A new surprise release from DJI just in time for the holidays, the DJI Mini 3 drone is here with all new features and upgrades to everyone’s favourite Mini drone series. We’re here to break down everything there is to know about that highly anticipated release so let’s dive in!
DJI Mini 3: What’s New?
First there was Mavic Mini, then there was Mini 2, and now, at long last we get the all-new DJI Mini 3! The DJI Mini 3 sports a whole new look and is built to help you capture incredible creative content while providing a fun, accessible flight experience. So what’s new? Let’s get to it!
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DJI Mini 3: Camera Performance
Ok let’s be real for a second, this is the part you care most about so we’ll get straight to it…
All New Sensor
One of the biggest upgrades featured on the new DJI Mini 3 is of course its new 1/1.3” camera sensor - the biggest yet on a DJI Mini series drone. This sensor is both significantly larger than the Mini 2 sensor and delivers greater image quality as well, aided by larger 2.4μm 4-in-1 pixels.
4K Views
4K video has quickly become the industry standard for drones and cameras, and DJI Mini 3 sticks to that trend with its 4K video recording. The new 1/1.3” CMOS sensor on Mini 3 delivers 4K/30fps video that’s detail rich and easy to edit. Want to capture a moment in slow-motion? Simply switch over to 1080p HD recording to record in higher frame rates up to 60fps.
HDR Recording
Want your video to really pop? HDR is here to help! By utilising dual native ISO technology, DJI Mini 3 is able to intelligently capture more vivid colours and textures in each and every shot, making the Mini 3 ideal for recording aerial video, day or night.
12MP Photos
Prefer photos to videos? Mini 3 caters to you too! With its big 1/1.3” camera sensor, the DJI Mini 3 captures sensational looking images that are ready to share straight out of the drone. If you’re a perfectionist and love editing your photos before sharing on social media, you can shoot in high quality RAW for editing flexibility.
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DJI Mini 3: Creative Features
DJI Mini 3 is also packed with creative features to help you unlock your inner artist. These built-in creative features pair with the DJI Fly app to make capturing dynamic aerial imagery a piece of cake.
True Vertical Shooting
After making its debut on the DJI Mini 3 Pro, True Vertical Shooting is back on DJI Mini 3, allowing pilots to intuitively capture vertical video and images natively.
Landscape shots simply don’t do certain subjects justice, making True Vertical Shooting the perfect solution to those situations where portrait framing is simply better suited to your photos or videos. Don’t know what to capture vertically? Mountains, towers and other tall landmarks are a great place to start!
QuickShots
Come on, you already knew this one would be here. As always, QuickShots are available on DJI Mini to help you create when you’re in need of a little inspiration. All of your favourite QuickShot modes are back including Dronie, Helix, Rocket and all the rest.
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DJI Mini 3: Flight Performance
The Mini 3 camera sounds great and has super cool creative features, but what about its flight performance? Let’s take a look.
Speed and Range
Mini 3 may be small, but that doesn’t mean it can’t fly fast! Just like all other DJI drones, the Mini 3 supports three different flight speeds - Cine, Normal and Sport. Sport mode on the Mini 3 is ultra-fast, reaching speeds up to 57 KM/h. We bet you can’t run that fast!
What about video transmission range? The Mini 3 takes advantage of DJI O2 (OcuSync 2.0) technology to communicate between the drone itself and your connected remote controller. O2 relies upon 2.4 and 5.8 GHz radio frequencies to securely transmit video and will auto-switch between frequencies to suit the environment. That means that the DJI Mini 3 can fly up to 10 KM away with super stable video transmission, just like the Mini 2!
Wind Resistance
A drone as small as the Mini 3 must get blown over easily right? You might think that, but the Mini 3 is one tough cookie and can easily withstand tough winds while maintaining a stable camera with its gimbal. In fact, Mini 3 performs so well in the wind that it has Level 5 Wind Resistance, meaning you won’t have to worry about your drone being blown away in anything short of a cyclone.
Battery Life
With new and improved Intelligent Flight Batteries, you can squeeze more into every flight. Mini 3’s new batteries provide up to 38 minutes of flight time off a single full charge, the most of any DJI Mini series drone yet!
But you’re not limited to 38 minutes either. If you want to fly for even longer? Swap out the standard battery for the new DJI Mini 3 Intelligent Flight Battery PLUS for up to a whopping 51 minutes of flight time. Yes, you read that correctly, up to 51 minutes!
*Please note that the Intelligent Flight Battery weighs more than the standard battery, thus taking the Mini 3 over the 250 gram no-licence limit by CASA.