DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 3

DJI has launched its latest drone in 250 gram sub- category in Mini 3. The looks is stunning as well and so the features too. This is indeed a great one for those who want to get into the ‘drone things’, start experiencing, learning and for the begineers. With its predecessor, the Mini 2 which did pretty well in the market, the Mini 3 will also be a superhit among its users too.

New product means new features and new technology, thus Mini 3 has definitely added some more advanced features and technology in terms of vertical shooting, gimbal axis of rotation, controllers, camera aperture, and aperture to its name which is really good for the users who wish to upgrade or for the new begineers. So lets find out what the latest one edge out the former and similarities between the two mini drones.

Design, Weight and Size (DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 3)

Parameter	DJI Mini 2	DJI Mini 3
Weight	Less than 249 grams	Less than 249 grams
Dimensions unfolded (LxWxH)	159×203×56 mm	251×362×72
Dimensions folded (LxWxH)	138×81×58 mm	148×90×62

As both the drones are of the same family they have similar design but DJI has made some changes in terms of the roof head of the drone looks inclined upwards and it looks wider in appearance, the spacing between the gimbal and the head is also more spacious. The Mini 3 looks more of a frog structure with the back slightly facing downward than the front part and the propellers are bigger in size too.

Both the drones have almost similar weight and size. DJI Mini 3 is slightly heavier than the Mini 3 but falls in the same 250 g weight category meaning the small features helps in flying these drones in different countries around the world as they have different terms and regulations on flying heavier drones.

Camera (DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 3)

Parameter	DJI Mini 2	DJI Mini 3
Sensor	1/2.3” CMOS	1/1.3-inch CMOS
Photo Resolution	12 MP	12 MP
Video Resolution	4K @ 30fps/ 2.7K @ 60fps/ FHD @ 60fps	4K @ 30fps/ 2.7K @ 60fps/ FHD @ 60fps
Vertical Shooting	Not Available	Available
Aperture	f/2.8	f/1.7
ISO Range	Video: 100-3200 (Auto) 100-3200 (Manual) Photos: 100-3200 (Auto) 100-3200 (Manual)	Video: 100-3200 Photo: 100-3200
Digital Zoom Range	4K: 2x 2.7K: 3x FHD: 4x	4K: 2× 2.7K: 3× FHD: 4×
Still Photography Modes	Single Shot and Timed supproted	Only Single Shot
HDR	Not supported	Photo: Supported in single shot Video: Supported in 24/25 and 30fps

Here comes the most significant changes made in comparision between DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 3 section.

The Mini 3 has bigger sensor (1/1.3-inch CMOS) as compared to the Mini 2( 1/2.3-inch CMOS). There is also a larger apertuture f1.7 to the previous f2.8 in the Mini 2 meaning the light will enter double the amount and low light shooting capabilities has been improved to a great extent. It will also help in capturing greater photoshoots even in harsh daylight as well and unlock the dynamic range out of the camera.

Although they have the same 12 megapixel cameras but Mini 3 have larger pixels because of bigger sensors.

Vertical shooting which are a must for social media users like Instagram, Tik Tok, Reels, Youtube Shorts etc can be now directly uploaded without the need of cropping and also losing quality in doing so thus saving time and effort. Besides that 4K HD has also increased to 4K HDR meaning it can take more quality videos and delivers more detailed highlights of it than the older 2020’s drone. It can take greater vertical scenes like that of skyscrapers, towers and top of the mountains to name a few.

Also Read: List of best follow me drones in 2023

Gimbal (DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 3)

Parameter	DJI Mini 2	DJI Mini 3
Stabilizatiion	3 Axis	3 Axis
Mechanical Range	Tilt: -110° to 35° Roll: -35° to 35° Pan: -20° to 20°	Tilt: -135° to 80° Roll: -135° to 45° Pan: -30° to 30°
Controllable Range	Tilt: -90° to 0° Roll: -90° to +20°	Tilt: -90° to 60° Roll: -90° or 0°

Both the drones features 3 axis gimbal yet the design in Mini 3 is more advanced.

The biggest difference made by the DJI in the gimbal is its tilting angle. The gimbal is designed in Mini 3 in such a way that it can tilt all way downward with a 90 degree for top quality down shots and also a 60 degree upward compared to 90 degree downward and 20 degree upward. With these, the Mini 3 can take extremely low angle shots because of the large tilt angles which are very useful taking shots like climbing mountains from the sideways.

Battery (DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 3)

Parameter	DJI Mini 2	DJI Mini 3
Capacity	2250 mAh	2453 mAh
Type	LiPo 2S	Li-ion
Flight Battery Plus?	No	Yes
Flight Time	31 mins	38 minutes 51 minutes with Battery Plus

The battery lifespan has been significantly increased in the Mini 3 with a maximum flight time of 38 minutes as compared to the 31 minutes in Mini 2.

There is also an option that an extra Intelligent Flight battery can also be used along with the original battery. This gives an extra flight time too with a max 51 minutes where the users can shoot a whole lot of footage during this big time interval, but having extra battery means the drone will weigh more than 250 grams and thus, it may lead to restrictions in flying as it cross the benchmark limit of weight alloted drones in different regions.

The Intelligent Flight Battery Plus however is not present in the Mini 2.

Speed, Wind Resitance and Noise (DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 3)

Parameter	DJI Mini 2	DJI Mini 3
Top Speed	16 m/sec	16 m/sec
Wind Resistance	37.8 km/hr	38 km/hr

Both of the drones are quiet similar in terms of speed with max speed of 16 m/sec. The wind resistance. The wind resistance is slightly increased in the Mini 3 and is quiet brilliant with both these drones of their size running at such a fast speed and acting against the wind.

The Noise level however is pretty good in the Mini 3 and has improved significantly and quiet. This will be very great when you don’t want to disturb the neighbours and nearby people.

Controller (DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 3)

Parameter	DJI Mini 2	DJI Mini 3
Type	DJI RC-N1	DJI RC with screen
Transmission Technology	OcuSync 2.0	DJI O2
Transmission Range	10 km	10 km
Max Flight Distance	10 km	18 km
Live View Quality	720p/30fps	720p/30fps

With the new DJI RC controllers the users can fly butterly smooth the Mini 3 drones. In fact these controllers are compact and their designing are excellent with an in-built large display screen which not only looks great but also removes the extra effort to connect to a smart phone and draining out the battery. They are very light weight and there is no need to worry about assembly and chord hook ups which is not possible in case of Mini 2.

There will also be no dimming of light on the screen when using a phone in case of the RC-N1 controllers. This will make the users comfortable in doing different task on the screen controllers and also very useful for the content creators.

The users can either use the older RC-N1 or RC controllers with the Mini 3 and is upto their choice with only $100 difference can make things wonder for the users.

The Mini 3 uses O2 transmission system for connectivity and both the drones can fly for a maximum distance of 10 km.

Price (DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 3)

Parameter	DJI Mini 2	DJI Mini 3
Drone+RC-N1 Controller	$449	$539
Drone+ RC Controller	–	$649
Fly More Combo	$596	$718

The Mini 3 is available with or without the DJI RC screen controllers while the Mini 2 is available with RC-N1 Controllers.

There is not much difference in the price with only $ 90 difference with RCN1 controllers. In case you buy the Fly More combo for Mini 3 the intelligent flight battery will be added.

Conclusion

From the discussions above and analyzing various features with difference and similarities, it is very much advisable to go for the Mini 3 as only $90 dollars difference can make things look easier, smoother and smarter whether you are a beginners who is new to the drones or who want to upgrade from the two years old drone.

Thank you!