Hollywood-style footage in a lightweight package

Photography has improved in leaps and bounds over the last 50 years or so, with more advanced models making it possible to capture anything from fast-moving athletes to near-microscopic animals. 

However, few inventions have taken photography to new heights like the drone. Initially used for surveillance, the commercial application quickly became clear. Adding a powerful camera to an ultra-maneuverable gadget produces exceptional footage at a reasonable price.

DJI is one of the most popular brands for photography drones, and the DJI Mini 3 Pro is an excellent example of why. 

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Testing the DJI Mini 3 Pro 

Testing DJI Mini Pro 3

The BestReviews Testing Lab has extensive experience putting drones through their paces. In addition to thoroughly going over the drone’s packaging, build quality and the initial setup process, the lab takes a drone to a secure location for hands-on flying while complying with local, state and FCC regulations.   

The BestReviews Testing Lab strives to investigate every claim the brand/manufacturer makes about the product. For this article, the tester is a regular drone pilot, with many flying hours using other DJI products such as the Mavic Pro, the Phantom and the Spark.

What is the DJI Mini 3 Pro?

The Mini 3 Pro is one of the smallest drones from DJI, weighing only 8.7 ounces. It has a 48-megapixel camera sensor on an electronic gimbal and records video footage in 4K resolution. It can remain airborne for 34 minutes and has tri-directional obstacle sensing. 

See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for Best DJI Drones.

DJI Mini 3 Pro price and where to buy

The Mini 3 Pro with a remote controller is available from Amazon for $759, while the bundle with a display on the remote controller costs $909. The standalone drone with no included remote controller costs $729. 

Several drone accessories can also make the experience better. For example, a high-capacity memory card can store more data, additional battery packs extend the flying time and a sturdy travel case keeps the drone and other accessories safe.

How to use DJI Mini 3 Pro

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Setting up the drone before takeoff is relatively easy, as it comes with a helpful Quick Start Guide. While it might take longer for some, it can be done in about an hour.

However, it requires several technical steps, such as adding the Wi-Fi network, synching additional settings and downloading any updates. There are about 10 steps to get it off the ground, which involves a lot of waiting. 

Once that's complete, the flying process is much easier. The DJI RC model comes with a remote controller with a 5.5-inch display, letting pilots see where the drone is going in a first-person view. Remote controllers that don’t have a built-in display rely on a paired mobile phone for video transmissions.

The controls are intuitive for people who have flown drones before, but it should only take a few minutes for novices to get the hang of it. Takeoff and landing are handled by pressing a single button, and engaging the True Vertical mode for portrait photos is hassle-free.

DJI Mini 3 Pro benefits

While the controls are easy to use and the drone is quick to set up, the most significant benefit to having a Mini Pro 3 is the 1/1.3-inch CMOS camera sensor. The 48-megapixel resolution allows for 4K videos at variable frame rates and photos with a maximum image size of 8,064 by 6,048 pixels.

It also has several cinematic QuickShot Modes, such as Dronie, Helix and Rocket. In Asteroid mode, the drone shoots up into the sky while rotating slightly and creates a spherical view of the surroundings.

Compared to other DJI drones, the Mini 3 Pro is one of the lightest, making it easy to fold up and carry. But its weight isn’t a drawback in windy conditions, as it remains extremely stable and easy to fly.

It has tri-directional object sensing, which does an excellent job of avoiding any large hindrances, but the tester did manage to clip a few leaves on a tree.  

 DJI Mini 3 Pro drawbacks

The Mini 3 Pro is an excellent drone, but it does have a few problems. For example, it doesn’t handle hot weather as efficiently as other models. 

After flying for a few minutes on a cloudless summer day, the drone gets hot. When this happens, it affects the controls and can lead to serious damage or injuries. Even the flying time of just 34 minutes significantly raises the internal and component temperature. 

The flying range is also not as far as other drones, topping out at just under 2 miles in urban areas with strong signal interference and 4 miles in areas with moderate interference. This contrasts with the DJI Mavic 3, which has a maximum range of over 9 miles. 

Should you get the DJI Mini 3 Pro?

The Mini 3 Pro is an excellent drone for anyone who wants an easy-to-fly option with stunning photo and video recording capabilities. It’s slightly more expensive than other photography drones in the same class, but the technical capabilities make up for it.