DJI Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Professional: Which drone is best for you?

DJI has two totally different traces of drones which might be typically thought-about shopper or one thing for a pastime photographer (or maybe knowledgeable photographer on a price range who doesn’t need all of the bells and whistles of a Mavic). These are the DJI Air and DJI Mini traces — and each traces acquired main new editions lately. In July 2023, we had the launch of the DJI Air 3. Shortly after, in September 2023, DJI launched the Mini 4 Professional.  So now it begs the query between the DJI Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Professional, which drone is best? 

The Air 3 has at all times had extra spectacular specs than the Mini line — but it surely’s unsurprisingly dearer. Nonetheless, with the launch of the Mini 4 Professional line, we noticed some key specs that beforehand elevated the Air line over the Mini line arrive within the subsequent technology of the DJI Mini 3 collection.

Associated learn: Learn our DJI Mini 4 Professional evaluate right here.

With that, the Mini 3 collection turns into a far nearer competitor to the Air 3 collection. That, coupled with different potential advantages like small dimension, creates a fierce battle between the DJI Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Professional. So with that, listed below are the professionals and cons of each that will help you choose the fitting digicam drone for you:  

DJI Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Professional: Evaluating costs (winner: DJI Mini 4 Professional)

Beginning at $759 versus $1,099 for the Air 3 (assuming you choose the mannequin with the fundamental controller), it’s clear which one wins out in value. You’ll save greater than 30% (that’s $340) by choosing the Mini 4 Professional over the Air 3. 

DJI Air 3 vs. DJI Mini 4 Professional: key specs 

The (largely) higher specs of the Air 3 could make it straightforward to justify the $340 increased value. So with that, right here’s a comparability of the DJI Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Professional and a breakdown of what every provides you so you possibly can resolve the most effective drone on your price range: 

So what do all these specs truly imply? Right here’s a deeper dive into the DJI Air 3 vs. DJI Mini 4 Professional drones: 

Evaluating cameras (winner: DJI Air 3)

If we’re evaluating cameras, understand that we’re not evaluating two cameras, however relatively three. That’s as a result of the DJI Air 3 comes with two built-in cameras (making it the primary of the Air line to supply such a factor). The 2 cameras on the DJI Air 3 are: 

• A 1/1.3-inch CMOS wide-angle digicam
  • 24mm format equal
  • F1.7 aperture
• A 1/1.3-inch CMOS 3x medium tele digicam (can obtain 3x optical zoom)
  • 70mm format equal
  • F2.8 aperture

The wide-angle cameras on each drones exhibit stunning similarities. Whereas the Air 3 stands out as a top-tier digicam drone, the DJI Mini 4 Professional incorporates its personal 1/1.3-inch CMOS digicam sensor. These expertise options had been beforehand unique to high-end cinematography drones. 

Each drones boast lively digicam modes, together with a vertical capturing mode particularly tailor-made for creating movies and pictures for platforms like TikTok or Instagram reels. 

Nonetheless, the Air drone outshines the Mini 3 Professional with its extra, secondary tele digicam. This characteristic permits videographers to seamlessly change between zoom and wide-angle photographs throughout the identical flight, eliminating the necessity to carry the drone down to alter lenses–an inconvenience usually encountered with high-end digicam drones such because the DJI’s Encourage 3. 

Nonetheless, the Mini 4 Professional does provide digital video capabilities, supporting as much as 2x zoom in 4k, as much as 3k in 2.7k, and as much as 4x in full HD. 

For critical photographers searching for an much more superior digicam, the DJI Mavic 3 is best. This Mavic 3 excels in digicam efficiency, notable in its aperture flexibility starting from f/2.8 to f/11, a characteristic missing in each the Air and Mini drones. 

Associated learn: DJI Air 3 evaluate: essentially the most highly effective new addition to Air Collection but
 

Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Professional: Evaluating drone dimension (winner: DJI Mini 4 Professional) 

Whereas the Air 3 has a superior digicam system, it’s significantly bigger, which can not essentially be a bonus. 

DJI’s shopper drones have come a good distance from the cumbersome days of the DJI Phantom line, transitioning to sleeker, extra compact designs. The introduction of the DJI Mavic Professional in 2017 was revolutionary because of its revolutionary foldable arms, shrinking its dimension to that of a water bottle, although by right now’s requirements, it might even be perceived as a “giant drone”

Notably, the Air 3 is heavier, tipping the scales at 720 grams, whereas the DJI Mini 4 Professional weighs lower than half of that at beneath 249 grams. 

The Mini 4’s compact dimension is best for pilots searching for to journey with their drone whereas minimizing baggage area, or just these consistently on the transfer, needing to stow their drone in a backpack with out it monopolizing area.

Nonetheless, the load of the DJI Mini 4 Professional being beneath 250 grams holds extra vital implications — the federal government. Many international locations categorize drones primarily based on their weight, implementing various laws or restrictions on giant drones Drones weighing beneath 249 grams usually get pleasure from exemption from quite a few types of regulation, together with the necessity for registration.

Smaller, light-weight drones, such because the DJI Mini 4 Professional, not solely cut back the executive burden on the pilot but additionally theoretically improve security within the occasion of a crash, with much less pressure exerted upon influence. 

Evaluating plane power: (winner: DJI Air 3…however simply barely)

Earlier than the Mini 4 launched, the Air line was the superior and extra highly effective drone. However now that the Mini 4 Professional is extra highly effective than another Mini drone, it’s a fiercer struggle.

Impediment Sensing (tie): Each drones use omnidirectional impediment sensing, providing consciousness in all instructions, thus eliminating blind spots. In addition they each make the most of APAS 5.0 tech. This permits the drone to detect obstacles after which plan an alternate route round them. Each options are new to the Mini line for the reason that launch of the Mini 4 Professional. 

Video Transmission (tie): Each drones provide O4 video transmission, bringing a most transmission distance of 20 km (assuming low interference, akin to flying at most seashores). 

Battery life (barely DJI Air 3): Right here’s the place the DJI Air 3 (type of) beats out the Mini 4 Professional. The DJI Air 3 provides as much as 46 minutes of flight time. In the meantime, the bottom model of the Mini 4 Professional provides 34 minutes of flight time. With the DJI Air 3, you get a virtually 50% enhance in battery life.

The DJI Mini 4 Professional can come near that 46 minute flight time, with somewhat additional assist from one of many three batteries that include the Mini 4 Professional. The “Clever Flight Battery Plus,” provides a further 11 minutes of flight time (totaling 45 minutes of flight time). 

One other downfall of the Clever Flight Battery Plus is that it’s decently heavy (and heavier than the usual Mini 4 Professional battery). When utilizing your Mini 4 Professional with the Clever Flight Battery Plus, it’ll find yourself weighing greater than 249 grams, which is in any other case one of many key the explanation why folks select the Mini 4 Professional drone over the DJI Air 3.

Who’s the DJI Mini 4 Professional finest for? 

There isn’t any ‘one finest’ drone. There’s merely the most effective drone on your scenario. 

So with that, the DJI Mini 4 Professional is finest for a couple of varieties of folks together with: 

• Entry-level drone pilots 
• Frequent vacationers 
• Social media content material creators 
• Finances-conscious photographers 

The Mini 4 Professional is nice for brand spanking new drone pilots, the scale and omnidirectional sensing make it one of many most secure drones available on the market. It’s a dream for vacationers, bloggers, outside journey fanatics, and athletes who desire a drone that they will throw of their bag, however gained’t get in the way in which of no matter else they’re doing. 

And with the value distinction, that $340 financial savings is likely to be a saving grace for essentially the most price-sensitive drone pilots. 

Associated Learn: DJI Mini 4 Professional: each characteristic a newbie drone want

Who’s the DJI Air 3 finest for?

The DJI Mini 4 Professional is the proper match for the drone photographer prioritizing mobility. Alternatively, in case you are knowledgeable photographer searching for a extra inexpensive various to the Mavic 3, then the DJI Air 3 presents an interesting possibility. 

If having spectacular digicam specs are most vital, (however dimension and portability aren’t a priority), then the DJI Air 3 is finest.

Consider it this fashion: in the event you take into account your self an athlete, content material creator, or traveler first (and a drone photographer second), get the Mini 4 Professional. If you happen to take into account your self a drone photographer first after which the sports activities, excursions, and adventures come second to that, then get the DJI Air 3. 

Between the DJI Mini 4 Professional versus Air 3 drones, which one would you relatively have? Share your remark under!

Are you additionally contemplating the DJI Mini 3 Professional or Mini 3? Try our information to the DJI Mini 4 Professional vs. Mini 3 Professional vs. Mini 3!

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