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DJI Mini 3 vs DJI Mini 5 Pro

Buy the Mini 3 if you want a complete, ready-to-fly drone at the lowest cost. Buy the Mini 5 Pro if image quality, obstacle sensing and low-light performance matter more than price, and you already own a Mini 5 Pro battery and controller. The Mini 5 Pro body alone is $846.00 at Newegg.com as of November 6, 2026, and it has no battery, charger or controller in the box, so add those costs. The Mini 3 ships as a full kit with the RC-N1 controller and a battery.

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DJI
DJI Mini 3 Camera Drone with RC-N1 Remote Controller

DJI Mini 3

DJI Mini 3 Camera Drone with RC-N1 Remote Controller

4.5(6 ratings)
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Choose the Mini 3 if you want a complete kit with controller and battery, a proven 4K-capable camera, and the lowest total cost to start flying.

Pros
  • Complete kit: controller, cables and battery included
  • Under 249 g, so no FAA recreational registration
  • 4K HDR video and true vertical shooting
  • Lower total cost to start flying
Cons
  • No obstacle avoidance sensors worth relying on
  • No internal storage; needs a microSD card
  • Older O2 transmission and 720p live view
  • Smaller sensor with weaker low-light detail
DJI
DJI Mini 5 Pro

DJI Mini 5 Pro

4.4(35 ratings)
$846.00at Newegg.comObserved Nov 6, 2026, 8:27 AM
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Visit Newegg.com

Choose the Mini 5 Pro if you already own Mini 5 Pro batteries and a DJI RC 2 or RC-N3, and you want the 1-inch 50MP sensor, LiDAR obstacle avoidance and 4K/120fps slow motion.

Pros
  • 1-inch 50MP sensor with strong dynamic range
  • Forward LiDAR and omnidirectional sensing
  • 4K/120fps slow motion and 42 GB internal storage
  • Up to 52 minutes with the Plus battery
Cons
  • Body-only: no battery, charger or controller
  • $846.00 at Newegg.com as of November 6, 2026, before battery and controller
  • 249.9 g is right at the 250 g line; check your setup
  • Body could be tougher, per buyer complaints

What separates them

DJI Mini 3DJI Mini 5 Pro
What ships in the boxAircraft, RC-N1 controller, cables and a batteryAircraft only; no battery, charger or controller
Camera sensor1/1.3-inch CMOS, 12MP stills, 4K HDR video1-inch CMOS, 50MP stills, 4K/60fps HDR up to 14 stops
Slow motionFHD up to 60 fps4K up to 120 fps
Obstacle sensingNo forward LiDAR; limited sensingForward LiDAR plus omnidirectional vision
Flight timeUp to 34 minutes (31 minutes listed in specs)Up to 36 minutes with Standard battery, 52 with Plus
Internal storageNone; microSD only42 GB built in
WeightUnder 249 g249.9 g with Standard battery
PriceFull kit price at listed stores$846.00 at Newegg.com as of November 6, 2026, body only

Price history

$846.00$599.00
Oct 29Nov 6
  • DJI Mini 3: lowest $599.00 on Oct 29.
  • DJI Mini 5 Pro: lowest $633.33 on Oct 31 at King of Hobby Deals; $846.00 on Nov 6.

Prices at every store

DJI Mini 3

  • Drone NerdsCheck price at Drone Nerds
  • BrazilboxCheck price at Brazilbox
  • eBayCheck price at eBay

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Prices and history →

DJI Mini 5 Pro

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $959.00Observed Nov 6, 2026, 8:27 AM
    Visit Best Buy
  • Newegg.comNew

    Availability unknownSold by Prime Drone

    $846.00Observed Nov 6, 2026, 8:27 AM
    Visit Newegg.com
  • Abt Electronics & AppliancesNew

    Availability unknown

    $959.00Observed Nov 6, 2026, 8:27 AM
    Visit Abt Electronics & Appliances
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknownSold by Beach Camera

    $1,050.00Observed Nov 6, 2026, 5:51 PM
    Visit Walmart

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • B&H Photo-Video-AudioCheck price at B&H Photo-Video-Audio
  • LumenierCheck price at Lumenier
All 10 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecDJI Mini 3DJI Mini 5 Pro
With CameraYesYes
MiniYesYes
ColorGraySilver
Maximum Flight Time31 Minutes—
Camera Effective Pixels12MP—
Camera Sensor1/2.3" CMOS—
Video Resolution2.7K: 2720x1530@24/25/30 fps, FHD: 1920x1080@24…—
Lens Field of View82.1°—
Lens Focus Distance1m to infinity—
Live View Quality720p/30fps—
Live View Latency200 ms (Depending on the actual environment and…—
Video Transmission SystemDJI O2—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecDJI Mini 3DJI Mini 5 Pro
Max Video Bitrate40 Mbps—
Photo FormatJPEG/DNG (RAW)—
Operating Distance0 mi Operating Distance—
Flying Time34 min flying time—
Run time—36 min
Maximum image resolution—8064×6048
Video streaming quality—1080p
Brand—DJI
Gimbal mount style—3-Axis Gimbal
Maximum speed

What reviewers say

DJI Mini 3

Owners rate the Mini 3 highly as a first drone and a travel camera, praising the image quality and easy setup for the price. The common complaints are the lack of obstacle sensors, the missing 60 fps and log options, and the phone-based controller.

What people mention
  • Image qualityPraisedOwners say the 1/1.3-inch sensor and f/1.7 lens deliver clean 4K and usable low-light footage for the size.
  • WeightPraisedAt under 249 g it avoids registration rules in many countries and packs easily.
  • Obstacle avoidanceCriticisedBuyers note there are no forward or downward sensors, so you must watch the drone yourself.
  • Video featuresMixed4K HDR and vertical shooting are liked, but the missing 60 fps and log profile frustrate more advanced users.

DJI Mini 5 Pro

  • 4.4 / 535 ratings

Reviewers rate the Mini 5 Pro 4.4 out of 5 from 35 ratings and praise its image and video quality for such a small drone. Most find it easy to set up and fly, though one beginner found control hard at first and some flagged low-light performance and obstacle sensing.

What people mention
  • Image qualityPraisedOwners call the photos and video amazing for a drone this small.
  • Low lightCriticisedSome reviewers say low-light performance falls below their expectations.
  • Obstacle sensingMixedSensors add a sense of safety, but reviewers note they can miss tiny objects.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a beginner?
The Mini 3, because it arrives ready to fly with a controller and battery. The Mini 5 Pro body needs a battery and a DJI RC 2 or RC-N3 before it can leave the ground.
Is the Mini 5 Pro worth the extra money?
Yes if you already own Mini 5 Pro batteries and a controller and want the 1-inch sensor, LiDAR and 4K/120fps. If you are starting from nothing, the Mini 3 kit costs far less in total.
Which has better low-light video?
The Mini 5 Pro. Its 1-inch sensor and f/1.8 lens gather more light than the Mini 3's 1/1.3-inch sensor, though some reviewers still found its low-light results below expectations.
Do both avoid obstacles?
Only the Mini 5 Pro has forward LiDAR and omnidirectional vision sensing. The Mini 3 has no comparable obstacle avoidance, so fly it carefully.
Which flies longer?
The Mini 5 Pro: up to 36 minutes with the Standard battery and 52 with the Plus battery. The Mini 3 is rated up to 34 minutes.
Do I need to register either drone with the FAA?
The Mini 3 is under 249 g, so recreational flights do not need registration. The Mini 5 Pro is 249.9 g with the Standard battery, just over the 250 g threshold, and it has built-in Remote ID for compliance.

More comparisons

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  • DJI Mini 3 Camera Drone with RC-N1 Remote Controller vs Contixo f33 4K Drone
  • DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Contixo f33 4K Drone
  • DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo with RC vs DJI Mini 3 Camera Drone with RC-N1 Remote Controller

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best drones
—
36 mph
Field of view—60 º
Assembled product weight—1.92 lb
Data storage—42 GB
Memory card type—Micro SD, Micro SDHC
Sensor technology—CMOS
Image sensor—CMOS
Bitrate—150 Gbps
Digital zoom—4x
Iso range—100 to 6400
Maximum aperture—f/1.8
Number of rotors—4
Accessories included—Remote Control
Beaufort scale wind resistance—5
Digital video file format—MP4
Digital image formats—JPEG, DNG
Assembled product height—5.07 in
Maximum operating temperature—104 ºF
Minimum operating temperature—20 ºC
  • Ease of useMixedMost find setup and flying easy, while one beginner found control challenging at first.