It’s a battle of the “traditional” drones! I say “traditional” in quotes as a result of neither of those drones are outdated, however you understand how time strikes with know-how. If a chunk of tech is greater than six months outdated, it’s virtually historical.
The birthdates of those drones belie how good they nonetheless are for industrial and leisure functions. Don’t imagine me? Let me persuade you.
Shopping for an older drone is a wonderful selection, as you get dependability, reliability, and help (typically). You may as well make sure all of the kinks have been labored out. But regardless of their age, these are DJI drones we’re speaking about, so you possibly can’t anticipate them to be filth low-cost.
On that be aware, you most likely solely want one over the opposite – both the Mini 3 Professional or the Mavic 2. How do you select? I’m right here to assist!
Be a part of me on this information to the crucial variations between the DJI Mini 3 Professional and Mavic 2, together with in-depth comparisons of their strengths and weaknesses based mostly on intensive private experimentation and testing with each drones. I’ve flown them for tons of of hours, particularly the Mini 3 Professional, which is my ride-or-die till the top.
You should really feel assured that you simply’re making the proper drone buy. That’s precisely what I need to help you with as we speak, so let’s get proper into it.
Temporary overview
DJI Mini 3 Professional
Enable me to introduce you to what could also be my all-time favourite drone, the DJI Mini 3 Professional.
The Mini line has all the time been a dependable flight selection, however DJI solidified that with the discharge of the Mini 3 Professional in Could 2022. This drone has all of it, together with many options the OG Mini 3 lacked.
When the Mini 4 Professional got here out later, it unsurprisingly had many options from the Mini 3 Professional. It’s that a lot of a fan favourite.
Why is that? Just for about 1,000,000 totally different causes. I’ll provide you with an important ones.
- It’s tremendous travel-friendly with its weight of below 249 grams, small dimension, and folding design. In fact, you’ll must register your drone should you’re utilizing it commercially, regardless of how a lot it weighs, however a lighter drone makes a distinction in all of your duties.
- The choice to increase the battery life to an marketed 47 minutes with the Clever Flight Battery Plus. It’s a bummer it’s a must to purchase it individually, but it surely’s value it to get out of 30-minute flight territory.
- A doozy of a digicam that takes 48 MP pictures (in RAW, no much less!) and 4K video (except you’re capturing in slow-mo, then it’s 1080p at 120 frames per second). I imply, that type of high quality in a drone digicam continues to be very acceptable as we speak.
- Three cheers for impediment detection and avoidance, each of which the Mini 3 Professional has. The tri-directional impediment sensing works robustly, and the Superior Pilot Help System, version 4.0, continues to be clever sufficient to be up-to-date.
- Solely the good Clever Flight Modes, together with 3 times the Panorama modes and True Vertical Capturing, for all you social media aficionados on the market.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite vs. DJI Mini 3 Professional (Which One Is Higher?)
DJI Mavic 2
That brings us to the DJI Mavic 2, an entry in a drone collection launched in 2018 that also stays DJI’s flagship.
Two variations had been launched, the Zoom and Professional editions. I’ll focus on the Professional model, because it’s the higher of the 2 (should you ask me) and extra corresponding to the Mini 3 Professional.
Right here’s what’s included:
- A high-end one-inch CMOS sensor with 20 million pixels that takes 20 MP pictures and 4K video. This drone got here out after DJI’s partnership started with Hasselblad, so it’s a chic, spectacular Hasselblad digicam (woohoo!).
- Glorious omnidirectional impediment sensing and avoidance, with sensors on the proper, left, and beneath (plus an infrared sensor) of the digicam that activate when utilizing ActiveTrack and Tripod modes.
- A still-very-usable ActiveTrack 2.0 introduces the ability of 3D mapping and is an ideal complement when monitoring topics like automobiles, animals, or individuals in your subsequent industrial drone undertaking.
- The digicam shoots in RAW, which suggests you get extra element and readability in your pictures proper out of the gate (oh, and fewer noise too, which is all the time nice).
» MORE: DJI Mini 4 Professional vs. Mavic 2 Professional (Right here’s My Selection)
Fast verdict
Deciding on the proper drone is hard stuff!
You possibly can belief the suggestions that come courtesy of Droneblog, as they’re backed by tons of of flight hours of testing in all eventualities. I can say that as a result of I did it. It was enjoyable, however I did it to save lots of you the frustration of constructing the improper selection.
So, bearing all that in thoughts, which is the higher drone between the DJI Mavic 2 and Mini 3 Professional?
The DJI Mini 3 Professional is the clear winner between this and the Mavic 2 Professional or Zoom editions. It has a more moderen digicam that, regardless of not being a Hasselblad, is very succesful. It boasts sterling picture and video high quality, good Clever Sensible Modes, glorious impediment sensing and avoidance, and an excellent dimension and weight.
It’s one of the dependable drones available on the market and simply such all-around selection for getting industrial tasks finished quick.
That’s to not dump on the Mavic 2 Professional. It’s nonetheless a useful drone, even nowadays, however its restricted options do harm it in comparison with the extra trendy Mini 3 Professional.
» MORE: DJI Mini 4 Professional vs. Mini 3 Professional (Right here’s My Selection)
What are the primary variations?
A number of the drones I assessment on this weblog are confusingly related, making your selection that a lot tougher. However don’t fear, that’s not the case with the Mavic 2 and Mini 3 Professional. These drones are as totally different as could be.
Have a look, and also you’ll see what I imply.
- Age: The Mavic 2, at the least the unique iteration, is from 2018. By comparability, the Mini 3 Professional is from 2022, making it lightyears forward when it comes to options, tech, and developments.
- Weight: The Mavic 2 Professional weighs 907 grams. That weight isn’t dangerous in its personal proper but it surely makes the drone really feel like a rock in comparison with holding the ultra-light Mini 3 Professional, which weighs below 250 grams.
- Dimension: I’ll admit, the Mavic 2 Professional is smaller than you’d suppose, particularly when folded. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless not as small because the Mini 3 Professional, folded or unfolded.
- Picture high quality: The Mini 3 Professional has superior 48 MP picture high quality, sharp sufficient to seize the wealthy particulars of the world round you for any drone undertaking (keep in mind, it additionally shoots in RAW!). By comparability, the Mavic 2 Professional’s 20 MP picture high quality isn’t as nice.
- CMOS sensor dimension: The one-inch sensor dimension of the Mavic 2 Professional isn’t as giant because the 1 1/3-inch CMOS sensor the Mini 3 Professional has. Nonetheless, as you’ll see, one drone allows you to modify the aperture, and the opposite doesn’t.
- Clever Flight Modes: These two drones diverge within the out there Clever Flight Modes. Resulting from its age, the Mavic 2 has fewer of the sensible modes you’re used to reducing your tooth on while you purchase a DJI drone.
- Aperture changes: Right here’s one thing fascinating. You possibly can set the aperture for the Mavic 2 Professional between f/2.8 and f/11. You possibly can’t set the aperture of the Mini 3 Professional. It’s caught at f/1.7, a light-weight setting unachievable by the Mavic 2 Professional.
» MORE: When Ought to You Improve Your Drone? (Learn This First)
DJI Mini 3 Professional
The DJI Mini 3 Professional made a splash upon its debut for its superior security options. Earlier than then, DJI hadn’t carried out them often throughout the Mini collection.
Despite the fact that these drones are tailor-made towards freshmen searching for a simple, easy first-flight expertise (and lots of after, hopefully), the dearth of security options has all the time been their most egregious lack.
Till the Mini 3 Professional.
You must take into consideration the inclusion of APAS 4.0 on the time. That was virtually revolutionary. And as we speak, though not the latest know-how, APAS 4.0 nonetheless will get the job finished nicely.
It helps that it’s bolstered by the triple-directional impediment sensing system. The twin-vision techniques can learn what’s under, behind, and in entrance of the drone, after which depend on APAS to navigate deftly and safely.
This drone’s impeccably good digicam system nonetheless holds up towards any DJI drone launched in 2023.
I’d go as far as to say it holds up towards any new drone as we speak, what with the 48 MP picture high quality and 4K HDR video.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Professional (Which Drone Is Higher?)
That’s simply scratching the floor, by the way in which. The superior digicam and CMOS sensor can take slow-motion movies, albeit on the expense of a high quality discount.
Nonetheless, in on a regular basis capturing eventualities, the Mini 3 Professional is greater than well-equipped. Its D-Cinelike Coloration digicam inclusion hundreds this drone with oodles of colours.
The f/1.7 aperture allows extra gentle, and whereas it’d be cool should you may modify it, I like how a lot brightness the digicam permits in.
Increase the parameters of your images and videography, because the Mini 3 Professional has a nighttime capturing mode that slashes noise to immerse your viewers into your world while you shoot after darkish (provided that you’re legally allowed, in fact).
The adjustable gimbal strikes an superior 90 levels for True Vertical Capturing, however that’s solely the beginning concerning Clever Flight Modes. Toggle between Vertical, Vast-Angle, Sphere, and 180-degree Panoramas.
Get nearer to your topics with out transferring your toes with 4x digital zoom.
FocusTrack – which incorporates Highlight 2.0 and ActiveTrack 4.0 – makes it simpler to seek out your targets and hone in on them.
MasterShots is for creating your personal cinematic marvels that would be the speak of social media.
DJI Mini 3 Professional (DJI RC)
Light-weight and Foldable Digicam Drone
- 4K/60fps Video
- 48MP Photograph
- 34-min Flight Time
- Tri-Directional Impediment Sensing, Built-in RC and display screen
We earn a fee should you make a purchase order, at no extra value to you.
12/30/2023 02:51 am GMT
DJI Mavic 2
Older and a lot wiser, the Mavic 2 (Professional and Zoom editions) is one other stellar drone to think about including to your industrial fleet.
You’d suppose, contemplating its age, that it could be missing in lots of areas, however I discover it extremely competent to this present day.
It has impediment avoidance sensors, similar to the Mini 3 Professional, though its impediment detection and avoidance system isn’t almost as superior.
The omnidirectional detection system that comes with this drone was thought-about cutting-edge when it first appeared.
It has 4K video high quality, sufficient to place it on even footing with the Mini 3 Professional in that respect, and 20 MP picture high quality. I’ll be the primary to let you know, that high quality isn’t miraculously nice, but it surely’s nonetheless greater than satisfactory.
» MORE: DJI Air 3 vs. Mavic 2 Professional (Right here’s My Selection)
In the event you’re starting your drone profession, the Mavic 2 can carry you thru some crucial and instrumental early tasks.
You may determine after some time that you simply want higher picture high quality to go to the subsequent stage. In that case, you can improve to the Mini 3 Professional.
Expertise the Hasselblad distinction with its digicam, which makes any picture and video look crisp and interesting because of its one-inch CMOS sensor and 28-millimeter lens.
The ActiveTrack version included with the Mavic 2 isn’t as new as what you get within the Mini 3 Professional, but it surely’s nonetheless glorious at discovering your topics.
Level of Curiosity allows you to mark occasions and landmarks, sending the Mavic 2 on a predetermined flight route. Hyperlapse, though a regular in DJI drones now, was new on the time of this drone’s launch.
DJI Mavic 2 Professional
Drone with Sensible Controller, Hasselblad Digicam, 3-Axis Gimbal, HDR 4K Video Adjustable Aperture, 20MP 1″ CMOS Sensor, as much as 48mph, Grey.
We earn a fee should you make a purchase order, at no extra value to you.
12/30/2023 07:06 am GMT
Head-to-head comparability
Digicam system
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
Are you prepared for my favourite half, the vicious battle for DJI drone supremacy? I hope so, as a result of right here we go.
It’s uncommon that Hasselblad know-how loses out, however to declare the Mavic 2 the winner simply wouldn’t be proper. Its digicam system is great, don’t get me improper, but it surely’s inferior to what the Mini 3 Professional presents.
This drone has one of the exceptional digicam techniques round, with high-end picture and video resolutions, noise discount, RAW picture recordsdata, pure colours, and night time mode.
Every images and videography mode carried out into the Mini 3 Professional reduces the time you spend enhancing.
The Mavic 2 has a few of these options, however to not the identical diploma because the Mini 3 Professional. Its newer know-how is superior.
» MORE: Digicam Expertise in Drones (Defined)
Efficiency
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
That’s proper, I’m additionally choosing the Mini 3 Professional right here.
Many elements roll into what makes a drone carry out nicely, comparable to dimension and weight, of which the Mini 3 Professional has in spades over the heavier Mavic 2.
Impediment detection and avoidance additionally play a job. Each these drones have impediment avoidance techniques, and since they use DJI know-how, they’re higher than the norm.
Nonetheless, that is one other simple age hole. The Mini 3 Professional has a stronger, extra strong impediment avoidance system with newer APAS know-how. It might not be the latest APAS version anymore, however its impediment detection continues to be much more up-to-date than the Mavic 2 presents.
Certain, the Mini 3 Professional may not be as wind-resistant as a result of it’s smaller, however its superior know-how makes it simpler to fly.
This drone can be touted as being beginner-friendly.
Perhaps it’s not fairly to the diploma of the Mini 2 SE, which helps you to launch and land your drone with the push of a button, however the dimension, automated options, and straightforward dealing with of the Mini 3 Professional are nonetheless undeniably traits of a newbie drone.
Oh, and let’s discuss Clever Flight Modes. Each drones have ‘em, however the Mini 3 Professional has extra, and extra modern variations. That’s one more reason I awarded this class to the Mini 3 Professional.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional and How Nicely It Handles Winds
Portability
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
This one was a no-contest, and I imply that within the nicest means potential. It’s simply that the Mini 3 Professional is about 600 grams lighter than the Mavic 2 Professional.
I may perceive if we had been speaking a few distinction of 90 grams, and even 200 grams possibly, however this can be a huge sufficient distinction in weight that it’d as nicely be a chasm between these two drones.
Okay, possibly not that dramatic, however you get the purpose.
It’s not just like the Mavic 2 goes to interrupt your again should you journey with it, but it surely’s nowhere close to as travel-friendly because the Mini 3 Professional. This DJI drone is gentle sufficient that carrying it feels easy, which is why it’s my go-to journey selection.
I additionally just like the Mini 3 and Mini 4 Professional to journey with, however the Mini 3 Professional is the very best of the three, should you ask me.
It’s airport-friendly, and you may match it in any baggage and carry-on bag your airline permits. Please all the time try this to keep away from getting your drone smashed throughout dealing with!
» MORE: The Final Information to Touring with a Drone
RC compatibility and vary
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
As if I didn’t love the Mini 3 Professional sufficient, it additionally has top-of-the-line DJI controllers for on a regular basis flights, the DJI RC.
This engaging, gentle, easy-to-handle distant options an HD display screen at an inexpensive 5.5 inches. I do know what you’re going to say, it’s not fairly as giant as as we speak’s smartphone screens, however have you learnt what?
This distant controller doesn’t make you employ your cellphone, which suggests you possibly can spare your battery. The DJI RC has a four-hour battery and makes use of DJI’s O3+ transmission system to switch video footage in 1080p high quality at 60 fps.
And, better of all, the Mini 3 Professional’s distant works with many different drones! In the event you already personal the OG Mini 3, Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Professional, Mavic Air 2, or Air 2S, you should utilize the DJI RC.
You may as well go for the DJI Mini 3 Professional in a bundle with the DJI RC-N1, which is in all methods just like the DJI RC besides that it doesn’t include a display screen and requires using a wise system as a display screen. That is much less handy however makes the drone that rather more reasonably priced.
The Mavic 2’s older distant lags behind in lots of the above areas, with a transmission vary of solely 10 kilometers versus 12 kilometers for the Mini 3 Professional.
» MORE: DJI RC vs DJI RC-N1 (All You Have to Know)
Battery life
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
Sure, it’s been a clear sweep, with the Mini 3 Professional profitable in each class, together with this one.
The Mavic 2’s base Clever Flight Battery solely flies for 31 minutes, and that’s the marketed time. I by no means hit the 30-minute mark in my many flights with this drone, however I’d get greater than 25 minutes.
The default battery lifetime of the Mini 3 Professional isn’t significantly better, because it’s marketed as 34 minutes. Nonetheless, you possibly can improve the battery to fly for 47 marketed minutes.
As soon as once more, it’s not fairly that lengthy, with the battery logging below 45 minutes each time I’ve had the pleasure of flying the Mini 3 Professional.
I do know a few of you studying this really feel prefer it could be unfair to provide this class to the Mini 3 Professional as a result of its additional battery doesn’t include this drone by default.
I can see that logic, however even when we examine base batteries, the Mini 3 Professional nonetheless wins.
» MORE: Flight Time of All DJI Drones (Defined)
Conclusion
And now you’re prepared to decide on between these two succesful DJI drones, as you will have all of the details it is advisable to proceed along with your buy.
Whereas the Mavic 2 nonetheless holds up remarkably nicely for its age, the Mini 3 Professional – though not the latest drone on the market anymore – flies head and shoulders above this Mavic mannequin.
It has a lighter body, a greater flight time, and extra Clever Flight Modes.
There’s a purpose this drone is the traditional, the usual, the blueprint towards which most individuals examine DJI drones. The Mini 3 Professional is simply a kind of good drones, and it’s actually powerful to beat.
