DJI Mini 3 Pro - 1 year later, Is it the Best Drone?

Video Statistics and Information

Video
Captions Word Cloud
Reddit Comments
Captions
Hi, it's FrostFire here... So the Mini 3 pro has been labeled "Small &  Affordable" but with the ability to capture   "High Quality Footage" ...but after one year's  use and new entries to market is it currently   the "Best Drone?" To answer this we'll look at  the Pros and Cons of the Mini 3 Pro and compare   it with DJI's previous Mini 2, new budget  Mini 3 and new high-end Mavic 3 Classic. Okay let's go over the pros first... It's  "Mini" which means small, lightweight and   most importantly portable. Weighing in at  249 grams just under the 250 license cut   off. It's Pro which means... despite its  size, it's able to deliver Professional   High Quality imagery and what helps deliver  this is a better sensor at 1 over 1.3 inches. A 48 megapixel camera, 4K video at 60fps...  which is great for filming 50% slow-mo in a   4K 30 timeline and the 4K 30 video is in High  Quality HDR. Now compare that to the previous   Mini 2 which has a 1 over 2.3 inch  sensor takes 12 Megapixel Stills   and maxes out at 4K 30 Non-HDR. The sensor  also supports a dual ISO with direct output   of HDR footage. Which means reduced blown  out highlights and reduced cross shadows. Another major benefit of this drone  is the ability to purchase it with   the RC controller coupled with a solid 1080p  display so you can fly without Interruption   and still have access to your mobile. In-turn  saving your mobile's battery... adding to the   incentive to get your drone out in the first  place. A great companion for the Mini 3 Pro. In terms of image transmission they've  doubled the Antennas to 4 in total. Which   has the ability to bring you a full HD live  feed from up to 12 kilometers away. Which   holds true if there's no interference or  obstructions i.e a clear line of sight. Another great feature in today's market is the  ability to capture footage in "True Vertical"   mode which is great if you're a content  creator who relies on shooting vertical   for you YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels or  TikToks. This also harmonises well with quick   transfer. Utilising the DJI Fly App, you  simply unfold and turn on the Mini 3 Pro. Switch to Quick Transfer mode on the  app... once connected simply select   your clips and start downloading. You can  then upload your Clips to your preferred   social media. The Mini 3 Pro also has  Increased Wind Resistance, and during   strong winds it really is jaw dropping  to see it handle these conditions. In terms of bumpy footage it's more noticeable  when trying to film "Hyperlapses". To reduce   this simply fly the Mini 3 Pro higher off  the ground and at a faster speed. There was   also a June 2022 firmware update that increased  the stability of videos when using Hyperlapse The Tri-Directional Obstacle Sensing...  uses sensors on the front rear and bottom   of the drone. You also have two handy options to  "Bypass" or "Brake" in order to avoid obstacles.   This leaves the only vulnerabilities on the  sides... and to a lesser extent on the top. So when performing a "Dolly" or a "Raise up"  move you should take extra care especially   when close to objects structures or terrain.  Now 48 megapixels is a good number but unless   you're using this with a bigger sensor you're  not going to be able to get much out of it.   Still... better images than the average  top-end smartphone... not too shabby. So when the Mini 3 Pro launched back in May  22 it only had 8-bit color depth. This wasn't   great if you wanted to shoot in the DCinelike  flat profile and color grade your footage in   post. But DJI quickly released a firmware update  that greatly improved the image quality including   the ability to record in 10-bit color. This  color profile combined with the pro camera   options such as shutter speed, i.e. dropping  it to 1 over 60 to achieve motion blur in a   4K @ 30 timeline and using ND filters, meant the  drone had finally reached its "Pro" potential. Alongside the 10-bit color firmware update  DJI also added - Quickshots, Mastershots and   Focus Track. Quick shots gives you six different  shots, Droney, Rocket, Circle, Helix, Boomerang   and Asteroid and you can adjust the distance of  each for greater versatility. With the exception   of asteroid these can also be shot in portrait  mode... since the firmware update in June 2022. Mastershots gives you roughly two  minutes of pre-programmed shots,   one after the other. You just drag your  finger over the person or location,   select some parameters and the drone will  fly off and do its thing. Mastershots is also   now supported in portrait since a firmware  update in November 22. Lastly Focus Track,   which has three modes. 1. Spotlight - where  the drone stays stationary spotlights you so   if you move around... the camera will follow. 2.  Active track - is where the drone follows you or   a vehicle around in open spaces and 3. Point Of  Interest - where you choose a subject in frame,   set a direction, for the drone to circle and a  speed. Now these features are great if you need to   get some shots done quickly and don't mind using  the auto camera settings which turn on by default. Now due to the f1.7 Aperture the Mini 3 Pro  lets a lot more light in... which provides   an opportunity to capture better footage... at  night. Now this isn't going to beat something   like the Mavic 3 Classic... but for a small drone  with a small camera it's pretty impressive. DJI   also optimised the image quality of recordings  at night in D-Cinelike in the June 2022 update. Lastly, one of the more important Pros is  "Keeping a Low Profile". At just 249 grams,   looking like a small toy and being one of the  quietest drones. It gives you the ability to   keep a low profile while capturing footage  and it makes the overall experience of flying   this drone more relaxing... which puts you in a  better mental state to capture better footage. As such you're more likely to take it with you to  get those unique perspectives... more often. Next,   let's take a look at the Cons. So, after many  recharges I was never able to reach the claimed   34 minute battery life for the standard battery.  In real world tests with light winds I averaged   around 20 to 25 minutes and in Max Wind or  Category 5 wind conditions I was unable to   get more than 15 to 20 minutes. Of course you  can go for the larger battery with a claimed   battery life of 47 minutes but not much point  as it puts you over the 250 gram license cut   off. Defeating one of the main reasons of  getting this drone... in the first place. A better way to overcome this is to get the "Mini  3 Pro - Fly More Kit" retailing for 259 AUD. Which   comes with 2 additional standard size batteries, a  two-way charging Hub which is great for queuing up   multiple batteries overnight as the batteries  charge sequentially and one year later I've   experienced no degradation to the batteries.  A USBC charging cable to use with the Hub,   two sets of spare propellers which are great in  case you crash get some damage and need to swap   them out and the carry case which has received  some criticism but it's more than adequate in   carrying your drone, controller, charge Hub  and spare batteries, cables, propellers etc.   There's even a handy zip on the front for your ND  filters... an essential accessory, in my opinion. So not surprisingly... as the Mini 3 Pro  is small, it has to do a lot more work   when flying into strong winds as well as  remaining stable in these conditions. So   if you find yourself needing to do a lot  of filming in very windy areas the Mini   3 Pro might not be the best choice. Due to  its small sensor it's not well suited for   high-end projects like big budget commercials,  documentaries... for viewing on bigger screens. But if you're filming smaller, low budget  commercials, travel blogs or anything social   media based where it's being viewed on a smaller  screen then the Mini 3 Pro is the better choice. As regular capture DJI drones are in a  class well ahead of their competitors   let's compare the Mini 3 Pro with  the Mini 3 and the Mavic 3 Classic. Now I've touched on the Mini 3 Pro here  already and in terms of form factor the   Mini 3 is very similar... coming in at 249 grams  with the standard battery. The Mavic 3 Classic   being 3 and a half times as heavy at 895 grams,   requires a small case or bag to carry.  A win for the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 3. Next Video and Photo Capture which is  a no contest as the 5.1 k at 50 FPS,   much bigger 4 over 3 CMOS sensor and  the Hasselblad Color gamut produce   stunning video and stills. A  win for the Mavic 3 Classic. Now even though the Mavic 3 Classic has two  additional color profiles - Hybrid Log Gamma   and D-Log. Hybrid Log Gamma produces saturated  colors with good shadows and high detail,   however it's not a flat profile and whether you  like it is really down to personal preference.   D-log on the other hand is the Mavic 3 Classics  flat profile which you would use to get the most   Shadow, Highlight and Color data to work with  in post... assuming you're willing to do the   work. The Mini 3 Pro's equivalent D-Cinelike  also allows you to shoot flat and get the most   data out of the image in post-production.  The Mini 3 only has the normal profile   which you wouldn't use for color grading. A  win for the Mini 3 Pro and Mavic 3 Classic. The Mavic 3 Classic is unsurprisingly  best in this category due to its biggest   size battery and superior weight.  Making it naturally more stable,   therefore requiring less battery power, to  maintain hover and fly in strong winds. Next   the Mini 3 with a slightly better battery and  stability than the Mini 3 Pro... this is partly   due to its better designed landing legs.  Nonetheless a win for the Mavic 3 Classic. With the omnidirectional binocular vision  system supplemented with an infrared sensor   on the bottom... the Mavic 3 Classic has  the best overall sensors. The Mini 3 Pro   also gives reasonable coverage with its  only weaknesses being at the side and   top. The Mini 3 sensors are very limited  with only a downward vision system.. not   great if you're just starting out and are  a little nervous... flying your drone. Another win for the Mavic 3 Classic...  now one good thing about the smaller   drones is that they have the option to  shoot in True Vertical... as opposed to   the Mavic 3 Classic which you would have to  shoot in horizontal and then crop in to get   your desired frame and pixel count in post.  The Mavic 3 Classics adjustable gimbal tilt   range is also limited compared to the smaller  drones. A win for the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 3. More Antennas and a better Video  Transmission System reduces the   chances of the feed cutting out, which can  make or break a shot and this is consistently   better on the Mini 3 Pro and Mavic 3  Classic. Having double the Antennas,   a more advanced VTS and a much lower latency.  A win for the Mini 3 Pro and Mavic 3 Classic. Now, one of the great advantages of the Mini 3  Pro is its low pitch and light hum at take-off,   which then goes silent at approximately  50 meters altitude. The Mini 3 is very   similar with only a slight difference in  pitch and although the Mavic 3 Classic is   better than most for its size. In terms of  pitch it's moderately loud at takeoff and is   still audible at 50 meters altitude.  A win for the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 3. Now bigger drones that are 250 grams  plus require Registration and Licensing,   which can take time and lead to a more anxious  experience especially for beginners. As the   smaller drones only weigh 249 grams  a win for the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 3. Finally... Price. The Mavic 3 Classic is quite  expensive coming in at $2,399 AUD compared to the   cheaper Mini 3 pro at $1,119 and even more budget  friendly the Mini 3 at $829. A win for the Mini 3. The Mini 3 Pro edging the Mini 3 and the Mavic  3 Classic in this quick, comparative test. The Mini 3 Pro is so small, it fits in your  pocket, it's also very light, dodging any   licensing concerns and is inaudible from the  ground at approximately 50 meters. A 4.5 here. You can capture photos and footage in  "True Vertical" mode... which saves you   time in post. It has solid transmission  and tracking with the 4 Antennas and has   a decent D-Cinelike flat profile, so you can  color grade your footage in post. A 4 here. Now, due to its small sensor it's not well  suited for high-end projects... the battery   life also isn't great with 25 minutes in  light winds and 20 minutes in strong. But   if you've got some spare cash it can be easily  counted with the "Fly More Kit" A 3.5 here. The Mini 3 Pro comes in at $1,119 AUD, which  is a sizey chunk of cash for something you   could lose or crash in just one flying  mistake. But compared to some of the   unique perspectives and footage you get in  return it's pretty good value. A 4 here. Comparatively, if you're an experienced  flyer doing high-end projects then you're   better suited to the Mavic 3 Classic. Or if  you're on a budget and you're not worried   about impact avoiding sensors... then  the Mini 3 is a worthy contender. But   if you want the best of both worlds,  something discreet, reasonably priced,   that shoots in a flat profile, that you can  color grade for professional imagery on phones,   tablets and monitors... then the Mini 3 Pro,  1 year later is the best drone on the market. Thanks for watching... appreciate any  feedback in the comments... until next time :)
Info
Channel: FrostFire Mage
Views: 67,529
Rating: undefined out of 5
Keywords: dji Mini 3 pro, dji Mini 3 pro cinematic, dji Mini 3 pro review, dji Mini 3, dji Mini 2, dji Mavic 3 Classic, dji Mini 3 pro top features, dji RC Controller, dji Mini 3 pro should you buy?, dji Mini 3 pro worth it?, best drone, best drone 2023, drone, drones, dji, dji drone, mini 3 pro, dji Mini 3 pro vs dji mavic 3 classic, dji mini 3 vs mini 3 pro, mavic mini 3 pro, DJI Mini 3 Pro firmware update, dji fly new update, dji mini 3 pro travel drone, dji mini 2 se, dji mini se 2
Id: BC-xSiWeG8w
Channel Id: undefined
Length: 13min 51sec (831 seconds)
Published: Sun Apr 02 2023
Related Videos
Note
Please note that this website is currently a work in progress! Lots of interesting data and statistics to come.