Comparison: DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 3
It has arrived Mini 4 Pro, the latest iteration of DJI's Mini drone series.
Designed with an updated camera system, improved transmission, and omnidirectional obstacle detection, the Mini 4 Pro boasts some impressive features.
But how does it compare to the DJI Mini 3 Pro…and the Mini 3?
Is it worth the upgrade? Or if you're new to the Mini series, which is the better option: the newer model or last year's Mini 3 Pro/Mini 3?
Find out in this in-depth comparison blog.
DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Mini 3 Pro vs DJI Mini 3 – Main features at a glance
This table provides an overview of the specifications and key features of the Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro and Mini 3.
| DJI Mini 4 Pro | DJI Mini 3 Pro | DJI Mini 3 | |
| Weight | Under 249g | Under 249g | Under 249g |
| Room | 1/1.3 inch CMOS wide angle camera Real vertical shot |
1/1.3 inch CMOS wide angle camera Real vertical shot |
1/1.3 inch CMOS wide angle camera Real vertical shot |
| Video | 4K/60fps HDR Slow Motion: 4K/100fps Night video |
4K/60fps, 4K/30fps HDR Slow Motion: 1080p/120fps |
4K/30fps HDR |
| Color classification | 0-bit D-Log M, HLG | D-Cinelike | |
| Safety features | Omnidirectional obstacle detection, APAS 5.0 |
Forward/backward/rear obstacle detection, APAS 4.0 | Downward obstacle detection |
| Intelligent flight characteristics | Advanced RTH, Waypoint Flight, Cruise Control | Smart RTH | Smart RTH |
| Transmission distance (CE) | DJI O4: up to 10km. Live feed at 1080p/60fps |
DJI O3: Up to 8km Live feed at 1080p/30fps |
DJI O2: Up to 6 km 720p/30fps live |
The camera
You buy a Mini drone for its content creation capabilities, so it makes sense to start with an in-depth look at each aircraft's camera.
All three feature a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and can capture 12MP/48MP images. But this only tells half the story.
In short, the Mini 4 Pro has been designed with a new image processing platform that improves its overall performance.
Major improvements include:
- 4K/60fps HDR capture
- Possibility to use D-Log M and HLG color profiles
- Improved slow motion capabilities
- Video with night shots
So let's take a look at these updates in more detail.
Improved HDR
As for camera resolution, the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro can reach 4K/60fps, while the Mini 3 Pro reaches 4K/30fps.
However, the difference between the Mini 4 Pro and the Mini 3 Pro in this area is the Mini 4 Pro's ability to shoot with a higher dynamic range, helping you capture great shots in high-contrast situations.
For example, the Mini 4 Pro can achieve 4K/60fps HDR, compared to 4K/30fps HDR on the Mini 3 Pro and even the Mini 3.
Slow Motion renewed
The slow-mo functionality has also been improved, with the ability to shoot at up to 4K/100fps, compared to 1080p/120fps on the Mini 3 Pro. The Mini 3 does not have slow-mo functionality. The Mini 4 Pro's higher resolution improves the clarity of videos, along with the smoothness of 100fps videos.
Night video
The Mini 4 Pro has the impressive Night Shots video feature. Adopts a multi-scale noise reduction algorithm to suppress noise and achieve clearer footage in low-light conditions.
D-Log M and HLG
Operators of the Mini 4 Pro will benefit from D-Log M and 10-bit HLG color modes.
10-bit D-Log M ensures natural, smooth color gradations, even in high-contrast scenarios, such as sunrise and sunset.
The Mini 3 Pro, however, has the D-Cinelike color mode, while the Mini 3 only uses normal color profiling.
NextGen SmartPhoto
This feature on the Mini 4 Pro selects HDR or HyperLight mode based on intelligent scene recognition, achieving higher dynamic range and simulating a long exposure at night.
Other camera specs
All three Mini drones can shoot in JPEG and DNG (RAW); they have digital zoom capabilities of up to 4x; they can shoot vertically to optimize content for social media, are compatible with LightCut for one-touch editing functionality, and can use QuickShots for streamlined content creation.
| QuickShots mode | Functionality | Compatible drones |
| Dronie | The plane flies backwards and climbs with the camera pointed at the subject. | Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 3 |
| Rocket | The plane climbs with the camera facing downwards. | Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 3 |
| Circle | The aircraft circles the subject. | Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 3 |
| Helix | The plane climbs and spirals around the subject. | Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 3 |
| Boomerang | The aircraft flies around the subject in an oval path, ascending as it flies away from the starting point and descending as it returns. | Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, Mini 3 |
| Asteroid | The plane flies backwards and upwards, takes several photos and then returns to its starting point. The generated video starts with an overview of the highest position and then shows the view from the plane as it descends. | Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro |
The design
As the name suggests, the Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, and Mini 3 are tiny drones: all three weigh less than 249 grams.
This aspect is important for numerous reasons.
Very portable, for capturing content on the go.
Extremely safe, especially useful for beginners.
Compliant with drone regulations. Fly in the A1 subcategory of the Open category (flying over people but not over crowds) without training, A2 CofC/GVC. This makes the Mini series a great entry-level drone.
| Mini 4 Pro | Mini 3 Pro | Mini 3 | |
| Folded (L x W x H) | Folded: 148 x 94 x 64 mm | Folded: 145 x 90 x 62 mm | Folded: 148 x 90 x 62 mm |
| Unfolded – with propellers (L x W x H) | Unfolded (with propellers): 298 x 373 x 101 mm | Unfolded (with propellers): 251 x 362 x 70 mm | Unfolded (with propellers): 251 x 362 x 72 mm |
Performance
The Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro and Mini 3 are all great model aircraft, especially for their size, and there's not much separating them in terms of speed and wind resistance.
All three achieve a decent flight time, but the Mini 3 can stay aloft for four minutes longer than the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro.
| Mini 4 Pro | Mini 3 Pro | Mini 3 | |
| Maximum flight time | 34 minutes | 34 minutes | 38 minutes |
| Full speed | 16 m/s | 16 m/s | 16 m/s |
| Maximum descent time | 5 m/s | 5 m/s | 5 m/s |
| Maximum climb time | 5 m/s | 5 m/s | 3.5 m/s |
| Operating temperature | -10°C up to 40°C | -10°C up to 40°C | -10°C up to 40°C |
| Maximum resistance to wind speed | 10.7 m/s | 10.7 m/s | 10.7 m/s |
| IP protection rating | No | No | No |
Safety features
Thanks to their lightness, all three Mini drones are very safe aircraft.
However, the Mini 4 Pro includes some additional features that take security to the next level.
Omnidirectional obstacle detection
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is the first DJI Mini drone to have omnidirectional obstacle detection, with four wide-angle viewing sensors and a pair of downward viewing sensors.
The Mini 4 Pro's bottom auxiliary light increases stability when flying at low altitude at night. Reduces the possibility of crashing the drone on uneven terrain or without a clear enough view of the terrain.
The Mini 3 Pro instead has a three-way sensing system (forward, backward and downward), while the Mini 3 has a downward sensing system. Neither the Mini 3 Pro nor the Mini 3 have an auxiliary background light.
Advanced return home
The Mini 3 Pro and Mini 3 have Return To Home, but the Mini 4 Pro takes it a step further with Advanced RTH, which can plan a quick and safe flight path to get you back to your starting point while bypassing obstacles. obstacles.
It is also equipped with AR RTH, which offers a quick view of the RTH route, starting point and landing position.
Route AR RTH : Displays obstacles along the route. This improves the flying experience.
AR Home Point: Displays the location and environment of your home point. Real-time update of the starting point.
AR Aircraft Shadow : Displays landing position. Requires the gimbal to shoot high-angle shots for viewing.
Intelligent flight characteristics
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is equipped with some advanced intelligent features that help operators get even more out of every flight and simplify content creation.
For example, the Mini 4 Pro is equipped with an advanced tracking system – ActiveTrack 360° – and other features such as Waypoints and Cruise Control.
These are great features, with several key benefits:
ActiveTrack 360° : Customize flight paths and obtain different subject tracking effects. This allows you to scroll a path on the new tracking wheel interface to achieve effects like orbiting and spiraling upwards.
Waypoint : Improve shooting efficiency with Waypoint Flight's auto-routing feature for precise route repeatability. Preset points and the drone will follow them automatically.
Cruise Control : Reduces fatigue during long-distance, constant-speed flights and further reduces camera shake with smoother movement.
The table below provides an overview of the smart features of the Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro and Mini 3. It shows how the Mini 4 Pro is equipped with more smart features than the previous generation.
| Mini 4 Pro | Mini 3 Pro | Mini 3 | |
| ActiveTrack | Active Tracking | Normal tracking | x |
| Waypoint flight |
✓ |
x | x |
| Cruise control |
✓ |
x | x |
| Hyperlapse |
✓ |
✓ |
x |
| MasterShots |
✓ |
✓ |
x |
| QuickShots |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Panorama |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Transmission
The DJI Mini 4 Pro features DJI's latest video transmission technology – O4 – which offers more stable video transmission and better anti-interference capabilities. Furthermore, it allows for better live viewing quality.
| Mini 4 Pro | Mini 3 Pro | Mini 3 | |
| Transmission system | O4 | O3 | O3 |
| Transmission distance (CE) | 10km | 8km | 6km |
| Live viewing quality | 1080p/60fps | 1080p/30fps | 720p/30fps |
The Mini 4 Pro's improved transmission helps deliver more stable signals to reduce stuttering and frame drops compared to the previous generation.
The improved frame rate allows for smoother live viewing, while the lower latency offers a faster and more responsive operating experience.
Radio control
The Mini 4 Pro is compatible with the new DJI RC 2 and DJI RC-N2, which form the basis of the improved drive system.
The Mini 3 Pro is compatible with the DJI RC Pro, DJI RC and DJI RC-N1, while the Mini 3 can be used with the DJI RC-N1 Remote Controller and DJI RC.
At launch, it appears that the Mini 4 Pro is not currently compatible with DJI goggles, while the Mini 3 Pro can be used with the DJI Goggles Integra and DJI Goggles 2.
The price
There isn't much difference in price between the Mini 4 Pro and the Mini 3 Pro.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Mini 3 is the most affordable, but is the least powerful of the three mini drones.
Synthesis
DJI mini drones are cutting edge and continue to improve with the release of the Mini 4 Pro.
With its improved camera capabilities, omnidirectional object detection, updated transmission, and suite of smart modes, the Mini 4 Pro packs a lot into its small frame.
These are impressive additions, but whether they're enough to justify an upgrade over the Mini 3 Pro is down to personal opinion.
However, the Mini 3, which has the lowest price, may appeal to some users who are happy to sacrifice some features and capabilities to save a little money.
3digital.tech
