DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone Review 2023 | Small but Terrible Drone

Looking for a drone that delivers high-quality performance in a lightweight and compact package? Look no further than the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone! 

The DJI Mini 3 Pro ticks all the boxes, pushing boundaries by weighing under 250 grams while offering premium features that rival larger, more expensive models. With obstacle detection, 4K at 60 fps video recording, and DJI’s advanced FocusTrack suite, the Mini 3 Pro delivers breathtaking aerial footage that’s sure to impress.

In this article, we’ll explore the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s impressive design, camera capabilities, and flight performance, delving into what makes it a top choice among drone enthusiasts. Whether you’re an experienced content creator or simply looking to capture stunning footage on your next adventure, the Mini 3 Pro promises an unforgettable drone flying experience. 

So without further ado let’s dive in and see what makes this drone a must-have for anyone looking to level up their content creation. 

Product Specifications:

• Weight: <249g
• Folded size:145×90×62 mm
• Unfolded size:171×245×62 mm
• Unfolded (including propellers): 251×362×70 mm
• Max Flight Time: 34 mins (with Intelligent Flight Battery) and 47 mins (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) at 21.6 kph in windless conditions
• Max Wind Speed Resistance: 10.7 m/s (Level 5)
• Max Distance: 
• Max Flight Time: 18 km (with Intelligent Flight Battery) and 25 km (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) at 43.2 kph in windless conditions
• Still Photography Modes: Single shot, 48 MP, Burst shooting, Automatic exposure bracketing, Timed, Panorama, HDR
• Video Resolution: Up to 4k@60 fps

See DJI Mini 3 Pro price on Amazon 

Design and Build

If you’re a fan of DJI drones, you might notice some similarities in the design of the DJI Mini 3 Pro. It has the same color scheme and folding arm design but with some improvements. For instance, you no longer need to worry about unfolding the arms in a specific order, which makes setting it up and getting it in the air a breeze.

One thing to note, though, is that the propellers don’t have spring-loaded mounts, so you’ll need a screwdriver to replace them if needed. However, this shouldn’t be a problem as long as you fly safely and avoid obstacles.

What sets the DJI Mini 3 Pro apart is its weight. It comes in just under the 250g threshold, so you don’t have to register it with the authorities. That being said, it’s still important to check updated drone laws in your country or destination countries to ensure legal compliance. 

Despite packing many advanced features, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is impressively small and compact. When its arms are folded, it has a similar footprint to that of a large smartphone, like the Pixel 6 Pro, and stands only about 2.5 inches high. It’s so small, you can fit it in the loose pockets of your jacket or cargo shorts! 

 

RC Controller (with Built-in Screen) and DJI Fly App

DJI offers two choices of controllers for their drones. The first option is the “RC-N1,” the classic controller that has been included with every standard DJI drone since the release of the Air 2 in mid-2020. It’s got a spring clamp on top for your phone and a USB-C port with cables included for attaching to smartphones with USB-C or Lightning ports.

Alternatively, you could go for the brand-new DJI RC controller. This option has a built-in-screen display and runs on a custom-built version of Android, specifically designed for DJI’s flight software. It’s similar to the DJI RC Pro controller with last year’s highest-end Mavic 3 Cine model. The new controller is faster and easier to set up and connect, and the software experience feels more streamlined since it’s solely focused on flying.

One big benefit of the DJI RC controller is that it eliminates the need for your smartphone during a flight. You won’t have to worry about sudden phone calls or notifications interrupting your flight, and you won’t need to carry a secondary phone. Additionally, the DJI Fly app may not always be compatible with new OS versions, but this won’t be an issue with the DJI RC.

The antenna on the RC-N1 is built into the spring-loaded phone clip, while the new RC has a pair of folding antennas. Either way, they have the same transmission range. The new RC has a slot on the bottom for a microSD card, though, which you can use to store screen recordings or lower-quality footage captured straight from the video transmission.

However, although the DJI RC is comfortable to hold, it’s a bit bulky compared to that of an Xbox or PlayStation. They both come with removable metal thumbsticks that are easy to grip, but they’re not safe to leave attached during transport. 

The screen is large enough and looks good, but it only maxes out at 700 nits of brightness. So, the screen can be difficult to see on a bright day or under direct sunlight. The brightness is not that big of a deal for some people, as most older and mid-range smartphones don’t get much brighter either. But modern flagships can reach over 1,000 nits, perfect for very sunny days. DJI could also consider installing a screen protector to prevent micro abrasions from building up over time.

Camera Capabilities

The Mini 3 Pro drone’s camera has a new 12.1MP 1/1.3-inch sensor that can capture stunning 48MP photos (amazing image quality for such a small and lightweight drone). However, you may notice a slight loss of sharpness towards the frame’s edges when taking stills, which is common for consumer DJI drones, and lateral chromatic aberrations along high-contrast subject edges, but this isn’t a major issue and won’t affect the overall quality of the footage. 

One of the standout features of the Mini 3 Pro’s camera is its excellent ISO handling. There is virtually no additional noise visible in raw files at any of the settings above ISO 100, up to the maximum ISO 6400. Plus, natural color reproduction is maintained, so you can shoot at any ISO setting with confidence. 

The Mini 3 Pro drone boasts a camera that employs dual native ISO capturing technology, and the results speak for themselves. Combined with its fast f/1.7 aperture, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is a powerhouse in low-light photography.

When shooting stills with the Mini 3, you have the option to capture raw files and JPEGs in two different resolutions. But here’s the thing, even though it’s advertised as having a 50MP resolution, the “standard” raw files are actually only 12.1MP. To get larger files, you’ll need to shoot in the 48MP mode. However, images taken in 48MP mode may appear less sharp compared to standard 12.1MP files, although this may be due to the natural illusion of detail appearing sharper in smaller images.

The option to shoot in 48MP is a cool feature that gives you more flexibility with the camera. The only drawback is that you can’t use certain shooting modes like AEB, Burst, or Timed Shot mode. If you need to use these modes, you’ll have to stick to the 12.1MP resolution. But don’t worry, if you need larger files, you can always use Adobe’s Super Resolution in Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw to increase their size.

Overall, the videos we captured with the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone are excellent, but we did encounter some problems during testing. We didn’t have a neutral density (ND) filter then, so our 4K footage was choppy. And the fast f/1.7 fixed aperture meant we had to use a fast shutter speed, which made exposure balancing a bit tricky. Regardless, the detail across the frame was still top-notch.

If you plan on shooting a lot of videos, we recommend investing in the ND filter set from DJI to achieve the most fluid footage at the optimal shutter speed. 

You can shoot video at 4K (up to 60p), 2.7K (up to 60p), and FHD (up to 120p) for some sick slow-mo shots at 120fps. With a maximum bitrate of 150Mbps, the Mini 3 Pro is perfect for both novice and pro-level video capture. Plus, the Normal and D-Cinelike color profiles make it easy to get the aesthetic you want for your footage. And thanks to a recent firmware update, you can shoot D-Cinelike in 10-bit color depth, which provides color graders with additional flexibility when editing.

In addition, the Mini 3 Pro allows for 3x zoom at 2.7K, 2x zoom at 4K resolution, and 4x zoom at FHD. But be warned: the quality loss can be noticeable if you overdo it. If you’re after the best quality, stick to FHD and don’t go beyond 2x.

Flight Performance

The Mini 3 Pro has three flight modes. You’ve got Cine mode, perfect for capturing smooth cinematic shots with a speed of 13.4mph. Then there’s Normal mode, the default mode for most situations, with a top speed of 22.3mph. And if you’re feeling more adventurous, there’s Sport mode, which can get you up to 35.7mph (note that this mode disables collision avoidance features). 

The Mini 3 Pro may be small and incredbly lightweight, but don’t let its size fool you – it can handle wind speeds up to 24 mph without a problem. We put it to the test and found that it performs reasonably well in windy conditions, especially when flown in Sport mode.

We were also impressed with the drone’s controls, which were responsive and easy to use, and the connection between the RC controller and drone was reliable. 

DJI has a reputation for continually improving battery and flight performance with each new drone release, and the Mini 3 Pro is no exception. With its new 2,453mAh Intelligent Flight Battery, the Mini 3 Pro can stay airborne for up to 34 minutes, according to DJI. In real-world conditions, though, flight times may be closer to 20-25 minutes when factoring in the temperature, wind, and Return to Home feature. Still, this is a significant improvement over the original DJI Mavic Mini’s battery life.

If you want an even longer flight time, you can purchase an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus. It has a capacity of 3,850mAh and an official flight time of 47 minutes. However, this battery will push the drone’s weight over 250g, and you may need to register it with your local aviation authority. It also won’t be available in some regions, including the EU.

Other Impressive DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone Features

One of the most impressive drone features of the Mini 3 Pro is its tri-directional obstacle avoidance system, which uses wide-angle sensors to detect obstacles in front, behind, and below the drone. With Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems 4.0 (APAS 4.0), you can set it to avoid obstacles automatically, stop the drone when an obstacle is detected, or fly around obstacles while still tracking the subject.

Another exciting addition is the QuickShots feature, which allows you to easily create stunning video footage by using pre-set automated flight patterns.

The FocusTrack Suite is another welcome addition, providing subject-tracking options that make it easier to capture moving subjects. These features are a major improvement for the Mini series and open new possibilities for autonomous flight.

Is It Hard to Fly Mini Drones?

The answer is no. Flying mini drones like the DJI Mini 3 Pro is not difficult at all. As previously mentioned, it’s designed to be user-friendly, with intelligent flight modes and features like obstacle avoidance that automate much of the flying process. 

That being said, it’s still important to read the user manual and follow all safety guidelines when flying a mini drone, or any drone for that matter. With a little bit of practice and patience, flying a drone can become a very enjoyable and effortless activity.

If you’re in search of a more affordable alternative to the DJI Mini 3 Pro, there are plenty of other exceptional drones on the market that deliver impressive performance. Check out our Potensic Atom SE, Ryze Tello, and SG900 Drone Review.

Paalan Sood