Welcome to a comprehensive dive into the world of DJI drones. Undoubtedly, when it comes to aerial cinematography, DJI stands out as the prime choice for both enthusiasts and professionals. As the leading drone manufacturer, DJI consistently delivers robust products brimming with features to enhance your flying experience. For beginners, DJI is an impeccable starting point.
Table of Contents
Which DJI Drone Is Best?
While DJI presents a range of drone models that might appear similar at first glance, each serves a unique purpose, catering from high-end professional needs to novice aerial cinematographers. What do they have in common? They’re user-friendly, simple to configure, and tailored to excel in distinct aspects.
Your primary consideration when shopping for a drone should be your intended use. For instance, investing $2200 in a Mavic 3 Pro solely for occasional “drone selfies” during vacations might be overkill, especially given its size. A more affordable and compact choice like the Mini 3 Pro can easily fit into your backpack, providing convenience without burning a hole in your pocket.
The drone that stands out for average users is the DJI Air 3. It’s feature-rich, boasting a revamped camera capable of delivering high quality 4k 60fps. Plus, its omni-directional sensors enhance safety during flight by improving object and people tracking. However, if you’re on a tighter budget and seeking a basic yet effective drone, the Mini 3 is also an excellent choice.
DJI Mini 4 Pro – Top Tier Smallest Camera Drone
As the capable and portable choice in DJI’s drone line-up, it’s your go-to if all you want is something basic that delivers quality, steady aerial footage. Plus, it’s so compact, it’ll fit effortlessly into your holiday luggage. You can learn more about the DJI Mini 4 Pro in our review: https://oscarliang.com/dji-mini-4-pro/
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In light of new drone regulations that mandate registration for drones above 250g in many countries, DJI made an impressive move. The Mini 4 Pro boasts a 20km range, 34-minute flight time, and a sharp 4K resolution camera, all while weighing just 249g. That’s right, just a gram under the registration limit.
Don’t let its weight fool you. This drone can still accomplish almost everything that the more expensive, heavier models can do. For context, consider that an iPhone 14 Pro weighs 206 grams. It’s the perfect travel companion.
When it comes to image quality, the more advanced Mavic 3 and Air 3 do outshine the Mini 4 Pro, despite all boasting 4K capabilities. Yet, thanks to enhancements in bitrate and resolution, the quality difference between them is becoming less pronounced.
The new drone now has sensors on the front and others aimed backward to ensure the drone has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, providing protection from all angles. This feature was previously only available in DJI’s higher-end models like the Air and Mavic series, this is truly a significant step up from the previous Mini models.
The Mini is the cheapest and smallest series in the DJI line-up, so if you crash it or lose it, it’s not as much of a loss. Oh and did I mention it’s foldable? It is tiny so if you have it in your backpack for a long hike you won’t even notice it, and for a cheap way into aerial cinematography, it is a great place to start. But if your sole focus is in flight performance, reliability and best possible image quality, then I’d recommend one of the larger models like the Mavic and Air.
DJI Mini 2 SE – Budget Drone for Average Users
For travellers who are serious about drone photography and videography, the Mini 4 Pro is the way to go. But if that’s beyond your budget, the DJI Mini 2 SE remains a solid option in 2024. It’s also a great choice for beginners.
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Let’s compare the Mini 2, Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro closely.
Design and Hardware
The Mini 4 Pro showcases enhanced design elements like a better camera cover and propeller retention system. It also features higher landing gears for lens protection and stability. An auxiliary LED light for night landings is another bonus, exclusive to the Mini 4 Pro.
The Mini 4 Pro’s controller displays detailed graphics for a safe and informed landing. Its recent firmware update has also made it compatible with the DJI Goggles 2.
Tracking and Obstacle Avoidance
Subject tracking is crucial for videographers. The Mini 4 Pro excels here with sophisticated tracking capabilities and omnidirectional obstacle sensing. The Mini 3 Pro, despite having tracking, is limited due to its side blind spots. The Mini 2 lacks this feature altogether.
Another significant difference lies in obstacle avoidance. The Mini 2 and Mini 3 lack obstacle avoidance entirely. The Mini 3 Pro has it but with a blind spot on the sides. In contrast, the Mini 4 Pro boasts omnidirectional sensors, offering a full view and making it easier to fly with more options for image tracking.
Performance
The Mini 4 Pro doubles the transmission range to 20km compared to the Mini 3’s 10km, offering stronger signal quality even in areas with interference.
In terms of video, the Mini 4 Pro leads with 4K at 100fps, followed by the Mini 3’s 4K at 60fps, and the Mini 2 at 4K 30fps.
Pricing
Price-wise, the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro are at the top from $760, followed by the Mini 3 from $450, and the Mini 2 from $340. For those on a tight budget, the Mini 2 or Mini 2 SE are excellent starter options.
Mavic Air 3 – DJI’s Latest Offering with Impressive Features
Learn more about the DJI Air 3 in this review: https://oscarliang.com/dji-air-3/
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Compact Powerhouse
The DJI Air 3 is the go-to camera drone for many professionals. Its fusion of compactness, robust image quality, and versatility is unparalleled. Whether in the rain-soaked mountains of Alaska or the Nevada deserts, the Air 3’s adaptability to extreme conditions has been astounding.
Creative Freedom
The dual-lens system (24mm and 70mm) provides incredible compositional flexibility, enhancing the dynamic range of shots. With 10-bit Dlog-M capabilities, the color grading potential is fantastic, producing striking imagery.
Speed and Efficiency
What sets the Air 3 apart is its incredible flight time (up to 40 minutes) and a top speed of around 48 mph. The active track and waypoint features are invaluable for creating complex shots and adding a cinematic flair.
Air 3 vs Mini 3 Pro
The DJI Air 3 boasts several superior features over the DJI Mini 3 Pro.
Camera Capabilities: Both drones pack a 1/1.3 inch CMOS 48MP sensor, but the Air 3 has a new stacked sensor, producing better image quality. Although both can shoot in 4K 60fps, the Air 3 outperforms with 4K 120fps slow-mo capability (only in 16:9) and more varied color profiles, including the D-Log M from the Mavic 3 Pro. The standout feature on the Air 3 is its 70mm equivalent zoom lens, which offers sharper and clearer images than the Mini 3 Pro’s digital zoom.
Navigation and Safety: The Air 3 benefits from 360-degree omnidirectional sensors, superior to the three-direction sensors of the Mini 3 Pro, ensuring better obstacle avoidance. With Active Track, the Air 3 offers enhanced tracking functionalities.
Additional Features: It also comes with extended features like waypoints, cruise control, and a night video mode. The Air 3 guarantees longer flight time thanks to the bigger battery, better wind resistance, improved signal transmission and range, while the Mini 3 Pro’s main advantage is its compact size.
Air 3 vs Mavic 3
The DJI Air 3 boasts several advantages over the DJI Mavic 3. Released after the Mavic 3 Pro, the Air 3 has the same popular 70mm focal length lens, offering both 24mm and 70mm lenses on a single drone. This configuration provides versatility in various filming situations.
The Mavic 3’s distinction lies in its adjustable aperture which is desirable in advanced manual video shooting.
What makes the Air 3 stand out is its price, being half of the Mavic 3 Pro, offering significant value for the money. The Air 3 also introduces the latest OcuSync 4.0 transmission, a feature absent even in the more expensive Mavic 3 Pro. Furthermore, the Air 3 has an innovative battery charging feature, enabling nearly depleted batteries to charge a nearly full one to maximize your flight time. Despite a smaller camera sensor size compared to the Air 2S, the Air 3 boasts enhanced photo and video capabilities, possibly due to a back-illuminated sensor. It also has superior obstacle avoidance.
With its blend of features and price point, the Air 3 is perfect for enthusiasts and professionals alike and offers excellent value. But if top-tier image quality is non-negotiable, then the Mavic 3 is still your best bet.
Mavic 3 (Classic and Pro)
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Why Mavic 3 Classic Might Be Better than the Air 3
A slight step-down from the Mavic 3 Pro but the Classic version still packs plenty of punch and cheaper.
Camera quality is paramount in these drones. While the Mavic 3 Classic, with its larger Hasselblad sensor, offers better dynamic range and performance, especially in low light, the Air 3 shines with its optical zoom capabilities and rapid switching. The Mavic 3 Classic can shoot up to 5K at 50fps, whereas the Air 3 tops at 4K 60 HDR.
When it comes to flight performance, both drones have similar battery life (up to 46 minutes). However, Air 3 has an edge with its Active Track performance, and OcuSync 4 video transmission, though it requires a new remote controller because of the new protocol (such as the RC 2 or RC-N2). For raw power, the Mavic 3 Classic stands out with superior wind resistance and stability.
In terms of features, the Air 3 offers more versatility. For travel, the Air 3, being lighter and equipped with more features, is preferable unless one anticipates very windy conditions. Lastly, in terms of price, the Air 3 presents better value and offers more in its bundle. In conclusion, if zoom and value are priorities, opt for the Air 3. If camera quality and wind resistance are more crucial, the Mavic 3 Classic is the better choice. For top of the line image quality, consider the more expensive Mavic 3 Pro.
Mavic 3 Pro vs Classic
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All-Terrain Performance
The Mavic 3 Pro stands out for its stability and image quality. Its versatility across various conditions, combined with a substantial battery life, makes it a reliable choice for any mission.
Triple Camera Magic
The tri-camera system, including a wide-angle lens and up to 7x zoom, allows for diverse and dynamic shots. Coupled with 10-bit color and adjustable aperture, the Mavic 3 Pro delivers exceptional footage.
Uncompromising Quality
Whether it’s family vacations or professional gigs, the Mavic 3 Pro has been my dependable choice. Its flight characteristics, OcSync 3 connectivity, and overall performance ensure top-notch results.
Mavic 3 Pro vs Mavic 3 Classic
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro and the DJI Mavic 3 Classic are both highly capable drones, but there are some distinctions.
The main difference lies in the camera systems. The Classic has one camera with a Hasselblad 4/3 CMOS sensor, which produces impressive images. The Pro, however, features a tri-camera system. Each camera in the Pro has distinct features, with the lens setup on the Pro’s wider camera outperforming that of the Classic. The Pro’s medium telephoto lens, with a smaller sensor, surprisingly delivers excellent image quality, whereas the third telephoto lens in the Pro offers up to 28x digital zoom, which is unparalleled compared to other drones.
Besides the camera, both drones look and function similarly. Both have the same sensors, battery, motors, and propellers. Yet, the Pro has a wider ISO range for better low-light shots and faster battery charging due to a 100W charger, compared to the Classic’s 65W.
In conclusion, for the best camera capability, the Mavic 3 Pro is superior and more versatible, while the Mavic 3 Classic is ideal for those content with a single high-quality camera.
Inspire 3 – Business Level
Product Page (Affiliate Links):
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The DJI inspire 3 is the ultimate cinematography workhorse that you can just buy off the shelf. However, its high price of $16,500 makes it suitable mainly for professionals who intend to monetize its use. Comparing the Inspire 3 to the more portable and affordable Mavic 3 or Air 3, the latter may offer more value to most users, especially as the quality difference might be imperceptible to the general audience.
This drone handles high speeds and captures stunning visuals, making it an indispensable tool for any serious drone cinematographer. Packed with advanced technology, the Inspire 3 offers a level of control and creative freedom that is hard to match. From breathtaking landscapes to intricate urban scenes, this drone captures it all with remarkable precision and clarity.
The DJI Inspire 3 boasts significant improvements over its predecessor, the Inspire 2. The most notable feature is its new 45MP full-frame sensor which promises enhanced low light performance and dynamic range. The camera can shoot up to 8K 30fps.
Design-wise, the construction is somewhat similar to the Inspire 2, but the Inspire 3 is wider, which is mainly to allow the camera to tilt up without obstructions. They are using more plastic replacements in the Inspire 3 for weight savings and to accommodate sensors. The screen on the controller is more responsive, and the overall software feels more refined. A significant change is the dual gain sensor which offers improved low light performance.
The Inspire 3 is ideal for larger film sets requiring precise shots and may not be necessary for everyone given its high price point. Definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Edit History
- Mar 2020 – Guide created
- May 2020 – DJI Mavic Air 2 released to replace Mavic Air 1
- Jan 2021 – DJI Mini 2 released to replace Mini 1
- Aug 2023 – Updated products
- Jan 2024 – Updated products and links
4 comments
Honestly, you should change your pictures to match the article, I was substantially confused at first
I understand that these drones require a smartphone that uses Wi-Fi protocol 802.11 a,c. Is that true? The reason I ask is that not all smartphones use that protocol. I would like one of these drones that you can fly right away, rather than take months, or years to learn the true ins and outs of flying.
It’s not hard to click on any article in your Blog Mails. It’s rather hard to choose from the plethora of good information here :)
Glad to see you’re back in blog business,
greets from Austria, Mario
You’ll have to do an Update in 17 days, when the Mavic Air 2 comes out.