The DJI Mini 2 SE is presently among the finest normal GPS drones round this value level.
It’s a budget-friendly drone that’s reasonably priced to many, and it’s a low barrier for many individuals simply moving into the drone pastime.
This stated, as a result of the Mini 2 SE is a less expensive drone, there are lower-quality elements inside it, together with the digicam, which isn’t one of the best within the class.
Nevertheless, picture and video high quality could be drastically improved should you don’t shoot with the Mini 2 SE in auto mode.
For this function, I wish to share with you one of the best handbook settings for capturing images with this drone that may make a dramatic distinction.
DJI Mini 2 SE digicam – what do we all know?
The digicam discovered behind the DJI Mini 2 SE is just not a high-end one with massive CMOS and excessive video or picture decision. In actual fact, it’s the reverse – it’s one of the budget-level cameras present in a DJI drone these days.
With a CMOS dimension of only one/2.3 inch, that is the equal of the sensors discovered behind DJI FPV and DJI Mini 2 drones. And that’s not lots.
In actual fact, it’s fairly small, and the pictures and movies taken with DJI Mini 2 SE are beneath common for right this moment’s extra fashionable drones.
With the bigger CMOS of a digicam, whether or not we’re speaking about drones, telephones, or skilled DSLR cameras, the extra gentle the sensor can seize in a shorter interval, the higher the picture dynamic vary, much less noise (grain) on low-light or evening images, and total, pictures of a better high quality.
On high of that, the DJI Mini 2 SE has a low ISO higher restrict of 3200 for each photographs and movies. With ISO, you improve the sensor sensitivity to gentle and digitally brighten the picture at the price of inducing picture noise, which helps seize low-light and evening images.
The brilliant aspect is that the DJI Mini 2 SE digicam is mounted on a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, leading to easy video footage and sharper images, particularly in greater wind circumstances.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Digicam High quality (With Photos)
Greatest picture settings for DJI Mini 2 SE
Let’s take a deeper have a look at the Mini 2 SE digicam high quality for images. We notice that the sensor dimension and ISO are usually not the one downsides; this drone can seize pictures at solely 12 Megapixels.
As I discussed, it’s a bit beneath common however respectable sufficient for social media. Nonetheless, it’s not good should you’re trying to seize skilled pictures, particularly to print.
So, let’s take a look at what we are able to change by way of picture settings to seize one of the best pictures throughout a particular time of the day.
Daylight Pictures
In case you wish to catch some photographs along with your DJI Mini 2 SE through the daytime, we’ve the benefit of the sunshine being at its peak, so the pictures shouldn’t be grainy so long as we preserve the ISO at 100.
Even with this, the shutter velocity is quick sufficient to snap clear pictures even in greater winds.
However we shouldn’t go away these settings on auto. Subsequently, right here’s what we suggest to vary by way of digicam settings.
Full Solar & Overcast
- ISO: Locked at 100
- White Stability: Auto or 5600K
- Shutter Velocity: Auto
The solar will probably be vivid sufficient to flood the sensor with daylight, and we’ve to lock the ISO at its minimal worth, which is 100. On this case, the pictures can have the bottom noise because the sensor gained’t want to reinforce its sensitivity to collect extra gentle.
If we go away the white steadiness on Auto Mode, that’s okay, however bear in mind that this digicam’s white steadiness gained’t be as correct to provide the precise colours you’re seeing with your individual eyes.
Throughout sunny days and even when overcast, the picture temperature needs to be set at about 5600K for finest replica. However should you really feel your images are colder or hotter than the surroundings you seize, then regulate the “Kelvin” temperature accordingly.
The upper this goes, the hotter the picture will look (orangey), however the decrease you set it, then the colder the picture will look (blue-ish).
The shutter velocity needs to be left on auto as you seize pictures, and there’s no want to regulate it for any purpose.
» MORE: Drone Pictures Final Information
Mornings and Evenings (low-light)
- ISO: Lock it between 100 and 400. Go greater provided that wanted.
- Shutter Velocity: Go away it to auto
- White Stability: 3500K to 4500K for dawn or 5600K for an overcast morning.
Pictures captured throughout dawn and sundown will endure a bit due to the small dimension of the picture sensor and poor dynamic vary, which is the distinction between highlights and shadows and the way a lot element the digicam drone can seize.
Whereas the dawn solar will look okay, the bushes and buildings’ shadows and blacks will principally look washed-out and present a little bit of noise.
This may be fastened in post-processing, and naturally, relying on the surroundings, many morning or night images taken with the DJI Mini 2 SE could possibly be epic.
Nevertheless, not all of them. And right here’s what you must do to enhance your photographs taken with this digicam drone throughout mornings and evenings.
Firstly, attempt to preserve the ISO at its lowest worth.
This will not be one of the best strategy if it’s an overcast morning or it is extremely early and there’s not sufficient gentle. On this case, you’ll have to manually regulate it, however I say not more than ISO 400, or your picture can have an excessive amount of noise to be usable.
In the event you set ISO to the bottom worth, then the shutter velocity needs to be left on auto mode. The shutter velocity will drop considerably (most likely to values between 1 second and 1/100 seconds, however can range) to let extra gentle come into the digicam sensor.
You may also create HDR images in Lightroom by capturing three footage of the very same surroundings however with totally different publicity values – underexposed, usually uncovered, and overexposed; that could possibly be the reply when you have a big distinction in dynamic vary in your pictures (shadows too darkish and highlights too vivid).
As for the white steadiness, that’s a bit difficult. Throughout sunrises and sunsets, you’ve a really heat picture that may be tougher to copy. Generally, the auto mode will just do effective, however you’ll have to search out the proper values relying on the surroundings perspective (hotter, colder).
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional in Low Mild (Defined for Rookies)
Night time images
- ISO: Lowest worth to get a correctly uncovered picture
- Shutter Velocity: Slowest shutter velocity to get a pointy picture
- White Stability: Auto
Throughout the evening, the digicam behind your DJI Mini 2 SE poses an actual problem to really {photograph} one thing good.
I imply that as a result of the picture sensor is so small it is going to fail to collect sufficient gentle to seize footage with little or no noise. And that’s an unlucky truth.
Your finest strategy right here is to closely edit the pictures you took throughout evening flights with this drone in packages like Lightroom or Photoshop. That can take advantage of distinction in citing the picture high quality.
As for the RAW pictures captured, they’ll principally look noisy. Will probably be troublesome to seize something of top of the range.
Nevertheless, let’s see what we are able to do to a minimum of enhance slightly the digicam high quality when capturing images with this drone through the evening.
The ISO will go haywire if set on auto. In actual fact, it is going to go to its most worth to compensate for lack of sunshine. Let’s attempt to keep away from that.
Truly, it will be finest to experiment with totally different values like ISO 400, 800, 1600, and so forth and see which might be one of the best to seize a picture (on the lowest worth) the place the shutter velocity is just not so sluggish that it’s getting you blurry pictures.
So, the shutter velocity will decelerate lots. This drone digicam is ready to take long-exposure pictures of as much as 4 seconds with its digital shutter velocity.
Meaning if the circumstances are okay and no wind is current, your drone ought to be capable to hover stably, and the picture you’re taking needs to be crisp. Nevertheless it’s not at all times the case.
Subsequently, shutter velocity needs to be adjusted manually on this case. Begin with half a second, 1 second, and drop down and see if, altogether, with the handbook ISO, you’re capable of get any respectable uncovered picture.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that the digicam behind the DJI Mini 2 SE is just not meant for use for evening images, and also you’ll battle to get any respectable ones, a minimum of not ok for skilled use.
» MORE: Can You Fly the DJI Mini 2 SE at Night time? (Defined for Rookies)
Greatest video settings for DJI Mini 2 SE
Now, we’re principally wanting right here for one of the best picture settings in your Mini 2 SE. However possibly on the similar time, you wish to seize some B-rolls for a YouTube video or gorgeous surroundings.
On this case, the values it would be best to use for capturing movies with this drone might differ from nonetheless images.
So, what do you’ve to remember?
The identical guidelines apply while you wish to document movies with the Mini 2 SE – preserve your ISO on the lowest worth to keep away from getting picture noise.
Nevertheless, the ISO additionally needs to be adjusted (if wanted) as a way to set the right shutter velocity.
For cinematic content material and one of the best video settings, you’ll at all times must set the Shutter Velocity to double the framerate you’re filming with this drone (or the closest worth).
For example, should you’re trying to movie in 2.7k at 30 frames per second, your shutter velocity needs to be 1/60. In FullHD at 60 frames per second, the shutter velocity should be across the 1/120 worth.
Now, as a result of through the daytime, there will probably be a variety of gentle coming into the picture sensor, even with ISO at minimal, the video will probably be overexposed – that’s why it’s essential to make use of ND filters to scale back the quantity of sunshine that comes into the Mini 2 SE digicam sensor.
If, through the daybreak or nightfall, and even at evening, you don’t get a correctly uncovered video when setting the shutter velocity to double the framerate, then you need to regulate your ISO manually to match the scene’s brightness.
In videography, you must by no means go away all of the settings on auto, it doesn’t matter what drone you might be filming with.
» MORE: Greatest Photograph/Video Modifying Apps for DJI Drones
The best way to enhance your DJI Mini 2 SE images
As knowledgeable photographer, I’ve captured tens of hundreds {of professional} pictures utilizing my DSLRs, drones, and cellphone.
Drone images is just not that troublesome. Though capturing pictures in numerous circumstances with the digicam behind DJI Mini 2 SE could also be difficult, usually, if just a few guidelines are adopted, then you’ll be able to count on to see fast enchancment.
Attempt to preserve the ISO on the lowest values
The very first thing can be to NEVER elevate the ISO until it is advisable.
All the time preserve it on the minimal worth for this drone, which is 100.
If the shutter velocity is just not quick sufficient to seize low-light images and also you’re struggling to get both correctly uncovered pictures or sharp pictures due to extended publicity values, then it’s time to improve the ISO little by little.
However by no means earlier than.
» MORE: What Is Drone Pictures? (Defined for Rookies)
Publish-processing your pictures is essential
Seize in RAW and never JPEG. You’ll have to edit your images in post-processing software program like Lightroom.
With RAW, the picture information is just not burned into the image and can can help you tweak just a few settings, comparable to decreasing noise, rising the sharpness if wanted, exposing the picture accurately (brightness and publicity), including or eradicating shadows, colours, and a lot extra.
Imagine me after I say that there will probably be a big distinction between an edited and a non-edited {photograph} taken with the DJI Mini 2 SE – and the above pictures are good examples.
» MORE: Greatest Modifying Software program for the DJI Mini 2 SE
Selecting the correct climate circumstances
It could solely be logical to imagine that you just aren’t flying your drone in unhealthy climate circumstances, as this can have an effect on the drone’s flight and may even harm the drone if it rains.
But when it’s windy, your images will endure lots, particularly should you’re capturing pictures in low-light circumstances. And right here’s why.
All drones have a wind resistance degree. For example, the DJI Mini 2 SE has a degree 5 wind resistance with most winds of 10.7 m/s. Even decrease winds could be troubling if you wish to seize images.
Throughout windy occasions, the drone will try to self-stabilize lots, and it will be unable to hover altogether easily. Even with the 3-axis gimbal straining to stabilize the digicam when captured in low-light circumstances, it’s not sufficient to maintain the digicam in precisely the identical place for a second or two.
Which means your pictures will probably be blurry and never sharp in any respect.
If it’s a bit windy and also you wish to seize pictures throughout full daylight, that needs to be okay as a result of the shutter velocity will probably be instantaneous, and it’ll take only some microseconds to seize the picture.
» MORE: Greatest Climate Apps for Drones (You Must Set up)
Shutter Velocity values
When capturing pictures along with your DJI Mini 2 SE, until you’re in search of nighttime images, the shutter velocity gained’t matter that a lot to set it manually.
That’s why auto mode needs to be effective.
Simply in case you battle to seize any sharp pictures (due to the long-exposure values we talked about earlier and wind), then improve the ISO a bit for the shutter velocity to change into quick sufficient to seize clearer photographs.
Apart from that, auto mode is okay in images – however not when filming with this drone.
White steadiness
The white steadiness is a posh setting, and it’ll take a while to grasp it absolutely. That’s why the auto white steadiness needs to be okay should you’re a really newbie in images and also you’re merely trying to seize just a few pictures along with your brand-new Mini 2 SE.
The colour temperature, which is measured in Kelvin, goes from decrease values, which mirror very chilly pictures, to greater values, that are hotter pictures.
If the ambient coloration you observe outside is colder (e.g., sunny day, overcast through the day), then it is advisable improve the white steadiness to greater values for the pictures to change into barely hotter, or they’ll look manner too chilly (blue-ish).
If it’s morning or night and also you observe a shocking orange sundown, it is advisable lower the white steadiness values (to colder) for the picture to have a correct coloration. In any other case, the pictures will probably be manner too heat.
The auto mode isn’t a foul factor on this case. In actual fact, I’d suggest preserving the white steadiness on auto more often than not and manually modifying it provided that your Mini 2 SE images are too heat or too chilly.
However keep in mind, you may also readjust this in post-processing.
» MORE: Drone Pictures: Newbie’s Information to Getting Began
Conclusion
The DJI Mini 2 SE is a unbelievable drone. Don’t get me incorrect, for its value, it is without doubt one of the finest in the marketplace by way of images and filming.
However you do must keep in mind that the digicam has a small sensor and isn’t meant for skilled images or filming.
That’s why adjusting just a few settings manually will enhance your images drastically. Furthermore, post-processing your RAW pictures will take these to the following degree, nearer to professional-grade images.
However should you haven’t bought this drone but and are in search of one to seize one of the best pictures, I counsel you decide a drone with a a lot bigger digicam sensor.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE vs. Mini 3 vs. Mini 3 Professional (Right here’s My Alternative)
