With the release of the DJI Mini 2 SE, it’s time to take a look at DJI’s series of micro drones and see how they compare. The signature feature of mini DJI drones is their miniature size and weight. Transport Canada requires pilots to register their aircraft whenever the drone weighs over 250 grams. The Mini 3 Pro, Mini 3, and Mini 2 SE all fall under the 250g weight limit, allowing you to fly the drones to your heart’s content without having to register it or obtain a drone pilot certificate. But the three drones each include different cameras, features, and prices, making each one a different experience. Read on to learn more about how they compare and which one might be right for you.
| Mini 3 Pro | Mini 3 | Mini 2 SE | |
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Starting Price |
CAD $1,049 / US $759 |
CAD $589 / US $469 |
CAD $429 / US $339 |
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Dimensions (LxWxH) |
Folded: 145×90×62 mm |
Folded: 148×90×62 mm |
Folded: 138×81×58 mm |
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Weight |
Less than 249 g |
Less than 249 g |
Less than 249 g |
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Image Sensor size |
1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP |
1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP |
1/2.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 12 MP |
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Max Photo Resolution |
12 or 48 MP |
12 or 48 MP |
12 MP |
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Max Video Resolution |
4K/60 fps |
4K/30 fps |
2.7K/30fps |
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Video Transmission |
OcuSync 3: 12km 1080p@30fps |
OcuSync 2.0 - 10km 720p@30fps |
Ocusync 2.0 + 10km 720p@30fps |
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Vision System |
Forward, Backward and Downward Sensors |
Downward Sensors |
Downward Sensors |
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Max Flight Speed |
57.6 kph (S-Mode) |
57.6 kph (S-Mode) |
57.6 kph (S-Mode) |
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Max Flight Time |
34 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery) 47 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) |
34 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery) 47 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) |
31 Minutes |
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Max Wind Resistance |
38.5 km/h |
38.5 km/h |
38.5 km/h |
In addition to its lightweight design, the DJI Mini 2 SE is compact and portable, which makes transporting the drone a breeze. The drone not only carries a weight similar to that of an apple, but can also fit in the palm of your hand. Its dimensions are 138x81x58 mm (LxWxH) when folded, making it the smallest of the three drones. It doesn’t matter if you’re going on vacation for a week or heading out on a hike in the mountains–the Mini 2 SE is a great way to capture your favorite moments from the sky.
The Mini 3 features a slightly updated design. Like its predecessor, it is also foldable and portable in addition to being lightweight. It’s slightly larger than the Mini 2 SE, with dimensions of 148x90x62 mm (LxWxH) when folded. Its larger size doesn’t impact its portability, however, but allows the drone to carry a few more advanced features than the Mini 2 SE.
The Mini 3 Pro comes with a completely new look that makes it a departure from the previous two DJI drones. The new model features larger propellers and an aerodynamic body tilt that give you even greater control when flying the drone. It is slightly smaller than the Mini 3, with dimensions of 145x90x62 mm when folded. In the end, while all three drones are small and portable, the Mini 3 Pro features the best design for a smooth and stable flight.
The Mini 2 SE comes with a 3-axis gimbal to ensure smooth filming, while the quipped 1/2.3-inch CMOS camera delivers 12MP photos with clear and crisp imagery. You can also use the 4x zoom feature to transition between shots of varying distance and composition when shooting 2.7k HD videos. This allows you to film objects, animals, and people up close without endangering the drone during flight.
The Mini 3 is a step up from the Mini 2 SE, with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor equipped with dual native ISO and chip-level HDR technology. You can record in stunning 4K HDR with true-to-life colors in almost any lighting. The advanced technology will capture highlight and shadow details better than most mini drones, giving you nuanced visual results and greater depth. The camera has an f/1.7 aperture and 2.4μm 4-in-1 pixels that record crisp details even in low-light scenarios. The camera also features the same 4x zoom as its predecessor.
One other addition is the inclusion of True Vertical Shooting mode. This allows you to switch from horizontal to vertical filming with the touch of a button. The innovative gimbal design allows you to do a wide-angle tilt, turning a casual shot into a social media-ready post.
The Mini 3 Pro features a camera similar to the Mini 3, but with a few notable improvements. It includes the same 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with dual native ISO that supports the direct output of HDR footage. It also includes 2.4μm pixels and an aperture ratio of f/1.7 to make images appear true-to-life even in low light scenes. Lastly, it features the True Vertical Shooting mode that allows you to rotate the gimbal 90 degrees with the tap of a button.
The biggest difference is the Mini 3 Pro’s ability to capture both 4K HDR video and 48MP RAW photos. The rich clarity of the pictures it captures make it a rival to even some of the regular-sized DJI drones on the market. In addition to the 4x digital zoom, you can slow things down with the dramatic 1080p/120fps slow-motion video. This allows you to capture cinematic, professional-looking slow-motion videos. You can also use D-Cinelike Color mode to capture more color details, giving you more creative freedom during the editing process.
Obstacle avoidance is another area where the Mini 3 Pro stands out. While the Mini 2 SE and the Mini 3 have no obstacle avoidance technology, both are equipped with one downward obstacle avoidance sensor to detect obstacles underneath the drone when landing.
The Mini 3 Pro is the first DJI mini drone to feature a robust obstacle avoidance system, with forward, backward, and downward dual-vision sensors that detect obstacles in three different directions. The drone relies on Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS 4.0) to detect objects in the aircrafts flight path in real-time, which allows it to avoid obstacles even when flying in complicated environments.
Both the Mini 2 SE and Mini 3 use OcuSync 2.0 to support up to 10km of HD video transmission. Its anti-interference capabilities allow you to fly farther and see clearer as you explore the locations around you.
Both the Mini 2 SE and Mini 3 use OcuSync 2.0 to support up to 10km of HD video transmission. Its anti-interference capabilities allow you to fly farther and see clearer as you explore the locations around you.
The Mini 3 Pro boasts a flagship-level video transmission system in OcuSync 3.0. This extends the range to up to 12 km while offering an uninterrupted 1080p/30fps live feed. You can operate the drone via your smartphone or one of two different remote controllers. Not only will you experience constant contact with the drone throughout the flight, but you’ll be able to capture footage from a longer distance without losing signal or experiencing video lag.
All three of the mini DJI drones feature a max wind speed resistance of 10.7 m/s, allowing you to traverse windy areas without danger to the drone. However, they each come with their own max flight time, as well as different battery options to extend the time.
The Mini 3 Pro boasts a flagship-level video transmission system in OcuSync 3.0. This extends the range to up to 12 km while offering an uninterrupted 1080p/30fps live feed. You can operate the drone via your smartphone or one of two different remote controllers. Not only will you experience constant contact with the drone throughout the flight, but you’ll be able to capture footage from a longer distance without losing signal or experiencing video lag.
All three of the mini DJI drones feature a max wind speed resistance of 10.7 m/s, allowing you to traverse windy areas without danger to the drone. However, they each come with their own max flight time, as well as different battery options to extend the time.
The Mini 2 SE has a max flight time of 31 minutes. This should be a decent amount of time to fly around and explore the area without worrying about running out of battery. If you use the Intelligent Flight Battery, the DJI Intelligent Battery Management System will monitor and report the battery status in real-time. That way you can focus less on battery level and more on flying.
The Mini 3 has an extended flight time of 38 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery. This gives you even more time to fly around and film all the breathtaking sights from the sky. If you use the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, you can enjoy up to 51 minutes of uninterrupted flight time. However, this does put the drone over the 250g weight limit, which would require you to register it.
The Mini 3 Pro boasts a longer max flight time than the Mini 2 SE, but a shorter one than the Mini 3. With the Intelligent Flight Battery, you can achieve a max flight time of 34 minutes. With the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, however, you can extend the flight time to 47 minutes.
The most notable intelligent mode of the Mini 2 SE is QuickShots, which automatically records and shoots cinematic videos perfect for social media. These include movements like Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket, and Boomerang, each of which capture dynamic footage from creative perspectives. The Mini 2 SE also includes Panorama mode which includes Sphere, Wide Angle, and 180° panorama options to widen the field of view of your image.
In addition to the advanced filming features, the Mini 2 SE includes a few intelligent safety features as well. Smart Return to Home (RTH) will bring the drone back to the starting point with the touch of a button, while Low Battery RTH and Failsafe RTH do the same thing in the event of low battery or lost connection. Lastly, automated takeoff and accurate hovering make launching and hovering the drone easier than ever.
The Mini 3 includes all of the same intelligent functions as the Mini 2 SE and then some. One area in which the Mini 3 adds something new is by combining GNSS with the downward vision system and the infrared sensing system to hover stably and accurately. This allows you to film smooth, uninterrupted footage while keeping the drone hovering in place.
The Mini 3 Pro offers a wide range of intelligent features that the other two drones lack. The first is MasterShots, an upgraded version of QuickShots that creates even more cinematic videos with the touch of a button. Simply select your subject and watch as the Mini 3 Pro executes a sequence of pro manuevers. In a matter of seconds, you’ll have a short cinematic video that will wow your friends and family on social media.
The Mini 3 Pro includes the same Panorama modes with an additional Vertical shot for greater flexibility. It also features Hyperlapse, which allows you to speed up time by capturing an extended timelapse video without the need for post-processing.
One of the biggest improvements upon the Mini 2 SE and the Mini 3 is FocusTrack, a suite of features that allow you to follow subjects no matter where they go. ActiveTrack 4.0 will follow a moving subject throughout the shot, using vision and sensing systems to maintain safe flight while you film. Spotlight 2.0 locks onto a fixed subject and keeps it in the center of the fram. Point of Interest 3.0 will set an automated flight path around a moving subject, circling it and creating a cinematic video at the same time.
The DJI Mini 2 SE comes with the RC-N1 remote controller. It lacks a built-in vision system, but does come with a power button, camera button, RTH button, and customizable Function button. It features an ergonomic design for easy grip, while its integrated antennas make it easy to use. It even comes with a redesigned clamp that allows you to attach your smartphone to the remote for easier viewing.
The standard remote controller for the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro is the RC-N1, but another option for the Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro is the DJI RC. This lightweight and easy-to-use remote controller comes with a built-in screen preinstalled with the DJI Fly app. This allows you to fly the drone without the need of a smartphone.
The Mini 2 SE costs $429 CAD/$339 USD on its own. The Fly More Combo costs $619 CAD/$489 USD and comes with a propeller holder, shoulder bag, and a Two-Way Charging Hub.
The Mini 3 costs $589 CAD/$469 USD on its own or $749 CAD/$609 USD with the DJI RC. There is also a Fly More Combo that costs $818 CAD/$658 USD and comes with three times the batteries, three times the propellers, a shoulder bag, and a Two-Way Charging Hub. The Fly More Combo (DJI RC) costs $988 CAD/$798 USD and comes with all the same products but swaps out the RC-N1 for the DJI RC.
The basic package of the Mini 3 Pro costs $979 CAD/$759 USD, while the package with the DJI RC costs $1179 CAD/$909 USD. There’s also the Fly More Kit, which costs $249 CAD/$189 USD and is sold separately. This includes two batteries, a Two-way Charging Hub, two extra propellers, and a shoulder bag. The Fly More Kit Plus costs $319 CAD/$249 USD and features two Intelligent Flight Battery Plus batteries instead of the regular flight batteries.
The Mini 3 Pro is the more expensive of the three options, but it comes with the intelligent features and camera power to back up the higher price tag. If you’re new to the world of drones and want a low-cost place to start, the Mini 2 SE is an admirable beginner drone. If you want the best micro drone that money can buy, then the Mini 3 Pro is probably a better fit. But if you’re looking for a balance of cost and power, then the Mini 3 is a terrific middle-of-the-road option. It’s got an excellent camera and superior flight time, making it a good choice for people who want to explore and film the beautiful sights this world has to offer.
Dr Drone
Author
DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.