Working as a drone photographer can web you critical financial institution, particularly in case you do it full-time. Having a specialty or area of interest helps, similar to actual property pictures.
The seek for a drone applicable to your skilled aspirations warrants a variety of cautious consideration and analysis between manufacturers, then particular person drone fashions.
To date, one of many drones in competition is the DJI Mini 2 SE.
This can be a sensible, dependable drone for business and leisure flights, however is it the proper one to your actual property tasks? That’s the all-important query I’ll enable you reply.
I’ve sufficient flight expertise with the Mini 2 SE to say I do know this drone totally. I’ve examined it each which manner, so you may belief my insights about this drone’s appropriateness for actual property pictures.
DJI Mini 2 SE defined
The DJI Mini 2 SE got here out in March 2023, making it one of many latest entry within the Mini line (as of the time of publication) and one in every of DJI’s latest drones, interval.
The DJI line of Mini drones has turn out to be well-known for weighing underneath 250 grams, a trait the Mini 2 SE proudly carries on.
This isn’t totally a moot level simply because it’s important to register your drone as a business actual property photographer. You continue to need a travel-friendly, moveable drone, and the Mini 2 SE definitely matches the invoice.
I like touring with this drone as a result of it’s so gentle I neglect I’m carrying it typically.
Its battery has 31 minutes of steady marketed flight, and its wind resistance is best than you’d think about for a drone of this stature.
Its digital camera with a 1/2.3-inch CMOS lens takes video in 2.7K high quality and pictures in 12 MP.
The Mini 2 SE additionally has a wealth of Clever Flight Modes designed to facilitate a hands-off expertise.
It contains the RC-N1 controller, a distant that hooks as much as your smartphone so you may navigate, toggle options, and livestream. The distant has a digital camera button, energy button, RTH button, and a swap for adjusting between Sport, Regular, and Cine modes.
I discover the distant fairly simple to make use of, and whereas I want it had a display screen, I can perceive why it doesn’t. This can be a lower-cost entry within the Mini line, and a distant with a display screen would bump up the associated fee.
It retails for underneath $400 in case you purchase the bottom version, and the Fly Extra Combo is out there for underneath $500.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Controller (All You Have to Know)
Why select the DJI Mini 2 SE for actual property pictures?
The Mini 2 SE can get many roles performed, and that features actual property pictures. Listed below are some methods it excels while you take it to work.
Simple to make use of
For those who’re an skilled drone pilot, the newbie options of the Mini 2 SE are simple sufficient to bypass.
You don’t have to the touch the tutorials within the DJI Fly app, and you may manually begin and cease your drone slightly than use one-touch launching and touchdown.
Nevertheless, in case you’re new to drones, however you’ve gotten your business license and are keen to start out capitalizing on it by getting cash, you’ve chosen effectively in case you purchase the Mini 2 SE.
This DJI drone has sufficient info and automatic options which you could confidently take to the skies, get your work performed, and be on to the following undertaking whereas constructing confidence and familiarity in drone operation.
» MORE: Is DJI Mini 2 SE Good for Rookies? (Palms-on Evaluate)
Wonderful wind resistance
The Mini 2 SE additionally has a surprisingly good diploma of wind resistance at Stage 5. It’s constructed to resist winds of virtually 24 miles an hour.
I’ve flown it in 25-mph winds, the place it nonetheless carried out okay, however I didn’t transcend that as a result of I didn’t need to have my drone get thrown right into a tree.
Curiously, the Mini 2 SE has higher wind resistance than Avata, and its wind degree is corresponding to the Mini 2, Mini 3, and Mini 3 Professional.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Wind Resistance (Defined)
Mild and moveable
I praised the portability of the Mini 2 SE within the final part, and also you higher consider I’m doing it once more.
This drone is a good weight for taking over all of your actual property adventures, whether or not you’re working in your individual neighborhood or driving out of state.
I like to recommend the carrying bag DJI sells for the Mini 2 SE. Although it’s not included with the drone, it matches the Mini 2 SE completely and may stash a number of equipment.
In fact, any comparable bag or backpack you have already got is okay, too.
» MORE: Greatest Equipment for DJI Mini 2 SE
Good zoom
The Mini 2 SE is supplied with 4x zoom. I like zoom in a DJI digital camera as a result of it’s greater high quality than most zooms you see in opponents’ drones.
Zoom can also be a nice security characteristic. You don’t have to face on the sting of a harmful precipice to get your good shot.
Zooming may even come in useful when photographing properties on the market, as you will get in nearer to the element as your drone hovers over the house.
» MORE: How one can Dolly Zoom With a Drone (Step-by-Step Information)
Secure hovering
As an actual property photographer, your pictures don’t have probably the most creativity. They don’t need to. You solely want pictures of the property to make a sale.
The Mini 2 SE’s hovering capabilities make it superior for taking as many overhead or side-angle pictures as you want.
The drone is supplied with GNSS and imaginative and prescient positioning to maintain it in a single place.
The horizontal and vertical accuracy ranges are spot-on, so in case you set the Mini 2 SE in a spot, you may fairly anticipate it to remain there.
» MORE: How Drones Can Hover (Defined for Rookies)
Professional-level Clever Flight Modes
Regardless of the Mini 2 SE’s affordable worth, DJI doesn’t skimp on Clever Flight Modes.
This drone has 3 times the Panoramas for taking encompassing photographs of a whole property. You may set your panos to 180 Levels or Broad Angle, which is able to come in useful in on a regular basis work eventualities.
The Sphere mode is cool, however because it takes inventive liberties, you may not use it that always (except you additionally fly this drone recreationally, which it is best to!).
QuickShots modes are all video-based, however you may at all times take stills out of your movies and save them as pictures. The modes embody Rocket, Helix, Dronie, Boomerang, and Circle.
Do I really feel like a few of the QuickShots modes are possibly a bit too further for actual property pictures jobs? In all probability, however it’s at all times higher to have the choice than not!
» MORE: DJI Clever Flight Modes (Together with Quickshots & Mastershots)
Good RTH
Have to make a fast touchdown? The Mini 2 SE contains three RTH modes.
Failsafe RTH works in case your drone loses sign, Low Battery RTH prompts in case your battery is nearing zero, and Good RTH works in lots of different eventualities.
You don’t need to be a newbie to understand RTH. It will probably save your conceal in near-miss conditions, permitting your Mini 2 SE to outlive and fly one other day.
» MORE: Good Options in Drones (Defined for Rookies)
Why the DJI Mini 2 SE might not be the only option for actual property pictures
Whereas I like to recommend the Mini 2 SE for actual property pictures for the above causes, it has a number of shortcomings that may make you rethink. Let’s speak about them for the sake of equity.
The picture high quality could possibly be higher
The 12 MP picture high quality and 4K video high quality may appear shocking for a drone launched in 2023, however the Mini 2 SE continues the Mini 2 line.
That is an space the place it reveals. The reasonably costlier but older Mini 3 Professional has 48 MP picture high quality, an enormous leap in high quality.
Do you want the most effective picture high quality ever if taking actual property pictures? Sure and no.
I imply, your job is to promote the property, and since that’s all about visuals, you may’t get away with crusty pixels and low-quality resolutions.
Possibly for some static overhead photographs, however not for the inside and up-close pictures of the outside.
On this case, you’re higher off saving up and shopping for the Mini 3 Professional as a substitute.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Digicam High quality (With Footage)
Zoom is limiting
Do I like that the Mini 2 SE has zoom? Sure, definitely. Nevertheless, 4x zoom is a bit low for a DJI drone.
No, I’m not anticipating the identical diploma of zoom as what you’d discover within the Mavic 3 Professional with its triple-camera system. That drone is oodles costlier than the Mini 2 SE.
Nevertheless, a bit extra zoom, and even adjustable zoom, can be higher for actual property pictures.
Okay battery life
The default battery lifetime of the Mini 2 SE is 31 minutes. You may’t improve the battery right here, in order that’s all you get.
And, in all my flight experiences, I by no means bought to half-hour. I’d log a number of greater than 25 minutes, however not the marketed 31 minutes.
That’s as a result of drones are examined for battery life in impossibly good circumstances onerous to copy in on a regular basis eventualities.
Now, half-hour could be sufficient time to {photograph} a number of properties, relying on how massive they’re and the way in depth you get.
I can’t assist however assume the battery life won’t get you thru a whole day of labor.
The Mini drones normally have quick battery lives, however the Mini 2 SE bought the particularly quick finish of the stick.
» MORE: Flight Time of All DJI Drones (Defined)
LightCut is for movies solely
I like DJI’s LightCut app. It makes use of AI and affords single-tap edits. It saves me a great deal of time in publish, and I admire how beginner-friendly it’s.
The one drawback? It edits movies, not pictures. In your position, it received’t come in useful a lot, so you’ll have no alternative however to edit your pictures after you’re completed with the job.
» MORE: Autel EVO II PRO vs. DJI Mini 2 SE (Right here’s My Favourite)
Do I would like a license to make use of the DJI Mini 2 for actual property?
That relies on the form of license we’re speaking about.
For those who imply an actual property license, no, you don’t. You’re not technically promoting the property, solely serving to the true property brokers promote it together with your top-notch pictures.
Because you don’t deal straight with patrons or sellers, you don’t want an actual property license.
Now, in case you imply a business drone license, sure, you do.
The FAA requires all pilots to have a license, whether or not it’s the TRUST certificates for leisure flights or the Half 107 license for business pilots.
It’s unlawful to fly with out a license, and utilizing an expired license is simply as dangerous!
» MORE: Greatest Half 107 On-line Take a look at Prep Programs (With Greatest Move Charge)
Ideas for utilizing the DJI Mini 2 SE for actual property pictures
Are you able to kickstart your profession and get extra actual property shoppers together with your Mini 2 SE? Right here’s find out how to enhance as a drone photographer.
Shoot in RAW
The Mini 2 SE can take pictures in RAW file format. In comparison with JPGs and PNGs, RAW information retain a lot extra element.
The one factor that’s lacking is the noise, and belief me, you’re not going to overlook that.
RAW information might require much less modifying since they’re already so crisp and interesting. Nevertheless, do be forewarned that RAW picture information take up fairly much more onerous drive house, which brings me to my subsequent level…
» MORE: Actual Property Drone Images: A Complete Information (Insider Ideas)
Carry spare SD playing cards
The extra SD (microSD) playing cards you’ve gotten helpful, the higher. Carry them in your drone bag, in your pocket, in your sneakers if it’s important to. Simply have them.
The one factor worse than working out of battery mid-shoot is taking over all of the house in your drone’s onerous drive and never having the ability to proceed photographing.
Don’t let it occur to you!
» MORE: Greatest SD Playing cards for DJI Mini 2 SE
Make the most of pure lighting
Taking pictures in pure lighting is a given when taking exterior pictures, however I’m referring extra to the inside photographs.
Reasonably than activate each gentle in the home, open a window and let the pure daylight in. Nothing creates a extra interesting, fascinating impact than pure lighting, which is able to curiosity potential patrons.
» MORE: How one can Enhance Your Drone Images
Keep abreast of the climate
The FAA prohibits drone operation in stormy skies, so it’s extra than simply harmful to fly in dangerous climate. It’s additionally unlawful.
For those who don’t have already got a drone app that tells you wind patterns and climate modifications, obtain a climate app with forecasts in your space. Watch the forecast like a hawk on the times you’re speculated to work.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE and Climate (Defined for Rookies)
Take pictures from quite a lot of angles
You may’t have each picture you snap be overhead, overhead, overhead. Increase your horizons, attempting completely different angles to showcase the complete neighborhood or complete rooms.
That may create a real sense of what dwelling within the house is like.
