Digital Camera World - UK (2020-03)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com MARCH 2020 DIGITAL CAMERA^131

Mini Test

DJI Mavic Mini
£369/$399
http://www.dji.com

W

ith the UK, USA and China now requiring
the registration of any drone weighing
more than 250g (8.8oz), a new market
has emerged for ultra-light models that undercut
the weight limit.
With the Mavic Mini, DJI’s R&D team have
performed a minor miracle to shave as much
weight as possible from their existing designs,
and even trim the price at the same time. The key
sacrifice here has been video quality – the Mavic
Mini can ‘only’ capture at 2.7K (about half the
number of pixels as 4K) and at 40Mbps, so the
video has slightly more compression artifacts than
that from a Mavic 2 Zoom. You’ll also have to do
without anti-collision sensors, which add weight.
The drone nonetheless has a three-axis camera
stabilisation gimbal, meaning footage looks
super-smooth, and DJI’s usual software has
received a tidy-up to make it more vlogger/
Instagrammer friendly. It features QuickShots

pre-programmed selfie-friendly clips – and
the slightly lower video resolution isn’t an
issue for online sharing. At 12 megapixels,
stills are broadly similar to a decent phone.

PROS Ultra light and compact;
registration-free flying; easy to fly

CONS No 4K video; no manual controls;
lacks collision avoidance sensors

Verdict

DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 From £1 .589/$1 ,729 http://www.dji.com

T

he Phantom was a revolutionary product. Earlier versions included the first drone to feature a gimbal-stabilised camera, rather than requiring the user to supply their own. Its rugged body design means that while it’s no longer the obvious choice for beginners or consumers (for whom folding products offer the same practicality), there’s a lot to appeal to aspiring pros. The non-folding design does mean it’ll probably take up most of a specialist backpack (rather than just a side pocket like the foldable Mavic Air), or it’ll need to travel in the back of your car. Even so, the Phantom 4 Pro’s latest update is tempting. Redesigned props for quieter flight are definitely pleasing, and the new OcuSync radio system that makes 1080p video possible on the monitors is a plus (although it won’t work with older controllers). There were concerns that this drone was going to be discontinued, but DJI has confirmed that this superb drone is back in production. If you’ve already got an original Phantom 4 Pro, there’s little reason to upgrade to the V2.0. Otherwise, this is a great option if you have professional ambitions.

PROS Large-sensor image quality; design classic; subject tracking

CONS Not cheap; feels a little bulky compared with foldaway alternatives

Verdict

Parrot Anafi From £630/$559 http://www.parrot.com

P

arrot wasn’t really a contender in the high-end aerial video market until the Anafi arrived in mid-2018, but it was worth the wait. Rather than push up the Anafi’s price and weight with sensors of questionable use, Parrot leaves the business of avoiding obstacles to the pilot. In exchange, it’s managed to keep the price and portability manageable. Although the carbon-fibre elements of the body feel a little cheap, this is still one of the best-built frames on the market, and it’s easy to operate thanks to automatic take-off and landing, and a GPS-based return-to-home feature. The well-built folding controller is easier to operate than some recent alternatives from DJI. There are drawbacks. Parrot charges extra for in-app features like follow-me modes, which DJI includes as standard. The gimbal is only powered on two axes, relying on software to handle sharp turns. On the plus side, it can rotate 180 degrees upward for an unobstructed angle most drones can’t manage, and it features zoom, which is unheard of at this price point.

PROS 4K at 100Mbps with HDR; folds small; 180-degree vertical-turn gimbal

CONS Only two-axis gimbal control; some features are in-app purchases

Verdict

Five things to look out for

1 Most drones have a small imaging sensor and no zoom lens, but it means less weight and a longer flight time.

2 Cheaper drones are controlled by an app on your phone; a dedicated controller will usually offer more range.

3 Many drones now feature automatic collision avoidance, helping you stay out of trouble.

4 Cheap beginner drones will likely be trickier to fly than models packing tech like GPS tracking and collision avoidance.

5 Drones over 250g need to be registered; pilots must comply with the Drone Code (UK) or the FAA website (US).

Digital Camera World - UK (2020-03)

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