The DJI Mini 3, launched as the successor to the Mini 2, is an impressive drone that combines portability, affordability, and powerful features for both hobbyists and entry-level content creators. Perfect for beginners and casual users, the Mini 3 offers a balance between ease of use and quality performance, making it one of the most accessible drones on the market.
Though it’s more affordable than the Mini 3 Pro or Mini 4 Pro, the DJI Mini 3 doesn’t compromise on its core features. With excellent flight time, a capable camera, and intelligent flight modes, this drone is designed to capture the beauty of the skies with simplicity and style. Whether you’re capturing vacation highlights, snapping quick aerial shots, or exploring your drone-flying skills, the Mini 3 is a solid choice.
Key Features
The Mini 3 delivers a robust set of features, making it stand out in the category of beginner drones.
Camera Capabilities:
The DJI Mini 3 is equipped with a camera capable of shooting 4K HDR video at 30fps. It features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, offering good dynamic range and excellent performance in well-lit environments.
- True Vertical Shooting: One of the standout features is the camera’s ability to rotate for true vertical shooting, making it perfect for creating content for social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
- HDR Support: With HDR enabled, the Mini 3 captures vibrant colors and well-balanced details, even in high-contrast scenes.
Flight Time:
The Mini 3 offers an extended flight time of up to 38 minutes with the standard battery and up to 51 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (available separately). This makes it one of the longest-lasting drones in the Mini series.
Portability:
Weighing less than 249 grams, the Mini 3 is lightweight and compact, exempting it from registration requirements in many countries. Its foldable design ensures it’s travel-friendly and easy to carry wherever your adventures take you.
Obstacle Avoidance:
While it lacks omnidirectional obstacle sensing found in higher-end models, the Mini 3 includes downward-facing sensors that assist with safe landings and help avoid ground collisions.
Intelligent Flight Modes:
The Mini 3 comes with several intelligent flight modes to help users navigate and capture professional-looking footage effortlessly:
- QuickShots: Pre-programmed flight paths like Dronie, Circle, and Rocket let you capture cinematic shots with a single tap.
- Return to Home (RTH): Ensures the drone safely returns to its takeoff point in case of low battery or signal loss.
Design and Build Quality
The DJI Mini 3 maintains the same lightweight and foldable design that defines the Mini series. Its small size allows it to fit easily into a backpack, making it ideal for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. Despite its compactness, the drone feels sturdy and well-constructed, with high-quality materials that can withstand light wear and tear.
Camera Performance of DJI Mini 3
The Mini 3’s camera delivers sharp and detailed images, along with smooth 4K video recording. While it’s not as advanced as the Mini 3 Pro or Mini 4 Pro, it’s more than sufficient for beginners or casual photographers that wants to have a good camera but don’t want to invest too much in it.
- Low-Light Performance: The Mini 3 performs adequately in low-light conditions, though its smaller sensor may not capture as much detail as more premium models.
- True Vertical Shooting: The gimbal’s ability to rotate vertically is a must for photography enthusiasts, offering perfectly aligned vertical videos and photos.
Flight Performance and Stability
The Mini 3 offers smooth flight performance, making it a joy to operate even for first-time drone users. The drone can handle wind speeds of up to 10.7 meters per second, providing stable flight in moderate weather conditions. The Mini 3 is quite quick with a maximum horizontal speed of 16 meters per second, descending speed of 3,5 m/s and ascending speed of 5 m/s.
Safety Features
Although the DJI Mini 3 lacks advanced obstacle sensing, it includes some key safety features:
- Downward Sensors: Assist in safe landings and hover stability, especially in tight spaces.
- Return to Home (RTH): Automatically brings the drone back to its starting point in case of low battery or signal loss.
- Geo-Fencing: Prevents the drone from flying into restricted or dangerous areas.
Who Is It For?
The DJI Mini 3 is perfect for:
- Beginners who want an affordable yet capable drone to get started.
- Content creators focused on social media, thanks to its vertical shooting capabilities.
- Travelers and adventurers seeking a portable drone with long battery life.
Conclusion
The DJI Mini 3 strikes a perfect balance between price, portability, and performance. While it doesn’t have all the advanced features of its Pro counterparts, it’s an excellent entry-level drone that delivers high-quality results without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re capturing vacation moments, exploring aerial photography, or creating social media content, the Mini 3 offers a user-friendly experience and solid performance.
Looking for more options? Check out our other drone reviews!