The new DJI Mini 3 is a game-changing budget-priced drone with plenty of high-end features. It’s a major advance over the already great Mini 2.
The DJI Mini 3 just launched, and after spending a few days with it, I can tell you it is a game-changing drone.
Costing just under $500, it’s priced like its predecessor, the incredibly popular DJI Mini 2, but matches many of the best features of the much more expensive DJI Mini 3 Pro and has even broken its record for flight time.
The weather was terrible in the fewt days I had early access to test the DJI Mini 3, and when I finally got a chance to get out to the coast and record some interesting video, it was windy and overcast. The Mini 3 shined in this dull environment, recording good-quality footage despite the challenging conditions.
The DJI Mini 3 raises the bar for low-cost drones with a greatly improved camera that features a large 1/1.3-inch, 48 megapixel image sensor with a wide f/1.7 aperture that extends usability in lowlight conditions. Say goodbye to grainy sunsets and dark twilight videos.
It even matches the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s unique, vertical shooting capability that lets the camera physically flip 90 degrees into portrait mode. This is great for social media posts that are meant to be viewed on the tall, narrow screens of a smartphone, It also retains full resolution without cropping when shooting towers, trees, and individuals.
I received the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo with DJI RC for testing, and it came with three batteries, a charging dock and a remote controller that includes a display. Naturally, I brought all three batteries, even though my video shoot was starting late in the day. It’s best to have more batteries than needed rather than draining a drone’s battery low when flying in windy conditions and over water.
When taking off in strong wind, fly into the wind as you climb for the most stability and to maintain control.
