DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2 2024: review, specs and features

The DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2 are nearly the same size, both feature 4K cameras, and most importantly, both have the same legally significant weight. Although they might appear to be nearly identical to the untrained eye, nothing could be further from the truth.

The Mini 3 Pro is a more recent edition with more potent, or “Pro,” features, as the incremental name suggests. They include a bigger imaging sensor, an entirely new gimbal that enables the camera to be spun to take portrait photos, the long-awaited debut of collision detecting, as well as a number of other improvements that are more noticeable in the software.

We thought we’d take the opportunity to contrast this potent new drone with its predecessor now that DJI has unveiled the DJI Mini 3 Pro, its newest mini drone in the series. The DJI Mini 2 was revolutionary when it was released, boasting a number of improvements that completely destroyed the Mavic Mini and made it a desirable choice for amateur aerial photographers and drone enthusiasts.

Price and availability

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is substantially more expensive than its predecessor, starting at $669 (or £649 in the UK or $989 in Australia) for those who don’t require a remote control and $759 (or £709 in the UK or $1,119 in Australia) for those who do not. This costs about $400 more than the DJI Mini 2, which is now on sale for about $450, £420, or AU$750.

But, when you take into account the new features of the DJI Mini 3 Pro, the gap mainly makes sense. Updating the basic components to comply with 2022 criteria is considerably more than just a simple update. It is debatable whether the new obstacle detection technology alone justifies its ‘Pro’ designation, which isn’t typically the case for tech products where ‘Pro’ and ‘Plus’ labels are frequently given out like candy.

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2 Comparison Table

DJI Mini 3 ProDJI Mini 2
Weight249 g249 g
Max Flight Time34 mins
47 mins w. Plus Battery
31 mins
Max Speed57 KM/h57 KM/h
Camera Sensor1/1.3″1/2.3″
Photo Performance48 MP RAW12 MP RAW
Video Performance4K/60fps
1080p/120fps
4K/30fps
1080p/60fps

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2 Design

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2

The two drones appear to be similar at first glance, but only insofar as one small camera resembles the other. The Mini 2 has since contributed its airframe parts to the less-powerful Mini SE, but the Mini 3 Pro has a new fuselage to make room for some important additional parts, not the least of which are the collision sensors.

The Mini 3’s frame is slightly, but not noticeably, larger. Both can be folded down into a bag that is roughly the same size for travel, and they both weigh the same amount (though we’ll talk about weight more when we talk about batteries). Some people think the Mini 3’s enlarged “eyes” make it look less svelte than its less expensive brother, but they might really contribute character.

The slightly more angular Mini 2’s frame appears to have eyes as well, but they are actually vents that have been painted black to add a little drama to the front. The substitution of legs that slant up for the front landing legs is more significant. Although it may seem rather unstable, this actually seems to make taking off from (cut) grass simpler.

If you like that sort of thing, the Mini 2 is unique in that it has a color-adjustable LED and places its power-on/battery-check button and LEDs at the bottom, whereas the Mini 3 favours the top. Both can conveniently charge a battery via the on-board USB-C port, so all you need for portability is the drone, controller, and USB-C cable.

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2 Camera quality

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2

The Mini 3 Pro’s large 1/1.3-inch sensor, larger f1.7 aperture, 48MP images, and full vertical shooting are its key benefits. The Mini 2, in contrast, has a 1/2.3-inch sensor, a f2.8 aperture, and 12MP images, but it is unable to shoot in vertical format.

For more versatility when colour grading your movie, the Mini 3 Pro also offers a D-cinelike colour profile. Nonetheless, both drones have excellent colour reproduction, so many users will be content with the default colour profile.

The Mini 3 Pro can track subjects with ActiveTrack and unlock more QuickShots and MasterShots thanks to its obstacle avoidance sensors. When it comes to autonomous camera motions, the Mini 2 has far fewer options. Both drones provide amazing stabilised video and crisp, vivid images, but the Mini 3 Pro is unquestionably the best in terms of image quality.

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2 Image and video quality

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2

The DJI Mini 3 Pro has a number of significant improvements to image quality, but the new vertical shooting mode is its coolest addition. The drone won’t need to clip into the image to shoot vertical video thanks to a revolutionary gimbal design that rotates the camera by 90 degrees.

This is a clever new option that looks to be in line with all the content producers who frequently prefer to capture video in portrait orientation rather than the more traditional landscape mode.

A completely new sensor is also present in the DJI Mini 3 Pro. Although the resolution has been increased from 12MP to 48MP, the quad bayer array sensor used in this camera was undoubtedly built for 12MP capture. Yet there’s still more good things. The Mini 2’s sensor is now 1/1.3-inch in size as opposed to the Mini 2’s 1/2.3-inch sensor, which is the standard for action cameras.

The sensor is significantly bigger, which enhances dynamic range and low-light capabilities. Also, the improved lens on the Mini 3 Pro will be helpful because of its faster f/1.7 aperture than the DJI Mini 2’s f/2.8. Better news includes a larger sensor and a “faster” lens.

Benefits of the new shooting modes are simpler to measure. Unlike the DJI Mini 2, which can only capture 4K video at a maximum frame rate of 30 frames per second, the DJI Mini 3 Pro can shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second.

It also gains a real slow-mo option that can record Full HD footage at 120 frames per second. If you’re satisfied with a final frame rate of 30 frames per second, the DJI Mini 2’s best performance is 60 frames per second at 2.7K resolution.

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2 Battery life

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 2

The theoretical maximum flying time rarely represents the amount of time you’ll spend in the air because drones are most effective while moving forward. Although hover time is frequently a better indicator, it’s important to keep in mind that both the Mini 3 and Mini 2 are likely to signal the pilot to return to base when there is only 20% of the charge left.

As a result, you can reasonably subtract another 5 minutes from each if you want to calculate useful flight time. perhaps as a result of this and the desire to appeal to professionals, the Mini 3 Pro will be sold in some regions with a heavier but longer-lasting battery.

Since the rules are based on the take-off weight stated in the manual rather than the actual take-off weight, DJI has confirmed that this will not apply to EASA territories (including the UK). If a manual were to be distributed in those countries that even mentioned the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, the Mini 3 would be moved from the C0 category to C1, which is something they do not want for the “Mini” line.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Useful obstacle avoidance
  • Larger sensor of the two
  • OcuSync 3.0 connectivity

Cons

  • Considerably pricier

DJI Mini 2 Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Stabilized 4K camera
  • Raw and JPG photo modes
  • Automated Quickshots
  • Long flight time

Cons

  • No sign of DJI’s Active Track feature
  • Fairly serious price hike

Which one should you consider?

The DJI Mini 3 Pro met all of our expectations, and more. The drone is now much more usable as a camera for content producers and video projects who don’t have the cash for one of DJI’s high-end drones thanks to capabilities like 120fps slow-mo, HDR, and a robust object-detection algorithm.

By enabling you to launch the Mini 3 Pro without needing to pair your phone with the remote, the new DJI RC remote also strengthens the Mini 3 Pro’s reputation as an at least partially “Pro” drone.

Its cost is the only significant impediment. The DJI Mini 3 Pro is substantially less user-friendly than the DJI Mini 2, which has long been one of our top suggestions for a beginner drone. $759 / £709 / AU To fly a drone for $1,119? For many folks, that can be a bit much.

FAQs

Is the DJI Mini 3 better than DJI Mini 2?

Using the same common Intelligent Flight Battery, the DJI Mini 3 offers a longer battery life than both the Mini 2 and the Mini 3 Pro. The DJI Mini 3 can fly for up to 38 minutes on a single charge, compared to the DJI Mini 2’s maximum flying time of 31 minutes.

Is the Mini 3 Pro better than Mini 3?

Although both drones have a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, the Mini 3 Pro has a 48MP camera compared to the Mini 3’s 12MP. The ISO range varies as well; the Mini 3 Pro’s range is 100-6400 (Auto/Manual; Video/Photo), whereas the Mini 3’s is only 100-3200.

Dian Erwin
Dian Erwin
Dian Erwin is a review writer for Bollyinside, covering topics related to computing, such as laptops, tablets, phones, and other hardware. Dian spends much too much of his free time on Twitter, reading speculative fiction novels, playing video games, and reading comic books. He also enjoys reading video game manuals.

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