New drone DJI Mini 3 Pro: The little one grows up
10/5/2022
Translation: machine translated
DJI brings a high-quality drone in mini format. However, it also costs much more than the previous mini drones.
Mini is the name of the Chinese manufacturer's smallest and lightest drones. However, anyone who wanted a mini drone had to accept significant sacrifices in performance until now. This is now changing with the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
The name suffix "Pro" makes it clear: The new DJI drone is not simply the next Mini, but is positioned above the existing DJI Mini 2. At 249 grams, it is just as light, but more powerful and also significantly more expensive. For those who prefer something more affordable, the DJI Mini 2 remains available.
The most important improvements
One major difference from the DJI Mini 2 is the vision sensors. Two cameras each to the front and rear allow for automatic obstacle detection, something that has been missing from the Minis so far. The DJI Mini 2 only has sensors downward to land and maintain altitude without GPS.
The camera is also clearly better than the Mini 2's, at least according to the specs. The sensor is much larger at 1/1.3 inches, while the DJI Mini only has 1/2.3 inches. It's even slightly larger than the 1/2-inch sensor on the larger DJI Air 2.
But probably more important is that the Mini 3 Pro can combine four pixels into one and thus manage a higher dynamic range. When trying out the DJI Air 2, this proved effective.
The DJI Mini has a resolution of 48 megapixels. This can be reduced to 12 megapixels for improved dynamic range. HDR videos with 4K are possible in the same way. However, only at 30 frames per second. The HDR function has to be disabled for 60 FPS.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro looks different from the Mini 2 and is slightly larger. During the redesign, the manufacturer also enlarged the propellers, which results in a slightly longer flight time. According to DJI, it is 34 minutes under optimal conditions (no wind and constant speed of 21.6 km/h). The hover time in calm conditions is 30 minutes.
I find it convenient that the Mini 3 Pro allows the arms to be folded and unfolded in any order. With previous DJI drones, you have to unfold the front arms first because they have a stand that otherwise blocks the rear arms.
Unlike the DJI Mini 2, the Mini 3 Pro has internal memory in addition to a slot for microSD. However, at 1.25 GB, it is much smaller than the Mavic's 8 GB. With 4K videos, it's already over after one to two minutes.
The different packages
The DJI Mini 3 Pro comes in different configurations than the Mini 2. Previously, there were two versions:
- The standard package with everything it needs, but only one battery and no charger.
- The Fly-More package, consisting of standard package plus 2 spare batteries, 3-way charger, shoulder bag and two additional sets of spare propellers.
With the Mini 3 Pro, there is also a Fly-More package, but this is only a supplement - it does not include the drone and controller. Only spare batteries and propellers, bag as well as charger). So you can always buy the package later as well.
Also new: this drone is also available without a controller. That's because it's the same controller as the Mini 2, Air 2, and Air 2S. If you scraped one of those drones and still have the controller left, you can keep using it.
Finally, there's also a version with a better controller. With its integrated screen, it's very reminiscent of the RC Pro controller - but it's a different, new device. The previous RC Pro is not compatible with the Mini 3 Pro.
Test to follow
I currently have a DJI Mini 3 Pro with me and am testing how the changes play out. Click on the "follow author" button to not miss the test.
Update, Mai 12, 2022: Drone regulation in Switzerland
As with every drone post on digitec and Galaxus, discussions have arisen regarding the new EU drone regulation. Among other things, it is claimed that this will be introduced in Switzerland on August 1, 2022 - very soon. The reason for this claim is that it is currently stated on the Safe Drone Flying website.
But it is not true like that. When asked, the Bundesamt für Zivilluftfahrt (BAZL) confirms to me that there is no date for the introduction: "At the moment, we cannot say with certainty when exactly the EU regulation will come into force. We have also only ever communicated that it can be 01.08 at the earliest. At the moment, it looks more like later."
The original plan was to introduce the EU regulation in Switzerland in 2020. This was initially postponed by half a year because of the Corona crisis. Then the National Council adopted a motion that wanted model aviation exempted from the regulation. I reported on this in the fall of 2020. Subsequently, the Council of States also adopted the motion, and the Federal Council had to check whether this was even possible. In its clarifications with the EU, it came to the conclusion that no exemptions are possible: Switzerland would have to adopt the EU laws in full. But before that can happen, both chambers of parliament must first agree.
It is unlikely that this will happen within a few months. Even after the law comes into force, there is still a transition period of two years. So anyone who buys a mini-drone today will be able to fly in Switzerland for years to come without major restrictions.
Bazl provides information on both the rules currently in force in Switzerland and the EU rules that already apply to Germany, for example.
Regarding the drone classification, DJI writes me the following:
"Our DJI Mini 3 Pro has been designed in line with the current draft C0 standards which are due to be finalised in the future. We are currently conducting the certification test under these draft standards and, after being able to obtain the certification label, will inform customers of how to certify their drone.
At the present time, any drone under 250g is subject to the same rules and regulations regardless of whether or not it holds a class identification label, which is not yet available.
Currently, all DJI drones can be used in the Limited Open Category with certain restrictions until 31 December 2023 and beyond."
We will stay tuned on this sometimes confusing topic and keep you updated.
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.