DJI Mini 3 Pro – 48MP Rotatable Camera with 4K60 and Obstacle Sensing, Still Sub-250g

Drone News

by Jakub HanMay 10^th, 2022

DJI Mini 3 Pro has just been announced – the newest sub-250g drone from DJI. It brings a new body with multi-directional collision sensors and an improved 90° rotatable camera that is capable of 48MP photos and up to 4K60 video. The Mini 3 Pro is available now starting at $669 / €739 (including VAT).

Today, DJI announced the newest addition to its large drone portfolio. The new DJI Mini 3 Pro weighs less than 250g including the battery and media. So, why is this important?

Why are ultra-lightweight drones so popular? Well, in some countries, UAVs under 250g fall under the “toys” category and therefore are a lot less complicated to legally fly. This is unfortunately not the case in Europe currently (where I am located), but I still got tempted by the form factor and overall size of the DJI Mavic Mini when DJI entered the sub-250g category back in 2019 (not counting the tiny DJI Tello) and I bought the first “Mini”.

The magic of the sub-250g Mini series

One year later, DJI launched the Mini 2 with virtually the same body, an improved camera that could now shoot 4K30, slightly improved flight time, and a much better communication protocol with the new remote controller with OccuSync. I surely upgraded to the Mini 2 which I still have up to this day.

Today’s DJI Mini 3 Pro announcement seems to be a much larger leap forward than what the previous generation upgrade was. On top of the new “Pro” in its name, the specs and features of the new drone sound exciting. Let’s take a look at the details of the new DJI Mini 3 Pro.

DJI Mini 3 Pro – 48MP rotatable camera

First of all, the DJI Mini 3 Pro features a new 1/1.3-inch 48MP CMOS camera sensor with dual native ISO. The lens has a focal length of 24mm (full-frame equivalent, 82.1° FOV) and an aperture of f/1.7. The unique feature of the DJI Mini 3 Pro 3-axis stabilized camera module is that it can rotate 90° to better capture vertical content. Additionally, the camera can now look up because it is placed at the very front. Photos are available in either JPEG or DNG raw format in 4:3 8064×6048 (48 MP) or 4032×3024 (12 MP).

Although the sensor has a higher resolution of 48MP in stills mode, it seems that DJI bins the pixels to 12MP (4032 x 2268) in video mode which results in 2.4μm pixels for better performance in low light.

Video up to 4K60 with D-Cinelike

When it comes to available resolutions and framerates, the Mini 3 Pro delivers the following video modes:

• 4K: 3840×2160@24/25/30/48/50/60fps
• 2.7K: 2720×1530@24/25/30/48/50/60fps
• FHD: 1920×1080@24/25/30/48/50/60fps
• Slow Motion: 1920×1080@120fps

The maximum bitrate is now 150Mbps (Mini 2 only maxed out at 100Mbps) in either MP4 or MOV (H.264 or H.265 compression). HDR video recording is also available at frame rates up to 30fps. DJI also offers a digital video zoom at up to 2x in 4K, 3x in 2.7K, and 4x in Full HD.

The good news is that the Mini 3 Pro now also offers the flat color profile called D-Cinelike (in addition to the Normal color profile). All the video modes are, however, 8-bit only.

First Mini with multi-directional sensors

For the first time in DJI’s Mini series of drones, the Mini 3 Pro features a tri-directional obstacle sensing provided by forward, backward, and downward-facing visual sensors. Previous generations from the Mini series only had downward-facing sensors.

According to DJI, these sensors enable Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS) 4.0, which automatically detects and finds a safer path around obstacles during flight (not available while recording 4K/48, 50, or 60fps, 2.7K/50, or 60fps, or 1080p/120fps video). The sensors also enable the entire FocusTrack suite, which allows users to select a subject that the drone automatically keeps within the center of the frame during flight while automatically planning a safe flight route.

Automatic shooting modes

As with every new DJI drone, there is a variety of automatic modes available with the Mini 3 Pro as well:

• FocusTrack Suite (only available up to 30fps):
  • Spotlight 2.0 keeps the subject in frame while you fly manually.
  • Point of Interest 3.0 circles the subject in a set flight radius and speed.
  • ActiveTrack 4.0 follows the subject in two selectable ways:
    • Trace: The aircraft tracks the subject at a constant distance
    • Parallel: The aircraft tracks the subject while flying beside it at a constant angle and distance

• QuickShots
  • Dronie: The aircraft flies back and up with the camera locked on the subject.
  • Helix: The aircraft flies up and spirals around the subject.
  • Rocket: The aircraft flies up with the camera facing down.
  • Circle: The aircraft circles around the subject.
  • Boomerang: The aircraft flies around the subject in an oval path, ascending as it flies away and descending as it returns.
  • Asteroid: The aircraft creates a shot that begins as a sphere panorama high above the subject and ends with a normal shot hovering near the subject.
• MasterShots: Keeps the subject in the center of the frame while executing different maneuvers in sequence to generate a short video.
• Hyperlapse: Creates a dynamic timelapse where the aircraft flies on set paths during capture.

Two different batteries

Interestingly, DJI has decided to offer two types of battery packs for the Mini 3 Pro. The regular battery (2,453 mAh) included with the drone offers a maximum flight time of 34 minutes and it keeps the drone’s weight at 249g. The overall take-off weight is also written on the battery itself to avoid confusion.

The second type of battery pack (called the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) offers up to 47 minutes of flight time (3,850 mAh capacity), but the drone will then exceed the 250g take-off weight by around 40g.

As optional accessories, DJI will offer a two-way charging hub that charges Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Batteries in sequence, as well as a 30W USB-C charger that charges an Intelligent Flight Battery to 0-100% in 64 minutes and an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus in 101 minutes.

O3 transmission, DJI RC controller, accessories

As DJI claims, the Mini 3 Pro features the O3 transmission system, which delivers a 1080p live view from a distance as far as 12 km (with FCC standard).

The DJI RC is a new type of remote controller from DJI that features a 5.5-inch built-in touchscreen with the DJI Fly app ready. The drone will, however, be available with the regular controller (or without any controller) as well.

Price and availability

With the Mini 3 Pro, DJI seems to have slightly changed the available packages. First of all, there will be an option to buy the drone without any controller for $669 / around €739 (including VAT) for those who already have a controller.

DJI Mini 3 Pro with the regular controller (DJI RC-N1) will retail for $759 / around €829 (including VAT) and the DJI Mini 3 Pro with the DJI RC controller will retail for $909 / around €999 (including VAT). The shipping is planned to start on May 17, 2022.

The second change is that the Fly More Kit will now be available separately, and not only as part of the drone package. This will retail for $189 / around €189 (including VAT) and it will include two intelligent flight batteries, a two-way charging hub, two sets of propellers, and one shoulder bag. All other accessories will be sold separately.

Do you fly any of DJI’s “Mini” drones? What do you think about the new DJI Mini 3 Pro? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section underneath the article.