Comparison
DJI Mini 2 vs DJI Air 2S
Would you notice?
Mini 2 vs Air 2S: You would notice weight mostly as paperwork, bag mass and how close you may fly to people; you would notice the sensor (1/2.3-inch CMOS vs 1-inch CMOS) in evening light. You would not really notice gimbal, wind. UK paperwork is part of the difference: Mini 2 is unmarked / sub-250 g (Flyer ID + Operator ID); Air 2S is unmarked (Flyer ID + Operator ID).
Set I fly on the home bench to see net upgrade cost from your airframe (CeX cash vs used / RRP). It stays in this browser.
| Spec |  unmarked · 242 g |  unmarked · 595 g |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Released | 5 Nov 2020 | 15 Apr 2021 |
| App | DJI Fly Same | DJI Fly Same |
| Weight & UK law | ||
| Takeoff weight | 242 g Ahead | 595 g |
| UK class / IDs | unmarked · sub-250 g · Operator ID + Flyer ID Same | unmarked · Operator ID + Flyer ID Same |
| Open subcategory | A1 Over People Ahead | A3 Far from People |
| From uninvolved people | No class mark. CAA legacy weight table: under 250 g is A1 — same Open subcategory as C0. May overfly uninvolved people; not crowds. Flyer ID + Operator ID from 100 g with a camera. Ahead | No class mark. CAA legacy weight table: 50 m from uninvolved people; 150 m from built-up areas. No overflight. A2 only with an A2 CofC. Flyer ID + Operator ID. |
| Height (Open) | 120 m AGL Same | 120 m AGL Same |
| Folded size | 138 × 81 × 58 mm | 180 × 97 × 77 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main sensor | 1/2.3-inch CMOS · 12 MP · 24 mm | 1-inch CMOS · 20 MP · 22 mm Ahead |
| Aperture | f/2.8 Same | f/2.8 Same |
| Field of view | 83° Same | 88° Same |
| ISO (photo / video) | 100–3200 / 100–3200 | 100–12800 / 100–6400 |
| Colour / log | Rec. 709 / normal | D-Log M |
| Other cameras | Single camera Same | Single camera Same |
| Max video | 4K/30 | 5.4K/30, 4K/60 Ahead |
| Gimbal / vertical | 0° tilt | 24° tilt Ahead |
| Flight | ||
| Lab flight time | 31 min Same | 31 min Same |
| Hover time | — | 30 min Ahead |
| Wind resistance | Level 5 · 10.5 m/s | Level 5 · 10.7 m/s Ahead |
| Max speed | 57.6 km/h Sport | 68.4 km/h Sport Ahead |
| Climb / descent | 5 / 3.5 m/s | 6 / 6 m/s Ahead |
| Max takeoff altitude | 4000 m | 5000 m Ahead |
| Sensing | ||
| Obstacle sensing | Downward | Front / back / down Ahead |
| Transmission | ||
| Video range (CE) | 6 km CE · O2 (10 km FCC) Same | 8 km CE · O3 (12 km FCC) Same |
| Power & storage | ||
| Battery | 17.3 Wh | 40.4 Wh Ahead |
| Internal storage | Card only Same | 8 GB Same |
| microSD | microSD, up to 256 GB Same | microSD, up to 256 GB Same |
| GNSS | GPS + GLONASS + Galileo Same | GPS + GLONASS + Galileo Same |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 40 °C Same | 0 to 40 °C Same |
The i beside a spec is the explainer — hover or tap.
Questions
Will I notice the camera?
Mini 2 main: 1/2.3-inch CMOS · 12 MP · 24 mm, 4K/30. Air 2S main: 1-inch CMOS · 20 MP · 22 mm, 5.4K/30, 4K/60. You would notice sensor class in low light; you would not notice the word 4K if both already do it.
Do I need to register the Air 2S in the UK?
Air 2S is unmarked, takeoff about 595 g (595 g with battery. No class mark.). In the UK a Flyer ID is required from 100 g, and an Operator ID is required from 100 g with a camera or from 250 g — this airframe needs both. This is not legal advice; read the CAA Drone Code for the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
Do I need to register the Mini 2 in the UK?
Mini 2 is unmarked, takeoff about 242 g (DJI standard takeoff 242 g with battery, props and a microSD card. Marketed under 249 g.). In the UK a Flyer ID is required from 100 g, and an Operator ID is required from 100 g with a camera or from 250 g — this airframe needs both. This is not legal advice; read the CAA Drone Code for the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
How far from people can I fly the Air 2S in the UK?
Air 2S (unmarked): A3 Far from People. No class mark. CAA legacy weight table: 50 m from uninvolved people; 150 m from built-up areas. No overflight. A2 only with an A2 CofC. Flyer ID + Operator ID. Open height is 120 m AGL. Never over crowds. This is not legal advice — the CAA Drone Code (March 2026) applies to the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
How far from people can I fly the Mini 2 in the UK?
Mini 2 (unmarked): A1 Over People. No class mark. CAA legacy weight table: under 250 g is A1 — same Open subcategory as C0. May overfly uninvolved people; not crowds. Flyer ID + Operator ID from 100 g with a camera. Open height is 120 m AGL. Never over crowds. This is not legal advice — the CAA Drone Code (March 2026) applies to the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
Which is better in wind?
Air 2S carries more mass into DJI’s published wind figure (Mini 2 10.5 m/s, Air 2S 10.7 m/s). On a UK headland that is often the whole decision. Lab Level numbers that match can still feel different because weight is not in the level name.
Which is better at dusk?
Air 2S on paper. Mini 2 is 1/2.3-inch CMOS with Downward; Air 2S is 1-inch CMOS with Front / back / down. Nightscape still needs texture and a minimum lux — it is not night vision.
Which is better for travel?
Mini 2 if the constraint is a bag and UK class (unmarked, 242 g). Air 2S if you will accept unmarked and 595 g for the bigger airframe.
Can I keep my Mini 2 batteries, controller or ND filters?
You can keep: DJI RC-N1. You cannot take: Mini 2 / Mini 4K Intelligent Flight Battery. Phone clamp for Mini 2, Mini 4K, Mini 3 family, Air 2, Air 2S and original Mavic 3. Does not fly Mini SE (Wi-Fi stick), Mini 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, Flip or Air 3.
How much more does it cost?
DJI UK RRP (as of 2026-08-31): Mini 2 —, Air 2S —. Used and CeX sit on the price board below — some of these are discontinued as new.
Who should buy which?
Mini 2: unmarked, 1/2.3-inch CMOS. Air 2S: Dual camera and wind; you accepted C1.
Price board
UK pounds, dated snapshots. Each cell names the box that figure is for. EAN is the barcode on that carton when a UK listing cited one; otherwise we leave it blank rather than guess. Not live APIs. Buying used checklist.
| Mini 2 as of 2026-08-31 | Air 2S as of 2026-08-31 | |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Store UK RRP | — Discontinued as new — Mini 2 (not Mini 2 SE, not Mini 4K) | — Discontinued as new — Air 2S (not Air 3, not Air 3S) |
| Amazon UK | See Amazon No new Mini 2 buy-box — search only | See Amazon No new Air 2S buy-box — search only |
| eBay UK band | See eBay Used Mini 2 kits; Fly More at the top — confirm it is not Mini 2 SE / Mini 4K | See eBay Used Air 2S kits; Fly More at the top — confirm it is not Air 3 |
| CeX sell | — CeX search — no SKU invented | — CeX search — no SKU invented |
| CeX cash / voucher | See CeX CeX search — no SKU invented | See CeX CeX search — no SKU invented |
Reviews that put these together
- Review: the DJI Mini 2 is the perfect drone for beginners
4K/30, RAW stills, OcuSync 2.0, sub-250 g, no obstacle avoidance
DPReview · 2020-11-05 - DJI Mini 2 drone v Mavic Mini
4K/30 vs 2.7K, Level 5 wind, 6 km CE O2, 242 g takeoff
Heliguy · 2020-11-05 - Review: DJI's Air 2S is the ultimate consumer drone
1-inch 20 MP, 5.4K/30, 4K/60, 10-bit D-Log, 595 g
DPReview · 2021-04-17 - DJI Air 2S vs Mavic Air 2 vs DJI Mavic 2 Pro
1-inch vs Air 2, 5.4K, no class mark, front/back/up/down sensing
Heliguy · 2021-04-15