- The Mini 3 Professional is a wholly totally different beast from what we have seen beforehand from DJI, shelling the entry-level tag of its predecessors and providing a very compelling possibility for all comers.
With the unique Mavic Mini, launched again in 2019, DJI produced a powerful video and images drone that fell into the all-important sub-250g weight class required to bypass drone restrictions. To take action, although, the corporate eliminated among the options discovered on its bigger, heavier and extra premium choices.
With a lower-spec digicam and fewer sensors, then, the primary Mavic Mini was extra of an entry-level drone - with an entry-level value level to match. The introduction of the Mini 2 noticed the specs enhance, however there have been nonetheless numerous omissions with the intention to meet the burden standards.
The third-gen mannequin adjustments that, including a few of DJI's most spectacular options whereas additionally, crucially, remaining underneath 250g.
The quantity of tech packed into this little quadcopter is actually staggering, so let's check out what this mini marvel can do.
DJI has taken nearly all of the options from its flagship drones and someway squeezed them into one thing that folds right into a footprint smaller than most smartphones, and is about as heavy as a hamster.
Not solely does it make issues simpler relating to staying according to native rules, however it additionally makes it a lot much less of a chore to hold and, subsequently, truly get out of the bag and use extra.
Whereas actually favouring perform over kind, the design updates are additionally extremely sensible, making the Mini 3 Professional an especially versatile artistic software. The flight expertise is second to none, and we had been astonished at how nicely a craft of this measurement and weight may deal with the wind. All through our testing, we discovered it simple and secure to fly, due to the abundance of sensors and autonomous flight modes. Lastly, and possibly most significantly, the picture produced is improbable.
Our solely want is that it might be had for rather less money, however we do really feel the upgrades justify the rise in value. So, because it stands, the Mini 3 Professional is our favorite drone so far.
DJI Mini 3 Professional
- Nonetheless underneath 250g
- Inclusion of FocusTracking and MasterShots
- Wider aperture and bigger sensor
- 48MP pictures
- Lengthy secure flights
- It may get costly if you would like the RC Professional controller
- The vertical taking pictures mode will not profit everybody
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Selecting your choices
- Mini 3 Professional with out RC - €739 / £639
- Mini 3 Professional Customary - €829 / £709
- Mini 3 Professional with DJI RC - €999 / £859
- Fly Extra accent package - €189 / £159
There are extra choices than ever relating to selecting a Mini 3 Professional bundle. This features a significantly thrilling version - one which comes with the all-new DJI RC standalone controller. Let's take a fast take a look at what every possibility will get you.
First, there's the choice to purchase the Mini 3 Professional with a single battery and no distant controller. You will not be capable to use it with no controller, however, for the reason that Mini 3 Professional makes use of the identical RC-N1 controller because the Mini 2, Air 2 and Mavic 3, those that have already got a controller can avoid wasting cash by shopping for it with out. You will additionally get some fundamental equipment, such because the gimbal protector, spare propellers and screws, together with a type-C cable.
Then, there's the usual version, which comes with the whole lot talked about above and the RC-N1 controller that we all know and love.
Essentially the most engaging and costly variant comes with all the identical package however replaces the RC-N1 controller with the brand new DJI RC controller. This controller has a built-in 5.5-inch touchscreen show, which lets you fly the drone with out the usage of your smartphone. Primarily, there is a stripped-down Android cellphone constructed instantly into the gadget, so, whereas it's costly, it is fairly good worth for the tech that is included.
Apparently, there is no Fly Extra Combo for the Mini 3 Professional. As a substitute, you should purchase the Fly Extra accent package individually. The package will get you two further batteries, a three-bay charging hub, a carrying case and extra screws and propellers. The charging hub is nice - it plugs in with a normal USB-C cable and might cost three batteries directly, and it additionally has a USB Sort-A output that can be utilized to cost up the distant controller or your cellphone. It is a good package, however we do assume the asking value is on the steep facet.
Design and options
- Takeoff Weight: 249g
- Diagonal Size: 247mm
- Storage: MicroSD card slot
Essentially the most instantly noticeable design change with the Mini 3 Professional is the inclusion of two huge impediment detection sensors on the entrance of the drone. The aesthetic is not as good because the glossy, streamlined designs of its predecessors, with the change giving the drone a chunky frog-like vibe. We expect most would agree, although, that the added performance greater than makes up for it.
One facet of the design that's particularly intelligent is the way in which the entrance of the drone is formed to not hinder the digicam's view. The realm between the entrance sensors sweeps backwards, permitting the gimbal to level upwards at virtually a 90-degree angle with out obstruction. This implies you can get low-angle pictures that had been by no means potential on earlier fashions, and nonetheless aren't potential on numerous the model's most high-end fashions.
The redesigned gimbal can be extra strong and fewer susceptible to tilting when flying at excessive speeds. As well as, it provides one thing distinctive to the Mini 3 Professional - true vertical taking pictures. The digicam module can rotate 90-degrees to shoot vertical movies and pictures, that are higher suited to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Vertical taking pictures can be nice relating to taking pictures footage of huge buildings, waterfalls or rivers with out compromising picture high quality.
When folded for storage, the Mini 3 Professional is roughly the identical measurement because the Mini 2. Nevertheless, DJI has someway managed to suit bigger propellers on this model. These are extra environment friendly than the earlier props, and so give us a barely longer flight time, along with making a lower-pitched sound.
The RC-N1 controller stays utterly unchanged from earlier releases, so, in the event you go for the usual version, there will likely be no surprises there. The brand new DJI RC controller, alternatively, may be very thrilling. The built-in display is massive at round 5.5-inches and will get very shiny for flying in direct daylight - on par with our Google Pixel 5.
The burden is sort of the identical because the RC-N1 and a mean smartphone mixed, coming in at 390 grams. In comparison with the RC-N1, you lose two buttons from the entrance of the controller however acquire an extra shoulder button and slider. There are two extra programmable perform buttons on the rear of the controller, too.
We discovered the DJI RC controller to be a delight to make use of, with the most important profit being that our cellphone wasn't tied up at some stage in our flights. Since flight instances are getting longer and longer, we will solely see this getting extra fascinating. The touchscreen was additionally very responsive, and the DJI Fly app labored flawlessly, operating simply the identical because it does on a smartphone.
Ergonomically, the DJI RC felt higher, as nicely, although it have to be stated that our arms are on the bigger facet and this may seemingly rely upon the person. The one factor we did not like in regards to the RC is how lengthy it takes besides up. It is comprehensible, on condition that it is booting Android, however it may be just a little irritating in the event you're in a rush.
The flying expertise
- Max pace: 35.8mph in Sport mode
- Max flight time: 34 minutes with customary battery
- Three-way impediment avoidance
In relation to flying, we actually put the DJI Mini 3 Professional via its paces, flying in some robust winds that had been nicely above the speeds that DJI recommends (sorry, DJI).
Even in probably the most difficult situations, the Mini 3 Professional carried out admirably.
We had been nervous initially, because the drone is so light-weight you can simply envision it being blown away, by no means to return, however it stayed precisely the place we advised it to, solely swaying barely. When trying on the video feed, it could as nicely have been on a tripod, staying clean and regular even when it was compelled to hover at 35-degrees to fight facet winds.
The pace shocked us, as nicely - it is a very nippy drone, and the dearth of weight signifies that it will probably speed up astonishingly quick in Sport Mode. It may not be as fast as a few of DJI's bigger drones, however the fast acceleration makes it really feel like one of many quickest round.
The Mini 3 Professional makes use of DJI's OcuSync transmission system, which bumps the reside video decision to 1080p - up from 720p on the Mini 2. As well as, you get a variety of 12km, which is 2 additional kilometres over the predecessor. We did not go wherever close to this restrict, however we took it out fairly far and by no means skilled a lack of video sign. It is secure to say that it has greater than sufficient vary for almost all of customers.
The most important adjustments within the flight expertise are due to the brand new tri-directional impediment avoidance sensors. The sensors can help you fly rather more confidently in tight areas, as they primarily take away the danger of collision, which was an enormous hurdle for customers of the earlier generations. Particularly with the value improve, flying the Mini 3 Professional in shut proximity with out sensors wouldn't be one thing for the faint of coronary heart.
The brand new sensors additionally unlock ActiveTrack, in addition to further QuickShots and MasterShots. In our testing, all of those autonomous modes labored very nicely. Whereas utilizing ActiveTrack, the Mini 3 Professional advantages from APAS 4.0, which detects objects within the flight path of the drone and tries to intelligently transfer round them whereas nonetheless maintaining the topic within the body. It is not fairly as superior because the system on the flagship Mavic 3, however it does a very good job and manages to make issues look pretty clean whereas improvising based mostly on environmental cues.
The one minor niggle we discovered with the flying expertise is that the Mini 3 Professional wants a flat floor to take off from, uneven surfaces can usually imply that the propellers hit the bottom, which is normally prevented by having bigger touchdown gear. It is not the tip of the world, as you possibly can normally discover someplace flat sufficient to take off from, however it's not one thing we have needed to give as a lot consideration with different drones.
Digital camera and picture high quality
- 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor
- 24mm equal f1.7 lens
- 4K 60fps video / 48MP picture
- True vertical taking pictures
The digicam system has seen quite a lot of upgrades over the Mini 2 - with probably the most notable being the bigger sensor. This bumps picture decision as much as a whopping 48MP, in comparison with simply 12MP on the Mini 2. Video framerate will get a lift, too, now providing 4K 60fps, when the earlier era maxed out at 30fps. Lastly, the aperture has elevated to f1.7, which, mixed with the bigger sensor, vastly improves the low gentle efficiency.
Movies from the Mini 3 Professional look very good. There may be loads of element in each the highlights and shadows throughout a mess of lighting situations. DJI says that it makes use of the sensor's twin native ISO to mechanically apply an HDR impact to footage shot at framerates as much as 30fps. We primarily shot at 4K 30fps, so we could have this expertise to thank for the good dynamic vary. Any footage shot at 60fps nonetheless appears beautiful, however it would not supply the identical stage of flexibility.
The colors produced by the usual profile additionally look correct and vivid. There is a D-Cinelike profile, as nicely, for many who'd choose to use their very own color grade however, sadly, the early firmware with which we did most of our testing did not have it included. This can be a nice inclusion and one thing that makes the Mini 3 worthy of its Professional moniker.
Unsurprisingly, there is no adjustable aperture on the Mini 3 Professional, and this will make sudden lighting transitions look just a little extra jarring whereas the digicam does its finest to adapt. It is simply rectified by manually setting the publicity, however it's one thing to be careful for, regardless.
Images from the Mini 3 Professional are glorious, too, and the bump in decision may be very noticeable when zooming in on the picture. For those who're pixel peeping, sharpness is, as ordinary, finest on the centre of the body, however the brand new digicam does a stellar job of outputting a lovely low noise picture in a wide range of lighting situations.
After all, there's now vertical taking pictures, too. In our expertise, the outcomes are a lot the identical as conventional taking pictures, simply with a vertical body. The gimbal does a terrific job of maintaining issues regular and clean, you will simply must work a bit tougher to maintain your topic within the body. Vertical FocusTrack wasn't added to our pre-release firmware, however we think about it might take numerous the trouble out of this format.
The DJI Mini 3 Professional is our new favorite drone. It is acquired virtually all of the options you would need from DJI's bigger drones however is shrunken down right into a tiny and light-weight kind issue. The picture is excellent, the flying is clean and you may barely really feel it in your backpack.
Our solely want is that it did not value a lot. We expect there's greater than sufficient added to justify the value improve, however it places it out of attain for lots of shoppers. If the Mini 3 Professional was priced nearer to its predecessors, we expect it'd simply be the proper drone.
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