The DJI Mini 2 has many great qualities although it left quite a bit of room for improvement. But DJI didn’t disappoint because the new DJI Mini 3 Pro is the answer to everything that was missing in its predecessor. It’s a much more powerful drone with more advanced features although you’re going to have to spend more for these upgrades. So should you save or should you go for the newer, more expensive model? To help you answer this question, here’s an in-depth comparison that covers their design, performance, and additional features.
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DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 3 Pro Comparison Chart
Design
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is larger than the Mini 2 and comes with a new remote control.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro looks noticeably different from the Mini 2 thanks to a couple of tweaks here and there. For starters, the Mini 3 Pro’s stabilizer legs were moved to its underside instead of connecting them to the rotor arms. This takes a bit off of its weight because there’s less usage of plastic. But size-wise, the Mini 3 Pro is significantly bigger than the Mini 2, whether or not its propellors are attached. The Mini 3 Pro measures in at 251 x 362 x 70mm while the Mini 2 is only 245 x 289 x 56mm. Although the gap between their dimensions narrow a little bit when you fold the two models up.
The most obvious difference found on the Mini 3 Pro, however, would have to be its detection cameras out front. In addition, it comes with a brand new remote control called the DJI RC. It comes with a 5.5-inch screen which can produce a maximum of 700 nits, making it as bright as a mid-range smartphone. Despite it being a more advanced remote control, it maintains the standard weight of 390g. The DJI RC is the more sensible alternative to the DJI RC Pro which comes with the DJI Mavic 3.
Image and Video Quality
The DJI Mini 3 Pro has new features that greatly improve its image and video quality.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro received quite a number of upgrades to improve its image quality, starting off with a bigger and better sensor. This brings its resolution from 12MP to 48MP and bumps up its low-light performance and dynamic range. This sensor is complemented by a new lens with a f/1.7 aperture which is far faster than the Mini 2’s f/2.8 lens. Another handy feature found on the Mini 3 Pro is something that content creators will love and that’s the vertical shooting mode. Its gimbal will rotate the camera by 90 degrees so that there won’t be any unnecessary cropping when you’re shooting portrait-aspect photos.
As for video quality, the Mini 3 Pro comes out on top yet again. It can shoot in 4K at 60 fps while the Mini 2 tops out at 30fps at the same resolution. The Mini 3 Pro also comes with a true slow-mo mode which allows you to record FullHD at 120fps. This is a commendable improvement over the Mini 2’s 2.7K resolution at 60fps. To top things off, the Mini 3 Pro was given an HRD mode, a feature that’s missing on the Mini 2. This gives it the ability to capture two images at once and then combine the two. While this mode brings the maximum frame rate down to 30fps, it does solve the problem of ghosting which is common in HDR images.
Flight Performance
The DJI Mini 3 Pro has more obstacle detection sensors and a longer battery life.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is a much smarter drone than its predecessor, all thanks to new obstacle detection sensors. While the Mini 2 only has downward-facing sensors to view things below, the Mini 3 Pro has an array of sensors that give it much a better awareness of its surroundings. Aside from downward-facing sensors, it also has backward and forward-facing ones with a 90-degree vertical and 160-degree horizontal vision respectively.
But even though the Mini 3 Pro is more intelligent than the Mini 2, they come with the same Quick Shot flight modes. This includes the Circle, Boomerang, Rocket, Helix, and Dronie modes. There is a new pre-programmed mode on the Mini Pro 3 though called the Asteroid which zooms all the way out and makes the ground look like a planet. It also comes with a MasterShots mode which keeps the subject centered as the drone moves around. These new features make it so much easier to capture B-rolls with the Mini 3 Pro, bringing it closer to the more high-end DJI models in terms of flexibility.
As for speed, the Mini 3 Pro didn’t get any faster, maintaining the same 16m/s top speed and 5m/s descent and ascent speed as the Mini 2. It does have a bigger battery and longer battery life than its predecessor though, equipped with a 2453mAh battery that can last up to 34 minutes in the air. The Mini 2 can only manage 31 minutes of flying with its 2250mAh battery.
Verdict
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is a worthy successor to the DJI Mini 2.
DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 2
We couldn’t have asked for a better successor to the DJI Mini 2 than the Mini 3 Pro. It has all the features we’ve been waiting for such as 120fps recording for true slow-mo mode, HDR mode, and a more robust object detection system. It even comes with an upgraded remote control for a more premium experience. The Mini 3 Pro will definitely prove to be a useful drone for content creators who want the kind of flexibility that high-end DJI drones offer.
That said, the Mini 3 Pro’s price will probably be a major turn-off to those who are just starting out in drone photography. So if you’re looking for your first ever drone, you might find the Mini 2 to be a more approachable model.
FAQs
Yes, the DJI Mini 3 Pro can shoot in 4K at 60 fps while its successor, the Mini 2, tops out at 30fps.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro starts at $669, making it significantly more expensive than its predecessor, the Mini 2.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro comes with a bunch of upgrades from its predecessor, including 120fps recording for true slow-mo mode, HDR mode, and a more robust object detection system.
If you’re a beginner, the DJI Mini 2 is a more approachable model. But if you want the same kind of flexibility that more high-end models offer, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is worth splurging on.