DJI Mini 3 Pro Review: A Small Drone That Doesn’t Compromise

The DJI Spark is a massive hit and has taken the drone market by storm.

It’s an excellent camera drone for beginners but has some limitations. For example, the low-resolution video recording and photo capabilities are not ideal for professional users who want to shoot high-quality content from a small drone. This is why we’re seeing more drones released that bridge the gap between beginner-friendly drones like the Spark and more professional drones like the Phantom series. The DJI Mini 3 Pro is one of these new compact drones for pros, now available for purchase at a great price of $399, down from its original price of $549.

What Is the DJI Mini 3 Pro?

The Mini 3 Pro is a small drone with a lot of versatility and functionality. While it’s smaller than the standard size of a “pro” drone, it still has a camera and other features that make it great for professional use. The Mini 3 Pro is DJI’s smallest drone with a 1080p camera and can shoot 12-megapixel photos. It also has a 4K video mode, but only at a reduced frame rate of 30 frames per second. These small drones have a ton of potential for aerial photography and videography. They’re significantly less expensive than the standard-sized drones but have many of the same features.

Why Buy a Mini Drone for Pros?

Mini drones for pros are a fantastic option for professionals who want the portability of a smaller drone but don’t want to sacrifice any of the features. Flight time is the most significant difference between these mini and standard-sized drones. Mini drones have a much shorter flight time, most averaging around 12 or 13 minutes per full battery charge. This can be a deal-breaker for some people and an issue to keep in mind when considering mini drones. However, mini drones have much more manageable pricing and a much smaller form factor. Due to their smaller size, mini drones are a little less detectable. The DJI Mini 3 Pro is less than half the size of a full-sized drone and can quickly fly indoors.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Review: Features and Specs

The Mini 3 Pro has all the features you’d expect from a high-quality drone. It has a 12-megapixel camera that can shoot in JPEG and RAW and up to 3,300 ISO. It has an f/2.8 aperture and an 83° field of view. The camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal that stabilizes the footage, keeping it smooth whether you’re flying indoors or outdoors. The Mini 3 Pro also has a flight range of just under one mile, so you can fly it far away from you if you want to get epic wide-angle shots of landscapes.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Review: Fly Time and Battery Life

The Mini 3 Pro has a flight time of just under 13 minutes. Compared to its closest relative, the DJI Spark, this is about a minute longer and still shorter than a full-sized drone. However, this is the price to pay for the smaller form factor. If you want a mini drone with great features, a longer flight time will not likely be an option. The battery for the Mini 3 Pro takes about 70 minutes to charge. This is quite long and could potentially be a hindrance if you plan to charge multiple batteries at once. While the battery life and charging times are not as great as some other drones, they are within the standard range.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Review: Camera and Video Quality

The Mini 3 Pro has a 12-megapixel camera with an f/2.8 aperture and can shoot at 3,300 ISO. The camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal that keeps the footage smooth, even if you’re flying indoors or outdoors. In addition, the camera can shoot JPEG and RAW, a nice feature for photographers who want more flexibility in post-production. The camera on the Mini 3 Pro shoots at a maximum resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels at 30 frames per second in 4K mode. This is an excellent resolution for social media and YouTube videos but not enough for high-quality cinematic work. The Mini 3 Pro also records in H.265/H265, which is better quality than H.264, at the same bitrate.

Verdict

The Mini 3 Pro is a fantastic mini drone for pros and is definitely worth the investment. It has a great camera, can shoot 4K video, and has a flight time of just under 13 minutes. In addition, it has a flight range of just over one mile and can be easily flown indoors. You can even connect a gimbal to the camera to get extra smooth shots, and this is something you can’t do with the DJI Spark. The only downside of the Mini 3 Pro is its price, which is significantly more than the DJI Spark. However, this is a great option if you want a mini drone that can do everything a standard-sized drone can do.