DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. DJI Mini 2: Which Mini is Right for You?

Since its release, everyone has been buzzing about the brand new Mini 3 Pro. This happens every time DJI releases a new drone, but this time seems to be different; the excitement appears to be greater than ever.

The Mini 3 Pro and Mini 2 are two of the most feature-rich mini-drones available. They are unquestionable leaders that provide excellent value for the money spent on them.

They have some of the most advanced features, like 4K video, RAW pictures, and excellent transmission systems. An obstacle avoidance technology, and other new characteristics, are now included in the new Mini 3 Pro, giving the user even better results.

So, the question is: Which DJI Mini is the right one for you? Let’s have a look at this clash of mini-titans!

Side-by-side comparison #

Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? We are here to see how the Mini 3 compares to the Mini 2, and that is exactly what we are going to do right away (there’s more to it, though, so stay around!).

 
DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2

Release date
May 2022
November 2020

Fly app
DJI Fly
DJI Fly

“Pro” price increase #

There are a few noteworthy changes between the Mini 3 Pro and the Mini 2. The fact that the Mini 3’s name includes an extra word, “Pro”, attracted everyone’s attention before its release.

The other aspect that caused serious online whispering was the notable price increase.

In this aspect, let us keep in mind that the cheapest Mini 3 Pro is $250 more expensive than the cheapest Mini 2 and that the Mini 3 Pro version does not even come with a remote controller.

The following is a table showing both drones prices:

DJI Mini 3 Pro (Including N1 remote)
$759
€829
£709

Fly More Combo for DJI Mini 3 Pro****

$189
€189
£159

DJI Mini 2
$449
€459
£419

DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo****

$599
€599
£549

Design #

We were hoping for (and got) several new features with the DJI Mini 3 Pro, such as an obstacle avoidance system and improved image quality. However, no one anticipated a design change.

The new look of the Mini 3 Pro is dazzling, with a significantly larger set of propellers and an aerodynamic body tilt, which helps it get better flight times.

Both drones are under 249 grams in weight, and transporting them around is a breeze thanks to their folding and compact design.

** **
DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2

Weight****

249 g
249 g

Measurements****

251×362×70 mm
245×289×56 mm

Side-by-side comparison by Daniel Cepeda

The Camera #

The camera on the Mini 3 Pro is maybe the most crucial component. Let’s have a look at some of its features:

• Whether you are a real estate photographer or in charge of a brand’s social media photo and video material, the Mini 3 Pro provides excellent possibilities with top-of-the-line audiovisual quality. Its 48 MP sensor offers four times the resolution seen in the Mini 2, which is a great improvement.
• Every aspect of the camera has been significantly enhanced. We might say that this is where the DJI Mini 3 Pro really shines and the DJI Mini 2 is simply overshadowed (though the former newest mini drone by DJI still does an outstanding job in its context).
• The Mini 3 Pro delivers 4K video at 60FPS (4K/30FPS in the Mini 2) and includes, for the first time in a DJI Mini, the possibility of recording in slow motion at 120 FPS at a resolution of 1080p.
• Another new feature, an industry first, is the ability to rotate the drone’s camera to take vertical photographs or videos, which are ideal for social media content. This should undoubtedly be your drone if you are a TikTok or Instagram vlogger.
• The ISO settings have also been improved, from 100-3200 to 100-6400. The dual native ISO is a feature of the Mini 3 Pro sensor, which means that the camera has two amplifiers through which the signal can travel.
• The Mini 3 Pro’s smaller f/1.7 aperture is something that every photographer has praised. For those of you who aren’t sure what this implies, it simply means that the lower the f-stop value, the more light enters the camera sensor, resulting in better low-light content.

 
DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2

Megapixels****

48 MP
12 MP

Video Resolution****

4K: 3840×2160
4K: 3840×2160

Sensor Size****

CMOS 1/1.3″
CMOS 1/2.3”

Video bitrate****

150 Mbps
100 Mbps

Bitrate Transmission****

8 Mbps
8 Mbps

Frame Rate 4K****

24/25/30/48/50/60FPS
24/25/30FPS

Frame Rate HD****

24/25/30/48/50/60FPS
24/25/30/48/50/60FPS

Slow-motion video****

120FPS @ 1080p
Not supported

Field of View (FOV)
82.1°
83°

ISO Video
100-6400
100 – 3200

ISO Photo
100-6400
100 – 3200

Aperture
f/1.7
f/2.8

Zoom
4K: 2x / FHD: 4x
4K: 2x / FHD: 4x

Video format
MP4/MOV
MP4

Video codec
H.264/H.265
H.264

Image Format
JPEG/DNG
JPEG/DNG

AEB mode
3/5
2/3

Gimbal #

There’s no denying that the Mini 3 Pro’s gimbal design was a nice surprise when we first saw it.

But the new gimbal isn’t just about looks; it also has two notable new features: the ability to capture vertical photos and films, and a 90° upward tilt.

With just a tap, you can now quickly switch between landscape and portrait modes. If you use social media to share audiovisual material or work on these sites, the new gimbal will make your life much simpler.

Only a few drones, such as the Parrot Anafi, can tilt the gimbal 180 degrees. The Mini 3 Pro is the first mini-drone to provide this function.

If you’re certain you won’t need any of these features, the Mini 2’s conventional gimbal should do.

Any major video editor, such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony Vegas, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut, can convert your 4K videos to vertical ones.

Side-by-side comparison by Daniel Cepeda

Color Profile #

The D-Cinelike color profile, which allows users to capture a broader range of colors, will be appreciated by video artists, although the footage will need to be color graded in postproduction software.

The Mini 2 can’t compete with the Mini 3 in this area because it’s the first time DJI has included a color profile in one of its mini-drones. You can still color-grade your videos, but you will not get the same results.

The Mini 3 is your only option between the two drones if this is a must-have feature for you.

DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2

Color Profile
D-Cinelike
Not included

Range & Transmission (Remote Controllers) #

You can control Mini 3 and Mini 2 using the same DJI N1 remote. This means that if you already own a Mini 2, you can just buy the cheapest Mini 3 without a controller and fly them both with the one that came with the Mini 2.

The DJI RC, on the other hand, may be used to operate the Mini 3 Pro. This new remote controller is currently only available as part of one of the Mini 3 Pro bundles, but I expect it to be available for purchase alone soon.

The range has increased to 7.4 miles (12 km) from 6.2 miles (10 km), although this won’t make much of a difference in regions where drones must be flown under the visual line of sight rule.

The biggest difference between OcuSync 2.0 and OcuSync 3.0 is that the latter now has four antennas instead of two. This extends your range by around 1.2 miles (2 km).

The image quality from the drone’s camera is better on a device’s screen thanks to OcuSync 3.0 since the resolution has been boosted from 720p to 1080p.

DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2

Range
7.4 mi (12 km)
6.2 mi (10 km)

Transmission System
OcuSync 3.0
OcuSync 2.0

Video Quality
1080p/30FPS
720p/30FPS

Max. Op. Altitude
4000 m
4000 m

Speed & Flight Time (Batteries) #

The flight time has also been improved, which typically results from improving the battery and the aerodynamics of the aircraft. With the standard battery, it gives you 3 extra minutes of flight time compared to the Mini 2.

You can keep your Mini 3 Pro in the air for up to 47 minutes if you utilize the new intelligent flight batteries plus. The problem with these batteries is that they are only available in certain regions.

One factor to consider is the cost of buying extra batteries. Three more batteries for the DJI Mini 2 will cost you $165 (€165), while three additional batteries for the DJI Mini 3 Pro will cost you $195 (€207).

Additionally, for three additional intelligent flight batteries plus, you will have to pay $285. Recall that these are only available in certain territories.

The maximum speed is one of the few aspects that has not been improved. Therefore, both the Mini 3 Pro and the Mini 2 have a top speed of 35 mph (57 km/h).

DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2

Flight time
34 / 47 min
31 min

Max Speed
57 km/h
57 km/h

Wind speed resistance
38.5 km/h
38.5 km/h

Obstacle Avoidance #

Many DJI fans expected the Mini 2 to include an obstacle avoidance system, and it did not. Finally, the latest mini-drone from the market leader includes it.

The Mini 3 Pro is DJI’s safest mini, thanks to the incorporated tridirectional obstacle avoidance system. It has dual vision sensors that can see forward, backward, and downward, giving it a wider sensing range and improving safety.

However, keep in mind that while the Mini 3 Pro is in tracking mode, it is prone to crash on one of its sides, as we have seen in several YouTube videos.

The obstacle avoidance system is a terrific way to make your drone operations safer, but it is not a replacement for pre-flight environment checks. Always be aware of your surroundings.

The good old Mini 2 cannot compete in this category, as it lacks an obstacle avoidance system, but do you really need it? Once again, this is something to consider before making a purchase.

DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2

Obstacle Avoidance
Forward, backward, down
Not included

Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems 4.0 (APAS) #

Only the normal and cine modes have this functionality (not available in sport mode). When this feature is enabled, the aircraft will respond to human commands and set a course based on both control stick inputs and the flight environment.

APAS improves the pilot’s flying experience by assisting him/her in avoiding obstacles and obtaining smoother footage. To achieve this, the airplane will fly over, under, or to the left or right of the obstacle as the pilot pushes the stick forward or backward.

To enable this feature, you have to activate it in DJI Fly. To do so, go to the system settings screen and the safety tab, then enable APAS by selecting ‘Bypass’.

Because this is a new function in DJI’s mini-drones, it is not included in the Mini 2, as it relies on an obstacle avoidance system.

DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2

System
APAS 4.0
Not included

FocusTrack Modes #

Among the most requested things that were not included in the Mini 2 was subject tracking. Using third-party applications like Litchi, this may be accomplished on the Mini 2.

However, if you have the Mini 3 Pro, you won’t need to pay extra for any software, as you can enjoy FocusTrack in DJI Fly.

What is FocusTrack you may be wondering? It is a DJI system to track subjects with your drone. It includes Spotlight 2.0, Point of Interest 3.0, and ActiveTrack 4.0.

• Spotlight 2.0: You can control the aircraft while the camera is locked to the subject.
• Point of Interest 3.0: The aircraft circles around the tracked subject autonomously.
• ActiveTrack 4.0: It’s made of Trace and Parallel mode, and supports the tracking of moving and stationary subjects, such as cards, persons, or buildings.

Even if you can use third-party applications to perform subject tracking with the Mini 2, the results will not be as accurate as they are with the Mini 3 Pro. However, for some purposes, it may be sufficient.

DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2

FocusTrack Modes
Spotlight 2.0, Point of Interest 3.0, ActiveTrack 4.0
Not included

QuickTransfer #

QuickTransfer is a function that allows users to connect their drones directly to their mobile devices via Wi-Fi. This is excellent for quickly transferring photographs and videos to social media sites or sharing with friends.

The Mini 3 Pro comes with this feature, just like the Mini 2. The only difference is that the transmission rate has been improved.

DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2

QuickTransfer Rate
25 MB/s
20 MB/s

Which one should you buy?

Purchasing a drone is always a challenge. There are more possibilities than ever before in the mini-drone market. DJI, on the other hand, continues to lead the market by a wide margin.

The Mini 3 Pro and Mini 2 are both excellent drones. While the Mini 3 Pro has some of the most advanced features in the category, it also has a significantly higher price tag.

Simply write down the traits that you absolutely require and those that you might live without to determine which one is best for you.

Many people feel that buying the most recent version of a drone is always the best option, but this is not always true.

That was all for today. Did you enjoy the article? We hope that we helped you decide which DJI mini-drone is right for you.

And if you are craving more drone knowledge, just keep browsing Droneblog!