Camera & Video Quality of the DJI Mini 3
In this section we'll cover we're going to talk about the real deal when it comes to this drone's visual department. How does it fare in today's market?
The DJI Mini 2 was once called the king of sub-250g drones… with the release of the DJI Mini 3 & DJI Mini 3 Pro however, I think many will agree that that’s no longer the case.
Hear me out…
While the DJI Mini 2 is a marvel of drone technology, the DJI Mini 3 takes that a step further. Sure, it’s not a massive jump in drone tech, but it’s still a huge upgrade compared to its predecessor as we’ll see in this article. If you're interested in learning more about the detailed comparison between the DJI Mini 2, Mini 3, and SE, be sure to check out this article.
In this article we’ll review the DJI Mini 3 features, its battery life, top speed, firmware upgrades and most importantly its price. I’ll also leave a specs table below if you’re the type that hates reading too much. So let’s get to it!
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the DJI Mini 3’s features, let’s start with the build and how it compares to its predecessor the DJI Mini 2.
The Mini 3 is a truly unique addition to the DJI family. The folding design and light-gray finish give it the signature Mavic look, but with some extra curves.
Plus, the propellers are larger than those on its predecessor the Mini 2, so you can enjoy longer flight times (which we’ll get into later).
All in all, it’s pretty clear that the Mini 3 has been carefully designed for maximum durability and convenience. Its lightweight, folding design makes it easy to store and transport, while its strong and sturdy build ensures reliable performance.
In this section we'll cover we're going to talk about the real deal when it comes to this drone's visual department. How does it fare in today's market?
Now on to the most important part of a drone, the camera. Let’s be honest, flying is cool and all but you have to be sure you’re getting cinematic and high-quality footage out of it (how else will you impress your normie friends?!)...
So what’s new in the DJI Mini 3 camera? Let’s start with the technical details. So 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 the video, 4k video can be expected as it became the bare minimum for drones these days. You can also expect smooth 60 fps footage from the drone that makes the 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.
Just keep in mind that this might make the images look a bit less sharp, though this might just be an illusion since detail looks sharper in smaller images. 48MP mode does come with the limitation that you can't use AEB, Burst, or Timed Shot mode - but if you really need higher resolution, you can always use Adobe’s Super Resolution in Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw.
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.
Whether you're looking for a complete imaging and video recording package that you can shoot professional footage with, or just want to capture special memories, the DJI Mini 3 is a perfect choice.
| Downward Vision Positioning | Subject-tracking powers | Increased battery life from the Mini 2 |
Despite its small size and lightweight build, the Mini 3 has a wind speed resistance of up to 24 mph which is no joke, and performs reasonably well in most environmental conditions, particularly when you're flying in the more powerful Sport mode.
When it comes to flight – the Mini 3 offers three flight modes: Cine, Normal & Sport. Much like its predecessor and many drones in the DJI line.
Cine, with a max speed of 13.4mph, provides a slower flight speed with less sensitive controls for smoother cinematic video footage. Normal mode, with a 22.3mph top speed, is the most commonly used mode and more beginner friendly as it’s less likely you’ll crash your brand new drone that way, while Sport is the fastest mode, with the drone able to reach 35.7mph, although collision avoidance is turned off – I wouldn’t advise it if you’re not a pro pilot.
Let’s talk battery… because chances are it’s one of the most important features on the spec sheet for you and many other pilots (including myself). I said that the DJI Mini 3 has a better battery than the DJI Mini 2, which is true.
The new 2,453mAh Intelligent Flight Battery weighs just 80.5g and is claimed to provide a flight time of up to 38 minutes.
Just keep in mind, when you factor in the charge needed for Return to Home, and varying temperatures of the environment you’re in, your flights are more realistically in the 20-25 minute region. Which is still great.
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.
Intelligent Flight Modes
Intelligent Flight Modes are finally coming to the DJI Mini-series starting with the Mini 3. You’ll be able to use most of the known intelligent flight modes that were usually weren’t available.
Quickshots within the Mini 3 allows you to get advanced shots in seconds with just a tap, like Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket, and Boomerang. You can send the results to your mobile device for saving or sharing just as quickly with QuickTransfer.
I’ve already done an in-depth article about intelligent flight modes which you can find here.
DJI Mini 3 Transmission & Flight Range
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.
In this section we'll see what price the drone is, is it worth it and who it is mainly made for.
The DJI mini 3 starts at $469 in the U.S. without a remote controller, at $559 with a normal remote controller, and at $699 with a remote controller with a built-in screen.
Personally, I think it’s well-priced for the amount of tech and features it holds. The price and small weight make it the perfect entry-level drone for pros and hobbyists alike.
If I had to describe the DJI Mini 3, I’d say it is a modernized entry-level drone.
The Mini 3 is suited for people who want a contemporary sub-250g drone that can capture decent photos and video clips. While it’s an entry-level drone, it packs more than enough tech for even pros to find it useful in their day-to-day flights.
Also, even if you decide that you’ll eventually need to upgrade to the DJI Mini 3 Pro (which I discuss in this article), what’s cool about the Mini 3 is that its batteries are interchangeable with the Mini 3 pro.
We’ve gone over all the features and upgrades of the DJI Mini 3, as well as its starting price (within the U.S.), so the question remains – is it worth buying, or should you just settle for good ol’ Mini 2?
The DJI Mini 3 is definitely worth it, especially since its price is similar to that of the DJI Mini 2, so it makes more sense to buy the upgrade if you haven’t bought a drone yet.
Also, knowing DJI, the Mini 2 will probably soon be pulled out of the market and you’ll only be able to get it secondhand.
While considering buying the DJI Mini 3 though, you may come across the Mini 3 pro, so what is it and how does it compare to the Mini 3?
Check out my in-depth article about the DJI Mini 2 to see if you’re better off adding those extra $200 and getting it instead!
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