{"id":15185,"date":"2022-07-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-24T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=15185"},"modified":"2022-07-27T12:12:21","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T10:12:21","slug":"dji-mini-3-pro-jack-of-all-trades-master-of-most","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/2022\/07\/25\/dji-mini-3-pro-jack-of-all-trades-master-of-most\/","title":{"rendered":"DJI Mini 3 Pro: Jack-of-all-trades, master of\u2026 most"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

INNOVATIONS<\/strong>
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR TOMORROW<\/em><\/p>\n\n

DJI Mini 3 Pro: Jack-of-all-trades, master of\u2026 most<\/h2>\n\n

Alex Hughes <\/strong>tries out DJI\u2019s newest do-it-all drone and finds it\u2019s light, easy-to-use, full of features and\u2026 hard to criticise<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

D<\/span>JI\u2019s new Mini 3 Pro drone can fly at speeds of 56km\/h (35mph), reach heights of up to 500m (1,640 feet) and distances of around 24km (15 miles). These are some daunting specs for someone like me who has never touched a drone before, and yet DJI promises the Mini 3 Pro delivers an experience that even a complete beginner can enjoy. <\/p>\n\n

In many ways, DJI has tried to develop a Jack-of-all-trades drone \u2013 one that\u2019s simple enough for a novice pilot to quickly learn to fly, but that also packs in a Pandora\u2019s box of advanced features for more experienced users. <\/p>\n\n

But in a Venn diagram with drone newbies on one side and expert aerial photographers on the other, does the DJI Mini 3 Pro sit snugly in the central sweet spot, or does its attempt to please everyone end up leaving nobody fully satisfied? <\/p>\n\n

SETTING UP AND LEARNING THE CONTROLS <\/span><\/h5>\n\n

Setting up is surprisingly simple. There\u2019s just the drone, batteries and a charger.<\/p>\n\n

Depending on which version is purchased, there\u2019s also a controller with a built-in screen, or one with a mount for a smartphone. <\/p>\n\n

I tested the model with the built-in screen. <\/p>\n\n

Folded up, the drone is about 145 x 90 x 62mm, so it can sit comfortably on your hand. And even with the propellers unfolded, it doesn\u2019t get much bigger. <\/p>\n\n

Another big selling point is the drone\u2019s weight, or rather lack of it, coming in at less than 249g (about the weight of a large hamster). <\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Packed down into a tiny package, the Mini 3 Pro can be stowed for travel <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

The controller offers a lot of information, and its display shows you what the drone\u2019s camera sees. It also gives you the ability to play with different settings, like highlighting a target to track, or switching between filming modes. <\/p>\n\n

On the left-hand side of the screen, a map shows you the drone\u2019s location, and on the right-hand side are all of the video and photography controls. These offer different aperture and zoom adjustments, as well as portrait and landscape modes. <\/p>\n\n

THE FLYING EXPERIENCE<\/span><\/h5>\n\n

Getting the drone up into the air and landing it is as simple as pressing a button. Pushing the button lifts the drone to waist-height and you take control from there. The same button is used to land it too.<\/p>\n\n

The left analogue stick controls the drone\u2019s height and rotation, making it go up, down and spin. The right analogue stick makes it go forward, back, left and right.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Simple on their own, but it\u2019s a much bigger challenge to make them work together! <\/p>\n\n

Those who don\u2019t have enough flying experience to pull off backflips and sharp turns are saved by the obstacle avoidance sensors in the drone. Get too close to an object and the Mini 3 Pro will autocorrect to save itself from a painful, expensive crash. That\u2019s a relief, as the drone has a price tag that starts at \u00a3709. <\/p>\n\n

DJI provides further automation in the form of manoeuvres known as \u2018Quickshots\u2019. <\/p>\n\n

Quickshots can shoot the drone up like a rocket while focusing on a target, or make it circle someone it\u2019s filming, or get it to pull backwards from an object or person, along with other clever tricks.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

There is also a mode called \u2018FocusTrack\u2019, which keeps the camera trained on a particular target that you select while the drone flies around and follows it. This is perfect for following someone as they run, drive, cycle or generally move at a pace that might be hard for inexperienced flyers to keep up with. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"
The tech crammed into the Mini 3 Pro helps novice flyers keep it safely in the air <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

For more accomplished drone pilots, there are advanced settings. DJI offers three modes with the Mini 3 Pro: cine mode (slow), normal, and sport (fast). While cine mode allows you to slowly track what you\u2019re filming, and will be best for most situations, those with rather more flying experience (and a lack of fear) can crank it up to sport mode. <\/p>\n\n

Keep in mind that in sport mode, the drone disables obstacle avoidance, so it requires precise flying skills. There\u2019s also a manual mode for imaging that gives you options to control shutter speed, ISO and white balance \u2013 all useful features for more advanced filmmakers. <\/p>\n\n

BECOMING AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHER <\/span><\/h5>\n\n

Despite its smaller and more portable design compared to DJI\u2019s other drones, the Mini 3 Pro still produces excellent images and videos. When recording video, it can achieve 4K footage at 30 frames per second (fps). However, it can go all the way up to 120fps, with a reduction in the quality as the frame rate increases. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

When it comes to still images, the Mini 3 Pro features a 12.1-megapixel (MP) sensor, able to take 48MP photos. In most scenarios, especially large scenic shots, the image quality is really impressive. Whether you\u2019re shooting stills or video, the camera captures the real-world well, accurately displaying colours and the level of light. On sunny days, it can struggle with minor details, along with overexposure, though. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

RATING: \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

PROS: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Lightweight <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Easy-to-use <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Takes excellent photos and videos <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Full of advanced and clever features <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONS: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Quite expensive <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Very fragile <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
VERDICT<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

For anyone in the market for a new drone, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is hard to ignore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, there are cheaper alternatives out there, as well as sturdier, feature-rich drones. But the Mini 3 Pro sits perfectly in the middle of those options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For beginners, this device offers a simple operating system with which to gain drone experience. When you\u2019re ready for a challenge, there is a treasure trove of more sophisticated settings to explore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there is plenty to satisfy those with more advanced drone knowledge. The lightweight nature of the Mini 3 Pro is one of its big selling points. Plus, DJI has crammed the device full of professional filming features, for those who want to get creative with their drone photography. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

3 ALTERNATIVE DRONES<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
FOR DAREDEVIL PILOTS\u2026 DJI FPV<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

While the DJI Mini 3 Pro is lightweight and speedy, it isn\u2019t the fastest or most nimble drone out there. First person view (FPV) drones use headsets so the pilot can see what the drone sees. With the DJI FPV (above), you can perform loops, dives, sharp turns and generally move about in a way you can\u2019t with other drones. While flying the thing takes a higher level of skill, the result is impressive, with the drone capable of darting around obstacles. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a31,249,<\/strong><\/span> dji.com <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
FOR PILOTS ON A BUDGET\u2026 RYZE TELLO<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

If you just want an affordable starter drone, the Ryze Tello is a great choice. It only costs \u00a399 and weighs just 80g. It can only fly for 13 minutes, and is limited to 720p video quality. It also lacks the same level of features and protections that DJI\u2019s more premium drones get. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a399, <\/strong><\/span>ryzerobotics.com<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
FOR PILOTS WITH CASH TO SPLASH\u2026 DJI MAVIC 3<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

If you want all the functionality and features you can get, consider the DJI Mavic 3. It\u2019s DJI\u2019s most powerful drone and has a dual-camera system that can record in 5.1K, or up to 200fps at a lower quality, and can fly for as long as 46 minutes. It\u2019s easily the best drone for filmmakers, but it\u2019s pricey and heavy (895g). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a31,729, <\/strong><\/span>dji.com <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Alex Hughes tries out DJI\u2019s newest do-it-all drone and finds it\u2019s light, easy-to-use, full of features and\u2026 hard to criticise<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":15445,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"46","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"46","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_46-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_46-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"Summer-2022","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"Summer-2022","purple_external_id":"Summer-2022-46-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"Summer-2022-46-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000089656||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000089656||","purple_android_product":"com.focus.magazine.issue380","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.focus.magazine.issue380","purple_ios_product":"com.focus.magazine.issue380","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.focus.magazine.issue380","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"0f422ad1-c939-476d-9f82-a410052ad4c3","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2022-07-26T12:01:56Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"65ffc075-6310-449a-b3cd-c8ec471cef51","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2022-07-27T10:12:28Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAw==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AZf_AdWMQRJqzzcjsRxzvUQ","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[28],"tags":[15],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2022\/07\/Mini-3-Pro-Outdoor-07_preview.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"7","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2022\/07\/Mini-3-Pro-Outdoor-07_preview.jpg",900,899,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2022\/07\/Mini-3-Pro-Outdoor-07_preview-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2022\/07\/Mini-3-Pro-Outdoor-07_preview-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2022\/07\/Mini-3-Pro-Outdoor-07_preview-768x767.jpg",768,767,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2022\/07\/Mini-3-Pro-Outdoor-07_preview.jpg",800,799,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2022\/07\/Mini-3-Pro-Outdoor-07_preview.jpg",900,899,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2022\/07\/Mini-3-Pro-Outdoor-07_preview.jpg",900,899,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Alex Hughes tries out DJI\u2019s newest do-it-all drone and finds it\u2019s light, easy-to-use, full of features and\u2026 hard to criticise","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15185"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15185"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15185\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16405,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15185\/revisions\/16405"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}