Hi AVLJMA. We also have the
Mini 2. We also have the
Phantom 4 Pro Plus - both solely for work. The
P4P+ was the first drone that came out that we considered suitable for our professional requirements; we'd ruled out the
Inspire 2, mainly because it's too bulky. We've added the
Mini 2 especially for assignments when we need to travel ultra light.
I don't see the point of going for a
Mavic Air 2 (although it's a good drone, like of lot of DJI's products) because the output is barely different from the
Mini 2 when the latter is used to it's best capacity. (There are plenty of comparisons on YouTube, a well-known one being done by an entertaining gentleman who knows his stuff.)
I'm not sure why you need a different drone to the
Mini 2. As you're already finding, it's capable of producing excellent results. And the more experienced you get with the camera - and using that all-important natural light - the results will get even better. If you need video - as different from stills - a good set of ND filters is important; we prefer the ND/PL ones.
If you really want a second drone, I would go for a
Phantom 4 Pro - there's now a V2.0. This is rock-solid in wind and it will give you even better results from the camera (which has a mechanical shutter, for example, as well as a bigger sensor). You can easily get a dedicated backpack for it. We carry it overseas, usually in difficult terrain, and it's superb. The money you've put aside would fit the price.
Finally, to repeat, DJI nowadays produce very good drones - and this forum has many passionate and experienced members, but there is bias towards the drone or drones they personally own. For us, it's not a hobby; a drone is solely a work tool. The
Mavic Air 2 is an alternative to the
Mini 2 - with advantages and disadvantages - but it's not at all different to any noticeable degree. The
P4P is very different and yet just as easy (or even easier) to fly than the
Mini 2.
As you work for the US Courts, I'll take this opportunity to add that we watched a great (if disturbing) movie last night:
Trial by Fire, directed by the always-excellent Edward Zwick (think
The Last Samurai and
Defiance). It's a true story, currently on Netflix. I'd recommend it to everyone as a "must see" movie. And if anyone wants a good book to read on a very similar subject - originally given to us by our lawyer in South Africa - try
The Innocent Man by John Grisham (his only non-fiction work).
Best wishes to you from the UK.
