Small, compact drones like the DJI Mini 3 and Mini 2 are great for beginners and produce incredible pictures and videos that have even been used by professionals. These lightweight drones aren’t subject to the same restrictions and requirements because of their sub-250 gram weight. Which one should you choose? Is the DJI Mini 3 Pro or the Mini 2 the best drone for you?
DJI Mini 3 vs. DJI Mini 2
The DJI Mini 3 is the newer and more expensive of the two drones. It has a brand new design, an improved camera, obstacle avoidance, and even a new transmission system. But is the DJI Mini 3 the better drone for you? The DJI Mini 3 Pro is $659 without a controller, $749 with the RCN1 controller, or $909 with the new DJI RC smart controller. The Mini 2 is $449 with the RCN1 controller and the Mini SE is only $299 with the old school Mini remote. Which drone is better suited for your needs? Let’s take a closer look.
DJI Mini 3 Pro vs Mini 2 Camera
The camera on a drone is arguably the most important feature. The DJI Mini 3 Pro camera is definitely new and improved. The Mini 3 camera has a larger sensor 1/1.3″ to the Mini 2’s 1/2.3″ sensor. The biggest advantage here is in lower light situations. The Mini 2 camera is fantastic and shoots professional quality 4K on well light days, but its biggest shortcoming is at night. The larger sensor and the bigger aperture f/1.7 give the Mini 3 a big advantage. These two improvements coupled with dual native ISO of the Mini 3 give it a huge advantage over the Mini 2 camera.
The Mini 3 will capture 48 MP stills compared to the 12 MP of the Mini 2. The Mini 3 Pro can even take pictures in either landscape or portrait mode. The new design also allows for a larger look-up angle of 60-degrees. Overall the camera here is a huge improvement over the Mini 2. It isn’t on par with the camera on the Air 2S or the Mavic 3, but it is definitely a step up from the Mini 2.
Mini 3 vs Mini 2 Flight Modes
The addition of three-way obstacle avoidance also allows the Mini 3 to have additional flight modes that the Mini 2 does not have. The Mini 3 Pro has Active Track 4.o, Spotlight 2.0, and Point of Interest 3.0. These tracking modes have only been included on DJI drones that have obstacle avoidance sensors.
The Mini 3 also has Master Shots and Time Lapse. Both Mini drones have the Quick Shots including dronie, rocket, circle, helix, and boomerang. Adding the Pro moniker to the Mini 3 Pro means more professional style options in this case.
DJI Mini 3 Range and Flight Time vs Mini 2
The flight time of these two drones is fairly comparable. The Mini 2 has a flight time of 31 minutes, compared to the 34-minute flight time of the Mini 3. However, the Mini 3 has an optional larger battery that can extend flight times up to 47 minutes. This larger capacity battery however does come with a large caveat. It will put the Mini 3 over 250 grams and therefore should be registered with the FAA.
The DJI Mini 2 and Mini SE are both excellent options.
DJI Mini 3 Range vs Mini 2
Both of these drones have impressive transmission systems. The DJI Mini 2 uses the Occusync 2.0 system and gets a range of up to 10,000 meters. The Mini 3 however uses the newer O3 system and can get up to 12,000 meters. It also has a clearer FPV feed for the pilot. While you won’t likely fly this far away the signal will be much clearer and stronger especially if you are flying in the vicinity of large obstructions.
Which is the best drone for you?
If money isn’t an issue it is clear that the DJI Mini 3 Pro is the better of the two drones. However, that doesn’t mean that isn’t the best drone for you. The Mini 2 is no slouch and is used by professionals and hobbyists around the world. The 4K camera is no slouch. You can get a top-notch experience with the Mini 2 without having to spend nearly twice as much as you would with the Mini 3. Even the $299 Mini SE is a viable option. It is basically the same drone as the Mini 2 with two exceptions. It doesn’t have the range and the camera is limited to 2.7K instead of 4K. In the end, the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Mini 2 are both excellent options. You’ll have to decide which option best suits your needs.
| Check the price of the DJI Mini 3 | Check the price of the DJI Mini 2 |
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