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Pros
- Good-looking 4K30 video
- Support for vertical video and upward gimbal tilt
- 12MP stills in Raw DNG or JPG
- 38-minute flights with standard battery
- 51-minute extended battery available
- 249g build for registration-free flight
- Built-in GPS and FlySafe safety features
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Cons
- Omits obstacle detection
- Limited to one color profile
- Doesn't support Hyperlapse or ActiveTrack
DJI Mini 3 Specs
Dimensions | 2.4 by 3.5 by 5.7 inches |
Integrated Camera | Integrated with Gimbal |
Live Video Feed | 1080p |
Media Format | microSDXC |
Megapixels | 12 |
Remote | Dedicated with App |
Remote | Dedicated with LCD |
Rotors | 4 |
Video Resolution | 4K |
Weight | 8.8 |
The DJI Mini 3 (A$829 with remote) takes the camera and airframe from the pricier Mini 3 Pro ($1,119) and puts it into a more affordable package, dropping a few features to reach a lower price. Notably, it skips the obstacle detection included in the Pro model and its video is restricted to 4K30. Even with these limitations, the DJI Mini 3 is a strong option for fewer dollars than the Pro edition, and a good fit for pilots who don't need obstacle detection but want a better-than-basic camera. Entry-level pilots may be turned off by the price, however, so our Editors' Choice award for starter drones stays with the $749 Mini 2.
Editors' Note, December 12, 2022: We originally published this review with an Editors' Choice award based on incorrect pricing information from DJI. While we still recommend the Mini 3 to many buyers, we've decided to rescind our award, as it was based on a lower starting price.
A Lightweight Airframe for Registration-Free Flight
From the start, DJI's Mini series was built to make weight. In the US you can fly a drone that weighs 249g (8.8 ounces) or less with far fewer restrictions than those that govern heavier UAVs. You can skip paying a $5 fee to the FAA with a drone like the Mini 3, though you'll still be asked to pass a basic knowledge exam, the TRUST test, before going airborne. (TRUST is administered online, quick to finish, and you can't really fail it.) Regulations vary in other regions, but Canadian, EU, and UK pilots benefit even more from a 249g bird, as their respective rules are stricter than those in the US.
![DJI Mini 3 with propeller arms folded closed](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-11.jpg)
The Mini 3 isn't just light, it's also quite small. It uses the same airframe as the Mini 3 Pro (minus the obstacle sensors), so it folds down to slide more easily into a camera bag. At 2.4 by 3.5 by 5.7 inches (HWD) when folded, it's not much bigger than an average 24-70mm lens or a thermal water bottle.
The nose-mounted camera supports 4K30 video, like the Mini 2. While it uses the same Quad Bayer cameras as the Pro version, here you're limited to 12MP stills (48MP is not available). The 24mm f/1.7 lens still supports clip-on ND filters, 16:9 landscape and 9:16 vertical video, and ample upward tilt; it can go from straight down (-90 degrees) to 60 degrees upward.
![DJI Mini 3, front view showing camera](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-3.jpg)
DJI Mini 3 Remote and Battery Options
DJI sells the drone in a few different configurations. You can get the Mini 3 without a remote for $699, so if you already own a DJI RC-N1 (bundled with the Mini 2) or a DJI RC built-in-screen remote, you can skip buying one again. It's a good option for existing Mini 2 owners mulling and upgrade, as it's the only way to get the drone for under $800.
![DJI RC-N1 with iPhone 13 in phone clip](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-1.jpg)
We expect most pilots shopping for the Mini 3 to be in the market for a remote, however. For $829, you get the drone and the DJI RC-N1 together. The RC-N1 requires you to connect an Android or iOS smartphone in order to see through the Mini 3's camera.
For $1,019, you can step up to a bundle with the Mini 3 and the DJI RC. The RC has a built-in touch screen and its own flight control app, so there's no need to connect your phone. The RC has a 5.5-inch screen with 700 nits maximum brightness. It's a little difficult to see on bright days, especially if the sun is overhead.
![DJI RC remote, front view](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-5.jpg)
The DJI RC is a sensible splurge for pilots with so-so smartphones, but if you have a good phone with a bright screen (iPhones approach 1,000 nits), you may not find the RC to be an upgrade. There's one other drawback to using DJI's built-in screen remote: you lose access to live maps, but you can tether it to your phone's hotspot to make up for that shortcoming.
There are extra-battery bundles to consider, too. The Mini 3 ships with a lightweight Intelligent Flight Battery that's good for up to 38 minutes of flight time. An Intelligent Flight Battery Plus pushes airtime to a staggering 51 minutes, but is heavy enough to push the drone out of the 249g weight class. Even so, the $5 FAA fee makes it a worthwhile accessory for US customers.
![DJI Mini 3, bottom view](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-4.jpg)
These flight times are best-case estimates, and somewhat dependent on how you fly the drone. If you're fighting against wind or leaning heavily on the high-speed Sport mode, you'll cut into battery life. Even so, the flight time is ample with the standard battery. The Plus is there for extended flight times, or for pilots who may want to take the Mini 3 up in the air a few times over the course of a day without worrying about having to charge in between flights.
DJI sells the Plus batteries as upgrades. They're priced at A$149 apiece versus $99 for the standard battery.
![DJI RC sitting on bench, three-quarter profile view](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-2.jpg)
There are also combos with the standard battery for pilots who prefer to always stay under regulatory takeoff weight. You can get a Fly More Combo with three 38-minute batteries, a triple charger, and a carrying case with the built-in display DJI RC for $1,278.
DJI's Fly and Safety Features
Regardless of whether you run it on a smartphone or the DJI RC, DJI Fly is the control app for the drone. It sends a view from the camera to your phone's display (or the remote's) and includes a touch interface to adjust settings, access different flight modes, and configure various safety features. The Mini 3 must be activated prior to flight; you'll need to set up a DJI account to do so, but it's something you can do from within the app itself.
![DJI Mini 3 sample image, landscape with farms and forest](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-18.jpg)
The app also shows telemetry data—the orientation, current airspeed, and altitude of the drone—and can swap to a map view to show its location in relation to local roads and landmarks. Don't worry too much if you lose track, though—a return-to-home function is included. When activated, it ascends to a safe height and guides the Mini 3 back to its takeoff point. You do want to make sure that the drone has locked on to GPS before taking off—the remote will let you know. In my test flights, it took around half a minute to get a lock.
DJI builds a geofence system into its drones, FlySafe. The system warns you if you are trying to take off in restricted airspace or if you're entering it. It's effective in practice; I live near a small local airport and the app lets me know if I'm about to stray into its airspace. Additionally, if you want to make sure the drone stays within a certain distance you can set a custom geofence distance in the app.
![DJI Mini 3 sample image, overhead view of suburban neighborhood](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-17.jpg)
It's a good system to keep beginner pilots out of trouble, though advanced flyers may lament the need to unlock authorization to takeoff near an airport or similar no-fly zone. The Mini 3 would not be my first choice for pilots who do UAV work near airports, however, as it doesn't have an AirSense ADS-B sensor to warn you if manned aircraft are nearby. You need to upgrade to the Air 2S or Mavic 3 Classic to get that feature.
Obstacle sensors are also missing from the Mini 3. It's one of the major differentiators between the base model and the upmarket Mini 3 Pro, which includes three-way obstacle avoidance. The Mini 3 also drops the Pro's ActiveTrack subject tracking and APAS autopilot features (sensible because they work along with obstacle detection). If you're after these features, the Mini 3 Pro costs a bit more with a remote ($1,119) and includes them.
A Versatile Camera for Creators
You wouldn't know it from a glance at the baseline specs, but the Mini 3's camera is a notable upgrade from the one in the Mini 2. It has the same 24mm angle of view, but gathers more than twice as much light with its fixed f/1.7 aperture for better video at twilight and magic hour.
![DJI Mini 3, close-up showing camera](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-6.jpg)
Clip-on ND filters are available if you care enough about shutter angles to use them; they cut incoming light so you can set the lens to visually pleasing 1/60-second (for 30fps) or 1/48-second (for 24fps) video. DJI's ND filter kit is a $55 accessory, and since the Mini 3's camera uses the same filters as the Mini 3 Pro, there are third-party filter kits from brands like Freewell and Tiffen if DJI's selection doesn't match your creative needs or budget.
The Mini 3's gimbal is also a serious upgrade from the Mini 2. Upward tilt and dual-orientation capture bolster the ultra-smooth, three-axis stabilization. We're used to seeing drone shots with the camera pointing straight down, and the Mini 3 can do that, but its 60 degrees of upward tilt is a useful addition. I tried it for low-angle shots under tree branches and pans up to reveal the sky—shots you can't get with the Mini 2.
Vertical video is the other big change. The Mini 3's camera twists 90 degrees to record at 9:16, so you can mix in drone footage with your TikTok post or Instagram Reel. Photographers can find it useful to change up photos too, though the difference between squarer 4:3 (or 3:4) aspect images isn't nearly as dramatic.
As for the video itself, the camera records at 4K in your choice of 24 or 30fps with a high dynamic range (HDR) response for more detail in shadows and highlights than the Mini 2's camera, without sacrificing color. In practice, the footage looks great, with crisp detail and no signs of oversharpening effects. There's only one color profile available; if you want a 249g drone with support for a color correction-friendly flat profile, look to the Mini 3 Pro.
Editing pros should take note that while the footage looks HDR, it is not saved in an HDR format. Instead, you get H.264 video in an 8-bit Rec.709 color space. If your phone supports HDR video (iPhones do), it's a good idea to set it to SDR mode for projects that mix in video from the Mini 3 for better color matching between the two. If you're after a drone that records in a Rec.2020 HDR profile, the Air 2S or any Mavic 3 model fit the bill with support for 10-bit HLG, but you'll need to have a good editing knowledge base to get the most out of those drones.
The Mini 3's camera uses the same hardware and optics as the Mini 3 Pro, but cuts back a few processing-dependent features. Hyperlapse and 4K60 recording are missing, as is the 48MP photo mode. The drone still uses a 48MP sensor, however, and while it downsamples photos and video, you can leverage its Quad Bayer architecture with a good-looking 2x digital zoom for 4K video and 4x at 1080p.
![DJI Mini 3 sample image, horses in field shot with 2x digital zoom](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-15.jpg)
The Mini 3 may not do Hyperlapse, but it supports Quick Shots. These automated camera moves deliver cinema-grade results and give you a break from manual control. Dronie (a drone selfie), Helix, Rocket, Circle, and Boomerang options are included. You need plenty of clear space for Helix and Boomerang shots, so you'll want to keep an eye on the drone when it's executing them—and be prepared to hit the big Pause button on the remote if it looks like the Mini 3 is going to bump into a tree or building.
![DJI Mini 3 sample image, landscape with roads and fields in black-and-white](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-16.jpg)
The camera does stills, too. The Mini 3 supports 12MP shots in ready-to-share JPG or editing-friendly Raw DNG format. There's only one color profile available for the JPG mode, so you'll need to shoot in Raw if you want to push vivid colors or go artsy with a black-and-white edit. Aside from that limitation, we have little bad to say about the photo quality. The Raw files are definitely editable; I had no problem applying a black-and-white look to a frame I thought worked particularly well in monochrome. I used an Ilford HP5 look in Nik Silver Efex Pro for the edit.
For a serious upgrade in picture quality, you'll want to step up to a Type 1 sensor drone like the Autel Evo Lite+ or DJI Air 2S, or DJI's flagship Mavic 3 with its oversized Four Thirds sensor camera. We omitted the Mini 3 Pro from that list for a reason—although it offers up a 48MP photo mode, the extra pixels don't make a huge difference in picture quality, just file size. Moving up to a drone with a bigger image sensor is a greater difference maker for photography.
![DJI Mini 3, rear showing memory card slot and USB-C port](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-9.jpg)
The Mini 3 doesn't include any onboard storage for photos (the Mini 3 Pro has a small 1.2GB available in comparison), so you need to add a microSD card to save photos and videos. The card slot, positioned at the rear of the aircraft, is easy to get to and supports high-capacity microSDXC. A 64GB card holds around 90 minutes of 4K footage, so you may want to get a 128GB card if you're buying extra batteries.
A Highly Appealing Starter Drone
We've recommended the DJI Mini 2 to beginner drone pilots since its introduction, lauding its ease of use, camera quality, registration-avoiding 249g airframe, and $749 price. The Mini 3 lands a couple of years later with some notable upgrades and a slightly higher starting price of $829 with a remote. If you're mulling an upgrade, you can buy the Mini 3 without a remote for $699 and use the same one that was bundled with the Mini 2.
The older Mini 2 is still on sale, and at $749 it's more obtainable. Spending more on the Mini 3 gets you longer air time between charges, a better 4K camera with support for vertical video and wider dynamic range, and a brighter lens for less noise in twilight and magic hour footage. It's definitely a better drone, but not quite as strong a value proposition. That's why we continue to recommend the more affordable Mini 2 as our Editors' Choice for beginning pilots.
![DJI Mini 3 with arms extended](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/reviews/00m4VygWf8Hf4jD3B9k4B32-7.jpg)
Creators who want more from a camera drone will see the Mini 3 as a compelling step-up option. If it falls within your budget and you're happy without obstacle sensors, it's a good model to get. However, if you're able to stretch your budget, the Mini 3 Pro ($1,119) is worth it. It shares a lot of tech with the regular Mini 3, but adds some useful features, including obstacle avoidance and Hyperlapse, and is our Editors' Choice winner for mid-priced UAVs. If you're not a fan of the DJI brand, consider the Autel Evo Nano+, a similarly minded drone that offers obstacle detection and fewer geofencing restrictions for flight.