DJI Mini SE drone review: A brilliant drone for beginners

The DJI Mini SE / Mini 2 SE drone is budget gateway to the drone market, but is there any need to spend more?

DJI Mini SE drone
(Image: © Adam Juniper/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The DJI Mini SE is meant to be a good value drone, and it really is. Comparing it against the next model up, the Mini 2, beginners will get most of the features and a good proportion of the flying power (in exactly the same shell) for significantly less money. There are some concerns about radio range (solved in the Mini 2 SE), and the feature-list is limited, but the core functionality is there powered by the same software as much more expensive drones, making this feel like amazing value for all but detail obsessives and power-users.

Pros

  • +

    Powerful tool for a very good price

  • +

    Video and photo are richly

  • +

    DJI Fly has good usability

  • +

    Can be flown without phone/app

  • +

    Manual shutter speed / ISO available

  • +

    Four stylish Quickshots

Cons

  • -

    2.7K resolution is lower than many phones

  • -

    No collision sensors

  • -

    Lacks pilot-assist follow functions

  • -

    Photos are JPEG only; no Raw.

  • -

    Struggles in high winds

  • -

    Range could be better

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When legislators around the world started setting a 250g (8.8oz) limit beyond which drones would require some form of registration, toys were the only real competitors. DJI very quickly showed that they could bring the core of their creative tools – a stabilized camera with remote video – under the limit with the Mavic Mini.

Since then the “ultra-light” space has become very competitive, with both Autel and DJI offering serious professional features (EVO Nano+ , Mini 3 Pro , and Mini 4 Pro being the drones in question). DJI have also maintained a minimum offering in the form of the Mini SE, and now the newer Mini 2 SE, borrowing not just the tag but the philosophy of the iPhone SE.

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Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones. 

Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones. 

He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook