Sensor: 48 MP 1/1.3 inch CMOS
Video: 4K/60p, 2.7K/60p, 1080/120p
Transmission: OcuSync 2.0
Flight time: 38 mins
The Mini 3 is a mix of the more expensive DJI Mini 3 Pro and the older DJI Mini 2, and like those drones, its sub-250g weight makes it exempt from drone regulations in many regions. The DJI Mini 3 is a big step up from the Mini 2, however, thanks to its larger sensor, vertical video powers, longer flight time of 38 minutes, and compatibility with DJI’s new RC controller.
For
- Better in low light environments
- Longer flight time
- fashion portrait
Versus
- OcuSync 2.0 connectivity
- Feels snubbed by DJI Mini 3 Pro
- No obstacle avoidance sensors
Sensor: 12.1MP 1/2.3 inch
Video: 4K/30p, 1080/60p
Transmission: OcuSync 2.0
Flight time: 31 minutes
The older DJI Mini 2 remains our pick for drone beginners, due to its more affordable price and useful automated flight modes. Despite its smaller sensor, it shoots high-quality 4K video in good light and has a comparable flight time of 31 minutes. The lack of obstacle avoidance sensors, however, makes it more vulnerable to collisions.
For
- Cheaper of the two
- Similar automated modes
- Same compact size
Versus
- Smaller sensor of the two
- No “follow me” mode
- OcuSync 2.0 connectivity
The DJI Mini 3 is a drone designed to be accessible, while still being able to capture professional looking results.
Advancements over the DJI Mini 2 include a new camera sensor and lens, and longer flight time per charge. This also comes with a noticeable increase in price, which means some beginners may want to seek out a DJI Mini 2 deal while it’s still available.
Both drones are also going to feel quite similar to use, because unlike a high-end drone with an advanced sensor system, the DJI Mini 3 only has downward-facing sensors. This rules out more advanced automated routing modes because without the correct sensors the drone cannot tell if it is about to rush into a tree.
For those, you’ll need the DJI Mini 3 Pro. However, as a cheaper alternative, the DJI Mini 3 seems like a well-balanced update to the Mini 2 of 2020.
DJI Mini 3 vs. DJI Mini 2: Price
The DJI Mini 3 costs a lot more than the DJI Mini 2, but DJI has found a way to partially hide that fact for those looking to upgrade from the older model.
It sells the drone without a remote or charger for $469 / £439 / AU$699. This is quite similar to the initial $449 / £419 / AU$749 cost of the DJI Mini 2. However, that drops to $699 / £669 / AU$1,019 when you add a remote control.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | DJI Mini 3 | DJI Mini 2 |
| With standard controller | $699 / £669 / AU$1,019 | $450 / £420 / AU$750 |
| With Fly More Combo | $559 / £678 / AU$829 | $599 / £549 / AU$949 |
The Fly More Combo, which includes a bag, charging hub and two extra batteries, costs $559 / £678 / AU$829, up from the older model’s $599 / £549 / AU$949.
You may also be able to find cheaper Mini 2 packages online, now that the successor is out.
DJI Mini 3 vs. DJI Mini 2: design and controller
- Both weigh less than 250g
- Mini 3 is slightly larger than Mini 2
- The Mini 3 doesn’t get the most out of DJI RC
DJI didn’t just take the Mini 2 shell and update some of the components. If there’s a family resemblance, the Mini 3 is clearly a new design that’s been reworked in several key areas.
This was probably necessary anyway, in order to keep the weight below 250g while changing some core components.
Looking at both cases, you might notice that the DJI Mini 2 now has what look like light sensors on the front legs. And the housing on the left and right of the camera gimbal is more built.
The DJI Mini 3 ends up being a bit larger in all dimensions when folded, but that’s unlikely to matter much unless you own a DJI Mini 2 and a very fitted case. A DJI Mini 3 measures 148x90x62mm folded, down to 138x81x58mm in the latest generation.
Supported remotes differ further. Both the DJI Mini 2 and 3 can use the standard RC-N1 remote controller, which doesn’t have a built-in display or a clip to hold your phone. Naturally, packages are available for both drones that include this remote.
Only the DJI Mini 3 supports DJI RC with a 5.5-inch HD display and up to 700 nits brightness. Depending on the phone model you have, it may be brighter. Nevertheless, this means that you don’t have to squeeze your mobile every time you use your drone.
The Mini 3 cannot fully utilize the capabilities of the DJI RC, as its transmission standard can only handle 720p, 30fps preview where the remote itself supports up to 1080p, 60fps.
DJI Mini 3 vs. DJI Mini 2: Specs and Features
- DJI Mini 3 has longer flight time – considerably more with the battery Plus
- The Mini 2 is as fast as the Mini 3
- Both use the same O2 wireless transmission
Battery life is one of the main advantages of the DJI Mini 3 over the older Mini 2. It can fly for up to 38 minutes, compared to 31 minutes in the older drone, using the standard battery . This figure increases to 51 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus cell.
This Battery Plus is only available in a limited number of regions, however, thanks to the rating system used by countries, it will push the drone above 250g, which is a pretty big no-no.
DJI has increased flight time by 22%, but battery capacity is only 9% higher – 2453 mAh to 2250 mAh – suggesting that it has also managed to make significant efficiency improvements somewhere else.
This does not, however, translate into higher speeds. Both drones are designed for a horizontal speed of 16 m/s, an ascent of 5 m/s and a descent of 3.5 m/s.
They also share the same O2 wireless transmission system, which can communicate with the controller at distances of up to 10 km. It depends on where you’re using the drone, but it’s 10km in the US.
There is also no improvement in the intelligence of the sensory system. The DJI Mini 2 and Mini 3 only have downward-facing sensors, not the front and rear sensors used in the Mini 3 Pro. This limits the type of possible automations. The two base mini models lack the Pro’s MasterShots modes, which are professional-looking automated programs.
DJI Mini 3 vs. DJI Mini 2: Image and Video Quality
- Larger sensor and wider lens aperture provide better native light sensitivity
- True vertical shooting and HDR video in the Mini 3
- Mini 3 has a more versatile gimbal system
DJI has made some big changes to both the Mini 3’s camera and gimbal system.
The DJI Mini 2 has a 12MP camera sensor, the Mini 3 is much larger and 48MP. It’s a 1/1.3-inch sensor, in the 1/2.3-inch style of the Mini 2, and the lens aperture widens from f/2.8 to f/1.7 .
Higher native light sensitivity on the sensor and lens means the Mini 3 will hold up better than the Mini 2 at dusk and at night. Video is likely to retain color better, have higher detail integrity, and generally look a little less mushy.
We can say this with some degree of confidence as the DJI Mini 3 Pro has the same specs. DJI didn’t tell us the exact sensor used here in the Mini 3, but we’d bet it’s the exact same hardware as the Pro.
The DJI Mini 3 gains another important feature that we saw in the Pro; “true vertical shot”. This means the camera can shoot in the same portrait aspect ratio that you’re likely to use for certain social media posts.
To get that portrait look in a DJI Mini 2, you have to dramatically crop the footage when editing.
The DJI Mini 3’s gimbal system is also more versatile on another axis. It tilts between -90 degrees and +60 degrees, compared to -90 to +20 degrees in the Mini 2.
You can also record HDR video with the Mini 3. This is only available at frame rates up to 30fps, as it is sensor-level HDR, just like that of DJI Mini 3 Pro. Two exposures are captured per sensor readout, which helps prevent ghosting and means it’s more than just a software-based tone mapping profile.
We’re looking at a pretty big upgrade to the DJI Mini 3, but some crucial parts haven’t changed. Both generations of drones use 4K/30 video capture. You have to go down to 2.7K resolution to hit 60 frames per second.
The Mini 3 Pro can achieve 4K resolution at 60 fps, suggesting that DJI deliberately limited shooting modes to maintain distance between its models. However, it could also be a CPU-related disparity.
Verdict
The DJI Mini 3 is largely what it should be. It improves on the DJI Mini 2 with some of the hardware advancements of the Mini 3 Pro, without eating the lunch of the more professional Mini 3 Pro.
Is it worth upgrading? Most likely, especially if you’re looking for slightly better image quality in low light or the ability to shoot video portraits to post on social media.
However, you shouldn’t ignore the DJI Mini 3 Pro if you want to take your B-roll quality to the next level. Its more advanced sensor system opens up the kind of looks you can achieve, without too much effort, in a big way.
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