I took some preliminary power consumption measurements of the Mini 2 to see how it compares with the original Mini. Right now there is some speculation / ambiguity if the Mini 2 has implemented a very aggressive variable recording bitrate in normal recording mode, even though the bitrate setting is set to the highest level, (HIGH). This reduction in bitrate varies wildly from around 6Mbps to 30Mbps depending on lighting conditions, and movement in the scene. This results in 1 minute video file sizes to vary from around 40MB to 218MB. Thas may also impact the camera’s power consumption. When I took these measurements I made very effort to maintain identical test conditions for the Mini 2, and original Mini. So as far as the comparison of the two cameras, it should be a fair comparison. The real proof in the pudding will come when
@rcg530 performs his full battery of power consumption tests, and publishes his industry leading color coded spreadsheet. I’m sure he’s furiously working on this issue, so it will be interesting to compare my measurements with his. That’s always exciting because we have identical; power supply units, and near identical Fluke Multimeters for precision accuracy, (I have a 115, he has a 117).
Mini - Firmware V1.1 20221017
Normal Recording Mode, 2K60fps, Highest Bitrate, Screen Off, Wi-Fi Off
266mA @ 12.60V = 3.35 Watts
Normal Rec, Wi-Fi Off, Screen Off, 2K30fps (HDR On)
222mA @ 12.60 = 2.80 Watts
Low Bitrate Parking Mode, Screen Off, Wi-Fi Off
193mA @ 12.60V = 2.43 Watts
Mini 2 - Firmware V1.0 20230423
Normal Recording Mode, 2K60fps, Highest Bitrate, Screen Off, Wi-Fi Off
267mA @ 12.60V = 3.36 Watts
Normal Rec, Wi-Fi Off, Screen Off, 2K30fps (HDR On)
218mA @ 12.60 = 2.75 Watts
Low Bitrate Parking Mode, Screen Off, Wi-Fi Off
183mA @ 12.60V = 2.31 Watts
For the most part power consumption looks almost the same.