Three very different drones, but they have one thing in common – a similar price point around 400 USD. So which one is the right one for your needs? Are you concerned about size and weight or is video performance more important to you? Here’s a comparison:
Intro
DJI just released DJI Mavic Mini, replacing DJI Spark, as their entry level drone. Their goal was to produce a drone with a weight lower than 250g so you don’t need to register with FAA approval and the EU is expected to introduce an Europe wide drone law that as well requires registration for drones heavier than 250g.
FIMI, producer of the Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K, released a successor of this drone end of 2018, which became quite popular as well. Hubsan Zino is the least expensive drone among them still offering 4K video, 3-axis gimbal and GPS. Can it compete?
FIMI X8 vs DJI Mavic Mini vs Hubsan Zino Pro
FIMI X8 vs DJI Mavic Mini vs Hubsan Zino Pro
FIMI X8 SE
- Weight: 790g
- Dimensions:
folded: 204x106x73 mm
unfolded: 372x372x73 mm - max. Speed: 65 kph
- Controllable Distance: 5-6 km
- Battery Capacity: 4500 mAh
- Flighttime: 33 min. *
- Price: 407 USD
Coupon Code: BGFIMIX8NS
DJI Mavic Mini
- Weight: 249 g
- Dimensions:
folded: 140×82×57 mm
unfolded: 245×290×55 mm - max Speed: 46 kph
- Controllable Distance: 4 km
- Battery Capacity: 2600 mAh
- Flighttime: 30 min. *
- Price: 399 USD
DJI Store
Hubsan Zino Pro
- Weight: 700 g
- Dimensions:
folded: 187x104x90 mm
unfolded: 304x252x90 mm - max Speed: 35 kph
- Controllable Distance: 4 km
- Battery Capacity: 3000 mAh
- Flighttime: 23 min. *
- Price: 339 USD
Coupon Code: GBZINOPRO
In terms of weight DJI Mavic Mini is a class on its own. As mentioned: 249g – below the significant 250g limit. You don’t need FAA registration in the US, you can fly in Canada, you don’t need to register in Germany,… In 2020 the EU is most likely to introduce a new drone law requiring drones above 250g to register in every EU member state.
Also in terms of size it is a class on its own making it a very small and compact drone, easy to pack for travelling.
But still it can compete with the other drones and other specs: Flight time is 30 min. so right between Hubsan Zino Pro and FIMI X8.
Camera Specs
FIMI X8 vs DJI Mavic Mini vs Hubsan Zino Pro – Camera Specs
FIMI X8 SE
- Sensor: 12 MP
1/2.3” (CMOS) Sony IMX378 - Resolution:
4K – max. 30 fps
2.5K (2560 x 1440) – max. 60 fps
1080p – max. 100 fps - Lens: FOV 78.8°
aperture f/2.2 - Bitrate: 100 Mbps (4K)
H.264, .mp4 - max. Photo Resolution:
12 MP – 4000 x 3000 – .jpg & RAW (.dng) - Stabilizer: 3-axis gimbal
Pitch: -90° to 0° (down/up) - Storage: microSD card
DJI Mavic Mini
- Sensor: 12 MP
1/2.3″ (CMOS) - Resolution:
4K – no
2.7K (2720×1530) – max. 30 fps
1080p – max. 60 fps
- Lens: FOV 83°
aperture f/2.8 - Bitrate: 40 Mbps (2.7K)
H.264, .mp4 - max. Photo Resolution:
12 MP – 4056×3040 – .jpg - Stabilizer: 3-axis gimbal
Pitch: -90° to 0° - Storage: microSD card
Hubsan Zino Pro
- Sensor: 12 MP
1/2.3″ (CMOS) - Resolution:
4K – max. 30 fps
2.7K (2720×1530) – max. 30 fps
1080p – max. 60 fps
- Lens: FOV
aperture f/ - Bitrate: 60 Mbps (4K)
H.264, .mp4 - max. Photo Resolution:
8MP – 3840 x 2160 – .jpg - Stabilizer: 3-axis gimbal
Pitch: ° to 0° - Storage: microSD card
Let’s start with the obvious: DJI Mavic Mini does not have 4K video! Is it a dealbreaker? It depends. If you are mostly sharing your footage on Facebook or Instagram it doesn’t matter at all, since these two platforms still don’t support 4K video.
I also wanna share a previous experience: DJI Spark only featured 1080p. But the image was fantastic and had so much detail. It was way better than many other action cameras and drones featuring 4K. Yes, the resolution was higher, but the image quality was worse!
Intelligent Flight Modes & Features
FIMI X8 SE
- GPS: yes
- Obstacle Avoidance: no
- Object Tracking: yes
- Gesture Control: no
- Flight Modes:
Cine Shots (Rocket, Drone, Circle, Spiral)
SmartTrack (Trace, Profile, Lock)
Hyperlapse
Flight Planning (Waypoint)
SAR (Search & Rescue mode)
DJI Mavic Mini
- GPS: yes
- Obstacle Avoidance: no
- Object Tracking: no
- Gesture Control: no
- Flight Modes:
QuickShots (Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket)
(there is tracking during quickshoots)
Cine Smooth
Hubsan Zino Pro
- GPS: yes
- Obstacle Avoidance: no
- Object Tracking: yes
- Gesture Control: no
- Flight Modes:
QuickShots (Line, Orbit)
Follow Me (Tracking)
Headless Mode
Panorama
Waypoints
Check out the latest news in our DJI Mavic Mini Facebook Group
DJI Mavic Mini – Video reviews
The best review of DJI Mavic Mini:
A review focusing on video production:
Conclusion – Pros & Cons
FIMI X8 SE
Active Track
4K video
RAW photo
flight time & stability
size & weight
DJI Mavic Mini
Weight (less legal restrictions)
Size (compact for travel)
no Active Track
no 4K video
no RAW photo
Hubsan Zino Pro
Price
Active Track
4K video / lower bitrate
no RAW photo
flight time
Price / Retailer Comparison
DJI Mavic Mini
Fastest way to get is DJI Store on their website for now.
DJI Store: 399 USD // 499 USD (Fly More Combo)
Xiaomi FIMI X8 SE
Aliexpress (FIMI official store): 503 USD
Gearbest:
– EU Warehouse: 449 USD – Coupon Code: FASTGBFIMIX8
– Chinese Warehouse: 439 USD – Coupon Code: 24HFIMIX8
Banggood: 407 USD – Coupon Code: BGFIMIX8NS
Amazon: 
Hubsan Zino Pro
Gearbest: 339 USD – Coupon Code: GBZINOPRO
Banggood: 399 USD
Want a cheaper drone?
Well there is: Hubsan Zino H117s – the brother of the Hubsan Zino Pro.
Hubsan Zino Pro vs Hubsan Zino H117S
Hubsan Zino Pro
- Color: black
- Range: 4K
- High Quality Joystick
Hubsan Zino H177S
- Color: white
- Range: 1K
- Lower Quality Joystick
Yes, that’s it. Only minimal changes: You get less range and the quality of the joystick is not as good. But the price is a super attractive and a real bargain! – Check out Hubsan Zino H117S
Gearbest: 246 USD – Coupon Code: GBH117S25
