The initial Generation Mavic Mini was a great drone of its moment, packing DJI’s clever design and advanced technology into a small drone that fell just below the weight limit, which required registration in a variety of countries. This drone was perfect for leisure exploration, but the absence of features as well as a weak camera prevented it in its use for anything other purposes. The introduction of Mini 2 Mini 2 (sans ‘Mavic’ branding) offered features that were on par with more expensive models and an incredibly better camera however, the quality of the images was not as good as Pixel Peepers. In the present, DJI is going above and beyond incremental upgrades with its most recent model which is that of the DJI Mini 3 Pro, which combines the small frame with a significantly better camera and new gimbal that can rotate 90 degrees for vertical videos.
DJI Mini 3 Pro DJI Mini 3 Pro Combines the most recent version from DJI’s light Mini family, with a top camera that is usually to a larger drone. It is awarded the “Pro” name due to its top-quality image as well as a variety of advanced features. For the first time, DJI is allowing customers to select between two models of controllers.
Specifications
Brand: DJI
Camera 48 megapixel (effective) 1/1.3-inch Sensor: CMOS
Speed: 16 m/s (36mph)
Weight: <249g (standard battery), ~290g (Flight Plus battery)
Range: 12km (7.4 miles)
Connectivity DJI O3
Battery: 34 min (standard battery), 47 min (Flight Plus battery)
Storage: 1.2 1 GB (expandable up to 1TB using microSD)
Dimensions: 145x90x62mm (folded) Dimensions: 171x245x62 mm (unfolded)
Video Resolution: 4K (3840×2160) @ 24/25/30/48/50/60fps, or 1080p @ 120fps
Video Formats MP4/MOV (H.264/H.265) with speeds up to 150Mbps
Color Profiles: Normal, D-Cinelike
Pros
Amazingly small and light
Amazing camera
Up-angle gimbal rotation
Over 30 minutes of flight time
Intelligent flight modes
Cons
Insufficient internal storage
Smart flight modes can’t play vertical video
Obstacle avoidance isn’t the best both on the back and sides.
A bit expensive
Hardware, design, what’s inside the box
DJI Mini 3 Pro looks exactly like a slender version of nearly any other drone that is currently available for sale from DJI, except for the FPV. It has the identical color scheme, sporting The body is white and the propellers are dark grey. The classic folding arms are included, however, unlike previous models, it’s not necessary to fold the arms in a particular order. But, the one thing that’s unique to this model Mini series is the absence of spring-loaded mounts to propellers. If they need to be changed, it will need make use of a screwdriver in order to take off a pair of screws from each set of propellers. It’s not going to be a problem if can stay clear of hitting structures or trees.
The most distinctive characteristic that distinguishes Mini series Mini series is the weight. Numerous regulatory and government agencies require drones to be registered when they weigh 250g or greater. DJI has developed this model to be able to pass just below the threshold of the 249g mark or lower. Keep in mind that some countries still require pilots to have an appropriate license for flying, even though the drone doesn’t require registration. Review the drone laws of your country (or destinations) to find out more.
If the arms fold when the arms are folded, when folded, the Mini 3 Pro has about the size of a smartphone (say the Pixel 6 Pro) and measures just 2.5 inches tall. It’s tiny enough to fit in the pockets of jackets or cargo shorts. The controller is a little bigger and heavier as the drone.
DJI gives customers the option of two controllers at time when you purchase. There’s the classic “RC-N1” model, which comes with every regular DJI drone that has been released in the years since Air 2 came out in the mid-2020s. There’s a spring-loaded clamp on top that allows you to lock in smartphones, as well as an USB-C port that has cables for connecting to smartphones that have USB-C or Lightning ports.
There’s also a brand new model known as the DJI RC model, which comes with an in-built display, and is powered by an adapted Version of Android to run DJI’s flight program. It’s pretty similar as it’s predecessor, the DJI RC Pro controller released with the highest-end model last year that came with Mavic 3 Cine. Mavic 3 Cine. It’s quicker and easier to connect and set up as compared to the older controller and the experience on the software is more optimized because it’s focused only on flights.
Naturally, the main advantage to using the DJI RC controller would be that it eliminates your smartphone out of the equation. So, messages and phone calls don’t cause screen interruptions when you fly. A number of drone owners have resorted the decision to carry a second phone to prevent this issue However, it comes with some drawbacks. As many Android users might have found out following a fresh OS update that it’s true that the DJI Fly app is often incompatible with the new OS version for the initial two months following the release and will not be an issue with users of the DJI RC controller.
However, the new controller can be improved. The screen is pretty large and attractive however, it’s rated to 700 nits. With that brightness, it’s not bright enough to match direct sunlight or an overcast day. If you’re in those circumstances, you’ll be staring at a screen that has minimal discernible details. Although, the majority of older phones aren’t much brighter than a modern flagship, but some have a brightness of more than 1,000 nits. This will provide enough brightness on a bright day. Additionally, DJI should think about installing a screen protector in the beginning of production since microabrasions can develop over time, and will be noticeable in daylight.
The controllers are both easy to hold, but they’re quite heavy compared to the Xbox and PlayStation controller. Both come with metal thumbsticks that can be removed and have untreated teeth that are simple enough to grasp, but they’re not recommended to be left on during transportation. The RC-N1 comes with an antenna that is built inside the phone clamp that is spring loaded The new RC has two antennas that fold. In both cases, they’re equipped with the same range of transmission. The latest RC also features an opening on the bottom to accommodate microSD cards that can be used to store screen recordings , or less-quality footage directly from video transmission.
Stability and performance of the flight
Its Mini 3 Pro design is slightly better optimized to fly forward as compared to its counterpart, however it typically flies just similar to any other recent Mavic drone. All the drones in this group are extremely simple and easy to control, which means there’s nothing to worry about.
Moderate to strong winds can make it move just like any drone. The lightweight structure on Mini 3 Mini 3 does make it somewhat more susceptible to large wind gusts. The built-in gimbal will take care of any shake that caused by wind, however it is possible to use a heavier drone to be able to stay in the air for a long period of time. If winds increase after you’ve already departed. In that scenario the updated body and the stronger motors of Mini 3 Mini 3 seem to make it more able to fly in headwinds, compared to older Mini models.
One thing that I was not getting from larger models was more robust obstacle elimination. The Mini 3 Pro Mini 3 Pro has sensors for detecting obstructions in the front, bottom and rear, the last of which I found to be 100% reliable. The sensors offer a large perspective. However, they do have an incredibly large blind spot to the sides, which won’t safeguard you, particularly since the majority of them are disabled when you fly in smart flight modes which include lateral movements.
Battery life
The length of flight times will always go by a bit with each generation, and this trend is continuing with mini 3 pro Mini 3 Pro climbs to 34 minutes in the air , compared to 31 minutes on Mini 2. Mini 2. A three-minute delay may seem insignificant when you take into landing, takeoff, and the time required to frame your shot, the extra 10% of time is closer to 15 percent or 20% more time spent actually shooting.
If you’re in need of longer duration, DJI is also selling the “Flight Battery Plus’ that can run for a staggering 47 minutes. The battery is higher than the regular one which means that the total weight is above the threshold of 250g that allows the drone to not register.
In my experience with Mini 3 Pro, using the Mini 3 Pro using the normal battery, I was able achieve up to 27 minutes of flight time and record 4K video before having to return it. Then, it took around an hour for the battery to recharge back to full. The battery ‘Plus’ was not in stock when we conducted our this review.
Camera and Gimbal
In the majority of DJI’s time the quality of its cameras increased in proportion to the size of drones. The bigger the drone is, the better the camera it was mounted to. Internet users have been arguing for many years that there’s no reason why DJI should not be able to put one of its top cameras on one of its most compact drones It took around 10 years, but DJI proved them right. It turns out that it’s a win-win situation for everyone.
The new camera system is the reason for the “Pro” nomenclature. Without it the Mini 3 Pro is a relatively minor upgrade. Its Mini 3 Pro comes equipped with the 1/1.3-inch sensor which is a significant improvement over the 1/2.3-inch sensor in Air 2’s Mini 2. It’s not just increasing over its predecessor, but the sensor is bigger over the half-inch sensors that is found in the bigger Air 2 drone. However, it does not have the same sensor as the one-inch from Air 2S. Air 2S — which was essentially a pro version from that of the Air 2. In fact, it’s not appropriate to compare with the Mini 3 Pro against the Mini 2 since it has more similarities with the Air 2 and 2S.
A number of other camera features have been improved as well. It’s the Mini 3 Pro can record 4K@60fps and 1080p@120fps. This is the standard for all current DJI drones, however it is it is a step up from the 30fps and 60 frames per second (respectively) that were available on Mini 2 Mini 2 and a couple of other models that were previously available. Additionally the highest video bitrate can reach 150Mbps, which results in no noticeable compression effects and it supports natively recording H.265 in order to reduce the size of your files.
On the photographic side The Mini 3 Pro can now produce images with 48MP resolution, as opposed to the 12MP resolution offered in Mini 2. Mini 2. I’m fairly certain that this isn’t a camera’s native resolution, but an outcome from stitching several lower-resolution photos. This isn’t a problem but it’s the probable reason DJI advertises this as the “effective” resolution.
The most important thing is whether the image appears nice, and it is. It’s a good thing that the Mini 2 was notorious for oversharpening in order to adjust for its lens and sensor, however, there’s no evidence to suggest that Mini 3 Pro is any different. Mini 3 Pro has to cover up any weaknesses. In general the quality of images is very similar with that of the Air 2S. The only spot where I believe it falls significantly short is when it comes to extreme dynamic lighting, such as shooting into the sun , with dark shadows. The results are more like the ones that of Air 2, or maybe even more shaky, but are far superior to what the Mini 2 could ever accomplish.
In an update that was released within a short time after its launch, DJI also added support for the D-Cinelike color profile that has 10 bit color. It’s true that this may not be a big deal to many users however it’s an important feature for anyone who wants to color grade video. It’s a flat profile (read it appears desaturated) designed to record the details in lighting that is dynamic. In addition the support for 10 bit color gives more depth in the colors, making footage more easy to edit.
The bulk of Mini 3 Pro marketing has been focused on its capability of rotating the camera in 90-degrees in order to capture vertical video and photos and video, and it definitely can achieve this. It’s the result that’s uploaded direct onto Instagram Reels YouTube Shorts, and other posts that are stories-style without cutting out landscapes or loss of quality. This is completely practical and works and that’s all that’s needed to say… you’re right?
Unfortunately, no. If you rotate your camera in a vertical direction then all the flight modes that are intelligently designed are disabled, which includes ActiveTrack Master Shots and the point of significance. I think this is because objects tracking tends to be lost within narrow frames however, even that theory has its own problems. However, DJI should consider enabling this feature in an update, otherwise the vertical orientation is nothing more than an advertising tool.
The gimbal is worthy of the praise of one particular aspect It now has up-land angles. Previous generations could not shoot the camera more than straight in the direction, however Mini 3 Pro can. Mini 3 Pro can reach 60 degrees upwards. It’s a great perspective when you fly under the bridge or at the surface of some rock faces.
In the event that you forget to take your microSD card at home The Mini 3 Pro also has 1.2GB of internal storage that you could use as a last resort. But, it only holds approximately 100 seconds of video in H.265 equivalent to about 40 images when shooting JPEG+RAW. It is possible to get more of it by going down to 1080p, or even shooting just JPEG however it is a bit of a waste for this drone. I would like to have seen something more than 8GB that would equal roughly 9 minutes of footage in 4K.
Should you purchase it?
Yes. Mini 3 Pro is a good choice. Mini 3 Pro checks almost every box. It’s extremely compact and light which makes it easy to carry around and allows you to fly over a wide range of locations without red tape. It’s a great camera with excellent image quality straight out of the camera and support for 10-bit D-Cinelike if you wish to grade any footage you shoot manually. You can now choose of two controllers and the flight duration is among the fastest available. Apart from making the switch to the camera that are either Air 2S or Mavic 3 and Mavic 3, there’s nothing more DJI could have done to improve the performance of this drone.
Of course, everything costs around $749, and that’s even before upgrading to the latest RC remote as well as including ND filters, Fly More Kit Fly More Kit (which sadly does not have ND filters) as well as purchasing memory cards and other equipment. But, if you require the highest quality image that you can squeeze into tiny drones and still get the best image quality, this is a great option.
But is it worth paying the money for flying for fun? It’s probably not. DJI is still selling its Mini 2, and it’s an excellent choice for $449. It’s still capable of producing excellent video, but it might not be able to make the pixel-lovers satisfied. On the other side on the scale, anyone who wants the best video quality, no matter the price or how much it weighs, ought to look at the Air 2S or the Mavic 3.
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