It’s a battle of the “basic” drones! I say “basic” in quotes as a result of neither of those drones are previous, however you know the way time strikes with know-how. If a chunk of tech is greater than six months previous, it’s virtually historic.
The birthdates of those drones belie how good they nonetheless are for industrial and leisure purposes. Don’t imagine me? Let me persuade you.
Shopping for an older drone is a wonderful alternative, as you get dependability, reliability, and help (generally). You may as well make certain all of the kinks have been labored out. But regardless of their age, these are DJI drones we’re speaking about, so you possibly can’t count on them to be dust low-cost.
On that observe, you most likely solely want one over the opposite – both the Mini 3 Professional or the Mavic 2. How do you select? I’m right here to assist!
Be a part of me on this information to the essential variations between the DJI Mini 3 Professional and Mavic 2, together with in-depth comparisons of their strengths and weaknesses primarily based on in depth private experimentation and testing with each drones. I’ve flown them for lots of of hours, particularly the Mini 3 Professional, which is my ride-or-die till the top.
You need to really feel assured that you simply’re making the fitting drone buy. That’s precisely what I wish to help you with at this time, so let’s get proper into it.
Temporary overview
DJI Mini 3 Professional
Enable me to introduce you to what could also be my all-time favourite drone, the DJI Mini 3 Professional.
The Mini line has at all times been a dependable flight alternative, however DJI solidified that with the discharge of the Mini 3 Professional in Might 2022. This drone has all of it, together with many options the OG Mini 3 lacked.
When the Mini 4 Professional got here out later, it unsurprisingly had many options from the Mini 3 Professional. It’s that a lot of a fan favourite.
Why is that? Just for about 1,000,000 totally different causes. I’ll offer you crucial ones.
- It’s tremendous travel-friendly with its weight of below 249 grams, small dimension, and folding design. In fact, you’ll should register your drone in the event you’re utilizing it commercially, regardless of how a lot it weighs, however a lighter drone makes a distinction in all of your duties.
- The choice to increase the battery life to an marketed 47 minutes with the Clever Flight Battery Plus. It’s a bummer it’s important to purchase it individually, but it surely’s price it to get out of 30-minute flight territory.
- A doozy of a digicam that takes 48 MP photos (in RAW, no much less!) and 4K video (except you’re capturing in slow-mo, then it’s 1080p at 120 frames per second). I imply, that form of high quality in a drone digicam continues to be very acceptable at this time.
- Three cheers for impediment detection and avoidance, each of which the Mini 3 Professional has. The tri-directional impediment sensing works robustly, and the Superior Pilot Help System, version 4.0, continues to be clever sufficient to be up-to-date.
- Solely the best Clever Flight Modes, together with 3 times the Panorama modes and True Vertical Taking pictures, for all you social media aficionados on the market.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite vs. DJI Mini 3 Professional (Which One Is Higher?)
DJI Mavic 2
That brings us to the DJI Mavic 2, an entry in a drone sequence launched in 2018 that also stays DJI’s flagship.
Two variations have been launched, the Zoom and Professional editions. I’ll focus on the Professional model, because it’s the higher of the 2 (in the event you ask me) and extra corresponding to the Mini 3 Professional.
Right here’s what’s included:
- A high-end one-inch CMOS sensor with 20 million pixels that takes 20 MP photos and 4K video. This drone got here out after DJI’s partnership started with Hasselblad, so it’s a chic, spectacular Hasselblad digicam (woohoo!).
- Wonderful omnidirectional impediment sensing and avoidance, with sensors on the fitting, left, and beneath (plus an infrared sensor) of the digicam that activate when utilizing ActiveTrack and Tripod modes.
- A still-very-usable ActiveTrack 2.0 introduces the facility of 3D mapping and is an ideal complement when monitoring topics like automobiles, animals, or individuals on your subsequent industrial drone undertaking.
- The digicam shoots in RAW, which implies you get extra element and readability in your photos proper out of the gate (oh, and fewer noise too, which is at all times nice).
» MORE: DJI Mini 4 Professional vs. Mavic 2 Professional (Right here’s My Selection)
Fast verdict
Deciding on the fitting drone is hard stuff!
You possibly can belief the suggestions that come courtesy of Droneblog, as they’re backed by lots of of flight hours of testing in all situations. I can say that as a result of I did it. It was enjoyable, however I did it to avoid wasting you the frustration of constructing the incorrect alternative.
So, bearing all that in thoughts, which is the higher drone between the DJI Mavic 2 and Mini 3 Professional?
The DJI Mini 3 Professional is the clear winner between this and the Mavic 2 Professional or Zoom editions. It has a more moderen digicam that, regardless of not being a Hasselblad, is awfully succesful. It boasts sterling picture and video high quality, good Clever Good Modes, wonderful impediment sensing and avoidance, and an awesome dimension and weight.
It’s one of the vital dependable drones available on the market and simply such a very good all-around alternative for getting industrial tasks accomplished quick.
That’s to not dump on the Mavic 2 Professional. It’s nonetheless a useful drone, even this present day, however its restricted options do harm it in comparison with the extra fashionable Mini 3 Professional.
» MORE: DJI Mini 4 Professional vs. Mini 3 Professional (Right here’s My Selection)
What are the primary variations?
A number of the drones I assessment on this weblog are confusingly related, making your alternative that a lot more durable. However don’t fear, that’s not the case with the Mavic 2 and Mini 3 Professional. These drones are as totally different as will be.
Have a look, and also you’ll see what I imply.
- Age: The Mavic 2, at the very least the unique iteration, is from 2018. By comparability, the Mini 3 Professional is from 2022, making it lightyears forward when it comes to options, tech, and developments.
- Weight: The Mavic 2 Professional weighs 907 grams. That weight isn’t unhealthy in its personal proper but it surely makes the drone really feel like a rock in comparison with holding the ultra-light Mini 3 Professional, which weighs below 250 grams.
- Dimension: I’ll admit, the Mavic 2 Professional is smaller than you’d assume, particularly when folded. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless not as small because the Mini 3 Professional, folded or unfolded.
- Picture high quality: The Mini 3 Professional has superior 48 MP picture high quality, sharp sufficient to seize the wealthy particulars of the world round you for any drone undertaking (keep in mind, it additionally shoots in RAW!). By comparability, the Mavic 2 Professional’s 20 MP picture high quality will not be as nice.
- CMOS sensor dimension: The one-inch sensor dimension of the Mavic 2 Professional will not be as massive because the 1 1/3-inch CMOS sensor the Mini 3 Professional has. Nonetheless, as you’ll see, one drone helps you to modify the aperture, and the opposite doesn’t.
- Clever Flight Modes: These two drones diverge within the accessible Clever Flight Modes. Attributable to its age, the Mavic 2 has fewer of the good modes you’re used to reducing your tooth on once you purchase a DJI drone.
- Aperture changes: Right here’s one thing attention-grabbing. You possibly can set the aperture for the Mavic 2 Professional between f/2.8 and f/11. You possibly can’t set the aperture of the Mini 3 Professional. It’s caught at f/1.7, a lightweight setting unachievable by the Mavic 2 Professional.
» MORE: When Ought to You Improve Your Drone? (Learn This First)
DJI Mini 3 Professional
The DJI Mini 3 Professional made a splash upon its debut for its superior security options. Earlier than then, DJI hadn’t carried out them recurrently throughout the Mini sequence.
Although these drones are tailor-made towards newbies in search of a simple, easy first-flight expertise (and plenty of after, hopefully), the shortage of security options has at all times been their most egregious lack.
Till the Mini 3 Professional.
You must take into consideration the inclusion of APAS 4.0 on the time. That was virtually revolutionary. And at this time, though not the latest know-how, APAS 4.0 nonetheless will get the job accomplished effectively.
It helps that it’s bolstered by the triple-directional impediment sensing system. The twin-vision methods can learn what’s beneath, behind, and in entrance of the drone, after which depend on APAS to navigate deftly and safely.
This drone’s impeccably good digicam system nonetheless holds up towards any DJI drone launched in 2023.
I’d go as far as to say it holds up towards any new drone at this time, what with the 48 MP picture high quality and 4K HDR video.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Professional (Which Drone Is Higher?)
That’s simply scratching the floor, by the way in which. The superior digicam and CMOS sensor can take slow-motion movies, albeit on the expense of a high quality discount.
Nonetheless, in on a regular basis capturing situations, the Mini 3 Professional is greater than well-equipped. Its D-Cinelike Colour digicam inclusion masses this drone with oodles of colours.
The f/1.7 aperture permits extra mild, and whereas it’d be cool in the event you may modify it, I like how a lot brightness the digicam permits in.
Develop the parameters of your images and videography, because the Mini 3 Professional has a nighttime capturing mode that slashes noise to immerse your viewers into your world once you shoot after darkish (provided that you’re legally allowed, after all).
The adjustable gimbal strikes an superior 90 levels for True Vertical Taking pictures, however that’s solely the beginning relating to Clever Flight Modes. Toggle between Vertical, Huge-Angle, Sphere, and 180-degree Panoramas.
Get nearer to your topics with out shifting your ft with 4x digital zoom.
FocusTrack – which incorporates Highlight 2.0 and ActiveTrack 4.0 – makes it simpler to seek out your targets and hone in on them.
MasterShots is for creating your personal cinematic marvels that would be the discuss of social media.
DJI Mini 3 Professional (DJI RC)
Light-weight and Foldable Digital camera Drone
- 4K/60fps Video
- 48MP Picture
- 34-min Flight Time
- Tri-Directional Impediment Sensing, Built-in RC and display screen
We earn a fee in the event you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
12/30/2023 02:51 am GMT
DJI Mavic 2
Older and a lot wiser, the Mavic 2 (Professional and Zoom editions) is one other stellar drone to contemplate including to your industrial fleet.
You’d assume, contemplating its age, that it is perhaps missing in lots of areas, however I discover it extremely competent to this present day.
It has impediment avoidance sensors, identical to the Mini 3 Professional, though its impediment detection and avoidance system isn’t practically as superior.
The omnidirectional detection system that comes with this drone was thought of cutting-edge when it first appeared.
It has 4K video high quality, sufficient to place it on even footing with the Mini 3 Professional in that respect, and 20 MP picture high quality. I’ll be the primary to inform you, that high quality isn’t miraculously nice, but it surely’s nonetheless greater than satisfactory.
» MORE: DJI Air 3 vs. Mavic 2 Professional (Right here’s My Selection)
If you happen to’re starting your drone profession, the Mavic 2 can carry you thru some essential and instrumental early tasks.
You would possibly determine after some time that you simply want higher picture high quality to go to the following degree. In that case, you would improve to the Mini 3 Professional.
Expertise the Hasselblad distinction with its digicam, which makes any picture and video look crisp and interesting because of its one-inch CMOS sensor and 28-millimeter lens.
The ActiveTrack version included with the Mavic 2 will not be as new as what you get within the Mini 3 Professional, but it surely’s nonetheless wonderful at discovering your topics.
Level of Curiosity helps you to mark occasions and landmarks, sending the Mavic 2 on a predetermined flight route. Hyperlapse, though a regular in DJI drones now, was new on the time of this drone’s launch.
DJI Mavic 2 Professional
Drone with Good Controller, Hasselblad Digital camera, 3-Axis Gimbal, HDR 4K Video Adjustable Aperture, 20MP 1″ CMOS Sensor, as much as 48mph, Grey.
We earn a fee in the event you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
12/30/2023 07:06 am GMT
Head-to-head comparability
Digital camera system
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
Are you prepared for my favourite half, the vicious battle for DJI drone supremacy? I hope so, as a result of right here we go.
It’s uncommon that Hasselblad know-how loses out, however to declare the Mavic 2 the winner simply wouldn’t be proper. Its digicam system is superb, don’t get me incorrect, but it surely’s inferior to what the Mini 3 Professional provides.
This drone has one of the vital outstanding digicam methods round, with high-end photograph and video resolutions, noise discount, RAW photograph information, pure colours, and evening mode.
Every images and videography mode carried out into the Mini 3 Professional reduces the time you spend enhancing.
The Mavic 2 has a few of these options, however to not the identical diploma because the Mini 3 Professional. Its newer know-how is superior.
» MORE: Digital camera Know-how in Drones (Defined)
Efficiency
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
That’s proper, I’m additionally deciding on the Mini 3 Professional right here.
Many components roll into what makes a drone carry out effectively, reminiscent of dimension and weight, of which the Mini 3 Professional has in spades over the heavier Mavic 2.
Impediment detection and avoidance additionally play a job. Each these drones have impediment avoidance methods, and since they use DJI know-how, they’re higher than the norm.
Nonetheless, that is one other simple age hole. The Mini 3 Professional has a stronger, extra strong impediment avoidance system with newer APAS know-how. It might not be the latest APAS version anymore, however its impediment detection continues to be much more up-to-date than the Mavic 2 provides.
Positive, the Mini 3 Professional may not be as wind-resistant as a result of it’s smaller, however its superior know-how makes it simpler to fly.
This drone can also be touted as being beginner-friendly.
Perhaps it’s not fairly to the diploma of the Mini 2 SE, which helps you to launch and land your drone with the push of a button, however the dimension, automated options, and simple dealing with of the Mini 3 Professional are nonetheless undeniably traits of a newbie drone.
Oh, and let’s speak about Clever Flight Modes. Each drones have ‘em, however the Mini 3 Professional has extra, and extra modern variations. That’s another excuse I awarded this class to the Mini 3 Professional.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional and How Properly It Handles Winds
Portability
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
This one was a no-contest, and I imply that within the nicest method attainable. It’s simply that the Mini 3 Professional is about 600 grams lighter than the Mavic 2 Professional.
I may perceive if we have been speaking a couple of distinction of 90 grams, and even 200 grams perhaps, however this can be a huge sufficient distinction in weight that it’d as effectively be a chasm between these two drones.
Okay, perhaps not that dramatic, however you get the purpose.
It’s not just like the Mavic 2 goes to interrupt your again in the event you journey with it, but it surely’s nowhere close to as travel-friendly because the Mini 3 Professional. This DJI drone is mild sufficient that carrying it feels easy, which is why it’s my go-to journey alternative.
I additionally just like the Mini 3 and Mini 4 Professional to journey with, however the Mini 3 Professional is one of the best of the three, in the event you ask me.
It’s airport-friendly, and you’ll match it in any baggage and carry-on bag your airline permits. Please at all times try this to keep away from getting your drone smashed throughout dealing with!
» MORE: The Final Information to Touring with a Drone
RC compatibility and vary
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
As if I didn’t love the Mini 3 Professional sufficient, it additionally has among the finest DJI controllers for on a regular basis flights, the DJI RC.
This enticing, mild, easy-to-handle distant options an HD display screen at an affordable 5.5 inches. I do know what you’re going to say, it’s not fairly as massive as at this time’s smartphone screens, however have you learnt what?
This distant controller doesn’t make you employ your cellphone, which implies you possibly can spare your battery. The DJI RC has a four-hour battery and makes use of DJI’s O3+ transmission system to switch video footage in 1080p high quality at 60 fps.
And, better of all, the Mini 3 Professional’s distant works with many different drones! If you happen to already personal the OG Mini 3, Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Professional, Mavic Air 2, or Air 2S, you should utilize the DJI RC.
You may as well go for the DJI Mini 3 Professional in a bundle with the DJI RC-N1, which is in all methods just like the DJI RC besides that it doesn’t include a display screen and requires using a wise machine as a display screen. That is much less handy however makes the drone that rather more inexpensive.
The Mavic 2’s older distant lags behind in lots of the above areas, with a transmission vary of solely 10 kilometers versus 12 kilometers for the Mini 3 Professional.
» MORE: DJI RC vs DJI RC-N1 (All You Must Know)
Battery life
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
Sure, it’s been a clear sweep, with the Mini 3 Professional profitable in each class, together with this one.
The Mavic 2’s base Clever Flight Battery solely flies for 31 minutes, and that’s the marketed time. I by no means hit the 30-minute mark in my many flights with this drone, however I might get greater than 25 minutes.
The default battery lifetime of the Mini 3 Professional isn’t significantly better, because it’s marketed as 34 minutes. Nonetheless, you possibly can improve the battery to fly for 47 marketed minutes.
As soon as once more, it’s not fairly that lengthy, with the battery logging below 45 minutes each time I’ve had the pleasure of flying the Mini 3 Professional.
I do know a few of you studying this really feel prefer it is perhaps unfair to provide this class to the Mini 3 Professional as a result of its additional battery doesn’t include this drone by default.
I can see that logic, however even when we examine base batteries, the Mini 3 Professional nonetheless wins.
» MORE: Flight Time of All DJI Drones (Defined)
Conclusion
And now you’re prepared to decide on between these two succesful DJI drones, as you may have all of the info it’s essential proceed together with your buy.
Whereas the Mavic 2 nonetheless holds up remarkably effectively for its age, the Mini 3 Professional – though not the latest drone on the market anymore – flies head and shoulders above this Mavic mannequin.
It has a lighter body, a greater flight time, and extra Clever Flight Modes.
There’s a purpose this drone is the basic, the usual, the blueprint towards which most individuals examine DJI drones. The Mini 3 Professional is simply a kind of excellent drones, and it’s actually robust to beat.
