Micro drones are one of DJI’s most popular models, offering beginner pilots an easy and affordable entry into the world of drones. While the DJI Mini 2 is the latest model of micro drone released by DJI, speculation has been running wild about an upcoming micro drone that could blow the previous one out of the water. The new DJI Mini drone, rumoured to be titled the Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro, or even the Air 2 Mini, is said to contain several new features that improve the camera and the flying experience of the DJI Mini 2.
The DJI Mini 2 has been a major success for DJI, with a foldable and ultralight weight of only 249g that falls below the limits set by Transport Canada. It also has a 31-minute max flight time and 10km video transmission range that can compete with some of the bigger DJI drones. With intelligent flight modes that help you capture social-media worthy videos and return the drone safely to its beginning position, the DJI Mini 2 is already a marvel. We’re excited to see how many of the rumours are true about the DJI Mini 3 and how it improves upon the already popular Mini 2.
Image via @DealsDrone on Twitter
Key Features Of The DJI Mini 3
A leaked image from regular DJI leaker @OsitaLV shows a potential image of the upcoming DJI Mini 3 Pro. While the user posted a caption claiming to be joking, it’s unclear whether or not it is in fact an actual leaked image of the new DJI Mini drone. If the leaked image is to be believed, there are a few key features that we can glean from it. Based on speculation from @Dealsdrone, a reliable source of DJI leaks, we can believe the new DJI Mini drone to contain the following features:
1/1.3-inch CMOS Sensor
Based on the configuration of the image, the DJI Mini 3 appears to contain a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor. This would result in a much better image quality than the DJI Mini 2, featuring less noise in images than the previous drone’s camera. The DJI Mini 2 contains a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that, while a major upgrade from the original Mavic Mini, is leagues behind the potential 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor of the Mini 3.
F1.7 Large Aperture
While the DJI Mini 2 has an F2.8 aperture, the new DJI Mini drone appears to have an F1.7 large aperture. This would allow more light in for better low light performance than the DJI Mini 2. More light would also allow greater control over camera parameters, making the DJI Mini 3 an improvement over the Mini 2.
Image via @OsitaLV on Twitter
Image via @OsitaLV on Twitter
A leaked image from regular DJI leaker @OsitaLV shows a potential image of the upcoming DJI Mini 3 Pro. While the user posted a caption claiming to be joking, it’s unclear whether or not it is in fact an actual leaked image of the new DJI Mini drone. If the leaked image is to be believed, there are a few key features that we can glean from it. Based on speculation from @Dealsdrone, a reliable source of DJI leaks, we can believe the new DJI Mini drone to contain the following features:
1/1.3-inch CMOS Sensor
Based on the configuration of the image, the DJI Mini 3 appears to contain a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor. This would result in a much better image quality than the DJI Mini 2, featuring less noise in images than the previous drone’s camera. The DJI Mini 2 contains a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that, while a major upgrade from the original Mavic Mini, is leagues behind the potential 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor of the Mini 3.
F1.7 Large Aperture
While the DJI Mini 2 has an F2.8 aperture, the new DJI Mini drone appears to have an F1.7 large aperture. This would allow more light in for better low light performance than the DJI Mini 2. More light would also allow greater control over camera parameters, making the DJI Mini 3 an improvement over the Mini 2.
Gimbal
The gimbal appears to be tilted at a large angle, which is significant in that it would allow you to shoot upwards. If you were planning on flying underneath a structure and looking upwards to film, this would be quite a useful feature on the DJI Mini 3. While the DIJ Mini 2 had a tilt from -110° to 35°, it’s unknown what the tilt angle would be for the new gimbal.
Vertical Mode
The camera appears to support vertical mode, which would be a great incentive to anyone looking for vertical stills and photos. These can be especially useful when filming posts for social media or shooting snapshots for a mobile webpage.
3-Directional Obstacle Avoidance
Previously, the DJI Mini 2 had no obstacle avoidance technology due to the small size of the drone. The new DJI Mini drone appears to have 3-directional obstacle avoidance sensors, similar to the DJI Mavic Air 2. While this may not be as advanced as the omni-directional obstacle avoidance capabilities of some of the larger commercial DJI drones, it is quite transformative for a mini drone. This would be the first time a sub 250g drone by DJI contained any obstacle avoidance capabilities at all.
ActiveTrack Mode
ActiveTrack Mode is a popular feature of many of DJI’s larger drones, although it’s not yet made its way into the DJI Mini 2 or the mini drone before it. With the new DJI Mini drone, it appears people will be able to enjoy the use of ActiveTrack Mode to create cinema grade videos. ActiveTrack will allow users to automatically track and film objects as they fly through the air, enabling seamless tracking and much more professional-quality videos.
Image via @JasperEllens on Twitter
O3 Transmission System
The DJI Mini 3 appears to contain OcuSync 3.0 video transmission, which would allow the mini drone to transmit 4K/60fps video over a distance of 10 km. This would be a much longer range than the OcuSync 2.0 of the previous DJI Mini 2, achieving another notable improvement for the new DJI Mini drone.
New Remote Controller
Lastly, it appears that the upcoming DJI Mini 3 will contain a new remote controller with a built-in screen. This would get rid of the need to use your smartphone as a controller, eliminating any worries about phone compatibility and sunlight visibility. The remote controller would be all you need to fly the drone.
Everything we’ve learned about the new DJI Mini drone is speculation, including the title of DJI Mini 3. It’s possible that the upcoming DJI Mini drone is simply an upgrade to the Mini 2. Still, these potential features are all a major improvement upon the already popular DJI Mini 2. After last year’s release of the DJI Mini SE, which offered a cheaper version of the original Mavic Mini, we’re excited to see what DJI has in store for the new higher-end, ultra-light drone.
From the rumoured specifications, this upcoming drone comes close to the feature-set of the current DJI Mavic Air 2 with its front and back facing obstacle avoidance, camera resolution, ActiveTrack and range. Judging by the Mini 2 specifications, the new one should also sport similar maximum transmission range and wind resistance.
As for the price of the upcoming model, that part of the rumour mill is purely on speculation alone. But compared to similar models, we’d expect it to cost somewhere between the price of the Mavic Air 2 and the DJI Mini 2.
Dr Drone
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DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.