Drones below 250 grams are in high demand not only for their affordable price but also because they are under more relaxed regulations in many countries
In this article, I will compare the DJI Mini 4 Pro to the Mini 3 Pro and the Mini 4k to see which lightweight model is the best choice for various categories of users
Other related articles you may find useful:
- Mini 4 Pro photography
- Mini 3 Pro photography
- Mini 4 Pro vs Mini 3 Pro for video
- Mini 3 Pro vs Mini 2
If you prefer to watch this as a video, you will find my YouTube version at the end of this video
Mini 4k
For several years the entry model of DJI lightweight drones has been some variation of the Mini 2, with a design based on the DJI Mini, released in October 2019
In April 2024 DJI introduced another variation of the same design, the Mini 4k, proposed at a more competitive price
The Mini 4k is currently the most affordable model of the DJI Prosumer line. It is not sold directly by the DJI store but is available through Amazon in the US and Europe. At the time of writing the selling price with the RC N1 controller in the US is US$299.
You can check the updated prices for the various configurations and in different countries here. It is an affiliate link, so I receive a small commission in case of purchase:
Video and Photo
The sensor is the same size as the original Mini 2 at 1/2.3”, with a resolution of 4k for video and 12MP for photos
Even though the sensor design is very old and the size is tiny by today’s standards, the Mini 4k should not be considered a toy
It can capture decent footage and photos in easy light conditions, although the performance against the sun and in low light conditions falls apart and is unacceptable by today’s standards
Functionalities
When the first DJI Mini was designed, building a sub-250-gram drone with video and photo capabilities was a big challenge. Every gram had to be shaved off, so the Mini 4k, based on the same design, offers only basic functionalities
There are no obstacle avoidance sensors, a crucial safety feature. Intelligent flight modes like Active Track, Spotlight, and Point of Interest are not available, so it is not possible to track moving targets, a very sought-after feature
The only intelligent feature for video is Quickshots, a series of automated pre-defined moves. Regarding still images, it is possible to take photos in Automatic Exposure Bracketing and Panorama
The frame rates available are up to 30 fps at 4k and up to 60 fps at 2.7k. The slow-motion capabilities are therefore very basic
The announced battery life is 31 minutes. It is a decent performance, although this is another area that has been improved in up-to-date models
The transmission system is Ocusynch 2.0 for a reliable signal even in urban areas with interferences. This is an improvement compared to the wifi system of the Mini 2
The Mini 4k is the model for budget-conscious users who want to approach the hobby of drone videography and photography for the first time. The difference in price versus the Mini 3 Pro is important, the image quality is a decent starting point for beginners. Even though the features offered are minimal, this model is reliable and fun to use
Users who get serious about this hobby will want to upgrade to more powerful models, but the good news is that the Mini 4k is easy to resell on the second-hand market
Mini 3 Pro
The Mini 3 Pro was released in May 2022 and it is a very successful model
Video and Photo
The sensor is much bigger at 1/1.3” and has an ultra-wide aperture of f 1.7, capable of gathering plenty of light
There are two different color profiles:
- Normal is the classic 8-bit one that can be used right out of the camera, even without any editing, although it benefits from some extra contrast and saturation
- D Cinelike is a 10-bit moderately flat profile that needs post-processing to shine. It performs better in high dynamic range situations and is useful for adapting footage to the color scheme and the mood of a specific project
The quality of footage and photos is excellent with sensational results in low light conditions, thanks to the extreme aperture of the lens. The results against the sun are way above expectations
Detail in the elements in the background is the only relatively weak point of this model in terms of image quality, but it is only noticeable to the trained eye and it is not a deal breaker
The area around the gimbal has been redesigned, the camera has extended vertical tilt capabilities and can rotate horizontally to take vertical video and photos. This is a major selling point for users active on social media platforms
Functionalities
After several years of experience and experimenting with lightweight drones, DJI has managed to squeeze a remarkable amount of features into this model, including a tridimensional obstacle avoidance system with front, back, and downward sensors
This is not only a major safety feature, but it also enables intelligent flight modes and tracking capabilities. Active Track, Spotlight, and Point of Interest are crucial for smooth and consistent cinematic footage
The obstacle avoidance system of the Mini 3 Pro is not omnidirectional and cannot detect obstacles above it and at 90 degrees to the sides, so some attention is needed and it is better to maintain the aircraft above surrounding obstacles when tracking
Other popular intelligent features added are Hyperlapses and Mastershots
The announced battery life of the Mini 3 Pro is 34 minutes, about 10% more than the Mini 4k. This is especially useful when shooting hyperlapses
The Mini 3 can be purchased with the RC controller with a built-in screen. I got used to it and it is a joy to use it. No other device like a smartphone or tablet is needed, no cables to attach. Just switch it on and in a few seconds, we are ready to go
Signal Transmission
The only real weak point of the Mini 3 Pro is signal transmission. The signal range varies strongly according to the geographic location. In the area where I live, in Southern Europe, the Mini 3 Pro has the worst transmission of any recent DJI model I have tried, especially in areas with strong interferences
All other recent models of DJI’s prosumer lines have a pair of small feet at the end of the wings where the antennas are housed in a vertical position, but in the Mini 3 Pro the small feet are not present, and the antennas are housed inside the wings in a horizontal position
This is allegedly the main culprit of the bad signal transmission. DJI has acknowledged the issue and added the small feet in the following models
The Mini 3 Pro is still an excellent drone with plenty of happy owners, however the Mini 4 Pro is a very tempting alternative. The new model has improved the two weak points of the previous one and added some important features previously reserved for the flagship models of the DJI Prosumer line
Mini 4 Pro
The Mini 4 Pro was released in September 2023
Video and Photos
It has the same sensor size as the Mini 3 Pro at 1/1.3” and the same with a wide aperture of f1.7
From the specs, the quality of the images should be very similar in the two models, but the footage and photos have slightly more detail and richer colors compared to the Mini 3 Pro. This is due to a new image signal processor and improvements in the algorithm
The Mini 4 Pro has three color profiles: the 8-bit Normal mode plus two 10-bit ones: D-Log M and HLG. DLog M is a major improvement compared to D Cinelike of the Mini 3 Pro
The new model can shoot 4k video at a maximum frame rate of 100 fps for extreme slow motion, which can be spectacular in certain situations
Obstacle Avoidance
It is the first drone below 250 grams to offer omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. There are pairs of sensors placed in a similar position as in the Mini 3 Pro, but they have a wider vision and protrude to the sides and upwards protecting the aircraft at 360°
This is a major safety feature previously reserved for the Mavic 3 line. With this functionality, it is now possible to track subjects at close range using the improved Active Track 360 mode
Waypoint Mode
Waypoint mode is another feature traditionally reserved for the top model of the line. It is a very sought-after functionality now available in the Mini 4 Pro. It works by creating a mission based on two or more points
For each point the position, the altitude, and the camera orientation are stored in memory, forming a path for precise movements. A mission can be recorded to perform the same move at different times of the day, with other light conditions, or in different seasons
Signal Transmission
DJI has taken several measures to tackle the main issue of the Mini 3 Pro, signal transmission. The traditional design with the antennas housed in two small feet at the end of the wings has been resumed
Something similar happened with the remote controller: the RC and RC N1 models of the Mini 3 Pro have been replaced by the RC2 and RC N2. The new controllers integrate two built-in and two external antennas, supporting a dual-transmitter quad-receiver system for enhanced signal strength
The Mini 4 Pro has a new video transmission system, Ocusync 4
Here in Southern Europe, the signal of the Mini 4 Pro is much stronger than the one of the Mini 3 Pro. This can justify the choice of the new model, especially for users living in areas of strong interference.
Several functionalities of the Mini 4 Pro are highly desirable and can justify the price difference compared to the Mini 3 Pro, especially for video. This model is also ideal for professional users who own a bigger model and need a second one to use in urban environments