DJI Mini 3 Pro review

Professional aerial imaging under 249g? Legal limits have forced compromise on drone specs. Until now?

5 Star Rating
DJI Mini 3 Pro
(Image: © Adam Juniper/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The DJI Mini 3 Pro would be an impressive drone even if it crossed the 249g threshold (it can if used with the optional bigger battery). The fact it flies in below the magic weight limit imposed on drone pilots in many countries makes it nearly irresistible. What's more, the quality of imagery means the ultra-light category has a contender which certainly makes the rather heavier Mavic Air 2 look like yesterday’s news. The option to rotate the camera for portrait shooting seems like a luxury, but it’s here, with a bigger and better camera and tri-directional collision sensors into the bargain and flying it feels a real treat in anything other than high winds.

Pros

  • +

    Can turn camera to portrait mode

  • +

    Tri-directional collision sensors

  • +

    Dual native ISO camera

  • +

    Option of extended battery

Cons

  • -

    Digital Zoom creates soft images

  • -

    Some features unavailable in Portrait

  • -

    As features list rises, so does price

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The sub-250g section of the drone market has become the most important since legislation requiring licenses and exams – not to mention planning – to operate heavier craft (see current drone rules). DJI has had an offering in this space since October 2019, but the DJI Mini 3 Pro represents an enormous leap in terms of features; a 4K 60fps camera is accompanied by forward, backward and downward vision sensors, tech previously reserved for DJI’s next product tier, the Air 2S, which weighs in at 595g.

Of course DJI wasn’t the only firm racing to improve options at the ultra-lightweight end of the market; in fact Autel’s EVO Nano series shipped in January 2022 (after being announced the previous September) and became the first sub-249g aircraft with collision sensors. No doubt this was a kick in the teeth to DJI and it was bound to come back fighting.

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Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones. 

Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones. 

He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook