DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 4k – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

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DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 4k share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the DJI Mini 3 rather than the Mini 4k. 

Why Do I Recommend The DJI Mini 3

  • The DJI Mini 3 features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with a wider f/1.7 aperture, delivering superior image quality, improved low-light performance, and sharper details compared to the DJI Mini 4K’s smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor and f/2.8 aperture.
  • DJI Mini 3 features 4K HDR video recording with enhanced dynamic range and vibrant colors to ensure more detailed and lifelike footage, while the DJI Mini 4K lacks HDR support.
  • It supports a maximum bitrate of 150 Mbps for sharper and more detailed video footage compared to the DJI Mini 4K’s lower 100 Mbps bitrate.
  • The DJI Mini 3 boasts a longer maximum flight time of 38 minutes (up to 47 minutes with the Intelligent Battery Plus) for improved creativity, while the DJI Mini 4K maxes out at 31 minutes.
  • DJI Mini 3 is equipped with downward obstacle sensors for landing safety and reducing the risk of crashes, whereas the DJI Mini 4K has no obstacle avoidance features.
  • It has compatibility with both the DJI RC (with a built-in screen) and DJI RC-N1 controllers for enhanced flexibility and convenience, while the DJI Mini 4K only supports the DJI RC-N1.
  • The DJI Mini 3 supports 30W fast charging to enable quicker battery recharging and faster turnaround times for extended shooting sessions, whereas the DJI Mini 4K only supports 18W charging.
  • DJI Mini 3 includes an additional Boomerang QuickShot mode to provide creative flight paths for dynamic video shots, which is not available in the DJI Mini 4K.

Maybe the Mini 4k price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the DJI Mini 3. 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 3 Mini 4k
Aperture f/1.7 f/2.8
Video Resolution 4K HDR @ 30fps, 2.7K @ 60fps 4K @ 30fps, 2.7K @ 60fps
HDR Support Yes (4K HDR) No HDR support
ISO Range (Photo/Video) ISO 100-6400 ISO 100-3200
Flight Time Up to 38 mins Up to 31 mins
Battery Type Intelligent Flight Battery Intelligent Flight Battery only
Obstacle Avoidance Downward sensors only No obstacle avoidance
Max Video Bitrate 150 Mbps 100 Mbps
Controller Compatibility DJI RC and DJI RC-N1 DJI RC-N1 only
Dimensions (Folded) 148×90×62 mm 148×94×62 mm
Dimensions  251×362×72 mm 251×362×70 mm
Supported Charging Power 30W 18W
Color Profile D-Cinelike Standard
QuickShots Modes Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle, Boomerang Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle
Price Check DJI Mini 3 Price Check Mini 4k Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Weight & Portability: Both drones weigh 249g, making them lightweight and highly portable. This classification also exempts them from registration in certain regions, ideal for travelers and casual users.
  • Size & Design: Both drones feature a compact foldable design, ensuring easy storage and effortless transportation without compromising stability during flight.
  • Camera Resolution: Both the DJI Mini 3 and Mini 4K offer a 12 MP camera, providing clear, high-quality still images suitable for social media posts and casual photography.
  • Video Capabilities: Both drones support 4K @ 30fps and 2.7K @ 60fps video recording, ensuring smooth and detailed aerial footage for both creative and professional content.
  • Flight Modes: Both drones include Normal, Sport, and Cine modes, allowing users to adapt their flight experience to different scenarios — whether for fast-paced action shots, smooth cinematic sequences, or casual flying.
  • Transmission System: Both models utilize DJI O2 (OcuSync 2.0), delivering stable video transmission with a maximum range of up to 10 km (FCC) or 6 km (CE), ensuring reliable control even at long distances.
  • Vertical Shooting Mode: Both drones support True Vertical Shooting Mode, allowing content creators to capture vertically framed content optimized for social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.
  • Wind Resistance: Both drones feature Level 5 wind resistance, ensuring stable flight performance in winds up to 10.7 m/s, enhancing reliability in outdoor conditions.
  • Speed Performance: Both drones can achieve a top speed of 16 m/s in Sport Mode, delivering fast movement for tracking dynamic subjects or covering large areas quickly.
  • Memory Card Support: Both models support microSD cards up to 256GB, providing ample storage capacity for extended recording sessions and large media files.
  • Charging and Power: Both drones utilize a USB-C charging port, ensuring convenient and efficient battery recharging.
  • Battery System: Both models are powered by the standard Intelligent Flight Battery, delivering reliable power efficiency and stable flight performance.
  • GPS Navigation & Safety: Both drones are equipped with GPS + GLONASS + Galileo, ensuring precise positioning, improved accuracy, and enhanced stability during flight.
  • Return to Home (RTH): Both drones offer an RTH feature, automatically returning to the takeoff point if the battery is low or the connection is lost, ensuring safe recovery.
  • QuickShots Modes: Both drones feature Dronie, Helix, Rocket, and Circle QuickShot modes, enabling users to capture cinematic shots with minimal effort.
  • App Control: Both drones are controlled via the DJI Fly app, which offers an intuitive interface for flight control, camera settings, and intelligent flight features.

Common Features

Feature DJI Mini 3 Mini 4k
Weight 249g 249g
Folded Dimensions 148×90×62 mm 148×94×62 mm
Unfolded Dimensions 251×362×72 mm 251×362×70 mm
Camera Resolution 12 MP 12 MP
Max Video Resolution 4K @ 30fps, 2.7K @ 60fps 4K @ 30fps, 2.7K @ 60fps
Max Photo Resolution 12 MP 12 MP
Flight Mode Support Normal, Sport, Cine Normal, Sport, Cine
Max Transmission Distance 10 km (FCC) / 6 km (CE) 10 km (FCC) / 6 km (CE)
Transmission System DJI O2 (OcuSync 2.0) DJI O2 (OcuSync 2.0)
Vertical Shooting Mode Supported Supported
Max Wind Resistance Level 5 (10.7 m/s) Level 5 (10.7 m/s)
Max Speed 16 m/s (S Mode) 16 m/s (S Mode)
Supported Memory Card microSD (up to 256GB) microSD (up to 256GB)
USB-C Charging Port Yes Yes
Battery Type Intelligent Flight Battery Intelligent Flight Battery
GPS System GPS + GLONASS + Galileo GPS + GLONASS + Galileo
Return to Home (RTH) Supported Supported
QuickShots Modes Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle
App Control DJI Fly app DJI Fly app
Price Check DJI Mini 3 Price Check Mini 4k Price

FAQ

Does the DJI Mini 3 have better video quality than the DJI Mini 4K?
Yes, the DJI Mini 3 offers superior video quality due to its 4K HDR support and a higher 150 Mbps bitrate, providing sharper details and improved dynamic range. The DJI Mini 4K lacks HDR support and has a lower 100 Mbps bitrate, resulting in slightly less detailed footage.

Can both drones shoot vertically for social media content?
Yes, both the DJI Mini 3 and DJI Mini 4K feature True Vertical Shooting Mode, allowing users to capture content optimized for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

Are both drones under 250g in weight?
Yes, both drones weigh 249g, classifying them in the sub-250g category. This means they may not require registration in certain regions, depending on local drone regulations.

Do both drones support obstacle avoidance features?
No, the DJI Mini 3 features downward obstacle sensors to assist with safer landings, while the DJI Mini 4K does not have any obstacle avoidance features.

What is the maximum flight time for each drone?
The DJI Mini 3 offers up to 38 minutes of flight time with its standard Intelligent Flight Battery and up to 47 minutes with the optional Intelligent Battery Plus. The DJI Mini 4K has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes and does not support an extended battery.

Do both drones support the DJI RC controller?
No, only the DJI Mini 3 supports both the DJI RC (with a built-in screen) and DJI RC-N1 controllers. The DJI Mini 4K is only compatible with the DJI RC-N1.

Can both drones withstand windy conditions?
Yes, both drones are designed to handle winds up to Level 5 resistance (up to 10.7 m/s), ensuring stable flight in moderately windy conditions.

Do both drones support the DJI Fly app for control?
Yes, both drones are fully compatible with the DJI Fly app, which provides intuitive control, camera settings, and access to intelligent flight modes.

What is the maximum transmission range for each drone?
Both the DJI Mini 3 and DJI Mini 4K support DJI’s O2 (OcuSync 2.0) transmission system, offering a maximum transmission range of 10 km (FCC) or 6 km (CE).

Do both drones support Return to Home (RTH)?
Yes, both the DJI Mini 3 and DJI Mini 4K feature Return to Home (RTH) functionality, which automatically guides the drone back to its takeoff point if the connection is lost or battery power becomes critically low.

Can both drones capture QuickShots?
Yes, both drones feature popular QuickShots modes such as Dronie, Helix, Rocket, and Circle for automated cinematic shots. However, the DJI Mini 3 additionally offers the Boomerang QuickShot mode.

Do both drones support microSD card storage?
Yes, both drones are equipped with a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 256GB, allowing ample storage for high-resolution video and photos.

Which drone charges faster, the DJI Mini 3 or DJI Mini 4K?
The DJI Mini 3 supports faster charging with a 30W USB-C charger, while the DJI Mini 4K supports slower 18W charging.

Which drone is better for low-light photography?
The DJI Mini 3 performs better in low-light conditions due to its larger 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and wider f/1.7 aperture, which allows more light to enter the lens. The DJI Mini 4K, with its smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor and narrower f/2.8 aperture, is less effective in low-light environments.

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