DJI Spark vs Mavic Mini Comparison [2022 update]

DJI SPARK FLAMABILITY

Due to its smaller size, the DJI Spark is much more flammable compared to the Mavic.

Flammability and fire safety aside, there are a few other things that separate both drones from each other. Many of these points have been mentioned by previous people who were unsatisfied with their purchase of a Spark, but I’m going to add even more points that should convince you not to buy a Spark should you be planning on getting one.

The Pro and cons of owning a DJI Spark

Pros:

• Very portable due to its size
• Longer battery life compared to a Mavic
• Has a camera that’s on par with the cameras found in the Mavic and Inspire 1
• You can remove the propellers making it easier for you to transport

Con’s:

• Other than being able to fly it around, there is no actual useful function this drone has as an actual drone.
• You can connect your phone to it and control it from there but I’m pretty sure any cheap remote controller would have been able to do that too.
• It has a limited video transmission range of only 100 meters compared to the 2000+ meter radius of other DJI Drones (Mavic and inspire).
• It also doesn’t support the DJI Goggles or iOS devices.

The camera quality itself is pretty limited and has a very low bitrate compared to other drones from DJI which means you can’t do much with the videos it records. There’s also no HDR mode for video recording nor can you take photos in raw format without an external controller (extra cost). -Its not 4k60fps due to its small size limitation, but why does a drone this expensive still have 30fps at 1080p?

-It takes 5 seconds for the camera to focus upwards when going into selfie mode. This causes a lot of shaky footage if you’re moving around during that time. Trust me, I’ve tried it many times and there’s nothing more frustrating than seeing a golden sunset from above, wanting to take a selfie of your experience only to have the camera not be able to focus.

As I mentioned before, there are no useful functions this drone is able to do compared to other drones in its price range which have more or less similar portability due to their size.

Battery Life

Battery life is shorter than all DJI Drones even though it is being flown by just one battery and not 2 batteries like most of its competitors. No obstacle avoidance means that hitting a rock while flying will probably knock off a propeller or damage the drone itself.

Maverick’s conclusion about Spark:

If you’re deciding between buying an inspire 1, Mavic pro or Mavic 2 and a Spark, think to yourself which you would use the most and how often. I’d much rather have a Mavic 2 or even a DJI Phantom 4 over this drone because they all have many more functions while only being slightly bigger/heavier than a Spark.

If it were up to me, I wouldn’t buy a Spark but instead, save up a bit longer and get something that’s actually useful in the long run.

5 FAQ about Spark Vs Mavic Mini Drone

1. What are the main differences between DJI Spark vs Mavic Pro?

A: The DJI SPARK is a much smaller version of the Mavic pro both in terms of size and functionality.

2. Which one is better, DJI Spark or Mavic Mini?

A: The Mavic mini drone has fewer propeller arms (4) compared to the Spark (6). Also, its obstacle avoidance system only works during high speeds (22mph/35kph), not at low speeds which means it could possibly crash into things when flying slow if there’s something bigger than 1 sqm in front of it. Meanwhile, the Spark has obstacle avoidance sensors on all sides so it never runs the risk of crashing into something.

3. Is the DJI Spark waterproof?

A: No, the DJI Spark is not waterproof and should not be flown in wet conditions.

4. How good is the camera on the DJI Spark?

A: The camera quality on the DJI Spark is very good for a drone its size, but it does not compare to the cameras found on more expensive DJI drones such as the Mavic 2 Pro or Inspire 1.

5. What is the flight time of the DJI Spark vs Mavic Mini?

A: The DJI Spark has a flight time of up to 16 minutes compared to the Mavic Mini which has a flight time of up to 30 minutes.

In conclusion, the DJI Spark is a good drone for its price but it does not compare to more expensive drones in terms of features and functionality. If you’re looking for a drone that can take great photos and videos, the DJI Spark is not the right choice. Instead, you should consider buying a more expensive drone such as the Mavic 2 Pro or Inspire 1.