Drones have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many different models on the market to choose from. One of the latest releases from Chinese company DJI is the Mini 3 Pro, which has been generating a lot of buzz in the drone community. But is it the right drone for you?
When it comes to choosing a drone, it's important to consider not only the latest and greatest model but also the older models that are still on the market. One such model is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, which has been a favorite among drone enthusiasts for its exceptional photo and video capabilities, fast flight speeds, advanced obstacle avoidance system, and third-party app support.
In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Mavic 2 Pro, comparing their features and capabilities to help you decide which drone is the best fit for your needs. We'll also touch on their prices, design, size, and camera capabilities, so you can make an informed decision when it comes to your next drone purchase. So, let's dive in and see which drone comes out on top in this comparison!
Design and Portability
The DJI Mini 3 Pro boasts an impressive new design that not only improves its flying performance, allowing for longer flight times and better wind resistance but is also visually striking. Compared to the older model, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, the Mini 3 Pro's design is innovative and cutting-edge.
When considering the size of these two drones, it's important to note that they belong to different categories. The Mavic 2 Pro weighs in at close to a kilogram, whereas the Mini 3 Pro weighs less than 250g. This weight difference is significant as it affects regulations and the types of activities the drone can be used for, with lighter drones being ideal for capturing images and videos during vacations.
However, just because a drone is lightweight does not necessarily mean it's better. The Mavic 2 Pro, being heavier than the Mini 3 Pro, can handle stronger winds better, making it a better option for aerial mapping or hyperlapse videos.
The Mini 3 Pro is incredibly portable, thanks to its foldable design and lightweight, making it the perfect drone for travelers. On the other hand, the Mavic 2 Pro is not as portable.
DJI Mini 3 Pro
Weight – 249 g
Measurements – 251×362×70 mm
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Weight – 907 g
Measurements – 322×242×84 mm
Camera Comparison
While many drones have similar cameras on paper, the Mini 3 stands out with its unique gimbal design that may become the norm for DJI drones. This gimbal allows for a smooth transition from shooting horizontally to vertically, making it easier to achieve the desired footage without the need for editing. It is a remarkable feature that allows the operator to instantly transition from shooting horizontally to shooting vertically. Having this feature is much more convenient when it comes to receiving the results you want straight away in the format that you planned.
Both drones are capable of recording at 120 frames per second in full HD resolution, a setting that is considered ideal for slow-motion videos. It is important to note that you can shoot slow-motion videos with the Mini 3 at 4K/60FPS, but you cannot do this with the Mavic 2 Pro, although the results won’t be the same as using 120 FPS. An important difference between these two drones lies in their CMOS sensor and aperture. The Mavic 2 Pro sensor is slightly larger (1′ vs 1/1.3′), which means that the camera can capture more light. However, the Mini 3 has a wider aperture (f/1.7 vs f.2.8), a feature that also helps the sensor receive a bigger amount of light. The ISO settings are almost the same between these two drones, the only difference being that the Mavic 2 Pro has a photo configuration of 100-12800, while the Mini 3 Pro is 100-3200. As you can see in the chart below, a few settings have been improved, while others are quite similar.
The Mini 3 offers a 48 MP camera, compared to the 20 MP included in the Mavic 2 Pro. More megapixels do not necessarily mean better images, but having more will give you better results in certain scenarios. For example, when you are looking to capture more detail in a shot or when you want to crop in on a subject without losing quality.
Both the Mini 3 and the Mavic 2 deliver 4K resolution footage. However, the Mini 3 Pro records it at 60 FPS, while the maximum frame rate of the Mavic 2 Pro is 30. This is an important consideration if you are looking for smoother footage and imperative if you are planning on recording moving objects, such as those subjects found in a mountain bike race. With a higher frame rate, you will be able to capture more frames per second, resulting in a smoother, more fluid video. Overall, the camera on the drone is a crucial component that plays a significant role in capturing those special moments, making it an essential feature to consider when purchasing a drone.
The Gimbal
One of the most notable improvements in the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone is its gimbal. The gimbal is a device that keeps the camera steady and stable while the drone is in motion, ensuring that the footage is smooth and steady. The new gimbal in the Mini 3 Pro is designed to allow for vertical photo and video shooting, a feature that was previously only available in more expensive drones.
The redesigned gimbal design also allows for a total 180-degree vertical tilt of the camera, which is a significant improvement compared to the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, which can only tilt its camera vertically at a conventional 90° angle. This means that with the Mini 3 Pro, you can easily capture vertical footage without the need for editing, making it much more convenient for social media content creation.
In this price range, the only other drone that offers this feature is the Parrot Anafi, which makes the DJI Mini 3 Pro a great option for those looking for a drone with this specific feature. With the Mavic 2 Pro, if you want to take vertical photographs or videos to upload on social media, you’ll need to manually edit your film and convert it to this format.
Range & Transmission
It’s important to keep in mind that local laws and regulations will often limit the maximum range of your drone. In most regions, you are generally required to fly your drone within your visual line of sight (VLOS), meaning that the maximum range of the drone doesn't matter much.
For those who are not subject to these regulations or who have permission to fly their drones beyond their visual line of sight, such as emergency services, there is not a significant difference in range between the Mini 3 Pro and the Mavic 2 Pro. Both drones have a similar maximum range of around 6-7 miles (10-12 kilometers).
One of the most notable differences between the Mini 3 Pro and the Mavic 2 Pro is the transmission technology used. The Mini 3 Pro uses OcuSync 3.0, DJI's newest transmission technology, which allows for more reliable transmission and a maximum technical range of 7.4 miles (12 kilometers), compared to the Mavic 2 Pro's 6.2 miles (10 km).
Both drones offer video transmission quality of 1080p/30FPS, but the Mavic 2 Pro has a higher maximum operating altitude of 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) and can go up to 3.7 miles (6 km). This makes the Mavic 2 Pro a better option for those looking to fly their drone at high altitudes, similar to those experienced by mountain climbers.
Speed & Flight Time
When it comes to speed and flight time, the performance of both the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Mavic 2 Pro is similar, with each drone having slight advantages over the other in certain areas.
The Mini 3 Pro offers longer flight times due to its newer age. The drone can hover for a maximum of 34 minutes when using the standard battery, and even longer with the new intelligent flight battery plus, which offers flight periods of up to 47 minutes. This is significantly longer than the maximum flight time of the Mavic 2 Pro, which is 31 minutes.
It's worth noting that drone technology has not been able to significantly extend flying times in recent years, so every extra minute of flight time can be considered a success.
On the other hand, the Mavic 2 Pro flies 15 km/h faster than the Mini 3 Pro, which may be important for those who plan to record fast-moving subjects. It can make a difference for those who want to capture fast-moving subjects such as cars, boats, or wildlife. Overall, the Mini 3 Pro has longer flight times while the Mavic 2 Pro flies faster, which are both important factors to consider when choosing the right drone for your needs.
Obstacle Avoidance
When it comes to obstacle avoidance, the Mavic 2 Pro is the clear winner. The Mavic 2 Pro has an omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system, which is more advanced than the three-way system in the Mini 3 Pro. This means that the Mavic 2 Pro is less likely to collide with objects, making it a safer option for pilots.
Although the Mini 3 Pro also has an obstacle avoidance system, it is not as advanced as the Mavic 2 Pro, and many pilots have reported mishaps due to the absence of lateral sensors. However, the Mavic 2 Pro does an excellent job of avoiding obstructions, especially when tracking subjects, which makes it a better choice for those who want to ensure the safety of their drone.
App Features
App compatibility is another important factor to consider when choosing a drone. The DJI Mini 3 Pro is not compatible with third-party apps as it is not part of DJI's software development kit (SDK), which means that you will have to wait until DJI includes the drone in the SDK before you can use it with popular mapping and mission planning apps like Dronedeploy, Dronelink, Litchi, and others. This can take more than a year to happen, so it's something to keep in mind if you're planning to use the Mini 3 Pro for aerial mapping or mission planning.
On the other hand, the Mavic 2 Pro is supported by the most popular mapping and mission planning apps such as UgCS, Pix4D, DroneHarmony, Dronelink, Litchi, Dronedeploy, and many more. This is because the Mavic 2 Pro is an older drone and it has more support from third-party apps.
In summary, the Mavic 2 Pro is more compatible with third-party apps than the Mini 3 Pro, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use the drone for aerial mapping or mission planning.
Price Comparison
DJI Mini 3 Pro and the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, one of the most notable differences is their price point. The Mini 3 Pro, which was just released in May 2022, is currently available for purchase at a recommended retail pr
ice of $759 for the standard version and $900 for the DJI RC version. This camera drone is lightweight and foldable, with features such as 4K/60fps video, 48MP photo, 34-minute flight time, and tri-directional obstacle sensing, making it ideal for aerial photography and social media.
On the other hand, the Mavic 2 Pro was released in August 2018 and is available for purchase at a retail price of $2,999. This drone comes with a Smart Controller and a Hasselblad camera, a 3-axis gimbal, HDR 4K video, adjustable aperture, 20MP 1" CMOS sensor, and the ability to reach speeds of up to 48mph.
However, since the release of the Mavic 3, the price of the Mavic 2 Pro has dropped significantly, making it a more affordable option for those looking to purchase a drone. In the secondhand market, the Mavic 2 Pro can be found for around $800, including the fly more combo. With a bit of patience, it's also possible to find new versions at a disco
Conclusion and Final Verdict
In conclusion, choosing between the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Mavic 2 Pro can be a difficult decision as both drones have their own unique features and capabilities. The Mini 3 Pro offers a unique gimbal design that allows for vertical photo and video shooting and longer flight times, while the Mavic 2 Pro has an advanced obstacle avoidance system and is compatible with more third-party apps.
When deciding which drone to buy, it's important to consider all the factors we've covered in this blog post, including camera quality, gimbal design, range and transmission, speed and flight time, obstacle avoidance, and app compatibility. Ultimately, the decision will come down to your specific needs and preferences. Both the Mini 3 Pro and the Mavic 2 Pro are excellent drones, and you can't go wrong with either choice.
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