DJI Mini 3 Pro or DJI Air 2S? Two Brilliant Models for 2023 - Full Comparison
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 มิ.ย. 2024
- #dji #djimini3pro #djiair2s #whichdrone
Still wondering which of these to go for? Both have pros and cons; I list the features for a quick comparison between these two top-selling DJI drones to help you decide which model drone is best for you. I cover the technical specs, the camera, sensor, features, where you can fly and what you can do with each model. Hopefully this will help you decide which is the best mid-price consumer drone with 4K video in 2023.
**
Thinking of getting a DJI Drone? Help me & my channel by clicking through to DJI or Amazon to look at their offers.
DJI Mini 3 Pro: click.dji.com/AEuZkXQPaPK75Dh...
DJI Air 3: click.dji.com/AFAzwZgAJGcTYjc...
DJI Mavic 3 Classic: click.dji.com/ALfKaszpfV6Wgd5...
DJI Avata: click.dji.com/AMZ3lRuVyaJYSKL...
Useful Stuff I use:
Anker 32W USB C Fast Charger for Mini2 & Mini 3s: amzn.to/3BqeqSJ
Omnicharge 20c+Powerbank: amzn.to/3S2FOxc
Sandisk Ultra high speed write: amzn.to/2QRsxdg
DJI Radio Mic: store.dji.com/uk/product/dji-mic
Ultra fast USB Flash Drive: amzn.to/2UJiSJK
Freewell ND Filters: amzn.to/3WB2DJZ
Anker Portable Power station for charging: amzn.to/3I5qzQ2
Affiliate links don't cost you any more but do give my channel a small
commission which helps me buy more stuff to test and review for you.
** I disable mid-roll adverts on my videos to make things nicer to watch! You can buy me a beer or coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/ianinlondon
or
www.paypal.me/Ianinlondon1
or better still, join my channel at th-cam.com/users/ianinlondonjoin
**
Images in multiple formats with easy shipping to USA, UK & Worldwide:
fineartamerica.com/profiles/i...
** The excellent Drone Scene app: dronescene.co.uk/
Now with 12 months £5m liability insurance & access to all features for just £25 a year:
Get 10% off with code "IanInLondon": greyarro.ws/faq#insurance
All run by the most useful & friendliest UK-based Grey Arrows Drone Club:
greyarro.ws/
Music in today's video: Epidemic Sound
Use the link for a free trial: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Happy flying everyone.... Ian - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
i just got my mini 3 pro😃
2 years ago i started flying drones,my choice was the mini 2. 6 months back i’ve bought the air 2s who is now my main drone. The mini 2 became my backup drone for places were i can’t fly the air 2s. For me it was a huge upgrade coming from the mini 2,the air 2s is a tank up in the air. Very solid and the photoquality is just stunning…even more so in lowlight in my opinion. That’s were the drone or better said the 1 inch sensor really makes the difference and the drone shines. A few weeks back i went for a vacation to the Dutch coast and the air 2s provided me with stunning shots…even better then i hoped they would be. For me the combination mini drone and a bigger drone works really well. In the near feature i will upgrade the mini 2 to the mini 3 pro,that way i have an awesome combination i think. Good video,appreciate it 👍🏻
If you have a chance to get a deal on the air 3 it's got wildly good night imaging, if that's your thing
Hi Ian, I have an A2 and am happy with it. It is sufficient for amateur flying, but now I am thinking about the A3Pro and especially a large RC controller. You put a bug in my head. Great video again👍.
I'm sorry, I'm using a translator, I'm not very good at English.
Hello
Good comparison video Ian
Cheers Ian, another clear and informative video 👍
Air 2s does have 10 bit D-Log and HLG mode, which is easily processed into HDR10 and looks good on my OLED. May require colour grading a bit though
Very useful, thank you very much!
I love my Mini 3 Pro! Garden is looking amazing too. Another great vid! I’ve been brave and post d my first ever twittering vid! I’m good at twittering, but as soon as I turned the cam on I would go all self conscious. Now I couldn’t care less😂
Very informative. Thanks
Thanks Ian. Lot's of good info here. I have both drones. Both are fantastic and both have different use cases. I use the Mini 3 Pro with the RC controller when I am on the move doing aerial urban photography. I can get the M3Pro into the air really quickly and it's super quiet so that members of the public (or security!) can't hear it. It is also very portable and slots into the bag on my bike for fast-moving shoot-and-go photography. I use the Air 2s (with the RC-N1 controller and iPad) when I need to do high-quality landscape photography, and/or when there is high wind. I generally fly the A2S from comfort of my car on the edge of the location. I find that the picture and video quality of the A2S is superior to the already excellent M3Pro - however both produce poster-quality images and I've had images from both drones blown up and they look fantastic. I just finished a shoot two days ago with my Air 2s and I am going out for another shoot this weekend with my Mini 3 Pro. Both have solid place in my photography journey.
Thanks Ian, another great nuts and bolts video without getting tied up in too many technicalities 👍
Good one Ian. Thanks.
Nice little video Ian
Gardens looking splendid.
Another great review, Ian. And you reinforce my affinity for my Mini 3 Pro. Cheers from Wisconsin, U.S.A.
For me it's a no brainer. I still love my Air2S and if I had to choose between loosing my Mini3 Pro or the Air2S, it would be the Air2s every time. It's better made and more stable. I am not so convinced by the quality control on the Mini3 Pro. I am so fed up with the restrictions placed on drone pilots that I never fly in and around other people. So again, the Mini3 Pro doesn't gain points there. I use the RC Controller (not the PRO version), so can use that for flying both drones. BUT, I can't use Litchi on the RC Controller or with the Mini3 Pro (because the SDK doesn't support it).
Thanks, you helped me a lot with this comparison in my buying decision.🙂 👍
Excellent Comparison Review Video. Thank You Ian.
Cheers Doug! :)
Really interesting video Ian. You are very good at giving hobbyists professional information in an accessible way. I am still learning about filming and photography, editing and processing with my Mini 2 ( that I still love). Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Keep at it!
I bought the Air 2 S based on your recommendation, and to be honest Ian - its one of the best drones I have ever own! A small powerhouse work horse. I am still enjoying what it puts out.
I don't think that's changed! At the time, it truly was my favourite drone, and remained so until the new mini 3 Pro came out coinciding the change in rules allowing small drones more freedom to fly. So it's more a case of other factors changing my preference slightly; Air 2 S is still the superior build quality and camera by a long way 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Great comparison Ian
Thanks for the comparison Ian. It looks like you are having nice weather. It was nice to hear Teddy say hello during the video.😀
Love this video. Thank you for making it. I’m having exactly this debate right now. Of course if an Air 3 comes later this summer all bets are off. To me, I think the ideal kit right now is mini 3 pro and a Mavic 3 Classic - but I guess it all comes down to use cases. Thanks again for making this video.
Thumbs up Ian. Mucho gracious Perth Australia
Superb Ian. You absolutely nailed it for me when you showed that the pixel sizes are identical (stills are my 'thing' and I have the M 3 Pro)
(This reminded me of many years ago when shooting with my Nikon D70 [Yes!!!] The pixel size on that sensor was larger than the then Nikon Pro bodies and produced fabulous images! (I had several 'glossy' front covers with it) Great videeo Ian - as always. Thank you.
Great comparision, Ian. Thanks.
I own both drones and I've actually hade problems with the M3P in strong winds, when I fly slowly. Not so with my A2S.
Thanks for the comparison, Ian. I went for the Mini3P, mainly for the greater freedom to fly in more places and camera quality is amazing. Plus on the go battery charging via usb c port from either drone or charging hub. It would be great to see Waypoints for video in a future update! 🙏
Mini 3 Pro is incredible tech easily the best drone out
Excellent video comparison, Ian! I own them both and for me the difference comes down to size and noise level. If I want to fly somewhere an lessen the likelihood of being noticed then I use the Mini 3 Pro. However, if flying in windy conditions, then I am more likely to take the Air 2S.
Dji mini2 for the win.
Hi Ian, lucky to have both, and my second Mini 3 Pro after a flyaway :(. Love the Air 2 S for open flying and taken great vids and pics with it. Still playing with the Mini 3 pro and trying to convince myself it can do more than the Air 2 S and give it more fly time to see and try. Great review as always, and a s you say a close match. Personal preference at the end of the day. Like my DJI 2 as well :)
I started out with the Mavic Air 2 and decided against the Mini 2 at the time. I wanted the heavier drone for more stability mostly. The camera and functionality seemed to tilt more so in favor of the Air 2 as well.
I later upgraded to the Air 2S as opposed to buying the mini 3. I simply like the bigger drone of the two. I love the image quality. My only drawback would be the battery size, but since I was coming the Air 2 and originally purchased the Fly More combo, I was setup fairly nicely with extra batteries. The mini 3 Pro looks awesome. I don’t think you’d go wrong with either choice, but I know a few pilots who’ve literally lost their mini’s to heavy wind gusts ~ that’s a sad day I’d like to avoid if at all possible
I also have both drones and use the dji rc on both, I must say that the mini 3 pro is most definitely good enough for my needs and that's the one I use over the air 2s unless it's windy..... Great video as always. 👍👍
Fred - Guernsey. The Mini 3 Pro - for me, helps with my Risk Assessments - which have to be approved by our airport for any commercial work. Certainly works well in built up areas like doing roof surveys etc. Great video - oh, I’ve never used the map function so much since I saw that video !
Gracias
Thanks Ian I love my Mini 3 Pro I don't any other drone for now. 👍👍
You have the perfect model 🤠👍🏻
Ian, I wish that someone like you, who has influence with DJI, will ask them to give the Air 2S a proper and long overdue firmware update, then the Air 2S will kick serious butt again.
I think they're working on the Air 3 S.... 😉
Nice 🤝
The Air 2S came out a couple of months after I got the Air 2 (darn it!) and as strictly a hobbyist I didn't see any need to upgrade. So I hope the Air 2S continues to sell well, which might keep me in batteries for a while. 😆
I agree with you that the mini 3 pro is better with more freedom and better at night time and lighter weight and smaller makes it a great travel companion
Great comparison video! I'm with you the dji RC is buy far the best experience when flying drones. Mini 3 pro all the way I'd I had to choose! Although air 2s is a fantastic drone and I miss my mavic air 2 drone.
Shows my decision to sell my Air2 and stick with the mini 3
👍
Do you use dlog and HLG? HLG is genuine HDR and true 10 bit.
Had an Air 2s delivered yesterday. Paid £999 for the combo kit. Flew it today. The quality of the build is much better than my mini 2.
Oh yes. It's a solid piece of kit 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻.
@@IaninLondon Cheers.
Thanks, Ian.
I have the Air2s for the last 12 months and was thinking of adding mini 3pro as additional drone to fly and film in more locations.
You helped me with my decision.
I will order a mini3 Pro ASAP 👍
With the RC screen remote ;)
Yes, with the RC remote and pair both drones.
Thanks Ian
Excellent I keep my mini pro … 😜
I’ve just gone and bought the Mini3 Pro+ today funnily enough, gone for the Combo unit with the New Remote Controller! So thanks for that Ian, you’ve confirmed for me that I did right in spending my money! As alwys Cheers mate (Egészségedr)! 👍🍷😎
Ah, that's great Rogar. You know you'll love it 👍🏻👍🏻
i couldn’t decide so i got both… but at the minute i love the mini 3 pro. i am loving that i can fly in much more areas but while i’ve had no issue in the wind i would still trust the air 2s more… both great drones but the mini 3 pro is just sensational 👍🏻
All spot on, Ian!
I love my Air 2S and love my Mini 3 pro, equally. Funny thing is when I fly one, I think I don't need the other...until I fly it. And it goes back and forth each time. Mostly, I use the Mini 3 Pro because it's light and easy to carry, especially when I make bike videos. The tracking is insane; not perfect but totally great! And at 249 grams, I never met a windy condition it couldn't handle. Just that alone really blows my mind and I love it. I have both the Rc controller and the Pro controller. I feel I wasted my money on the Pro controller because the Rc is lighter and the screen is bright enough to see even in bright sun. Maybe the only thing I like better about the Air 2S is the picture quality. With the video, I usually shoot in 1080P 30 frames per second, and am happy with the quality.
I got the new Mavic 3 Pro and haven't opened the box yet. But can't wait to get out there and play around with it! However, I am thinking about getting the Pro controller for it, but hate the fact I can't use the Pro controller I already have. So, soon as I get over my annoyance, I might drop the money.
Great video and great comparison, I have a Mavic Air2, Mini2 and Mini3 pro. I had this dilemma just before getting the mini3 but at the time the Air2s was more expensive. I decided to go for the Mini 3 so I would have very little restrictions. I see there is some rumours that there may be an Air3 be interesting to see if it happens and what they do.
Yeah. will be interesting to see an Air 3S.....
@Ian in London Yeah definitely at first I didn't think they would with all the mavic 3s but they could easily do one with minor upgrades keeping the 1" sensor and probably having the horizontal and vertical camera like the mini3.
Hi Ian, this is slightly off topic, but I wonder if you have any experience of flying in Switzerland?
I have followed you for a while and currently have a Mavic Air and an FPV.
It seems the drone laws in Switzerland are quite strict, which has put me on to considering a Mini 3 Pro, the sub 250g weight and the capabilities of it seem to make it a no brainier?
Am I correct in saying that in Switzerland a sub 250g drone doesn’t require the million franc liability insurance or the registration that a heavier drone (like the ones I already own) would need?
Also, the area I’m going to is around 1000 metres above sea level, the DJI FLY app shows it is in an “Altitude Restriction 500m”, does this mean a DJI drone wouldn’t be able to take off anyway?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give with this.
Agreed. Bought the 2s then the mini 3 pro. I hardly ever use the air 2s and use either the mini 3 pro for the reasons mentioned
Hi Ian, great comparison of these two drones. When the Mini 3 Pro came out there seemed a big question mark as to its range with many pilots reporting that the specs on paper was wildly optimistic. The Air 2S frequently achieved its theoretical range. I was wondering if this is down to the controllers or to the drones themselves? Would you be interested in testing whether a similar range is achievable with your Air 2S paired with the new RC and the N1 controllers? It would be great to know once in for all if the weakness in range is down to the RC or the drone. Thanks for the great videos 👍👍
I won't do long distance range tests. I think the CAA would be knocking on my door quite quickly 🤠. The Mini 3 Pro is fine for my every day flying unless I'm surrounded by trees that often block the signal, as they do for all models 👍🏻
Hello, I have a problem with my Mavic Air 2S, I have caution flight warning and no GPS, can you help me?
Would the mini 3 be any good in mountainous terrain, e.g scotland, himalayas etc? I took an old Air 2 to Norway and flew it on top of a windy peak and it did a really good job. The weather in Nepal can be pretty stable though, even at 5000m.
Yes. It's absolutely amazing on strong wind. Look at the video I uploaded 2 weeks ago.
I'm very happy with my Air 2s. I never fly in built up areas or around other people. I fly strictly in mountains or countryside usually not a single person around me. I need stability in bad weather and good low light quality. I do a lot more photos than videos as a still photographer and want something that can get to the shot fast and come back fast.
The photos coming out of my new 2S are blowing me away.
I had to make this choice last fall. I chose the Air 2S for these reasons. I live in the Chicago suburbs and it’s called the Windy City for a reason. The Air 2S is much better in the wind than the Mini 3 pro. I also know there is no cooling fan on the Mini 3 pro. It gets warm here as well and although we haven’t had the heat yet, the fan on the Air 2S should be capable of cooling.
I own both. Pros for mini3 is ability to fly with new googles. The air2s is much more stable in strong winds, there is big difference in video smoothnes comaped to mini3. Also, for people who knows what they are doing, air2s is "hackable", mini3 is not, when flying in the mountains you can still stay legal hight but quickly reach 500m altitude limit. So I take mini3 when poketability is required, I still think the dji could do better job as RC for mini3 is not really compact.. air2s for specific applications, perfect mountain drone. Cheers
One main advantage with the Air2s I find is the availibility of one of the most costly items , 2nd hand Genuine Batteries I get from MPB . But I would like a mini 3 /pro for the freedom and the vertical video if you wanted to share things to instagram easier
I have picked up a couple of Plus batteries for the Mini 3 Pro and it makes all the difference 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks Ian for another great vid.
However, I don't agree with the sub 250's having more flexibility as to where you fly. I think until this stupid VLOS requirement goes back to meaning 500m it is just different. I don't have an Air 2S or Mini 3 but do have a Mini 2, Mavic Pro and and a Phantom 4 adv and this weekend have had the opportunity with clear blue skies to do a real world VLOS assessment.
I can fly the Mini in built up areas and over people but can't reliably see (or find it again after a screen check) at much over 150m. The Mavic Pro, about 3-350m and the phantom still visible at 500m.
I would therefore say that this test really depends on what you want it for, urban areas obviously the mini but if you will want to fly in non-urban areas, got to go bigger for now at least.
The issue is still VLOS and I still think it a complete waste of time, don't need to see a drone to know roughly where it is in the sky and even if you can see it, doesn't tell you where it is in 3 dimensions (so frankly useless)..... but the instruments do..... why does the CAA say use eyes for drones but instruments for aviation??
You make a valid point, although I think the new 'guidance' on being able to identify the drone's orientation has been universally derided by everyone in the drone industry; anyone that flies a Mini will probably equally deride it.
Ian, Great video. My preference is different than yours but we are as you said in different situations. I prefer the Air 2S for build quality. It is much stronger than the Mini 3 series. Things like having a metal gimbal as opposed to the plastic one and the more rugged frame are important to me. Both are great in their own right but I still prefer the Air 2S. I bought the original Fly more combo with the older Smart controller and it has a bigger and brighter display than the DJI RC you showed. The smart controller is 1000 nits as opposed to the 700 nits on the DJI RC. It only supports Ocusync 2.0 but I have had no connections , range, or video quality issues with my set up. I do understand in a place like you in the restrictions on flights by weight have to play in. In the U.S. all the weight restrictions to is really save you a $5.00 registration fee (unless you use it professionally where you have top register regardless of weight). Thank for sharing.
Very valid points and it's true, I don't mention the build quality or sense of solid build with the Air 2 S. It really was by favourite model; I've just slowly morphed to using the Mini 3 Pro more down to the freedom of flight, then worked out the end results were closer than I thought..... 👍🏻
🎉
I thought the air 2s has the 4 way obstacle avoidance though? I may be wrong..but I was thinking air2s had more
up, down, forwards, backwards. That's it.
I did consider getting the Air2S once, but the short legs with its battery is a deal breaker and I have been spoiled rotten by the Mini 3 Pro's extended flight-time (on its Plus battery). With that little drone, I tend to get a whole lot more done, at a far relaxed pace and still have lots of wiggle room to land with plenty of battery to spare. I tend to be very gentle on my batteries, preferring to land at around the 3.6V indicated, which would be around near 35% if I'm not mistaken.
Just got the 2s after lots of thought. I just got a few extra batteries on amazing (refurb for $45) and I feel good about it now 😂. The battery on the 2s is it’s only real drawback Imo. Both are great. Still love my mini 2 se too. They’re all so good.
The thing that im debating on is i want to be able to drone fish and so far heard the air2s is better but also mini 3 and mini 3 pro got better fight time i know mini 3 with the intelligent battery has 51 minutes flight time
Does flying dji mini 3 pro make it harder without the upward sensors vs the air 2s?
Airb2s doesn't have side sensors either....
@@IaninLondoni meant upward sorry
Air 2s wis for me and here's why
1. Air2s is better in high wind
2. There is a grater amount of third party software
3. The Air 2s is compatible with the 360 camera the Sphere from insta360
4.The Air2s has a larger sensor.
5. Because the Air 2s has been around for longer there are many more accessories available for this model.
6. You can make more money with the Air2s because the pro software is compatible with this drone. Also people take you more seriously with a bigger drone in my experience
It's a tough choice. 😊
You guys might want to wait for the Air 3 if you do not need third party software or loads of accessories.😊
All very valid points.
You forgot one key point: the mini 3 pro has FPV training wheels now that it's compatible with the 2 new goggles. As an air2s owner, this is what got me to buy the mini 3 pro.
Good point 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Air2S is rumoured to be replaced imminently, which might explain the fantastic Air2S deals available, to burn through stock.
Quick question. Has anyone ever experienced a small anomaly with Mini 3 pro where if you’re flying sideways then stop the movement and the camera gimbal tilts about 45 degrees for about two seconds.? Happens fairly often to me with left and right sideways flying only. Just weird. Gimbal calibration doesn’t fix it
I think that's just the limitations of the gimbal movement trying to counteract the drone's pitch when flying then stopping...
@@IaninLondon very odd reaction. Even when moving slowly to the side it can happen.
There is no replacement for displacement
I heard that DJI are going to release a newer Air3s soon, that's why they have reduced th eprice of the current Air2s, but as of right now i can't see why anyone would buy the Air2s when the Mini 3 pro is better.
If the Air 3 was sub 500 grams, but of similar build quality of the Air 2 S, it would be a good buy..... 👍🏻👍🏻
Mini 3 pro wasn't a big enough improvement for me to buy, happy with the Mini 2, it's all in the editing. Plus if you want a large file, just do some photomerge in photoshop. If the mini 4 has an optical zoom, F-stop adjustment and larger sensor, I'll buy!!
Fair points! :)
Air 2s is probley cheaper cause its not selling 😂,mini 3 pro all they way it covers everything a non profit drone flyer needs.
Dji really smacked it out the park with the mini 3 pro ,i bet sale on the rest of the range have taken a hit
Mini 3 pro all the way......
Dude, resolution does not scale with number of pixels!
Of course it does. A 12 MP sensor gives a max resolution of 4K. A 20MP sensor allows a higher resolution video, hence it offers a 5.4k video resolution if you want that. The 48 MP stills mode is simply a Quad Bayer overlay, giving "effective" pixels. What do you mean?
M3P are prone to bird attacks. It looks appetizing for predatory birds. A $1000 appetite.