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In today's drone market, DJI Mini 4K has attracted many consumers with its compact body and 4K shooting capabilities. However, as an entry-level budget drone, the Mini 4K is not flawless.
In this review, I'm going to break down the drone's shortcomings in detail, from the old design to the flight time, from the dependence of the controller to the low-light performance, hoping to provide a comprehensive perspective for consumers who are already tired of positive reviews. Whether you're new to drones or a seasoned enthusiast, understanding these potential issues will help you make a more informed purchasing decision.
The old design can hardly hide the old atmosphere
DJI Mini 4K uses the same design as the Mini 2. While this isn't necessarily everyone's "hard flaw", it's something to keep an eye on if you're someone who pursues cutting-edge design aesthetics. The old look may not appeal to those who are looking for a sense of style. For me, although the internal components have been updated, holding the Mini 4K always feels like "holding an antique".
Especially in today's drone market, where competition is fierce and major brands are constantly innovating, DJI's approach of sticking to the old design is a bit outdated. In contrast, the new models of other brands are more modern and technological in terms of exterior design, and this difference may affect the user's purchase decision. For those who are looking for both looks and performance, the Mini 4K's old design is undoubtedly a minus.
Dependence on smartphones
The RC N1C controller that comes with the DJI Mini 4K doesn't have an integrated screen, which means you'll have to use your smartphone as the display. While some users may not find this a problem, for me personally, it's a real nuisance. The phone often gets very hot, and you have to worry about whether the phone connection is stable when operating the controller. This reliance on your phone means that if your phone dies or has a problem, your flight experience will come to an abrupt end.
In addition, the phone does not display well in strong sunlight, which makes the screen difficult to see. In addition, using the phone as a display requires additional accessories to be fixed, which adds to the complexity of the device and the hassle of carrying. In practice, I've found that frequent connections and disconnections between the phone and the controller also increase the risk of device damage.
The flight time was shorter than expected
While the advertisement claims that the DJI Mini 4K has a flight time of 31 minutes, the actual experience is usually only 18 to 22 minutes. The discrepancy is disappointing. When you're operating a drone in the air, every minute counts, and it's especially frustrating to fly shorter-than-expected times, especially if you're after the perfect aerial shot or just want to stay in the air longer. The reduction in actual flight time means that you need to carry more batteries, increasing the burden of travel.
At the same time, it also limits your possibilities for completing complex shooting missions in the air. What's worse, if you don't pay attention to the battery level in time, it may cause the drone to suddenly lose power in the air, bringing safety hazards and the risk of equipment damage. This is undoubtedly an important consideration for professional users who need to fly for long periods of time to complete their missions.
Missing important features
If you're looking for more features, DJI Mini 4K might not be the best choice. It lacks features common to high-end models, such as trajectory tracking, master photography, waypoints, and cruise control. These features are very useful for shooting professional-grade footage. Without these options, you'll have to rely on manual controls, and there are fewer automatic flight modes available, limiting your aerial photography or videography possibilities.
For those who want to simplify the operation process and improve the efficiency of shooting, the lack of these features is obviously a big drawback. In particular, the trajectory tracking and waypoint functions can greatly improve the stability and accuracy of shooting. The absence of these features means that you need to be more proficient in the handling skills, which increases the difficulty and time cost of shooting. In addition, the lack of master camera and cruise control also makes DJI Mini 4K's performance much worse in dynamic shooting and complex scenes.
Poor performance in low light
Although DJI Mini 4K is equipped with a 4K camera, it doesn't perform well in low-light environments, and its quality drops significantly compared to its high-end models. This limitation is especially noticeable as someone who likes to shoot at dawn or dusk. In addition, the camera doesn't have a 4K HDR shooting mode, which affects the dynamic range and overall quality of your shots. In low light, there is a noticeable increase in noise, a significant loss of detail, and inaccurate color performance.
This is undoubtedly an important consideration for those who want to shoot high-quality images in a wide range of light conditions. In addition, the absence of 4K HDR mode also means that you can't shoot images with higher dynamic range, which can be more limited in post-processing. For professional photographers and video creators, poor low-light performance and a lack of HDR capabilities can affect the quality and effectiveness of the final product.
Inconvenient to operate
Using the RC N1C controller without a built-in screen requires you to attach your smartphone to the controller. This setup is less convenient when flying. I often worry about my phone's battery life and potential overheating issues. In addition, the battery life of the remote control itself is also limited, requiring you to manage two devices at the same time, which adds to the inconvenience. In practice, frequent connections and disconnections between the phone and the controller also increase the risk of device damage.
The display effect of the mobile phone is not good in strong light, which affects the visibility during flight and increases the difficulty of operation. In addition, the phone needs to be attached to the controller before each flight, which is time-consuming and error-prone. If your phone suddenly drops during the flight, the entire flight experience will be affected. For those who want to simplify the flight process and focus on the shooting mission, this design is obviously not optimal.
Wind Challenge
In windy conditions, it is difficult for DJI Mini 4K to maintain a stable and safe flight. This makes it less reliable in poor weather conditions. If you live in a windy area, this restriction may hinder your smooth flight and steady shooting. In practice, I found that when the wind speed is high, the flight attitude of the Mini 4K is obviously unstable, and the video footage is prone to jitter and shift.
In addition, the flight time at high wind speeds will also be significantly reduced, increasing battery consumption. For those who need to shoot in complex outdoor environments, the Mini 4K's wind resistance is obviously insufficient. In contrast, other brands of high-end drones perform better in wind resistance and can fly stably in harsher weather conditions. For those who want to shoot stably in all weather conditions, the wind challenge of the Mini 4K is undoubtedly an important consideration.
Insufficient security
Due to the lack of an obstacle avoidance sensor, DJI Mini 4K requires manual control, which requires a high level of alertness to its surroundings. This is a challenge for beginners, increases the risk of collisions, requires higher concentration, and increases the stress and difficulty of flying. In actual flight, especially in complex environments, the difficulty of manual control increases significantly, and the slightest carelessness may lead to a drone collision or even a crash.
In addition, the lack of obstacle avoidance also limits the use of the Mini 4K indoors or in wooded environments. In these scenarios, obstacle avoidance sensors can greatly improve the safety and ease of operation of the flight. For those users with no flight experience, this design obviously increases the cost of learning and the risk of use. In contrast, high-end drones of other brands are generally equipped with multi-directional obstacle avoidance sensors, which greatly improves the safety of flight and the convenience of operation.
No built-in storage
DJI Mini 4K doesn't have built-in storage, so you'll need a microSD card to save your videos. Without a card, you can only take low-quality photos and 720p videos on your phone. This can become a problem if you forget to bring a microSD card or run out of storage space during the flight. For those who are used to recording beautiful moments on the go, this design is obviously not user-friendly. In practice, forgetting to bring an SD card or running out of capacity can cause you to miss out on valuable photo opportunities.
In addition, external memory cards also add complexity and maintenance costs to the device, requiring additional accessories and management. If the SD card is faulty or damaged during the flight, all your shots may not be saved. In contrast, the built-in storage design provides more convenience and security, ensuring that you can shoot and store high-quality videos and photos smoothly in any situation.
Limited gimbal movement
DJI Mini 4K's gimbal movement is more limited than that of Mini 3, which reduces the choice of shooting angles. This limitation can be frustrating when you're after a shot at a specific angle. In addition, the lack of certain shooting modes further limits your shooting possibilities. In actual shooting, I found that the gimbal had a limited range of motion, which made it difficult to achieve some creative shooting angles. For those who want to express their ideas from different angles and perspectives, this limitation is obviously not a small drawback.
In addition, the lack of certain advanced shooting modes, such as auto-follow and trajectory shooting, also makes the Mini 4K's performance slightly lacking in dynamic shooting. For professional photographers and video creators, the lack of these features limits their creative freedom and the diversity of their work. In contrast, other brands of high-end drones are more flexible and versatile in gimbal design and shooting modes, which can provide more creative possibilities.
Not compatible with old accessories
If you own the ND filters for the Mini 2 or Mini 2 SE, you will be disappointed to find that they are not compatible with DJI Mini 4K. This means that if you want to use filters to improve your shots, you'll need to spend extra, which is inconvenient for users who have already invested in accessories for older models. In practical use, the role of filters cannot be ignored, especially in strong light environments, ND filters can effectively reduce exposure and improve image quality.
For those who have already invested in a large number of accessories, the incompatibility of older accessories not only increases the cost, but also adds complexity to device management. In addition, incompatible filters also mean that you need to buy a new set of suitable filters, which adds additional overhead and burden. In contrast, other brands of drones are designed with more emphasis on compatibility and are able to be compatible with more accessories of older models, providing users with more convenience and choice.
Removed Wi-Fi transfer
Another change is that DJI Mini 4K removes the Wi-Fi transfer feature from earlier versions. This means that you can't easily transfer videos to your device without transferring files. While it may seem like a detail, this absence is even more striking in today's fast-paced digital age. In practice, Wi-Fi transfer makes it easy for users to quickly share and edit videos without having to go through complicated steps to transfer files to a computer.
Without this feature, it means that you need more time and steps to complete the video transfer and editing, which increases the complexity and time cost of the operation. In addition, the lack of Wi-Fi transmission also limits your ability to quickly share and process videos when you are outdoors or without a computer. In contrast, other brands of drones are more complete and convenient in terms of data transmission functions, which can provide a better user experience and operational efficiency.
summary
Overall, the DJI Mini 4K is positioned as an entry-level budget drone, but it does have some drawbacks. These disadvantages include a lack of obstacle avoidance features, fewer features, shorter battery life than advertised, and the need to use a smartphone as a controller screen. This makes it less than ideal for both beginners and professionals looking for more features. However, if you're willing to ignore these drawbacks and prioritize value for money, the DJI Mini 4K is still an option for drone enthusiasts.
Although I enjoyed the experience of using the DJI Mini 4K, it is clear that it is not without its flaws. If you're valuing safety measures, advanced features, and longer flight times, it may be wiser to explore other alternatives. For those looking for a drone with 4K shooting capabilities, considering the DJI Mini 4K is also a reasonable option – just keep its limitations in mind. In addition, before purchasing, it is recommended that users carefully evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of Mini 4K according to their actual needs and usage scenarios, and make the most suitable choice.
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