DJI Mini 3 & Mini 4 Pro share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as video quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the DJI Mini 4 Pro rather than the DJI Mini 3.
Why Do I Recommend The DJI Mini 4 Pro?
- The DJI Mini 4 Pro features Omnidirectional Vision Sensing for enhanced safety, obstacle detection, and smoother flight, while the DJI Mini 3 lacks obstacle detection.
- DJI Mini 4 Pro has an upgraded DJI O4 transmission system with a 20km max video range for clearer, more stable video feeds, while the DJI Mini 3 relies on the older DJI O2 system with a shorter range.
- It supports 4K/100fps video recording for ultra-smooth cinematic footage, whereas the DJI Mini 3 is limited to 4K/30fps.
- The DJI Mini 4 Pro includes advanced HDR support at all frame rates, delivering better dynamic range and color accuracy compared to the limited HDR implementation on the DJI Mini 3.
- DJI Mini 4 Pro features D-Log M & HLG color profiles for improved post-production flexibility, while the DJI Mini 3 only supports standard color profiles.
- The DJI Mini 4 Pro has an improved low-light night mode for clearer nighttime photography and video, whereas the DJI Mini 3 lacks dedicated night mode enhancements.
- The DJI Mini 4 Pro offers a wider gimbal tilt range for more creative camera angles, while the DJI Mini 3 has a standard tilt range.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro includes the newer DJI RC-N2 controller for improved connectivity and performance, whereas the DJI Mini 3 comes with the older RC-N1.
- It also includes ActiveTrack 360° for automatic subject tracking, enabling advanced follow modes, while the DJI Mini 3 lacks any subject tracking features.
Maybe the DJI Mini 3 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the DJI Mini 4 Pro. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | DJI Mini 4 Pro | DJI Mini 3 |
| Camera Sensor | 1/1.3-inch CMOS with Dual Native ISO Fusion | 1/1.3-inch CMOS |
| Max Video Transmission Distance | 20 km (OcuSync 4.0) | 10 km (OcuSync 2.0) |
| ISO Range (Video) | 100-6400 (Auto), 100-12800 (Manual) | 100-6400 (Auto), 100-6400 (Manual) |
| ISO Range (Photo) | 100-6400 (Auto), 100-12800 (Manual) | 100-6400 (Auto), 100-6400 (Manual) |
| Video Recording | 4K/100fps | 4K/30fps |
| Slow Motion Video | 4K at 100fps | No slow-motion recording |
| D-Log M (10-bit color) | Yes | No |
| HLG HDR | Yes | No |
| Max Video Bitrate | 150 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Color Profiles | Normal, D-Log M, HLG | Normal |
| Night Mode Video | Yes | No |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Omnidirectional Vision Sensing (360°) | No obstacle avoidance |
| Obstacle Sensing Directions | Forward, Backward, Upward, Downward, Left, Right | Only Downward Sensors |
| APAS | APAS 5.0 | No APAS |
| ActiveTrack | ActiveTrack 360° | No ActiveTrack |
| Intelligent Flight Modes | Waypoint Flight, Cruise Control, Advanced Hyperlapse | Basic Hyperlapse only |
| Controller Compatibility | DJI RC 2, DJI RC-N2 | DJI RC, DJI RC-N1 |
| Transmission System | DJI OcuSync 4.0 | DJI OcuSync 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes (Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2) | Yes (Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.2) |
| Battery Capacity (Standard Battery) | 2590 mAh | 2453 mAh |
| Price | Check Mini 4 Pro Price | Check Mini 3 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Lightweight & Portable (Under 249g): Both the DJI Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 weigh less than 249g, making them highly portable and ideal for travel and beginners. This lightweight design also means they fall under less restrictive drone regulations in many countries, allowing users to fly them without needing a license in most cases.
- Same 1/1.3-Inch Camera Sensor & f/1.7 Aperture: Both drones feature a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, ensuring high-quality images with excellent low-light performance. This means users can capture detailed shots even in challenging lighting conditions, making both drones great for sunrise and sunset photography.
- 48MP / 12MP Still Photo Capture: Both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 offer 48MP high-resolution photography, allowing for highly detailed images. Users can also choose 12MP photos, which use pixel binning to enhance brightness and clarity, making them ideal for low-light environments.
- 4K Ultra HD Video Recording: Both models support 4K video recording, delivering crisp and clear footage. This makes them excellent for capturing high-quality videos for social media, vlogs, and even professional projects.
- HDR Support for Enhanced Video & Photo Quality: Both drones feature HDR (High Dynamic Range) support, improving contrast and color vibrancy in both photos and videos. This means skies appear more detailed, shadows are more visible, and footage looks more dynamic.
- 3-Axis Mechanical Gimbal for Stable Footage: The mechanical 3-axis gimbal ensures smooth and stabilized video capture, reducing unwanted shakes or jitters when filming. This is essential for creating professional-looking content, even in windy conditions or fast movements.
- Vertical Shooting Mode for Social Media: Both drones feature native vertical shooting, allowing users to capture content optimized for platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts without needing post-editing rotation.
- Hyperlapse Mode for Time-Lapse Videos: Both drones support Hyperlapse mode, allowing users to create stunning time-lapse videos. This feature is great for capturing moving clouds, sunsets, cityscapes, and more.
- Smart Return-to-Home (RTH) and Fail-Safe RTH: Both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 include Smart RTH, Low Battery RTH, and Failsafe RTH, ensuring the drone automatically returns to its starting point if it loses signal, runs low on battery, or if the pilot manually triggers the function.
- Wind Resistance of 10.7 m/s: Both drones can handle wind speeds up to 10.7 meters per second, ensuring stable flight in moderate wind conditions. This makes them suitable for outdoor use even in challenging weather.
- Maximum Takeoff Altitude of 4000m: Both drones can fly up to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level, making them suitable for high-altitude flights in mountain regions.
- 1Maximum Speed of 16 m/s: Both drones can reach speeds of 16 meters per second (approximately 35.8 mph or 57.6 km/h) in Sport Mode, making them great for tracking fast-moving subjects.
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Connectivity: Both drones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for seamless file transfers and easy connection with the DJI Fly app.
Common Features
| Feature | DJI Mini 4 Pro | DJI Mini 3 |
| Camera Sensor | 1/1.3-inch CMOS | 1/1.3-inch CMOS |
| Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.7 |
| ISO Range (Video & Photo) | 100-6400 (Auto), 100-12800 (Manual) | 100-6400 (Auto), 100-6400 (Manual) |
| Still Photo Resolution | 48MP / 12MP | 48MP / 12MP |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K (Ultra HD) | 4K (Ultra HD) |
| HDR Support | Yes | Yes |
| 3-Axis Mechanical Gimbal | Yes | Yes |
| Vertical Shooting Mode | Yes | Yes |
| QuickShots | Yes | Yes |
| Hyperlapse Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Smart RTH (Return-to-Home) | Yes | Yes |
| Low Battery RTH & Failsafe RTH | Yes | Yes |
| Max Wind Resistance | 10.7 m/s | 10.7 m/s |
| Max Takeoff Altitude | 4000m | 4000m |
| Max Speed (Level Flight Mode) | 16 m/s | 16 m/s |
| Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Mini 4 Pro Price | Check Mini 3 Price |
FAQ
| 1. Are both the DJI Mini 4 Pro and DJI Mini 3 under 249g? Yes, both drones weigh under 249g, making them lightweight and easy to carry. This also means they fall under fewer flight restrictions in many countries, allowing users to fly without requiring a license in most regions. 2. Do both drones have the same camera sensor? Yes, both the DJI Mini 4 Pro and DJI Mini 3 use a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, which provides excellent low-light performance and high-quality image capture. 3. Can both drones record in 4K resolution? Yes, both models support 4K video recording. However, the DJI Mini 4 Pro can record up to 4K/100fps, while the Mini 3 is limited to 4K/30fps. 4. Do both drones support HDR video? Yes, both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 support HDR video, ensuring better contrast and color details in high-dynamic-range environments. 5. Do both drones have a mechanical gimbal for stabilization? Yes, both drones feature a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, which helps stabilize footage and reduces vibrations, ensuring smooth and cinematic shots. 6. Do both drones offer vertical shooting mode? Yes, both drones have a native vertical shooting mode, allowing users to capture portrait-style videos optimized for platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. 7. Do both drones have QuickShots and automated flight modes? Yes, both drones include QuickShots, featuring pre-programmed flight patterns like Dronie, Rocket, Circle, Helix, Boomerang, and Asteroid to create cinematic shots easily. 8. Can both drones create Hyperlapse videos? Yes, both models support Hyperlapse mode, allowing users to capture stunning time-lapse footage of landscapes, moving clouds, and cityscapes. 9. Do both drones have Return-to-Home (RTH) functionality? Yes, both drones come with Smart RTH, Low Battery RTH, and Failsafe RTH, ensuring they can return to the takeoff location if they lose connection or run low on battery. 10. Can both drones withstand windy conditions? Yes, both drones have a maximum wind resistance of 10.7 m/s, allowing them to fly stably even in moderate wind conditions. 11. Do both drones have the same maximum altitude? Yes, both drones have a maximum takeoff altitude of 4000m, meaning they can fly at high elevations, making them suitable for mountain landscapes. 12. What is the maximum flight speed of both drones? Both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 can reach a maximum speed of 16 m/s in Sport Mode, making them fast enough for tracking moving subjects. 13. Do both drones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity? Yes, both drones come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, allowing seamless connectivity with the DJI Fly app and other devices. 14. Can both drones use a microSD card for storage? Yes, both models support microSD cards, but the Mini 4 Pro allows up to 512GB, whereas the Mini 3 supports up to 256GB. 15. Do both drones have multiple battery options? Yes, both drones offer two battery options: the Standard Intelligent Flight Battery and the Intelligent Battery Plus. The Standard Battery provides a balance between flight time and weight, while the Plus Battery extends flight time but exceeds 249g. 16. Can both drones be controlled with the DJI Fly app? Yes, both drones are compatible with the DJI Fly app, allowing users to control flight, adjust camera settings, and edit footage directly from their smartphones. 17. Do both drones have built-in GPS? Yes, both drones include built-in GPS, ensuring precise positioning, stable hovering, and accurate return-to-home functions. 18. Are both drones good for beginners? Yes, both the DJI Mini 4 Pro and DJI Mini 3 are beginner-friendly, offering intuitive controls, automated flight modes, and a lightweight design that makes them easy to fly. 19. Can I use the same remote controller for both drones? No, the DJI Mini 4 Pro uses the DJI RC 2 controller, while the DJI Mini 3 uses the DJI RC. The controllers are not interchangeable due to differences in transmission technology. |