DJI recently included another drone in their Mini lineup, called the DJI Mini 3 Pro. this brand new drone comes with a new redesign, and for the first time, DJI added a pro version in the Mini series. It’s lightweight, compact, yet powerful enough to provide performance just like so many larger drones. Also, the Mini 3 Pro boasts a massively improved camera system compared to its predecessors. Even now, it has the capability to shoot vertical videos that so many drones lack till now. As a new drone, today we are going to compare it with the DJI Mini 2 to see if the Mini 3 Pro is really worth upgrading to or not. So without further ado, let’s jump in.
Design
As we mentioned before, the Mini 3 Pro has an entirely new design and look compared to the Mini 2. However, this folding drone looks much larger than its previous generation. So, you might be thinking that, as it looks a bit larger than the Mini 2, it might weigh more. But that’s not the case, as DJI somehow managed to keep its weight down to 249 grams, just like the Mini 2, which means you don’t need FAA registration to fly this drone. Moreover, both drones are compact enough to fit right into most backpacks. Regarding arm design, the latest Mini 3 Pro has lower front arms than the back arms, which is completely opposite of the Mini 2 Arms design. With the new design, the Mini 3 Pro now has a notch on the front side. Both drones come with a 3-Axis Gimbal, but the Mini 3 Pro’s one is better and redesigned.
Camera
Let’s talk about the camera system; the Mini 3 Pro has a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, whereas the Mini 2 has a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, meaning the Mini 3 Pro will deliver better performance with its larger sensor. Besides, a larger sensor means you can get more light even in low light conditions, so your photos and videos will be brighter and clearer.
In addition, the Mini 3 Pro features a 48 Megapixel camera, whereas the Mini 2 has only a 12 Megapixel camera. So we can say it is a serious upgrade in the Mini lineup. This latest drone can shoot 4K videos at 60fps and can also shoot vertical videos. On the other hand, the Mini 2 has the capability to shoot 4K videos at 30fps, and there is no vertical shooting mode. The Mini 3 Pro has an aperture of f/1.7, and the Mini 2 has f/2.8, which means the Mini 3 Pro can capture more light. With the Mini 3 Pro, DJI increased the ISO level up to 6400 in every shooting mode, which is two times better than the Mini 2.
Performance
Now it’s time to talk about performance; DJI added Tri-Directional obstacle avoidance in the Mini 3 Pro to keep your drone safe by avoiding buildings and trees automatically, whereas the Mini 2 is missing it. This latest drone also comes with ActiveTrack 4.0, APAS 4.0, MasterShots, Zoom Mode, and Hyperlapse to give you more creative shots. Conversely, the Mini 2 only has MasterShots, Zoom Mode, and Panorama features. In addition, the Mini 3 Pro includes an upgraded transmission system compared to the Mini 2. The Mini 3 Pro uses DJI O3 to give you up to 12 kilometers of transmission range, and the Mini 2 uses DJI O2 to give you up to 10 kilometers of transmission range. Moreover, both drones support the Global Navigation Satellite System, so no worries if your drones get lost.
Battery
Coming to the battery life, one of the biggest changes on the Mini 3 Pro is the battery life. The Mini 3 Pro can allow you to fly this drone for up to 34 minutes, whereas the Mini 2 will give you up to 31 minutes. Moreover, DJI has come up with a whole new battery module, which they call intelligent flight battery plus. It can give you up to 47 minutes of flight time and also increases the drone’s weight.
Final Verdict
All being said, DJI’s latest drone, the Mini 3 Pro, is undoubtedly a huge upgrade over the Mini 2. It has a new design, an improved camera system, a larger sensor, and longer battery life. Combining everything, it makes a great deal, and any drone lover would definitely want to switch to it. Now, it depends on your requirements whether you should upgrade or not.
