DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro – Which is better? (2023)

A big question on the minds of many since the official launch of the DJI Mini 3 would be:Which is better, DJI Mini 3 Pro or Mini 3?

Whenever a new drone is released, especially from DJI, many people rush to buy the newest drone before it's sold out, while others take a step back for a moment to find out if the newest drone is better. than the previous one or if it is worth buying. .

Instead of saying which drone is the best, we'll take a look at the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro and their differences, and then let you determine which drone is best for you.areintended purposes or needs.

Prices – Combos/Kits

WhatProin the Mini 3 Pro it is priced higher than the Mini 3, close to $200.Prospecifications that make the Mini 3 Pro more expensive than the Mini 3.

Something DJI has continued to do with its latest drone offering since the Air 2S is offer a wide range of mix and price options that span multiple budgets.

As of this article, the following combos are available:

mini 3

• DJI Mini 3 (only)– includes the Mini 3 drone, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal protector, and a USB-C cable.

• DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC-N1)– Includes Mini 3 drone, RC-N1 remote control, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal protector, 3 various cables to connect the RC to a smart device, a USB Ç cable.

• DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC)- Includes Mini 3 drone, DJI RC remote controller, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal protector, 3 miscellaneous cables to connect the RC to a smart device, and a USB-C cable.

• DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N1)– Includes Mini 3 drone, RC-N1 remote control, 3 standard batteries, 12 propellers, 18 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 miscellaneous cables to connect the RC to a smart device, 2 USB C cables, 3 - battery charging hub, shoulder strap.

• Combo DJI Mini 3 Fly More (DJI RC)- Includes Mini 3 drone, DJI RC remote controller, 3 standard batteries, 12 propellers, 18 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 assorted cables to connect the RC to a smart device, 2 USB-C cables, 3 hubs battery charger, shoulder bag.

" MORE: Best DJI Mini 3 Accessories

Mini 3 Pro

• DJI Mini 3 Pro (only)– includes the Mini 3 Pro drone, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal protector, and a USB-C cable.

• DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI RC-N1)– Includes Mini 3 Pro drone, RC-N1 remote control, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal protector, 3 assorted cables to connect the RC to a smart device, a USB cable -Ç .

• DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI RC)- Includes Mini 3 Pro drone, DJI RC remote controller, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal protector, 3 miscellaneous cables to connect the RC to a smart device, and a USB-Ç cable.

• DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N1)– Includes Mini 3 Pro drone, RC-N1 remote control, 3 standard batteries, 12 propellers, 18 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal protector, 3 assorted cables to connect the RC to a smart device, 2 USB-C cables, 3- Battery charging center, shoulder strap.

• Combo DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More (DJI RC)- Includes Mini 3 Pro drone, DJI RC remote controller, 3 standard batteries, 12 propellers, 18 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 miscellaneous cables to connect the RC to a smart device, 2 USB-C cables, 3 - battery charge bucket, shoulder strap.

" MORE: The best accessories for DJI Mini 3 Pro

As many know, the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro offerMoreBattery options too. These can be purchased separately or as a complete Fly More Combo.

Main differences

Here we'll detail some of the differences between the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro that explain the price tag of just a few hundred dollars between the two drones.

Avoid Obstacles

The obstacle avoidance system on both drones has to be one of the biggest differences between the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro for many, and a serious consideration for those who need and want it.

As it is, the Mini 3 Pro hasthree way obstacle avoidance. Front, rear and bottom sensors.

On the other hand, the Mini 3It only has sensors for below, which are used for RTH (return home) and precision landing.

Since there are no front and rear sensors, theThe Mini 3 lacks subject tracking (Focus Track), as:

• follow me
• active track
• point of interest
• Stand out

Also, on the Mini 3, there is no option to enable APAS (Advanced Pilot Assistance System), which on the Mini 3 Pro allows the drone to automatically maneuver around objects in the flight path or brake when approaching an obstacle.

If you rely on obstacle avoidance to fly safely, or want to use the Focus Track options, the Mini 3 Pro would be the obvious choice.

" MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro Obstacle Avoidance (Beginner Explained)

Camera

Although the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro use the same 1/1.3-inch CMOS image sensor for the camera, with a constant f1.7 aperture, there are some differences in what the camera can produce in terms of images. still and video. between the 2 drones.

Photos

The Mini 3 is capable of taking 12mp photos, which is on par with the Mini 3 Pro, however, theThe Mini 3 Pro has theadded option to take 48mp photos, with the help of internal processing.

If this is a determining factor in your purchasing choice, consider whether you as a consumer can tell a 12-megapixel photo online from a 48-megapixel image using processing tricks. Additional research may surprise you.

something to see, the iPhone 13 Pro, like the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro, produces 12mp photos. Many feel that its resolution is sufficient for content online and from social networks like Facebook and Instagram.

Another thing to note is that the camera's native ISO range (camera's sensitivity to light) on the Mini 3 Pro is between 100 and 6400. The range on the Mini 3 is narrower, between 100 and 3200.

For more information on ISO and general drone photography, check out the article below.

" MORE: Drone Photography: A Beginner's Guide

Video

As with stills, the Mini 3 comes pretty close to the video quality found in the Mini 3 Pro.

There are a few differences between the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro when it comes to video that you need to be aware of depending on what you're trying to achieve when shooting video.

These being the Mini 3:

• Atira 4k 30fps vs Mini 3 Pros 4k 60fps
• Missing color profiles (D-Cinelike)
• Does not have 10-bit color depth

Since the Mini 3 doesn't record 4k at 60 fps (frames per second), it can't record 4k slow motion.

That doesn't mean you can't shoot slow motion, as there are options to record 60fps in 2.7k and 1080p. It just means that if you need that 4K slow motion option, the option doesn't exist.

Also, 60fps is the highest fps the Mini 3 can reach.The Mini 3 Pro is capable of recording 120 fps(albeit at 1080), which means it can slow down footage twice as much as the Mini 3 at 60fps.

the last points,sem D-Cinelike and 10-bit cores, they specifically belong to video creators who also likescale of colors.

Simply put, color depth is theamount of color and range of tones a camera can record. 10-bit color captures 1024 levels of color per channel, displaying more thanbillion colors(1.07 billion).

When you record in the flatter D-Cinelike color profile, you can record in 10-bit.

The 8-bit Mini 3, with just its normal color profile, uses RGB with 256 colors per channel, which means 8-bit can display quite a bit more.16 million colors(16.7 million to be exact).

If you're happy with video recording in the normal 8-bit color profile, then the Mini 3 will suit your needs.

If you're a video recorder that requires more advanced recording options, the Mini 3 Pro might be a better choice for what you're trying to achieve.

" MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro 10-bit (explained)

battery duration

When it comes to battery life, the Mini 3 really surprises and has better numbers than the Mini 3 Pro.

As it is, the Mini 3 Pro is rated to achieve maximum flight times of 34 minutes with the standard battery and 47 minutes with the Plus battery option.

The Mini 3, on the other hand, is rated to get 38 minutes of flight time on the standard battery and an impressive 51 minutes on the Plus battery.

Why is there such a difference in the amount of flight time between the two Mini 3s? According to DJI, this is because:

1. The Mini 3 weighs slightly less than the Mini 3 Pro due to the absence of some sensors., it's more important
2. Mini 3 uses slightly less processing power, by not having to carry out processes related to the obstacle avoidance system, APAS and Focus Track.

Although 4 minutes of additional flight time may notasLike a big difference, when on the field it can mean the difference, due to lack of time, between hitting that hard shot or missing the shot.

Internal storage

Like the Mavic Mini, DJI Mini SE, and DJI Mini 2 before it, theThe Mini 3 also lacks internal storage.. That means you'll have to buy an SD card if you want to take photos and record videos.

The Mini 3 Pro, on the other hand, packs 1.2 GB of internal storage. Not much by any means, but more than anything, and it can come in handy in an emergency.

This means that if you buy a Mini 3 and haven't bought an SD card or two, you won't get a refund if you forget to insert a memory card into the Mini 3 before you take off.

connectivity

For those who really want the ultimate in connectivity when it comes to DJI drones, the Mini 3 runs an older version of OcuSync, which is OcuSync 2.0.

By contrast, the Mini 3 Pro runs the most recent iteration of connectivity called OcuSync 3.0.

What is the difference between OcuSync 2.0 and OcuSync 3.0? does it matter?

This is another one of those questions where it can matter depending on what you're looking to do. HeOcuSync 2.0The transmission, which is also found on the DJI Mini 2, has a range of10 km or 6.2 miles, with 2 antennas.

oOcuSync 3.0transmission found in the Mini 3 Pro, has a range of12 km or 7.4 miles. Unlike the Mini 3, it has 4 antennas, which makes the signal stronger and more reliable.

Now, although it is against FAA regulations in the US to fly BVLOS (beyond line of sight), many seekaforcetransmission system, not how far you can fly the drone.

This is especially important if you plan to fly in the city or in densely populated urban areas that experience a lot of interference. The last thing anyone wants is to be flying around skyscrapers and the signal drops.

OcuSync 3.0's transmission signal is not only stronger, but also uses a newer transmission imaging solution that transmits ahigher resolution(Full HD) for remote control over longer distances, while strengthening the anti-interference ability of this Full HD image transmission.

This means you're getting a much higher resolution image sent to the remote, as well as limiting dropouts.

On the other hand, many reviewers, YouTubers, and hobbyists have mentioned that they have no issues with the OcuSync 2.0 system found in the Mini 2. If you're looking to buy a Mini 3, these are likely your discoveries, as we will.

This is another case of determining what meets your needs and choosing the drone that meets them. If you are looking for the best current broadcast system in Full HD, the Mini 3 Pro will be your choice.

If drivetrain power is not considered, the Mini 3 should perform just fine.

Remote controls

Earlier in this article, we talked about the various combos that can be purchased for the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro.

What was not mentioned was all the RCs that can work with the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro.

Currently the Mini 3 works with:

• RC DJI
• DJI RC-N1

On the other hand, in addition to the fact that the Mini 3 Pro works with these controls, from the summer of 2022, through firmware updates,the Mini 3 Pro also works with the DJI RC Pro.

This is something that the drone community has been asking for a lot. The fact that the Mini 3 Pro can work with the RC Pro means it can too.benefit from a brighter nit screen(1000 nits), in addition to benefiting fromAdditional controller buttons.

Who knows, in the future, Litchi will work with the Mini 3 Pro through the DJI RC, allowing for more complex flight routines.

front arms

As you may have noticed, the Mini 3 Pro does not have the standard front arms that all other DJI folding drones have.

Whymini 3 advantagesredesigned front arms, we are nowable to deploy the drone in any orderwe would like.

Gone are the days of remembering the deployment sequence to open up your drone and get it ready to fly.

For some, this might not be a big problem. For others this is something that can save a little time here and there, something that is important for those where time is of the essence.

The Mini 3, however, returns to the design ranks of previous drones (minus the Mini 3 Pro), with arms with protruding legs, which DJI says really adds stability to the Mini 3 when landing.

Thoughts

If you're looking for a new mini drone and can't decide between the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro,depending on what you're looking for, you can't go wrong.

There are so many different combos and packages available for any of the drones that almost any budget can be accommodated.

If you're looking for a great entry-level drone with long battery life and a camera on par with an iPhone Pro 13, you'll be fine with the Mini 3.

If you need a little step up from the Mini 3, looking for more pro specs like 48mp shots, more slow motion, focus range and APAS options, then the Mini 3 Pro will definitely have you covered.

Whatever drone you decide to buy, fly safe and have fun!