DJI Mini 3 Pro Review – The Best Entry-Level Drone For Photography

DJI Mini 3 Pro Review Summary

The DJI Mini 3 Pro stands out as one of the best mini drones on the market and an affordable drone for professional photography. Its folding design makes it easy to travel with, making it an ideal tool for travelling content creators. The Mini 3 Pro’s generous flight time of up to 34 minutes is made possible by an Intelligent flight battery, which can be further extended to 47 minutes with the intelligent plus battery.

The drone’s imaging capabilities is powered by its 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with dual native ISO and HDR capabilities, enabling it to perform excellently under various lighting conditions. This results in images with a broader dynamic range and more detailed highlights and shadows. The Mini 3 Pro notable features include 4K HDR video, 48MP RAW photo capabilities, and 1080p at 120fps slow-motion video.

It comes with built-in active obstacle sensing and tri-directional sensors, coupled with the APAS 4.0 system, enhancing safety and real-time obstacle avoidance. Its high-quality video transmission and intelligent features, such as True Vertical Shooting and MasterShots, enable the immediate creation of engaging content. The DJI Mini 3 Pro also offers practical accessories that boost creativity and allow for enjoyable FPV flight experiences. In summary, the DJI Mini 3 Pro may be mini in size, but it’s significant in creative potential.

Key Features

• Camera with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor
• 48MP still photos
• Records 4k videos at 60fps
• 3-axis gimbal with true vertical shooting
• 3-way Obstacle avoidance system
• ActiveTrack 4.0 for intelligent subject tracking
• MasterShots & Hyperlaspe video mode
• 34 minutes flight time
• A maximum speed of 36 mph
• Video transmission range of 12 km

Over a year has passed since the release of the DJI Mini 3 Pro, a standout model in DJI’s Mini series that has been very popular with beginners and professional photographers. In this DJI Mini 3 Pro review, we’ll delve into the intricacies of the drone, providing you with a thorough analysis to help determine if it’s the right fit for you.

We’ll navigate through the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s key features, from its sleek and functional design to its intelligent flight modes, shedding light on why it’s caught the attention of a broad range of drone users. Whether you’re a seasoned drone photographer, hobbyist, or newcomer, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is a compelling choice.

If you’re scouting the market for a new drone, whether for professional photography, leisure, or exploratory purposes, the DJI Mini 3 Pro warrants your consideration. Our review promises to provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at this innovative drone, ensuring you make an informed decision about the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Review – Design

When you first lay eyes on the DJI Mini 3 Pro, it’s evident that it’s undergone a design transformation. Both its predecessors, the original Mini and the Mini 2, bore a striking similarity to each other. However, the Mini 3 Pro breaks away from this mould with a fresh design. It sports a more substantial body and propellers, and the main body boasts a curved aesthetic that sets it apart.

This revamped design not only lends the Mini 3 Pro a unique look but also equips it with an extended flight duration. The larger body cleverly houses strategically positioned, sizeable sensors that enhance obstacle detection and avoidance. Plus, a novel gimbal design facilitates true vertical shooting, a feature that is sure to excite drone enthusiasts.

At the heart of the drone is an intelligent LiPo battery, powering the Mini 3 Pro for about 34 minutes of flight time. There’s also an option for an Intelligent +’ battery, which extends the flight time to around 47 minutes. However, keep in mind that this battery option slightly tips the drone’s weight over the 250g mark.

In terms of storage, the Mini 3 Pro is well-equipped with over 1GB of internal storage. It also features a micro SD card slot that accommodates a maximum capacity of 512GB, provided the card has a UHS-I Class 3 or above rating. This ample storage capacity means you can capture and store more of your aerial adventures with the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

DJI Mini 3 Pro – Remote Controller Compatibility

This drone is compatible with two controllers: the DJI RC-N1 and DJI RC. The DJI RC-N1 is the standard controller, while the DJI RC is the upgraded version.

Of these options, I have a clear preference for the DJI RC. Its standout feature is the integrated HD display, which negates the need to use a smartphone for visual feedback—a convenience many users will appreciate.

The DJI RC controller is equipped with various controls and customisable buttons, such as the C1 and C2 buttons, which can be programmed for specific functions. This user-friendly configuration offers easy and flexible drone operation. The controller’s video transmission capacity is equally impressive, capable of streaming HD videos from a distance of up to 12km with low latency.

Operating on dual frequencies, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz, the controller automatically selects the best transmission channel for optimal performance.

This feature significantly reduces potential interference, ensuring a stable connection throughout.

For me, the crowning feature of the DJI RC controller is its integrated 5.5-inch touchscreen, boasting a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. This removes the need for users to tether their mobile devices—a significant advantage.

With an extended battery life of up to four hours, the controller ensures a lengthy operational period without the concern of the battery draining rapidly. Supplemental features like a flight mode switch, a flight pause/return to home button, dials for gimbal and camera control, status LED indicators, and battery level LEDs, collectively enhance the user’s control, safety, and monitoring capabilities during flight operations.

However, there are a couple of downsides to the DJI RC controller; one of the main ones is that you cannot install third-party apps. This could cause some issues for people who want to use the drone for things like mapping, inspection and professional photography, where third-party apps will be required.

Also, there have been complaints that the range on the DJ RC is not as strong as that on the DJI RC N1. I always keep my drone within my line of sight as the law requires, but for those of you who want to fly further out, you may have some issues with the range on the DJI RC.

DJI Mini 3 Pro – DJI Fly App

The DJI Fly app is a dedicated application developed by DJI for use with their line of newer consumer drones, including the DJI Mini 3 Pro. Launched with the DJI Mavic Mini, the DJI Fly app is more user-friendly and streamlined than the DJI GO 4 app used for their older drones.

The DJI Fly app is available for iOS and Android devices and provides an intuitive interface for drone pilots to interact with their DJI drone. The app gives pilots access to a live video feed from the drone’s camera, and it also provides a range of flight and camera controls.

Key features of the DJI Fly app include:

Flight Tutorial: The app provides a beginner’s guide and tutorial to help new users understand the basics of drone flight and operations.

Intuitive Flight Controls: The DJI Fly app offers a simple and intuitive interface for controlling the drone and its camera.

Live HD Video Feed: The app allows users to view a live HD video feed from the drone’s camera, enabling precise composition and framing for aerial photography and videography.

Advanced Camera Settings and Controls: Users can adjust camera settings, such as ISO, shutter speed, and white balance, directly from the app. It also provides access to advanced camera modes like Panorama, time-lapse, and slow motion.

Flight Data and Telemetry: The app displays real-time flight data and telemetry, including altitude, speed, distance, and battery level.

Flight Modes: The DJI Fly app provides access to various intelligent flight modes that automate certain flight and camera operations to help users easily capture professional-looking aerial footage. These include modes like QuickShots, ActiveTrack, and Point of Interest.

Geofencing Information: The app displays geofencing information to inform pilots of areas where drone flight is restricted or dangerous.

Flight Log: The DJI Fly app maintains a log of all flights, providing information such as flight times, locations, and distances flown.

Editing and Sharing: The DJI Fly app includes a basic editing suite that allows users to edit their footage directly within the app and then share it on social media.

Update Firmware: The app allows users to easily update their drone’s firmware to ensure optimal performance.

The DJI Fly app is continuously updated by DJI, with each update often bringing new features and improvements to ensure a better user experience.

One thing to note is that the DJI Fly App is no longer available on the Google Play Store, although it is available on the Apple App Store. If you have an Android device, you will need to download the app from the DJI website.

For pilots who are interested in mapping, third-party apps like Map Pilot Pro and Dronelink can be used to fulfil such needs. These apps allow users to plan and execute complex flight paths for capturing data needed for detailed aerial mapping.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Review – Camera

The DJI Mini 3 Pro showcases a significant leap forward in its camera capabilities when compared to the other mini drones from DJI.

The camera is equipped with a large 1.13-inch CMOS sensor, capable of capturing images at 12MP and 48MP in both JPEG and RAW formats.

It also comes with dual native ISO technology and a large f/1.7 aperture, a significant enhancement that expands the dynamic range of the camera, reduces noise and sharpens images in low-light conditions. This technology provides photographers with a heightened level of control for capturing superior aerial night images with an increased dynamic range.

The drone’s innovative 3-axis mechanical gimbal is a departure from the norm seen in other DJI Mini drones.

Its wider axis opens up a new realm of creativity for shots. Additionally, the gimbal boasts a unique capability of rotating between landscape and portrait modes. This lets users shoot true vertical videos and images—an inclusion by DJI specifically for social media enthusiasts who frequent platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

The Mini 3 Pro features various photography modes, including single, AEB, interval, and Panorama. However, the 48MP image capturing is limited to the single-shot mode.

When it comes to video recording, the Mini 3 Pro excels with capabilities such as 4k at 60fps, 2.7k at 60fps, and 1080p at 60fps. It also records slow-motion HD videos at 120fps. With a maximum video bitrate of 150Mbps, videos can be recorded in both H.264 and H.265 codecs.

Users also have two colour profile options to shoot with, D-Cinelike or Normal. The camera features a useful zoom function, but users should be aware that using the feature at the camera’s highest resolution may degrade image quality.

The Mini 3 Pro also comes with intelligent video features for effortless high-quality video recording. This includes Hyperlapse for creating time-lapse videos with pre-programmed automated flight paths and Mastershots & Quickshots for creating short HD videos ideal for social media sharing.

Comparatively, the Mini 3 Pro’s camera features are significantly more advanced than its predecessor, the Mini 2. It’s more comparable to the Air 2 and Air 2S in terms of capabilities. If you’re a Mini 2 owner looking to upgrade, the Mini 3 Pro

DJI Mini 3 Pro – Intelligent Features

The DJI Mini 3 Pro introduces several intelligent features that were previously absent in earlier models.

First and foremost is the addition of Focus Track which includes 3 autonomous methods of tracking subjects.

The most widely used is probably the Active Track 4.0 feature. This enables the drone to automatically lock onto and follow a moving subject; the drone can follow the subject from behind or from the side.

Next is the Point of Interest 3.0 feature, which enables users to fixate on a specific object or location. Once selected, the drone autonomously orbits around the point of interest in a circular pattern while keeping the camera focused on the subject. This feature greatly enhances the ability to capture dynamic aerial shots of landmarks or interesting locations.

Spotlight 2.0 is the final subject-tracking feature. The user can manually control the drone’s flight while the camera remains locked on a selected subject. This feature is particularly beneficial for creating intricate and creative shots, especially with moving subjects.

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is equipped with a 3-way obstacle avoidance system. Utilising binocular vision sensors, this feature helps the drone detect and navigate around obstacles, significantly enhancing the safety of flight operations.

This is probably one of the more impressive additions to this sub-250g drone.

And finally, the Mini 3 Pro comes with a GPS-assisted return-to-home feature; this feature is now standard in all drones that come with a GPS module. It’s a good feature as it minimises the risk of losing your drone or damaging it.

These advanced features significantly enhance the capabilities of the DJI Mini 3 Pro, addressing the major criticisms of earlier models and making it an all-encompassing tool suitable for both novice and experienced drone users.

Standard Package or DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit?

When it comes to purchasing the DJI Mini 3 Pro, you have several options. The most economical choice is the standard package, which includes the drone, a single battery, the RC-N1 controller, additional propellers, and necessary cables.

However, for those planning extensive use of the drone or frequent travel, the DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit is a worthy consideration. This package not only includes the standard contents but also throws in two extra batteries and a stylish shoulder bag for easy transportation. The extra batteries significantly extend the drone’s flight time, providing more flexibility and convenience.

Alternatively, there’s the Fly More Plus Kit, which upgrades the standard batteries to two Intelligent Plus batteries. These advanced batteries provide even longer flight times.

Given the value added by the extra batteries and the convenience of the shoulder bag, I’d recommend opting for one of the Fly More Kit packages. The additional investment will prove worthwhile, especially for those intending to use the drone extensively or in professional settings.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Essential Accessories

There is a list of must-have accessories for the DJI Mini 3 Pro that can greatly enhance your experience with the drone. These include:

• Low-noise propellers: They reduce noise during flights, making your drone less disruptive in quiet environments.
• Propeller holder: This keeps your propellers safe and easily accessible.
• Battery charging hub: Essential for recharging your drone’s batteries.
• SanDisk micro SD Card: For expanding your drone’s storage capabilities.
• Anti-glare screen protector for the DJI RC Pro
• Monitor hood for RC-N1 or RC controller for sunshade
• DJI Mini 3 Pro ND filters and wide-angle lenses improve your drone’s imaging capabilities.
• Wide-angle lens to expand the drone’s FOV for photos and videos.
• Propeller guard: This enhances the safety of your drone during flight.
• Neck strap for the remote controller.
• Landing Pad: This provides your drone with a clear and safe space to land.
• Waterproof Hard Case: This provides durable protection for your drone during transit.

These accessories can be grouped into four categories: basic must-have accessories, accessories for advanced operations, accessories for advanced imaging, and accessories for added flight safety. With these accessories, you can ensure that you’re getting the most out of your DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the DJI Mini 3 Pro stands out as a true game-changer in the world of compact drones. It combines portability with power, featuring an impressive camera, extended flight times, and advanced features typically found in larger, more expensive drones.

From its improved design to its superior performance, every detail has been thoughtfully engineered. Whether you’re a beginner stepping into the world of drone photography, a seasoned professional looking for a travel-friendly alternative, or a hobbyist seeking to capture memorable moments from a new perspective, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is a compelling choice. Its versatility and value make it more than just a drone – it’s a creative tool, ready to take your aerial photography and videography to new heights.