It’s no secret: the DJI Mini 3 Professional is my favourite drone as of late. Nevertheless it’s additionally fairly a bit dearer than its predecessor, the DJI Mini 2. Are its upgraded specs that significantly better to justify the associated fee? If you happen to’re deciding between the DJI Mini 3 Professional vs Mini 2, right here’s what it’s good to know:
A fast breakdown of the DJI Mini 3 Professional vs Mini 2 vs DJI Mini SE:
There are three drones within the Mini line proper now, which began with the Mavic Mini. DJI dropped the phrase Mavic from the second mannequin in its line. The third mannequin obtained a Professional to go together with its identify — more likely to point out how way more superior the DJI Mini 3 Professional is vs. the Mavic Mini and Mini 2.
| DJI Mini SE | DJI Mini 2 | DJI Mini 3 Professional | |
| Beginning Value | $279 (initially $399 at launch as Mavic Mini) | $449 | $759 |
| Takeoff Weight | 249 grams | <249 grams | <249 grams |
| Max Photograph Decision | 12 MP | 12 MP | 48 MP |
| Video Decision | 2.7K：2720×1530 24/25/30 p | 4K: 2x 2.7K: 3x FHD: 4x |
4K HDR as much as 30 ps |
| Sensor | 1/2.3” CMOS | 1/2.3” CMOS | 1/1.3″ CMOS |
| Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.7 |
| Impediment Avoidance | None | Downward (hovering) | Superior Pilot Help Methods (APAS 4.0) |
| Max Flight Time | half-hour | 31 minutes | 34 minutes |
| Transmission System | Enhanced Wi-Fi. | O2 | O3 |
So with these specs in thoughts, which drone must you get? If you happen to don’t have any drones proper now, right here’s my evaluation of those three, and my steerage of which one to get:
Who the DJI Mini SE is greatest for
The DJI Mavic Mini (since barely modified and improved because the DJI Mini SE) got here out in 2020. Whereas DJI has ceased manufacturing on this oldest mannequin drone, the marginally newer DJI Mini SE remains to be out there.
If you happen to can handle to search out one on the market, must you purchase it? Possibly.
Associated learn: DJI Mavic Mini Evaluation: DJI proves ‘smaller and cheaper’ doesn’t imply ‘worse’
At lower than $300 lately, it’s a candy deal that may be laborious to cross up — particularly when you’re new to the interest and aren’t positive how dedicated you wish to get to it financially. Taking drone pictures of your children enjoying within the yard or on cool roadtrips sounds good in idea, however is it one thing you’ll realistically do? Possibly your child’s soccer subject truly has a personal ban on drones. Maybe you simply don’t like packing extra stuff in your journey than crucial. You don’t wish to spend near $1,000 on a high-end drone solely to search out you don’t fly it as a lot as you hoped you may.
In fact, the lower cost tag means fewer options. It is a stripped-down model of most different DJI drones you should purchase at present. You get a 2.7K digicam vs. 4K on the opposite Mini drones, which is ok when you’re solely posting to Instagram or TikTok, however most likely gained’t work in case you have ambitions of profitable pictures contests. There’s no impediment avoidance, which is probably going not crucial for flights in open fields or broad seashores, however wouldn’t work if you wish to movie your self biking by means of dense forests (use the Skydio 2+ or different follow-me drones for that).
It’s nonetheless a stable drone with good options, like CineSmooth mode and a few pre-programmed flight maneuvers, referred to as Quickshots. Simply perceive that you just’re lacking out on some tremendous neat options that the second and third editions supply.
The DJI Mini is nice when you’re seeking to save as a lot cash as doable, whereas nonetheless getting a higher-quality DJI drone than a low cost toy drone. If you would like a digicam drone however are on an ultra-tight price range, the DJI Mini is your choose.
Associated learn: Mavic Mini getting began information: what it’s good to do and arrange earlier than flying your drone
Who the DJI Mini 2 is greatest for
The Mini 2 launched in November 2020 with one main enchancment upon the unique DJI Mavic Mini specifically: superior video high quality. With the Mini 2, you’re packing in 12-megapixel photographs and a most video decision of 4K/30fps @100 Mbps. That’s definitely not so good as what the Mini 3 Professional can supply, nevertheless it’s an enormous improve from the unique Mini.
Plus, these aren’t the one upgraded options. Reasonably than merely counting on Wi-Fi transmission, there’s now OcuSync 2.0, which gives a extra steady and dependable connection between the distant controller and the drone — particularly over lengthy distances — and provides a most transmission vary of 10 km (that’s a 150% enhance in transmission vary vs. the unique Mavic Mini). It’s nonetheless inferior to the even-better O3, however makes for a extra dependable flying expertise than no OcuSync in any respect.
Associated learn: DJI Mini 2 maintains 249-gram weight, whereas bettering on video
One notable motive why I don’t love the Mini 2: no impediment avoidance (in fact, the Mavic Mini doesn’t have this both). That is such a stable security function. Even when you don’t want it on your handbook flight and take into account your self a professional pilot, otherwise you’re primarily flying in open fields, there are nonetheless conditions the place impediment avoidance is such a sport changer: specifically, return to residence. Possibly your battery encounters points and the drone must return residence sooner than anticipated. If that will get initiated, you wish to guarantee a transparent path (to not point out the shortest-possible path!) on your drone to return.
Buy the DJI Mini 2 beginning at simply $449 now from:
The Mini 2 is certainly a greater digicam than the Mavic Mini. In case you have a price range beneath $500 and wish the best-possible digicam, the Mini 2 is what you need.
However when you can afford extra, then learn on because the Mini 3 Professional — although about $300 extra — has much more to supply.
Who the DJI Mini 3 Professional is greatest for
If you would like the best-possible drone within the smallest-possible package deal, then the DJI Mini 3 Professional is greatest for you. Aside from the shape, the Mini 3 Professional hardly resembles its older Mini siblings.
Whereas the Mavic Mini and Mini 2 are extra like entry-level drones, the DJI Mini 3 Professional truly most intently resembles the DJI Air 2S. It’s the one Mini drone that features impediment avoidance, which you’ll discover within the Air 2 and Air 2S drones. It’s improved video high quality extra intently aligns with the Air 2 and Air 2S.
Read extra: DJI Mini 3 Professional vs Mavic Air 2 and Air 2S: which is best?
In fact, it’s dearer than the opposite Minis — priced extra equally to the Air 2 and Air 2S drones.
In case you have the means to pay for a dearer drone although, you completely ought to. That is my favourite drone thus far. I’m a frequent traveler, and I wish to pack my drone with me, however with larger drones it’s generally not doable. To have ultra-high video high quality and impediment avoidance packed right into a sub-249 gram drone is unimaginable. I worth small dimension, however I additionally worth improved security options and a 4K digicam. The Mini 3 Professional drone is the one one which does all of it.
If you happen to worth these issues as I do, there’s no higher drone you should purchase. It’s nicely definitely worth the $759 value.
Learn my full assessment of the Mini 3 Professional right here.
Is the DJI Mini 3 Professional price upgrading your DJI Mavic Mini or Mini 2?
Possibly. The digicam high quality is approach higher, the transmission is extra dependable and the impediment avoidance is a godsend. If you happen to’re a present Mini or Mini 2 proprietor then you definitely already get the good thing about the Mini 3 Professional’s small dimension. You’ll should worth these different specs and put your individual price ticket on it. Personally, the Mini 3 Professional gives an enormous improve from the Mavic Mini that I might make the leap if I’m dedicated to the drone life.
So far as upgrading from the Mini 2 to the three Professional, you’ve obtained a bit more durable of a choice. If you happen to can promote your previous Mini 2, or you have got disposable revenue, I’d do it. However don’t panic when you can’t afford the improve, as DJI continually iterates on its drones that there’ll doubtless be a good higher one on the horizon quickly.
That mentioned, when you are upgrading from the Mini 2 to the Mini 3 Professional, you gained’t should pay the complete $759 value. You should buy it for simply $669 (assuming you don’t promote the Mini 2). That’s as a result of DJI will promote it for $669 with out the controller (it makes use of the identical controller you have already got with the Mini 2). You will get a ew drone, whereas giving the older controller a second life.
The underside line
If you happen to worth the identical specs I do in a drone — small dimension, high quality digicam, robust security options together with impediment avoidance, and ease of use — then there’s no higher drone on the market than the DJI Mini 3 Professional.
Buy the DJI Mini 3 Professional beginning at simply $669 (no controller) or $759 with controller now from:
