Let's talk about the DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone
Alright. Another day, another drone. But this time, we're talking big news. In the following article, I will go through the major pros and cons of the new DJI Mini 3 Pro drone. The tiny drone that feels much larger inside. I will unveil who should (and who shouldn't) buy this new piece of electronics.
Overview
The new miniature drone weighs less than 250 grams. That's not only nice because it means that you can relax your muscles and won't have to carry a lot, but it's especially relevant, as having drones weighing less than 250 grams means getting around certain regulatory limitations (f.e. a drone license in Europe).
Well, the Mini 3 Pro drone by DJI isn't the first drone to weigh less than 250 grams. There are plenty of cheap 30$ drones that are also lightweight (spoiler alert: they crash into the walls faster than you can replace them).
But how about the unofficial predecessor model, the DJI Mini 2 drone? It has the same weight and almost similar dimensions.
Major upgrades
Okay, let's start with the big news, the major upgrades that make the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone the first miniature drone to deserve the term "Pro."
It is major news that a miniature drone features a functional obstacle avoidance system. The system (camera-based) makes sure the drone doesn't bump into walls, trees, et cetera. It scans the surroundings and does a neat job. It "looks" to the front, the bottom, and backward.
Especially for those relying on the tracking mode of the drone (people running in the woods, surfing, riding their bicycle), the obstacle avoidance system comes in handy: it makes sure the drone stays safe.
Because, yes, plenty of drones can track an object in motion, but none (of the small drones) can detect and avoid obstacles. Even when flying backward.
Let's talk about flight specs.
Or rather not.
Drone specs are always over-exaggerated. When a manufacturer tells you the drone can fly for 6 miles, it can probably flies half of the distance under realistic (and not ideal) conditions. When it comes to the flight time, you can usually cut the official time by a third.
The drone stays airborne for roundabout 25 minutes. That's definitely a reasonable flight time, but not a new record. No drone I have flown actually beats the half-hour mark (though many models advertise superb flight times). Getting yourself a pack of spare batteries is never wrong. By the way, when ordering the fly more kit, you get not only two extra batteries but also the multiple charger. It allows you to charge your battery on the go using a standard power bank.
The flight time - I know. It's a hot topic. Though I never understood why. Flying out of sight is not only illegal in most places but also not helpful for creating amazing aerials. Therefore, I didn't go for an extreme range test. Instead, I tested the drone under normal circumstances. And yes, the signal is super strong. I received glitches only rarely, and the screen never fully blacked out.
I am thrilled with the signal strength of the new drone.
Fun fact: the sometimes annoying remote controller antenna has magically disappeared. Take a look.
Unfortunately, I can't provide you with a photo of the front of the controller (though you can check it out in-depth in my video review on YouTube; See the link at the bottom of the article). But let me tell you that the screen rocks: not having to attach a smartphone is so very comfortable. No more forgetting about or bringing cables, no more dying smartphone batteries, no more mindless social media distractions.
The display is bright, though not as bright as the display that you find in some of the more expensive controllers for the high-end drones. But even in bright sunlight, I never had any trouble seeing the screen and setting things up properly.
The Camera
Okay, I know why you're here. You want to learn more about the miniature drone's camera. Let me enlighten you quickly.
In three simple words: the camera rocks.
I know that some will now be crying out loud, "Oh, he's a fanboy. He's only promoting the drone because they pay him." Not enough to buy me the boat I adore. Actually, it's just a compensation for my expenses (I tend to fly to a beautiful destination to review new camera gear; It's just my thing. I don't know why.).
If you want to support my work, you can purchase your new gear through my links (if you feel like buying the new DJI Mini 3 Pro drone, feel free to buy it right here).
But seriously, why shouldn't I be a fan of something that impresses me? I don't care about loyalty (when it comes to technology); in this regard, I only care about usefulness.
And when I come across a tool that helps me get the job done efficiently, I will promote it. And let me spoiler you again: I really like the new DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.
To me, it's by far the best miniature drone there is in 2022.
And whatever you might feel right now, whether you feel like biting into your desk or throwing a unicorn pillow: I don't care. Call me a fanboy? Do you really think that offends me?
Alright, the social media debate about free speech shouldn't influence this harmless tech article of mine. At least not all of it. Enough is enough. Back to the topic.
Now, the miniature camera of the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone records crisp and clean 4K at up to 60fps.
And the bitrate is also impressive: up to 150 mbit/s save tons of details that would otherwise be lost. It is also big news that the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone is the first-in-class drone to feature a professional color profile (D-Cinelike). Feel free to use your magic fingers to color correct and not write senseless, mean (but actually irrelevant) comments on social media (I'm so sorry if you're not one of these trolls that I feel like talking to at the moment, I'll try to change tone now).
Also, when it comes to taking photos, the drone is miles ahead of its competition. Let me mention one fact only: 48MP photos. RAW 48MP photos. Let's take a look at a few of the images I recorded with the small 24mm camera.
The tiny miniature camera does indeed take great photos. I didn't expect the images to be that reach in detail when I first opened the box.
The downsides
Obviously, everything also has a downside. In this case, I can list three cons that I ran into while testing the new drone.
1) The remote controller doesn't feature an HDMI output. To some users, this might be an issue.
2) To check the battery level of the batteries, you need to either insert them into the drone or into the multiple charger - the batteries themselves don't have any buttons or LEDs to display the voltage level.
3) The drone's low weight also has its downside: the drone's body feels less sturdy than the larger models - but obviously, this is how the manufacturer (DJI) made the drone stay below 250 grams.
Gimme more
Alright, I will. How about watching my review on YouTube? It's worth it for sure.
Or the unboxing video. In case you feel like buying the new DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.
If you want to learn how to take outstanding aerials (videos and photos) with your drone, enroll in one of my online courses. I'll teach you everything that you need to know. That way, you can combine both: great tech (your drone) with creative skills. Click here to take a look at the courses.
Want to buy the drone? Click here and get airborne.
