DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. Autel Evo Nano+ (Here’s my Choice)

Are you looking for a mini drone? It could be either for traveling, as a first drone, or as an addition to your current drone arsenal. If you are, there are two drones that you must have come across: the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Autel Nano Plus.

Being in the same price range, the features of both drones make it challenging to choose between them.

So, DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. Autel Evo Nano Plus, which is better?

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is slightly better thanks to better camera features, subject tracking, ability to bypass obstacles, better flight time, and better flight performance.

The Nano+ comes at a close second with sharp images, a 10 km flight range, above-average flight performance, and obstacle sensing.

Keep reading to learn more about these two drones, which one I’d choose, and why.

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. Autel Evo Nano Plus #

Below is a detailed analysis and comparison of what each drone offers, based on the main features you might be looking for.

Camera and Image Quality #

The camera is probably the most useful part of the drone and the reason anyone would want a drone in the first place.

Now, the DJI Mini 3 Pro has a 1/1.3 sensor, while the Nano+ has a 1/1.28 sensor. As you can see, there isn’t much difference in sensor size, so there may not be much difference in image quality.

But when it comes to videos, the Mini 3 Pro wins since it can shoot in 4K at 60fps, while the Nano+ can only do it at 30fps.

The Mini 3 Pro has a bitrate of up to 150MB/s, while the Nano+ can only go up to 100 MB/s.

The Mini 3 Pro produces better slow-motion clips since it can shoot 1920p at 120fps, while the Nano+ can only do 1080p at 60fps.

But when it comes to image resolution, the Nano+ has a slightly higher resolution (50 MP) compared to the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s 48 MP.

The colors produced by the cameras on both of these drones are slightly different too. Both drones can also shoot in D-Cinelike color profiles.

Both drones can work well in low-light conditions.

And both drones have intelligent flight modes for cinematic footage. But despite all these differences and similarities, the output is not that different, especially if you know your way around editing software.

You could argue it’s about preference when choosing the camera on these drones, but everything else being equal, I’d still go with the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

Besides, the Mini 3 Pro has a vertical gimbal position that makes it easy to shoot in portrait and post directly on social media, a feature the Nano+ lacks.

Flight Time #

Regarding Mini drones, DJI is a clear winner as far as flight times are concerned. The DJI Mini 3 Pro comes with a 34-Minute flight time, and there’s an option to get an even more powerful battery that will extend this flight time up to more than 40 minutes.

On the other hand, the Autel Evo Nano+ achieves a 28-Minute flight time. But anyone who has flown drones will know that in both cases that’s just the advertised flight time.

Due to conditions like weather, atmospheric pressure, and environmental conditions, expect the Mini 3 Pro to achieve a 30-Minute flight time, while the Nano+ will barely hit a 25-minute flight time in optimal conditions.

The 2453mAh battery capacity and excellent aerodynamics are some of the reasons the Mini 3 Pro is superior to the Nano+, which has a 2250mAh capacity battery.

App #

The DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI Fly App) and Autel Evo Nano+ (Autel Sky App) come with easy-to-use apps that help control the drone, adjust the settings, and view the live footage from the drone.

However, the Autel Sky App is sometimes marred with connectivity issues and abrupt stops.

I’ve used it for a while, and I saw the same complaint from other users, where you set the camera to shoot in 4K, but when you get to your laptop to edit the photos and videos, you find they are in 720p or 1080p, and not in 4K.

This can be a huge inconvenience, especially if you have to travel a very long distance to film the object of interest.

Another problem you may encounter is that the Autel Sky App doesn’t save some settings from one flight to the next.

For instance, you may set the Histogram on, but every time you switch off and switch on the drone, you will have to switch this setting on again.

Overall, the DJI Fly App offers a better experience than the Autel Sky App.

Design #

Both of these drones are sub-250 grams drones. So, if you come from areas where a drone weighing less than 250 grams exempts you from registering it, they are both perfect for that.

Quality-wise, they both feel as you would expect. You shouldn’t expect much ruggedness for such drones, but by holding them, you can feel they are made strong enough to survive outdoor conditions but light and small enough to fit in your pocket.

Performance #

These drones have three modes; Normal Mode, Manual Mode, and Sport (Ludicrous in the Nano+).

In the Sport or Ludicrous modes, the DJI Mini 3 Pro can achieve speeds of up to 35 MPH, while the Nano+ is rated at 33 MPH, which are both incredible speeds for mini drones.

But thanks to the higher speeds, and the better aerodynamics mentioned earlier, the Mini 3 Pro performs better in Level 5 winds.

Obstacle Avoidance and Avoidance #

When Autel first released the Nano+ drone in 2021, they were some of the first sub-250 grams drones to have obstacle sensing.

DJI had always given the excuse that they omitted the obstacle avoidance sensors in the Minis series to keep the drones under 250 grams.

But the DJI Mini 3 Pro balances the scales since it now has tri-directional obstacle sensing, which may not be as advanced as in other DJI drones, but it functions similarly to that of the Nano+ and even better.

How? For the Nano+, all you can do is set the obstacle avoidance on or off. When it’s on, it will stop when it senses an obstacle.

But the DJI Mini 3 Pro has three settings:

1. Bypass – where it swerves to avoid the obstacle
2. Brake – where the drone stops
3. Off – where you switch off the sensors.

ActiveTrack #

This is another feature that DJI omitted in the first Mini drones. But thankfully, the DJI Mini 3 Pro features an advanced version of ActiveTrack, making it perfect for people would want to film themselves hiking, running, or participating in any other activity.

Unfortunately, the Nano+ lacks an ActiveTrack feature, though Autel promises they will roll it out in a future firmware update.

Transmission and Controllers #

Both drones use state-of-the-art transmission that allows them to travel up to 12 km (Mini 3 Pro) and 10 km (Nano+) away from the controller.

And it’s not like you will ever fly a mini drone kilometers away from you since most local regulations require drones to be flown within the line of sight.

But the long-range connection shows that the connection is even stronger for short-range flying.

However, the Nano+ has the edge over the Mini 3 Pro since it transmits live footage at 2.7K, while the Mini 3 Pro currently only achieves a 1080p transmission resolution.

However, DJI compensates for this through the controllers. From the feel of it, the Nano+ controller looks like the Xbox 1 gamepad, which, even though it’s lighter, is limited in controls, and you could get tired of it very quickly.

On the other hand, DJI offers two controllers, the RC-N1, which you can find in drones like the Air 2S, and the DJI RC controller with an inbuilt screen.

The RC-N1 is heavier but more comfortable, has several controls, and allows you to detach the joysticks for more convenient storage.

And for an extra cost, you can get the RC with an inbuilt screen, and you will not have to use your smartphone.

Price #

These drones cost almost the same when you include all the accessories.

The Nano+ comes at a flat rate of $899, where you only get the drone, one battery, and some essential accessories.

The Premium bundle goes for $1099, comprising the drone, three batteries, a shoulder bag, cables, extra propellers, a screwdriver, and other accessories.

On the other hand, you can get the DJI Mini 3 Pro for $669 without any controllers, $759 with the RC-N1 controller, and $909 with the DJI-RC controller.

If you add a Fly More Kit, which includes two more batteries, a charging hub, more propellers, and a bag, you get to pay roughly $1149.

I believe the DJI Mini 3 Pro provides more value and gives more options to save some money.

For instance, if you already have a Mini 2, an Air 2S, or any drone that uses an RC-N1 controller, you can use the same controller with the Mini 3 Pro.

And if you are willing to spend more than $1000, the DJI-RC controller with an inbuilt screen is way better than the Nano+ controller.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Vs. Autel Evo Nano+ – Summary #

Below is a table highlighting the main differences between these two drones.

Features
DJI Mini 3 Pro
Autel EVO Nano+

Weight
249 grams
249 grams

Sensor
1/1.3 inch 48 MP
1/1.28 50 MP

Image Resolution
4k at 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps 2720p by 1530p at 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps 1820 by 1080p at 24/25/30/48/50/60/120
4k at 24/25/30 fps 2720p by 1530p at 24/25/30 fps 1920 by 1080p at 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps

Bitrate
150 MB/s
100 MB/s

**Maximum Aperture                       **
f/1.7
f/1.9

Flight Time
34 Minutes
28 Minutes

Photo Modes
Auto-Exposure Bracketing (AEB), Interval, Single Shot
Auto-Exposure Bracketing (AEB), Burst Shooting, Interval, Single Shot

Obstacle Avoidance
Tri-directional obstacle sensing
Tri-directional Obstacle sensing

Subject Tracking
Has ActiveTrack and Spotlight mode
Lacks subject tracking

The Verdict #

Both drones drive a hard bargain. They offer very similar features and all things considered, their prices are almost the same.

However, I would still go with the DJI Mini 3 Pro for several reasons:

1. For starters, the camera and video resolution are superior. The Nano+ images look sharp, and the still images have a higher resolution, but the DJI Mini 3 Pro provides more options.

2. Secondly, the Mini 3 Pro has a longer flight time.

3. Thirdly, the Mini 3 Pro has subject tracking and better functioning obstacle avoidance.

4. And lastly, if you choose to forego the DJI RC, you can get the Mini 3 Pro for a lower cost.

The Nano+ isn’t that far behind, and with the leaps of improvements they have been making in their drone technology, we can expect to see even better drones from Autel soon.