The DJI Mini 2 doesn’t offer internal storage and no microSD memory card in the packaging. You must prepare an SD card and insert it into the drone before flying, or you won’t record high-quality photos or videos. So why not start with the best SD cards for DJI Mini 2?
As a drone enthusiast, I have years of experience working with drones and mini drones. At that time, I have been testing new products and how they work with different SD cards.
The Best MicroSD Cards for DJI Mini 2
I find that the 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro is the best SD card for a DJI Mini 2. It’s a worthy investment for securely keeping your drone videos and photos. The micro SD card is a rugged workhorse that will survive rough handling.
The 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro SD card is an excellent balance between price and performance. A respectable 128GB storage space makes it compatible with the most drones
If you’re in the market for an SD card for your DJI Mini 2, look no further. Here’s a recommendation of the best options. The cards are reliable and fast and help capture stunning videos and photos.
The SanDisk Extreme card has a write speed of up to 90 MB/s, a read speed of 190 MB/s, and a sequential write speed of 30 MB/s. The card’s read and write speeds are fast enough for full HD or 4K recording.
The 128GB SanDisk card’s design is similar to most SD cards on the market but is not flimsy like other rivals. This card is temperature-proof, X-ray-proof, shock-proof, and waterproof. You get an adapter with the micro SD card for use in various devices, from your DJI Mini 2 to laptops.
You also have an option to use the SanDisk Memory Zone app to back up files and sync the memory with cloud storage.
Pros
- A microSDXC memory card
- A2-rating for fast performance
- A mid-storage capacity of 128GB
- Up to 190 MB/s of reading speed and 90 MB/s of writing speed
- An excellent option for 4K UHD video storage
- Water-, temperature-, X-ray-, and shock-proof for durability
- Manage files using the SanDisk Memory Zone app
Cons
- Write speeds could be better
- Some users encounter “card not recognized” errors
Like many PNY cards, the Premier-X is magnet, temperature, water, and shock-proof. You get a microSD to SD adapter to move the card between your DJI Mini 2 drone to other devices such as video cameras, laptops, desktops, and DSLR cameras.
Expand the onboard storage of your DJI Mini 2 with the massive 256GB PNY Premier-X microSDXC memory card. The large capacity helps you free up space to enjoy more digital content.
The card offers up to 256 GB of space for photo bursts, HD photography, and 4K Ultra HD videos with resolutions up to 4096 x 3072. UHS-I bus compatibility and a V30 speed class rating guarantee the minimum write speeds of 30 MB/s. The card is also compatible with Class 10 standards if your other devices don’t support V30 or U3 ratings—and the speed will never drop below 10 MB/s.
Read speeds of the PNY Premier-X are 100 MB/s. The card also supports PNY’s A1 app performance, so you can run apps directly from the SD card in your phone. The result is faster launching of apps and better performance.
Pros
- An A1-rated app performance
- Excellent 256GB storage capacity
- UHS-III V30 speed class for 4K video
- Comes with an SD adapter
Cons
- Write speeds could be faster
The 64GB Extreme microSD card is an affordable option from SanDisk offering decent write and read speeds. You can use the model to add storage to your DJI Mini 2 drone, cameras, smartphones, and other compatible devices.
While it wouldn’t be fair to expect too much from such an affordable SD card, the SanDisk micro SD card is an excellent option for normal use. You get up to 160 MB/s of reading speed and about 60 MB/s write speed. The speeds are enough to make sure your drone records full HD videos without an issue.
The SanDisk SD card features a minimal design with a red and gold body and white text. It looks like other generic SD cards but is highly durable, and is temperature-proof, X-ray-proof, waterproof, and shock-proof. The card comes with an SD adapter for easy usage when sharing it with card readers and other devices.
This SD card ticks all the boxes for value for money. The 64GB card is the cheapest flash memory on this list. An added ability to record and playback HD videos makes the card excellent if you’re starting on your drone journey.
Pros
- A 64GB storage space
- Supports HD video recording
- Class 10 UHS-1 speed class
Cons
- Slow random write and read speeds
About DJI Mini 2
The Mini 2 is a product from DJI, a Chinese technology company manufacturing commercial and consumer-class unmanned aerial vehicles for photography and videography. DJI accounts for over 80% of the global market share.
The DJI Mini 2 is a powerful, yet compact drone from the company. The drone brings you advanced features and outstanding image quality.
The chief appeal of the Mini 2 is its 4K video system, but other add-ons, including Panorama, allow stitching together 180- and 360-degree images. You get stable video even when the air is choppy. The DJI Mini 2 can handle up to Force 4 conditions to deliver a set of stable pictures.
Video shooting works well in overcast conditions and when you point it to the sun, thanks to flare handling sensitivity. Use the DJI Fly app to change shooting modes between Phot, QuickShot, Pano, and Video. The Photo mode allows switching between snapping a single photo, Auto-Exposure Bracketing (AEB) for HDR shots, and an auto-timer.
Five QuickShot modes use pre-defined paths to track the subject. There’s a digital zooming limitation of 2x when in 4K mode but can get up to 3x when in 1080p. The DJI Mini 2 is an excellent choice if you’re looking for the best pocketable drone, require 4K video, and are a novice drone pilot.
What to Look for When Buying an SD Card for the DJI Mini 2
Choosing the best SD card for a DJI Mini 2 drone can be difficult. You need to check off a few things before buying any micro SD cards.
Here are things to consider when buying an SD card.
Size and Storage
Secure Digital (SD) cards have one or two small NAND flash memory chips, like those in SSDs and memory sticks. The chips are tiny processors that manage data and instructions flow.
You get three standard dimensions that are incompatible with each other. So, a miniSD card reader will not work with a micro SD card—unless you’re using an adapter. The standard dimensions are:
- Standard SD cards
- miniSD cards
- micro SD cards
Standard SD cards have a locking toggle for disabling or enabling writing on the card, but mini and micro SD cards don’t have the feature.
You’ll also come across other categories within the size classes, showing the card’s connection system and data capacity. The category suitable for drones is Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC) cards, which are between 32 GB to 2 TB.
Speed Class
The little brass contacts at the end of SD Cards receive and send information. This interface is evolving with each specific revision. Some SD cards have extra contacts that provide more data channels.
The interface and performance differences are set out in speed classes, and each has a peak bus throughput. The latter measures the maximum bytes per second transferred between the card and your drone.
However, speed classes are many, and figuring out the rating you need is tricky. Some speed classes to consider for 4K video are:
- Class 6 with a minimum of 6 MB/s write speed and V6 video class
- Class 10 with 10 MB/s, a UHS Class 1 (U1), and a V10 video class
The read speed determines how fast your drone saves images onto the memory card. Fast read speed means you’re transferring data quickly from the card onto the drone, computer, or printer. Fast read speeds also decrease the wait time while editing, saving, and sharing the images.
The write speed is how fast the drone saves images onto the SD card. This is a critical requirement when you want high-resolution images, burst pictures, or 4K videos. A slower card may cause inferior quality, drop frames, or prevent recording.
Video speed classes are in faster SD cards. For instance, DJI-recommended UHS speed class 3 or V30 is common in SD cards with a minimum of 90 MB/s speed. These cards have extra features that allow better writing efficiency and consistent performance.
Before You Buy an SD Card
SD cards are easy to get, as we discuss the specific ones for DJI Mini 2, but it’s important I point out these five critical things:
- Only use a card that meets the standard UHS-I Speed Class 3 and above, so the SD card allows writing at over 30 MB/s
- The DJI Mini 2 can record 4K videos and the 64 GB micro SD card holds about an hour and 20 minutes of 4K video
- You don’t require a larger 128 GB or 256 GB SD card as a new pilot. The 64 GB variant is enough. If storage is a concern, purchase two 64 GB cards instead of a single 128 GB.
- Prepare at least two SD cards for the drone, so you have a backup
- You shouldn’t use micro SD cards that are not on the recommended list. They will work fine but develop problems later. Further, the DJI R&D team tests every card for hours before placing it on the list.
FAQs
Here are some questions I frequently come across from DJI Mini 2 owners.
What is the biggest SD card capacity for DJI Mini 2?
The biggest and best micro SD card size you can use with your mini drone is 256GB. The same rules apply if you own a the DJI Mavic Mini model.
Can you use DJI Mini 2 without an SD card?
Yes, the DJI Mini 2 supports flying without an SD card. However, it sends all footage and photos to your phone in a low 720p resolution. You need compatible micro SD cards for high-quality aerial photos and videos.
The easiest way to get around this is to check if any of your current SD cards used for other devices are in the recommended list of microSD cards for DJI Mini 2. If so, insert the card and get the drone ready for shooting. If not, you had better get a new one to avoid compatibility problems.
What do you do if the SD card is unavailable in the DJI Mini 2?
You have two options if you get the “SD card unavailable” error on your DJI Mini 2:
- Make sure the SD card is compatible with the drone by checking the DJI list. The write speed should be at least 30 MB/s
- If the card is on the list and doesn’t work, try formatting it using the DJI Fly app on your smartphone. Make sure you choose the FAT32 format type if you’re using a computer.
How do I install the SD card on DJI Mini 2?
Find the SD card slot first on your DJI Mini 2 drone. The slot is at the bottom of the aircraft. Insert your card into the slot until you hear a click. However, make sure the logo side of the SD card is upward.
Final Thoughts
The DJI Recommended SD memory cards list has 27 options compatible with the DJI Mini 2 and also the Mavic Mini. However, I recommend the 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro microSD card because it stands between the minimum and maximum storage space requirements at a fair price.
The card also provides fast read speeds and a UHS Speed Class 3 rating (UHS Video Speed Class 30) perfect for 4K recording and playback capability. You also get a skip-free video-watching experience on compatible devices.
