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

Are you in the market for a new beginner-friendly drone? You’ve come to the right place.

Today, I will be reviewing two drone models pitted against each other for a while now: the DJI Mini 2 SE and the Potensic Atom SE.

I have used DJI drones for the past three years, and there’s a reason why DJI drones take a considerable portion of the consumer drone market.

However, several other drone manufacturers are making drones that could compete with DJI drones, Potensic being one of them.

Is the Potensic Atom SE good enough to take down the DJI Mini 2 SE?

DJI Mini 2 SE Overview #

The DJI Mini 2 SE is a stripped-down DJI Mini 2, one of the most reliable mini drones DJI ever released. Most features are similar; the only difference is the video resolution.

While DJI has released several newer drones into the market in the past year, each introducing newer or more upgraded features, the DJI Mini 2 SE reuses older technology to make a cheaper, beginner-friendly drone.

Below are its main features.

• 1/2.3-inch sensor size, same as the one on the original Mini 2, offering good camera performance for its size.
• 12MP still photos and 2.7K video resolution are good enough for beginners and content creators.
• Shoots still footage in RAW, giving you more room for post-processing and providing a good entry point for beginners who want to transition to professional photography.
• Level 5 wind resistance.
• 3-axis gimbal for footage stabilization.
• Quickshots and Panoramas for automated flight.
• Automatic RTH.
• 31-minute flight time, longer than most mini drones from other manufacturers.
• OcuSYnc 2.0 for stable transmission and decent range.
• Sub-250 grams weight, exempting you from some regulations that heavier drones must adhere to.

**» MORE: **Is DJI Mini 2 SE Good for Beginners? (Hands-on Review)

Potensic Atom SE Overview #

The Potensic Atom SE is Potensic’s attempt at a cheaper, lighter, more usable drone with more features than most mini drones.

Below is a brief overview of its features.

• A 1/3-inch Sony sensor offers good camera performance for a drone its size.
• 4K at 30fps video resolution and 12MP stills are good enough for most activities.
• ShakeVanish image stabilization.
• Automated flight modes like Follow Me, Waypoints, and Circle Flight.
• 31-minute flight time is more than you can expect from a budget drone.
• Sub-250 gram weight makes it very portable and reduces the hurdles you must jump to fly it legally.
• Pixsync 2.0 system offering a range of up to 2 miles.

**» MORE: **Potensic Atom SE Drone Review

Quick Verdict #

Despite the Potensic Atom SE having some powerful features, I still prefer the DJI Mini 2 SE and recommend it to beginners and seasoned enthusiasts.

DJI’s ability to make high-quality drones is still unmatched.

The DJI Mini 2 SE’s 2.7K video and 12MP rival the Potensic Atom SE 4K camera and even surpass it sometimes.

Additionally, the reliability of DJI’s OcuSync technology provides a seamless and stable flying experience.

**» MORE: **DJI Mini 2 SE vs. Holy Stone HS720E (Which One is Best)

What are the Main Differences? #

DJI Mini 2 SE vs Potensic Atom SE, what’s new?

Despite using older technologies, the DJI Mini 2 SE is the better drone due to the following features:

• Better quality footage – The camera features listed on paper and how the drone performs in real life often differ, and that was the case for the Potensic Atom SE. The 2.7K footage from the DJI Mini 2 SE looks better than the 4K from the Potensic.
• Image stabilization – The DJI Mini 2 SE features a 3-axis gimbal, which helps stabilize the footage. On the other hand, the Potensic Atom SE lacks this feature, and the ShakeVanish image stabilization doesn’t work as well as DJI’s gimbal stabilization.
• Transmission – As mentioned, the OcuSync 2.0 transmission system is better than most technologies released at the same time.

**» MORE: **DJI Mini 2 SE vs. DJI Mini 3 (Here’s My Choice)

DJI Mini 2 SE  #

Released in February 2023, the DJI Mini 2 SE came out after DJI had released the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 3, both of which were replacements for the DJI Mini 2.

However, some users still found these newer models quite expensive, so DJI released the Mini 2 SE for beginners looking for a budget-friendly drone to capture high-quality footage.

**» MORE: **Is the DJI Mini 2 SE Worth It?

The main features that make this drone special are the image quality, ease of use, long history of reliability among Mini drones, flight time, and quality transmission.

Great Starter Drone

Potensic Atom SE #

The Potensic Atom SE also targets beginners looking for a cheap drone that can capture high-quality footage, but it attempts to offer more than what other similar drones have.

**» MORE: **Potensic Atom SE App (Explained)

For instance, it comes with various intelligent flight modes that we often wished for in sub-250-gram drones.

This drone also shoots in 4K at 30fps, which is better than other drones in its price range.

Head-to-Head Comparison #

Photo and Video Recording #

Winner: DJI Mini 2 SE

Regarding photo and video recording capabilities, the DJI Mini 2 SE and Potensic Atom SE showcase distinct features catering to different user preferences.

The DJI Mini 2 SE offers a formidable 2.7K camera, providing impressive video quality with sharp details and vibrant colors. Its 12MP camera for still images captures clear and accurate shots. While they may not be as high-quality as those you’d get from the Mini 3 Pro or more advanced drones in good lighting conditions, you may be surprised by what this drone can do.

It boasts a stable 3-axis gimbal for smooth video capture even in challenging flight conditions. The Mini 2 SE performs reasonably well in low-light situations, ensuring clear footage with minimal noise.

On the other hand, the Potensic Atom SE prides itself on offering 4K resolution, albeit theoretically. With a 12MP camera for still images, the Atom SE captures decent shots suitable for basic photography needs. However, despite having a larger sensor, its quality doesn’t match that of the DJI Mini 2 SE.

That’s why the quality of footage you get from it varies, which is made worse by the unreliable image stabilization.

A thorough comparison between the two drones in various flight conditions shows that the DJI Mini 2 SE consistently provides better quality footage, making it the preferred choice for anyone looking for a reliable aerial photography companion.

**» MORE: **Camera Technology in Drones (Explained)

Intelligent Flight Modes #

Winner: Tie

Intelligent flight modes allow a drone to automatically record footage you can use for social media or combine into your larger shoot. The DJI Mini 2 SE does come with QuickShots and Panoramas; QuickShots allows you to record the footage in pre-programmed patterns such as Dronie, Helix, Circle, Rocket, and Boomerang. Below is how they work:

• Dronie – This is all about creating captivating aerial selfies or establishing shots. In Dronie mode, the drone flies backward and upward simultaneously, keeping the subject centered in the frame. This results in a dramatic reveal of the surroundings or the person in focus.
• Helix – Helix adds a dynamic and spiraling touch to your footage. In this mode, the drone ascends while spiraling around the subject in an upward and outward motion. This creates an eye-catching and visually engaging shot that adds flair to your aerial videos.
• Circle – This revolves around creating mesmerizing circular shots. The drone orbits the subject, maintaining a consistent radius and capturing a seamless 360-degree view. This mode is excellent for showing landscapes, architectural structures, or any subject that benefits from a circular perspective.
• Rocket – In Rocket mode, the drone ascends rapidly while keeping the camera pointed downward, resulting in a high-speed ascent, offering a thrilling and cinematic perspective, especially effective for revealing expansive aesthetic landscapes.
• Boomerang – This feature creates a visually striking and unique shot by combining ascending, descending, and orbiting movements. The drone follows an elliptical path around the subject, gradually moving away and returning. This mode is excellent for adding a dynamic and looping effect to your videos.

Panorama allows you to take wide-angle shots even with a small sensor. It does this by taking several clips and stitching them together.

On the other hand, the Potensic Atom SE has modes like:

• Follow Me – One feature that most users always wanted on a mini drone was the Follow Me feature. After much waiting, DJI introduced it in the Mini 3 Pro, but it may be expensive for some. The Potensic Atom SE sets itself apart by including this feature, giving casual users and content creators creative ways of filming themselves. The only issue is that this drone lacks obstacle avoidance, so you have to be careful where you use this feature.
• Waypoints – Until recently, the WayPoints feature was only available in pricier and more advanced drones. But now the Potensic Atom SE allows you to pre-program the drone’s flight, making it easier to create time lapses and simplify complex shots.
• Circle Flight – As the name suggests, this feature allows the drone to circle or orbit a subject. Some users complained that it sometimes lost the subject, but when it’s working, it’s great for filming yourself in an open field or to capture a subject and the beautiful scenery behind them.

Quickshots from the Mini 2 SE work great, offering different ways to create content, but WayPoints and Follow Me features give you more control over the drone, giving you a taste of how it would feel using a more advanced drone.

**» MORE: **Smart Features in Drones (Explained for Beginners)

Range #

Winner: DJI Mini 2 SE

The DJI Mini 2 SE comes with the OcuSync 2.0, with a range of up to 6 Miles, while the Potensic Atom SE’s PixSync system offers a range of up to 2 miles. Now, in real-world scenarios, you often get a shorter range than what’s described by the manufacturer, so you still get a much shorter range with the Potensic Atom SE than with the DJI Mini 2 SE.

Based on my experience, DJI drones often hold up better in varying flight conditions thanks to the stable OcuSync system.

**» MORE: **Long Range Drones: Ultimate Guide

Safety Features #

Winner: Tie

Both drones lack obstacle avoidance. However, the respective manufacturers have included basic safety features such as visual sensors for landing, LED navigation lights, and automatic Return-To-Home in an emergency.

Being GPS drones, these drones also hover in place in the air, making them accessible to beginners who are still figuring out what the various controls do.

However, it would help if you still exercise caution when flying either. Lack of obstacle avoidance means they will fly into an obstacle if you don’t stop them.

While attractive to most casual users, their lightweight design also means that they will be very difficult to fly in powerful winds.

It’s also advisable to install propeller guards to protect the propellers in case of a crash.

**» MORE: **Drone Safety Features (All You Need to Know)

Weight and Design #

Winner: Tie

Both drones fall into the sub-250-gram category, emphasizing their commitment to providing users with lightweight and easily maneuverable devices.

This weight classification enhances the drones’ agility during flight and ensures compliance with regulations that may apply to heavier drones.

They also feature a foldable design and could easily fit in your palm or pocket when folded.

**» MORE: **Best Drones Under $500

Controllers #

Winner: Tie

Both drones feature ergonomic controllers. The DJI Mini 2 SE comes with the RC-N1, the same controller you will find in most of their Mavic Minis and Air drones, that allows you to place the smartphone at the top.

Having used this controller with many DJI drones, I can attest to the fact that it’s light and very comfortable in your hands, and unless your smartphone is very heavy, you can use it for extended periods.

The Potensic Atom SE features a slightly different controller design where the shoulders open up so you can fit the smartphone between them, causing the whole setup to look like a Nintendo.

When you are not using it, you can fold it and fit it in your bag. All things considered, there isn’t a lot to complain about the Potensic Atom SE’s controller.

**» MORE: **DJI Mini 2 SE Controller (All You Need to Know)

Conclusion #

Various users have had mixed results from the Potensic Atom SE, but what you get from the DJI Mini 2 SE has been consistent for the most part. It outshines the Potensic Atom SE in image quality, stability, and transmission.

The Mini 2 SE’s QuickShots and Panoramas add a creative touch, surpassing the Atom SE’s capabilities. DJI’s reliability and user-friendly features make it a go-to for beginners and enthusiasts.

Potensic is coming up in the consumer drone industry by building drones rivaling DJI drones, but the Potensic Atom SE is not there yet.

The 4K resolution, Follow Me, and Waypoints features are tempting, but overall, I still go with the DJI Mini 2 SE.

**» MORE: **DJI Mini 2 SE vs. Mini 3 vs. Mini 3 Pro (Here’s My Choice)