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From left to proper: the Mavic Mini/SE, Mini 2, Mini 3 and Mini 3 Professional.
On October 30, 2019, DJI introduced its first-ever sub-250g drone, kicking off the DJI Mavic Mini household. Notably, a drone weighing lower than 250g would not should be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration within the US or with equal businesses in lots of different international locations, as long as the distant pilot is not utilizing it for business functions.
With an entire household of Mini fashions to select from, it is a problem to maintain them straight. On this article we’ll evaluate them head-to-head that can assist you reply an crucial query: which sub-250g DJI Mini mannequin is best for you?
The unique Mavic Mini was revolutionary for DJI, however it solely supplied as much as 2.7K/30p video seize and had a restricted vary of how far it may fly. Launched roughly a 12 months later, the Mini 2 got here outfitted with a 4K digicam and added 5 QuickShot modes together with 3 ways to seize a panorama. Whereas it included important enhancements, the digicam nonetheless had a smaller Kind 1/2.3 (6.3 x 4.7mm) sensor.
The Mini 3 Professional and Mini 3 (left) have near-identical our bodies, whereas the Mini 2 and Mavic Mini (proper) are precisely the identical. The Mini 3 Professional is the one one that features impediment detection and avoidance sensors.
Earlier in 2022, the Mini 3 Professional was launched, changing into the primary sub-250g drone from DJI to supply impediment avoidance, with sensors on three sides. It added an improved digicam, with as much as 4K/60p video and the power to seize 48MP photos. It additionally labored with DJI’s RC Professional distant, eliminating the necessity for a smartphone to manage the drone. But it surely additionally lived as much as its ‘Professional’ billing by being virtually as expensive as drones in a category above.
This week, DJI introduced the Mini 3. Very similar to the latest Mavic 3 Traditional launch, this mannequin serves to fill a niche between the highest-end mannequin in its class and a predecessor that’s greater than two years outdated. On this case, it wedges itself between the extra superior Mini 3 Professional and the long-in-the-tooth Mini 2.
Breaking it down
It must be apparent, after viewing this comparability chart, that the unique Mavic Mini, that was examined for this text, and its SE counterpart, have simplistic, bare-bones choices by immediately’s requirements. A extra fascinating alternative considerations the Mini 3 Fly Extra combo with RC-N1 distant, which is just barely dearer than the Mini 2 combo.
Mavic Mini/SE
Mini 2
Mini 3
Mini 3 Professional
Worth
$299
$379 (Fly Extra combo)
$449
$599 (Fly Extra combo)
$409 (with out distant)
$499 (with RC-N1 distant)
$639 (with DJI RC distant)
$658 (RC-N1 Fly Extra combo)
$798 (DJI RC Fly Extra combo)
$669 (with out distant)
$759 (with RC-N1 distant)
$909 (with DJI RC distant)
Fly Extra Package a further $189
Digital camera
12MP, Kind 1/2.3 (6.3 x 4.7mm)
12MP, Kind 1/2.3 (6.3 x 4.7mm)
12MP, Kind 1/1.3(10 x 7.5mm)
48MP, Kind 1/1.3(10 x 7.5mm)
Lens
24mm (equiv.) F2.8
24mm (equiv.) F2.8
24mm (equiv.) F1.7
24mm (equiv.) F1.7
Portrait Orientation
No
No
Sure
Sure
Picture Format
JPEG
JPEG+ Uncooked
JPEG+ Uncooked
JPEG+ Uncooked
Digital Zoom
None
4K:2x, 2.7K:3x, 1080p:4x
4K:2x, 2.7K:3x, 1080p:4x
4K:2x, 2.7K:3x, 1080p:4x
Max Video Decision
2.7/30p
4K/30p
4K/30p
4K/60p
Video Profile
Regular
Regular
Regular
Regular
D-Cinelike
Video Bit Price
40 Mbps
100 Mbps
100 Mbps
150 Mbps
Video Tranmission
Enhanced Wi- Fi, 720p/30p, 4km
DJI O2, 720p/30p, 10km
DJI O2, 720p/30p, 10km
DJI O3, 1080p/30p, 12km
Core Clever Capabilities
QuickShots
QuickShots, Panorama
QuickShots, Panorama
QuickShots (together with Asteroid), Panorama MasterShots, Hyperlapse, APAS 4.0
Max Flight Time
half-hour
31 minutes
38 minutes or 51 minutes*
34 minutes or 47 minutes*
Impediment Detection Sensors
Downward Imaginative and prescient System
Downward Imaginative and prescient System
Downward Imaginative and prescient System
Ahead, Backward, Downward Impediment avoidance
Dimensions
138x81x58 mm
138x81x58 mm
148x90x62 mm
145x90x62 mm
Weight
249g
249g
249g**
249g**
*The Clever Flight battery provides the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Professional 37 or 34 minutes of battery life, respectively. The Clever Flight Plus battery provides every drone both 51 or 47 minutes. They’re interchangeable however not out there in all international locations.
**Utilizing the Clever Flight battery Plus will put the drone’s takeoff weight above 250g. It’s going to should be registered with regulatory our bodies.
The Mavic Mini and SE: The unbelievable shrinking drone
The Mavic Mini, which was examined for this text, and the Mini SE embody a digicam able to capturing 2.7K/30p footage.
The Mavic Mini is not in manufacturing, however it could actually nonetheless be discovered at quite a lot of retailers. Nonetheless, the Mini SE remains to be on the market on DJI’s web site. The SE has the identical physique because the Mini 2 and each fashions home a 12MP digicam with a Kind 1/2.3 (6.3 x 4.7mm) sensor, just like that discovered in lots of smartphones. It incorporates a 24mm (equiv.) lens with an 83º discipline of view and a set F2.8 aperture. It can’t seize Uncooked recordsdata.
The Mavic Mini and SE embody a really primary distant and set of options.
Video could be captured at a most decision of two.7K/30p at a bitrate of 40 Mbps utilizing the H.264 codec. Solely .MP4 recordsdata are supported. It is necessary to notice that Auto Publicity Bracketing (AEB) will not be out there for capturing nonetheless photos. Video capabilities are restricted as properly. There aren’t 10-bit or D-Cinelike profiles, so that you’re caught with much less versatile video clips. Slo-Mo recording can also be not out there. Whereas DJI’s signature QuickShots together with Dronie, Helix, Rocket and Circle (these let the drone execute preprogrammed sorts of photographs) are a part of the software program package deal, Hyperlapse (primarily a time-lapse sequence with the added component of movement) is lacking from each Mini and Mini SE fashions.
Solely a primary distant, which attaches to a smartphone, is suitable with the Mavic Mini and SE. This controller has an influence button on the right-hand aspect, a ‘Return to Residence’ button on the left, and gimbal wheels on prime. As a result of the distant depends on Wi-Fi, vary is proscribed to 4km (2.5 miles) and the stay feed can look a bit grainy in comparison with the ultimate footage. The utmost smartphone size is 160 mm (6.3″), which implies that bigger smartphones, together with my iPhone 12 Professional Max at 160.8 mm, will not match comfortably into it. Flight time for the Mini/Mini SE, with a full battery in probably the most ideally suited circumstances, is half-hour.
The Mini 2: The arrival of 4K video
The Mini 2 was the first-ever sub-250g drone to boast a 4K digicam.
Launched in November 2020, the Mini 2 was the primary sub-250g drone to supply a 4K digicam. With a 24mm equal lens, F2.8 mounted aperture and 83º FOV, it could actually seize 12MP photos with its Kind 1/2.3 (6.3 x 4.7mm) sensor. AEB is accessible for as much as 3 photographs and people could be mixed into an HDR picture. Panorama mode helps wide-angle, 180º and sphere. These photos will should be stitched collectively in post-processing. Each JPEG and Uncooked photos are supported.
As much as 4K/30p video could be captured at 100 Mbps with a H.264 codec. You possibly can digitally zoom in on topics as much as 2X at 4K/30p, 3X at 2.7K/20p and 4X at 1080p/30p. Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket and Boomerang QuickShots can be found, however Hyperlapse is not. Video can solely be recorded in .MP4 format and a Log profile will not be out there.
The Mini 2 comes with the RC-N1 distant however may also be used with a DJI Sensible Controller. The Sensible Controller is suitable with all drones working on OcuSync 2.0. Because the Mavic Mini, Mini 2 and Mini 3 haven’t got impediment avoidance, a light-weight propeller cage could be snapped on for additional safety.
The Mini 2 is suitable with DJI’s RC-N1 distant controller. The distant itself is bigger than the drone and a smartphone clamps in on prime. It has no LED display however affords pertinent options together with the power to toggle between flight speeds (Sport, Regular, Cinematic) and recording buttons. DJI’s OcuSync 2.0 transmission provides the drone a variety of as much as 10km (6.2 miles). If you happen to do not need to use your smartphone, DJI’s Sensible Controller can also be suitable.
Flight time works out to a most of 31 minutes per battery, not a lot completely different than the Mavic Mini or SE. Whereas specs will let you know that these smaller machines have the same wind resistance in comparison with the extra aerodynamic Mini 3 fashions, it merely is not true. I discovered each to float a bit whereas up to date successors held regular.
The Mini 3: Larger sensor
DJI’s Mini 3 brings fashionable updates to its predecessor, the Mini 2.
The Mini 3 is a pricier and extra subtle entry-level sub-250g drone. Like its Mini 3 Professional counterpart, it affords a Kind 1/1.3 (10 x 7.5mm) sensor. A 12MP digicam with a 24mm equal lens (82.1º FOV ) and stuck F1.7 aperture is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal that can also be able to rotating for vertical (portrait) photographs – no cropping mandatory.
AEB is current and captures in a different way uncovered photographs in units of three. You may also seize stills as wide-angle, sphere, and 180º panoramas. DJI is utilizing a Quad Bayer sensor to create 12MP photos, with pixels as giant as 2.4μm (micrometer) for enhanced low-light efficiency. JPEG and Uncooked codecs are each supported by the Mini 3.
4K/30p video in .MP4 format could be captured at 100 Mbps with an H.264 codec. You possibly can zoom in on topics as much as 2X at 4K/30p, 3X at 2.7K/20p and 4X at 1080p/30p with 2X zoom. As with the Mini 2, Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket and Boomerang QuickShots can be found, however Hyperlapse nonetheless is not. Lastly, pilots who care about getting each ounce of element from video ought to be aware that the Mini 3 would not allow you to shoot with DJI’s Log profile.
The Mini 3 works with each DJI’s RC-N1 distant and the DJI RC.
The Mini 3 is suitable with the RC-N1, DJI RC, and Sensible Controller remotes. DJI’s RC distant options all of the buttons and wheels you want, plus a 5.5”, 700-nit touchscreen. DJI’s OcuSync 2.0 transmission provides the drone a variety of as much as 10km (6.2 miles).
Two various kinds of battery can be utilized with the Mini 3: the Clever Flight battery, which provides the drone as much as 38 minutes of flight time, and the Clever Flight Plus battery, which maxes out at as much as 51 minutes. Mini 3 and Mini 3 Professional batteries are interchangeable. Utilizing Clever Flight Plus batteries will put the drone at a takeoff weight above 250g, nonetheless, which suggests it should should be registered.
The Mini 3 Professional: Small measurement with extra superior options
DJI’s Mini 3 Professional is top-of-the-line within the Mini household with impediment detection and avoidance sensors, together with a 48MP F1.7 digicam.
The Mini 3 Professional, launched in Could 2022, is DJI’s top-of-the-line sub-250g drone. It features a few options present in fashions a category above it together with APAS 4.0, which lets you observe topics and bypass or keep away from objects. Not like the cheaper choices, the three Professional consists of Hyperlapse, MasterShots and all QuickShots, together with Asteroid, providing you with most artistic alternatives. Ahead, backward and downward impediment detection and avoidance is in-built as properly.
The Mini 3 Professional has a 48MP digicam with a Kind 1/1.3 (10 x 7.5m) sensor and twin native ISO (two conversion achieve modes), and it helps tone-mapped HDR footage (which DJI says places better vary into an SDR video). It could actually seize each 12MP and 48MP photos utilizing a 24mm (equiv.) F1.7 fixed-aperture lens with an 82.1º FOV. AEB affords brackets of three or 5 photos. All panoramic modes are included, together with the addition of Vertical.
DJI’s Mini 3 Professional is the one mannequin within the sequence that gives the power to brake in entrance of or bypass obstacles.
4K/60p video could be captured at a bitrate of 150 Mbps with each H.264 and H.265 codecs. As with the Mini 2 and three, you may zoom in on topics as much as 2X at 4K/30p, 3X at 2.7K/20p and 4X at 1080p/30p, with 2X being marketed as ‘lossless.’ 10-bit shade and DJI’s D-Cinelike profile had been included shortly after the Mini 3 Professional launched.
DJI’s Mini 3 Professional is suitable with the RC-N1, DJI RC and RC Professional distant controllers. Clearly, you would not need to buy the latter distant for $1,199 until you completely wanted a third-party app and did not need to use your smartphone to assist management the drone. That being mentioned, for those who already personal a Mavic 3 Cine or different high-end DJI mannequin, then you might buy the Mini 3 as a standalone unit.
DJI’s O3 transmission provides the drone an extended vary of 12 km (7.5 miles) and a transparent 1080/30p stay stream with low latency. Battery life is respectively 34 minutes with an Clever Battery and 47 minutes with the Clever Battery Plus. As with the Mini 3, the Plus battery will sadly put the drone over the 250g weight restrict, making it require registration to fly. Each the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Professional even have Stage 5 wind resistance, which means they’ll mechanically stand up to wind speeds as much as 38.5 km/h (about 24 mph).
Who’s every mannequin finest for?
As you may inform from the pattern clips and images, you get what you pay for.
The Mavic Mini and SE are undoubtedly probably the most bare-bones drones of the Mini household. They do not have lots of the fancy options or settings that provide help to seize wonderful video or stills. This makes them an reasonably priced entry level into the DJI ecosystem, although, and so they’re probably excellent for somebody beginning out who will not be certain if they need a drone long-term.
The Mini 2 is a good match for somebody with a funds within the $500 – $600 vary. This mannequin is able to taking decent-looking images and video clips. It is the best choice for hobbyists or funds travellers to tackle trip with their digicam gear.
The Mini 3 is a bit pricier; nonetheless, you get a contemporary entry-level drone. Distant pilots wanting a sub-250g drone with a bigger sensor and crisper, cleaner imagery that they’ll share on social channels will take pleasure in this providing. Simply be certain you do not thoughts that a few of DJI’s extra superior options are lacking.
As its identify signifies, the Mini 3 Professional is geared towards extra demanding drone pilots trying to create polished images and video clips. Impediment detection and avoidance means customers can carry out inspections or maneuver in tighter areas with out fear. This can be a drone appropriate for high-end passion flying or commercial-grade work.
Just a few hundred {dollars} separates every tier, however the variations are significant. Hopefully this text gave you some readability on which mannequin, given your funds and desires, is one of the best match. Completely happy flying!
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