- Fitri Aiyub
DJI Mini 3 Pro Review : Tiny But Powerful
I think it's worth mentioning that the Mini drones DJI makes are focused primarily in keeping under the weight limit for commercial drones and doesn't require registration to fly. So the fact it's under the 250g limit, technically we can fly this with more ease knowing so, as compared to my experience with the Mavic 3 which was much bigger to begin with, while the Mini 3 Pro is smaller than the smart controller it comes with in this Fly-More combo.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, there is a new firmware update which allows video capture up to 4K60fps and high frame rates of 120fps@1080p. Among other features added such as added Focus Track, True Vertical Shooting, Hyperlapse, MasterShots, QuickShots, QuickTransfer and Panorama mode are also included, as well as software patches for its Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems or (APAS) for better flight responses and flight stability. So be sure to have all of that updated before flying. Especially if you consider how small this drone is.
Unfolded, it's still only 171x245mm in size and very much pocketable. Whether you choose to actually do that is entirely up to you as I found the propellers seem very dainty and might just break if it's snagged on something. In some ways, I wished it came with a strap design like it had on the Mavic 3 that helps tuck the propellers away.
There are however very minute flight improvements made in the Mini 3 Pro, with same max speeds as before of 16m/s or about 57.6 km/h, and also a max ceiling height reaching up to 4000m as it did in the Mini 2. But where improvements may count the most is in its wind resistance being able to handle wind speeds up to 10.7m/s or 38.52 km/h. And for a drone this size, that's pretty impressive.
Pairing it with the DJI smart controller feels so much nicer than having to pair it with your phone, knowing the many interruptions you might get when using your phone, like getting a call or text message which can just interrupt the entire flight experience. The 5.5 inch display is said to have a peak brightness of 700 nits and outright feels way more ergonomic and balanced in the hand. Either way, it still has a max video bitrate of 18Mbps and has lower latencies for video transmissions with DJI O3 and has a max battery life of approximately 4 hours
But if you're someone that already owns the DJI RC Pro, unfortunately at this moment it won't be compatible with the Mini 3 Pro but might just be included in future firmware updates.
Camera Specs f/1.7 48MP 1 /1.3 inch sensor and resolutions of 4K and 2.7K up to 60fps and HDR modes supported up to only 30fps. Interestingly, the latest design upgrade from the Mini 2 is now having it be able to tilt upwards as the cutout at the front of the drone suggests more viewing angles above as most of the drones are usually sheltered away and covered by the sensors above the camera module. Personally, this is by far the coolest upgrade they've done, not by just having more camera angle variety but the fact this type of camera placement should just be implemented in every drone they make now.
But if sensors are concerned, it still has Tri-directional obstacle avoidance sensors (Forward, Backward, Downward) and misses out on side sensors, but relatively it doesn't really need extra sensors albeit being a very small drone and the tri-directional is far than plenty for this calibre.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro for the aircraft itself for USD$759 or add an additional USD$150 for the DJI RC and an additional USD$189 for the FlyMore Kit which comes with extra propellers and 3 batteries.
Written by Fitri Aiyub