DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro - Which is Better?

A big question on the minds of many since the official release of the DJI Mini 3 would be: which is better, DJI Mini 3 Pro or Mini 3?

Whenever a new drone is released, especially by DJI, quite a few folks dash to get the newest drone before it is sold out, while others step back for a moment to find out if the newest drone is better than the previous one or even worth purchasing.
Instead of saying which drone is the best, we will be looking at both the Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro and their differences and then let you determine which drone is best for your intended purposes or needs.

Pricing – Combos/Kits
That Pro in the Mini 3 Pro comes at a higher price tag than the Mini 3, close to $200 USD. It is these higher-end Pro specs that make the Mini 3 Pro more expensive than the Mini 3.
Something DJI has continued to do with its latest offering of drones since the Air 2S is to offer a vast array of combo and pricing options, which encompass various budgets.
As of this article, the following Combos are available:

Mini 3
- DJI Mini 3 (Only) – includes the Mini 3 drone, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, and a USB-C cable.
- DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC-N1) – Includes the Mini 3 drone, the RC-N1 remote controller, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 various cables to connect the RC to a smart device, a USB-C cable.
- DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC) – Includes the Mini 3 drone, the DJI RC remote controller, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 various cables to connect the RC to a smart device, and a USB-C cable.
- DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N1) – Includes the Mini 3 drone, the RC-N1 remote controller, 3 standard batteries, 12 propellers, 18 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 various cables to connect the RC to a smart device, 2 USB-C cables, 3-battery charging hub, shoulder bag.
- DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC) – Includes the Mini 3 drone, the DJI RC remote controller, 3 standard batteries, 12 propellers, 18 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 various cables to connect the RC to a smart device, 2 USB-C cables, 3-battery charging hub, shoulder bag.

DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC)
Lightweight and Foldable Mini Camera Drone with 4K HDR Video, 38-min Flight Time, True Vertical Shooting, and Intelligent Features.
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01/26/2023 02:06 am GMT
» MORE: Best DJI Mini 3 Accessories

Mini 3 Pro
- DJI Mini 3 Pro (Only) – includes the Mini 3 Pro drone, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, and a USB-C cable.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI RC-N1) – Includes the Mini 3 Pro drone, the RC-N1 remote controller, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 various cables to connect the RC to a smart device, a USB-C cable.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI RC) – Includes the Mini 3 Pro drone, the DJI RC remote controller, 1 standard battery, 4 propellers, 6 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 various cables to connect the RC to a smart device, and a USB-C cable.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N1) – Includes the Mini 3 Pro drone, the RC-N1 remote controller, 3 standard batteries, 12 propellers, 18 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 various cables to connect the RC to a smart device, 2 USB-C cables, 3-battery charging hub, shoulder bag.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Combo (DJI RC) – Includes the Mini 3 Pro drone, the DJI RC remote controller, 3 standard batteries, 12 propellers, 18 screws, a screwdriver, a gimbal guard, 3 various cables to connect the RC to a smart device, 2 USB-C cables, 3-battery charging hub, shoulder bag.

DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI RC)
Lightweight and Foldable Camera Drone with 4K/60fps Video, 48MP Photo, 34-min Flight Time, Tri-Directional Obstacle Sensing, Ideal for Aerial Photography and Social Media
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01/25/2023 08:19 pm GMT
» MORE: Best Accessories for DJI Mini 3 Pro
As many are aware, the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro offer Plus battery options as well. These can be purchased separately or as a complete Fly More Combo.
Major Differences
Here we will break down some of the differences between the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro that account for the few hundred dollar price point between the two drones.
Obstacle Avoidance
The obstacle avoidance system in the two drones has to be one of, if not, THE biggest differences between the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro for many, and a serious consideration for those that need and want it.
As it stands, the Mini 3 Pro has three-way obstacle avoidance. Front, back, and bottom sensors.
On the other hand, the Mini 3 only has downward sensors, which are used for RTH (return to home) and precision landing.
Because there are no front and rear sensors, the Mini 3 does not have subject tracking (Focus Track), such as:
- Follow Me
- Active Track
- Point of Interest
- Spotlight
Also, on the Mini 3, there is no option to turn on APAS (Advanced Pilot Assistance System), which in the Mini 3 Pro enables the drone to automatically maneuver around flight path objects or brake when coming towards an obstacle.
If you are one that either relies on obstacle avoidance for safe flying or wants to use Focus Track options, then the Mini 3 Pro would be the obvious choice.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro Obstacle Avoidance (Explained for Beginners)
Camera
Although the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro are using the same 1/1.3-inch CMOS image sensor for the camera, with a constant aperture of f1.7, there are a few differences in what the camera can produce photo and video-wise between the 2 drones.
Photos
The Mini 3 is able to take 12mp photos, which is on par with the Mini 3 Pro, however, the Mini 3 Pro has the added option to take 48mp photos, with the help of internal processing.
If this is a determining factor in your buying choice, it should be considered if you as a consumer can tell the difference between a 12mp photo online and a 48mp image that uses processing tricks. Further research just might surprise you.
Something to note, the iPhone 13 Pro, like the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro, produces 12mp photos. Many feel that its resolution is plenty for online and social media content, such as Facebook and Instagram.
Something else to point out is that the camera’s native ISO range (camera sensitivity to light) on the Mini 3 Pro is between 100 and 6400. The range on the Mini 3 is narrower, between 100 and 3200.
For more information on ISO and general drone photography, please see the article below.
» MORE: Drone Photography: Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started
Video
Like with photos, the Mini 3 comes pretty close to the video quality found in the Mini 3 Pro.
There are a few differences between the Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro, regarding video, that one should be aware of, depending on what they are trying to accomplish when shooting video.
These being, the Mini 3:
- Shoots 4k 30fps vs the Mini 3 Pros 4k 60fps
- Lacks color profiles (D-Cinelike)
- Has no 10-Bit Color Depth
Because the Mini 3 does not shoot 4k at 60fps (frames per second), it cannot shoot slow motion in 4k.
This doesn’t mean it cannot film in slow motion, as there are options to shoot 60fps in 2.7k and 1080p. It simply means that if you are requiring this slow-motion option in 4k, the option is not there.
Also, 60fps is the highest fps the Mini 3 can go. The Mini 3 Pro is able to shoot 120 fps (albeit in 1080), meaning it can slow the footage down by double that of the Mini 3 top fps of 60.
The last bullet points, no D-Cinelike, and 10-bit color, specifically pertain to those video shooters that also enjoy color grading.
Simply put, color depth is the amount of color and the variety of shades a camera can record. 10-bit color captures 1024 color levels per channel, displaying over 1 billion colors (1.07 Billion).
When shooting in the flatter D-Cinelike color profile, you are able to record in 10-bit.
The Mini 3 8-bit, with only its normal color profile, utilizes RGB using 256 colors per channel, meaning 8-bit can display a little over 16 Million colors (16.7 Million to be exact).
If you find yourself content with shooting video in the normal 8-bit color profile, then the Mini 3 will do just fine for you.
If you are a video shooter that requires more advanced shooting options, then the Mini 3 Pro may be more suited for what you are trying to accomplish.
» MORE:
https://skydanceimaging.com/dji-mini-3-vs-mini-3-pro-which-is-better/
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