After months of speculation, the DJI Mini 3 Pro has finally surfaced in a leaked video, giving us our first glimpse at this much anticipated entry-level drone.
@DealsDrone tweeted a video that appears to show a Mini 3 Pro and answers a few questions about the much-anticipated flying camera.
A marking on the Mini 3 Pro’s base indicates that it will weigh somewhat less than 250 grammes, which is in line with expectations for the DJI Mini 3 Pro. That’s essential because in many locations, you don’t need to register your drones if they weigh less than 250g.
However, the DJI Mini 3 Pro looks to have a plethora of additional functions to warrant its new “Pro” designation, even if it just weights a few grammes more than the 242g Mini 2.
A revised three-axis gimbal on the front eliminates rumours that it will instead use an electrical stabilisation system to keep footage smooth. While this gimbal’s attachment is just on one side, it appears to be capable of supporting vertical video.
The camera on this gimbal has a brighter f/1.7 lens than the one on the f/2.8 Mini 2, so it should work better in low light. Despite this, it appears to be the same 24mm focal length based on the markings on the lens’s front element.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is expected to make a significant increase in the battery life of super-compact drones. In the video, the 2,453mAh battery is seen, which is 10% more powerful than the Mini 2’s. As a result, we may predict a flight duration of 35 minutes or less.
Hands on with a DJI Mini 3 Pro prototype
The Mini 3 Pro’s new sensors, on the other hand, are perhaps the most notable new features. Obstacle avoidance will be made easier with the drone’s huge front and ground sensors, as seen in the unauthorised video release.
In comparison to the DJI Mini 2, which lacks obstacle avoidance, this would be a huge improvement. In spite of the fact that the Mini 2’s front has vents, it only has ground-detection sensors (which aren’t for obstacle avoidance) on its underside.
Details concerning the DJI Mini 3 Pro, including as its sensor size, frame rates, inclusion of software capabilities like ActiveTrack, and whether or not it comes with a new controller (a stripped-down version of the DJI RC Pro), have yet to be revealed.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is slated to be released within the next several weeks, and these questions are likely to be answered.
With this leaked information on the upcoming DJI Mini 3 Pro, it’s clear that this little drone will improve on the already impressive DJI Mini 2, which had several flaws like poor obstacle avoidance, short battery life, and an old camera system. Nevertheless, how much will these additional features add to the price?
Except for the fact that DJI is also intending to sell a conventional Mini 3, this new drone will be marketed as a more expensive alternative to the Mini 2, which retails for $449/£419/AU$749.
Mini 3 Pro might effectively replace DJI’s bigger Mavic Air 2 drone, a drone that was expected to be released in 2020 and cost $799 (£769 / AU$1,499). According to that, it would be priced between between the Mini 2 and the DJI Air 2S ($999/£899/AU$1699), our current top-rated drone.
The Mini 3 Pro is an interesting drone for both novices and experienced photographers, despite the expected price increase. With a 1/1.3in CMOS sensor (up from a 1/2.3in on the Mini 2), it would be perfect for hiking or landscape photography vacations because of its 249g weight and compactness.
When flying in DJI’s automatic modes, obstacle avoidance should make the drone significantly more functional out of the box and easier to use.
It’s not yet apparent how DJI intends to differentiate the Mini 3 Pro from its more expensive models. While the “Pro” moniker says it has built a superior small drone, it also suggests it has done it at a cost.