DJI Mini 4 Pro vs Mini 3 Pro: 7 Key Differences
By Naila Syifa
Updated November 2023
If you're looking for a small and lightweight drone that's easy to take with you on the go, DJI has a range of options to fit your needs. DJI Mini 4 Pro, recently released in 2023, is an upgrade to the popular DJI Mini 3 Pro.
What makes the Mini 4 Pro stand out over its predecessor Mini 3 Pro? We have noted at least 7 key differences between the two models. Let's take a closer look!
| Specs | DJI Mini 4 Pro | DJI Mini 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | |
| Price | $759 | $759 |
| Weight | <249 g | <249 g |
| Camera | 1/1.3-inch CMOS Wide-Angle Camera | 1/1.3-inch CMOS Wide-Angle Camera |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K/100 fps | 4K/60 fps |
| Color | 10-bit D-Log M, HLG | D-Cinelike |
| True Vertical Shooting | Yes | Yes |
| Obstacle Sensing | Omnidirectional | Tri-Directional |
| Waypoint Flight | Yes | No |
| Video Transmission | Up to 20 km, 1080p/60 fps | Up to 12km, 1080p/30 fps |
| Battery Life | 34 mins | 34 mins |
Key Takeaways
The DJI Mini 4 Pro has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and a wider transmission range of 20 km, while the Mini 3 Pro only has tri-directional obstacle avoidance and a range of 12 km. The Mini 4 Pro also has higher resolution and new features like Waypoint Flight, Cruise Control, and more.
DJI Mini 4 Pro
Advanced Mini Camera Drone
✓ Lightweight design
✓ 4K/60 fps HDR, 4k/100 fps Video
✓ Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing
✓ Waypoint Flight
DJI Mini 3 Pro
Mini Camera Drone
✓ Lightweight design
✓ 4K/30 fps HDR, 4k/60 fps Video
✓ Tri-Directional Obstacle Sensing
✓ FocusTrack
#1 Price
DJI Mini 4 Pro
In terms of price, both drones retail at around the same price of US$759. However, as the Mini 3 Pro is an older model, you may often find it available at a discounted price compared to the newer Mini 4 Pro. This makes it a more budget-friendly option for those who don't need the latest features.
#2 Design
DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro do indeed look a bit different from each other, especially their top front section which houses their vision system. However, they have no significant differences in terms of design features.
Both are foldable and compact, making them easy to carry around with you wherever you go. They also weigh about the same at less than 249 grams, which gives the advantage of not requiring registration, training, or examinations in most countries and regions.
The gimbal of both drones is also similar, with the ability to tilt, roll, and pan for ultra-smooth footage. It can also rotate to shoot native vertical videos and photos for social media with just a simple tap.
#3 Imaging Performance
DJI Mini 4 Pro
In terms of imaging performance, the Mini 4 Pro offers a higher resolution and frame rate. It can record a maximum video resolution of 4K/100 fps for regular and slow-motion videos and 4K/60 fps for HDR videos. On the other hand, the Mini 3 Pro records a maximum resolution of 4K/60 fps for videos, 1080p/120 fps for slow motion, and 4K/30 fps for HDR.
Both drones feature a large 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor that captures stunning images and videos, but the Mini 4 Pro has a better low-light performance with its Night Shots video mode due to its improved noise reduction algorithm.
DJI Mini 4 Pro also features 10-bit D-Log M and HLG, which allow for greater dynamic range and flexibility in post-production. DJI Mini 3 Pro, on the other hand, offers a D-Cinelike color profile, which is also great but has different color grading characteristics compared to D-Log M and HLG.
#4 Flight Performance
DJI Mini 3 Pro
Both the DJI Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro come with several safety features that allow for a worry-free flight experience, including obstacle avoidance, return-to-home, and the Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS).
Obstacle avoidance in the Mini 4 Pro is omnidirectional, meaning that it detects obstacles in all directions. Meanwhile, the obstacle sensing in the Mini 3 Pro is tri-directional, so it detects forward, backward, and downward obstacles only. The APAS in Mini 4 Pro is also the newer 5.0 version, which allows for automatic braking and bypassing for an even safer flight experience compared to the Mini 3 Pro's older APAS 4.0.
DJI Mini 4 Pro
DJI Mini 4 Pro also offers some additional features that improve its flight performance, such as Waypoint Flight, which allows you to plan a flight route in advance and execute it automatically and repeatedly, and Cruise Control, which locks the drone's speed and altitude for smoother shots and fatigue-free piloting during long-distance flight.
In terms of video transmission, the Mini 4 Pro also offers a longer range of 20 km for 1080p/60 fps video transmission, whereas the Mini 3 Pro has a shorter range of 12 km for a 1080p/30 fps live feed.
#5 Additional Features
DJI Mini 3 Pro
Both the DJI Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro feature FocusTrack, which allows you to create professional-looking footage with ease. FocusTrack includes Spotlight, Point of Interest (POI), and ActiveTrack. One difference is that the Mini 4 Pro offers ActiveTrack 360° for enhanced subject tracking capabilities with 360-degree object avoidance, while the Mini 3 Pro offers ActiveTrack 4.0.
Both drones also offer various Intelligent Flight Modes such as MasterShots, QuickShots, Hyperlapse, and Panorama, which allow you to capture cinematic shots more easily.
Both drones also support QuickTransfer, so you can quickly transfer photos and videos to your smartphone without the need for a cable.
#6 Battery Life
DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro share a similar battery life with a maximum flight time of 34 minutes. However, you can upgrade it with the optional Intelligent Flight Battery Plus accessory for an extra-long flight time of around 45 minutes for the Mini 4 Pro and 47 minutes for the Mini 3 Pro.
DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Mini 3 Pro
Final Thoughts
DJI Mini 4 Pro
DJI Mini 4 Pro retains some features previously offered by the DJI Mini 3 Pro, but it also comes with significant upgrades:
1. DJI Mini 4 Pro has a maximum video resolution of 4K/100 fps, while the DJI Mini 3 Pro only allows for a maximum resolution of 4K/60 fps.
2. DJI Mini 4 Pro adds Night Shots video mode unavailable in the Mini 3 Pro
3. DJI Mini 4 Pro features 10-bit D-Log M and HLG, while DJI Mini 3 Pro features a D-Cinelike color profile
4. DJI Mini 4 Pro offers omnidirectional obstacle avoidance with APAS 5.0, while the DJI Mini 3 Pro offers tri-directional obstacle avoidance with APAS 4.0
5. DJI Mini 4 Pro has new flight features such as Waypoint Flight and Cruise Control unavailable in the DJI Mini 3 Pro
6. DJI Mini 4 Pro has a wider transmission range of 20 km for 1080p/60 fps video transmission, as compared to the Mini 3 Pro's range of 12 km for a 1080p/30 fps live feed.
7. DJI Mini 4 Pro offers ActiveTrack 360° while DJI Mini 3 Pro offers ActiveTrack 4.0
If you like to read more about Drone Camera, check out our other relevant guides here:
DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Air 3
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