DJI Mini 3

Cheaper, Beginner Friendly
Deal Score+20
VS
Higher Picture and Video Quality
Deal Score+20

Being a drone enthusiast can be as exciting as it is challenging sometimes, especially with all these new drones and what not constantly releasing! Technology truly never stops advancing, huh?

 

It’s even harder to pick which drone to get when there are certain drones getting multiple models, such as is the case with the DJI Mini 3 we’ll be covering here!

There’s the standard and cheaper Mini 3, but there’s also the more advanced and costlier Mini 3 Pro. But what exactly sets these two models apart, and is the difference enough to justify the higher price?

 

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the spec sheets for both of these DJI Mini 3 models and compare them. Hopefully, these will help you decide which model is the right one for you!

Compare Main Differences

DJI Mini 3 vs DJI Mini 3 Pro
VS
Advanced Pilot Assistance System
VS
Obstacle Detection
Downward
VS
Forward, Backward, Downward
DJI RC Pro Support
VS
Flight Time
38 Minutes (Standard Battery) 51 Minutes (Plus Battery)
VS
34 Minutes (Standard Battery) 47 Minutes (Plus Battery)
Camera Sensor
1/1.13-inch CMOS
VS
1/1.13-inch CMOS
Camera Effective Pixels
12 MP
VS
48 MP
Camera ISO Range
100 to 3200
VS
100 to 6400
Max Video Resolution
4K @ 30FPS
VS
4K @ 60FPS
Max Video Bitrate
100MB/s
VS
150MB/s
Supported Video Formats
MP4 (H.264)
VS
MP4/MOV (H.264/H.265)
Max Distance
DJI O2, up to 10 km
VS
DJI O3, up to 12 km
True Vertical Shooting
VS
MasterShots
VS
Focus Track
VS

Compare DJI Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro

Specification Comparison and Reviews

Max Flight Time

The batteries for the DJI Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro are actually the exact same, with no difference in capacity. Surprising, right? However, this does lead to an odd downside against the Pro model of the drone.

 

The Mini 3 Pro has a lot of fancier features and a better camera, which end up draining the battery somewhat faster than the standard Mini 3! The same amount of juice is powering up more features, after all.

 

Ultimately, this means that the standard Mini 3 can take flight for longer than the Mini 3 Pro. It’s not a large difference, mind you, it’s only about 4 minutes or so more. But it’s still more, so the Mini 3 takes the win here!

DJI Mini 3 – 38 Minutes (Standard Battery), 51 Minutes (Plus Battery) 80%
DJI Mini 3 Pro – 34 Minutes (Standard Battery), 47 Minutes (Plus Battery) 75%

🏆 Winner: DJI Mini 3

Obstacle Detection

You know the saying, to err is human. Human error can lead to you accidentally hitting an obstacle while flying your drone, causing damage to it! These things ain’t cheap either, so we want to avoid damaging them as much as possible… and that’s where obstacle detection comes in!

 

The standard Mini 3 has a basic obstacle detection, only allowing it to detect obstacles directly below it. The Mini 3 Pro goes above and beyond, though, and is also able to detect obstacles ahead and behind the drone!

 

This enables the Mini 3 Pro to make use of the Advanced Pilot Assistance System, which is a mouthful so we’ll just refer to it as APAS from now on!

 

Anyway, APAS makes it easier than ever to avoid tragic accidents while flying your drone. You should still be careful, of course, but this drastically lowers the chances of your drone colliding with an obstacle.

DJI Mini 3 – Downwards only 25%
DJI Mini 3 Pro – Forward, Backward, Downward 75%

🏆 Winner: DJI Mini 3 Pro

Camera

As usual with DJI’s drones, one of the biggest differences between the basic and upgraded models is the camera.The Mini 3 Pro’s camera is overall a big upgrade over the Mini 3’s camera, as the Pro version is capable of capturing 4K video at 60 frames per second! By comparison, the standard Mini 3 can only do 30FPS at 4K, whichh is half the framerate…

 

Of course, this highher framerate would also require a higher bitrate to maintain quality, and the Mini 3 Pro supports just that! It has a higher max bitrate of 150MB/s, which is more than enough to capture high-quality video that won’t suffer from compression artifacts.

 

Additionally, the Mini 3 Pro also has a wider ISO range, allowing for more versatility when it comes to exposure.

DJI Mini 3 – 100-3200 ISO Range, 4K@30FPS Max Resolution, 100MB/s Max Bitrate 70%
DJI Mini 3 Pro – 100-6400 ISO Range, 4K@60FPS Max Resolution, 150MB/s Max Bitrate 90%

🏆 Winner: DJI Mini 3 Pro

Our Pick

The Mini 3 Pro might be noticeably pricier than the cheaper Mini 3, but it’s well worth the extra costs. Its fantastic obstacle-detection features and excellent camera make it superior for those who really want to get the best of the best! It’s an easy recommendation for avid drone enthusiasts.

Buy if...

DJI Mini 3

DJI Mini 3 Pro

Latest User Reviews

Check what other users on Amazon think about the products

DJI Mini 3 Reviews

Excellent picture quality, extremely stable, and easy to use. I’ve flown drones and model airplanes for over 40 years and this is the most intuitive and easy to fly device I’ve ever encountered. Battery life, range, etc, all perform as advertised. I recommend this kit with the extra batteries and props - it’s a much better value than the drone by itself. I’ve flown this drone regularly over two years now and it’s performed well. They have an insurance policy available for a small price and I advise you get it. I’ve used it once and it’s paid for itself. Great drone for someone just starting out.
John Supple
5/5
It is a big upgrade from my mini se,Camera quality is very good,and its range is good
Spyros
5/5
First, let's cover the hardware. DJI has clearly put a lot of thought and engineering into making a compact, flyable drone that's easily transportable. Fit and finish on the various components is excellent, and the fact that the drone folds into a compact package for transport makes taking it along with you a snap. No complaints at all in those areas. The fly more combo is a "must have" in my opinion, as it'll help you keep flying rather than spending too much of your time waiting for batteries to charge, or having to order extra propeller blades in the event of a minor crash. The software, however, is another story. Does it work well? Yes. It's really a pleasure for the flying aspects. It's dead easy for a beginner (that was both the wife and I) to successfully take off, fly the drone successfully, and land. I had bought it for her as a gift, and we're both new to drone flying, so that was a real plus, and quite frankly, the place where the software was most useful. What is not very useful is the lack of documentation that came with the drone regarding that software. There's little in the way of additional information that proved immediately useful. Many terms aren't clearly defined, as regards how they are used in the software, and it took a considerable amount of extra Internet research to figure out what was meant. In addition, the Android version of the software appears to have been adapted from what was originally developed for use on Apple's IOS devices like iPhones and iPads. On Android, using a Pixel 4 as the controller display, the single most annoying aspect was lack of a clearly indicated means of leaving the app. Add to that the fact that it's unclear just what certain software controls are meant to do, at all, and frustration levels quickly mount.
Steven
4/5
I will say that I love my DJI Mini 2 drone, I think it is a amazing piece of tech and can't believe how far up and away it can go. The app is easy to use, the drone is VERY easy to fly (even though I crashed it once, we will get to that), the batteries last about 30 minutes each. I have flown this drone hundreds of hours and hundreds of miles and it has never had major issues. I did buy the Fly More kit so I have extra batteries. This drone DOES NOT have collision avoidance which I wish it did and those sensors would be the only reason I would upgrade to a new drone. Early on I bought the DJI Refresh warranty that covers 2 crashes and fly aways. I never had a flyaway but I did hit a tree with it (It can go about 30 MPH in sport) The DJI Refresh warranty was 79 bucks I think, it was WELL WORTH IT... I broke my drone into about 10 pieces and they had me ship it back, I got a new one in the mail and was in the air again.
John Doe
5/5

DJI Mini 3 Pro Reviews

I am now the proud owner of two DJI Mini 3 Pro drones, and I can't sing their praises enough. These drones are a testament to quality and innovation, earning a well-deserved 5-star rating from me. Starting with the ease of use, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is user-friendly right out of the box. Even if you're new to flying, you'll find this drone to be remarkably easy to control. The controls are intuitive, and the drone's stability in flight is nothing short of impressive. The 4K video capability has been a game-changer for my aerial photography and videography. The crisp and vibrant footage captured by this drone adds a professional touch to my work, and the level of detail is astounding. Being lightweight adds to the drone's appeal, making it highly portable and a breeze to carry around. Whether I'm hiking up a mountain or strolling through the city, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is always ready to take to the skies.
Chad
5/5
I'm not a photographer. I literally couldn't care less what lenses or image adjustments there are. I bought this as an observation tool at the recommendation of a police sargeant I know. Couple key facts that any user should know: #1 obstacle avoidance does not work at night or even in low light. No exceptions. If you're flying at night you are on your own. #2 the vertical flight control is opposite than that of an aircraft or simulator. Pushing the joysticks forward makes the drone go up. Pulling it towards you makes the drone go down. This is not adjustable or alterable and there's literally petitions to get this changed with a firmware update. Anyone accustomed to standard flight controls should note the learning curve. The nerds at DJI got this one wrong. #3 virtually no night vision capability in no-light situations, very decent night vision in low-light situations. The camera is exceptional, is just really really great. With almost any ambient artificial light you can see well at night due to the clarity of the image. However, with only moon or stars you're flying virtually blind. From an observation standpoint this is probably only good in urban environments. #4 wow this thing is quiet. At 70ft above an objective your average person would have no idea it's there. You do the math. #5 strobe lights turn off when filming. The drone has green strobes on the front propeller arms that flash during flight. These automatically turn off when you start recording video. If you're having trouble seeing your drone stop recording. If you want your drone invisible at night hit record. #6 payload is about 100-120 grams depending on how it's oriented and fastened. Thats equivalent to about five CR123 batteries, two 12ga rounds, or one Modlite IR Flashlight with the battery in. #7 You cannot use active-tracking on a moving target. Anything you're trying to track must start stationary then start moving. That said the controls of this drone are insanely smooth and with 10 minutes of practice you can probably learn a better center-orientation than active track would provide. #8 Range is impeccable. So far I've gone to three miles from a relatively elevated position in urban environments with substantial outside radio traffic and interference, no issues. Strongly suggest setting the "lost connection" parameters to have the drone return-to-home. #9 It flies indoors just fine. Was surprised that even in a fully enclosed steel structure the drone was quite stable and easy to control. Only limited time doing this and always within 20ft-30ft of the drone. #10 *CAUTION Objects in camera are closer than they appear*. The camera is actually so wide and so clear that at only a few feet away from an object it feels like you're 10-15ft away... Hard to describe but it's a good thing, just be aware of your drone's immediate surroundings.
Joe
4/5
The DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone has been an absolute game-changer for me as I explore my new town. This lightweight and powerful drone have provided me with incredible aerial views and an opportunity to capture high-quality shots that showcase the beauty of my surroundings. One of the standout features of this drone is its exceptional camera capabilities. With 4K video recording and 48MP photo resolution, the DJI Mini 3 Pro delivers stunningly detailed and clear visuals. It's a joy to fly this drone and capture breathtaking shots from the sky. Since I recently moved to a new town, the DJI Mini 3 Pro has become my trusty companion for learning the area. With its impressive 34 minutes of flight time, I have the freedom to explore and photograph various locations without worrying about battery life.
Carson.M
5/5
I've been using the drone for just over 6 months now and I'm absolutely thrilled, down to the smallest details. No care kit but with the additional extension pack (2 more batteries, charger, etc.) Remote control with display Definitely, you should choose the variant with the remote control including display, had the Mini without a display beforehand and there are simply worlds in between whether you have to plug your mobile phone into the remote and connect it every time, or whether you simply start the remote control and you're ready to go. You're ready to fly so quickly with the station wagon, and as far as control and handling are concerned... unbeatable for me. The battery life of the remote control lasts a good 6 flight batteries 🙂 Definitely a must have — the display is also really good, I'm very happy with it.
Peter
5/5
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