I still went with the Mini 3. Cameras mostly the same: The 150 Mbps bitrate is inconsequential to me; most wouldn't notice the difference between 100 & 150. I'm perfectly content recording 4K videos at 30fps, or 24fps - particularly in low light; 60 fps can look unnatural at times. I don't use obstacle avoidance as I always fly my drone high up. I'd take the extra battery time and save the $200. I asked myself, "Do I need or would I use those extra features?" My answer was no. IMO, the logic of paying extra just because it's that little bit more is what companies use to reel us in to buy stuff we may not need. Everyone has different needs, so go with what's best for you.
I bought the Mini 3 non pro as my first drone to learn on. I have 40 acres behind me to learn on and so far only one crash. Next year I want to do some cinematic shots so I’ll prolly go to the Mavic pro. Loving the mini thus far.
Let's not forget the Pro is still missing side sensors, and many of the tracking/high fps features are only available in 1080p mode, not 2k+. Worth knowing.
True. Which is kinda insane though, since it supports POI and Spotlight, it should easily be able to handle other movements too. It's at the end of it just a string of coordinates being fed to the system.
Even though the Mini 3 only goes to 3200 ISO, I think it is important to note that both drones have Dual ISO, both at 100 and 800. I have the Mini 3 Pro, but for those that don't want it or cannot afford it, I think the fact that the Mini 3 also have native ISO at 800 is a BIG win for it. Also worth noting for both drones: The Plus battery is not available/approved in Europe. Lastly, regarding the the 100 vs 150 Mbit video: The 150 Mbit does not give you more dynamic range in lighting, only colors (8 vs 10-bit colors). It's a hybrid "RAW" format, at best. Just so people don't expect to be able to pull back those shadows significantly or get back the overblown highlights..
Had to come back here and say that the image size statement, 48 MP vs. 12 MP seems to be incorrect also, according to the spec comparison on DJI's own website on the Mini 3 Pro, as well as the statement that the Mini 3 does not have _any_ obstacle detection - it does have downward detection sensors.
Heh. I grew up using film cameras where hi-res black and white was ISO 100 or maybe 200 and if you pushed to ISO 400 (Tri-X) things got a little grainy. Also, EU operators must register if the drone has a camera OR weighs over 250 g OR can fly faster than 90 km/h. So I don't think the Plus battery makes a legal difference; the camera already requires registration.
@@howardlandman6121 You're right about the operator registration criteria. Although, sub 250 gram drones does not call for a license (A1) as I understand EASA's requirements table. Note that camera/sensors are mentioned under the operator registration column specifically, while the training requirements is a column of its own. So it's only (to my understanding) a requirement to register as an operator with a sub 250 drone, although, between 250-900 grams require both registration and online training. The table is however badly drawn up, as it leaves room for interpretation as there is no text to further specify exactly. Either way, I took both the A1/A3 and A2 right away, and registered. So it's a bit "out of sight out of mind" when it comes to that. I only bother checking that I am flying correctly in accordance to the regulations of the sub-categories..
basicly u cant have the battery in europe the 47 minute im in europe and it makes no sense right now i am with a dji mini 2 im thinking to upgrade to mini 3 pro @@stephenhennel
The Mini 3 got cheaper here in Europe. The best price i found for the Pro was 779 Euros with the N1 Controller, while the normal Mini 3 costs 469 Euro also with the N1 Controller. Thats a huge difference so i bought the normal Mini 3 and its great.
Great comparison. You saved me from making a big mistake . I almost bought the mini 3 because most reviews do not tell you about all the missing features.
I have both mini 3 and mini 3 pro. I also have the mini 2 and both mavic air 2 and air 2s and they all are great drones. Actually the mini 3 is going for 469.00 right now with the N1 controller. I paid close to 800.00 for my mini 3 pro. The mini 3 pro has ocusync 3 and the mini 3 has ocusync 2 but the mini 3 has 2 antennas so when I did a range test I actually got further out with the mini 3 than I did with the mini 3 pro and using the same battery for both i got about 6 minutes of flight time longer with the mini 3 than i did the pro version. I have noticed that same thing between the mavic air 2 and air 2s I guess having those extra sensors or just having sensors at all for the obstacle avoidance really uses the battery power more. But i rarely ever use the extra features like master shots and things that come with the mini 3 pro. I get great footage with both drones. But if you are looking to buy the mini 3 for 469.00 you won’t be disappointed. It is absolutely a great drone that is a step up from the mini 2 which is also a great drone. No matter which one you choose DJI doesn’t disappoint. My new drone will be the mavic 3 classic and the mini 2 SE i have never been disappointed with a DJI drone or product.
You keep saying that, "the mini 3 has two antennas" yes that's true but the mini 3 pro has 4 Antennas. Shouldn't 4 be better than 2? It should definitely but by the sounds of it it's not
@@Lithium023, it's not all about maximum range. OcuSync 3's biggest benefit is the increased bandwidth. This means that the Mini 3 Pro can send back video images to the controller at 120 fps instead of 30 fps, and latency is reduced from 120 ms to 40 ms (or as litle as 28 ms in Low-Latency Mode). The increased antenna count is also supposed to help with object interference (like trees and brush) but real world tests show only modest improvement here. Higher radio transmission output (31.25 dBm vs 25.5 dBm) theoretically should allow the drone longer ranger - but mostly in the USA due to the rest of the world's more stringent range limits. Of course, local country flight rules usually require that you can visually spot your drone - which drastically reduces the distances you can legally fly your drone anyway.
@@Lithium023 I did a range test around my area with all 5 DJI drones that I have. Mini 2 mini 3 mini 3 pro mavic air 2 and Air 2s I flew the exact same location and altitude for each drone using the N1 controller on all of them. I have a smaller mountain that I have to go around but once I get to the other side of that mountain is when my signal gets blocked. But I made it a little over 9,000 feet with the mini 2 and mavic air 2 I made it almost 8,000 feet with the Air 2s and I made it about 7,000 feet with the mini 3 pro but I made it 10,363 feet with the mini 3 to my surprise the mini 3 set the record. I had read that they added an extra antenna in the back of the mini 3. But as you said they have 4 antennas on the mini 3 pro. But I am not sure where they are located. I would assume 2 in the front and 2 in the back. I am not sure why i am getting that much better distance with the mini 3 than the mini 3 pro. I also tested both of them in a different direction and the mini 3 still made it further. I do have a lot of signal interference in the area. I have mountains surrounding my town and cellular towers on those mountains plus a news station antenna and radio stations. Not too mention the wifi in every house and business around. I have got 20,000 feet from the top of a mountain with the mavic Air 2 where there was no interference. But in my area the mini 3 gets the best distance for some reason. I plan on testing them again in a new area soon with no interference or obstructions blocking the signal. Videos are on my channel.
Not actual information due to firmware that gives now ability to make 48Mpix photos on DJI mini 3. I think that both products share the same processor "Ambrella h22" that from specs give ability to process video in 4k@60fps. I would be not surprised if DJI suddenly again share update for the non pro version that unlocks 4k@60fps.
Love my mini 3 pro. So glad DJI released the new 500 firmware to allow a maximum speed sliders on gain and expo tuning. Just another reason i choose DJI.
Well the mini 3 pro is like double the price so the real question is do you need the other features enough to spend that money difference, or can you even afford it.
Same 48 mp photos in both. Of course YOU CAN take vertical panoramas in both - only beginners use " automatic panorama mode". One should NEVER use higher than ISO 1600, etc etc... Check your facts before RU-vid - videos.
The Pro can record with a bit-rate of 'up to' 150Mbps because... it has higher frame-rates available. The Mini 3 can record with a bit-rate of 'up to' 100Mbps because... those higher frame-rates aren't available. The higher throughput isn't required. Also, 48MP Photomode has been made available in the latest Mini 3 update.
@@spikeweb5193 Yes. It is a variable bit-rate compressed data format, the required maximum of which will be dependant on the data being processed. Which, obviously, varies itself.
@@mateuszsienko6824 You can choose either JPEG or RAW (DNG) file format. Having the same sensor as the 'Pro', and also achieving 48MP via the same Beyer technique, while both clearly aren't providing a 'true' 48MP image the results can often, though not always, be clearly superior to the 'native' 12MP. DJI gave us a very useful unexpected little extra, imo.
@@Tomlinsky Thanks for the answers. The question is. Are the picture quality the same on mini 3 po and mini 3 after update ? I have compared dng file from mini 2 and mini 3 pro and they are much different. Do you have maybe dng file for test from the both of mini 3 ?
I was set on the mini3 after the firmware update to 48 mp but after a good think I switched and decided to go for the pro.Both are great mini 3 is best drone in its price range by far but so is the mini3 pro for me ithijk it's all I'll ever need. Got my mini2 se as my beater drone too and apert from low light situations it always punches above its weight and never let's me down.Grest review cheers .
Your recommendation makes sense but I went the other way. My Mini 3 just landed on my doorstep yesterday. It is my first drone and I didn't think I'll make of the superior tracking and automated shot features enough to justify the +~USD250 I was seeing in the market at the moment. Also, for my needs the superior video quality and additional capabilities weren't really a factor; the Mini 3 is more than good enough. If the Mini 3 Pro had omnidirectional sensing, that would make it much more attractive to me, as it would make it considerably more capable with regard to automated features. The rumor is the Mini 4 Pro will have omnidirectional sensing. If it does and it's not *too* much more expensive, I'll definitely be interested. I'm seeing suggestions that it will hit the market toward the end of the year or perhaps 2024Q1, which would make it readily available by next summer. That would be a reasonable time for me to have learned how to fly and perhaps more importantly, to have developed some understanding of videography, and to thus be ready to upgrade to something more capable.
As it turns out, the Mini 3 Pro is little more than a downsized Air 2. The Air 2 also advertised 48 mp stills which is misleading because it uses a pixel-binning scheme by way of a Quad-Bayer filter. With the f1.7, you don’t need as much light as with the Air 2 f2.8. My impression is the standard auto photos actually look better than the 48 mp photos.
For me the biggest difference is Mini 3 Pro remote range and transmit power using O3+ and reduced response/lag time which at least in theory should make it more immune to interference and make it more responsive; improved reflex, while maneuvering during flight. It should be illegal to call these 2 drones the same class. It is deceptive to call them both Mini 3. If the differences were just in the camera quality I would understand calling one Pro.
The only difference between the two which matters to me is the obstacle avoidance. However, it's side sensors which are needed most, because that's where a crash is most likely to happen. Since the Pro doesn't have side sensors, the difference isn't as great as it could have been. I don't do slow motion shots or vertical panoramas, so those aren't in my criteria. I'm also not concerned about the missing intelligent flight modes. It's only a matter of time before apps like Litchi, Dronelink, and Red Waypoint offer full support for all of those features for the Mini 3. I don't know about Litchi, but Dronelink already has a beta version ready for Android. I already have licenses for Dronelink and Red Waypoint, and I prefer them to the DJI functions for mission planning. By a wide margin. So ultimately, I'd lean toward saving the extra $200 and going with the Mini 3.
@@anthonyivory5711 Thanks for the meaningless reply. It served the purpose of increasing the number of comments under the video, thus helping the person who created the video. Thus, you weren't a complete waste of everyone's time.
@@DoktorSuiziD There is always a lag between when DJI releases a drone, and when they release an sdk which allows developers of apps like Litch and Dronelink to support the new drones. What Litchi says on their website, as of March 29, 2023, is that DJI has not released an sdk for the SE, the Mavic 3, and the Mini 3 "yet". It's possible that this one will be a little more complex for DJI to issue, because they need to nail some things down to keep developers/users from circumventing the coming Remote ID requirements in the US (Although the minis don't have to be registered for recreational pilots, they do have to be registered for Part 107 pilots, and thus require Remote ID in those cases). It's similar to how their firmware for their most recent drones has been designed to prevent developers like drone-hacks from defeating DJI geofencing. The sdks are becoming more and more tightly controlled as to what aftermarket developers can do. That said, I'd regard it as highly likely that the sdk release is coming at some point.
In 2017 I had the Mavic Pro, and I never used those modes. But I often used the D-cinema for smoother movement. After a few months I never needed obstacle avoidance.
Great info and advice Amy. I’ve got the mini 2 but very keen to upgrade to the mini3 pro now. Love the idea of the built in screen in the remote, the long life battery & ability to shoot in vertical and horizontal modes. Thanks again. 😃👍
Yesterday I bought at Costco in the US the Mini 3 for 429.99 I took it out today and enjoyed the flight control. Was fun chasing my chooks around the yard and recording their reactions. I have purchased and built drones in the past including Autel, and race drones that are ultimately customizable but I did zero research before this impulse buy at Costco. Mine will be going back for return. I was unaware that I couldn't adjust outside of 4K30 and often prefer 1440 or even 1080 as long as I can get 120 frames for slow motion. Too limiting for me. And now after over-thinking for the past 30 hours, the bit rate limitation of the mini3 is enough to disappoint where I almost chalked it up to keeping it to be a beater / fun flyer alone. I do love the format / size, the battery life and weight but why keep it unless I can film as I wish? In fact, I'll return it and remain impressed for the cost but wont go up to the mini3 pro either. I think I'd much prefer the Avanta (again, not adequately researched) but for me would require I buy a more traditional RC "controller" style that I'm more accustomed to. Thank you for the video and for sharing information that helped me make a best decision. The Mini3 is fun and a great entry level value but I prefer more control over camera and film settings even so far as to consider the DJI FPV packages to add extra fun. DJI makes rapid tech progress and I'm still excited to one day buy into the brand.
I went with the Mini 3 because I only shoot photo. They make a mistake in the Pro by putting the internal antenna, so on the non Pro later, they move the antenna to the verticle stick at the front.
Just bought the HS750G, basically as it was less than half price of the DJI's... and if I crash it or just not use it as much as I thought I would, its not too much of a loss. If I do use it more, then like I will get the Mini3Pro... but lets see first ;) Cheers from The Berra ;)
If you buy the mini 3, be prepare to have over sharpen image which you need to post process, cause of lack the sharpness control. This one big thing forced me to buy mini 3 pro...
5:22, straight to the point, loved this. Wait a second... your 3 Pro has the feet? And even a small under belly platform. Are those accessories? One of the main drawback I have for the 3 Pro is the absences of the footsies!
A BIG issue with the mini 3 pro is when it comes to editing the raw DNG photos. When the files are imported into the software, a massive vignette is applied and Lensfun currently do not have a lens correction for the mini 3 pro. The vignette is so strong that it's too difficult to try and rectify it for every shot. Not a great drone for photography if you want to edit the photos. JPGs are unaffected. Why is no one talking about this with this Drone?!?!?!
Honestly think the mini 3pro is well worth the extra cost and with the new RC is awesome value for money,love mine fantastic drone for sure,camera quality is simply stunning
Yup! I got the 3 Pro as well because for me going with the 3 it wasn't worth saving a couple hundred bucks when I'l already spending near $1000 anyway once you get the FMC and accessories.
I SERIOUSLY regret buying the Mini 3 Pro with the RC. It is some extremely cheap and weak Android device inside that cannot handle side-loading of apps. In addition, the MSDK was recently released, enabling us to create waypoints etc. (for normal flight, not just for hyperlapses) but it seems it will never be possible with the RC because of this. With the RC-N1 controller or the RC Pro however, you can do it through other apps like Dronelink (and likely Litchi very soon). I am so mad that I paid extra money, for less opportunities. For a sub-par product. And since my phone currently has a bad USB-C connector, I cannot rely on it for the RC-N1. Even so, it would mean I would have to shell out EVEN MORE money to get this opportunity. And getting the RC Pro is not on the table, as it costs about 1.5 times than the drone itself. The funny thing is that DJI have their own native Waypoints software. They just refuse to release it to the Mini 3 Pro. Not because it cannot be done, for sure, but because they want people to buy their more expensive drones. To call the Mini 3 "Pro" should be a class action law suit. Many professionals do telemetry, and it cannot be done with this "Pro" drone without the right controller, or without third party applications.
@@carlosr.2027 No. I bought it with the RC remote with LCD display, which was a BIG mistake, since it does not allow installing apps, and therefore it will be IMPOSSIBLE to use Waypoints from a 3rd party now that they released the MSDK for the drone. They refuse to release the Waypoint feature themselves for the drone (DJI) so using Litchi etc. Instead of DJI Fly will be the only option.
You talk about bit rate but remember the 150mbs on the pro is for 60 FPS @4k. On the mini 3 it's 100mbs at 30fps. That's actually a higher bit rate per frame on the mini.
Great video and great info. I love my mini 2 but really love the idea of the built in screen on the remote, also love the thought of a 45 to 50 minute battery life the mini 3’s offer. I think you’ve convinced me to go for the pro when the time comes. Thanks again 😃👍
Great info! I will go for the Pro to replace my Mavic 2 Zoom. Does it have HDMI or USB video out on the controller, so it can be used with Goggles RE by any chance?
After using the mini 3 (not pro) for some months, I more or less only have 2 request, The drone should be able to follow me, AND be able to return to the exact same position (gps, hight and camera angle) x months later. I dont think the mini 3 (not pro) will ever get (firmware update) support for Follow Me, and I dont think the mini 3 Pro can remember and return to a exact position ? So, what is the next obvious drone in the line then ? Thanks
For me, as an air 2s owner sometimes I just wanted something a little smaller under certain circumstances but I wasn’t prepared to shell out £650 for the mini 3 pro no matter how good and while the mini 3 seemed appealing what tipped it for me was DJI had an offer over the last few days with an extra £90 off… for me that’s great value for money and with the money saved I can get 2 years DJI refresh too so OA is not such a big issue, sure it’s not got all the bells and whistles but I got my air 2s for that 👍🏻
Exactly my point of view, i have air2s as primary drone and love it but I don’t mind get mini 3 even refurbished for 200 usd max for flying in place where air2s is too visible
@@johns2260 it’s great to swap them about, flying one then the other…and like you said the air 2s isn’t welcome everywhere.. the thing I love about it is that’s it’s so small it’s so easy to take it with you and it’s so good in the air… I am well impressed.. happy flying 👍🏻
@@hvee4 mini 3 is only good in cities but people generally do like drones flying above them so law might be on your side but some people will argue with you . Solution is : go in safe place nearby, fly from there to place you want to record and come back, you got what you looking for and you don’t need wasting your time for explaining random people who don’t mind their own business.
Hey Amy how do you think the mini 3 pro stacks up next to phantom 4 pro plus ? Footage ? Was considering mini 3 pro as I like the size as an upgrade. Like the small size so less people to annoy when flying. Or do we go for Mavic 3 pro
I wish I had seen this video when I bought my Mini 3 Combo Kit. I had actually picked the pro at Best Buy and was heading out to get it when I got a text that they were out of stock on the Pro, but had the standard. Since I wanted for our nature trip, I took the standard. I have flown with it, love what it adds to our photography libraries, but quickly missed the stripped features and now I am hungry for more. Maybe I will sell my Mini 3 Standard (it's very clean and well cared for, with about 200 minutes of flight time) and get a Mini 3 Pro stand-alone. It should be able to use my standard's gear, like the RC with a screen, 3 batteries. Problem is, I fell in love with the Mini 3 Standard so I might just keep it AND get the pro. lol. I just cannot see me flying the standard Mini 3. Maybe I can use it for my wife's flight training and if she kills it, I still have my pro. Then there is the Air 3 though. Only problem is existing support gear not being compatible with the Air 3. I know it is (the controller anyway) with the Air 2S, but the Air 3 uses the RC2. =\ Thanks for a great video and great information! And the time you spent contributing this. It has helped me to be more aware of this WONDERFUL new world I have ventured into!! {subscribed.liked.saved}=True
The mini 3 pro isn't true 48mp its upscaled, and not 100% sharp. its better to upscale outside the drone. I'll grant you that most people aren't bothered about this but if its for big prints it will make a difference.
