – .jpg - HDR Photo:
- Stabilizer: 3-axis gimbal
Pitch: -90° to 0° - Storage: microSD card
.
DJI Mavic Air
- Sensor: 12 MP
1/2.3″ (CMOS) - Video Resolution:
4K – max. 30fps
2.7K – max. 60fps
1080p – max. 120 fps - Lens: FOV 85°
aperture f/2.8 - Bitrate: max. 100 Mbps
H.264, .mp4 - max. Photo Resolution:
12 MP – 4056×3040 – .jpg & RAW (.dng) - HDR Photo: yes
- Stabilizer: 3-axis gimbal
Pitch: -90° to 0° - Storage: microSD card
& 8GB internal
The new DJI Mavic Mini will feature a max. video resolution of 2.7K with 30 fps. It seems DJI still wants a clear differentiator to the larger DJI Mavic Air (even tough all 3 drones have a 12 MP sensor – technically it would be possible I guess). Is it a deal breaker? Well, I upgraded from DJI Spark to DJI Mavic Air because of 4K video, but I’m a video guy. Social Media Platforms like Facebook or Instagram still don’t offer 4K video so I guess it’s not a deal breaker if you want to share your footage throughout these channels. But hey, you can share your footage of a drone you don’t need to register!
On the other hand I have to have to say that 1080p of DJI Spark was a way better quality overall than some cheaper “4K drones” or 4K action cameras. The 1080p Spark footage had more detail and was crystal sharp. Sure 4K is higher resolution, but lower resolution with better image quality is the better way to go – I think.
Overall DJI Mavic Mini is a huge upgrade from Spark. Resolution is a bit higher from 1080p to 2.7K, but the 3-axis stabilization will get you a way better result than the 2-axis gyro from Spark – especially when there’s wind.
Intelligent Flight Modes & Sensors
DJI Spark
- GPS: yes
- Obstacle Avoidance: yes
forwards - Object Tracking: yes
- Gesture Control: yes
- Flight Modes:
QuickShots (Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket)
ActiveTrack (Trace, Profile)
SmartCapture (Gesture Control)
TapFly (Direction, Coordinate)
DJI Mavic Mini
- GPS: yes
- Obstacle Avoidance: no
. - Object Tracking: no
- Gesture Control: no
- Flight Modes:
QuickShots (Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket)
(quick shots features tracking of people)
Cine Smooth
DJI Mavic Air
- GPS: yes
- Obstacle Avoidance: yes
forwards & backwards - Object Tracking: yes
- Gesture Control: yes
- Flight Modes:
QuickShots (Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket, Boomerang, Asteroid)
ActiveTrack (Trace, Profile, Spotlight)
SmartCapture (Gesture Control)
Cinematic Mode
TapFly (Forward, Backward, Free, Coordinate)
Point of Interest
DJI had to drop a lot of features obviously to achieve the goal of getting below 250g. Therefore the sensors were removed and Mini doesn’t have obstacle avoidance or gesture control. It also doesn’t feature active track, but it is tracking people during the quickshot modes. So if you are moving while doing a circle it will track you and adapt its path.
Check out the latest news and user footage in the DJI Mavic Mini Facebook Group!
Video reviews
The best review of DJI Mavic Mini:
A review focusing on video production:
Price / Availability
DJI Store – (visit store)
- DJI Spark: Discontinued
- DJI Mavic Mini – Drone: 399 USD / Fly More Package: 499 USD
- DJI Mavic Air – Drone: 919 USD / Fly More Package: 1149 USD
Amazon:
Sometimes there are great deals on Amazon, so compare prices:
