Hi DJI,
Just to inform you that I sold my DJI Mavic Mini to someone that was about to buy a new one full price.

I was extremely disappointed with the limited (non-existent) white balance options.

To me, it is not acceptable that the DJI Mavic Mini doesn't have a white balance locking features or white balance presets (cloud, sunny, tungsten, etc.). I cannot name one camera or one drone that comes without it.

So many of my shots were ruined by the white balance changing halfway in the shots, or just being completely off during the whole flight.



Numerous users posted their discontentment about this issue and your only response was the same generic one you always do. Without any hit of fixing this in the near future.



Goodbye


And good luck to all the users that are still waiting for a firmware update that will fix this. I hope it eventually comes!

May the force be with You

Does an iPhone €1100 have auto white balance ? You maybe right it’s not in anyway certain they will change or implement change for white balance, hopefully they will, but Mavic pro1 or Mavic air are good options . Good luck .

Tons of apps (a lot of them free) offer WB, shutter speed, RAW and so on for the iPhone camera.

Why don't you get a Mavic Pro or a Mavic 2 Pro instead? Why a Mavic Mini for your first photo drone?

Ice_2k Posted at 2-6 07:48
Tons of apps (a lot of them free) offer WB, shutter speed, RAW and so on for the iPhone camera.

Well for €1100 maybe expect a bit more. Particularly if you expect so much from a camera and drone that cost less than half the price .

Maxi3D Posted at 2-6 08:29
Why don't you get a Mavic Pro or a Mavic 2 Pro instead? Why a Mavic Mini for your first photo drone?

It's my fourth or even fifth drone. I already have the Mavic 2 pro.

I liked the smaller size of this one. It's fun to be able to carry it with me just about anywhere (Mavic 2 pro get's heavy when you are hiking for 2 days with full video gear).

The quality was just enough for me (I could sacrifice a drop in quality for the weight) so I didn't mind that. And I never use active tracking features anyway. The drone seemed perfect for what I needed and for the price.

But having the white balance that keeps shifting, that's unacceptable for video. And it's not like if it's something that had to be put out to save weight or anything. It's a very very basic feature.


Like Ice_2k posted, a nice little menu with a few white balance presets would have been enough. Or at the minimum, lock white balance when the exposure is lock. It's not hard to do.

hallmark007 Posted at 2-6 08:33
Well for €1100 maybe expect a bit more. Particularly if you expect so much from a camera and drone that cost less than half the price .

Do you know what white balance is? A 40$ Point and shoot camera offer basic white balance functions. It's not a features exclusive to an $1100 iPhone -__-

It's not RAW video or 10 bit 4k. White Balance Presets have been in every digital camera since the very first ones! Even the cheapest ones! And I know that because I used to sell them 8 years ago!

jhamelinjhdproductions.com Posted at 2-6 08:42
Do you know what white balance is? A 40$ Point and shoot camera offer basic white balance functions. It's not a features exclusive to an $1100 iPhone -__-

I don't get how people don't understand how basic white balance presets are.

So I suppose you have abandoned you camera phone also with it not having white balance control .

A ridiculous question do I know what white balance is, so no need to answer that.

You’ve sold move on .

My phone does have control over white balance. Ice_2k replied a picture showing exactly the controls it has.

Good day sir!

jhamelinjhdproductions.com Posted at 2-6 09:01
My phone does have control over white balance. Ice_2k replied a picture showing exactly the controls it has.

Good day sir!

You mean a third party app, but you don’t expect the manufacture to offer this ?

No need for a third-party app. If you open the built-in camera app, press for a few seconds on the screen when recording it will lock the exposure/focus/white balance (it will set exposure where you press, similar to the DJI Mavic Mini) and then your white balance is locked and will never change. Or at least that's how it works on my iphoneX.

That's exactly what should have been implemented on the DJI Mavic Mini. I really don't see why you want to defend DJI so badly on this...

jhamelinjhdproductions.com Posted at 2-6 09:16
No need for a third-party app. If you open the built-in camera app, press for a few seconds on the screen when recording it will lock the exposure/focus/white balance (it will set exposure where you press, similar to the DJI Mavic Mini) and then your white balance is locked and will never change. Or at least that's how it works on my iphoneX.

That's exactly what should have been implemented on the DJI Mavic Mini. I really don't see why you want to defend DJI so badly on this...

Yes I understand that, but you will always have problems filming if sun is suddenly covered by clouds and this happens many times, in fact using my M2 I’m constantly having to recover in post, but I marvel at those who have created some really great footage from Mavic mini and it’s anything but luck, I get the impression that if we all had manual controls that we would produce great photos and perfect footage, I then look to the photos and video section and see many mini users producing footage that sits happily with most of the footage I see from other drones.

I think the mini is not without some photo controls , but I also see how many manage really well with what they have, I paid much higher prices for my other drones so my expectations were not that high for camera in this mini, but I was hugely surprised at the great footage possible from mini , I seen this as a bonus, just like I would see extra controls for camera if they come, until then I can take inspiration from those producing really nice videos and particularly sharp photos from mini.

Cameras don’t make great footage or stills photographers do.

I think for the price mini has a lot going for it .

I agree with you. I sold mine too. Last month. Now I wait for my Zino 2. First drone I ever had this Mavic Mini. Terrible video footage in auto, dropped suddenly and without warning, no resistance to regular winds and no basic follow me. DJI never again.

Ice_2k Posted at 2-6 07:48
Tons of apps (a lot of them free) offer WB, shutter speed, RAW and so on for the iPhone camera.

I'm totaly agree with you. White balance is not a feature. It must be in every camera.

hallmark007 Posted at 2-6 09:07
You mean a third party app, but you don’t expect the manufacture to offer this ?

hallmark, with all respect. but my phone is made to call, so no white balance is not an issue. the mm is a camera so some control of white balance is welcome. and yes i know there are pro mavics....

Studio66 Posted at 2-6 11:08
hallmark, with all respect. but my phone is made to call, so no white balance is not an issue. the mm is a camera so some control of white balance is welcome. and yes i know there are pro mavics....

I’m not disagreeing with that and I don’t know where your going with that.

But I think the mini is more than worth keeping because of what it has to offer.

If you check the forum you will find that I have made it well known that extra camera controls would be on my wishlist, I’ve had a lot of video cameras in my time, many of them I used only auto WB because as a beginner it suited to concentrate on what was important while learning , so it’s something I can live with.

I actually admire the OP he has the strength of his convictions, many don’t, but I will reiterate many have produced incredible footage with mini, this is not by luck or chance, it’s because they are good at what they do and they found a way to work with what they got.
And I can sincerely say much of it is a lot better than footag I have seen with bigger dji craft that have more tools to choose from, but if it’s the end of the world for you then sell it like the OP, if not then join the threads looking for extra camera settings, don’t come blaming me, I’m just saying if something is not working for you try something else like those guys producing great video .

Studio66 Posted at 2-6 11:08
hallmark, with all respect. but my phone is made to call, so no white balance is not an issue. the mm is a camera so some control of white balance is welcome. and yes i know there are pro mavics....

Don’t bother arguing or replying. Just ignore. DJI fanboy or works for them. Just check all the other threads. It’s impossible to have a discussion with that individual.

MB Dronie Posted at 2-6 11:22
Don’t bother arguing or replying. Just ignore. DJI fanboy or works for them. Just check all the other threads. It’s impossible to have a discussion with that individual.

You call me a fanboy, you think mini is rubbish but spend your spare time on the mini forum, maybe a secret fanboy or girl yourself .

hallmark007 Posted at 2-6 11:26
You call me a fanboy, you think mini is rubbish but spend your spare time on the mini forum, maybe a secret fanboy or girl yourself .

hallmark. maybe its my bad english;)

I'm hoping they add it in a future app update. They have it built into the drone, it appears in video subtitles but the need to be able to lock it like exposure is very much needed.

Guys there shouldn't be an argument here.
WB is basic, since the color temperature of the light changes during day, MM already has control over WB, is just not accessible by users. I agree with OP is not cool to hide it.
However I have a strong feeling this feature will be added, DJI has nothing to loose with the already crippled down hardware and software in the MINI.

WB has been around since color film was created, in fact you had to buy film for day, for interiors with tungsten or bulbs... basically a film with a WB "preset" you cannot change.
MM is sold as a flying camera, no need to loose those controls, even if MM can be seen as entry level, I see it more like easy to carry AC.
Beginners can benefit from an easy to fly drone with simpler interface, but limiting the camera possibilities so much is not needed.

InspektorGadjet Posted at 2-7 04:39
Guys there shouldn't be an argument here.
WB is basic, since the color temperature of the light changes during day, MM already has control over WB, is just not accessible by users. I agree with OP is not cool to hide it.
However I have a strong feeling this feature will be added, DJI has nothing to loose with the already crippled down hardware and software in the MINI.

One word: Amen. ;)

Actually practicing with the video editor it can be fixed, luts also is a option to mask the WB changes.  We hope new fw update will add the menu.

Gear: Mavic Mini, Osmo Pocket

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InspektorGadjet Posted at 2-7 04:39
Guys there shouldn't be an argument here.
WB is basic, since the color temperature of the light changes during day, MM already has control over WB, is just not accessible by users. I agree with OP is not cool to hide it.
However I have a strong feeling this feature will be added, DJI has nothing to loose with the already crippled down hardware and software in the MINI.

DJI as nothing to lose adding manual video and WB control to DJI Fly app. On the other hand DJI can lose customers if doesn't add those features. Even more if there is another sub 250gr drone from a competitor that has those features.

MM_Pro Posted at 2-7 08:05
Actually practicing with the video editor it can be fixed, luts also is a option to mask the WB changes.  We hope new fw update will add the menu.

Luts for masking WB changes?
Can you explain a bit more on that?
Thanks in advance!

amferreira Posted at 2-7 09:10
DJI as nothing to lose adding manual video and WB control to DJI Fly app. On the other hand DJI can lose customers if doesn't add those features. Even more if there is another sub 250gr drone from a competitor that has those features.

Absolutely, is only a matter of time the competition bring other drones below 250g, or just in the 4-500 euros range...

jhamelinjhdproductions.com Posted at 2-6 09:16
No need for a third-party app. If you open the built-in camera app, press for a few seconds on the screen when recording it will lock the exposure/focus/white balance (it will set exposure where you press, similar to the DJI Mavic Mini) and then your white balance is locked and will never change. Or at least that's how it works on my iphoneX.

That's exactly what should have been implemented on the DJI Mavic Mini. I really don't see why you want to defend DJI so badly on this...

I don't think anyone is defending DJI here. Its a matter of principle. You paid a fraction of the price for drones that feature this. This Mavic Mini forum is full of people complaining about this and that and what it should have had however you get what you paid for.
If your looking for professional drone then buy an Inspire 2

If you have a camera, than you must have WB. Every fuc... cheapest phone has.  We're not talking about a feature like active tracking.

MM_Pro Posted at 2-7 08:05
Actually practicing with the video editor it can be fixed, luts also is a option to mask the WB changes.  We hope new fw update will add the menu.

Well it’s great that some are at least trying put there head down and make things work, thanks for posting .

InspektorGadjet Posted at 2-7 09:20
Luts for masking WB changes?
Can you explain a bit more on that?
Thanks in advance!

I have some useful LUTs - BW and Sepia

Probably not a good time to buy one now.

Dmitry Vishnevskiy Posted at 2-8 09:29
I have some useful LUTs - BW and Sepia

Aha I see, yes I noticed using certain LUTs is easy to make footage from different cameras look more similar without color matching previously.

Visual Air Posted at 2-8 08:45
I don't think anyone is defending DJI here. Its a matter of principle. You paid a fraction of the price for drones that feature this. This Mavic Mini forum is full of people complaining about this and that and what it should have had however you get what you paid for.
If your looking for professional drone then buy an Inspire 2

It’s quite strange to consider white balance control as a feature related to a professional camera. It’s literally as basic as it gets. Nobody is demanding raw 10-bit video.... literally any crappy camera has this “feature”...

Whilst we cannot lock the White balance locking the Exposure value can minimise the white balance changes a good example of this can be seen in the video

Steve Tron Posted at 2-9 05:01
Whilst we cannot lock the White balance locking the Exposure value can minimise the white balance changes a good example of this can be seen in the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ufrD24BpDc

It’s a great video with great advice for those desperate for better camera controls, which won’t be imminent, but hopefully they might come .

Ice_2k Posted at 2-8 11:54
It’s quite strange to consider white balance control as a feature related to a professional camera. It’s literally as basic as it gets. Nobody is demanding raw 10-bit video.... literally any crappy camera has this “feature”...

I will second this opinion.  I think anybody arguing otherwise are simply arguing for arguments sake.  We all understand it is a $400 flying camera and not a professional system, but quite honestly, its just table stakes for even the most basic camera.

The 3 year old Spark had this simple capability from day 1.  Even a simple $100 point-n-shoot camera has this basic capability.

Yes, there are things one can do to minimize the problems and to fix in post.  And yes, clouds will go in and out and change things, but that is true for a hand held point-n-shoot as well.  

I really think its only a matter of time until DJI gives these controls to the Mini, but I guess we'll see....

While I agree with everyone's disappointment with the lack of white balance controls, I can make the same argument for the omission of RAW image files which is very important for me.  However, I cannot complain because as an informed buyer, I purchased the Mini know its shortcomings up front.  In defense of DJI, they have introduced a low priced drone to service a specific segment of the market. They have not included functions and options (that could have easily been added) for product segment differentiation.  Yes, we would have all loved a MM with 4K, Occusync, WB, RAW, Active Track,  etc. for $400 but like many tech based products, the Mini is a compromise.  If the competitive landscape significantly changes, I'm sure DJI will respond accordingly.  

Once again, you can't compare RAW photos with WB control. No, you cannot make the same argument for that. There are both software and hardware improvements that would need to be added for raw photos. Making the drone heavier of course.



Btw, I never complained that I lost about $60 in the whole process of selling my drone, like you said I should of waiting a few more weeks before ordering and check more in-depth reviews. My complaint is DJI removing some basic features just to make sure they don't cannibalize sales with their other models.


Also, the price has nothing to do with it. "for $400 you can't expect everything" that just a lazy argument. Like everyone said earlier, a 40$ point and shoot will have some sort of white balance control. So stop it already with that poor excuse.

jhamelinjhdproductions.com Posted at 2-9 10:37
Once again, you can't compare RAW photos with WB control. No, you cannot make the same argument for that. There are both software and hardware improvements that would need to be added for raw photos. Making the drone heavier of course.

I don’t think WB control was left off because dji would lose or gain sales on anything, I have several dji drones and all cameras are missing something I’d like to have on them.

WB will never be easy to control on drones, many many users only shoot in auto because of this, maybe this was a reason dji left it out, it also allows new flyers which are many to concentrate on flying first and not be concerned about having to operate camera controls, it could be for this reason manual controls were left out, and for those who really needed them there are other options as well as drones, I’m not sure if people are genuinely aware that spark was twice the price as mini and mini has camera features that spark flyers would love and craft features like a battery that’s the same price as spark battery but gives twice the length of time for flying.

I think people should wait and I believe they have enough to wait with and hopefully it will come .