DJI Mavic Mini Ultra-Light Folding Drone Revealed With 2.7K Camera

The previously leaked DJI Mavic Mini has been officially announced. The new folding drone is ultra-light and highly portable, offering what DJI says is 'professional-quality' features in a form factor that may, in some areas, be exempted from the regulations that impact its larger siblings. The DJI Mavic Mini is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand; it is joined by a camera that can capture up to 2.7K video.

The Mavic Mini is incredibly light with a weight under 250 grams; it features a 360-degree propeller guard and works with a charging base. Despite its small size, the drone comes with multiple operation modes found on larger drones, such as the ability to circle the camera's subject, spiral away from the subject, and fly backward and upward away from the subject.

The system also features CineSmooth, a mode that extends the drone's braking time to produce what DJI describes as 'more cinematic' videos. There's also a basic operation mode called Position and a Sport mode described as being pilots who have more experience. Operators are given an HD live feed while operating the drone.

One of the Mavic Mini's key features is its camera, which features a 1/2.3-inch sensor for 12MP still images and video recorded at either 1080p/60fps or 2.7K/30fps. The camera is attached to the drone using a three-axis motorized gimbal that keeps the footage and images stable and sharp.

DJI presents its new model as ideal for creatives who want to capture their daily adventures, as well as footage and images from unique perspectives. The Mavic Mini will be available to preorder starting on October 30 from DJI and its authorized retailers for $399 USD; there will also be a $499 USD version that includes extra gear including spare batteries. The drone will start shipping on November 11.