Welcome to my assessment of the Autel EVO II Professional and DJI Mini 3, two worthy opponents within the battle of one of the best client drone.
The EVO II Professional and Mini 3 aren’t the most recent of their respective drone traces, however that ain’t such a nasty factor.
The bugs have been labored out, many pilots have amassed expertise with them (together with yours actually), and all their options are identified – the great, dangerous, and the ugly.
I primarily fly drones for enjoyable however at all times maintain a eager eye on the business options that might make a drone versatile sufficient for work tasks.
In any case, one of the best drones are fulfilling to make use of however may also help you get jobs achieved.
This assessment will evaluate the variations in options between the Mini 3 and EVO II Professional, capitalizing on my many hours of expertise with each drones to declaratively assign a winner. I’ll make a deep, thorough comparability of options, so you’ll be able to resolve whether or not you agree with my advice of the Mini 3 or just like the EVO II Professional higher.
Whether or not you’re including to your business fleet or in search of a beginner-friendly answer to take to the skies, the precise drone is ready for you.
I’ve acquired the intel forward that will help you resolve, so let’s soar proper into it!
Temporary overview
Autel EVO II Professional
The EVO II Professional was launched in 2020, making it virtually two full years older than the Mini 3.
Drone expertise strikes quick, and the variations in these two years will turn into obvious as this assessment continues.
Nonetheless, it’s not like Autel launched the EVO II Professional and forgot about it. Oh, no. Fairly, it was upgraded 3 times over, with the V3 version and its included rugged bundles nonetheless top-of-the-line values for the cash you will get at present.
Listed here are a few of its starring options:
- 1-inch Sony CMOS digital camera sensor that shoots in 6K video high quality at 30 frames per second
- 20 MP picture high quality in 12-bit DNG high quality for simpler enhancing
- 6.4-inch Sensible Controller SE so you’ll be able to maintain your cellphone in your pocket
- 12 kilometers of transmission vary that competes with any DJI drone (even in 2023)
- 19 sensor teams for 360-degree impediment avoidance
- Wonderful flight time of 40 minutes
» MORE: Is Autel Evo 2 Waterproof (& Can You Fly It within the Rain)?
DJI Mini 3
The newer child on the block, the Mini 3, is like the center cousin in DJI Mini drones.
It’s older than the Mini 3 Professional and Mini 4, as DJI has launched Mini drones at a blistering tempo, nevertheless it’s acquired extra superior options than widespread favorites just like the Mini 2 or Mini 2 SE.
Launched in 2022, the Mini 3 continues to push the boundaries of what’s potential in a small client drone.
Nonetheless, contemplating that is DJI we’re speaking about right here, the persevering with innovation within the Mini line shouldn’t shock you.
Listed here are a few of my favourite, can’t-miss options:
- Light-weight sufficient that you just don’t should register it (below 249 grams)
- 1 1/3-inch CMOS sensor that shoots in 4K HDR video high quality and 48 MP picture high quality
- Fingers-off Clever Flight Modes designed to facilitate newbie flight, together with auto takeoffs
- LightCut enhancing suite for sharpening your footage and publishing it on the go
- Distinctive digital camera capabilities, together with f/1.7 aperture, four-in-one pixels, and zoom for detail-driven pictures
- Battery lifetime of as much as 51 minutes by upgrading to the Clever Flight Battery Plus
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 – Newbie’s Information
Fast Verdict
Whereas newer may not at all times be higher, that is a kind of situations the place it undeniably is.
We’ve in contrast these two drones extensively, testing them in the identical situations to see which performs with extra agility and enjoyability. That’s our promise to you at Droneblog, to solely suggest one of the best.
We’ve concluded that the DJI Mini 3 outshines the DJI Autel EVO II Professional in all of the areas the place it counts, together with newbie features, weight, on-the-go enhancing, ease of use, good modes, and battery life.
In a manner, evaluating the EVO II Professional and Mini 3 is like apples or oranges, as their variations are particularly obvious (as you’re about to see within the subsequent part).
Nonetheless, in a pure head-to-head, the Mini 3 has extra of what at present’s drone pilots are in search of.
It’s commercial-friendly but nice for leisure use. It has newbie options however doesn’t maintain your hand a lot that an intermediate or extra skilled pilot seems like they shouldn’t use it.
» MORE: Sensible Options in Drones (Defined for Learners)
As a result of it’s newer, the Mini 3 has extra cutting-edge options than the EVO II Professional. It additionally helps that the Mini 3 is a DJI drone.
There’s a purpose this model is related to client drones greater than every other. It’s the top of high quality in lots of circumstances, and different drone manufacturers discover it powerful to beat DJI’s options.
All that stated, pushing the EVO II Professional to the aspect could be an enormous mistake. This drone is a verifiable powerhouse able to superb feats.
The rugged bundle included with the V3 version makes it cost-effective, even when its worth is greater than twice the Mini 3.
You’ve acquired to think about that whenever you purchase the Mini 3, you’re getting a distant controller, a drone, and that’s about it. Some packages solely embody the drone.
In order for you all the things else it’s good to fly, similar to a microSD card, upgraded battery, ND filters, and the DJI Two-Means Charging Hub, you could buy them individually.
By comparability, the EVO II Professional V3 consists of the drone, distant controller, energy cable, person guide, battery charger, carrying case, spare propeller set, RC charger, lanyard, RC charging cable, and two spare management sticks.
Plus, the EVO II Professional nonetheless has a digital camera high quality that drones within the Mini sequence can’t match.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite Plus vs DJI Air 3 (Right here’s My Favourite)
What are the principle variations?
Going again to my level from earlier than, these two drones are a little bit of an apples-to-oranges comparability. Nonetheless, I feel that’s what makes it enjoyable.
These drones every have their very own distinct taste, inviting you to discover their worlds and offering completely different experiences whenever you fly.
And belief me, I’d know, as I’ve examined these drones extensively and in contrast them in opposition to a number of different predecessors and successors to make sure I chosen the precise one.
Bearing that in thoughts, listed here are among the largest variations I observed between these drones, starting with the EVO II Professional.
- Measurement and weight: The EVO II Professional shouldn’t be some dainty little factor. It’s not alleged to be. It weighs 1,191 grams and measures 457 millimeters by 558 millimeters by 108 millimeters unfolded. It’s a powerhouse, and the Mini 3 is way smaller by comparability in each manner.
- Colour and design: Orange you glad to see the EVO II Professional? Its electrical shade scheme is superior; let’s be actual. It additionally augments visibility to see the drone higher, so it’s there for greater than the visible attraction. The design of this drone can be a tonal shift from the Mini 3, because it has a extra rugged exterior and a much less polished attraction. I imply that within the nicest manner potential, in fact.
- Impediment avoidance: The all-encompassing impediment avoidance options the EVO II Professional delivers are achievable by way of almost two dozen sensors. That features IMUs, ultrasound, and imaginative and prescient sensors. By comparability, the Mini 3 has none, a obtrusive omission.
- Dwell Deck 2: Take your streaming capabilities additional with the superior Dwell Deck 2. This HDMI output module has a five-hour battery life and may transmit footage as much as 7.5 miles in 1080p/60fps dwell video. It’s not as nice because the transmission the EVO II Professional itself boasts, nevertheless it’s a wonderful augmentative function.
It’s solely honest to present the Mini 3 its flowers, so listed here are some methods it differentiates itself from the very succesful EVO II Professional.
- No registration required recreationally: The FAA requires registering all leisure drones over 250 grams. For those who solely use your Mini 3 for enjoyable, it’s mild sufficient you’ll be able to skip this step. Understand that this doesn’t apply to business drone use, whatever the weight. In that regard, the Mini 3 isn’t any higher than the EVO II Professional.
- Newbie-friendly: I wouldn’t say the EVO II Professional lacks beginner-friendly options, as that will be unfair. Nonetheless, the Mini 3 has extra of them, similar to Auto Takeoff, Return to Residence, and Exact Hovering. Its lack of impediment avoidance does hamper its newbie capabilities.
- On-the-go enhancing: LightCut Video Editor is a DJI app suitable with the Mini 3. You may obtain it without cost within the Apple App Retailer or Google Play Retailer. Activate extra capturing modes, preview your footage when you take it, edit it, and output it. The One-Faucet function on this app makes use of AI to shine your footage routinely, or you need to use video templates to place your personal spin in your footage. Producing social-media-ready movies with out having to spend hours in submit is likely one of the greatest options the Mini 3 presents.
- Clever Flight Modes: DJI’s Clever Flight Modes proceed to show why this model is such a powerhouse. Moreover the auto modes talked about above, you’ll be able to swap seamlessly between Boomerang, Dronie, Rocket, Helix, and Circle modes, taking professional-looking drone footage with out having to manually manipulate the Mini 3. The EVO II Professional has good modes, however not on the identical degree.
» MORE: Does the DJI Mini 3 Must Be Registered? (Defined for Learners)
Autel EVO II Professional
The EVO II Professional is one in every of Autel’s main drones, regardless that it’s not the most recent.
The V3 version consists of each part and accent it’s good to get on the market and fly, making it the premier alternative for the pilot who doesn’t need to lay our a fortune on components for his or her drone.
This Autel drone continues to encourage different drone producers for its unsurpassed video high quality. The 6K video high quality this drone is able to is undoubtedly due to its top-line one-inch Sony CMOS sensor.
No different drone within the DJI Mini sequence has the identical degree of video high quality. Heck, even the Mini 4, the newest and best Mini (as of this writing), can’t produce video on the identical degree.
And it’s not like Autel created a 6K digital camera and stopped there. It melded HDR and 4K to generate a digital camera that has among the better of one of the best element, readability, shade, and brightness.
You’ll discover that filming in vibrant daylight doesn’t make your footage look washed out, and lingering into the twilight hours doesn’t hamper high quality both.
Aspiring filmmakers and cinematographers will love this drone’s immersive digital camera.
You may acquire a aggressive benefit along with your information and actual property footage, as yours will likely be shot with such good high quality you would win extra purchasers and contracts.
I may go on all day concerning the EVO II Professional’s digital camera, however that will be a disservice to its myriad different options.
As an illustration, this drone is foldable and stowable, a reality I don’t suppose it will get sufficient credit score for.
» MORE: Are Autel Drones Any Good? (You May Be Stunned)
Its picture high quality is to not be ignored, as the identical CMOS sensor produces 20 MP photographs with a max ISO vary of 44000 and a togglable aperture between f/2.8 and f/11.
Your picture footage may have higher body charges than previous EVO drones, higher noise suppression, and a dynamic vary to die for.
Mixed with options just like the Moonlight Algorithm 2.0 for after-dark capturing and 6K Hyperlapse, you’ll be able to clearly perceive why so many go gaga over the EVO II Professional V3’s digital camera.
It’s the stuff of legend!
This drone is a lot greater than merely a digital camera, in fact. It has comparable video transmission to DJI, so you’ll be able to ship your footage when you take it.
For those who juggle quite a lot of drone tasks otherwise you’re a social media megastar who’s chronically on-line, you’ll love how straightforward it’s to share your escapades as they occur.
Autel Robotics EVO 2 PRO V3
Autel EVO II Professional V3 is upgraded with Autel drone’s all new SkyLink 2.0 video transmission expertise, permits video transmission from as much as 15 km.
We earn a fee when you make a purchase order, at no extra value to you.
11/02/2023 03:42 am GMT
DJI Mini 3
The Mini 3 has loads to dwell as much as, contemplating it’s a part of a beloved line of DJI drones. I feel it does the job after which some!
This small, versatile, moveable drone is for inexperienced persons, intermediates, and even consultants who’re at all times on the go and wish a drone that travels with them with out weighing them down.
Its impressively lengthy base flight time of 38 minutes grants you greater than sufficient time to get your work achieved and be in your merry manner, driving to the following job website or enhancing in your cellphone when you give your drone a relaxation.
The Mini 3’s handy weight makes it extra accessible to inexperienced persons who don’t need to undergo the time and hassle of registering their drone.
Why take the additional step when you will get out and fly your drone at present? I have to reiterate that skipping registration solely applies recreationally, nevertheless it’s nonetheless amongst this drone’s prime perks.
Its 4K video and 20 MP images, achievable by way of its 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, maintain up remarkably nicely contemplating this drone was launched in 2022, which is already lightyears away within the tech world.
Your photographs are DNG recordsdata, that are like RAW recordsdata relating to high quality. Right here’s a perk of DNG – smaller file sizes!
In comparison with RAW, DNG recordsdata are as much as 20 % smaller.
Your SD or microSD card solely has a lot area. Taking images which have smaller file sizes however comparable high quality will assist you to fill the cardboard with extra.
Extra is at all times higher!
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Professional – Which is Higher?
The Mini 3 offers you different methods to really feel like knowledgeable cinematographer or photographer, even when you’ve by no means picked up a drone a day in your life prior to now.
The HDR and twin native ISO produce extra shadows and highlights, the adjustable aperture vary helps you to seize footage in your model, and nighttime capturing doesn’t sacrifice one iota of high quality.
As if all that wasn’t nice sufficient, the true Vertical Capturing the Mini 3 boasts makes your movies and images social-media-ready with none time in submit.
You need to use LightCut to present your footage that additional panache or publish it immediately.
Your opponents may have nothing on you!
DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC)
Light-weight and Foldable Mini Digital camera Drone with 4K HDR Video, 38-min Flight Time, True Vertical Capturing, and Clever Options.
We earn a fee when you make a purchase order, at no extra value to you.
11/02/2023 03:11 am GMT
Head-to-head comparability
Digital camera system
Winner: Autel EVO II Professional
The Mini 3 has a lot to supply in lots of classes, however I’d be remiss to say it’s the winner right here.
It may need the higher picture high quality between the 2 drones (20 MP for the EVO II Professional vs. 48 MP for the Mini 3), nevertheless it’s that 6K video I can’t recover from.
Will you discover a distinction between 4K and 6K video from the EVO II Professional to the Mini 3 when you’re a inexperienced pilot utilizing a drone digital camera for the primary time? No, in fact not. Simply as you received’t discover the marginally decrease picture high quality of the EVO II Professional.
Nonetheless, when you’re extra seasoned at drone use, you may discern the distinction.
Business pilots and leisure social media aficionados should have one of the best of one of the best.
The 20 MP picture high quality of the EVO II Professional greater than suffices for on a regular basis jobs like information pictures, aerial actual property photographs, and surveying. Its video high quality can be greater than wonderful.
And whereas it’s true that the Mini 3 does superb within the above areas, I feel the video high quality of the EVO II Professional edges out the Mini 3.
Nonetheless, a digital camera system is about greater than the digital camera sensor. Each drones have related gimbals, promising wonderful stability in flight.
Nothing is worse than whenever you get the proper drone shot solely to test your footage later and uncover it’s a blurry mess.
These two drones are greater than enough on this class and comparable.
» MORE: Digital camera Know-how in Drones (Defined)
Efficiency
Winner: DJI Mini 3
I don’t need to knock the EVO II Plus by giving this class to the Mini 3.
Each these drones are constructed for efficiency, and their flight skills are a few of my favorites of all of the drones I’ve flown (which have been many!).
Nonetheless, there can solely be one winner, and I’ve to declare it because the Mini 3.
It’s light-weight, and that performs a task in its efficiency. I like how one can auto-launch it into the sky.
That’s a useful function for inexperienced persons, positive, nevertheless it additionally is available in helpful when you’ve gotten extra drone expertise below your belt if you wish to launch your drone immediately when you’re busy establishing gear within the space for work.
The smaller dimension of the Mini 3 doesn’t make it as wind-resistant because the EVO II Professional. The DJI drone has a Degree 5 wind resistance. I’ve flown it in winds of 24 miles per hour with out a lot hassle.
I’ve even examined its limits and pushed it in winds of 35 mph. It carried out okay; definitely not in addition to it will in additional ambient situations, however passably. Nonetheless, I’d not push this drone past these limits.
The EVO II Professional has a base wind resistance of 39 MPH or 17 m/s. As soon as once more, I pushed this one to its limits of over 40 MPH, and the drone got here out in a single piece.
Its wind resistance is best as a result of it’s larger, extra rugged, and sturdy.
I like the vary of Clever Flight Modes included with the Mini 3, one other constructive of its efficiency. This drone can do all types of autonomous actions with aplomb.
As talked about, that is definitely a profit for brand spanking new pilots who need to look cool flying a drone whereas nonetheless studying the ropes.
Much more skilled pilots can get one thing out of those modes, as they provide you a break from the trials of guide flight.
The EVO II Professional has related good options, however not as many, and never fairly on the identical degree as DJI.
I’ve acquired to say the Mini 3’s lack of impediment avoidance sensors. Sure, once more. That is by far the drone’s largest detriment, and never solely within the efficiency class, however total.
I can perceive the absence of those sensors, as they maintain the drone inexpensive. Nonetheless, I can’t settle for it. It looks as if such a obtrusive omission.
» MORE: When Ought to You Improve Your Drone? (Learn This First)
Portability
Winner: DJI Mini 3
Transferring on, this was an prompt, no-brainer choice.
The Mini 3 is light-weight, small, and moveable. You may assessment the specs I introduced earlier. The EVO II Professional is greater when unfolded, so it received’t compress that a lot whenever you fold it. It simply can’t.
Portability is a significant consideration when buying a drone, contemplating how on-the-go many people are.
Most drone buyers need one thing mild that matches right into a backpack or case and doesn’t weigh them down. That’s the Mini 3 in a nutshell.
It’s able to go on any airplane, and you need to be capable of carry it in your checked baggage if it’s good to.
You may in all probability convey the EVO II Professional on a airplane.
It’s not that a lot bigger, and it’s definitely not an enterprise-sized drone. Nonetheless, because it’s heavier, it might probably put on on you when you’re carrying it in your individual as a backpack.
I’d suggest the EVO II Professional extra for native journey and day journeys, and the Mini 3 for getting on the market and exploring the world.
» MORE: Can I Fly a Drone Underneath 250g Wherever I Need?
RC compatibility and flight vary
Winner: DJI Mini 3
Yep, you learn that proper. That is one more class the Mini 3 effortlessly captures.
Let me clarify why. This DJI drone is suitable with two distant controllers, the DJI RC and RC-N1. The previous works along with your smartphone. It is available in two variations, one with a display, and one with out.
Though it’s costlier, I like to recommend the model of the RC-N1 with a display. You might use it along with your smartphone, however then once more, why would you need to?
The display is corresponding to what you’d see when you attached your cellphone to the Mini 3, so you’ll be able to go away your cellphone in your pocket and preserve its battery.
The EVO II Professional makes use of the Sensible Controller SE, a small gadget with an eight-core picture processor, HD high quality, and SkyLink 2.0 Transmission expertise.
You need to use this controller with the EVO Nano and EVO Lite drones.
That’s a superb record, however the DJI RC-N1 is suitable with virtually each Mini drone you’ll be able to consider, together with the Air 2S, Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Traditional, and Mavic Air 2.
That stated, the EVO II Professional wins within the transmission distance class. It could possibly ship dwell video as much as 12 kilometers, though when utilizing it, it’s actually extra like 9 kilometers. That’s nonetheless astonishing, don’t get me unsuitable.
The Mini 3 makes use of the DJI O2 Digital Video Transmission system and may transmit as much as 10 kilometers away. When it’s working at lower than that, it’s about on the similar degree because the EVO II Professional.
» MORE: Greatest Drone Controllers
Battery life
Winner: DJI Mini 3
Okay, I’m giving this one to the Mini 3 on a technicality. You see, its base battery life is 38 minutes. However when you purchase the Clever Flight Battery Plus, you’ll be able to increase that to 51 minutes.
The EVO II Professional has 40 minutes of flight time.
So sure, regardless that the battery improve pushes the Mini 3 nicely over the EVO II Professional’s battery life, its battery with the Normal Clever Flight Battery continues to be about the identical because the Autel drone.
Right here’s my disclaimer, as I’ve achieved in all my evaluations. These battery lives are commercials and never what you really get, particularly when you fly in excessive winds.
I’ve discovered that you just get nearly half-hour out of the Mini 3’s commonplace battery and never fairly 40 minutes with the Autel.
» MORE: Drone Batteries (In-Depth Info)
Conclusion
And that about wraps it up. The Autel EVO II Professional and DJI Mini 3 are unbelievable drones in their very own proper.
Nonetheless, the Mini 3 presents pilots extra, from in-app enhancing on the go to wonderful picture and video high quality, Clever Flight Options, an enviably lengthy battery life, and a registration-free weight.
It’s true that it’s lacking the superior video high quality, and I want it had some type of impediment avoidance, however its nice options greater than make up for what it’s lacking.