Potensic Atom vs DJI Mini 3: which drone to choose?

The Potensic ATOM goes head-to-head with the entry-level models in the popular Mini series from drone giant DJI. After comparing the ATOM to the Mini 2 SE and Mini 4K, it’s time to put it up against the Mini 3. What are the differences between these two drones? Which is the best choice? Why choose one over the other? Find out everything you need to know in our comprehensive Potensic Atom vs DJI Mini 3 comparison!

Potensic Atom vs DJI Mini 3: design and radio controls

Design

	Potensic ATOM	DJI Mini 3
Weight	< 249 g	248g
Dimensions (folded)	143 x 88 x 58 mm	148 x 90 x 62 mm
Dimensions (unfolded, with propellers)	242 x 300 x 58 mm	251 x 362 x 72 mm

The Potensic ATOM and DJI Mini 3, both weighing in at just under 250 grams and equipped with folding arms, show striking similarities in their design. Each sports sensors under the chassis, a USB-C port and memory card slot located at the rear, and a battery system that inserts and locks inside the drone.

However, although the ATOM shares a similarity with the Mini 2, Mini 2 SE and Mini 4K models, the Mini 3 stands out clearly, aligning itself more closely with the Mini 3 Pro in terms of design, a model that introduced a new style to the series. The Mini 3’s arms are designed to be longer and slimmer than those of the ATOM, and its protruding front camera contrasts with that of the ATOM, which is integrated under the upper shell.

Despite their differences, both drones are impressive in their build quality. The materials used and the meticulous finish give them a resolutely professional and robust appearance.

🚨Pointsur la réglementation
Potensic ATOM and DJI Mini 4K drones, both weighing less than 250 grams, benefit from less stringent regulations compared with heavier drones. In many countries, they can be flown over residential, commercial, industrial and leisure areas. Although flying over crowds is forbidden, it is permitted to fly over isolated individuals, provided this is accidental and the drone is quickly moved away.

Transmission and radio controls

	Potensic ATOM	DJI Mini 3
Video transmission system	PixSync 3.0	DJI O2
Max. transmission distance	6 km	FCC: 10 km CE: 6 km

Each drone is equipped with its own exclusive video transmission system. The Potensic ATOM takes advantage of PixSync 3.0 to achieve an impressive 6 km range, although details of CE or FCC compatibility remain unclear. For its part, the DJI Mini 3 shines with the DJI O2 system, ensuring a range of 6 km under CE standards and extending to 10 km under FCC standards.

Both drones guarantee fast, reliable connections, although the Potensic may show a slight drop in quality as distance increases.

Each drone is controlled via an ergonomic remote control to which a smartphone can be attached. The ATOM offers a sliding bracket in the center for easy handling, while the Mini 3’s DJI RC-N1C features a bracket that unfolds upwards, allowing the phone to be positioned above it for optimum control.

Your preference for smartphone placement will depend on your personal tastes, with each design offering distinct comfort. Both remote controls are compatible with a wide range of smartphones and offer a pleasant grip, although the ATOM radio control has a slightly less complete interface with no dedicated button for quickly changing flight modes, requiring a little detour via the app to adjust the parameters.

As for the DJI Mini 3, it benefits from an additional option: the DJI RC remote control with integrated ultra-bright display, launched with the Mini 3 Pro in May 2022. This remote control not only saves connection time, but also preserves your smartphone’s autonomy thanks to its dedicated screen.

Let’s talk about applications: Potensic Pro for the ATOM and DJI Fly for the Mini 3. Both applications are intuitive, responsive and offer similar functionality, making navigation and adaptation to the various modes and settings much easier, with neither particularly standing out from the other.

Potensic Atom vs DJI Mini 3: in flight

Flight performance

	Potensic ATOM	DJI Mini 3
Maximum speed	16 m/s	16 m/s
Maximum ascent speed	5 m/s	5 m/s
Maximum descent speed	4 m/s	3.5 m/s
Maximum wind resistance	10.7 m/s (level 5)	10.7 m/s (level 5)

The Potensic ATOM and DJI Mini 3 each feature three distinct flight modes :

• a slow mode, perfect for smooth video capture, called Video on the Potensic and Cine on the DJI.
• Normal mode, for classic use.
• a Sport mode, which sets aside the assistants to fully exploit the speed of the drones.

In terms of performance, both models reach a top speed of 16 m/s (approx. 57 km/h) in horizontal flight, and climb to 5 m/s (18 km/h). The ATOM has a slight advantage downhill, with 4 m/s (14.4 km/h) versus 3.5 m/s for the Mini 3 (12.6 km/h).

In the air, the Potensic ATOM and DJI Mini 3 demonstrate remarkable agility, responding promptly to commands and offering impressive flight stability. The ATOM’s hover is a hair less precise, with stabilization adjustments a little more pronounced, but nothing that spoils the experience.

In terms of wind resistance, both drones are rated to withstand gusts of up to 10.7 m/s (38.5 km/h). However, thanks to its longer propellers and greater wingspan, the Mini 3 is slightly more stable in strong winds.

One small hitch with the ATOM: its joysticks can sometimes be too sensitive, making movements abrupt if you don’t have an ultra-delicate touch. A word of advice for aerial filmmakers: switch to Video mode for smoother shots.

In-flight features

If you’re looking for a drone with advanced anti-collision sensors, it’s important to note that neither the Potensic ATOM nor the DJI Mini 3 are equipped with obstacle detection. The sensors on the underside of these models are used solely to improve positioning during hovering. For obstacle detection capabilities, you’ll have to break the bank to buy the range just above it, namely the Mini 3 Pro.

However, both drones offer RTH (Return to Home) mode , which ensures automatic return to the take-off point in the event of a weak signal, low battery, or if you trigger the option in an emergency. A safety feature that many appreciate.

The ATOM stands out in particular for two features usually reserved for more expensive drones:

• Visual Tracking mode automatically follows a moving subject, although it will only work for low-speed activities such as walking or slow running.
• WayPoint mode, accessible via the Potensic Pro application, lets you define a precise itinerary that the drone will follow point by point.

Although these features are not as well-developed as those found in higher-end drones, they represent considerable assets for the ATOM, especially in this price category.

Autonomy

	Potensic ATOM	DJI Mini 3
Batteries	2230 mAh	2453 mAh
Autonomy	32 minutes	38 minutes

One of the key benefits of the third-generation Mini, in particular the Mini 3, is the introduction of a new 2453 mAh battery. This, combined with optimized energy management, results in a significant increase in flight autonomy. Indeed, while the Potensic ATOM, with its 2230 mAh battery, already offers a comfortable flight time of 32 minutes, the Mini 3 pushes this limitto 38 minutes!

It should be stressed that these times are obtained under optimum conditions. Actual autonomy may therefore vary and be less, generally between 5 and 10 minutes less than the advertised times. However, even in more standard conditions, the Mini 3 offers a few extra minutes of flying time compared to the ATOM, which can prove invaluable for pilots looking to maximize their time in the air.

Potensic Atom vs DJI Mini 3: photo and video

	Potensic ATOM	DJI Mini 3
Sensor	CMOS 1/3″ 12 MP	1/1.3-inch 48 MP CMOS
Lens	Aperture f/2.2 FOV 78	Aperture f/1.7 FOV 82.1
Max photo resolution	12 MP	12 MP and 48 MP
Max video resolution	4K up to 30 fps 2.7K up to 30 fps 1080p up to 60 fps	4K up to 30 fps 2.7K up to 60 fps 1080p up to 60 fps
Max video rate	50 Mbps	100 Mb/s
ISO range	100 à 6400	100 à 3200
Photo format	JPG JPG+RAW(DNG)	JPEG DNG (RAW)
Video format	MP4 (H.264)	MP4 (H.264)

Nacelle

The ATOM has made a significant leap forward in terms of image stabilization with the introduction of its new three-axis stabilized pod in its latest version, a clear improvement on the ATOM SE, which struggled to produce usable images. This technical advance now ensures remarkably stable, fluid shots.

The Mini 3, also equipped with a three-axis gondola, takes innovation a step further. Its gondola is not only stabilized; it can also be rotated into a vertical position. This is a boon for content creators on platforms like TikTok or YouTube Shorts, since they can film directly in vertical format, avoiding quality losses due to cropping.

What’s more, the Mini 3’s nacelle benefits from an extended range of movement, tilting from -135 to +80 degrees. In comparison, the ATOM offers a tilt range from -90 to +20 degrees. This additional range of motion enables the Mini 3 to capture a wider range of shots, from spectacular low-angle shots to vertical sweeps, opening up a whole new world of possibilities for videographers in search of unique perspectives.

Sensor and resolution

For photography and video enthusiasts looking for optimum performance, the DJI Mini 3 clearly has an ace up its sleeve compared to the ATOM Potensic. Featuring a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor , compared with only 1/3-inch for the ATOM, the Mini 3 excels in low-light conditions thanks to its wider f/1.7 aperture, compared with the ATOM’s f/2.2, capturing more light for vivid, detailed images.

When it comes to photography, the Mini 3 doesn’t just participate, it dominates. Capable of shooting at 12 MP and 48 MP, it far surpasses the ATOM, which is confined to 12 MP. For photo enthusiasts, this means far superior image quality and greater cropping freedom, even if 12 MP is more than enough in many situations, and 48 MP can sometimes seem overly detailed.

As for video, the two drones play almost on equal terms, with options for 4K resolution at up to 30 fps or 1080p at up to 60 fps. But the Mini 3 takes a slight lead thanks to its ability to shoot in 2.7K at 60 fps, compared with the ATOM’s 30 fps, making it more suitable for those who like to add a little slow motion to their creations. What’s more, with a video throughput of 100 Mb/s compared to 50 for the ATOM, the Mini 3 delivers exceptionally clear video.

Image quality

When it comes to choosing a drone, image quality is often the main concern. So which Potensic Atom vs DJI Mini 3 offers the best visual performance?

Thanks to its larger sensor, the Mini 3 stands out for its ability to capture sharper, more vivid and detailed images, benefiting from a better dynamic range even in low-light conditions. Conversely, the Potensic Atom shows its weaknesses, especially in high-contrast scenes where it produces images that tend to be noisy in dark areas and overexposed in bright ones.

According to published tests and user feedback, in automatic mode where exposure is handled by the drone, the ATOM may show more abrupt exposure variations, which can negatively affect the visual quality of videos. In comparison, the Mini 3 handles these adjustments much more smoothly and subtly, resulting in videos that are more enjoyable to watch.

So, for demanding photography and videography enthusiasts, the DJI Mini 3 seems to be the winning choice, offering not only superior image quality but also more refined exposure management that will make your shots shine.

Photo and video features

Good news for photography enthusiasts: both the Mini 3 and ATOM drones support JPG and raw (DNG) formats, perfect for those who like to fine-tune their photos in their favorite editing software.

The Mini 3 sets itself apart with additional options for photo enthusiasts. It features AEB mode, which captures multiple shots at different exposures, as well as Panorama mode, for wide-angle, 180-degree and even 360-degree images – features not found on the ATOM.

As far as video is concerned, both drones feature QuickShots modes, which automatically create dynamic videos following predefined paths, either in a straight line or in a circle.

The DJI Mini 3 takes things up a notch with features that boost the visual quality of your shots:

• automatic HDR combines three exposure levels to accentuate details in dark and bright areas, making images significantly brighter and more colorful.
• native double ISO analyzes and adjusts two ISO sensitivities at each pixel, optimizing sharpness and reducing digital noise in low light – a significant advantage over ATOM.

Finally, the Mini 3 also simplifies the transfer of your creations. Unlike the ATOM, which requires a cable connection for file transfer, the Mini 3 is equipped with QuickTransfer, allowing you to quickly move your files to your smartphone without wires or hassle. A real plus for those who want to share their adventures without delay!

Potensic Atom vs DJI Mini 3: price

	Potensic ATOM	DJI Mini 3
Drone alone	–	299€ See on Amazon
Standard Pack	289,99€ See on Amazon	379€ (DJI RC-N1) See on Amazon 499€ (DJI RC) See on Amazon
Fly More Pack	399,99€ See on Amazon	529€ (DJI RC-N1) See on Amazon 649€ (DJI RC) See on Amazon

The Potensic ATOM is priced close to the entry-level models in the DJI Mini series, but the Mini 3 is starting to stand out for its higher costs. For example, the standard ATOM package, including drone, radio control system, battery, pod protector, spare propellers and various cables, is priced at 289.99 on Amazon. This price is virtually identical to that of the bare Mini 3, which sells on its own, without remote control or accessories, for €299.

If you’d like to purchase the Mini 3 with comparable basic equipment, the price rises to €379, a significant increase of almost €90. For those looking for an enhanced experience, you can opt for the standard Mini 3 package with DJI RC remote control and integrated display, but the price will rise to €499.

Both drones are also available in Fly More versions, including all the contents of the standard pack plus two additional batteries, four pairs of spare propellers, a charging station, and a storage/carrying bag. The Fly More package for the ATOM is priced at €399.99, while that for the Mini 3 with standard remote control is €529, €129 more. Opting for the DJI RC remote control with the Mini 3 raises the price to €649.

Conclusion Potensic Atom vs DJI Mini 3: which to choose?

Potensic has pulled off an ambitious challenge with the ATOM. Competing with DJI, the undisputed leader in the drone market, is no small feat. The ATOM stands out for its flight reliability and for a gimbal capable of producing generally stable and well-controlled images under good conditions.

Although the ATOM can compete with the entry-level drones in DJI’s Mini series, which is already remarkable, it turns out that the Mini 3 widens the gap with its superior features. Thanks to its larger sensor and advanced image capture capabilities, the Mini 3 is a step up in terms of image quality.

Nevertheless, the ATOM is not to be outdone, and shines with its own strengths, notably its subject tracking and route planning modes, features that DJI only offers from the Mini 3 Pro model upwards.

Choose Potensic ATOM if…

…you’re looking for an extremely versatile and complete drone. Thanks to its automated flight modes, such as Visual Tracking and Waypoint, ATOM expands your creative horizons.

Choose the DJI Mini 3 if…

...image quality is your priority. Although both models offer 4K, the Mini 3 stands out thanks to its larger sensor, which captures more vivid and detailed images. What’s more, its ability to shoot at 60 fps in 2.7K will enable you to capture superb slow-motion shots.

Discover our complete individual tests of the drones in this Potensic Atom vs DJI Mini 3 comparison:
➡️ Potensic ATOM, complete test: a real competitor for the DJI Mini?
➡️ DJI Mini 3: our complete test

Also check out our full comparisons between the Potensic ATOM and the other drones in the Mini range:
➡️ Potensic Atom vs DJI Mini 2 SE: which drone to choose?
➡️ Full comparison of Potensic ATOM vs DJI Mini 4K

🛠️ For maintenance and repairs, you can find all compatible parts here:
Potensic ATOM Parts
DJI Mini 3 Parts