Thanks for testing my article on which I believe is healthier, the DJI Mini 3, or the DJI Mavic Air 2.
I’m an enormous fan of the DJI Air sequence. I owned and cherished the unique, oddly designed DJI Mavic Air and proceed to like and use the following fashions, all the way in which to the most recent iteration, the DJI Air 3.
Likewise, after the discharge of the Mini 3 Professional, together with the Mini 3 and Mini 4 Professional, I grew to become an enormous fan of DJI’s Mini drone lineup and personal all of those as nicely.
As a result of I’m such a fan of each the DJI Air and DJI Mini sequence of drones, I assumed I’d share my alternative between each for this 12 months.
We have now to do not forget that “higher or finest” is subjective. What’s the higher choice for one drone proprietor may not be one of the best for one more.
On this article, we’ll study the variations between the DJI Mavic Air 2 and the DJI Mini 3, who may profit from both mannequin, and why the DJI Mini 3 can be my more sensible choice over the DJI Air 2 for informal and leisure flyers.
If you’re available in the market for a brand new leisure DJI drone, this text ought to show to be useful.
Temporary Overview
DJI Mini 3
The DJI Mini 3, launched in December of 2022, is a couple of years newer than the Mavic Air 2 and hits that beneath 250 g candy spot.
The Mini 3 is the logical successor to the Mini 2 and Mini 2 SE. As such, it advantages from the airframe redesign handed down from the beforehand launched Mini 3 Professional.
For these aware of flying DJI Mini drones, the Mini 3 handles equally.
Just like the Mini 2, Mini 2 SE, and even the Mavic Air 2, the Mini 3 runs on the OcuSync 2.0 video transmission system, which, though two iterations behind the OcuSync 4.0 of at the moment, nonetheless works capably in lots of conditions.
New to the beforehand launched Mini 3 Professional, the Mini 3 additionally advantages from two completely different batteries. After having used these choices, it’s troublesome to return to only one kind of battery with solely half-hour of flight time.
The Mini 3 advantages from:
- Vertical capturing to add content material instantly to social media
- The choice to shoot 48 MP RAW pictures, that are excellent for in-depth photograph modifying
- 4k 30 FPS video for making high-resolution reminiscences
- 51 minutes of flight time on Plus model batteries to maintain you within the air longer
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 – Newbie’s Information
DJI Mavic Air 2
The DJI Mavic Air 2 was launched again in 2020, making it nearly 4 years outdated on the time of this text’s publishing. In drone years, that’s nearly a lifetime. Nonetheless, the Mavic Air 2 has aged nicely.
The Mavic Air 2 was an vital step within the development of the Mavic Air sequence. It not solely moved away from the toy-like design of the unique Mavic Air, however in doing so, it additionally laid the muse for the strong, much-loved Mavic Air sub-genre.
The Mavic Air 2 appeared extra akin to the bigger, then-popular Mavic 2 Professional and Mavic 2 Zoom whereas together with a number of the security options drone homeowners count on in at the moment’s fashions.
Not solely did the Mavic Air sequence get a redesign with the Air 2, however the distant controller additionally acquired a much-needed replace.
The Mavic Air 2 moved away from the acquainted distant controller, which on the time positioned cellphones on the backside of the controller. Utilizing the then-new DJI RC-N1, cellphones have been (and nonetheless are) on the high of the controller, making it simpler and extra snug to fly.
The four-year-old DJI Mavic Air 2 gives:
- Three-way impediment avoidance sensing, which, when used accurately, aids in safer flight maneuvers
- APAS 3.0 which permits the Mavic Air 2 to efficiently navigate round, beneath, and over obstacles
- Three completely different monitoring modes: ActiveTrack 3.0, Level of Curiosity 3.0, and Highlight 2.0, for getting one of the best automated photographs of topics
- 34 minutes of battery life, which for years was customary within the drone business
» MORE: Do I Have to Register my Mavic Air 2?
Fast Verdict
As a result of the Mini 3 and Mavic Air 2 are so completely different in some ways, whereas having nice options, the decision was just a little troublesome to return to.
Because it stands, if shopping for a drone for leisure functions, the Mini 3 can be my alternative.
The Mini 3 is a good all-around drone for inexperienced persons and fanatics. Weighing beneath 250 g can be a really large deal for a lot of, as we’ll talk about additional.
Whereas, sure, the Mavic Air 2 does have a lot of the related tech we’ve got all grown to like and count on in at the moment’s drones, the Mavic Air 2 can be 4 years outdated. It’s getting old nicely, however, for a lot of, newer is extra snug by way of longevity.
For this fast verdict, when contemplating a brand new solely leisure drone, the next are most vital to me:
- Value
- Measurement/Portability
- Picture high quality
- Flight time
If somebody is seeking to get a comparatively cheap drone that doesn’t must be registered and in addition takes first rate to superb photos, then the Mini 3 is the higher of the 2 drones, for my part.
» MORE: Finest On-line Drone Colleges (Free & Paid)
What are the Major Variations?
We’ll take a look at the Mini 3 first.
- Measurement and Weight: Whereas the bigger measurement of the Mavic Air 2 is a plus (as we’ll quickly see), the scale of the Mini 3 is one thing to be appreciated by many. The Mini 3 is sufficiently small to place in a small bag. With the Mini 3 weighing lower than 250 g, that signifies that, in the USA, it doesn’t must be registered.
- Bigger Digicam Sensor: In comparison with the 1/2″ sensor on the Mavic Air 2, the Mini 3’s bigger 1/1.3″ shouldn’t be solely bigger but in addition takes higher low-light pictures, with its stacked sensor, than the Mavic Air 2.
- Vertical Capturing: As a nod to the unique Mavic Professional of 2016, the digicam on the Mini 3 bodily and totally rotates 90 levels. This enables the Mini 3 to shoot portrait-mode pictures and movies and submit them to social media with out the necessity for post-process cropping.
- Battery Choices: The Mini 3 Professional was the primary to make use of two battery choices of various sizes, Commonplace and Plus. The Mini 3 advantages from this. The Commonplace battery choice has producers’ reported flight occasions of 38 minutes whereas preserving the Mini 3 beneath the 250 g threshold. The heavier Plus choice takes the burden of the Mini 3 over 250 g however produces 53 minutes of flight time.
Now, trying on the Mavic Air 2, we see it has some stand-out options as nicely.
- Measurement and Weight: The Mavic Air 2 weighs 570 g, greater than double the burden of the Mini 3. With this additional weight, the Mavic Air 2 is a good bit extra steady within the air than the Mini 3, though they’re each Stage 5 wind-resistant drones.
- Tri-directional Imaginative and prescient Sensors: It is a characteristic missing within the Mini 3, however performs a significant half for the Mavic Air 2. The Mavic Air 2 has entrance, rear, and backside sensors, all attributing to the Mavic Air 2’s security options.
- Clever Monitoring Modes: As follow-me modes are a extremely fascinating operate at the moment within the drone world, the Mavic Air 2 having them for 4 years now is a good factor, permitting for lots of the standard modes discovered within the newer drones like its successor, the Air 3.
- D-Cinelike Shade Profile: Whereas not a 10-bit shade profile, the Mavic Air 2 does have the flatter D-Cinelike video shade profile, which is ideal for these wanting to paint grade their video footage.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 vs. DJI Air 2S (Which One is Proper for You?)
DJI Mini 3
For many who like the shape issue of the beforehand launched Mini 3 Professional, the Mini 3 retains the look of the Mini 3 Professional, and it handles equally as nicely.
Shared by each the Mini 3 Professional and the Mini 3 is similar 1/1.3 digicam that’s outfitted on the DJI Air 3 and likewise used because the Mavic 3 Professional’s medium tele digicam.
The Mini 3 can shoot 48 MP pictures utilizing the identical quad-bayer expertise present in these dearer drones, though there’s nonetheless some debate surrounding the effectiveness and general resolutions achieved by this expertise.
Moreover, the Mini 3 is able to capturing 4k 30fps movies, one thing that has not been seen beforehand in customary, non-Professional variations of the Mini line.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 vs. Mini 3 Professional (Which Drone Is Higher?)
Wanting on the bodily digicam, we see that, along with the brand new 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, the digicam can bodily rotate vertically. This was one thing launched with the unique launch of the Mini 3 Professional and appears to be a characteristic we’ll proceed to see in subsequent Mini fashions, as additionally it is on the Mini 4 Professional.
In fact, one other standout characteristic of the Mini 3 is its excellent battery life.
Presently, as of the writing of this text, the Mini 3 has the longest battery life present in a client DJI drone. We’ll be taking a look at this just a little nearer shortly.
Our Decide
DJI Mini 3 Fly Extra
- RC-N1 Controller (No Display)
- Fly Extra Equipment
- Deco Gear Backpack + Equipment
- 4K Video, 38min Flight Time, True Vertical Capturing, Clever Modes
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01/19/2024 11:22 pm GMT
DJI Mavic Air 2
When the Mavic Air 2 was launched, it was a good bit forward of its time.
In comparison with its predecessor, the Mavic Air, the Mavic Air 2 was, and is, merely head and shoulders above the unique iteration of the Mavic Air.
The Mavic Air 2 was launched with a lot of the tech that drone homeowners now take as a right.
Certainly one of these can be 48 MP pictures. This was unprecedented on the time, particularly from such a small picture sensor. Even again then, although, many weren’t satisfied that the Quad Bayer 48 MP pictures have been actually sharper than the 12 MP pictures the digicam natively produced.
» MORE: DJI Mavic Air 2 vs. Holy Stone HS720E (Right here’s My Alternative)
According to the digicam, the video coming from the Mavic Air 2 was actually good, benefitting from two video shade profiles: Regular and D-Cinelike.
Though not 8-bit shade, it’s good that the Mavic Air 2 can nonetheless cater to these desirous to take their video shade grading up a notch or two utilizing the flat D-Cinelike profile.
Moreover, the Mavic Air 2 is able to filming movies in 4k 60 fps, which have been resolutions and framerates reserved for DJI’s then top-tiered prosumer drones just like the Mavic 2 line and Phantom 4 Professional.
Lastly, one of many largest issues going for the Mavic Air 2, even now, is its three-way impediment avoidance system. This not solely retains the Mavic Air 2 safer when flying but in addition permits it to profit from numerous monitoring modes.
It’s exhausting to consider that a lot expertise was truly obtainable 4 years in the past, particularly on the value level the Mavic Air 2 was then.
DJI Mavic Air 2 Fly Extra Combo
The Mavic Air 2 digicam drone takes energy and portability to the following stage. It combines a robust digicam with clever capturing modes for gorgeous outcomes.
We earn a fee in case you make a purchase order, at no extra value to you.
01/19/2024 04:06 pm GMT
Head-to-Head Comparability
Digicam (Pictures)
Winner: DJI Mini 3
In the case of comparisons between the digicam on the Mini 3 and Mavic Air 2’s digicam, the Mini 3 wins out.
On this planet of expertise, oftentimes, newer is healthier. It’s because, over time, expertise will get higher and higher whereas additionally getting smaller and smaller. This development permits firms to pack extra tech of their units in both the identical and even smaller footprint.
The tech that has gone into the 1/1.3″ CMOS Digicam within the Mini 3 is similar used within the Mini 3 Professional, Mini 4 Professional, Air 3, and Mavic 3 Professional‘s medium tele digicam.
Utilizing a stacked sensor with a really giant f/1.7 aperture, the Mini 3 is able to taking spectacular low-light pictures and even video.
The ensuing blended and low-light pictures are much more spectacular than these produced by the 1/2″ digicam on the Mavic Air 2.
Digicam (Video)
Winner: DJI Mavic Air 2
The Mavic Air 2, whereas not taking as spectacular pictures because the Mini 3, does shine within the video division.
A well-liked decision and framerate mixture many drone homeowners love is 4k 60 fps, which the Mavic Air 2 is able to capturing. If you’re a fan of slow-ish movement, then 4k60 is the right high-resolution choice.
Along with capturing 4k 60 fps, the Mavic Air 2 may make the most of the D-Cinelike shade profile.
D-Cinelike is a flat shade profile, retaining extra dynamic vary than the Regular shade profile. This allows you to get just a little extra artistic when color-grading the Air 2’s video footage.
For these desirous to deliver their cinematic imaginative and prescient to life, the video capabilities on the Mavic Air 2 can greater than accomplish this.
» MORE: Finest Drones for Evening Time Use (Images & Video)
Flight Efficiency
Winner: DJI Mavic Air 2
Utilizing the EXP settings throughout the DJI Fly app, each the Mini 3 and Mavic Air 2 fly might be adjusted to fly nearly identically.
The place the Mavic 2 Air edges out the Mini 3 performance-wise all boils right down to general pace.
The Mavic Air 2 is quicker than the Mini 3.
The Mini 3 can fly in Sport mode at 35.7 mph or 16 m/s, whereas the Mavic Air 2 can fly as much as 42.5 mph or 19 m/s in Sport mode.
For some, the distinction in top-end pace shouldn’t be a precedence by any means. Whereas for others, having a sooner top-end means getting the Mavic Air 2 from one location to the following sooner to start filming with the 4k 60 fps digicam.
On the finish of the day, although, flying any drone at 45 mph is terribly enjoyable!
» MORE: What’s the Quickest DJI Drone?
Portability and extra
Winner: DJI Mini 3
That is the place the Mini 3 wins arms down. There’s a lot concerned on this, and it could be the one deciding issue why drone homeowners would decide the Mini 3 over the Mavic Air 2 any day.
The Mini 3 is a sub-250 g drone and might match within the palm of your hand. That is vital for 2 foremost causes.
Firstly, being beneath 250 g signifies that the Mini 3 doesn’t must be registered in the USA whether it is getting used solely for leisure functions.
Whereas the price of registering a drone within the US is just $5, for a lot of, it isn’t the price of registration however the governmental reasoning behind registration and wanting to remain nameless.
Secondly, because the Mini 3 is beneath 250 g and doesn’t must be registered, it additionally doesn’t must be RID compliant. With the timeframe for RID compliance getting narrower and narrower, that is one much less factor for drone homeowners, new and seasoned alike, to have to fret about.
Moreover, with the Mini 3 being so small and weighing so little, it’s the very best journey and open air drone. You may merely toss the Mini 3 in a bag, backpack, or perhaps a pair of unfastened shorts and be in your manner.
In the case of DJI’s line of Mini drones, I all the time deliver one alongside within the armrest of my SUV simply in case one thing is attention-grabbing to snap when out and about.
» MORE: Does the DJI Mini 3 Have to Be Registered? (Defined for Inexperienced persons)
Battery Life
Winner: DJI Mini 3
Battery life is one other crucial facet of drone possession, and the Mini 3 wins arms down.
With the Mini 3, gone are the times of swapping batteries out each 20 or so minutes (if touchdown at 25%).
The Mini 3 advantages from using the 2 completely different capability batteries that the Mini 3 Professional and Mini 4 Professional use: the Commonplace 2453 mAh choice and the Plus 3850 mAh choice.
The Commonplace choice battery has reported flight occasions of as much as 37 minutes. If you’re planning on staying beneath the 250 g weight for the explanations talked about beforehand, that is the right battery choice.
The Plus choice has flight occasions of as much as 51 minutes. That is unprecedented in a DJI drone and is at the moment the longest-lasting battery choice of any Mini drone.
If utilizing the Plus choice battery, beware that the burden of the battery pushes the Mini 3 over the 250 g threshold, which would require the drone to be registered in the USA.
In fact, in all actuality, most flyers received’t obtain these flight occasions as a result of various outdoors forces corresponding to climate. Nevertheless, the Mini 3 does certainly fly for a really very long time. A lot in order that I typically end flying earlier than the third battery is exhausted.
» MORE: Flight Time of All DJI Drones (Defined)
Distant Controller Compatability
Winner: Tie
The Mavic Air 2 was launched alongside the then-new DJI RC-N1. I’m a diehard fan of the RC-N1 and assume it is likely one of the better-built and better-designed distant controllers in the marketplace. The RC-N1 can be suitable with the Mini 3.
When the all-in-one DJI RC was launched, there was plenty of hypothesis relating to which drones would be capable of use it. The Mini 3 shouldn’t be solely suitable with the DJI RC however is included in lots of combos offered on-line.
Alternatively, the Mavic Air 2 works with an older DJI all-in-one controller, the DJI Good Controller. This was the unique iteration of DJI’s good controller and is unfortunately now not in manufacturing. Nevertheless, lots are nonetheless being offered on-line.
In case you have an older DJI Good Controller (not the brand new DJI RC Professional), you may nonetheless profit from an built-in screened controller to be used with the Mavic Air 2.
Present Mini 3 suitable controller record:
Mavic Air 2 suitable controller record:
» MORE: Finest Drone Controllers
Impediment Avoidance
Winner: DJI Mavic Air 2
That is the place the Mavic Air 2 actually has a bonus.
The Air 2 has a three-way impediment avoidance system, with cameras detecting obstacles to the entrance, rear, and backside.
With this technique in place, the Mavic Air 2 scans the quick space and plots its manner above, beneath, and round obstacles as you fly, when you have these choices toggled on within the DJI Fly app. In fact, we suggest being alert all the time when flying and never solely relying on the impediment avoidance system.
As a result of the Mavic Air 2 has impediment avoidance on-board, it likewise advantages from lots of the follow-me modes which might be so standard at the moment, these being:
These three monitoring modes do a superb job of following topics of your selecting, whether or not folks, autos, or watercraft.
Moreover, if touring and planning on showcasing a specific landmark, POI (focal point) works fairly nicely.
For these available in the market trying on the Mini 3 or Mavic Air 2 and wanting topic monitoring, the Air 2 is the drone of alternative.
» MORE: Impediment Avoidance in DJI Drones (Defined for Inexperienced persons)
Pricing
Winner: DJI Mini 3
Between the Mini 3 and Mavic Air 2, the Mini 3 is the least costly drone at the moment by $200.
Relating to what’s included with every combo, they’re nearly equivalent. With the Mini 3, nonetheless, you’re getting a more moderen drone for a good bit much less, whereas additionally getting much less within the video and system security departments.
If you’re on a price range, the Mini 3 is the plain alternative.
» MORE: Finest Reasonably priced Drones for Journey
Conclusion
On the outset of this text, I discussed selecting the higher of the 2 drones, based mostly strictly on getting up and flying as a leisure flyer.
On this specific case, the Mini 3 is that drone for me.
The Mini 3 is ideal for anybody pretty new to Drone Life with a price range. The Mini 3 can be newer, straightforward to fly, and intensely transportable. These are issues leisure flyers oftentimes search for.
Whether or not seeking to throw the Mini 3 in a bag for journey or deliver it alongside for a nature stroll or hike, it’s lots able to taking nice photos in such locales.
For many who would somewhat not register their drone in the USA, the Mini 3 is the one choice for this. The Mavic Air 2 is twice the burden of the Mini 3 and, subsequently, have to be registered.
Moreover, in case you aren’t seeking to zip alongside at 45 mph however want to get essentially the most battery life out of any DJI drone in the marketplace, then the Mini 3 suits the invoice.
For many who need to movie in 4k 60 fps and achieve this whereas monitoring topics with the added safety of three-way impediment avoidance, then the Mavic Air 2 is the right choice for you.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE Points: 9 Issues You Ought to Know (Should-Learn)
