DJI Mavic 3 Pro vs. Mini 3 Pro (Here’s My Choice)

Most of us have heard the expression “comparing apples to apples or apples to oranges”.

When it comes to the matchup between the Mavic 3 Pro and the Mini 3 Pro, we’re entering apples-to-oranges territory.

While some might prefer apples and others oranges, they are both great fruits.

The same goes for the Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro. Both are great drones and perform spot-on, for their intended purposes.

• If you’re either an enthusiast or a commercial pilot looking to do professional work, while utilizing a tri-camera system, the Mavic 3 Pro is the obvious choice.
• If you are a hobbyist or new to drones and looking for a sub-250g drone, perfect for travel and social media content, the Mini 3 Pro is a great fit.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the various features of both the Mavic 3 Pro and the Mini 3 Pro.

I’ll give my opinion of what my choice of drone is, as well as discuss which drone might be right for your particular interest.

Pricing & Combo Options #

DJI has continued to keep its customers in mind, offering multiple combos and packages for each of its available drones, making it easier for those on a particular budget to decide what options they need, over their wants.

The Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro also benefit from multiple package options.

Below are the various available packages and combo options for the Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro.

Mavic 3 Pro #

As has been seen over the years, the Mavic Pro series has been synonymous with professional-level drones, and subsequently, has had a higher price tag associated with it.

The Mavic 3 Pro is no exception.

Starting at close to $2000 and topping off at nearly $5000, the Mavic 3 Pro is quite the investment.

When you look at the tri-camera system and specs therein, it is no wonder the price tag is on the higher end of the spectrum.

Thankfully, there are quite a few tiers to consider when purchasing the Mavic 3 Pro.

» MORE: DJI Mavic 3 Pro Review

Mavic 3 Pro Standard (DJI RC) #

Includes:

• DJI Mavic 3 Pro
• DJI RC Remote Controller
• 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery
• USB-C Cable
• Sensor and Camera Harness
• 2 Spare Props
• 65W Charger
• Spare Control Sticks

Mavic 3 Pro DJI RC Fly More Combo #

Our Pick

Includes:

• DJI Mavic 3 Pro
• DJI RC Remote Controller
• 3 x Intelligent Flight Battery
• 3-Battery Charging Hub
• Shoulder Bag
• 2 x USB-C Cables
• Sensor and Camera Harness
• 8 Spare Props
• 100w Charger
• Spare Control Sticks
• ND Filter Set (ND8/16/32/34)

Mavic 3 Pro RC Pro Fly More Combo #

Our Pick

Includes:

• DJI Mavic 3 Pro
• DJI RC Pro Remote Controller
• 3 x Intelligent Flight Battery
• 3-Battery Charging Hub
• Shoulder Bag
• 2 x USB-C Cables
• Sensor and Camera Harness
• 8 Spare Props
• 100w Charger
• Spare Control Sticks
• ND Filter Set (ND8/16/32/34)

Mavic 3 Pro RC Pro Cine Premium Fly More Combo #

Includes:

• DJI Mavic 3 Pro
• DJI RC Pro Remote Controller
• 3 x Intelligent Flight Battery
• 1TB Internal Storage
• Apple ProRes Support
• 3-Battery Charging Hub
• Shoulder Bag
• 2 x USB-C Cables
• 10Gbps Lightspeed Data Cable
• Sensor and Camera Harness
• 8 Spare Props
• 100w Charger
• Spare Control Sticks
• ND Filter Set (ND8/16/32/34)

Mini 3 Pro #

When the Mini 3 Pro was released, it proved to indeed be a Pro-level Mini drone.

Thankfully, like the Mavic 3 Pro, it likewise has combos to satisfy a variety of needs and wants, as well as budgets.

One of the more memorable package options is the inclusion of the highly praised DJI RC.

• DJI Mini 3 Pro Review
• DJI Mini 3 Pro: One-Year Review (Video)

Mini 3 Pro RC-N1 Combo #

Our Choice

Includes:

• DJI Mini 3 Pro
• DJI RC-N1 Remote Controller
• 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery
• USB-C Cable
• 1 Screw Driver
• 6 Screws
• 4 Spare Props
• Gimbal Guard
• Connection Cables

Mini 3 Pro DJI Combo #

Includes:

• DJI Mini 3 Pro
• DJI RC Remote Controller
• 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery
• USB-C Cable
• 1 Screw Driver
• 6 Screws
• 4 Spare Props
• Gimbal Guard
• Connection Cables

Different from the Air 3 and Air 2S, the DJI Mini 3 Pro sells with separate Fly More Combos, the standard battery version, and the battery Plus version.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro Long-Term Review (Worth Buying?)

Mini 3 Pro Standard Battery Fly More Combo #

Includes:

• 2 x Standard Intelligent Battery
• 3-Battery Charging Hub
• USB-C Cable
• 12 screws
• 8 Spare props
• Shoulder Bag

Mini 3 Pro Plus Battery Fly More Combo #

Includes:

• 2 x Plus Intelligent Battery
• 3-Battery Charging Hub
• USB-C Cable
• 12 screws
• 8 Spare props
• Shoulder Bag

Design & Portability #

The Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro follow the tried, true, and tested design of the original DJI Mavic Pro released back in 2016.

Like the original, both are foldable drones with four propellers and 3-axis gimbal cameras.

The Mavic 3 Pro adds a tri-camera system, whereas the Mini 3 Pro adds a camera that can physically rotate vertically, like the original Mavic Pro.

Mavic 3 Pro #

Weight: Mavic 3 Pro: 958 g; Mavic 3 Pro Cine: 963 g**Dimensions:**Folded (without propellers): 231.1×98×95.4 mm (L×W×H)Unfolded (without propellers): 347.5×290.8×107.7 mm (L×W×H)

The Mavic 3 Pro is the newest in the Mavic 3 line falling in after the Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Classic, Mavic 3 Enterprise, and Mavic 3 Thermal.

Like those Mavics before it, the Mavic 3 Pro pretty much stays along the same design queues, with the added benefit of a new third camera.

The design of the Mavic 3 Pro is just as quietly aggressive as the other Mavic 3s and performs admirably.

I think back to the first time I took the Mavic 3 Pro up for a quick test run to adjust the flight settings and I was thoroughly pleased with how it flew.

The Mavic 3 Pro is a very large foldable drone.

Currently, compared to the other non-enterprise level DJI drones – DJI FPV, DJI Avata, Mini 2, Mini 4, Air 2S, and Air 3, it is the largest supported drone in DJI’s current lineup.

Because the Mavic 3 Pro is so large (and weighty), it is not necessarily ideal for travel, as it takes up quite a fair bit of space, even though it does fold down to a manageable size.

When taking the Mavic 3 Pro with me for shooting, I generally do so in a photographer’s backpack, with a DJI Air 3 or Mini 4 Pro, or solo in an Aperture large DuraDiamond® Drone Case.

We’ll actually be reviewing Aperture’s drone case solutions in the near future.

The absolute stand-out feature of the Mavic 3 Pro has to be the newly designed camera.

Like an iPhone 12pro-15pro, the Mavic 3 Pro has three cameras, with varying focal lengths: 24mm, 70mm, and 166mm.

Although there are indeed 3 cameras, the gimbal, and housing were designed in a way that the cameras do not seem to be overbearing.

Functionally, they work great.

If there are those who have never worked with these three cameras, they are in for a pleasant surprise. The cameras are very good.

» MORE: DJI Mavic 3 vs. Mavic 3 Classic: Which Drone Should You Buy?

Mini 3 Pro #

Weight: Under 249 g**Dimensions:**Folded (without propellers): 145×90×62 mm (L×W×H)Unfolded (without propellers): 171×245×62 mm (L×W×H)Unfolded (with propellers): 251×362×70 mm (L×W×H)

When looking at the size and weight of the Mini 3 Pro, it deservedly is considered one of the best sub-250g drones on the market (the Mini 4 Pro has just released, so we’ll see).

With the camera, battery life, and obstacle avoidance system, the Mini 3 Pro punches well above its “weight”, into the advanced segment of DJI’s drone lines.

Speaking of obstacle avoidance, with the inclusion of front sensors, the Mini 3 Pro has a slightly happy frog-face appearance.

Initially, this may have elicited chuckles from some within the community, but now it is as normal as any other design feature of DJI drones.

Looking at the front of the Mini 3 Pro, there is a 1/1.3” CMOS camera that takes pictures and videos in landscape orientation and also vertically.

The new Air 3 also has 1/1.3″ cameras and shoots vertically, though the camera does not actually change physical orientation like the Mini 3 Pro does.

If you are a person that posts mainly to social media, shooting vertically is now a must-have feature, when trying to shoot and post immediately, with minimal hassle.

A design change I personally agree with on the Mini 3 Pro is the omission of the vertical landing gear on the front arms.

With the removal of the vertical legs, there are no longer limitations regarding the sequence used for folding and unfolding the arms and legs.

But the biggest draw and reason so many are still drawn to the Mini 3 Pro is its weight and size.

The weight of the Mini 3 Pro is important, as coming in at sub-250g the Mini 3 Pro does not need to be registered in the United States, unless it is being used for commercial purposes (the furtherance of business).

Not only does the Mini 3 Pro weigh under 250g, but it is also tiny.

Because of its small and compact size, the Mini 3 Pro is the perfect drone when it comes to travel.

When traveling, the Mini 3 Pro can be stored in a purse, shoulder bag, photography bag, or backpack. I’ve personally carried my Mini 3 Pro and DJI RC in the side pockets on a pair of cargo shorts.

Add to the Mini 3 Pro an aftermarket gimbal and propeller guards and you can take the Mini 3 Pro almost anywhere.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. Air 2S (All You Need to Know)

Flight Performance #

Like with the Design & Portability section, the flight performance of the Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro, while different, are very good for each drones specific purpose(s).

As expected, the Mavic 3 Pro performed above the bar for most conditions it encountered, while the Mini 3 Pro did a great job in similar conditions, especially considering its light weight and small size.

» MORE: Best Professional Drones for Commercial Use (Consider These Things)

Mavic 3 Pro #

Maximum Speed: 47mphAscent/Descent Speed: 17.9mph/13.4mphWind Resistance: 26.8mph

A main advantage to the Mavic 3 Pro being one of the larger DJI-manufactured drones is that with that size comes more powerful motors to propel it.

When in either Normal or Sport mode, the Mavic 3 Pro moves very quickly. When in Normal mode, although moving quite fast, the Mavic 3 Pro is still able to retain control making it easy to pick up and fly with, even if still a novice.

In Sport mode, however, the Mavic 3 Pro can fly close to 50mph.

This is perfect when getting from one flying location to the next quickly, to frame up shots, or even track a fast-moving subject.

When in Sport mode, like any DJI drone, the obstacle avoidance sensors are turned off, making it critical to be comfortable on the sticks at such speed.

Aside from being able to fly close to 50mph, the Mavic 3 Pro being a large drone means it is also heavier. With the added weight, the Mavic 3 Pro is very stable in windy conditions.

The Mavic 3 Pro is rated for 26mph winds, and I have flown in conditions close to that, nearing 23mph gusts when flying a few Florida Gulf beaches.

There were no extreme effects on the drone, whatsoever.

While the Mavic 3 Pro moved around some, it didn’t move very noticeably when hovering.

I purposely took the Mavic 3 Pro into headwinds and it flew readily and smoothly, without effort. I never once felt like I would lose the drone when flying in windy conditions.

» MORE: DJI Mavic 3 Pro – How to Turn ON/OFF (Step-by-Step Guide & Video)

Mini 3 Pro #

Maximum Speed: 35.7mphAscent/Descent Speed: 11mph/7.8mphWind Resistance: 23.9mph

Between the Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro, the Mini is obviously the smaller of the two. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t do the job of flying well.

To some, the Mini 3 Pro might feel cheap and plastically. Upon taking it out to fly, any misgivings about the build quality are quickly forgotten.

Though made of lightweight and thin materials, these do not impede the Mini 3 Pros handling and performance at all.

What makes the Mini 3 Pro so endearing is that it is easy enough to pick up and fly for drone newcomers, and is equally as fun to fly for those who have been doing so for quite a while

As has been the case for most, if not all of DJI’s recent drones running the DJI Fly app, if the flight controls aren’t to your expectations, the in-app EXP settings can be changed, enabling you to easily tailor the controls to the way you fly.

Although the Mini 3 Pro has fairly small motors and propellers, it is able to zip along at a speedy 35/36mph when in sport mode.

Perfect for quickly traveling from one place to the next to get the shot.

Something I was pleasantly surprised with is how well the Mini 3 Pro handles the wind.

It is rated for 23mph winds and when in high wind gusts it does a good (though not an exceptional) job at staying in place when filming.

One has to remember that the drone is under 250g, so it will be affected by the wind.

In higher gusts, it is advisable to avoid flying out too far, as with the lower power of the motors, there may be some difficulty returning home before the batteries run out.

With the excellent camera gimbal, footage taken during high winds and gusts is less affected by the wind, as the footage is well stabilized.

» MORE: DJI Air 3 vs. Air 2S vs. Mini 3 Pro: Which One is Right for You?

Battery Related #

Battery life, next to obstacle avoidance, is rightfully one of the most talked about drone-related subjects lately.

With the Autel Evo II Pro series getting 40 minutes of flight time upon release back in 2020, DJI has since answered the challenge and improved in this area substantially.

When speaking of battery life and flight times, while drone manufacturers post amazing numbers, it’s good to note that the flight times published by these are taken when testing their drones in a well-controlled environment.

Actual flight times will vary based on various conditions, not limited to humidity, heat, cold, and wind.

Both the Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro have combos that include charging hubs for the batteries.

The Mini 3 Pro, however, takes this a step further with its charging hub allowing you to also charge a DJI remote controller.

• DJI Battery Firmware – All You Need to Know
• Drone Battery Care (All You Need to Know)

Mavic 3 Pro #

The Mavic 3 Pro, like the Series 3, and Classic, has flight times in the 40-minute range. 43 minutes to be more precise.

This is 3 minutes less than either the Mavic 3 or Mavic 3 Classic, presumably due to the larger and heavier drag-inducing tri-camera system.

Unlike the much-lauded Mini 3 Pro, there is only one battery option for the Mavic 3 Pro, and again, that is a 43-minute standard option.

The standard battery on the Mavic 3 Pro is 5000mAh and can be charged from dead either using the included USB-C cable and 65w charger or a 100w DJI or PD charger at the following speeds:

Charging Speed****Included 65w charger: Approx. 96 minutes100w DJI or PD Charger: Approx. 70 minutes

» MORE: DJI Mavic 3 Battery (All You Need to Know)

Mini 3 Pro #

The sub-250g Mini 3 Pro surprised many of us with its flight times.

The Mini 3 Pro is reported to have a maximum flight time of 38 minutes when using the Standard battery, which also keeps the Mini 3 Pro’s weight under the 250g mark that makes it so desirable.

Now here’s the kicker: If you need more flight time, there is also a Plus battery option, which boasts flight times of up to 51 minutes, while simultaneously moving the Mini 3 Pro out of the sub-250g category.

I have flown both battery options and have gotten around 25/26 minutes when landing at 25% on the Standard battery, and close to the 35-minute mark when landing at 25% with the Plus battery option.

The Standard battery is 2453 mAh, with the Plus battery being 3850 mAh. Below are the charging speeds for both.

Standard Battery Charging Speed****64 mins (with the DJI 30W USB-C Charger and the battery mounted to the aircraft)56 mins (with the DJI 30W USB-C Charger and the battery inserted into the DJI Mini 3 Pro Two-Way Charging Hub)

Plus Battery Charging Speed****101 mins (with the DJI 30W USB-C Charger and the battery mounted to the aircraft)78 mins (with the DJI 30W USB-C Charger and the battery inserted into the DJI Mini 3 Pro Two-Way Charging Hub)

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 Pro Battery (All You Need to Know)

Obstacle Avoidance #

When choosing any drone, especially one considered flagship level like the Mavic 3 Pro, or advanced like the Mini 3 Pro, obstacle avoidance is important to whatever use cases said drone will be used for.

Thankfully, both of these drones have reliable obstacle avoidance systems, although the system on the Mavic 3 Pro provides advanced coverage.

When it comes to obstacle avoidance, it is good practice to never fully rely on these systems, as they can misread the environment at times and collide with objects and obstructions.

» MORE: Best Drones with Obstacle Avoidance

Mavic 3 Pro #

The Mavic 3 Pro, like the prior release Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Classic has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance.

This means the Mavic 3 Pro benefits from having 360-degree protection:

• Frontward
• Backward
• Upward
• Downward, and
• Sideways

Yes, the Mavic 3 Pro can safely fly sideways, which is beneficial for the upgraded Active Track functions that allow the Mavic 3 Pro to track from all four sides of a subject.

Mini 3 Pro #

The Mini 3 Pro is the first DJI Mini drone to include obstacle avoidance, which is impressive, considering this has been done while keeping the Mini 3 Pro under 250g.

The Mini 3 Pro has 3-way obstacle avoidance:

• Frontward
• Backward
• Downward

While at first, it might be disappointing that these are the only directions covered by obstacle sensing, it should be noted that is quite impressive that there even is an obstacle avoidance system present in such a small package.

Because of these sensors, the Mini 3 Pro can likewise use many of the active track functions found in the Mavic 3 Pro.

As the Mini 3 Pro is billed as an excellent outdoors and travel drone, obstacle avoidance really helps the lone content creator in getting video footage that might be hard to attain flying manually.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro: How to Set Up Safety Features (Video)

Remote Controllers #

Both the Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro are compatible with the following DJI remote controllers:

• DJI RC Pro
• DJI RC
• DJI RC-N1

The RC Pro, DJI RC, and RC-N1 have been used for quite a while with the Mavic 3 line and work well.

The Mini 3, likewise, has had compatibility with all three of these controllers for a little over a year.

In my opinion, whether being used professionally or recreationally, the DJI RC Pro is the best all-in-one controller for both the Mavic 3 Pro and the Mini 3 Pro.

This is due partly to being able to install 3rd party apps that enhance the flight experience, like B4UFLY, ALOFT, and UAV Forecast, just to mention a few.

Additionally, the DJI RC Pro has a continued screen brightness of 1000 nits.

It is extremely bright and viewable in every condition I have personally used it in, particularly ultra-bright Central and Gulf Coast Florida.

This isn’t to say that the DJI RC, which was released with the Mini 3 Pro, isn’t a great standalone device. It really is.

The big draw of the DJI RC is that it is not only lightweight and portable but more importantly, it is close to $800 less than the aforementioned DJI RC Pro.

Like the DJI RC Pro, the DJI RC is an all-in-one high-brightness device, running at a lower continuous 700-nit brightness screen.

Although not as bright as the DJI RC Pro, with the addition of a matte screen protector (which is actually not required), I have never had issues viewing the screen.

Rounding out the controller threesome is the DJI RC-N1 controller.

If you have ever owned or flown the Mini 2 line, Air 2, or Air 2S’, using the RC-N1 is familiar and simple.

The small rectangular design is ergonomic and comfortable and benefits from having a retractable antenna system that doubles as a cellphone or an electronic device stand.

Although considered by many to be just a simple, common, and standard controller, one might opt to fly with the RC-N1 so as to use a larger or brighter device to fly either drone.

When using either the Mavic 3 Pro or Mini 3 Pro for commercial applications, I have flown both using the RC-N1 with a high-brightness industrial-grade tablet.

For those assignments, it worked out great. I will say though, I absolutely love the convenience of the RC Pro and DJI RC over the RC-N1.

» MORE: Best Drone Controllers

Camera Performance #

This is where there is an enormous difference between the Mavic 3 Pro and the Mini 3 Pro. Up until now, the Mini 3 Pro has done well in the performance and battery departments.

The camera, should I say cameras on the Mavic 3 Pro absolutely blow the Mini 3 Pro out of the water. This is to be expected when comparing a $900 drone with a $3000+ drone.

But what is most important here is what is the drone being used for: Professional use or Travel and Social Media?

» MORE: Best Camera Drones Under $5,000

Mavic 3 Pro #

Camera Sensors:**Hasselblad Camera: 4/3 CMOS, Effective Pixels: 20 MPFormat Equivalent: 24mmAperture: f/2.8-f/11Medium Tele Camera:** 1/1.3″ CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MPFormat Equivalent: 70mmAperture: f/2.8Tele Camera: 1/2″ CMOS, Effective Pixels: 12 MPFormat Equivalent: 166mmAperture: f/3.4

The Mavic 3 Pro has a lot of cameras, of varying focal lengths, and is part of the reason many are looking to get the Mavic 3 Pro.

The Mavic 3 Pro is absolutely geared toward professional drone pilots and enthusiasts who require the best prosumer drone DJI currently offers.

The Mavic 3 Pros’ main 24mm Hasselblad camera has a variable aperture, which ranges from f/2.8 – f/11, while the 70mm medium tele camera has a fixed f/2.8 aperture with the 166mm tele camera having an aperture of f/3.4.

The Mavic 3 Pro benefits from years’ worth of refining and tweaking regarding the main 24mm Hasselblad 4/3 camera, which has resulted in rich colors from the famed Hasselblad color science.

As noted in the quick camera spec section above, both pictures and videos can be taken at varying focal lengths of 24mm, 70mm, and 166mm.

These three focal lengths allow photographers the ability to get great compressed images, with videographers likewise getting great compressed videos with professional-level parallax effects.

If you require high-resolution 20MP photos, the main 24mm camera produces these and they look quite professional.

Now, this isn’t to say that the medium tele camera at 70mm doesn’t produce great images, it does.

The 70mm camera is similar to the 1/1.3″ CMOS camera on the Mini 3 pro (and Air 3), likewise producing 48MP (although not a true 48MP) and 12MP photos.

The 1/2″ CMOS 166mm Camera, while obviously lower in picture quality, does a good job of capturing subjects extremely close up.

With proper post-editing techniques, these images can look quite good.

Regarding video, the Mavic 3 Pro can shoot video in resolutions up to 5.1k, on the main 24mm camera and up to 4k on both the 70mm medium tele and 166mm tele cameras, which has improved over the 162mm tele camera, which was something to be desired initially.

In addition to high video resolution, the Mavic 3 Pro also has 10-bit color profiles:

• Normal
• DLog
• DLog-M

The main 24mm camera can shoot 10-bit Normal, DLog, and DLog-M/HLG.

The 70mm and 166mm cameras have the ability to shoot 10-bit in the Normal and DLog-M/HLG profiles.

» MORE: Best Drones for Night Time Use (Photography & Video)

Mini 3 Pro #

Camera Sensor: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP

The Mini 3 Pro’s 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor has a wide fixed aperture at f1.7**,** allowing it to take in more light, thus taking higher-quality low-light pictures and videos.

This is also the same size as the 70mm tele camera lens on the Mavic 3 Pro.

The Mini 3 Pro has a 12MP camera, similar to many cell phones on the market today, and takes excellent photos, and the option to shoot 48MP photos, using quad-bayer technology. 

The pictures shot in this mode, do look nice, although not being a true 48 MP photo.

As mentioned prior in this article, and as many have come to know and love over the past year plus, is Vertical Mode, where the camera physically rotates 90 degrees to take portrait-orientated photos and videos.

» MORE: How to Produce Vertical Content with a Drone (That Isn’t the Mini 3)

When shooting vertically the image takes up the entire frame, with no quality lost due to in-post cropping.

The entire Mini 3 Pro’s sensor is used, rendering the highest quality photos and videos.

The Mini 3 Pro can shoot a maximum video resolution of 4k 60fps, with slow motion in 1080p at 120fps. It can also shoot video in two color profiles: Normal and D-Cinelike.

D-Cinelike is DJI’s flat video color profile that is recorded in 10-bit, which is useful for those wanting the most flexibility when color-grading their footage.

The video footage coming from the Mini 3 Pro is impressive, especially considering how small the Mini 3 Pro is.

It is very hard to distinguish video coming from the Mini 3 Pro when compared to video coming from a much larger and more expensive drone, like the Air 3.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro Camera Settings (Explained for Beginners)

My Choice #

As a professional, my choice hands down, again and again, for my business purposes, would be the Mavic 3 Pro.

This of course is coming from someone who uses drones in a variety of industries for our clientele, such as:

• Real Estate
• Construction Progression
• Lakefront Property Maintenance
• Roofing

Having the highest resolution images is an absolute must for many of our clients, as many of these blow our images up for various uses, not limited to framed images and even vehicle wraps.

A camera producing less than 20MP would not suit our business needs.

» MORE: Best Camera Drones Under $2,000

Which is Right for You? #

With my choice being said, which drone is right for you depends on what your particular interest or profession is.

Mavic 3 Pro #

The professional level DJI flagship is perfect for:

• Professional Photographers
• Professional Videographers
• Industry Professionals
• Drone Enthusiasts

Because of the combination of size, weight, speed, and camera quality, the Mavic 3 Pro can confidently tackle pretty much any assignment one might have.

With 43-minute battery life, the larger Mavic 3 Pro is capable of staying in the air longer than was previously possible, ensuring most jobs can be completed before the batteries run out.

» MORE: DJI Air 3 Beginners Guide (Step-by-Step Guide)

Mini 3 Pro #

The smallest and lightest drone in this comparison, the Mini 3 Pro is the go-to drone for those interested in:

• Travel
• Solo Content Creation
• Outdoor Photography/Videography

Solo content creators who regularly post photos and videos to social media will appreciate the capabilities of the Mini 3 Pro, such as vertical shooting and the use of multiple Active Track modes thanks to 3-way obstacle avoidance, all of which can be captured in 4k.

With the option of a Plus version battery, the Mini 3 pro is capable of getting most of the content one could need in a single filming session (with multiple batteries).

The Mini 3 Pro is one of the better drones for beginners who want top-tiered specs, decent obstacle avoidance, and are just getting into the world of drones.

The Mini 3 Pro is also a great compact option for commerical operators needing a capable backup drone in a pinch, or to fly through tight areas inaccessible by larger drones.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. DJI FPV (All You Need to Know)