Welcome to my overview of the Autel EVO II Professional and DJI Mini 3, two worthy opponents within the battle of the perfect client drone.
The EVO II Professional and Mini 3 aren’t the most recent of their respective drone strains, however that ain’t such a nasty factor.
The bugs have been labored out, many pilots have amassed expertise with them (together with yours actually), and all their options are recognized – the great, dangerous, and the ugly.
I primarily fly drones for enjoyable however at all times hold a eager eye on the business options that might make a drone versatile sufficient for work initiatives.
In spite of everything, the perfect drones are pleasant to make use of however can assist you get jobs carried out.
This overview will examine the variations in options between the Mini 3 and EVO II Professional, capitalizing on my many hours of expertise with each drones to declaratively assign a winner. I’ll make a deep, thorough comparability of options, so you possibly can determine whether or not you agree with my suggestion of the Mini 3 or just like the EVO II Professional higher.
Whether or not you’re including to your business fleet or searching for a beginner-friendly resolution to take to the skies, the appropriate drone is ready for you.
I’ve bought the intel forward that will help you determine, so let’s leap proper into it!
Temporary overview
Autel EVO II Professional
The EVO II Professional was launched in 2020, making it nearly two full years older than the Mini 3.
Drone expertise strikes quick, and the variations in these two years will grow to be obvious as this overview continues.
Nevertheless, it’s not like Autel launched the EVO II Professional and forgot about it. Oh, no. Fairly, it was upgraded 3 times over, with the V3 version and its included rugged bundles nonetheless the most effective values for the cash you will get in the present day.
Listed here are a few of its starring options:
- 1-inch Sony CMOS digicam sensor that shoots in 6K video high quality at 30 frames per second
- 20 MP picture high quality in 12-bit DNG high quality for simpler modifying
- 6.4-inch Sensible Controller SE so you possibly can hold your telephone in your pocket
- 12 kilometers of transmission vary that competes with any DJI drone (even in 2023)
- 19 sensor teams for 360-degree impediment avoidance
- Superb flight time of 40 minutes
» MORE: Is Autel Evo 2 Waterproof (& Can You Fly It within the Rain)?
DJI Mini 3
The newer child on the block, the Mini 3, is like the center cousin in DJI Mini drones.
It’s older than the Mini 3 Professional and Mini 4, as DJI has launched Mini drones at a blistering tempo, but it surely’s bought extra superior options than widespread favorites just like the Mini 2 or Mini 2 SE.
Launched in 2022, the Mini 3 continues to push the boundaries of what’s potential in a small client drone.
Nevertheless, contemplating that is DJI we’re speaking about right here, the persevering with innovation within the Mini line shouldn’t shock you.
Listed here are a few of my favourite, can’t-miss options:
- Light-weight sufficient that you just don’t must register it (beneath 249 grams)
- 1 1/3-inch CMOS sensor that shoots in 4K HDR video high quality and 48 MP picture high quality
- Palms-off Clever Flight Modes designed to facilitate newbie flight, together with auto takeoffs
- LightCut modifying suite for sprucing your footage and publishing it on the go
- Distinctive digicam capabilities, together with f/1.7 aperture, four-in-one pixels, and zoom for detail-driven pictures
- Battery lifetime of as much as 51 minutes by upgrading to the Clever Flight Battery Plus
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 – Newbie’s Information
Fast Verdict
Whereas newer won’t at all times be higher, that is a type of situations the place it undeniably is.
We’ve in contrast these two drones extensively, testing them in the identical situations to see which performs with extra agility and enjoyability. That’s our promise to you at Droneblog, to solely advocate the perfect.
We’ve concluded that the DJI Mini 3 outshines the DJI Autel EVO II Professional in all of the areas the place it counts, together with newbie capabilities, weight, on-the-go modifying, ease of use, sensible modes, and battery life.
In a means, evaluating the EVO II Professional and Mini 3 is like apples or oranges, as their variations are particularly obvious (as you’re about to see within the subsequent part).
Nevertheless, in a pure head-to-head, the Mini 3 has extra of what in the present day’s drone pilots are searching for.
It’s commercial-friendly but nice for leisure use. It has newbie options however doesn’t maintain your hand a lot that an intermediate or extra skilled pilot looks like they shouldn’t use it.
» MORE: Sensible Options in Drones (Defined for Learners)
As a result of it’s newer, the Mini 3 has extra cutting-edge options than the EVO II Professional. It additionally helps that the Mini 3 is a DJI drone.
There’s a purpose this model is related to client drones greater than another. It’s the head of high quality in lots of circumstances, and different drone manufacturers discover it robust to beat DJI’s options.
All that stated, pushing the EVO II Professional to the aspect could be an enormous mistake. This drone is a verifiable powerhouse able to superb feats.
The rugged bundle included with the V3 version makes it cost-effective, even when its value is greater than twice the Mini 3.
You’ve bought to think about that once you purchase the Mini 3, you’re getting a distant controller, a drone, and that’s about it. Some packages solely embody the drone.
If you would like the whole lot else you’ll want to fly, akin to a microSD card, upgraded battery, ND filters, and the DJI Two-Approach Charging Hub, it’s essential to buy them individually.
By comparability, the EVO II Professional V3 consists of the drone, distant controller, energy cable, consumer guide, battery charger, carrying case, spare propeller set, RC charger, lanyard, RC charging cable, and two spare management sticks.
Plus, the EVO II Professional nonetheless has a digicam high quality that drones within the Mini collection can’t match.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite Plus vs DJI Air 3 (Right here’s My Favourite)
What are the primary variations?
Going again to my level from earlier than, these two drones are a little bit of an apples-to-oranges comparability. Nevertheless, I believe that’s what makes it enjoyable.
These drones every have their very own distinct taste, inviting you to discover their worlds and offering completely different experiences once you fly.
And belief me, I might know, as I’ve examined these drones extensively and in contrast them in opposition to a number of different predecessors and successors to make sure I chosen the appropriate one.
Bearing that in thoughts, listed below are a number of the largest variations I seen between these drones, starting with the EVO II Professional.
- Measurement and weight: The EVO II Professional shouldn’t be some dainty little factor. It’s not speculated to be. It weighs 1,191 grams and measures 457 millimeters by 558 millimeters by 108 millimeters unfolded. It’s a powerhouse, and the Mini 3 is far smaller by comparability in each means.
- Colour and design: Orange you glad to see the EVO II Professional? Its electrical shade scheme is superior; let’s be actual. It additionally augments visibility to see the drone higher, so it’s there for greater than the visible enchantment. The design of this drone can be a tonal shift from the Mini 3, because it has a extra rugged exterior and a much less polished enchantment. I imply that within the nicest means potential, after all.
- Impediment avoidance: The all-encompassing impediment avoidance options the EVO II Professional delivers are achievable by way of almost two dozen sensors. That features IMUs, ultrasound, and imaginative and prescient sensors. By comparability, the Mini 3 has none, a evident omission.
- Reside Deck 2: Take your streaming capabilities additional with the superior Reside Deck 2. This HDMI output module has a five-hour battery life and may transmit footage as much as 7.5 miles in 1080p/60fps dwell video. It’s not as nice because the transmission the EVO II Professional itself boasts, but it surely’s a superb augmentative characteristic.
It’s solely truthful to provide the Mini 3 its flowers, so listed below are some methods it differentiates itself from the very succesful EVO II Professional.
- No registration required recreationally: The FAA requires registering all leisure drones over 250 grams. If you happen to solely use your Mini 3 for enjoyable, it’s gentle sufficient you possibly can skip this step. Take into account that this doesn’t apply to business drone use, whatever the weight. In that regard, the Mini 3 isn’t any higher than the EVO II Professional.
- Newbie-friendly: I wouldn’t say the EVO II Professional lacks beginner-friendly options, as that will be unfair. Nevertheless, the Mini 3 has extra of them, akin to Auto Takeoff, Return to Dwelling, and Exact Hovering. Its lack of impediment avoidance does hamper its newbie capabilities.
- On-the-go modifying: LightCut Video Editor is a DJI app appropriate with the Mini 3. You’ll be able to obtain it free of charge within the Apple App Retailer or Google Play Retailer. Activate extra taking pictures modes, preview your footage whilst you take it, edit it, and output it. The One-Faucet characteristic on this app makes use of AI to shine your footage routinely, or you need to use video templates to place your personal spin in your footage. Producing social-media-ready movies with out having to spend hours in publish is among the greatest options the Mini 3 provides.
- Clever Flight Modes: DJI’s Clever Flight Modes proceed to show why this model is such a powerhouse. In addition to the auto modes talked about above, you possibly can swap seamlessly between Boomerang, Dronie, Rocket, Helix, and Circle modes, taking professional-looking drone footage with out having to manually manipulate the Mini 3. The EVO II Professional has sensible modes, however not on the identical stage.
» MORE: Does the DJI Mini 3 Must Be Registered? (Defined for Learners)
Autel EVO II Professional
The EVO II Professional is one in every of Autel’s main drones, although it’s not the most recent.
The V3 version consists of each element and accent you’ll want to get on the market and fly, making it the premier selection for the pilot who doesn’t need to lay our a fortune on components for his or her drone.
This Autel drone continues to encourage different drone producers for its unsurpassed video high quality. The 6K video high quality this drone is able to is undoubtedly due to its top-line one-inch Sony CMOS sensor.
No different drone within the DJI Mini collection has the identical stage of video high quality. Heck, even the Mini 4, the most recent and best Mini (as of this writing), can’t produce video on the identical stage.
And it’s not like Autel created a 6K digicam and stopped there. It melded HDR and 4K to generate a digicam that has a number of the better of the perfect element, readability, shade, and brightness.
You’ll discover that filming in brilliant daylight doesn’t make your footage look washed out, and lingering into the twilight hours doesn’t hamper high quality both.
Aspiring filmmakers and cinematographers will love this drone’s immersive digicam.
You’ll be able to achieve a aggressive benefit together with your information and actual property footage, as yours shall be shot with such good high quality you can win extra shoppers and contracts.
I may go on all day in regards to the EVO II Professional’s digicam, however that will be a disservice to its myriad different options.
As an example, this drone is foldable and stowable, a truth I don’t assume it will get sufficient credit score for.
» MORE: Are Autel Drones Any Good? (You May Be Stunned)
Its picture high quality is to not be ignored, as the identical CMOS sensor produces 20 MP photos with a max ISO vary of 44000 and a togglable aperture between f/2.8 and f/11.
Your picture footage could have higher body charges than previous EVO drones, higher noise suppression, and a dynamic vary to die for.
Mixed with options just like the Moonlight Algorithm 2.0 for after-dark taking pictures and 6K Hyperlapse, you possibly can clearly perceive why so many go gaga over the EVO II Professional V3’s digicam.
It’s the stuff of legend!
This drone is a lot greater than merely a digicam, after all. It has comparable video transmission to DJI, so you possibly can ship your footage whilst you take it.
If you happen to juggle plenty of drone initiatives otherwise you’re a social media megastar who’s chronically on-line, you’ll love how straightforward it’s to share your escapades as they occur.
Autel Robotics EVO 2 PRO V3
Autel EVO II Professional V3 is upgraded with Autel drone’s all new SkyLink 2.0 video transmission expertise, permits video transmission from as much as 15 km.
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11/02/2023 03:42 am GMT
DJI Mini 3
The Mini 3 has rather a lot to dwell as much as, contemplating it’s a part of a beloved line of DJI drones. I believe it does the job after which some!
This small, versatile, transportable drone is for newcomers, intermediates, and even specialists who’re at all times on the go and wish a drone that travels with them with out weighing them down.
Its impressively lengthy base flight time of 38 minutes grants you greater than sufficient time to get your work carried out and be in your merry means, driving to the following job web site or modifying in your telephone whilst you give your drone a relaxation.
The Mini 3’s handy weight makes it extra accessible to newcomers who don’t need to undergo the time and bother of registering their drone.
Why take the additional step when you will get out and fly your drone in the present day? I need to reiterate that skipping registration solely applies recreationally, but it surely’s nonetheless amongst this drone’s high perks.
Its 4K video and 20 MP images, achievable by way of its 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, maintain up remarkably nicely contemplating this drone was launched in 2022, which is already lightyears away within the tech world.
Your photos are DNG recordsdata, that are like RAW recordsdata relating to high quality. Right here’s a perk of DNG – smaller file sizes!
In comparison with RAW, DNG recordsdata are as much as 20 % smaller.
Your SD or microSD card solely has a lot area. Taking images which have smaller file sizes however comparable high quality will mean you can fill the cardboard with extra.
Extra is at all times higher!
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Professional – Which is Higher?
The Mini 3 provides you different methods to really feel like an expert cinematographer or photographer, even in the event you’ve by no means picked up a drone a day in your life prior to now.
The HDR and twin native ISO produce extra shadows and highlights, the adjustable aperture vary helps you to seize footage in your type, and nighttime taking pictures doesn’t sacrifice one iota of high quality.
As if all that wasn’t nice sufficient, the true Vertical Capturing the Mini 3 boasts makes your movies and images social-media-ready with none time in publish.
You need to use LightCut to provide your footage that additional panache or publish it right away.
Your opponents could have nothing on you!
DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC)
Light-weight and Foldable Mini Digicam Drone with 4K HDR Video, 38-min Flight Time, True Vertical Capturing, and Clever Options.
We earn a fee in the event you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
11/02/2023 03:11 am GMT
Head-to-head comparability
Digicam system
Winner: Autel EVO II Professional
The Mini 3 has a lot to supply in lots of classes, however I’d be remiss to say it’s the winner right here.
It may need the higher picture high quality between the 2 drones (20 MP for the EVO II Professional vs. 48 MP for the Mini 3), but it surely’s that 6K video I can’t recover from.
Will you discover a distinction between 4K and 6K video from the EVO II Professional to the Mini 3 in the event you’re a inexperienced pilot utilizing a drone digicam for the primary time? No, after all not. Simply as you gained’t discover the marginally decrease picture high quality of the EVO II Professional.
Nevertheless, in the event you’re extra seasoned at drone use, you may discern the distinction.
Industrial pilots and leisure social media aficionados should have the perfect of the perfect.
The 20 MP picture high quality of the EVO II Professional greater than suffices for on a regular basis jobs like information pictures, aerial actual property pictures, and surveying. Its video high quality can be greater than wonderful.
And whereas it’s true that the Mini 3 does nice within the above areas, I believe the video high quality of the EVO II Professional edges out the Mini 3.
Nevertheless, a digicam system is about greater than the digicam sensor. Each drones have related gimbals, promising wonderful stability in flight.
Nothing is worse than once you get the proper drone shot solely to verify your footage later and uncover it’s a blurry mess.
These two drones are greater than sufficient on this class and comparable.
» MORE: Digicam Expertise in Drones (Defined)
Efficiency
Winner: DJI Mini 3
I don’t need to knock the EVO II Plus by giving this class to the Mini 3.
Each these drones are constructed for efficiency, and their flight skills are a few of my favorites of all of the drones I’ve flown (which have been many!).
Nevertheless, there can solely be one winner, and I’ve to declare it because the Mini 3.
It’s light-weight, and that performs a job in its efficiency. I like how one can auto-launch it into the sky.
That’s a useful characteristic for newcomers, positive, but it surely additionally is available in helpful when you’ve gotten extra drone expertise beneath your belt if you wish to launch your drone immediately whilst you’re busy organising gear within the space for work.
The smaller dimension of the Mini 3 doesn’t make it as wind-resistant because the EVO II Professional. The DJI drone has a Stage 5 wind resistance. I’ve flown it in winds of 24 miles per hour with out a lot bother.
I’ve even examined its limits and pushed it in winds of 35 mph. It carried out okay; definitely not in addition to it might in additional ambient situations, however passably. Nevertheless, I might not push this drone past these limits.
The EVO II Professional has a base wind resistance of 39 MPH or 17 m/s. As soon as once more, I pushed this one to its limits of over 40 MPH, and the drone got here out in a single piece.
Its wind resistance is healthier as a result of it’s larger, extra rugged, and sturdy.
I like the vary of Clever Flight Modes included with the Mini 3, one other constructive of its efficiency. This drone can do all types of autonomous actions with aplomb.
As talked about, that is definitely a profit for brand spanking new pilots who need to look cool flying a drone whereas nonetheless studying the ropes.
Much more skilled pilots can get one thing out of those modes, as they offer you a break from the trials of guide flight.
The EVO II Professional has related sensible options, however not as many, and never fairly on the identical stage as DJI.
I’ve bought to say the Mini 3’s lack of impediment avoidance sensors. Sure, once more. That is by far the drone’s largest detriment, and never solely within the efficiency class, however general.
I can perceive the absence of those sensors, as they hold the drone inexpensive. Nevertheless, I can’t settle for it. It looks like such a evident omission.
» MORE: When Ought to You Improve Your Drone? (Learn This First)
Portability
Winner: DJI Mini 3
Shifting on, this was an immediate, no-brainer choice.
The Mini 3 is light-weight, small, and transportable. You’ll be able to overview the specs I introduced earlier. The EVO II Professional is greater when unfolded, so it gained’t compress that a lot once you fold it. It simply can’t.
Portability is a significant consideration when buying a drone, contemplating how on-the-go many people are.
Most drone consumers need one thing gentle that matches right into a backpack or case and doesn’t weigh them down. That’s the Mini 3 in a nutshell.
It’s able to go on any airplane, and you must be capable of carry it in your checked baggage if you’ll want to.
You’ll be able to in all probability convey the EVO II Professional on a airplane.
It’s not that a lot bigger, and it’s definitely not an enterprise-sized drone. Nevertheless, because it’s heavier, it could possibly put on on you in the event you’re carrying it in your particular person as a backpack.
I’d advocate the EVO II Professional extra for native journey and day journeys, and the Mini 3 for getting on the market and exploring the world.
» MORE: Can I Fly a Drone Beneath 250g Wherever I Need?
RC compatibility and flight vary
Winner: DJI Mini 3
Yep, you learn that proper. That is yet one more class the Mini 3 effortlessly captures.
Let me clarify why. This DJI drone is appropriate with two distant controllers, the DJI RC and RC-N1. The previous works together with your smartphone. It is available in two variations, one with a display screen, and one with out.
Though it’s dearer, I like to recommend the model of the RC-N1 with a display screen. You may use it together with your smartphone, however then once more, why would you need to?
The display screen is corresponding to what you’d see in the event you attached your telephone to the Mini 3, so you possibly can depart your telephone in your pocket and keep its battery.
The EVO II Professional makes use of the Sensible Controller SE, a small gadget with an eight-core picture processor, HD high quality, and SkyLink 2.0 Transmission expertise.
You need to use this controller with the EVO Nano and EVO Lite drones.
That’s a great checklist, however the DJI RC-N1 is appropriate with nearly each Mini drone you possibly can consider, together with the Air 2S, Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Basic, and Mavic Air 2.
That stated, the EVO II Professional wins within the transmission distance class. It could ship dwell video as much as 12 kilometers, though when utilizing it, it’s actually extra like 9 kilometers. That’s nonetheless astonishing, don’t get me flawed.
The Mini 3 makes use of the DJI O2 Digital Video Transmission system and may transmit as much as 10 kilometers away. When it’s working at lower than that, it’s about on the similar stage because the EVO II Professional.
» MORE: Finest Drone Controllers
Battery life
Winner: DJI Mini 3
Okay, I’m giving this one to the Mini 3 on a technicality. You see, its base battery life is 38 minutes. However in the event you purchase the Clever Flight Battery Plus, you possibly can develop that to 51 minutes.
The EVO II Professional has 40 minutes of flight time.
So sure, although the battery improve pushes the Mini 3 nicely over the EVO II Professional’s battery life, its battery with the Customary Clever Flight Battery continues to be about the identical because the Autel drone.
Right here’s my disclaimer, as I’ve carried out in all my evaluations. These battery lives are ads and never what you truly get, particularly in the event you fly in excessive winds.
I’ve discovered that you just get nearly half-hour out of the Mini 3’s customary battery and never fairly 40 minutes with the Autel.
» MORE: Drone Batteries (In-Depth Info)
Conclusion
And that about wraps it up. The Autel EVO II Professional and DJI Mini 3 are unimaginable drones in their very own proper.
Nevertheless, the Mini 3 provides pilots extra, from in-app modifying on the go to wonderful photograph and video high quality, Clever Flight Options, an enviably lengthy battery life, and a registration-free weight.
It’s true that it’s lacking the superior video high quality, and I want it had some type of impediment avoidance, however its nice options greater than make up for what it’s lacking.
