Are you torn between the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Autel EVO Nano+ for your next ultra-light drone? CARDIAGTECH.NET is here to help you make the best choice. This in-depth comparison dives into design, performance, camera capabilities, and software, offering a clear path to selecting the perfect drone for your needs. Consider factors like flight time, camera quality, and obstacle avoidance when deciding.
1. Design and Build Quality: A Tale of Two Ultralights
Both the DJI Mini 3 Pro and the Autel EVO Nano+ are designed to be ultra-portable, falling under the 249g weight limit, which avoids stricter regulations in many countries. Let’s examine their design nuances:
| Feature | DJI Mini 3 Pro | Autel EVO Nano+ |
|---|---|---|
| Take-Off Weight | 249g | 249g |
| Size (Unfolded) | 171 x 245 x 62mm | 170 x 215 x 55mm |
| Size (Folded) | 145 x 90 x 62mm | 142 x 94 x 55mm |
| Diagonal Span | 247mm | 253mm |
| Collision Sensors | Front, Back, Down | Front, Back, Down |
| Aesthetics | Compact, Aggressive, Air 2S Inspired | Workman-like, Orange (Multiple Colors Avail.) |
The Autel EVO Nano+ stands out with its vibrant orange color, projecting a robust, professional image. It also comes in grey+yellow, lighter grey with graphite trim, or pure red. DJI’s Mini 3 Pro adopts a more streamlined design, reminiscent of the Air 2S.
The placement of obstacle avoidance sensors differs slightly. DJI uses “frog-eye” protrusions, while Autel integrates them more smoothly into the body. Autel also provides a propeller strap and gimbal cover, a slight edge over DJI’s basic gimbal cover.
Alt: DJI Mini 3 Pro and Autel Evo Nano+ drones side-by-side, highlighting their compact designs and obstacle avoidance sensors.
Additionally, Autel includes a 4-LED test circuit on its batteries, allowing for convenient charge level checks without needing the drone. This is a practical advantage for field use.
2. Speed and Maneuverability: Agility in the Air
Both drones are rated to withstand Force 5 winds on the Beaufort scale, but real-world performance varies.
| Feature | DJI Mini 3 Pro | Autel EVO Nano+ |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Speed | 36mph | 33.5mph |
| Wind Resistance | Force 5 (claimed) | Force 5 (claimed) |
During tests, the DJI Mini 3 Pro exhibited better stability in windy conditions, while the Autel EVO Nano+ seemed to dance a bit more. The Mini 3 Pro also boasts an impressive ascent and descent rate of 5 m/s, contributing to its overall agility.
Both drones offer multiple speed modes (Cine/Smooth, Normal/Standard, and Sport/Ludicrous), catering to different piloting needs. DJI’s remote includes a dedicated speed mode switch, a convenient feature.
When obstacle avoidance is active, both drones slow down to navigate around objects. This is a safety feature, but it can also reduce responsiveness.
Alt: DJI Mini 3 Pro in flight, showcasing its agility and compact design.
3. Battery Life: Maximizing Flight Time
Battery life is a critical factor for drone users. Here’s a comparison of the theoretical and real-world performance:
| Feature | DJI Mini 3 Pro | Mini 3 Pro Flight Battery Plus | Autel EVO Nano+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Max Flight Time | 34 mins | 47 mins | 28 mins |
| Hover Time | 30 mins | 40 mins | 28 mins |
| Battery Capacity | 2453mAh | 3850mAh | 2250mAh |
| Battery Weight | 80.5g | 121g | 83g |
The DJI Mini 3 Pro has a slight edge in standard battery life. However, the Intelligent Battery Plus option significantly extends flight time, though it pushes the drone’s weight over the 249g limit in some regions. Real-world flight times are typically lower than the theoretical maximum, factoring in wind, piloting style, and return-to-home time.
As mentioned earlier, Autel batteries have a built-in tester, which is a handy feature for quick checks in the field.
4. Gimbal and Camera: Capturing Stunning Visuals
The gimbal and camera are at the heart of any aerial photography drone. Here’s how the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Autel EVO Nano+ compare:
| Feature | DJI Mini 3 Pro | Autel EVO Nano+ |
|---|---|---|
| Axis | 3 (pitch, roll, yaw) | 3 (pitch, roll, yaw) |
| Tilt | -135˚ to 80˚ | -125˚ to 35˚ |
| Roll | -135˚ to 45˚ | -33˚ to 34˚ |
| Pan | -30˚ to 30˚ | -25˚ to 25˚ |
| Vertical Shooting | Yes | No |
The DJI Mini 3 Pro’s standout feature is its ability to rotate the camera 90˚ for vertical (portrait) shots. This is a significant advantage for social media content creators. The Mini 3 Pro also has a wider range of motion on the roll axis.
The Autel EVO Nano+’s gimbal is mounted on rubber dampers and shielded from above, which can limit its range of motion during aggressive maneuvers.
Alt: Close-up of the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s camera and gimbal, highlighting its vertical shooting capability.
5. Controller and Range: Staying Connected
The controller and range are crucial for maintaining a stable connection and controlling the drone effectively.
| Feature | DJI Mini 3 Pro | Autel EVO Nano+ |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | DJI O3 | Autel Skylink |
| Range (FCC) | 12km | 10km |
| Range (CE) | 6km | 6km |
| Live View Quality | 1080p/30fps | 2.7k/30fps |
While both drones offer impressive range, legal restrictions often limit the practical operating distance. The Autel EVO Nano+ has a higher resolution live view feed (2.7K vs. 1080p), providing a clearer view during flight.
The Autel EVO Nano+ comes with a comfortable gamepad-style controller, while DJI offers the standard RC-N1 or a new controller with a built-in display. The DJI RC controller adds to the price but offers convenience with its integrated screen.
DJI’s RC-N1 controller includes a handy holder for leads and control sticks. DJI also provides longer battery life for the controller.
6. Still Photos: Image Quality Comparison
Both drones boast impressive camera specifications for their size.
| Feature | DJI Mini 3 Pro | Autel EVO Nano+ |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Sensor Size | 1 / 1.3 inch | 1/1.28 inch |
| ISO Range | 100-6400 | 100-6400 |
| Field of View (FOV) | 82.1˚ | 85˚ |
| Max Aperture | ƒ/1.7 | ƒ/1.9 |
| Formats | JPEG / DNG (RAW) | JPEG / DNG (RAW) |
The Mini 3 Pro has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.7 vs f/1.9). DJI images tend to be sharper but with more noise, while Autel images apply stronger sharpening and noise reduction. Both brands encourage users to shoot at 12MP for optimal results.
DJI’s color processing favors greens and blues, while Autel’s approach results in crisper images with less saturation. Both drones offer manual modes, bracketing, and interval shooting. The Autel EVO Nano+ also has an “HDR Imaging” function.
Alt: Unedited JPEG image from the DJI Mini 3 Pro, showcasing excellent dynamic range and detail.
Alt: JPEG image from the Autel Evo Nano Plus, demonstrating sharp detail and pleasing tones in evening light.
7. Video: Capturing Aerial Footage
Video capabilities are essential for many drone users.
| Feature | DJI Mini 3 Pro | Autel EVO Nano+ |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K/60fps | 4K/30fps |
| Slow Motion | 1080P/120fps | – |
| Bitrate | 150mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Digital Zoom (4K) | 2x | 2x |
| Digital Zoom (1080P) | 4x | 16x |
The DJI Mini 3 Pro offers 4K/60fps recording, while the Autel EVO Nano+ is limited to 4K/30fps. The Mini 3 Pro also supports 1080P/120fps slow motion. DJI offers a flat color profile (D-Cinelike), while Autel has Log.
Similar to still photos, DJI video tends to be less processed, while Autel video is sharper with more aggressive processing.
8. Software Features: Smart Functionality
AI subject tracking and pre-programmed flight modes enhance the user experience.
Both drones offer AI subject tracking, but DJI’s system is more mature and versatile. DJI’s tracking tools can orbit a moving subject or track from the side, while Autel’s Dynamic Track software is still in beta and prefers following from behind.
Both drones offer Hyperlapse functionality and pre-programmed QuickShots (automatic flight paths to capture a shareable video). Autel’s Quickshots can be captured at 4K, while DJI’s are limited to 1080p.
The Autel EVO Nano+ has a unique feature: the ability to record audio from your phone’s microphone to the video.
Alt: The DJI Mini 3 Pro tracking a subject and orbiting it simultaneously.
Alt: The Autel Nano Plus Portrait function tracking a moving subject and adjusting the drone’s orientation.
9. Expert Opinions and User Preferences
Experienced drone pilots often have brand preferences based on familiarity and control feel. DJI is generally more well-known. Autel’s photographic approach is often praised for its “right” look at normal resolutions, but DJI offers more possibilities for post-processing with its high-res .dng option.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro feels more comfortable in windy conditions and offers slightly more power.
10. Final Verdict: Which Drone is Right for You?
Alt: The DJI Mini 3 Pro, representing a versatile and reliable choice for aerial photography and videography.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro emerges as the winner due to its longer battery life, more reliable airframe (especially in wind), and greater choice in controllers.
While the Autel Evo Nano+ has its strengths, the DJI Mini 3 Pro provides better overall performance and versatility.
FAQ: DJI Mini 3 Pro vs Autel EVO Nano+
1. Which drone is better for beginners?
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is often recommended for beginners due to its user-friendly interface, robust obstacle avoidance, and stable flight performance.
2. Which drone has better image quality?
Image quality is subjective, but the DJI Mini 3 Pro offers more flexibility for post-processing with its DNG (RAW) format and less aggressive image processing.
3. Which drone is better for social media content creation?
The DJI Mini 3 Pro’s ability to shoot vertical (portrait) photos directly makes it ideal for social media content.
4. Which drone has a longer flight time?
The DJI Mini 3 Pro, especially when paired with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, offers a longer flight time than the Autel EVO Nano+.
5. Which drone is more portable?
Both drones are incredibly portable, weighing under 249g. The folded dimensions are similar, making them easy to carry.
6. Which drone has better obstacle avoidance?
Both drones have front, rear, and downward obstacle avoidance. DJI’s system is considered more mature and reliable.
7. Which drone is better in windy conditions?
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is generally considered more stable in windy conditions.
8. Which drone has a better controller?
DJI offers more controller options, including a controller with a built-in screen. The Autel controller is comfortable but lacks advanced features.
9. What are the key differences in software features?
DJI’s subject tracking is more advanced, while Autel offers the ability to record audio from your phone’s microphone.
10. Which drone offers the best value for money?
While pricing varies, the DJI Mini 3 Pro generally offers a better balance of features and performance for its price.
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