So DJI has recently released two new drones - the DJI Mini 3 and the DJI Mini 3 Pro. Both drones are the latest additions to the Mini line and are compact, portable, and designed to capture stunning aerial footage with ease.
The DJI Air 2s, on the other hand, is a more advanced drone and it has been around for quite a while. Known for its impressive camera quality, flight performance, and other features it’s loved by many fans. In this article, we'll be comparing the DJI Mini 3 (and pro) and DJI Air 2s, looking at their features, specifications, and performance.
We'll cover the camera quality of both drones, including image and photo quality, and compare their noise levels and wind resistance.
By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of the differences between the DJI Mini 3 and DJI Air 2s, and you’ll know exactly which one is right for you. Whether you're a professional photographer, videographer, or just looking to capture some amazing aerial footage.
So, buckle up and let's dive in!
Before we do a side by side comparison, let’s take a quick look at the DJI Mini 3 and its features first. We’ll then look at the DJI Mini 3 pro as well, which is pretty much the same besides the camera, sensors and intelligent flight modes.
I won’t talk about the design and build because those don’t really matter much here (although I personally think the Mini 3 looks better, design-wise).
Let’s start with something we all look at first when buying a drone – battery life & flight time.
The new DJI Mini 3 has a battery of 2,453mAh that’s called Intelligent Flight Battery and weighs just 80.5g. It’s claimed to provide a flight time of up to 38 minutes.
Intelligent Flight Battery Plus
You can actually allow your DJI Mini 3 to fly for up to 51 minutes which is staggering for such a small drone! The Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, featuring a 3,850mAh capacity, is also available for the Mini 3. This increases the official flight time to 51 minutes, but takes the Mini 3's weight above 250g, moving it into the next weight category in most regions. In which case you’ll be subject to drone laws in the U.S.
DJI Mini 3 Transmission
Much like its predecessor the DJI Mini 2, the Mini 3 uses the Ocusync 2.0 (O2) transmission system which offers up to 10 kilometers of flight range.
Don’t test it though, not only is flying out of visual sight illegal, but the range also will depend on many factors like the environment. If you fly it too far from you, you may never see your Mini 3 again.
Now onto the good stuff, the camera. So what’s new in the DJI Mini 3 camera? Let’s start with the technical details. You’ve got:
Thanks to the new 12.1MP 1/1.3-inch sensor of the Mini 3, which is capable of capturing 48MP photos, image quality is incredibly good for such a small and lightweight drone.
There is a small loss of sharpness towards the edges of the frame when shooting stills, which is typical of most consumer drones (even the good ones like the Mini), and lateral chromatic aberrations can be visible along high-contrast subject edges, but this isn’t a major issue for most users.
As for video, 4k video can be expected as it became the bare minimum for drones these days. You can also expect a smooth 60 fps footage from the drone that makes end footage look amazing!
If you're looking for more resolution out of your Mini 3, you'll be pleased to know that you're able to capture raw files and JPEGs in two resolutions. The standard 12.1MP is great, but if you want something even bigger, you can switch over to 48MP mode.
Overall, The DJI Mini 3 is an excellent pick for hobbyist photographers and travelers alike. Its camera and video capabilities are top-notch, giving you the ability to capture stunning aerial footage or just your memories on the go.
As I said, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is largely similar to the DJI Mini 3, except for a few key things.
The Mini 3 pro benefits from the advantage of being able to use the Intelligent battery plus.
You can actually allow your DJI Mini 3 pro to fly for up to 51 minutes which is staggering for such a small drone! That’s possible with the intelligent battery plus, featuring a 3,850mAh capacity. This increases the official flight time to 51 minutes, but takes the Mini 3 Pro's weight above 250g, moving it into the next weight category in most regions. In which case you’ll be subject to drone laws in the U.S.
The Mini 3 Pro is slightly better than the Mini 3 when it comes to the camera! You'll love the 4K 60FPS video, stunning 48 MP stills with RAW support, and the ability to rotate the sensor for the perfect social media shot.
With a 1/1.3 inch 48MP CMOS sensor and F1.7 aperture, you'll be able to capture all the details. Plus, the 82.1º field of view and 100-6400 ISO range makes it possible to get great shots in any lighting condition. And with the 2-1/8000 second electronic shutter range, you'll also never miss a moment!
Not only that, but you can also choose between JPEG or DNG photo formats and MP4 or MOV (H.264/H.265) video formats. And with Quickshots, Mastershots, and Active Track 4.0, you'll be able to create amazing videos with just a click. Whether you want to keep a person, bike, or car in frame, Active Track has got you covered.
And the best part? Mastershots makes it super easy for you to document all your adventures with just one click. The Mini 3 will fly around your subject and capture video from different angles, creating a perfect video that's ready to share with the world.
So now that we’ve gone over all the specs for these beauties, how do they compare to the Air 2s? More specifically, how does the Mini 3 Pro compare, as it’s the better version of the two.
Let’s break it down shall we…
One of the key differences between the DJI Air 2S and the Mini 3 Pro is the size of their sensors. The Air 2S boasts a larger 1-inch image sensor, while the Mini 3 Pro has a smaller 0.8-inch sensor.
One of the biggest differences is also their shooting capabilities. The Air 2S can capture footage in both 4K and 5.4K, while the Mini 3 Pro is limited to just 4K. However, despite this difference, the Mini 3 Pro still has a lot in common with the Air 2S.
Initially, the Mini 3 Pro's 8-bit color grade was a bit of a drawback compared to the Air 2S, but a recent update has brought it up to speed. Now, the Mini 3 Pro can shoot in 10-bit just like the Air 2S! Both drones have a range of cool flight modes, like Quickshots, MasterShots, Spotlight, Point Of Interest, Hyperlapse, and ActiveTrack, and they can both shoot 120fps at 1080p.
Another plus for the Mini 3 Pro is its wider aperture and ISO range compared to the Air 2S. And, thanks to its vertical gimbal position, the Mini 3 Pro lets you shoot in Portrait mode, which is pretty cool.
To me, the winner here is pretty clear: the Air 2s has the Mini 3 Pro beat.
When it comes to flight time, both the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Air 2S look pretty similar on paper, with 38 minutes and 31 minutes respectively. But, let's be real, in the real world, your flight time can vary based on the battery conditions, the environment, and how you fly. You can expect anywhere from 25 to 31 minutes of flight time.
However, there's a little trick for the Mini 3 Pro - you can get a beefier battery that can last for over 51 minutes! Just keep in mind that this battery isn't allowed in some regions like the US or UK.
And, it makes sense that the Air 2S has a shorter flight time considering it's a bit heavier. That extra weight probably means it has a more powerful battery, which is necessary to achieve that 31 minute flight time.
Okay, so let's talk price. The DJI Mini 3 Pro is a bit pricier than previous Mini drones, but when you consider all the new features they packed in while keeping the weight under 250 grams, I'd say it's totally worth it.
The Mini 3 Pro starts at $669 without the controller, $759 with the standard controller, and $909 with the controller that has a built-in screen.
On the other hand, the Air 2S costs start at $999 for the drone and one battery, which is probably not an entry-level price point!
So we've covered a lot of grounds in this article, but when you get down to it, what really is the better drone here?
If we’re talking spec alone, the Air 2s clearly has the Mini 3 Pro beat. Fair and square.
Even in price, the Air 2s isn’t that expensive compared to the DJI Mini 3 pro… BUT, I’d still choose a Mini 3 Pro over an Air 2s.
The Mini 3 Pro just has that sub-250g allure that all Mini drones have. The ability to explore the skies and take film-worthy footage with such a small and light device is appealing to many of us drone pilots after all.
So for me, the DJI Mini 3 Pro comes on top for sure, but it’ll really largely depend on your personal use case.
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