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DJI Mini 4 Pro vs. Mini 3 Pro (Here’s My Choice)

DJI has done a great job the past year and a half releasing advanced-level Mini Drones to the masses, all dubbed as Pro.

Both the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro are worthy to be classified as advanced, sporting quite a few pro-level options that newbies, enthusiasts, and professionals alike will enjoy.

In this article, we will be looking at the similarities between the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro, and the upgrades present on the Mini 4 Pro. We’ll also be considering whether current Mini 3 Pro owners will want or need to upgrade to the Mini 4 Pro, as well as my choice of DJI Mini drone (the 4 Pro or 3 Pro).

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Pricing & Combo Options

With the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro, DJI has continued to make it easy for those on either a particular budget or wanting particular items to decide what options they need or want in their Mini drone.

As with other DJI drones, there are quite a few packages and combos available for the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro.

Below are the various available packages and combo options for both Mini drones.

Mini 4 Pro (DJI RC-N2)

DJI Mini 4 Pro (DJI RC-N2)
$759.00
  • 4K HDR Video Camera
  • Under 0.549lbs/249g
  • 34 Mins Flight Time
  • 20 km Max Video Transmission Distance
  • Omnidirectional Vision Sensing
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10/24/2024 12:14 pm GMT

Includes:

  • DJI Mini 4 Pro
  • DJI RC-N2 Remote Controller
  • 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery (Standard)
  • USB-C Cable
  • Android and iOS Control Cables
  • Front Sensor and Gimbal Guard
  • Propeller Holder
  • 2 Sets of Spare Props and 6 Screws
  • Screw Driver

Mini 4 Pro (DJI RC 2)

DJI Mini 4 Pro (with DJI RC 2)
$959.00
  • 4K HDR Video Camera
  • Under 0.549lbs/249g
  • 34 Mins Flight Time
  • 20 km Max Video Transmission Distance
  • Omnidirectional Vision Sensing
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10/24/2024 12:48 pm GMT

Includes:

  • DJI Mini 4 Pro
  • DJI RC 2 Remote Controller
  • 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery (Standard)
  • USB-C Cable
  • Android and iOS Control Cables
  • Front Sensor and Gimbal Guard
  • Propeller Holder
  • 2 Sets of Spare Props and 6 Screws
  • Screw Driver

Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2/Standard Battery)

Our Pick
DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo with DJI RC 2 (Screen Remote Controller)
$1,099.00
  • 4K HDR Video Camera
  • Under 0.549lbs/249g
  • 2 Extra Batteries for 34-Min Flight Time
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10/24/2024 12:17 pm GMT

Includes:

  • DJI Mini 4 Pro
  • DJI RC 2 Remote Controller
  • 3 x Intelligent Flight Battery (Standard)
  • Battery Charging Hub
  • Carrying Bag
  • USB-C Cable
  • USB-C to USB-C PD Cable
  • Android and iOS Control Cables
  • Front Sensor and Gimbal Guard
  • Propeller Holder
  • 6 Sets of Spare Props and 18 Screws
  • Screw Driver

Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo Plus (DJI RC 2/Plus Battery)

DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo Plus with DJI RC 2 (Screen Remote Controller)
$1,159.00
  • 4K HDR Video Camera
  • 2 Extra Intelligent Flight Batteries Plus for 45-Min Flight Time
  • Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance
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10/24/2024 12:17 pm GMT

Includes:

  • DJI Mini 4 Pro
  • DJI RC 2 Remote Controller
  • 3 x Intelligent Flight Battery (Plus)
  • Battery Charging Hub
  • Carrying Bag
  • USB-C Cable
  • USB-C to USB-C PD Cable
  • Android and iOS Control Cables
  • Front Sensor and Gimbal Guard
  • Propeller Holder
  • 6 Sets of Spare Props and 18 Screws
  • Screw Driver

Mini 3 Pro RC-N1 Combo

Our Choice
DJI Mini 3 Pro (Standard)
$718.50

Includes DJI RC-N1 allowing you to pack light and enjoy the creative experience.

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10/24/2024 09:18 am GMT

Includes:

  • DJI Mini 3 Pro
  • DJI RC-N1 Remote Controller
  • 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery
  • USB-C Cable
  • 1 Screw Driver
  • 6 Screws
  • 4 Spare Props
  • Gimbal Guard
  • Connection Cables

Mini 3 Pro DJI Combo

DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI RC)
$899.99

Lightweight and Foldable Camera Drone

  • 4K/60fps Video
  • 48MP Photo
  • 34-min Flight Time
  • Tri-Directional Obstacle Sensing, Integrated RC and screen
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10/24/2024 05:02 am GMT

Includes:

  • DJI Mini 3 Pro
  • DJI RC Remote Controller
  • 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery
  • USB-C Cable
  • 1 Screw Driver
  • 6 Screws
  • 4 Spare Props
  • Gimbal Guard
  • Connection Cables

Different from most other DJI drone combos, the DJI Mini 3 Pro sells with separate Fly More Combos (not including the drone), these being the standard battery version and the battery Plus version.

Mini 3 Pro Standard Battery Fly More Combo

DJI Mini 3/Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit (Drone & RC Not Included)
$219.00

Includes Two Intelligent Flight Batteries, a Two-Way Charging Hub, Data Cable, Shoulder Bag, Spare propellers, and Screws

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10/24/2024 05:42 am GMT

Includes:

  • 2 x Standard Intelligent Battery
  • 3-Battery Charging Hub
  • USB-C Cable
  • 12 screws
  • 8 Spare props
  • Shoulder Bag

Mini 3 Pro Plus Battery Fly More Combo

DJI Mini 3 Pro Fly More Kit Plus
$249.00 $217.99

Includes Two Intelligent Flight Batteries Plus, a Two-Way Charging Hub, Data Cable, Shoulder Bag, Spare propellers, and Screws, Black

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10/24/2024 10:09 am GMT

Includes:

  • 2 x Plus Intelligent Battery
  • 3-Battery Charging Hub
  • USB-C Cable
  • 12 screws
  • 8 Spare props
  • Shoulder Bag

Hardware Specs

Mini 4 Pro

SPECSDJI Mini 4 Pro
Weight:< 249 g
With the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, the aircraft will weigh more than 249 g.
Dimensions:Folded (without propellers): 148×94×64 mm (L×W×H)
Unfolded (with propellers): 298×373×101 mm (L×W×H)
Maximum Speed:35.7mph
Ascent/Descent Speed:11mph/6.7mph
Wind Resistance:23.9mph
Battery Capacity:Intelligent Flight Battery: 2590 mAh
Intelligent Flight Battery Plus: 3850 mAh
Maximum Flight Time:34 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery)
45 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus)
Sensing Type:Omnidirectional binocular vision system, supplemented with a 3D infrared sensor at the bottom of the aircraft
Remote Controllers Compatibility:DJI RC 2, RC-N2
Transmission Distance:20 km/12.4 miles
Maximum Flight Distance:11.18 miles (with Intelligent Flight Battery)
15.53 miles (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus)

Mini 3 Pro

SPECSDJI Mini 3 Pro
Weight:< 249 g
With the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, the aircraft will weigh more than 249 g.
Dimensions:Folded: 145×90×62 mm
Unfolded: 171×245×62 mm
Unfolded (with propellers): 251×362×70 mm
Maximum Speed:35.7mph
Ascent/Descent Speed:11mph/6.7mph
Wind Resistance:23.9mph
Battery Capacity:Intelligent Flight Battery: 2590 mAh
Intelligent Flight Battery Plus: 3850 mAh
Maximum Flight Time:34 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery)
47 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus)
Sensing Type:Forward, backward, downward
Remote Controllers Compatibility:DJI RC Pro, DJI RC, RC-N1
Transmission Distance:12 km/7.4 miles
Maximum Flight Distance:11.18 miles (with Intelligent Flight Battery)
15.53 miles (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus)

» MORE: DJI Mavic 3 Pro vs. Mini 3 Pro (Here’s My Choice)

Design

Considering the Mini 4 Pro is the next model in the Mini Pro line, its design mostly follows the aesthetics of the Mini 3 Pro.

Both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro are quadcopter foldable designs made popular by the original 2016 Mavic Pro which has since been frequently replicated by the likes of Autel Robotics and Hubson.

Both drones are made from lightweight plastic and may initially feel cheap and toylike to those who have never flown a Mini DJI drone before.

Once taken to the air, though, the Mini 4 Pro and 3 Pro feel anything but cheap.

Because of the lightweight materials used, one of the main standout design features of the Mini 3 Pro and 4 Pro would have to be that they are fully capable pro-level drones under 250g.

This is important to many, as, in the United States, they do not need to be registered with the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) if flying strictly for recreational use .

Drone pilots in other countries likewise fare well from the Mini 3 Pro and 4 Pro being under 250g, due to those countries’ regulatory mandates.

» MORE: Can I Fly a Drone Under 250g Anywhere I Want?

Amazingly, both Minis have so much new tech packed into such a small and lightweight frame.

When speaking of new tech on the Minis, the Mini 3 Pro was the first Mini DJI drone to have obstacle avoidance onboard, while still retaining a very tiny footprint, compared to larger drones.

This is something that has likewise carried over to the Mini 4 Pro, though greatly expanded and improved, as we’ll touch on shortly.

With obstacle avoidance, both drones benefit by being able to perform many sought-after autonomous functions, more specifically Active Track.

Looking outside of the weight of these Mini drones is the aforementioned tiny form factor. Both the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro can easily fit in the palm of a hand.

This form factor is ideal as both drones are perfect for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to document their travels and adventures while packing as light as possible.

A design decision that I absolutely love with the Mini 3 Pro and 4 Pro, as seen in the Mavic 3 series and DJI Air 3, is the SD card slot being in the rear of the drone.

Previously, DJIs advanced-level and prosumer foldable drones had the SD card slot tucked along the side of the drone’s body, covered by the arms and legs of the drones.

While it only took a few additional seconds to unfold the drone’s arms and legs to remove the SD card, it was inconvenient having to do so repeatedly.

Now this is a thing of the past and highly appreciated.

» MORE: DJI Mavic 3 Pro Review (I have NEVER flown a drone that I enjoyed so much)

Design Differences

While the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro both utilize much of the same design, there are a few notable physical differences.

Mini 4 Pro

Weight: Under 249 g
Dimensions:
Folded (without propellers): 148×94×64 mm (L×W×H)
Unfolded (with propellers): 298×373×101 mm (L×W×H)

A notable design change on the Mini 4 Pro is the return to its foldable Mavic-like roots with the addition of the front arm landing gear.

As we’ll talk more about shortly, the landing gear has been readded to this iteration of the Mini line to accommodate the additional antennas needed for the new OcuSync 4 video transmission system.

I personally was a fan of the removal of the landing gear on the Mini 3 Pro, for reasons I’ll touch on in the Mini 3 Pro section below.

For many, though, the return of the landing gear is a positive addition, as many have mentioned the Mini 4 Pro is much more stable when landing.

As someone who hand-catches everything (even the larger Mavic 3 Pro and previously the Phantom 4 Pro), the landing gear is not a necessity for me.

Another notable design difference is the look of the front and rear visual sensors.

While not a drastic design change they do look more sleek and streamlined, giving the Mini 4 Pro a slight Air 3 appearance.

» MORE: DJI Mini 4 Pro – Initial Setup (Unboxing to First Flight with Video)

Mini 3 Pro

Weight: Under 249 g
Dimensions:
Folded (without propellers): 145×90×62 mm (L×W×H)
Unfolded (without propellers): 171×245×62 mm (L×W×H)
Unfolded (with propellers): 251×362×70 mm (L×W×H)

The Mini 3 Pro broke away from the standard Mavic series look when the front landing gear was removed. This drastically changed the look of the Mini 3 Pro only, as the Mini 3 added the landing gear.

The removal of the landing gear had two immediate benefits.

The first is there is no longer a specific folding and unfolding sequence that needs to be followed. The arms and legs of Mini 3 Pro can be folded/unfolded in any order, making for quicker launches.

Secondly, removing the landing gear has also removed an added point for objects like wires, lines, and branches to get caught up on if the Mini 3 Pro, unfortunately, passes by or even through these objects.

Granted, the Mini 3 Pro would probably crash if the props hit these, however, many have reported that sans the landing gear, their 3 Pros have averted getting caught up.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro – How to Activate and Set Up (Explained for Beginners)

Flight Performance

As both the Mini 4 Pro and 3 Pro are almost identical in design, except for a few minor exterior changes/additions, they both fly almost identically, which is a great thing.

What makes both Mini drones so popular in the drone community is that they are very simple to pick up and fly for drone newcomers, and are fun to fly and capable for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

As has been the case for all of DJI’s newer drones, the EXP settings within the DJI Fly app can be changed if the flight controls aren’t to your expectation or liking, which enables you to easily tailor the controls to the way you fly, whether this be smoothly and controlled or fast and aggressively.

Although the Mini Pros have relatively small motors and propellers, compared to the larger Air 3 and Mavic 3 series, they can travel at speeds up to 35/36 mph when in sport mode.

These speeds are appreciated, especially when traveling from one shooting location to the next before the batteries die.

Something I continue to be impressed with is how well both Minis can handle wind, considering their lightweight construction.

When taking side-by-side comparison shots for this article, it was pretty windy by the lake I shot at (gusts around 15mph).

Despite this fact, I was able to put both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro up in relatively close proximity to each other, and they stayed in their relative hover spots during shooting, only moving a couple of inches in any direction during the gusts.

This is because both Minis are rated for 23 mph winds (Level 5) and when in high wind gusts do a good (though not an overly exceptional) job at staying in place when filming.

Regardless, it has to be remembered that the drones are under 250 g, so they will be affected by the wind.

In higher gusts, it is advisable to avoid flying out too far, especially over water, as with the lower power of the motors, there could be difficulty returning home before the batteries run out.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro and Weather

Battery Related

Battery life is one of those areas where, for a long time, we were used to just dealing with miserable flight times.

The larger Mavic series broke that barrier for DJI drones a while back with the release of the 46-minute flight-timed Mavic 3, bringing us out of 30-minute flight times.

With the release of the Mini 3 Pro, DJI Mini drones were pulled out of the battery dark ages, where barely 30 minutes of flight time was the norm, and pushed into the high 30s and even up to the mid to high 40s, with the Mini 3 clocking in at a maximum 51 minutes of flight time.

These flight times are all possible due to the Mini 3 Pro and 4 Pro both utilizing exactly the same Standard and Plus battery options.

That’s right. If you have a Mini 3 Pro with either battery option, these will work in the Mini 4 Pro and visa versa.

If using the Standard battery version, both Mini Pros will remain under the 250 g threshold.

However, If opting to go with the higher capacity, longer life Plus battery options, the weight of both drones will be pushed past the 250 g mark, thus requiring both to be registered with the FAA if within the United States.

Below are the flight times of the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro, utilizing both battery options.

Battery OptionMini 3 ProMini 4 Pro
Standard34 minutes34 minutes
Plus47 minutes45 minutes

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro Battery – All You Need to Know

Obstacle Avoidance

A very hot topic of late is a drone’s ability to scan the environment and use obstacle avoidance sensors to bypass these.

Before the Mini 3 Pro, these types of systems were only seen and implemented in much more expensive prosumer and enterprise-level drones.

DJI has, with the release of the Mini 3 Pro back in May 2022, brought these capabilities into the hands of everyday hobbyists and even beginners, using sub 250 g drones, like the Mini 3 Pro.

Obstacle avoidance hasn’t just proven to add a level of safety when flying for various individuals but also allows for the use of more autonomous flight modes, such as tracking subjects and filming various points of interest without operator stick input.

Mini 4 Pro

Like the innovative Mini 3 Pro bringing obstacle avoidance to DJI mini drones, the Mini 4 Pro likewise has proven to innovate in bringing full 360-degree obstacle avoidance sensors to a mini drone.

The Mini 4 Pro has omnidirectional sensors meaning it is covered in all directions:

  • Front
  • Back
  • Top
  • Bottom
  • Sides

These sensors are a big deal in that they add 360-degree protection against obstacles in the Mini 4 Pros flight path.

This is something beginner pilots will greatly appreciate. However, even with such a system, it is advised never to wholly rely on it, as the Mini 4 Pro might not detect all obstacles in its path due to various factors.

Additionally, having omnidirectional sensing means that the Mini 4 Pro can perform advanced subject tracking, something Skydio had previously perfected.

The Mini 4 Pro is now a viable contender in this space, with the addition of the innovative active track 360.

» MORE: Obstacle Avoidance in DJI Drones (Explained for Beginners)

Mini 3 Pro

The Mini 3 Pro was the first DJI Mini drone to include obstacle avoidance, which at the time was quite impressive, considering this had been done all while keeping the Mini 3 Pro under the 250 g sweet spot.

The Mini 3 Pro has 3-way obstacle avoidance:

  • Frontward
  • Backward
  • Downward

Although the Mini 4 Pro has omnidirectional obstacle sensing, it should be noted that the 3-way obstacle sensing system in the Mini 3 Pro is still quite impressive as it is present in such a small, lightweight package.

This 3-way system allows those new to flying drones to be able to pick up the Mini 3 Pro and confidently fly knowing there is a degree of protection from environmental obstacles.

Because of these three sensors, the Mini 3 Pro can likewise use many of the active track functions found in the Mini 4 Pro.

Because the Mini 3 Pro does not have 360-degree protection, it does not have all of the advanced active track functions the Mini 4 Pro does, specifically Active Track 360, which allows subject tracking from all sides.

» MORE: What Are Downward Vision Sensors in Drones? (Explained for Beginners)

OcuSync

OcuSync is the DJI proprietary transmission system that communicates between the remote control and the drone. This system has fully evolved over the years starting with O1 and is currently at O4 (OcuSync 4).

Online you may see individuals boasting how far their drone can fly with (insert new OcuSync version here) onboard their drone.

The important thing about the OcuSync transmission system is not how far any particular drone can fly with it, but rather how strong the signal is between the drone and RC, keeping a reliable signal in interference-dense locations.

Mini 4 Pro (OcuSync 4.0)

The upgraded Ocusync 4.0 transmission system enables the Mini 4 Pro to stream video from the drones to either the new DJI RC 2 or RC-N2 remote controller at 1080p/60fps, whereas this is 1080p/30fps with OcuSync 3 on the Mini 3 Pro.

Additionally, due to the upgraded O4 transmission system, DJI advertises that the Mini 4 Pros transmission distance is now 12.4 miles (20 km), on a much improved and stronger signal.

Because of the new transmission system, as noted and mentioned earlier, the DJI RC 2 remote controller now has 2 additional external antennas, similar to the ones found on the more expensive DJI RC Pro.

» MORE: Why Can Drone Signals Go for Miles? (While My Home Wi-Fi Can’t)

Mini 3 Pro (OcuSync 3.0)

The Mini 3 Pro is running on the slightly older OcuSync 3.0 video transmission system, which can transmit video signals up to a maximum range of 7.45 miles (12km).

The transmission signal supports 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands which continues to provide very strong and reliable anti-interference even in 2023.

This means that the signal is stronger and cleaner, enabling one to fly in urban areas or areas with high interference, such as in a downtown setting or highly populated urban areas confidently.

Remote Controllers

Concerning the remote controllers each version of the Mini Pro can fly varies drastically, although they look almost identical (in the case of the RC-N1 and RC-N2).

Mini 4 Pro

With the new OcuSync 4 transmission system onboard the Mini 4 Pro, changes needed to be made regarding what remote controllers will work with the new system.

As with the Air 3, the Mini 4 Pro is currently able to work only with the following RCs:

As of this article’s writing, the Mini 4 Pro is not backward compatible, so it will not work with any of the previous OcuSync 3 remote controllers, including the well-built and professional DJI RC Pro.

Time will tell if DJI provides this compatibility or makes a newer OcuSync 4 version of the DJI RC Pro.

As it stands, both iterations of the Mini 4 Pro’s remote controllers work perfectly with the Mini 4 Pro and are well-built.

Mini 3 Pro

The Mini 3 Pro might be the older of the two Mini Pro models, but with age comes the ability for it to work with more remote controller options.

Currently, the Mini 3 Pro works with the following RCs:

All three of these remote controllers use the OcuSync 3 transmission system and have been doing so for a couple of years now, flawlessly (with the DJI RC having been released in 2022).

As fully tried and tested controllers, these three RCs, like the newer O4-based controllers, are well-built and perform admirably.

Camera Specs

CameraDJI Mini 4 Pro
Wide-Angle Camera:1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP
Format Equivalent: 24mm
Aperture: f/1.7
Still Photography Modes
Single Shot: 12 MP and 48 MP
Burst Shooting: 12 MP, 3/5/7 frames
48 MP, 3 frames
Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 12 MP, 3/5/7 frames at 0.7 EV step
48 MP, 3 frames at 0.7 EV step
Timed: 12 MP, 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 s
48 MP, 5/7/10/15/20/30/60 s
Video Resolution
H.264/H.265
4K: 3840×2160@24/25/30/48/50/60/100*fps
FHD: 1920×1080@24/25/30/48/50/60/100*/200*fps
CameraDJI Mini 3 Pro
Wide-Angle Camera:1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP
Format Equivalent: 24mm
Aperture: f/1.7
Still Photography Modes
Single Shot: 12 MP and 48 MP
Burst Shooting: 12 MP, 3/5/7 frames
Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 12 MP, 3/5/7 frames at 0.7 EV step
Timed: 12 MP, 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 s
Panorama: Sphere, 180°, Wide Angle, Vertical
HDR: The Single Shot mode supports outputting HDR images.
Video Resolution
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

Camera Performance

The Mini 3 Pro and 4 Pro both use 12 MP, 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensors with a fixed aperture at f/1.7, allowing them to take in more light than drones with standard f/2.8 apertures, thus taking better low-light pictures and videos.

Below are two examples of both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro shooting a sunset within feet of each other, during the same time.

Although the editing is slightly varied between the two, both took great evening-time photos.

48 MP 3 AEB – Mini 4 Pro
12 MP 3 AEB – Mini 3 Pro

Something you will inevitably see in both Mini Pros is that when not shooting in night mode, there will be noticeable noise in the shadows, which can be cleaned up in an editor like Lightroom.

Both drones have the option to shoot 48MP photos, using quad-bayer technology. 

The pictures shot in this mode do look nice, although on the Mini 3 Pro, the 48 MP option is not present when shooting Burst, AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing), or Timed shots like it is in the Mini 4 Pro, as seen above in the 12 MP AEB photo example.

Being “Pro” level advanced drones, the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro not only take RAW photos (in the .DNG format) but take both JPEG and RAW images simultaneously.

Carried over from the Mini 3 Pro to the Mini 4 Pro is Vertical Mode, where the camera physically rotates 90 degrees to take portrait-orientated photos and videos, which is well suited for content creators and those who post regularly to social media.

» MORE: How to Produce Vertical Content with a Drone (That Isn’t the Mini 3)

The biggest difference in camera performance between the Mini 4 Pro and the Mini 3 Pro comes in the video department.

The Mini 3 Pro can shoot a maximum video resolution of 4k 60fps, with slow motion in 1080p at 120fps.

It can also shoot video in two color profiles: Normal and 10-bit D-Cinelike, which is useful for those wanting more flexibility when color-grading their footage.

The Mini 4 Pro, on the other hand, can shoot a maximum video resolution of 4k 100fps, with slow motion in 1080p at 200fps, which, up until now, has been unheard of in a Mini drone.

The Mini 4 Pro also shoots video in two color profiles: Normal and 10-bit D-Log M/HLG.

When viewing the fully edited and color-graded footage from either of these drones, it is hard to tell they were taken from such small devices.

The footage out of both rivals larger, more expensive drones in the DJI line.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro Camera Settings (Explained for Beginners)

Overall DJI-Listed Differences

Below is a full listing of the “upgrades” the Mini 4 Pro has over the Mini 3 Pro. The list is actually a little longer than expected.

  • Omnidirectional obstacle sensing
  • 4k 60fps HDR video with 10-bit D-Log M
  • DJI O4 FHD Digital Video Transmission System
  • Active Track 360, Waypoint Flight, Advanced RTH, Cruise Control
  • New image processing platform
  • HDR video upgraded from 4k 30 fps to 4k 60 fps
  • Low motion upgraded from 1080p to 4k

My Choice

If I were to go out today and decide between getting the Mini 3 Pro or a new Mini 4 Pro, I would definitely choose the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

The Mini 4 Pro benefits from most of the new DJI technology seen in both the Mavic 3 Pro and Air 3, having been released in 2023.

Not only this, the price difference between the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro is not very drastic, meaning you could get the very best technology and hardware in a Mini Pro drone (Mini 4 Pro) without paying much more for it over the price of a 2022 version (Mini 3 Pro).

» MORE: DJI Air 3 Beginners Guide (Step-by-Step Guide)

Should you upgrade from the Mini 3 Pro?

If you already have a DJI Mini 3 Pro, it is good to consider what are you looking to do with the Mini 4 Pro that you cannot already do with the Mini 3 Pro.

While both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 Pro take the same resolution photos, the Mini 4 Pro does have:

  • Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance
  • Ocusync 4.0
  • D-Log M picture profile
  • 4k 100fps video
  • Advanced Intelligent Flight Modes – Active Track 360, Waypoint Flight, Advanced RTH, Cruise Control

On the flip side of this, however, if you currently own a DJI RC Pro controller, it will not work with the Mini 4 Pro.

If you want to continue using the RC Pro with a Mini drone, then upgrading to the Mini 4 Pro will render the RC obsolete upon upgrading, unless DJI has some future plan for this.

As it stands now, for many Mini 3 Pro owners, moving to the Mini 4 Pro would be more of a lateral side grade than an actual upgrade.

» MORE: DJI Fly App (Everything You Need to Know)