DJI has unveiled its latest sub-250g flyer, the Mini 3 Pro. The new miniature boasts serious upgrades compared to its non-Pro predecessors, including a dramatically improved camera system, a bigger battery with longer flight time, and, for the first time in a Mini-series drone, tri-directional obstacle avoidance.
What are the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s important features?
The Mini 3 Pro arrives with a long list of notable specs and features. Of those, none is more prodigious than the upgraded camera system. The Mini 3 Pro’s 1/1.3" CMOS sensor is a massive upgrade over the Mini 2 and Mini SE, offering the highest video resolution ever seen in a Mini drone—up to 4K60. On top of that, the powerful new sensor supports the direct output of HDR video (at 4K30) and 48MP RAW stills—feats no other Mini can produce.
The Mini 3 Pro’s upgraded camera system also includes a reimagined gimbal that offers a wider rotation range for low-angle shots. The new gimbal system also allows you to switch quickly between portrait and landscape shooting modes, making it great for social media and content creators.
Arguably as important as the Mini 3 Pro’s upgraded camera system is its array of obstacle-avoidance sensors. Featuring forward, backward, and downward dual-vision sensors, the Mini 3 Pro is the first Mini to support active obstacle sensing, making it the “safest Mini to date.” The Mini 3 Pro’s long list of bona fides continues with exciting features never-before-seen in a Mini drone, including subject-tracking (at last!) and DJI’s flagship-level O3 video transmission system. You can read about those features and more on the Mini 3 Pro product page on the B&H website.
What are the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s biggest upgrades?
Despite the fact the DJI Mini 2 and Mini SE are two of the very best miniature flyers on the market, the DJI Mini 3 Pro eclipses them in almost every conceivable metric.
| DJI Mini 3 Pro | DJI Mini 2 | DJI Mini SE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Sensor | 1/1.3" CMOS | 1/2.3" CMOS | 1/2.3" CMOS |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K60 | 4K30 | 2.7K30 |
| HDR Output | Yes (4K30) | No | No |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Yes | No | No |
| Active Tracking | Yes | No | No |
| OcuSync Version | 03 | Ocusync 2.0 | N/A |
| Max Flight Time |
34 minutes with Intelligent Flight Battery 47 minutes with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus |
31 minutes | 30 minutes |
How much will DJI Mini 3 Pro cost?
As you’ve probably guessed, the Mini 3 Pro’s massive upgrades and premium features come with a significant price increase over its predecessors. Depending on which kit and/or accessories you opt for, you could be paying as much as twice the cost of the Mini 2. That might be too steep a cost for casual flyers, but for professionals and content creators, the bang is likely well worth the buck.
Looking forward to trying out the Mini 3 Pro? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
38 Comments
Why the signal of new RC drops in city after 500m and outside after 1500-2000m?
Why DJI is telling lies about distance?
Tested multiple times, not only me but other 7 users....same results.
Hi Geo -
DJI publishes specifications under ideal flight conditions. Actual user experiences may vary greatly.
Firmware updates have fixed this issue.
What kind of wind resistance does it have. My mavic mini 2 is about 5mph. Looking to upgrade.
Hi, Lita--
According to DJI, the Mini 3 Pro has the same level of wind resistance as the Mini 2, so it will likely get pushed around the same.
Hi, the remote control, has HDMI output?
The DJI RC-N1 Remote Controller would support Lightning, Micro-USB(Type-B) and USB-C connections only.
Hi, Luis--
The DJI RC does have mini-HDMI output
Will the batteries from the Mini 2 fit this one?
The DJI Intelligent Flight Battery for the Mini 2 is not compatible with the Mini 3 Pro.
Hi, Edward--
According to DJI, the batteries from the Mini 2 will not work with Mini 3 Pro
The most important spec (after weight class) that NEVER gets mentioned in press releases is whether or not it’s 10-bit and following that the bitrate/codec.
If this thing is 10-bit, h.265, 300mbps, it will be a tremendous deal. Well worth the entry price. If not, I’m still not interested and I’m forced to buy a ‘larger’ Mavic just to have maleable and enough data to really have gradeable files.
From the spec sheet:
MP4/MOV (H.264/H.265)
Max Video Bitrate: 150 Mbps
And bit-depth?
I think H265 is almost always indicative of 10 bit, but I would like a confirmation as well.
PC Magazine is reporting 8bit video files.
I watched on a YouTube review and they said 8-bit. Obviously I can't vouch for that, it's just what the reviewer said.
48mp Stills? This must be a stitched image. What is the native resolution of the camera? My M2Pro is 20mp. My M2Z is 12mp.
The sensor is 48mp.
It is a Sony Quad Bayer sensor. It isn't a true 48 MP sensor.
According to DJI, the effective pixels on the Mini 3 Pro is 48 MP (8064 x 6048).
Will this record in LOG?
The available color profiles on the Mini 3 Pro are Normal and D-Cinelike.
Will this be registered as a Category 1? No mention of it, was hoping that it would meet remote id requirements and have some kind of motor stopping system so that it satisfies cat 1.
Hi, Brent--
Yes, because the Mini 3 Pro weighs less than 250g (0.55lb), it is considered a category 1 drone. However, it should be noted, that if you use the Intelligent Battery Plus (as opposed to the standard Intelligent Battery), the total weight will be more than 250g, making it a cat 2 drone.
Is the only difference between the Fly More Kit and the Fly More Kit Plus the larger capacity batteries? Neither comes with the ND filters?
Hi, Ryan! You are correct - neither kit includes ND filters. The main difference between the two kits are the batteries. The Fly More Plus Kit includes two 47-minute batteries, while the Fly More kit includes two 34-minute batteries.
No fly more combo?
Hi, Fritz! There are two Fly More combos available: a standard version and a "plus" version. The plus version includes two 47-minute batteries, while the standard version comes with two 34-minute batteries.
I don't see a package that includes both the drone and a fly more combo. Do you have to buy the fly more combo separately?
Unfortunately, the Fly More Kits for the Mini 3 Pro would be a separate purchase.
https://bhpho.to/3FCJ7F8
https://bhpho.to/3FGkbwl
Will the Mini 3 Pro support D-Log?
The supported color profiles would be Normal and D-Cinelike.
fully agree with John, fully info on all hardware included would be very much of interest, as the price diff between the 3 models mentioned is pretty steep.
I would love to see what hardware comes with it and a comparison of each remoter controller.
On Dji website it shows baseline no remote, next up remote you use phone as your screen and top option remote has a HD screen so no need to use phone.
Hi Ryan:
In one of those leaker sites [and this is from yesterday, May 9] I read that even though the top option HD remote is Android based, currently there are no mechanisms to download other drone related apps.
Wonder if you know anything about that...
I watched a YouTube video by Billy Kyle (a DJI brand ambassador), and he mentioned that this drone was compatible with several DJI remotes. At the lower end, the DJI RC-N1 uses your phone, then there is the new remote that does run Android but isn't able to load third party apps. The DJI RC-Pro is a bigger, beefier version of the new one (sorry, I can't find a model number for that one) and it also runs Android but is able to have third party apps. It will be compatible with the Mini 3 Pro. Hope that helps.