DJI Mini 4 Pro is right around the corner and appears to be a mini version of the DJI Air 3 in terms of specs and features. So, how do the two compare and which drone should you buy?
DJI Mini 4 Pro is official! Find out more here
Looking to see how the DJI Mini 4 Pro compares to the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 3? Read our comparison here.
DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Air 3
Camera
You would think a significant difference between the Mini and Air series would be the camera. This is not the case when it comes to the main sensor on the Mini 4 Pro and Air 3, a 1/1.3″ CMOS sensor capable of 12MP and 48MP photos.
Where it does differ significantly is the inclusion of an additional 1/1.3″ CMOS telephoto sensor capable of 12MP and 48MP photos on the DJI Air 3. DJI Air 3 only supports the exFAT file system and is capable of up to 9x digital zoom thanks to the telephoto camera. Mini 4 Pro can only zoom up to 4x.
Obstacle avoidance
Mini 4 Pro’s big update is the inclusion of omnidirectional obstacle sensing. DJI Mini 4 Pro has gotten an additional two vision sensors and the placement of its original two adjusted slightly. These changes allow the Mini 4 Pro to see its surroundings above, to the side, to the rear, and towards the front.
DJI have also added a spotlight to the bottom of the Mini 4 Pro, allowing it to land in low-light environments.
Size and weight
The Mini 4 Pro will remain under the 249-gram limit DJI set out to keep. The exact dimensions of the Mini 4 Pro are currently unknown, but we expect it to be very similar to the Mini 3 Pro. The Air 3 is 720 grams and is 258.8x326x105.8 mm when unfolded.
The extra weight does mean the DJI Air 3 can withstand higher wind speeds and will be more stable in higher wind environments. The Mini 4 Pro is still a very capable drone.
Which drone should you buy?
If you don’t care about the extra telephoto zoom camera and its zoom capabilities, the additional wind resistance and flight speed of the DJI Air 3, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is the drone for you. Both the drones have a similar flight time and feature set, so it really does come down to the camera.
Note, to get a similar flight time with the Mini 4 Pro you need to use an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, which does take the weight over the 250-gram limit. Something to keep in mind.
If you ask us, DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Air 3. We will choose the DJI Mini 4 Pro every day of the week.
DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Air 3 specifications
Looking for the RAW specifications of each of the drones? Continue reading below.
| Feature | DJI Mini 4 Pro | DJI Air 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Under 249 grams | 720 grams |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | – Folded: – Unfolded: | – Folded: 207×100.5×91.1 mm (L×W×H) – Unfolded: 258.8x326x105.8 mm (L×W×H) |
| Max Ascent Speed | 5 m/s | 10 m/s |
| Max Descent Speed | 5 m/s | 10 m/s |
| Max Horizontal Speed (at sea level, no wind) | 16 m/s | 21 m/s |
| Max Flight Time | – 34 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) – 45 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) | 46 minutes |
| Max Flight Distance | 20km | 32 km |
| Max Wind Speed Resistance | 10.7 m/s | 12 m/s |
| Internal Storage | 8GB | 8 GB |
| Image Sensor | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP | – Wide-Angle Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP – Medium Tele Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP |
| Photo specifications | 12MP/48MP | 12MP/48MP |
| Photo Format | JPEG/DNG (RAW) | JPEG/DNG (RAW) |
| Video specifications | MP4/MOV (H.264/H.265) | MP4 (H.264/H.265) |
| Video Format | – 4K 100fps – 4k 60fps HDR – Night shots video | – 4k 100fps – FHD 200fps – 2.7K vertical 60fps – FHD vertical 60fps |
| Max Video Bitrate | 150 Mbps | 150 Mbps |
| Supported File System | – FAT32 (≤ 32 GB) – exFAT (> 32 GB) | exFAT |
| Colour Mode | – Normal – D-Cinelike – 10-bit D-Log M, HLG | – Normal – D-Cinelike |
| Digital Zoom | – 4K: 2× – 2.7K: 3× – FHD: 4× | – Wide-Angle Camera: 1-3x – Medium Tele Camera: 3-9x |
| Obstacle Sensing | – Forward – Backward – Left – Right – Downward – Upward | – Forward – Backward – Left – Right – Downward – Upward |
| Video Transmission System | DJI O4 | DJI O4 |
| Max Transmission Distance | – FCC: 20 km – CE: 10 km – SRRC: 10 km – MIC: 10 km | – FCC: 20 km – CE: 10 km – SRRC: 10 km – MIC: 10 km |
| Battery Capacity | – IFB: 2453 mAh – IFB Plus: 3850 mAh | 4241 mAh |
| Charging Time | – IFB: 64 minutes – IFB Plus: 56 minutes | 80 minutes |
| Compatible Remote Controllers | – DJI RC-N2 – DJI RC 2 | – DJI RC-N2 – DJI RC 2 |
