Welcome to my evaluation 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 foul factor.
The bugs have been labored out, many pilots have amassed expertise with them (together with yours really), and all their options are identified – the great, unhealthy, and the ugly.
I primarily fly drones for enjoyable however at all times hold a eager eye on the business options that would make a drone versatile sufficient for work tasks.
In spite of everything, one of the best drones are pleasurable to make use of however may help you get jobs finished.
This evaluation will examine 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 suggestion 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 best drone is ready for you.
I’ve received the intel forward that will help you resolve, so let’s bounce proper into it!
Transient 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 know-how strikes quick, and the variations in these two years will turn into obvious as this evaluation continues.
Nonetheless, it’s not like Autel launched the EVO II Professional and forgot about it. Oh, no. Quite, it was upgraded 3 times over, with the V3 version and its included rugged bundles nonetheless probably the greatest values for the cash you may get in the present day.
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 modifying
- 6.4-inch Sensible Controller SE so you’ll be able to hold 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
- Superb 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, but it surely’s received extra superior options than frequent favorites just like the Mini 2 or Mini 2 SE.
Launched in 2022, the Mini 3 continues to push the boundaries of what’s attainable 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 (underneath 249 grams)
- 1 1/3-inch CMOS sensor that shoots in 4K HDR video high quality and 48 MP picture high quality
- Arms-off Clever Flight Modes designed to facilitate newbie flight, together with auto takeoffs
- LightCut modifying 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 won’t at all times be higher, that is a kind of cases 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 modifying, ease of use, good modes, and battery life.
In a method, 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 in the present day’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 another. It’s the head 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 facet can be an enormous mistake. This drone is a verifiable powerhouse able to wonderful 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 received to think about that if you purchase the Mini 3, you’re getting a distant controller, a drone, and that’s about it. Some packages solely embody the drone.
If you need all the things else it’s essential fly, reminiscent of a microSD card, upgraded battery, ND filters, and the DJI Two-Means Charging Hub, you need to buy them individually.
By comparability, the EVO II Professional V3 contains the drone, distant controller, energy cable, consumer handbook, 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 totally different experiences if 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 best one.
Bearing that in thoughts, listed here are a number of the greatest variations I observed between these drones, starting with the EVO II Professional.
- Dimension and weight: The EVO II Professional is just not 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 method.
- Shade and design: Orange you glad to see the EVO II Professional? Its electrical coloration 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 enchantment. The design of this drone can also be a tonal shift from the Mini 3, because it has a extra rugged exterior and a much less polished enchantment. I imply that within the nicest method attainable, in fact.
- Impediment avoidance: The all-encompassing impediment avoidance options the EVO II Professional delivers are achievable by means of practically two dozen sensors. That features IMUs, ultrasound, and imaginative and prescient sensors. By comparability, the Mini 3 has none, a obvious omission.
- Reside Deck 2: Take your streaming capabilities additional with the superior Reside Deck 2. This HDMI output module has a five-hour battery life and might 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, but it surely’s a superb augmentative characteristic.
It’s solely truthful 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. In the event you solely use your Mini 3 for enjoyable, it’s mild sufficient you’ll be able to skip this step. Take into account 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, reminiscent of Auto Takeoff, Return to Dwelling, and Exact Hovering. Its lack of impediment avoidance does hamper its newbie capabilities.
- On-the-go modifying: LightCut Video Editor is a DJI app suitable with the Mini 3. You possibly can obtain it totally free within the Apple App Retailer or Google Play Retailer. Activate extra capturing modes, preview your footage whilst you take it, edit it, and output it. The One-Faucet characteristic on this app makes use of AI to shine your footage robotically, 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 among the finest options the Mini 3 provides.
- Clever Flight Modes: DJI’s Clever Flight Modes proceed to show why this model is such a powerhouse. In addition to 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 stage.
» 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 now not the most recent.
The V3 version contains each element and accent it’s essential get on the market and fly, making it the premier alternative for the pilot who doesn’t wish 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 stage of video high quality. Heck, even the Mini 4, the newest and biggest Mini (as of this writing), can’t produce video on the identical stage.
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 a number of the better of one of the best element, readability, coloration, and brightness.
You’ll discover that filming in shiny 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 possibly can acquire a aggressive benefit together with your information and actual property footage, as yours might be shot with such good high quality you might win extra shoppers and contracts.
I might 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 example, this drone is foldable and stowable, a truth I don’t assume it will get sufficient credit score for.
» MORE: Are Autel Drones Any Good? (You May Be Shocked)
Its picture high quality is to not be ignored, as the identical CMOS sensor produces 20 MP pictures 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 whilst you take it.
In the event you juggle loads 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 know-how, permits video transmission from as much as 15 km.
We earn a fee for those who make a purchase order, at no further price 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 learners, intermediates, and even specialists who’re at all times on the go and want 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 finished and be in your merry method, driving to the subsequent job website or modifying in your cellphone whilst you give your drone a relaxation.
The Mini 3’s handy weight makes it extra accessible to learners who don’t wish to undergo the time and bother of registering their drone.
Why take the additional step when you may get out and fly your drone in the present day? I have to reiterate that skipping registration solely applies recreationally, but it surely’s nonetheless amongst this drone’s prime perks.
Its 4K video and 20 MP pictures, achievable by means of its 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, maintain up remarkably properly contemplating this drone was launched in 2022, which is already lightyears away within the tech world.
Your pictures are DNG recordsdata, that are like RAW recordsdata concerning high quality. Right here’s a perk of DNG – smaller file sizes!
In comparison with RAW, DNG recordsdata are as much as 20 p.c smaller.
Your SD or microSD card solely has a lot house. Taking pictures which have smaller file sizes however comparable high quality will can help you 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 an expert cinematographer or photographer, even for those who’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 permits you to seize footage in your type, 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 pictures social-media-ready with none time in submit.
You should utilize 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 Digicam Drone with 4K HDR Video, 38-min Flight Time, True Vertical Capturing, and Clever Options.
We earn a fee for those who make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
11/02/2023 03:11 am GMT
Head-to-head comparability
Digicam 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 might need the higher picture high quality between the 2 drones (20 MP for the EVO II Professional vs. 48 MP for the Mini 3), but it surely’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 for those who’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, for those who’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 pictures, and surveying. Its video high quality can also be greater than glorious.
And whereas it’s true that the Mini 3 does positive 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 glorious stability in flight.
Nothing is worse than if 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: Digicam Expertise in Drones (Defined)
Efficiency
Winner: DJI Mini 3
I don’t wish to knock the EVO II Plus by giving this class to the Mini 3.
Each these drones are constructed for efficiency, and their flight talents 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 really like how one can auto-launch it into the sky.
That’s a useful characteristic for learners, positive, but it surely additionally is available in helpful when you’ve gotten extra drone expertise underneath your belt if you wish to launch your drone immediately whilst you’re busy establishing tools within the space for work.
The smaller measurement of the Mini 3 doesn’t make it as wind-resistant because the EVO II Professional. The DJI drone has a Stage 5 wind resistance. I’ve flown it in winds of 24 miles per hour with out a lot bother.
I’ve even examined its limits and pushed it in winds of 35 mph. It carried out okay; actually not in addition to it could 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 healthier as a result of it’s greater, extra rugged, and sturdy.
I really like the vary of Clever Flight Modes included with the Mini 3, one other optimistic of its efficiency. This drone can do all types of autonomous actions with aplomb.
As talked about, that is actually a profit for brand spanking new pilots who wish 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 offer you a break from the pains of handbook flight.
The EVO II Professional has related good options, however not as many, and never fairly on the identical stage as DJI.
I’ve received to say the Mini 3’s lack of impediment avoidance sensors. Sure, once more. That is by far the drone’s greatest detriment, and never solely within the efficiency class, however general.
I can perceive the absence of those sensors, as they hold the drone inexpensive. Nonetheless, I can’t settle for it. It looks like such a obvious omission.
» MORE: When Ought to You Improve Your Drone? (Learn This First)
Portability
Winner: DJI Mini 3
Transferring on, this was an immediate, no-brainer resolution.
The Mini 3 is light-weight, small, and moveable. You possibly can evaluation the specs I offered earlier. The EVO II Professional is greater when unfolded, so it received’t compress that a lot if 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 customers 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 aircraft, and you must be capable of carry it in your checked baggage if it’s essential.
You possibly can most likely carry the EVO II Professional on a aircraft.
It’s not that a lot bigger, and it’s actually not an enterprise-sized drone. Nonetheless, because it’s heavier, it could actually put on on you for those who’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 Anyplace 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 together with your smartphone. It is available in two variations, one with a display screen, and one with out.
Though it’s dearer, I like to recommend the model of the RC-N1 with a display screen. You possibly can use it together with your smartphone, however then once more, why would you wish to?
The display screen is similar to what you’d see for those who attached your cellphone to the Mini 3, so you’ll be able to depart your cellphone in your pocket and keep its battery.
The EVO II Professional makes use of the Sensible Controller SE, a small system with an eight-core picture processor, HD high quality, and SkyLink 2.0 Transmission know-how.
You should utilize this controller with the EVO Nano and EVO Lite drones.
That’s a great checklist, 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 may 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 might transmit as much as 10 kilometers away. When it’s working at lower than that, it’s about on the similar stage 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 for those who purchase the Clever Flight Battery Plus, you’ll be able to broaden 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 properly over the EVO II Professional’s battery life, its battery with the Customary Clever Flight Battery remains to be about the identical because the Autel drone.
Right here’s my disclaimer, as I’ve finished in all my evaluations. These battery lives are commercials and never what you really get, particularly for those who 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 Data)
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 provides pilots extra, from in-app modifying on the go to glorious 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.
