Its DJI Mini 3 Pro is an upgrade to the Mini series, and is the best drone for small spaces you can buy today. With its higher-quality sensor, obstacle avoidance features, and smart flight modes it packs the capabilities of larger drones in small, easy to carry however, while it’s the Mini 3 Pro is suitable for novices however, the price tags take it up to more serious and premium levels.
Pros
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Amazing performance with low light
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Useful obstacle avoidance
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Flexible flight modes that are automated and easy to use
Cons
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More expensive than the previous Mini models
A two-minute summary
The compact and lightweight DJI Mini 3 Pro will take DJI’s wildly popular Mini drone line to brand new dimensions. The first DJI Mavic Mini arrived in the year 2019, and was later followed at the end of 2020 with the Mini 2 that increased the resolution of video to 2.7K to 4K, along with other enhancements. However, It’s Mini Pro 3 it is the one that truly adds the WOW quality to the mini-250g Mini series.
The most striking thing about this drone for beginners is the fact that DJI is able to integrate an obstacle avoidance system that is tri-directional in a drone of such a small size However, that’s not the only thing that has improved over the previous model.
Its camera has become larger, it’s now an 1/1.3-inch CMOS chip; its aperture has been raised to a large f/1.7 and its camera’s video features have been greatly upgraded as well as the camera’s ability to be turned 90 degrees, allowing you to shoot videos and stills in landscape and portrait formats.
The list of upgrades continues, proving the popular ‘Pro’ designation. In essence, what you receive with Mini 3 Pro Mini 3 Pro is many of the features and capabilities found in high-end drones such as that of the DJI Mavic Air 2, with a drone that is still in the weight range of less than 250g that means it does not require registration in every region. This is a achievement that has only been achieved with an aircraft called the Autel Evo Nano that we’re currently currently in the process of studying.
These new and exciting features, in addition to the brand new DJI RC Smart Controller that’s offered in the most expensive of the three drones and make Mini 3 Pro Mini 3 Pro a tempting option especially for content producers who create aerial videos. A major drawback to consider is the significant increase in price compared to that of the DJI Mini 2.
It’s to be expected when you look at all the latest features, but the drone that was accessible enough to attract newbies is now priced close than its counterpart, the DJI Air 2S, a drone with a one-inch sensor, and is currently at the top on our list of most popular drones to buy. It’s not easy to decide between these two models, however you can’t go wrong with the DJI Mini 3 Pro is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for portability or a small drone that fits into their camera kit.
DJI Mini 3 Pro release date and price
You can purchase it today starting at $669 , PS639 or AU$989
Three kits are available that include a the brand new RC Controller
Fly More Bundle also comes with additional accessories
The DJI Mini 3 Pro now in three different configurations through the DJI Store and authorized retailers. The most basic model can be that of the Mini Pro 3 with no controller that costs $669 or PS639 or 989 dollars. Naturally, this is targeted at those who already have an appropriate controller.
The second one, and what is likely to be the most well-known bundle includes the base kit ($759 (US$1,119 / PS709 / AU$759) that includes the DJI Controller RC-1. If you’re looking for the latest DJI RC Smart Controller, however, you’ll have to select the third and highest-priced bundle, which is $909, PS859 or EUR829.
The the three DJI Mini 3 Pro bundles are considerably higher priced than DJI Mini 2, which was launched at $449/PS419 (AU$749) in November 2020.
The kits come with the Intelligent Flight Battery, two propeller sets and a screwdriver as well as a guard for the gimbal, as well as an USB-C cable to charge and transfer of data. The basic kit includes cables for connecting this controller with your phone however they aren’t part of any other packages.
Like always the Fly More Kit is available and is a great value in comparison to the individual cost of the accessories. The kit comes with 2 Intelligent flight batteries, a three-battery Charge Hub as well as 2 sets of propellers as well as a Shoulder Bag. Its Fly More Kit costs $189 or PS159/AU$259 and the additional accessories are also available for purchase separately.
For those in both the US and Australia You can purchase an DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit Plus for $249 or 359 AUD, which comes with The Intelligent Flight Battery Plus for a longer 47-minute flight time.
DJI Mini 3 Pro: Design and Controller
A brand-new DJI RC Smart Controller available in the most expensive bundle
Familiar Mavic folding design
Provides portrait and landscape format shooting
With its fold-down design and light-gray color The Mini 3 Pro has the characteristic DJI Mavic family looks. While Mini 2 DJI Mini 2 has sleek lines, similar to the Lamborghini Countach of other Mavic models The Mini 3 Pro is decidedly more smooth and rounded.
The addition of obstacle sensors as well as the round gimbal mounts enhance this curvaceous appearance. Other modifications to the design include propellor arms designed to be more aerodynamic and propellers that are bigger than those used in Mini 2. Mini 2 to help to improve flight time.
The gimbal connects to the drone each side of the frame that helps support the camera as well as its bigger 1/1.3-inch sensor. The camera can be turned 90 degrees to capture video and stills in both landscape and portrait format. It’s a feature that’s certainly been added for the creation of content for social media, because of the popularity that has risen from TikTok along with Instagram Stories However, it’s a beneficial tool for photographer of every kind.
DJI Mini 3 Pro key specs
Sensor 12.1MP 1/1.3in CMOS
Video/max frame-rate: 4K/60p, 2.7K/60p, 1080/120p
Maximum bit-rate 150Mbps
Stabilization: 3-axis gimbal
Transmission: Ocusync 3
Max flight time: 34 mins
Weight: 249g
Dimensions (folded) Dimensions (folded): 145 x 90 and 60mm
Dimensions (unfolded) Dimensions (unfolded): 171x245x62mm
For controllers, the standard kit includes the DJI RC-1, which is the same controller comes in Mavic 3, Air 2S, Mavic 3, Air 2S, Mavic Air 2 and Mini 2. This controller has the telescopic phone holder, but none of the screens.
The most significant, and expensive upgraded version of the RC-N1 is the DJI RC Smart Controller which we tested for this review. It has a huge transparent 5.5-inch screen with 700-nit brightness and weighs 390 grams. This is just 5g higher than the combined weight of an RC-N1 Controller with smartphones, and it allows for faster setup because you have to connect the thumbsticks to begin flying.
DJI Mini 3 Pro Flight and features
Tri-directional obstacle detection
Subject-tracking powers
The battery’s life has been extended thanks to the Mini 2
In terms of flying Mini 3 Pro is a great choice. Mini 3 Pro offers three options that include Cine Normal, Sport, and Cine that is a common feature in the majority of prosumer and consumer models.
Cine, with an maximum speed of 13.4mph and offers the fastest flight speed, with more sensitive controls that produce more cinematic footage that is smoother. The Normal mode, which has the 22.3mph maximum speed is the most frequently used mode as is Sport. Sport will be the fastest that allows the drone to go up to 35.7mph while collision avoidance is off.
Despite its compact dimensions and light weight even with its light weight and small size, the Mini 3 Pro has a wind resistance that is less than 24mph and is able to perform well in these conditions, especially when you’re in the more robust Sport mode. Overall our experience with the controller was that it’s responsive, and connectivity between controller and drone was stable.
With each new DJI drone that is part of the existing series, there is an increase in battery life and flight performance. The Mini 3 Pro is no exception. The brand new 2,453mAh Intelligent Flight Battery weighs 80.5g and is said to offer a flight duration of up to 34 mins.
If you consider the cost needed for the Return to Home along with the fluctuating temperature and wind the flight times are more realistically within the 20-25 minute range however, it’s still a good improvement over the endurance of the initial DJI Mavic Mini.
A Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, with a capacity of 3,850mAh, can also be purchased for Mini 3 Pro. Mini 3 Pro. This boosts the official flight duration to 47 minutes however, it increases its weight to 250g, putting it in the next weight class across the majority of regions. It’s also important to know that this battery’s larger capacity will not be available in all regions, such as the EU.
The biggest area of improvement is the inclusion of tri-directional obstacle avoidance that utilizes large-angle, forward-, backward- as well as downward-facing sensors. This, in conjunction with Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems 4.0 (APAS 4.0), provides obstacles avoidance which can be disabled at any time. It is also possible to make it stop the drone or even autonomously navigate around obstacles if it’s you detect it. This is an enormous improvement for the Mini series and also opens the way to several useful autonomous features.
QuickShots are flight patterns that are automated which allow you to capture motion-packed video easily and for Mini 3 Pro, they’re now available. Mini 3 Pro the feature is now available on Mini-series drone, for the first time. Plus, there’s now subject-tracking via the FocusTrack Suite, which gives you the possibility of following moving subjects, independently moving around static objects, or keeping the subject in the frame as you manually pilot the drone. These modes all work well and are appreciated enhancements.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is a great camera and Video quality
1/1.3-inch sensor is more than Mini 2’s
12.1MP raw and 48MP raw JPEG options
Video recording up to 4K/60p
With the brand new 12.1MP 1/1.3-inch sensor that can capture 48MP images, image quality is exceptional for a light drone.
There is a tiny decrease in sharpness towards sharp edges while shooting stills. This is typical of drones that are used for consumer use, as well as lateral aberrations in chromatic may be seen along high-contrast subject edges, but it’s not an issue that is major.
Mini 3 Pro’s ISO handling is, without doubt, superb. There’s almost no noise in raw images at any setting above ISO 100, all the way to ISO 6400. The natural color rendering is preserved, so you are able to shoot confidently in all ISO setting.
The camera of the Mini 3 Pro makes use of dual native ISO capture technology The move is definitely paying off. In the event that it comes to ISO handling is paired with the speedy f/1.7 aperture that it’s clear that the Mini 3 Pro is a high-performance camera with low-light capabilities.
When you’re in stills, you’ll be able to take raw files as well as JPEGs with two resolutions. Although Mini 3 Mini 3 is advertised as having a resolution of 50MP the standard raw files have a resolution of 12.1MP. To obtain larger files, you need to shoot in the 48MP mode which allows you to capture files at this resolution. When compared to the normal 12.1MP files, images taken in the 48MP mode appear less sharp. However, this could just be an illusion since details naturally appear sharper in smaller photos.
The 48MP camera is an exciting feature that broadens the capabilities that the camera can offer, however when you shoot in this mode, you’re not able to utilize the AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing), burst, or timed shot modes. If you choose to use these modes options, your resolution will be set at 12.1MP however, you can utilize Adobe’s Super Resolution in Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw to increase the size of the raw files, if you wish to.
Overall, the video recorded using Mini 3 Pro is excellent. Mini 3 Pro is excellent. The videos we used in our tests were taken using the ND (neutral densities) filters as they were not available when we tested them. The 4K video can be a bit choppy because of the rapid shutter speeds needed to maintain exposure in conjunction with the speedy f/1.7 shutter speed. Fixed aperture.
Sharpness and detail throughout the frame but they are excellent for videography, and using ND filters can produce fluid footage when used at the speed that is optimal to match what frame speed of video that is being recorded. A ND filter set can be purchased separately from DJI and is a must-have for anyone who plans to film video.
Video can be recorded in three resolutions: 4K (at up to 60p), 2.7K (at up to 60p) and FHD all times up to 120p. This is a slow-motion video when shot at 120 frames per second. The maximum bitrate for video is 150Mbps. With Color profiles Normal and D-Cinelike available The Mini 3 Pro is suitable for both professional and amateur video recording.
There’s an option for digital zoom that offers two times the zoom in 4K resolution and 3-fold zoom up to 2.7K as well as 4x zoom with FHD. It is recommended to use it sparingly due to the loss in quality, though FHD generally provides the best results, up two times zoom.
