With the arrival of the new DJI Mini 3 Pro, choosing a drone has become even more difficult. why? There is no one-size-fits-all scenario. What one drone fails is what another is good at.
Now, the release of the Mini 3 Pro has created a major dilemma for those who own a Mavic Air 2S or were looking to upgrade to it.
I had this dilemma until I settled on one, so I’m happy to compare these two drones.
But if you’re wondering which is better, the DJI Mini 3 Pro or the Mavic Air 2S, which one is better?
Both are great drones, but the Air 2S has better video and photo quality, especially for those considering professional photography.
The Mini 3 Pro, on the other hand, is perfect for enthusiasts and makes a great upgrade from DJI Mini 2 or Mini SE for beginners.
Read on to find out which drone I chose, why, and what makes both drones great.
Editor’s choice
DJI Air 2S
DJI Air 2S has the ability to perceive the environment in four directions: up, down, forward and backward, allowing it to actively avoid obstacles even in complex scenarios and at high speeds.
Buy from Amazon
our review
Earn commission on purchases at no additional cost.
November 8, 2022 12:03 AM GMT
DJI Mini 3 Pro VS. DJI Air 2S
Let’s see the difference between these two drones based on their main features.
1. Camera and image quality
Sensor size is one of the main differences between the DJI Air 2S and Mini 3 Pro. The Air 2S has a 1 inch image sensor while the Mini 3 Pro has a 0.8 image sensor.
Second, the DJI Air 2S can shoot at both 4K and 5.4K, while the DJI Mini 3 Pro can only shoot at 4K. However, the Mini 3 Pro still has some similarities with the DJI Air 2S.
What initially broke the deal between the Air 2S and the Mini 3 Pro was that the Mini 3 Pro only had an 8-bit color grade, but after a recent update, the Mini 3 Pro shoots at 10-bit. It is now possible. Air 2S.
Both drones have intelligent flight modes including QuickShot, MasterShot, Spotlight, Point of Interest, Hyperlapse and ActiveTrack. Both can run his 120fps at 1080p.
The Mini 3 Pro also has a wider aperture and ISO range than the Air 2S. Shooting in portrait mode is also possible thanks to the vertical gimbal position.
Still, I think the image quality of the Air 2S is excellent. I recommend the Air 2S to anyone considering professional photography.
Another feature that differentiates them the most is the color profile, with the Air 2S having a wider color profile than the Mini 3 Pro.
Finally, the Air 2S has better zoom, up to 4x at 4K 30 fps and up to 8x at 1080p 30 fps. The Mini 3 Pro only offers 2x zoom at 4K.
But that doesn’t mean the Mini 3 Pro is that bad. We’ll let you know who we think is best for you later in the article.
2. Weight and size
If you want to skip the hassle of registering your drone, the Mini 3 Pro is perfect. DJI Mini 3 Pro is the upgraded version of DJI’s Mini series. So, it keeps the design under 250 grams while packing some advanced features.
It’s also relatively small and fits easily in your pocket or backpack. The DJI Air 2S isn’t too big either, but it weighs 595 grams, so it’s worth registering.
However, being heavier also means it can withstand more wind than the Mini 3 pro.
3. Battery and flight time
In terms of flight time, the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Air 2S are about the same (34 and 31 minutes respectively).
But it’s on paper. In the real world, you’ll get 25-31 minutes of flight time, depending on battery status, environmental conditions, and flight style.
However, there is an option to get a more powerful battery for the Mini 3 Pro that can last 40+ minutes, but this battery is not allowed in some regions such as the US and UK.
And given that the Air 2S is heavier, it means it has a more powerful battery to deliver such flight times.
4. Obstacle avoidance
DJI has finally decided to include obstacle avoidance in mini drones. Combining this technology with Follow Me mode allows you to enjoy the experience of more expensive DJI drones.
But is the obstacle avoidance feature the same as that of the Air 2S?
The Mini 3 Pro only has forward and downward sensors, while the Air 2S has upward, forward, downward and backward sensors.
As a result, the Air 2S is safer than the Mini 3 Pro when flying in areas with many obstacles.
The Air 2S also has LED lighting, allowing drone pilots to navigate and land in low-light areas, a feature the Mini 3 Pro lacks.
5. Controller
Both the Mini 3 Pro and DJI Air 2S use the RCN1 controller, a sleek, comfortable, lightweight and easy-to-use controller.
Both drones’ controllers are equipped with OcuSync 3.0 and can achieve a range of up to 12 KM with live footage at 1080p resolution.
However, for an additional fee, you can get a DJI RC controller with a 5-inch display. That means you don’t have to use your smartphone.
Unfortunately the DJI RC controller is not compatible with the Air 2S and your only other option is to get DJI’s much more expensive smart controller.
6. Price
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is a little pricier than previous Mini drones, but considering all the added features while keeping the weight under 250 grams, I’d say it’s worth it.
Now let’s compare it to the Air 2S.
Pricing for the Mini 3 Pro starts at $669 without a controller, $759 with a standard controller, and $909 with a controller with a built-in screen.
DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI RC)
4K/60fps video, 48MP photos, 34 min flight time, 3-way obstacle sensing, lightweight, foldable camera drone ideal for aerial photography and social media
Buy from Amazon
Earn commission on purchases at no additional cost.
November 8, 2022 12:04 AM GMT
The Air 2S, on the other hand, starts at $999 for the drone and one battery, but you can get the Fly More Combo, which includes three batteries, an ND filter, and other accessories for $1299.
And if you want DJI’s smart controller, you can add it to the package for a total of $1799. Considering all the accessories, the Mini 3 Pro still seems pretty cheap.
But we all know that price isn’t the only factor to consider. Best if you consider the price. I think the DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo is better value for money.
However, if you’re on a tight budget, you can save money and get the DJI Mini 3 Pro with the standard controller or without the controller if you’re upgrading from the Mini 2.
Who Should Get the DJI Mavic Air 2S?
If you want to do professional drone photography and videography, the DJI Air 2S is a better option. It outperforms the Mini 3 Pro in terms of camera quality, flight time, color profile and stability.
And don’t forget that the DJI Mavic Air 2S has been around for a long time. That means there are SDK updates that make it more compatible with third-party apps and allow you to do more.
Who Should Get the DJI Mini 3 Pro?
The Mini 3 Pro is the creator’s drone, or the drone that resonates with most people.
For those creating photo and video content for social media, or looking for a small drone to take with them on hikes, vacations, and other outdoor activities, the Mini 3 Pro is perfect.
The gimbal’s vertical position, 10-bit color profile, 3-way obstacle avoidance, and less than 250 grams design make it perfect for this kind of activity.
If you’ve ever posted drone videos or photos from other drones, you may have had to crop them for portraits, but with the Mini 3 Pro, that’s not the case.
” more: How to Create Vertical Content with Drones (Not Mini 3)
Should I upgrade from Mini 2 to Mini 3 Pro?
If you have a Mini, Mini 2, or Mini SE, the Mini 3 Pro is the perfect upgrade.
It has features not found in other mini drones such as a better camera, longer flight time, keeping the weight under 250 grams, a controller with a built-in screen, and even obstacle avoidance.
Should I replace my Air 2S with a Mini 3 Pro?
If you already own an Air 2S, switching to the Mini 3 Pro is not an upgrade.
However, while it’s light enough that you can get it as an extra drone for on-the-go travel, I don’t think the Mini 3 Pro will be the “killer” of the Air 2S as some users claim.
Plus, the Air 2S controller is compatible with the DJI Mini 3 Pro, so you only pay $669 for the drone. With such a contract, it wouldn’t hurt to have both drones.
Hopefully in the future there will be an update to make the Mini 3 Pro’s RC controller compatible with the Air 2S.
DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. DJI Air 2S – Summary
Below is a table highlighting the main differences between these two drones.
| feature | DJI Mini 3 Pro | DJI Air 2S |
| size | Folded: 145 x 90 x 62 mm Unfolded: 171 x 245 x 62 mm With propeller: 251 x 362 x 70 mm | Folded: 180 x 97 x 77 mm Unfolded: 183 x 253 x 77 mm |
| diagonal length | 247mm | 302mm |
| image sensor | 1/1.3 inch CMOS | 1 inch CMOS |
| takeoff weight | 249g | 595g |
| maximum flight time | Normal battery: 34 minutes New pro battery: 47 minutes | 31 minutes |
| photo resolution | 48MP | 20MP |
| maximum.image size | 12MP | 20MP |
| video resolution | Up to 4K/60fps HDR | 5.4K/30fps, 4K/60fps |
| lens | Aperture: f/1.7 | Aperture: f/2.8 |
| Obstacle detection | 3-way obstacle detection | 4-way obstacle detection |
| Battery cell configuration | lithium ion | lithium polymer |
| Battery Type | lithium ion | Lipo 3S |
| Charge voltage limit | 8.5V | 12.6V/13.2V |
Which drone will you choose?
It all boils down to what a drone needs. Most DJI drones have some differences between drone models due to overlapping features.
But if you’re just starting your drone career and looking for a good drone to invest in, I want to go by Air 2S.
I have participated in a project that used the DJI Air 2S to stream video directly to a live TV broadcast.
But for leisure and content creation, the Mini 3 Pro is good enough.
If my budget allows, I’d like to get both.
