DJI has announced the Mini 3 Pro, the company’s next sub-250g drone, which brings an updated design, an improved camera, obstacle sensors and so much more.
You can read our full DJI Mini 3 Pro review here
Starting first with the camera system, the Mini 3 Pro brings an entirely new 48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor (2.4μm pixels) with dual native ISO. In front of the sensor is a 24mm full-frame equivalent F1.7 lens, meaning both the sensor and aperture are larger than that found in its predecessor, the Mini 2.
In addition to an array of 48MP still capture modes, the Mini 3 Pro can also record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second (fps) and 4K HDR video at up to 30 fps. For zoom, the Mini 3 Pro offers 2x digital zoom in 4K, 3x in 2.7K and 4x in Full HD. DJI has also added a D-Cinelike color profile, in addition to the standard ‘Normal’ color profile, to provide more editing latitude in post-production.
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As for the gimbal onboard, DJI has tweaked it to allow the camera module to rotate 90º, so you can shoot and transport vertical video directly from the drone to your mobile device without needing to crop it to share across social media platforms such as Instagram Reels, Snapchat and TikTok.
In its standard 249g configuration, the Mini 3 Pro is rated for a maximum flight time of 34 minutes with a full Intelligent Flight Battery. New to the Mini 3 Pro, however, is the ability to use a larger Intelligent Flight Battery Plus battery, which increases the flight time to 47 minutes, at the cost of increasing the drone’s weight over the 250g limit that many authorities have put in place regarding whether you can fly or have to register your drone. For areas where it is legal to fly above the 250g limit as a registered device, this larger battery will mean more flight time per charge at the cost of a little hassle and money.
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For the first time in DJI’s Mini lineup, the Mini 3 Pro features Tri-Directional Obstacle Sensing, with forward-, backward- and downward-facing sensors to minimize the risk of crashing into objects. These sensors are also what enable Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS) 4.0 and FocusTrack, two features that make their debut in DJI’s Mini lineup with the Mini 3 Pro.
APAS 4.0 is a feature that detects objects in a flight path and automatically course corrects in-flight, while the FocusTrack suite offers an array of shooting modes, including Spotlight 2.0, Point of Interest 3.0 and ActiveTrack 4.0. The Mini 3 also offers QuickShots, MasterShots and Hyperlapse functionality. There are limitations to APAS 4.0, however, which are highlighted in the footnotes of the press release below. The Mini 3 Pro uses DJI’s O3 transmission system, which is rated to deliver 1080p live view video up to 12km (7.5 miles).
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The Mini 3 Pro is available to pre-order starting today in various configurations. If you already have a DJI RC-N1 controller from a previous drone, you can purchase the Mini 3 Pro as a standalone unit for $669. If you need the basic remote control, you can purchase the Mini 3 Pro with an RC-N1 for $759. If you’d like the DJI Mini 3 Pro with the new DJI RC Pro, which has a built-in 5.5″ touchscreen, you can purchase the pair as a kit for $909.
The usual ‘Fly More’ package is now avaialble in two different variations. The first is the DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit, which costs $189 and includes two Intelligent Flight Batteries, one Two- Way Charging Hub, two sets of propellers and one Shoulder Bag. The second is the DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit Plus, which costs $249 and includes two Intelligent Flight Batteries Plus, one Two-Way Charging Hub, two sets of propellers, and one Shoulder Bag. DJI notes the Intelligent Flight Batteries Plus (and the accompanying Fly More Kit Plus) will only be available where local regulations don’t prohibit the use of drones heavier than 250g.
You can read our full review of the DJI Mini 3 Pro:
DJI Mini Pro 3 review: DJI’s Mini drones finally go ‘Pro’
DJI Mini 3 Pro Redefines What a Sub-249g Camera Drone Can Do
Lightweight, portable and powerful, DJI Mini 3 Pro is embedded with a full range of features as the first high-end product of the DJI Mini series
May 10, 2022 – DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today releases DJI Mini 3 Pro, its most powerful lightweight and portable camera drone. Weighing less than 249 grams to be policy-friendly in many regions and countries, it delivers advanced features like 4K/60fps video, ActiveTrack, tri-directional obstacle sensing, and 90° gimbal rotation to shoot high-quality vertical imaging for social media, all while extending its flight time to well over 30 minutes. DJI Mini 3 Pro empowers users everywhere to fly mini, create big.
“When we launched the Mini drone series in 2019, our goal was to give everyone the easiest way to see the world from above for the first time,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director at DJI. “Through their images and stories, we discovered how capable a small aerial camera could be. Today, we share the integration of excellent flight capability, intelligence, and imaging versatility into our ultra-lightweight aerial camera. DJI Mini 3 Pro raises the bar on what a portable, powerful camera drone can achieve.”
Less Than 249 g, More Than Capable
According to the regulations of many countries and regions, drones under 250 grams have been placed in the safest drone category. At under 249 grams, Mini 3 Pro’s combination of weight, safety, and performance arrives as a new resource for content creators on the move and new pilots looking to fly. With this portable, powerful aerial camera, more people around the world will enjoy safe flight and access a large world of visual storytelling.
Expanding the Possibilities of a Mini Drone
Looking at where to take the Mini series next, DJI asked their users and found the perfect direction: integrate DJI’s excellent flight and imaging versatility into its smallest drone. In the end, DJI Mini 3 Pro is unbelievably powerful for a drone so compact. Like its predecessors – Mavic Mini, Mini 2, and Mini SE – it keeps the same compact foldability for packing and taking anywhere. But Mini 3 Pro was made with more built-in features than any other DJI drone its size, thanks to enhanced flight performance, camera system, battery life, and intelligent features that were previously only available in the Air and Mavic series.
Designed to Face New Possibilities
Every new iteration of a DJI product is an opportunity to explore one question: What can be done better? One unmistakable result of this exploration with Mini 3 Pro is a completely new structural design that brings several performance enhancements. The arms and propellers have been adjusted for more aerodynamic flight that increases flight time. This new design also mounts forward and backward dual-vision sensors at the very front of the drone, broadening sensing range for even safer flight. A complete gimbal redesign unlocks more camera angles than ever, enabling movements like tilt-up shots and vertical shooting. With a fresh, new look, DJI Mini 3 Pro truly unlocks more creative possibilities.
Obstacle Sensing for Safer Flight
In a first for the Mini drone series, DJI Mini 3 Pro features Tri-Directional Obstacle Sensing, consisting of forward, backward, and downward visual sensors. The forward and downward sensors have a wider field of view, providing seamless coverage for better route planning and environmental awareness. These sensors also enable Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS) 4.0, which automatically detects and finds a safer path around obstacles during flight. [1] In addition, these sensors also enable the entire FocusTrack suite, which allows users to select a subject that the drone automatically keeps within the center of the frame during flight while automatically planning a safe flight route. Thanks to its upgraded sensing system, DJI Mini 3 Pro is the first of the Mini lineup to integrate APAS and FocusTrack.
A Camera System for Pro-Quality Content
DJI Mini 3 Pro also brings a completely enhanced imaging system. A 1/1.3-inch CMOS camera sensor has dual native ISO, a capturing technology previously only available on cinema and some micro single cameras. It also has an aperture of f/1.7 and shoots images at up to 48MP and video at up to 4K/60fps. To help capture high-quality easy-to-upload content, the camera rotates 90 degrees for True Vertical Shooting, creating incredible photos and videos in portrait orientation without quality-cutting image zooming and cropping. For the most vivid detail, HDR video recording is available at frame rates up to 30fps. A Normal color profile is available for quick in-app editing, while D-Cinelike allows for more post-editing possibilities. Digital video zoom at up to 2x is available in 4K, 3x in 2.7K, and 4x in Full HD. Among the key pieces of user feedback we’ve applied, DJI Mini 3 Pro also has improved image performance with 2.4μm pixels that capture more image detail, which is especially helpful in low lighting and night.
Extended Battery Life and Transmission Distance
Even though DJI Mini 3 Pro is under 249 grams, it still arrives with extended flight time. At a maximum flight of 34 minutes, Mini 3 Pro can capture more landscapes and destinations on asingle charge. To give users more choice, Mini 3 Pro also introduces an extended flight battery option for the first time in DJI drone history. The Intelligent Flight Battery Plus allows for a maximum flight time of 47 minutes, an unprecedented capability for a drone this size. [2] Pairing perfectly with this extended flight time, Mini 3 Pro features the O3 transmission system, which delivers a crisp 1080p live view from a distance as far as 12 km. [3]
Capture Like a Pro with Intelligent Features
The enhancements onboard DJI Mini 3 Pro already make it an excellent flying camera, but that’s not all. A full suite of intelligent capturing modes from DJI’s Air and Mavic series is now available on Mini 3 Pro to let you create like never before. With a single tap, you can do the following:
- FocusTrack Suite [4]
- Spotlight 2.0 keeps the subject in frame while you fly manually.
- Point of Interest 3.0 circles the subject in a set flight radius and speed.
- ActiveTrack 4.0 follows the subject in two selectable ways:
- Trace: The aircraft tracks the subject at a constant distance
- Parallel: The aircraft tracks the subject while flying beside it at a constant
angle and distance
- QuickShots
- Dronie: Aircraft flies back and up with the camera locked on the subject.
- Helix: Aircraft flies up and spirals around the subject.
- Rocket: Aircraft flies up with the camera facing down.
- Circle: Aircraft circles around the subject.
- Boomerang: Aircraft flies around the subject in an oval path, ascending as it flies
away and descending as it returns. - Asteroid: Aircraft creates a shot that begins as a sphere panorama high above
the subject and ends with a normal shot hovering near the subject.
- MasterShots: Keeps the subject in the center of the frame while executing different
maneuvers in sequence to generate a short cinematic video. - Hyperlapse: Creates a dynamic timelapse where the aircraft flies on set paths during
capture.
Introducing DJI RC
DJI Mini 3 Pro is perfect for those flying for the first time or coming back for more. To meet everyone’s needs, DJI also is expanding its remote controller lineup with DJI RC, a lightweight remote controller with a 5.5-inch built-in touchscreen.[5] With the DJI Fly app already integrated, users don’t need to mount their smartphone to their controller, freeing their personal device during the flying experience.
Accessories to Boost Your Flight
To get the most out of every flight, DJI Mini 3 Pro arrives with several accessories: [6]
● DJI Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery has a maximum flight time of 34 mins
● DJI Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery Plus has a maximum flight time of 47 mins [2]
● DJI Mini 3 Pro Two-Way Charging Hub charges Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Batteries in
sequence
● DJI Mini 3 Pro ND Filters Set (ND 16/64/256) lets Mini 3 Pro capture more detail in the
brightest of conditions
● DJI Mini 3 Pro Propellers are essential to help ensure reliable flight every time
● DJI 30W USB-C Charger charges an Intelligent Flight Battery to 0-100% in just 64
minutes and an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus in 101 minutes
Price and Availability
DJI Mini 3 Pro is available for pre-order today from store.dji.com and most authorized retail partners in several configurations. DJI Mini 3 Pro (no remote controller) retails for $669 USD and includes DJI Mini 3 Pro, and excludes any remote controller for those who already have a compatible model to control the drone. [7] DJI Mini 3 Pro retails for $759 USD and includes DJI RC-N1. DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI RC) retails for $909 USD and includes DJI RC.
In addition, accessory kits made for DJI Mini 3 Pro are available for pre-order today. The DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit retails for $189 USD and includes 2 Intelligent Flight Batteries, 1 Two- Way Charging Hub, 2 sets of propellers, and one Shoulder Bag. The DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit Plus retails for $249 USD and includes 2 Intelligent Flight Batteries Plus, 1 Two-Way Charging Hub, 2 sets of propellers, and one Shoulder Bag. All other accessories will be sold separately. For more information on all the new features, accessories, and capabilities, please visit https://www.dji.com/dji-mini-3-pro.
Footnotes
[1] APAS 4.0 is not available while recording 4K/48fps, 4K/50fps, 4K/60fps, 2.7K/48fps, 2.7K/50fps, 2.7K/60fps, or 1080p/120fps video.
[2] When using the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, the takeoff weight of DJI Mini 3 Pro will exceed 249 grams. Due to local laws and regulations that restrict drones at or above 250 grams, the DJI Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery Plus is not available in all countries and regions.
[3] Data is tested under FCC standards in unobstructed environments of typical interference, and only serves as a reference and provides no guarantee as to the actual flight distance. Max one-way communication distance of DJI Mini 3 Pro in countries/regions of different standards: FCC (United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and other regions), 12 km; SRRC (Mainland China), 8 km; CE (UK, Russia, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Macau, New Zealand, UAE, and other regions),8 km; MIC (Japan), 8 km.
[4] FocusTrack is not available while recording 4K/48fps, 4K/50fps, 4K/60fps, 2.7K/48fps, 2.7K/50fps, 2.7K/60fps, 1080p/48fps, 1080p/50fps, 1080p/60fps, or 1080p/120fps video.
[5] DJI RC is currently compatible with DJI Mini 3 Pro and will expand to more drone models in the future.
[6] Accessories sold separately. Availability may vary.
[7] Compatible remote controllers for DJI Mini 3 Pro include DJI RC-N1 and DJI RC.
