Welcome and thanks for studying this text on which drone I select: the Evo Lite Plus or the DJI Mini 3 Professional.
Trying on the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional, we’ve got two “finest at school” drones for what they’re constructed to do, though markedly completely different in design aesthetics.
Each drones had been launched in 2022, with the Autel Evo Lite Plus being launched in January 2022 and the Mini 3 Professional, in Might 2022.
With solely a 5-month age distinction between the 2, Autel and DJI took completely different approaches to those well-loved drones.
I’ve used each the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional extensively over the previous 12 months or so.
This utilization ranged from frequent journey round varied elements of america to industrial work for my shoppers. In all circumstances, each drones did a superb job.
On this article, I’ll study the variations between the Autel Evo Lite Plus and the DJI Mini 3 Professional, my total expertise with every, who would possibly profit from both, and why I personally selected the DJI Mini 3 Professional over the Autel Evo Lite Plus.
In case you are on the lookout for a manageable drone that can be utilized recreationally and for some skilled work, in case you so select, this text ought to enable you resolve.
Transient Overview
Autel Evo Lite Plus
As talked about, the Evo Lite Plus was launched in January of 2022, making it a bit below two years outdated, on the time of this writing.
Like DJI, Autel has discovered a foldable design that works for it and this design flows by means of all of their newer drones, together with the Nano collection.
The Evo Lite Plus takes design cues from the bigger, costlier Autel Evo II and Evo II Professional.
Just like the Evo II Professional line, it has a professional-level 20 MP adjustable aperture 1-inch CMOS sensor digital camera. Attempt saying that 3 occasions quick.
The Evo Lite Plus, although shut to 2 years outdated, affords:
- 40-minute flight occasions, which, up till the Evo line of drones, was unusual to see in client and prosumer drones
- Three-way impediment avoidance sensing, when used appropriately aids in safer flight maneuvers
- 1-inch digital camera sensor for 20 MP high-resolution skilled high quality photographs
- No geofencing, which means no flight restrictions, good for flying in areas the place correct airspace authorization has been obtained, however different drones may need problem unlocking
» MORE: Autel Evo Lite+ Evaluation
DJI Mini 3 Professional
Proper on the heels of the Evo Lite Plus, the Mini 3 Professional made its debut as the primary DJI Mini drone with impediment avoidance.
This was certainly one thing unprecedented on the time in 2022 and has solely been matched by the Mini 3 Professional’s successor, the Mini 4 Professional, since then.
What makes having impediment avoidance sensors within the Mini 3 Professional such an enormous deal is that it’s nonetheless in a position to retain its sub-250 g weight.
Drone fanatics trying to preserve from registering their Mini 3 Professional, whereas nonetheless flying safer will recognize this.
When it comes to visuals, the Mini line had appeared fairly the identical for a number of years, beginning with the unique Mavic Mini launched again in 2019.
The Mini 3 Professional broke the design mould with the addition of impediment avoidance sensors and a novel digital camera.
The Mini 3 Professional has a set of fantastic, pro-like options, which embrace:
- True verticle taking pictures which permits for fast posting to social media within the right picture ratio
- 10-bit, 4k 60 fps video for content material creators and professionals on the lookout for flexibility when colour grading
- Three-way impediment avoidance for added flight security
- Weighs lower than 250 g which is ideal for these not eager to register their drone in america
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional: One-12 months Evaluation (Video)
Fast Verdict
While you first take a look at the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional aspect by aspect, though foldable drones, they’re clearly completely different.
The Evo Lite Plus is a bigger, extra strong drone than the Mini 3 Professional. On the flip aspect, the Mini 3 Professional’s sub-250 g weight and tiny footprint are what many search for these days.
Taking a look at each drones for a “does all of it” drone, the Mini 3 Professional is my selection.
This selection was not made frivolously.
As knowledgeable who does quite a lot of shopper work, and travels fairly a bit up and down the Florida East and Gulf Coasts recreationally, a drone that may do each skilled work and leisure flights is essential to me.
As a result of the Mini 3 Professional is so small, it already checks off the packing containers for a leisure journey drone.
Coupled with the truth that it shoots unbelievable video footage, footage shoppers are all the time proud of, it really works for me on a Professional stage.
The Mini 3 Professional permits anybody to have the ability to carry only one drone with them, for a wide range of functions. Just like a Swiss Military Knife, it’s an all-in-one resolution.
» MORE:
What are the Most important Variations?
The Evo Lite Plus is orange and the Mini 3 Professional is gentle grey. No, that’s not all that differentiates the 2!
Whereas each drones are about the identical age, born in the identical 12 months, there are fairly a couple of technological variations that separate the 2, and we’ll take a look at them now.
First, we’ll deal with the Evo Lite Plus.
- Measurement and Weight: The Evo Lite Plus weighs in at over 3 times the load of the Mini 3 Professional, at 835 g. This added weight is definitely a bonus for the Evo Lite Plus, because it aids in it being extra secure within the wind, although rated at across the identical wind resistance because the Mini 3 Professional.
- Digicam: That is the place professionals and recreation photographers will need to take discover. The Autel Evo Lite Plus has a 1-inch Sony CMOS sensor. Along with a big sensor dimension that enables for extra gentle to enter, the digital camera additionally has a totally adjustable aperture, from f/2.8 – f/11. Apart from taking glorious 20 MP photographs, the Evo Lite Plus can even shoot full 6k video, edging out a lot of the direct competitors, even now.
- Coloration Selections: Because the early years of the “flying pumpkin”, the Autel X-Star Premium, Autel has supplied its drones in orange. The Evo Lite Plus doesn’t stray from this, additionally coming in orange. Nonetheless, it additionally is available in grey and white. For individuals who would love a bit selection and higher visibility, the three colour selections ought to do the trick.
- Lack of Geofencing: For a lot of, it is a make-or-break choice. The dearth of geofencing implies that the Evo Lite Plus can fly anyplace you’d prefer it to. It is not going to be grounded by invisible fences or zones, like DJI and different drone producers will.
The Mini 3 Professional has an ideal set of stand-out choices as properly. Together with, however not restricted to:
- Measurement and Weight: Whereas the bigger dimension of the Evo Lite Plus was a, properly, plus, the dimensions of the Mini 3 Professional is one thing to be admired. The Mini 3 Professional is sufficiently small to place in a small bag or sling. I oftentimes put mine within the pocket of my cargo shorts. With the Mini 3 Professional weighing lower than 250 g, that implies that, in america, it doesn’t should be registered. Extra on this later.
- Vertical Taking pictures: As a nod to the unique Mavic Professional of 2016, the digital camera on the Mini 3 Professional bodily and totally rotates 90 levels. This permits the Mini 3 Professional to shoot portrait-mode photographs and movies and put up them to social media with out the necessity for post-process cropping.
- Battery Choices: The Mini 3 Professional was the primary to use two different-sized battery choices, Commonplace and Plus. The Commonplace battery choice yields flight occasions of 34 minutes whereas maintaining the Mini 3 Professional below the 250 g threshold. The heavier Plus choice takes the load of the Mini 3 Professional over 250 g however yields 47 minutes of flight time.
- 10-bit colour: Within the skilled video house, 10-bit colour is a should. The Mini 3 Professional produces over a billion colour variations, versus 8-bit programs which solely seize 16 million colours. This permits for lots extra flexibility and creativity when color-grading footage in video modifying software program.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional vs. Holy Stone HS720E (Right here’s My Alternative)
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Evo Lite Plus is modeled loosely after the bigger Evo II and Evo II Plus launched prior.
Whereas being a smaller, scaled-back model of these drones, the Evo Lite Plus has most of the advantages of the Evo II Plus, in a smaller, easier-to-manage bundle.
Autel has been recognized for pioneering longer battery life in client and prosumer drones, as seen with the discharge of the Evo II and II Professional.
The Evo II line boasted unheard-of 40-minute flight occasions method again in 2020.
That longer battery life subsequently made its approach to the smaller Evo Lite Plus. This was spectacular again when evaluating it towards its then rival the Air 2S, adopted by its smaller and newer rival, the Mini 3 Professional.
Not like the Mini 3 Professional, the Evo Lite Plus has a powerful 20 MP adjustable aperture one-inch SONY digital camera sensor.
That is one thing many professionals, and, even, leisure photographers insist on, as a result of publicity flexibility and picture high quality.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite Plus vs DJI Avata (Which One Is Higher?)
This was truly an enchancment over the bigger, non-professional stage Evo II 8k, as that digital camera solely had a a lot smaller 1/2-inch sensor.
With the Evo Lite Plus’ bigger digital camera sensor comes the power to shoot glorious low-light footage. The Evo Lite Plus has varied evening modes, for photographs and movies, that look nice, even by 2023 requirements.
As has been customary with all Autel drones, because the days of the X-Star, the Autel Evo Lite Plus is not Geofenced.
Whereas we’ll contact on this extra, having no geofencing means no limitations placed on the place and when you’ll be able to fly your drone.
Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ Premium Bundle
1” CMOS Sensor with 6K HDR Digicam, No Geo-Fencing, 3-Axis Gimbal, 3-Manner Impediment Avoidance, 40Min Flight Time, 7.4 Miles Transmission, Lite Plus Extra Combo.
We earn a fee in case you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
11/11/2023 02:41 am GMT
DJI Mini 3 Professional
When the Mini 3 Professional was launched, it was to quite a lot of fanfare. The Mini 3 Professional was and nonetheless is a much-loved drone amongst all sorts of drone pilots.
It’s straightforward for rookies to choose up and fly whereas remaining enjoyable to fly for knowledgeable drone fanatics.
One of many greatest attracts of the Mini 3 Professional, like its predecessors, is its tiny dimension and sub-250 g weight.
The Mini 3 Professional is the perfect journey drone.
Not like some other client or prosumer DJI drone earlier than it, the Mini 3 Professional managed to retain a really small footprint, weighing below 250 g, all whereas having impediment avoidance sensors on board.
This implies the Mini 3 Professional advantages from the myriad of clever flight modes DJI has to supply in its bigger line of drones. A few of these modes will not be attainable with out impediment avoidance.
The Mini 3 Professional just isn’t solely small and has visible sensors, nevertheless it additionally has a couple of pro-level additions as properly. These make it ideally suited for content material creators and videographers.
These embrace 4k 60 fps taking pictures in addition to the flatter 10-bit D-Cinelike profile.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional vs. Air 2S (All You Must Know)
Along with being an ideal journey drone, the Mini 3 Professional packs sufficient punch for use for some skilled functions, reminiscent of the actual property trade.
It makes a viable backup drone for skilled drone pilots. I personally preserve a Mini 3 Professional in my tools bag when doing bigger initiatives.
I accomplish that particularly when at actual property jobs, simply in case my most important drone fails. Likewise, I exploit it usually in tight areas to get that completely framed shot.
DJI Mini 3 Professional (DJI RC)
Light-weight and Foldable Digicam Drone
- 4K/60fps Video
- 48MP Picture
- 34-min Flight Time
- Tri-Directional Impediment Sensing, Built-in RC and display screen
We earn a fee in case you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
11/10/2023 04:56 am GMT
Head-to-Head Comparability
Digicam
Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Evo Lite Plus is the clear winner relating to the cameras on this comparability.
Whereas the Mini 3 Professional arguably has an ideal digital camera, the Evo Lite Plus with its 1-inch digital camera sensor appeals extra to the skilled and novice pictures crowd alike.
The digital camera on the Evo Lite Plus has a SONY 20 MP adjustable aperture 1-inch CMOS sensor. The aperture ranges from f/2.8 – f/11.
Which means the digital camera has few limitations when taking each photographs and movies in varied lighting circumstances.
In case you are one to take evening footage, the Evo Lite Plus has a full suite of evening modes utilizing its extremely efficient Moonlight algorithm.
Nighttime video taken with the Evo Lite Plus is detailed, and sharp, with minimal noise
The 20 MP photographs that come out of the Evo Lite Plus are nothing in need of implausible.
I’ve used the Evo Lite Plus on a couple of actual property jobs and the images had been the identical prime quality as others I’ve taken with varied prosumer DJI drones.
When it comes to video, the Evo is marketed to shoot as much as 6k. That is extra realistically 5.4k, which remains to be nice, as it’s a increased decision than the Mini 3 Professional can shoot movies at.
Having the ability to shoot in 5k is particularly good for many who do a good bit of video modifying and prefer to zoom in throughout video post-production, with out dropping an excessive amount of decision.
One thing notable concerning the Evo Lite Plus is when taking pictures video in Auto, it really works fairly properly. This may need one thing to perform a little with the mix of the moonlight algorithm and the adjustable aperture.
The Evo Lite Plus does an ideal job of exposing all the things properly, from the shadows to the highlights. Evening-time video taking pictures is equally as spectacular as daytime taking pictures.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional for Actual Property Images (All You Must Know)
Flight Efficiency
Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
In case you are not an all-out velocity freak, then this may be a little bit of a toss-up. A tie.
On the subject of flying horizontally in sport mode, the Evo Lite Plus is a bit below 5 mph sooner than the Mini 3 Professional. To some, that distinction in velocity means fairly a bit.
Nonetheless, whenever you take a look at your complete velocity common throughout the board, the drones are just about neck and neck.
| Pace in MPH | Autel Evo Lite Plus | Mini 3 Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Ascent | 11.18 mph | 11.18 mph |
| Descent | 8.94 mph | 11.18 mph |
| Horizontal | 40 mph | 35.79 mph |
The added weight of the Evo Lite Plus (all additional 585 g of it), equates to a barely extra secure flight when in windier circumstances.
Whereas the Mini 3 Professional is rated as a stage 5 wind-resistant drone, the gimbal has to work tougher to stabilize video footage.
The Evo Lite Plus has rather less gimbal work to do in windy circumstances, because it strikes lower than the Mini 3 Professional.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional and Climate
No Geofencing
Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
I’ve been in conditions, prior to now, the place I’d be out and about flying recreationally, see an ideal place to fly, and never be capable to fly there as a result of the drone sees an authorization zone and grounded me.
This can be one thing many have shared when flying every so often.
With all Autel drones, together with the Evo Lite Plus, there is no such thing as a such geofencing.
Though the newer DJI drones operating DJI Fly App at the moment are rather a lot simpler to unlock than a couple of years in the past, with the Evo Lite Plus there are not any unlocks wanted.
As an alternative choice to pulling out the Aloft or UAV Forecast apps, the Autel Sky app will provide you with a warning to zones close by.
Should you occur to be in an authorization zone, you’ll be able to then purchase LAANC authorization onsite by means of Aloft and proceed to go and fly.
Upon getting skilled an absence of geofencing in varied zones, you almost certainly is not going to need to return to unlocking these zones in-app.
» MORE: Do Autel Drones Have Geofencing (And The right way to Unlock)
Portability & Comfort
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
The Mini 3 Professional wins this class fingers down.
While you examine what the Mini 3 Professional can do technically alongside the Evo Lite Plus, the Plus can’t examine to the Mini 3 Professional’s portability and comfort.
The Mini 3 Professional is ideal for vacationers and outdoor sorts who prefer to movie themselves. With it weighing in at below 250 g, it’s barely noticeable when in a pictures bag, sling, or purse.
Alongside the strains of weight, the Mini 3 Professional doesn’t should be registered in america.
Nonetheless, if the Mini 3 Professional will probably be used for paid industrial work, or the furtherance of enterprise, it should have to be registered.
Along with the load of the Mini 3 Professional, with its small footprint (you’ll be able to actually maintain it within the palm of your hand when folded), it’s simply tucked away in virtually all sorts of carrying options.
Including to the comfort issue is the truth that the Mini 3 Professional has the choice to come back bundled with the all-in-one DJI RC good controller.
Just like the Mini 3 Professional, the DJI RC is ultra-lightweight and may be slipped into any kind of bag with out taking on an excessive amount of house.
In case you are a traveler or solo creator, not having to make use of a smartphone along with the distant controller lets you stand up within the air sooner.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional with DJI RC (Defined for Freshmen)
Distant Controller Compatability
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
The Mini 3 Professional is the clear winner relating to the distant controller choices accessible for it.
Whereas the Evo Lite Plus solely makes use of a single distant controller, the Mini 3 Professional may be operated utilizing the next DJI distant controllers:
If utilizing the Mini 3 Professional strictly from knowledgeable standpoint, the DJI RC Professional is one of the best (and most costly) resolution for controlling the Mini 3 Professional, because it has a 5.5-inch display screen with 1000 nits of brightness.
Moreover, third get together apps may be put in on the DJI RC Professional, enabling it to be a real all-in-one controller resolution, needing no further good gadgets.
If flying the Mini 3 Professional recreationally, then the extra reasonably priced, bundled DJI RC, is a superb controller.
At 700 nits of brightness, the DJI RC can nonetheless be seen in very brilliant circumstances. That is good for touring.
When doing sure shopper work alongside waterfronts, I’ve opted to go together with the RC-N1 controller. It does take a bit longer to get arrange and deploy, however you need to use any good machine with it.
I exploit a Tripletek 1500 nit excessive brightness pill connected to the RC-N1 for such jobs.
Should you’d like a special perspective when flying, and a special approach to fly, there may be additionally the choice to fly the Mini 3 Professional with the newer DJI Movement 2 Controller w/ DJI Goggles 2.
» MORE: DJI RC vs DJI RC-N1 (All You Must Know)
Battery Choices
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
Whereas Autel pioneered the longer-lasting, 40-minute battery in leisure drones, DJI has taken this a step additional.
The Mini 3 Professional has two battery choices accessible to it. The Commonplace model and the Plus model.
If opting to go together with the usual model, there may be an marketed flight time of 34 minutes. The Plus model has an marketed flight time of 47 minutes.
I say “marketed” as a result of the flight occasions talked about by producers are when the drone is flying of their optimum take a look at environments.
Actual-world consumer flight occasions will differ by a couple of minutes.
When transferring as much as the higher-capacity Plus batteries, the flight time will increase to about 42 minutes or so. Once more, that is primarily based on real-world utilization.
Regardless, having 40+ minute flight occasions in a Mini drone is an accomplishment in itself.
One thing to notice, the Commonplace clever batteries are tremendous light-weight and preserve the Mini 3 Professional at below 250 g.
When transferring as much as the beefier Plus choice batteries, the load of the battery strikes the Mini 3 Professional out of the sub-250 g zone.
Which means the Mini 3 Professional will then have to be registered, whether or not you’re flying it professionally or not.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 Professional Battery (All You Must Know)
Clever Flight Modes
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
Each the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional have clever flight modes aboard.
| Evo Lite Plus’ clever flight and shot modes | Mini 3 Execs clever flight and shot modes |
|---|---|
| Rocket Fade Away Orbit Flick Sky Portrait Dynamic Observe 2(+) |
Dronie Helix Rocket Circle Boomerang Asteroid MasterShots Focus Observe |
The realm most drone fanatics and solo shooters are going to be involved about is Focus Observe.
The Autel Evo Lite Plus has an identical perform referred to as Dynamic Observe, nevertheless it’s not practically as refined and helpful as Focus Observe on the Mini 3 Professional.
Comply with Me Mode aka Focus Observe is an enormous deal at the moment on the planet of drones, and Focus Observe on the Mini 3 Professional is prime notch.
By merely drawing a sq. round your topic, the Mini 3 Professional will exactly comply with mentioned topic.
I’ve used Focus Observe many occasions on the Mini 3 Professional on the seaside following boats and jet skis and it carried out marvelously.
When out on the water, the Mini 3 professional by no means misplaced its topic. When monitoring automobiles, likewise it stored up with them, spot on.
Monitoring individuals who stroll behind obstacles is troublesome oftentimes for the Mini 3 Professional.
It is because it solely has three-way impediment avoidance and never omnidirectional sensing just like the newer Mini 4 Professional.
It can’t fly safely to the edges or below objects to precisely monitor topics that stroll or duck behind such obstacles.
Focus Observe on the Mini 3 Professional does have some limitations however nonetheless far exceeds the Evo Lite Plus with its Dynamic Observe.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional – The right way to Use Lively Observe (Step-by-Step Information)
Conclusion
After having owned and used each the Autel Evo Lite Plus and DJI Mini 3 Professional for greater than a 12 months, I’ve to say they’re each implausible drones.
Autel and DJI took completely different approaches to every of those drones, and I really feel that the Mini 3 Professional edges out the Evo Lite Plus within the areas that matter most to me.
The Evo Lite Plus will most certainly enchantment to these needing a inexpensive industrial workhorse than the Autel Evo II Professional.
It has a good weight to battle off the wind whereas taking glorious high quality 20 MP footage and 5.4k movies.
The Mini 3 Professional, then again, is essentially the most rounded and balanced drone for these wanting each a journey drone and one thing that may additionally deal with some skilled workload.
With its light-weight physique and small footprint, coupled with vertical taking pictures, pro-like 10-bit colour, and 4k 60 fps video capabilities, the Mini 3 Professional is ideal for many newbie flyers, fanatics, and even professionals alike.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite+ vs. DJI Mini 2 SE (Right here’s My Favourite)
