DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro: what are the differences?

After the Mini 3 Pro, DJI offers us a new version of its latest Mini, the Mini 3. With the removal of the “Pro” extension and a more affordable price, you may suspect that this is a less advanced model, but you’re probably wondering: how is it different? In this DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro comparison, we will point out all the differences between the two drones. In a few minutes you’ll be unaware 😉

DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro: the design

	DJI Mini 3	DJI Mini 3 Pro
Weight	< 249 g	< 249 g
Dimensions (folded, without propellers) (L x W x H)	148 x 90 x 62 mm	145 x 90 x 62 mm
Dimensions (unfolded, with propellers) (L x W x H)	251 x 362 x 72 mm	251 x 362 x 70 mm

The differences between the DJI Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro start on the physical aspect. Although they are very similar, with almost identical weights and dimensions, there are some features that allow you to tell them apart at a glance.

First of all, the landing gear. The Mini 3 Pro is equipped with two extra feet, located under its front arms, which the Pro version lacks. These two extra legs give the Mini 3 the advantage of being slightly more stable when placed on the ground.

The second difference is the appearance of the nose of the two drones. Indeed, the Mini 3 lacks the omnidirectional obstacle detection system of the Mini 3 Pro, and therefore does not have sensors for this purpose, which slightly changes its appearance at the front.

Thus, the two very round “eyes” located at the front of the Mini 3 Pro are replaced by pentagonal-shaped air vents. Less visible, the sensors located under the Pro version are simply absent from the Mini 3, where we find only the infrared sensors.

DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro : batteries

	DJI Mini 3	DJI Mini 3 Pro
Drums	2453 mAh	2453 mAh
Autonomy	38 minutes	34 minutes

The DJI Mini 3 and DJI Mini 3 Pro come with the same battery. Advantage: the battery with a capacity of 2453 mAh can be used on both drones, without any problem.

However, although both models have the same battery, their autonomy is not identical! Indeed, due to the absence of obstacle detection and/or simply the improvement of the technology, the Mini 3 is able to fly 4 minutes more than the Mini 3 Pro, for a total of 38 minutes for the first, against 34 minutes for the second.

Note that both drones are also both compatible with the optional 3850 mAh high capacity battery available in some countries. With this battery, the Mini 3 will be able to reach a record autonomy of 51 minutes, against 47 for the Mini 3 Pro.

DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro: remote controls

	DJI Mini 3	DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI RC-N1	✅	✅
DJI RC	✅	✅
DJI RC Pro	❌	✅

The DJI Mini 3 is compatible with two remote controls:

• the standard DJI RC-N1 remote control, already delivered with other drones such as the Mini 2, which does not have a screen and to which you connect your smartphone to obtain the image captured by the drone.
• the latest DJ RC radio control with its bright 5.5-inch screen, released at the same time as the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is also compatible with its two remote controls, plus the DJI RC Pro, DJI’s top-of-the-line remote control available alone and also offered with the DJI Mavic 3.

DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro: the camera

	DJI Mini 3	DJI Mini 3 Pro
Sensor	1/1.3 inch 12MP CMOS	1/1.3 inch 48MP CMOS
Max photo resolution	12MP	48MP
Max video resolution	4K / 30 fps 2,7K / 60 frames/s FHD / 60 fps	4K / 60 fps 2,7K / 60 frames/s FHD / 60 fps
Idle time	No	1080p at 120 fps
ISO range	Photo : 100 to 3200 Video: 100 to 3200	Photo: 100 to 6400 Video: 100 to 6400
Video format	MP4 (H.264)	MP4/MOV (H.264/H.265)
Max bit rate	100 Mb/s	150 Mb/s
Color profiles	Normal	Normal D-Cinelike

Both drones are equipped with the same camera with the same sensor, except that the Mini 3’s is “limited” to 12MP, while the Mini 3 Pro’s can go up to 48 MP. So we have a better photo quality on the Pro version.

In video, both the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro can shoot 2.7K and Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second. In 4K on the other hand, the Mini 3 Pro can go up to 60 fps, while the Mini 3 will not exceed 30 fps. The Mini 3 Pro also features a 1080p slow motion mode at 120 frames per second, an option that the Mini 3 does not have.

Other differences to note:

• The Mini 3 Pro can shoot MP4 and MOV video formats with H.264 and H.265 encoding, while the Mini 3 will only shoot MP4 encoded in H.264.
• Regarding the ISO, the Mini 3 Pro can go up to 6400 ISO in photo and video, against 3200 for the Mini 3.
• the Mini 3 has a maximum bit rate of 100 Mb/s, compared to 150 Mb/s on the Mini 3 Pro.
• The Mini 3 has only the Normal color profile, while the Mini 3 also has the D-Cinelike profile, which offers more flexibility in post-production.

DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro: features

In creating the Mini 3, DJI also removed some features from the Mini 3 Pro to make them exclusive to the Pro version and thus justify its higher price. So you’ll find a few more modes on the Mini 3 Pro, whether it’s photo and video modes, or in-flight features. Please read carefully before purchasing, in case one or more of these functions is absolutely essential for you.

Photo and video modes

	DJI Mini 3	DJI Mini 3 Pro
Photo modes	Unique photo AEB (3 pictures) Interval	Unique photo AEB (3 or 5 images) Interval Rafale
Video modes	QuickShots (Dronie, Spiral, Rocket, Circle, Boomerang)	QuickShots (Dronie, Spiral, Rocket, Circle, Boomerang, Asteroid) MasterShots Hyperlapse
Panoramas	Sphere 180° Wide-angle	Sphere 180° Wide-angle Vertical

On the photo modes side, there are the classic Single Photo mode, AEB (which takes 3 shots in burst at different exposures to create an HDR effect), and the Interval mode (taking several photos at regular intervals). Note that the AEB mode will be limited to 3 shots where the Mini 3 Pro will be able to take either 3 or 5, and that the Burst mode will be present exclusively on the Pro version.

Regarding the video modes, we find the famous QuickShots, these modes that allow the drone to fly automatically to create an original video. The Dronie, Spiral, Rocket, Circle and Boomerang modes are present on the Mini 3, the Asteroid mode is reserved for the Pro version. Same thing for the MasterShots (combination of QuickShots modes with music) and Hyperlapse (timelapse effect in motion), absent from the Mini 3.

Finally, if we find the Sphere, 180° and Wide Angle Panorama modes on the Mini 3, the Vertical mode is only present on the Mini 3 Pro.

In-flight features

	DJI Mini 3	DJI Mini 3 Pro
Obstacle detection	Downwards	Forward, backward and downward
Follow-up of the subject	No	Yes
APAS	No	Yes

The absence of an obstacle detection system on the DJI Mini 3 means that all the modes that rely on its sensors to work are, logically, also absent on this new model.

This is the case, for example, withAPAS 4.0 (or Advanced Pilot Assistance System), which allows the drone to correct its trajectory as it detects obstacles in its path. If this feature is essential for you, you should opt for the Mini 3 Pro.

Also, no subject tracking on the Mini 3, while the Mini 3 Pro features FocusTrack, a suite of three modes (ActiveTrack 4.0, Spotlight 2.0 and Point of Interest 3.0) that allow you to track a moving subject in different ways.

DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro: the price

	DJI Mini 3	DJI Mini 3 Pro
Drone alone	489€	739€
Drone + DJI RC-N1	579€	829€
Drone + DJI RC	749€	999€
Drone + DJI RC-N1 + Fly More Combo	768€	1018€
Drone + DJI RC + Fly More Combo	938€	1188€

The table above allows you to compare the different prices of the Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro with equivalent accessories available on the DJI website. The two drones are available alone without remote control, a very interesting option if you already have a compatible radio control of another drone, or your drone has died.

Each of the two models can also be purchased with either the DJI RC-N1 or the DJI RC Radicontrol with display. Finally, the Mini 3 can also be delivered with the complete Fly More Combo accessory pack, which includes, among other things, additional propellers and batteries, or a storage bag. Note that in the case of the Mini 3 Pro, the Fly More Combo pack is sold separately for 189€.

It should be noted that, whatever the option chosen, the Mini 3 Pro is precisely 250€ more expensive than the Mini 3. So it’s up to you to judge whether the extra features it has are worth the extra expense. 😁

DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro : conclusion

We hope that this DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro comparison will help you to distinguish the differences between the two models, and help you to make your choice if you don’t know which one to choose.

To summarize, we can say that the DJI Mini 3 is a “light” version of the Mini 3 Pro, to which DJI has removed the obstacle detection system, some features, and limited its sensor to a lower resolution in order to be able to offer it at a more affordable price and make it accessible to a larger number of drone enthusiasts.

If you want to know more about each of these two drones, we invite you to consult the complete tests that we have dedicated to them:

➡️ DJI Mini 3: our full review

➡️ DJI Mini 3 Pro: our full review