DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro: Which is the Better Drone for Aerial Videography?

When looking at the best drones on the market for aerial cinematography and videography, there can be a lot to consider. There are many great options these days, to be honest. And also, to be honest, the majority of them come from DJI.

Yet, with DJI’s future in question, thanks to an ongoing legal battle with the US government, it can feel risky to make the investment. Still, DJI is most likely going to be a great and safe investment for a long time to come.

If you are considering which drone is right for you, let’s help by going over some of the specs, prices, and pros and cons of two historically popular options. The DJI Mini 3 versus the DJI Mini 3 Pro. Obviously, you can tell which one might be the more advanced model, but let’s see just how much more value the Pro truly holds.

DJI Mini 3 Drone

Designed to help aerial videographers fly longer with improved social media support when filming, the Mini 3 Drone from DJI features some nice wind resistance and battery life (up to 38 minutes of flight time).

The DJI Mini 3 Drone also features true vertical shooting, which is a feature that lets you rotate the gimbal 90° to film vertical shots that can be immediately shared on social media platforms. Like the Mini 2 before it, the Mini 3 captures stunning videos in 4K HDR, uses OcuSync 2.0 for a transmission range of up to 6.2 miles, and includes a host of automated functions to make piloting easier.

Here are some of the key specs and features of the DJI Mini 3 Drone:

• No Registration Needed - Under 249 g, FAA Registration, and Remote ID are not required if you fly for recreational purposes. Visit the FAA's official website for requirements related to drone registration and Remote ID.
• 4K UHD Stunning Imagery- Film in 4K HDR Video for crystal clear aerial shots. With Dual Native ISO Fusion, Mini 3 enables the capture of details in highlights and shadows, both day and night.
• Striking Vertical Videos are Ready to Share - With True Vertical Shooting, you can easily capture tall landmarks like skyscrapers and waterfalls. And after capturing, it's in the perfect orientation to post to Instagram or TikTok.
• Extended Battery Life - Its flight time can be extended up to 51 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (sold separately), but the aircraft will weigh more than 249 g. Fly More combo offers up to 114 minutes of total flight time.
• 38kph (Level 5) Wind Resistant and 3-Axis Gimbal for Stable - With its Level 5 wind resistant and 3-axis mechanical gimbal, Mini 3 can capture consistently smooth 4K imagery. Brushless motors enhance power and allow takeoff at altitudes up to 4,000 meters.
• 10km Max HD Video Transmission - Up to 10 km (32,800 feet) of HD video transmission and has excellent anti-interference capabilities, giving you the ability to freely explore vast landscapes and see clearer.
• Creative Features for Advanced Shots - Epic shots are at your fingertips. Use QuickShots to choose dynamic flight patterns or capture a stunning view with Panorama.

• Beginner-Friendly and Safe - Designed for beginners, GPS Return to Home (RTH), Precise Hovering, and Auto Takeoff/Landing, giving you plenty of confidence in flying. Additional in-app learning resources help you master flight quickly.
• QuickTransfer via Wi-Fi - No remote control is needed; you can turn on the Wi-Fi download after pairing the drone close to your phone, and the download speed is up to 25Mb/s, which is simple and fast.

DJI Mini 3 Drone has prices that range from $419 for a base model to $719 with a full “Flow More” combo.

DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone

A step above the DJI Mini 3 Drone is the DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone from DJI. One of the biggest improvements over the Mini 2 is the inclusion of a tri-directional obstacle avoidance system, which can avoid accidents by automatically detecting and avoiding obstacles in its flight path.

The Mini 3 Pro also provides an upgrade in visual quality over its non-Pro version, adding the ability of 60 fps filming at 4K, slow motion 120 fps at 1080p, and extremely hi-res 48MP raw stills—great specs for aerial cinematographers and videographers.

The flight time has been improved as well, going up to 34 minutes or even longer with an optional Plus battery. Plus, add in a foldable design and a host of tracking and imaging modes, and you have a drone that travels easily and can accommodate both impromptu personal and professional aerial imaging.

Here are some of the key specs and features of the DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone:

• FAA Remote ID Compliant - DJI Mini 3 Pro complies with the FAA Remote ID rule. Please check the compliance document below to see the user guide for Remote ID, and you can visit the FAA's website for requirements of drone registration and Remote ID.
• Seriously Pro Shots - Capture your world in remarkable detail with 4K/60fps video and 48MP photos. The advanced camera system supports dual native ISO and f/1.7 aperture for high-quality imagery, night and day.
• Perfect Portraits in a Tap - The redesigned DJI Mini 3 Pro offers True Vertical Shooting for portrait shots, ideal for social media. The gimbal rotates 90, so you don't have to compromise image quality.
• Sweet Air Time - Enjoy an extended flight time of up to 34 minutes and capture and explore more of your surroundings. Upgrade to the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (sold separately) and enjoy care-free exploration for up to 47 minutes.
• Fly with Confidence - DJI Mini 3 Pro features tri-directional obstacle sensing and APAS 4.0, bringing unrivaled safety to the Mini series.
• Create and Share On the Go - DJI Mini 3 Pro offers an extensive range of intelligent features, including FocusTrack, True Vertical Shooting, MasterShots, Timelapse, QuickTransfer, and more.

The DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone has prices that range from $579 for a base model to $857 with an RC Controller.

Which Drone is Right for You?

That’s the question here, and—to be perfectly honest— there really isn’t a right answer per se. This question will best be answered by you and your needs, goals, and budget. The price point isn’t too far off, but the specs aren’t either.

So, do your own research, watch some YouTube reviews, and talk to any friends who might own either to get a sense. You can’t go wrong here, so try to simply pick the one that feels right for you.