Mini 3 vs. Mini 2 SE vs. Mini 4K: DJI Drones Compared

If you’re just starting out on your drone journey or are shopping on a budget, you might be tempted to grab a Mini 2 SE or its latest iteration, the Mini 4K. But if you’re looking for a compact drone with a great camera to help you showcase your adventures on social media and beyond, you should get yourself a Mini 3 (DJI RC) Combo.

Compared to the DJI Mini 2 SE, the Mini 3 features a completely improved imaging system, battery life, and other aspects. With a lightweight and compact body of less than 249g, the DJI Mini 3 is equipped with a 1/1.3-inch image sensor that supports dual native ISO and chip-level HDR technology, and supports 4K HDR video shooting.

The drone can be used with either the normal battery, with a flight time of 38 minutes, or with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, which extends the flight time up to 51 minutes. In addition, the new gimbal design allows for true vertical shooting and wide-angle image tilting.

In particular, there are four main advantages that the DJI Mini 3 offers over the Mini 2 SE/Mini 4K:

Larger Image Sensor : Both the Mini 2 SE and Mini 4K feature a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor and an f/2.8 aperture. The Mini 3, on the other hand, features a 1/1.3-inch sensor. A larger sensor captures more detail, which results in better shots. Additionally, the Mini 3's camera has an f/1.7 aperture and larger 2.4μm 4-in-1 pixels for clear details and excellent images even in low-light conditions.

HDR Video : While both the Mini 4K and Mini 3 can capture 4K/30fps video, DJI’s latest travel drone promises greater contrast in its footage thanks to chip-level HDR technology. So whether it’s highlights or shadows, the Mini 3 delivers nuanced, depth-filled results. The Mini 2 SE, on the other hand, shoots 2.7K/30fps video.

Vertical Shooting Mode : If you plan on using your new drone to share content on TikTok and Instagram, the Mini 3 features a native vertical shooting mode that allows users to get portrait shots without having to digitally crop their footage. This feature is not present on the Mini 2 SE or Mini 4K. The Mini 3 also boasts a wider gimbal range, allowing for more shooting angles and more creative freedom.

Extended Battery Life : The DJI Mini 3's design not only allows the drone to carry larger propellers, but also improves the aircraft's propulsion efficiency, essentially providing a longer flight time. Compared to the 31-minute maximum flight time of older Mini drones, the Mini 3 can fly for up to 38 minutes with a standard Intelligent Flight Battery. With the Mini 3, you can also upgrade to the 51-minute Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, which is the longest flight time of any DJI camera drone. However, please note that this will increase the weight of the drone to approximately 290 grams, which may require additional registration and/or licensing in some countries and regions.

Another point of distinction between the Mini 2 SE/Mini 4K and the Mini 3 is that the latter is compatible with the DJI RC remote controller. This lightweight RC features a 5.5-inch full-HD screen with high, continuous brightness of up to 700 nits and comes with the DJI Fly flight app pre-installed. Purchasing the Mini 3 (DJI RC) combo will give you the best possible outdoor flight experience, with smoother control sticks and customizable buttons and dials.