Potensic ATOM, full review: a real competitor for DJI Mini?

Following on from the ATOM SE, Potensic now offers a version of its mini-drone weighing less than 250 grams and equipped with a stabilized camera. Soberly named Potensic ATOM, this model takes direct aim at DJI’s Mini range. But what is it really worth? Is he a credible competitor? Should you buy it? All the answers in this article!

Potensic ATOM: design and remote control

Design

Weight	< 249 g
Dimensions (folded)	88 x 143 x 58 mm
Dimensions (unfolded, with propellers)	300 x 242 x 58 mm

The Potensic ATOM is a small drone weighing less than 250 grams, clearly inspired by the Mini range from industry leader DJI. With a weight of 249 grams, similar dimensions (88 x 143 x 58 mm folded and 300 x 242 x 58 mm unfolded), and a foldable design, it’s reminiscent of the famous Mavic Mini, Mini 2, etc. series.

Aesthetically, the Potensic ATOM makes a very good first impression. The materials used and the finish are of the highest quality, giving the drone a solid, professional appearance. Contrary to what might be feared, the ATOM doesn’t look “cheap” at all, and rivals its competitor’s drones in terms of build quality.

Radio control and transmission

Video transmission system	PixSync 3.0
Max. transmission distance	6 km
Video transmission quality	720P

The Potensic ATOM drone controller features an innovative design, similar to that of FIMI remote controls, with a sliding bracket to position the smartphone in the center. This configuration offers a comfortable, balanced grip, thanks to the controller extension that holds the phone between the two handles where the control buttons are located.

The controller interfaceincludes a home button, a gondola control, a video recording button and a shutter button for photos. The control sticks can be screwed on and stored at the base of the remote control. The only drawback is the absence of a flight mode selection button, which means you have to use the Potensic Pro application to switch between Video, Normal and Sport modes. A small switch on the remote control would have been more practical for this function.

The Potensic ATOM drone is equipped with the PixSync 3.0 transmission system, offering a very fast connection between remote control, smartphone and drone. This system is reliable and bug-free, guaranteeing stable transmission quality over a range of up to 6 km. Although transmission quality may drop slightly faster than that of DJI’s OcuSync system, it is still more than sufficient for the visual flight required by regulations.

The Potensic ATOM is used in conjunction with thePotensic Pro application, a full-featured application that lets you visualize the flight and choose from a vast array of modes and settings. Its user interface, similar to that of the DJI Fly application, is intuitive and well-organized, allowing users to easily find all the functions they need.

Potensic ATOM: in flight

Flight performance

Maximum speed	16 m/s
Maximum ascent speed	5 m/s
Maximum descent speed	4 m/s
Maximum wind resistance	38 km/h (level 5)

The Potensic ATOM offers very reassuring flight behavior, with remarkable stability, especially during hovering phases where it manages to remain perfectly in place. The joysticks allow for precise control, although they can sometimes be a bit too responsive.

The drone offers three flight modes : Video, Normal and Sport. Video mode, the slowest mode, offers greater sensitivity for filming, although the highly responsive joysticks can sometimes make it difficult to achieve perfectly fluid shots. In Sport mode, the drone’s maximum speeds are reached, both up and down, and horizontally, where it can reach a speed of 16 m/s, or around 57 km/h.

When it comes to wind resistance, the Potensic ATOM shows very solid performance based on its specifications and available feedback. Rated, according to official specifications, to withstand level-5 winds (up to 38 km/h), several tests and pilot reports also indicate that it remains stable in moderate wind conditions, with gusts around 35 km/h. In this respect, it has little to envy DJI drones in the same category, offering generally impressive stability even as the wind picks up.

In-flight features

The Potensic ATOM is equipped with a subject tracking mode called Visual Tracking. Similar to DJI’s ActiveTrack, however, this mode is not as advanced: the drone follows the subject only from behind and at a limited pace, making it usable only for activities such as walking or slow running. Although limited to a single point of view, this is an interesting feature to find on a drone of this price, especially as it is only available on Mini drones from the Mini 3 upwards.

ATOM also features WayPoint mode for route planning. Very simple to use, this mode allows users to select points on the map via the smartphone application. Once the points have been defined, the drone automatically follows the path. This addition is particularly interesting for a drone in this price range, offering a feature usually reserved for more expensive models.

However, the Potensic ATOM has no anti-collision sensors. The sensors on the underside of the fuselage are used solely for in-flight stabilization, similar to those found on DJI drones up to the Mini 3. So you’ll need to be very careful when flying, especially with automated modes such as subject tracking and route planning, to avoid any risk of collision.

Autonomy

Battery	2230 mAh
Autonomy	32 minutes

The Potensic ATOM is equipped with a 2230 mAh battery. The manufacturer claims a flight autonomy of 32 minutes, one minute longer than that of equivalent drones from DJI, such as the Mini 2 or Mini 4K.

However, under more realistic flight conditions, this time will inevitably be reduced. It will therefore be difficult to distinguish a significant difference from the competition’s drones. In practice, “real” flight times should be around 20 to 25 minutes.

Potensic ATOM: photo and video

Sensor	CMOS 1/3″ 12 MP
Objective	Aperture f/2.2 FOV 78
Max. photo resolution	12 MP
Max. video resolution	4K up to 30 fps 2.7K up to 30 fps 1080p up to 60 fps
Max video rate	50 Mbps
ISO range	100 à 6400
Photo format	JPG JPG+RAW(DNG)
Video format	MP4 (H.264)

Sensor, resolution and image quality

The Potensic ATOM boasts a major innovation over its predecessor, the ATOM SE: 3-axis stabilization. The 3-axis stabilization represents a notable improvement, allowing for straight and shake-free footage. This major improvement ensures razor-sharp video and photos, even in less stable flight conditions.

The Potensic ATOM can shoot in 4K resolution, but its 1/3-inch sensor, smaller than the 1/2.3-inch sensor on the DJI Mini 2, Mini 2 SE and Mini 4K, limits its ability to capture light. Add to this a video throughput of just 50 Mbps (compared with 100 Mbps on equivalent DJI drones), and it’s clear that the ATOM’s 4K is no match for that of rival DJI Mini drones.

ATOM images are noisier, with bright areas sometimes overexposed and a slightly reddish/purple tint. Variations in automatic exposure compensation can also be observed when manipulating the nacelle. However, the images are still very decent and sufficient for recreational use, vacation memories and beginners. With good lighting, the results are largely exploitable, and the decor will make all the difference in terms of visual quality.

As far as photography is concerned, image quality will be limited by the sensor’s capabilities. However, the ATOM can take very decent shots with 12 MP resolution. Another positive point is the availability of the raw format (DNG), which allows you to retouch the colors and adjust the details of your photos on your computer, offering greater flexibility and creative potential.

Photo and video features

When it comes to photo and video modes, the Potensic ATOM comes very close to what DJI has to offer. It even includes QuickShots, automatic shooting modes that allow the drone to take specific trajectories, whether in a straight line or in a circle, while recording video. There are five of them, named Pull-away, Rocket, Circle, Spiral and Boomerang.

On the other hand, ATOM has no Panorama mode. So it won’t be possible to take wide-angle, 180-degree or 360-degree shots like on DJI drones.

One final point to note, this time in comparison with the previous model, the ATOM SE, rather than with rival DJI: the Potensic ATOM now features a mode where all image parameters can be set manually. You can adjust ISO sensitivity, exposure, shutter speed and white balance, allowing you to fully customize settings to get the image that suits you best.

Potensic ATOM : price

Standard Kit	$319.99 / 289,99€	See on Amazon
Fly More Combo Pack	$419.99 / 399,99€	See on Amazon

The Potensic ATOM is available in two packs: the Standard kit and the Fly More Combo pack, the latter offering excellent value for money thanks to its extremely useful additional accessories.

The Standard Kit includes the drone, a remote control, a battery, four pairs of spare propellers, a nacelle protector, a USB-C charging cable and three adapter cables (micro USB, USB-C and Lightning). This pack is available on the manufacturer’s official store, where prices are in US dollars, for $319.99, and on Amazon for €289.99.

The Fly More Combo pack includes all the elements of the Standard Kit, plus two extra batteries, a charging station, four extra pairs of spare propellers, and a carry bag. This complete package is available for $419.99 on the manufacturer’s online store, and for €399.99 on Amazon.

Potensic ATOM conclusion: should you buy it?

The Potensic ATOM establishes itself as a very good drone, pleasant to use and overall convincing within its category. Although it’s still slightly inferior to drones from the giant DJI, it has no major flaws. Unusually for a competitor to DJI drones, it can really stand up to comparison.

Its strong point is undeniably its reliability in flight, comparable to that of DJI’s Mini range of drones. The ATOM handles very well and offers great stability in flight. It stands out in particular for its additional flight modes, such as subject tracking and route planning, partially compensating for image quality that remains slightly below that of DJI drones.

Priced at €289.99 for the standard pack and €399.99 for the Fly More Combo pack, including three batteries, charging station and carry bag, the Potensic ATOM offers excellent value for money. It is undoubtedly the most serious competitor to DJI’s Mini range of drones, offering a reliable and cost-effective alternative for drone enthusiasts.

Buy it if…

… you are a beginner, an occasional pilot, and/or you have a limited budget. The ATOM flies very well and is ideal for capturing beautiful vacation memories. For less than 400 euros, you can get an extremely reliable drone with all the necessary accessories, offering probably the best value for money in this price range.

Don’t buy it if…

… you’re very demanding when it comes to image quality. If you’re looking for the best image quality from a drone in the sub-250-gram category, look no further than our direct competitor. DJI remains unrivalled in this field, offering a wide range of mini drones, with varying degrees of sophistication, to suit all budgets.

Also check out DJI’s latest entry-level mini drone: the Mini 4K
➡️ DJI Mini 4K: 4K for less than €300!
➡️ Discover how the Potensic Atom compares to the drone from DJI in our full comparison DJI Mini 4K vs Potensic Atom

🔎 Want to widen your choice?
➡️ Discover other options and find the camera drone that’s right for you.

🛠️ For maintenance and repairs, you can find all compatible parts here:
Potensic ATOM Parts