DJI Mini 2 SE vs. DJI Avata (Here’s My Choice)

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The Mini 2 SE and Avata are drones manufactured by DJI.

However, they’re designed for dissimilar types of pilots. While the Mini 2 SE is a standard drone, the Avata is an FPV.

This article will compare the Mini 2 SE and Avata to help you decide which you should buy.

DJI Mini 2 SE overview #

Great Starter Drone

SpecsDJI Mini 2 SESize****Folded: 138×81×58 mm without propellersUnfolded: 245×289×56 mm with propellersWeight246 grFlight Time31 minsFlight ModesNormal, Sport, CineTransmission Distance9.75 mi or 15.7 km max flight range (unrestricted)Camera1/2.3-inch CMOSPhotographing at 12 MP resolutionFilming in 2.7k at 30 frames per second or 1080p at 60fpsWind Resistance10.7 m/s Level 5 wind resistanceObstacle AvoidanceNo obstacle avoidanceIncluded in KitDJI Mini 2 SE drone, DJI RC-N1 remote controller and 1x battery (3x for fly-more combo)

✅ Pros #

One of the cheapest DJI drones
New drone released in 2023
Fantastic for beginners and new drone pilots
Under 250 grams and may not require registration
Easy to fly and set up
Decent camera quality for photos and videos
Easy to pack and travel with
Can fly for a decent amount of time
Can fly long-range
Good wind resistance

❌ Cons #

It does not film in 4k
Low image resolution (only 12 MP)
No obstacle avoidance sensors
No ActiveTrack or Follow-me mode

The Mini 2 SE is one of the newest and cheapest DJI drones you can find.

As a new release of the Mini series, the Mini 2 SE is a successor of the Mini 2.

With newer technology and advanced parts, the Mini 2 SE has fewer features than the standard Mini 2 to keep the drone’s price down.

This drone can film decently in 2.7k at 30 frames per second. You probably won’t need more as a hobby pilot, as the camera will produce decent photos and videos.

However, if you want professional-level photos and videos, you must look further than the Mini 2 SE.

This drone can fly for quite some time and perform long-range flights.

DJI Avata overview #

SpecsDJI AvataSize180×180×80 mmWeight410 g at takeoffFlight Time18 minsFlight ModesNormal, Sport, ManualTransmission Distance7.2 mi or 11.6 km (unrestricted)Camera1/1.7-inch CMOSFilming in 4k at 60 frames per second or 2.7k at 120 frames per secondPhotographing: 4000×3000 max image size, single shot JPEGWind Resistance10.7 m/sObstacle AvoidanceNoneIncluded in KitIt can be purchased in multiple combinations.Will be included the DJI Avata, plus:Goggles: DJI FPV Goggles V2, DJI Goggles 2, or DJI IntegraController: Motion Controller or DJI RC Motion 2Batteries: One to three batteries (three for the Fly More Combo)No kit includes DJI FPV Remote Controller 2

✅ Pros #

It’s a very safe drone due to duct guards
You can obtain unique video footage
Can fly in Normal Mode (as a regular drone) and Manual Mode (as an FPV drone)
You can enjoy an immersive experience with the goggles
It has head tracking with DJI Goggles 2 or Integra
Outstanding camera quality
Its flight time is astonishing for an FPV drone
Can fly long-range
You can enjoy different types of flights with the motion controller
The drone is quite crash-resistant
It has an emergency stop feature, return to home, and auto landing (unusual for an FPV drone)

❌ Cons #

This drone is FPV, so you will need practice in simulators to fly
An FPV drone is more susceptible to damage
It will require registration because it’s about 250 grams
It has issues with sharp turnings or high wind – it can tumble
No Avata kit comes with DJI FPV Remote Controller 2, which is required to benefit from this drone
The entire kit can be pricy

The Avata is the second FPV drone released by DJI in August 2022.

This is a Cinewhoop FPV drone, meaning it has duct guards. It was created to be flown indoors, near obstacles and objects, close to people, inside forests, etc.

The Avata can achieve unique cinematic videos as an FPV drone. However, if you want to fly in Manual Mode (acro), you need simulator practice to understand the drone’s flight mechanics.

Otherwise, you will crash the drone in the first few seconds!

DJI Mini 2 SE vs. DJI Avata #

Although these drones are from different worlds, they have similarities and appeal to the same type of consumer. Let’s compare them in depth.

Pricing and availability #

Summary: The DJI Mini 2 SE is much cheaper than the DJI Avata.

The Mini 2 SE, as mentioned earlier, is one of the cheapest DJI drones. Depending on promotions, you can buy it on the DJI website, Amazon, and other major retailers for between $300 and $350.

For this price, the Mini 2 SE could be an excellent tool for a family vacation and capturing stunning memories.

The Mini 2 SE Fly More Combo is equivalent to the standard DJI Mini 3 price, slightly under $500.

Conversely, if you want to purchase the Avata, expect to dig deeper into your pockets.

Prices can range from $1,200 to $1,700 for the entire package with a drone, goggles, and motion controller, with or without the Fly More Combo.

If you’re also looking to max out on accessories, it can go up to $2,000.

Generally, you shouldn’t pay over $1,300 to $1,400 for a standard package.

However, you must remember that all these kits do not contain the DJI FPV Remote Controller 2, which is most recommended for Avata.

The controller is around $200.

Remember that the Avata, DJI Goggles, and DJI FPV Remote Controller 2 can be purchased separately.

The drone will cost $600, the DJI Goggles Integra (which are most recommended) $500, and the remote controller $200.

» MORE: Best Charger for DJI Avata

Photography and video recording #

Summary: The DJI Avata camera is far superior to the Mini 2 SE, but Avata can only take snapshots.

The Mini 2 SE is a budget drone with no top-notch camera for photography and filming. However, it’s mostly welcomed for personal use, and the images are more than decent.

With a 1/2.3-inch sensor, the Mini 2 SE cannot photograph well or film at night or in low-light situations. The sensor size is too small for good image quality under these circumstances.

Although nowadays we have to look for more than 12 MP resolution for professional photography, equivalent to an iPhone 13 Pro, the images will look fantastic if the lighting condition is decent.

You have the advantage that you can shoot in JPEG and DNG, a RAW format that is good for editing photos in Lightroom.

The Mini 2 SE can film in 2.7k at 30 seconds, and if you want to film slow motion at 60fps, you have to drop the resolution to 1080p.

Many drone pilots want to film in 4k for different projects, but in my opinion, not much is needed in 4k unless you film professionally.

The Mini 2 SE 2.7k for personal needs should be fine, but we only have 30 frames per second at this resolution.

I love to film in 50 or 60 frames per second, not for slow motion but for a pleasant framerate that can look unrealistic and futuristic.

Now, Avata can film at 60 frames per second and in 4K. What a lovely surprise for us, people who love 60fps!

With the 1/1.7-inch CMOS from Avata, which is larger than the one found in the Mini 2 SE, you should expect Avata to deal better with low light and night filming.

However, one of the pleasant jaw-droppers of the DJI Avata is that it can film in 2.7k at 120 frames per second. We rarely find this framerate with this resolution in DJI drones.

You can create unique slow-motion videos with the Avata, which is fantastic, especially when flying close to objects and through obstacles.

The Avata has two unique functions, RockSteady and HorizonSteady, which help with electronic stabilization. The footage will simply look unreal.

Avata’s RockSteady will help stabilize the shakes when flying the drone, whereas the HorizonSteady will keep the horizon line straight when changing directions.

If you’re flying in Manual Mode with the Avata, I recommend only enabling RockSteady.

In exchange, returning to the Mini 2 SE, this has a three-axis gimbal, which is great for stabilizing video footage or taking sharp photographs even in high winds.

Flight features #

Summary: The DJI Mini 2 SE has a few intelligent functions, whereas the DJI Avata lacks them but is better at safety features.

If you want to fly your Mini 2 SE, you can use a few intelligent functions, but not ActiveTrack or follow-me mode.

Moreover, the Mini 2 SE does not have any anti-collision sensors.

The Mini 2 SE has QuickShots modes such as Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle, and Boomerang. This can spice up your video recordings and help you capture unique moments with your Mini 2 SE, even as a beginner.

The Mini 2 SE, like any other DJI drone, also benefits from quick takeoffs and landings, return-to-home features on signal loss, and hovering with precision.

The Avata also benefits from these perks. However, Avata has one more function no other DJI drone has (except for the DJI FPV drone): Emergency Brake.

What is this?

In this mode, the Avata instantly stops in position, switches itself to Normal Mode (even if flown in Manual), and hovers.

The Emergency Brake feature can save the drone if you feel you have lost control while flying at high speed.

Surprisingly, while custom FPV mostly lacks these features, the Avata’s return to home is excellent and can be flown in Normal and Sport Mode on top of Manual Mode.

The Avata also uses DJI Goggles 2 or Integra for head tracking. You can control what you see through the goggles by moving your head in any direction, and the Avata will also change directions.

This perk is fantastic if you want to explore your surroundings and take advantage of the immersive experience with goggles.

Flight performance #

Summary: Both drones have good flight performance, but Avata can tumble.

The Mini 2 SE has safe flights, very stable hovering, and can reach speeds up to 35.7 miles an hour.

In contrast, DJI Avata can reach over 60 miles an hour in Manual Mode.

From all our tests and what we know, the Mini 2 SE flies very well and has smooth controls.

It can also withstand heavy winds of 24 miles an hour, but you can expect better wind resistance. However, fly at your own risk.

The Avata is a big disappointment if we want to fly at high speeds, take sharp turns, and/or deal with higher winds.

The Avata has a big flaw in these cases: It can tumble and fall.

This is because the Avata has a heavy battery above, and the motors are too low set, with an overall bad center of gravity.

Too many drone pilots have complained their Avatas lost control when flying more aggressively. FPV drones are meant for aggressive types of flights.

Overall, leaving this issue aside, if you fly your Avata carefully, you should have a smooth experience.

Just avoid high winds.

Aircraft, controllers, and headsets #

Summary: The Mini 2 SE only comes with the DJI RC-N1, but with Avata, you have many combo options, depending on what you’re looking for from this drone.

Let’s begin with the Mini 2 SE, shall we?

The Mini 2 SE has a design similar to the Mini 3 and looks identical to other Mini drones released by DJI.

It’s small and can fit even in a larger pocket. It can fold and doesn’t occupy a lot of space.

The Mini 2 SE is under 250 grams. But why is that important?

In the US and most countries worldwide, drones weighing 250 grams or less may not require registration and benefit from relaxed drone laws.

The Avata is slightly over 400 grams and does not benefit from such perks.

Now, the Mini 2 SE controller is the DJI RC-N1, the standard remote controller that is compatible with most DJI drones.

Attach an Android or iOS phone to the controller with the DJI Fly App installed to fly the drone.

Unfortunately, the Mini 2 SE is incompatible with the DJI RC, and the remote controller with a screen is compatible with the Mini 3 and 3 Pro, Air 2S, etc.

But we have to remember that the Mini 2 SE is a budget drone and is not meant to benefit from the advanced bonuses of more expensive drones.

The Avata remote controller, which is not for sale in any Avata kit, is the DJI FPV Remote Controller 2.

I have personally used this controller quite a lot, especially training in simulators, and it’s extremely sensitive and accurate without any room for error.

The joysticks respond to the nanometer level, and the controller feels solid. The battery will last you a very long time.

However, you will get with an Avata kit is the DJI Motion Controller or DJI RC Motion 2.

These motion controllers are a new type of way to control the Avata through the motion of your hand and a few buttons at your fingertips.

An experienced drone or FPV pilot may not like this type of controller, as it’s counterintuitive to everything we have learned in controlling drones until now.

However, it could be a great addition for a beginner who hasn’t flown a drone before, as it’s very easy to fly, even with zero experience.

I also want to include that with DJI Avata, you must use a headset to fly and see a live-view image.

DJI FPV Goggles V2 are the first version, and they are compatible with Avata. It was originally designed for DJI FPV but doesn’t support head tracking; they are bulkier.

However, it does support attaching an analog video receiver. It also has a larger screen and can be customized with any type of antenna.

That’s why the DJI FPV Goggles V2 is a favorite for many FPV drone pilots, as it can be used with a wide variety of FPV drones and not only Avata.

However, if you want to buy Avata, I would personally look at the other two headsets.

DJI Goggles 2 are the originals released with the Avata and present full compatibility. They are smaller in size, have foldable antennas and a higher resolution, but include a slightly smaller screen size than the V2.

The Goggles 2 supports head tracking and is fully compatible with motion controllers.

After these two headsets, DJI released the DJI Integra, a new headset with an incorporated battery and a Remote ID module built in.

It’s the best headset for Avata if you’re looking for simplicity without dealing with external batteries or connecting a phone with the DJI Fly App to the headset for Remote ID in the USA.

Flight time and range #

Summary: The Mini 2 SE can fly longer and farther, but as an FPV drone, Avata’s flight time is astonishing.

The Mini 2 SE can fly for about half an hour with its unique intelligent battery. No other batteries are compatible with this drone.

This is according to DJI. However, you should expect a flight time of about 22 to 25 minutes without draining your Mini 2 SE battery to zero.

With this flight time, the Mini 2 SE can fly long-range even with the older OcuSync 2 transmission system.

Be aware that winds can impact the drone because of its small size.

Conversely, the Avata can fly for up to 18 minutes. In reality, we should expect around 15 minutes max flight time in Normal and Sport Modes and 10 to 12 minutes in Manual Mode.

For an FPV drone, this flight time is more than decent, knowing that FPV drones usually fly between three and 10 minutes at most (except for specific long-range builds)

Speaking of long-range, the transmission distance of the Avata is lower than the Mini 2 SE, but it can still easily get out of visual range.

The FAA (USA), CE (Europe), SRRC (China), and MIC (Japan) will restrict the flight ranges of any drones as per their regulations, so you won’t be able to fly as far as advertised.

Why choose the DJI Mini 2 SE over the DJI Avata? #

I would choose the Mini 2 SE over the Avata as a beginner looking to get into the drone hobby. I would also recommend simplifying my flights with a standard drone if I want something cheap and reliable or if I want to benefit from relaxed drone laws.

The Mini 2 SE is very different from the Avata. It has its own advantages, especially if you’re the type of person who likes to travel.

Also, not many people will be okay with flying with a headset on, so if you don’t like that or suffer from motion sickness, think about the Mini 2 SE.

Why choose the DJI Avata over the DJI Mini 2 SE? #

The Avata is for you if you’re a drone pilot looking for unique experiences flying drones and want to get into flying FPV. I also recommend it if you wish to create astonishing footage or want a safe drone to fly thanks to duct guards.

With head tracking, a motion controller, and all Avata’s unique perks, you can have an unforgettable experience that is unavailable to any other drone.

Remember that in the end, the Avata is an FPV drone, and you can fly it in manual like a Cinewhoop.

DJI Avata and Mini 2 SE for commercial work – Which is better? #

The Mini 2 SE does not have camera capabilities for any type of commercial work due to low photo and video resolution.

Using the Mini 2 SE for mapping or land surveying would be difficult.

The best you can use the Mini 2 SE is for close-up inspections, but don’t expect any zoom capabilities like the Air 3 or Mavic 3 series.

In contrast, the Avata is good for one thing: to create commercial cinematic footage. The Avata is the perfect drone to fly indoors and capture the videos you’re looking for.

Other than that, there are a few commercial applications you can use your Avata for.

» MORE: Commercial Drone Pilots in USA (Ultimate Guide)

DJI Avata vs. DJI Mini 2 SE for activities #

What about using the Avata and Mini 2 SE for different activities?

Before we start digging, I must remind you that neither of these drones has obstacle avoidance sensors and follow-me mode, which is a downside.

Travel and hiking #

You can take your Mini 2 SE on your travels and even when hiking because it’s a small drone that barely adds to the weight; place it in a backpack, and it doesn’t occupy much space.

The battery is enough to take advantage of multiple flights, but if you travel for a long time, I recommend taking a few extra.

The Avata is larger and weighs much more, especially since you must carry the goggles with you on top of extra accessories.

However, with Avata, you can take nature videos inside a forest, follow a trail, overshadow a cave entrance, and create unique cinematic videos.

From an FPV background perspective, I always consider that Avata would give you more perks if you hike and travel to capture something memorable.

» MORE: Best Affordable Drones for Travel

Extreme sports #

For extreme sports, neither of these drones performs well.

The Mini 2 SE has no follow-me mode, doesn’t reach high speeds, and lacks obstacle avoidance sensors.

You can film from afar some extreme sports.

The Avata is another story. You can’t film yourself while doing extreme sports, but you can film others if you fly it carefully. I recommend Avatta for filming skateboarding, bike freestyling, or alpinism.

» MORE: Best Drones for Extreme Sports

Vlogging #

As with extreme sports, using either the Mini 2 SE or Avata for vlogging would be difficult because of the lack of a follow-me mode.

With the Mini 2 SE, you can use some QuickShots modes while vlogging. Moreover, with Avata and the Mini 2 SE, you can take some creative B-rolls for your vlogs.

However, you can’t directly use these drones to vlog.

Instead, I’d recommend using a hover mode close to you, However, without automatic moves or following you, the footage will be static, and the results won’t be anything special.

» MORE: Best Drones for Vlogging