DJI just introduced a new drone – it’s the most capable ever to squeak under the 250g limit that keeps operators free of a whole host of headaches and restrictions for flying (note that local laws and regulations are currently in place). also apply – being small doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want). The DJI Mini 3 Pro drone is the first in the series to add that “Pro” moniker, and it does a lot to earn it, the best yet in the consumer/enthusiast drone space for those seeking portability, affordability Creates overall value. and image/video quality.
the basics
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is still small enough to earn its name, but it’s a bit bigger than previous iterations. While the drone weighs in at 249 grams with the included standard battery pack, the wingspan in particular is much larger than that of the original Mini, especially, when the arms are extended for flight. It offers additional flight control capabilities, and when folded down for carry it only barely changes the profile of the drone, so it’s certainly a welcome design trade-off.
DJI has not only refined the aerial engineering here, they’ve also packed an impressive Gimbold 1/1.3-inch sensor camera into the Mini 3 Pro, which can capture images up to 48MP in RAW format, and video in 4K. can record. Up to 60 fps, with Slo-mo mode that captures 120 fps footage at Full HD (1080p) resolution.
The new DJI Mini 3 Pro drone in flight. image credit: Darrell Etherington
The “Pro” also works with the formats offered by the Mini 3 Pro: you can record video in D-cinelike mode, which allows you to tune the color mix of your video later in programs to your liking. Color provides a wealth of information. Da Vinci Resolution. It can give you a cinematic look that’s frankly stunning when you consider that it’s coming for a drone that slips too easily into a jacket pocket.
Another “pro” feature that DJI introduced for the first time in this size category: obstacle detection and avoidance. The Mini 3 Pro gets the company’s Advanced Pilot Assistance System 4.0, which means you’re far less likely to scale a tree to retrieve it because it’s stuck in a few branches.
Other features include the ability to pivot the camera through the gimbal to shoot vertical video, making it the ideal TikTok drone, subject tracking, 4x digital zoom (which unlocks some creative video shooting capabilities), panorama shooting and more. Makes a run time of 34 minutes. Standard battery (47 minutes is possible on the optional in-flight battery plus extended juice – which puts you well over that 250g limit, I should note).
design
At first glance, the Mini 3 Pro doesn’t deviate much from DJI’s tried-and-tested approach to drone design; It is a four-rotor aircraft, composed mostly of a central body with extendable arms and integrated stubby landing gear. There are some big obvious changes versus the former Minis, though, including the front of the drone, where the usual bulbous overhang covering the camera makes way for a scooped out, “hammerhead”-like look with the orientation cameras that gimbale. Flanks the 24. The mm-equivalent, f/1.7 camera down.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro (right) and DJI Mavic Mini (left) folded up. image credit: Darrell Etherington
This probably helps offset the weight savings to allow the Mini 3 Pro to claim its impressive specifications, while still staying on the fair side of those aviation rule restrictions. It also means the drone ships with a larger, more bulbous protective hood attachment to keep the gimbal and camera secure and stable in transit. This was one of my knocks on the design of the drone – the gimbal loosens when the drone goes down, which makes sense to protect the motors, but it means you have to fight it to a certain extent to get it right. to be brought in line. Protective hood before it is clipped in.
DJI Mini 3 Pro (right) and DJI Mavic Mini (left) with arms. image credit: Darrell Etherington
DJI has clearly learned a lot from the years of trying to make the most of the sub-250g drone category, and it really shows in the Mini 3 Pro. The rotors don’t have the easy-removal clips that come on larger models, but once again it’s a worthwhile trade-off. For a few minor inconveniences, what you get is a drone that doesn’t require a major packing logistics operation to take with you – and captures images and video of a quality that nobody but the most The more demanding pro will leave users feeling like they should have brought along a beefier machine.
A note here on controller options – the Mini 3 Pro comes with an RC-N1 controller by default (though there’s also a controller-less option to save a few bucks if you already have one), which is one of its The great controller is in its own right, but that requires you to supply the viewfinder in the form of your connected smartphone. The DJI RC package comes with that brand new controller, and if you’re on the fence, you should go for exactly that: The DJI RC has a built-in display, and essentially runs an integrated Android phone to operate. DJI Fly App. It’s a very compact and well designed device, with excellent display quality and very few headaches when it comes to fiddling with hardware smartphone connectors. More about DJI RC in the next section.
a demonstration
I’ve already raved about the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s image and video capture quality several times, but in case it wasn’t clear: this thing more than delivers.
48-megapixel images offer new levels of detail and printing options, and Raw Capture means you can really get a lot more out of your still captures when editing after the fact in programs like Lightroom. Due to the larger sensor and the larger pixel size on the sensor, images are far less noisy than in prior iterations of the Mini. Low-light capture has never been a particular strength of these drones, but DJI has done a good job of prioritizing improvements in that area over the Mini 3 Pro, and it shows.
DJI Mini 3 Pro JPEG from camera, auto-settings. image credit: Darrell Etherington
Auto mode delivers images that really impress, and there’s probably no reason for most users to switch to manual mode. But for advanced enthusiasts and pros, the manual mode offers the ability to tweak to your heart’s content, which can result in some unique captures that stand out from the crowd. The custom image modes, including the panorama feature, are excellent for unique applications like large-scale prints, and the Mini 3 Pro software gives the really good ones a relative wind.
Speaking of wind, when it comes to flight controls, it seems the Mini 3 Pro has no problem handling the wind with the wind. One thing I noticed quite a bit on my OG DJI Mavic Mini was that it resulted in frequent complaints about wind speed and stability; The Mini 3 Pro, even at altitudes above 400 feet, never gave any indication that it was struggling with that particular issue. The days I flew were relatively quiet at ground level, so your mileage may vary, but it’s definitely better than the previous generation of hardware.
DJI Mini 3 Pro sample image, auto-settings. image credit: Darrell Etherington
As much as the DJI Mini 3 Pro is optimized for still capture, the new video options are a major upgrade that the category could do before. 4K/60, HDR, Full HD 120 fps slo-mo, vertical video and D-Cinelike color profiles all add up to a drone that can do it all, whether you’re an amateur filmmaker looking to build the next art-house. Whether trying out Classic, a YouTuber who puts a premium on production value, or a TikTok creator looking to add another dimension to their content. Subject tracking works reliably well, and combined with modes like vertical video and a “droony” aerial selfie capture option, you can dive into plenty of creative options for novel posts on any platform.
As for actually flying drones, it’s a bit hard to evaluate from a newcomer’s point of view as I’ve been flying DJI aircraft since the original Mavic now. But it certainly feels intuitive and simple, with the added bonus that when large objects get in your way, obstacle avoidance protection kicks in to potentially save you a costly accident.
You can track how fast the camera is to refine the final product and compensate for inexorable or jerky joystick movements, but out of the box the DJI Mini 3 Pro is tuned to deliver good end results for a wide range of users. seems to be gone.
As mentioned, the DJI RC controller option really ups the game in terms of the actual experience of flying a drone as well. My main headache with DJI drones in the past has been the less-than-elegant experience of connecting the smartphone to the controller, with everything working fine and gripping better. The DJI RC turns this into a truly seamless “it just works” experience, and you can connect the controller to any WiFi network (including tethering to your phone in the field) to keep both it and the plane up to date with firmware and flight. can connect to. Restriction Map. Image quality and live video feed are high-resolution and excellent, viewable even in direct sunlight, and it’s absolutely not something you can give up once you experience it.
ground level
Along with the increase in performance, DJI’s latest mini drone also got a fairly significant bump in price: The DJI Mini 3 Pro starts at $669, and that’s without the remote control. $759 will get you the Mini 3 Pro and the RC-N1 (for which you’ll need to bring your own phone). The best option is definitely the most expensive, but I think it’s the one most people should consider – it’s the DJI Mini 3 Pro Plus DJI RC for $909. As reviewed, my unit also includes the DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit, which offers two more 34-minute batteries, a hub for charging all three batteries simultaneously, additional propellers, and a handy shoulder bag. Which perfectly fits the drone, controller and everything else I just mentioned, which is an extra $189.
DJI Mini 3 Pro sample image. JPEG with auto settings. image credit: Darrell Etherington
All told, the DJI Mini 3 Pro Kit I reviewed costs about $1,100 in total—nearly double the price of the DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo, which still sells for $599. But for what you get, especially with the improvement in image and video quality, as well as the inclusion of an obstacle avoidance system, it’s well worth the price delta. Ultimately, the Mini 3 Pro is probably better than something like the DJI Air 2S, which costs $1,299 for its Fly More combo. With that option, you get a bigger sensor and better, 5.2K video recording, but most users probably won’t appreciate the differences there, and the Mini 3 Pro still manages to sneak under that crucial 250g limit, Which the Air 2S doesn’t.
DJI’s pace of innovation means it can be tough to decide when to jump in as a consumer (I have three drones from my own previous generation, including the original Mini). But what’s put in the Mini 3 Pro feels like a package with so few compromises that it should satisfy even the most discerning enthusiast for years to come.
