DJI - Mini 3

dji mini 4 pro. 3 does it too but doesn't have full 360 avoidance. they max out at like 25mph when following though. I use it dirt biking slow stuff

Yeah i see you all good. You can always go for the mini 3, because it wont dissapoint you! And later on you can always go deeper into the drone world, and maybe try out even some avata 2 :P ! Take care though!! and watch some youtube videos otherwise still :) !

DJI mini 4K or Mini 2 SE kr Mini 3 are much better

I'm a videographer as well. One of the problems with DJI drones is that they typically shoot in delivery formats like H.264/5. From what I'm finding, you have to get into something like a Mavic Pro/Cine (not classic) or an Inspire in order to shoot in a recording format (pro-res, log, raw.) The "4k" on their cheaper drones is significantly worse than iphone footage. I tried grading some Mini 3 "4k" and anything out of \~ IRE 300-600 just instantly broke. Both of these drones "can" be found used for around $2,000 or so. Just beware that any drone shipped in from out of country will sit in customs for several weeks and may not even be delivered at all. It's best to buy used from the U.S. or to find a retailer inside the U.S. with stock on shelves.

Hi, imo the mini 3 is the best beginner drone if you care about quality since the sensor is the same as the 4 pro, main differences are no obstacle avoidance and I believe it's better you don't have it as a beginner since it trains your spacial awareness.

Hey, although the DJI Mini 2 and mini 4K are advertised as 4k, the quality is really not that good. I would recommend you buy a DJI Mini 3

If you plan to be the one to use it when he gets tired of it in a month, I would suggest looking into an actual decent drone for yourself, and share the experience with your son whenever the time is right. With minimal research and practice, you’ll know enough to both teach him safe operation and supervise him when he’s in control. With that said, I recommend the DJI Mini 3 (non-Pro). It’s around $400, but if you’re the owner and primary handler it’s extremely worth it, even as a travel/holiday drone as it’s near weightless and practically immune to most countries’ drone laws. The one thing to keep in mind is, it has no obstacle avoidance, so you need to be a little extra careful and keep it in sight at all times (always good practice anyway). It’s x4 your budget, but x10 the value. At the end of the day, a $400 drone that can last years is a much better deal than a $100 piece of trash (any drone under $300 is trash) that’ll end up in a box in the basement in a month time. Not to mention, you can always resell a good drone and get at least half of its price back. $100 on a mediocre drone is just a wasted $100.

I would not recommend the Avata series based upon the description of your experience and use case. Avata can only be used with FPV goggles and are less about cinematography and more about the experience. Mini 3 sounds like a great option and is far more versatile and forgiving for beginners. Happy flying!

Mini 4K is in my opinion the best budget beginner drone, if you have more money get the mini 3 Fly more combo, in my opinion the RC isn’t worth $300, if you have way more money then the mini 4 pro Fly more is the best drone.

Watch local classifieds for a used dji mini. They have good corrective flying stabilization. I got a mini 3 with 2 hrs flight time for $200. Then I also got a cheap nano drone off Amazon for $30. So I can crash that one whenever I want! 😂

I have the mini 3 and I love it

Personally I don't really see a huge difference between Mini 3 and Mini 4K except for body. The mini 3 offers better camera in low light and some extra utility in terms of transferring files to your phone directly. And the camera can go vertical. It's why I am going for the mini 4K as well, because I couldn't see the 100$ difference worth as a beginner pilot.

I’ve had a DJI mini 2 se and then got a mini 3 and both are brilliant I live in the uk so as they are under 249g they are great and both have good video quality but I would choose the mini 3 over the 2 SE as the camera quality is slightly better xx

I have personally bought the DJI Mini 3 for €379 and think it's the perfect beginner drone, I'm totally happy with it. It shoots 4k (although not really HDR), is small and lightweight, and with one spare battery and an amazon box you're done for around €500. The Mini 4 pro will cost about twice that much, and I think the HDR is great, compared with footage I see on YouTube. 

I’d say get the mini 3 fly more combo - not as expensive as the 3 pro and you will get 2 extra batteries , carry case charging hub etc. that will be more fun than a 3 pro with only one battery

Mini 3 and 4 are brilliant little devices, and are under 249g - if that's a legal requirement for you - Air 3 is heavier and has more restrictions on them (Im in Scotland - i use mini 3 in city's - carefully) get some great shots with it, if your out in the country side alot not near uninvolved participants the Air3 would be the best choice

Flip isn't FPV, it won't connect to goggles. Mini 3 won't connect to goggles either. Even the Mini 3 Pro, if you could get it connected to goggles won't fly in Manual mode. The Neo is a bit underpowered for anything but cinematic flight and very light freestyle. The Avata 2 is a somewhat more rounded quad, but still mostly a cinematic quad. If you are wanting to fly freestyle, buy a controller (Radiomaster Boxer or Radiomaster Pocket) and start following along with Bardwell's "learn how to fly FPV series". Spend a month doing that and watching other Bardwell videos while you figure out what video system and kind of quad you want to fly. I'd suggest starting with something small like a BetaFPV Meteor 75.

Get him a DJI drone depending on what your budget allows they have lots of options A dji mini 2 or 3 would be a great present in my opinion

I have the mini 3 it’s not bad  Check my videos  If u like maybe subscribe All the best Good luck  https://www.youtube.com/@Droneman-g33

https://www.youtube.com/@Droneman-g33 I have the mini 3 it’s not a bad machine  Check out my channel  And please subscribe if you like maybe  The help would go along way  Thanks  And all the best on drone life 

Mini 3 or Mini 4 I just bought a mini 3 and am very happy with it.

If all you need is a drone to check on your roof or gutter, the cheapest DJI Neo would be able to do it. You can use it with the RC2 remote which has an integrated screen (separate purchase). Your next choice would be a DJI mini 3 or 4K. You can save money by buying them used off FB marketplace or eBay.

I have personally bought the DJI Mini 3 for €379 and think it's the perfect beginner drone, I'm totally happy with it. It shoots 4k (although not really HDR), is small and lightweight, and with one spare battery and an amazon box you're done for around €500. The Mini 4 pro will cost about twice that much, and I think the HDR is great, compared with footage I see on YouTube. But then, 2x the price? It's lacking obstacle avoidance, but then I think that is an advantage because now I learn how to fly carefully. I'm happy now with this setup, and when the Mini 5 Pro will be a substantial upgrade, i think i'll even buy it. But for me, the mini 3 is now great value for money, especially because I didn't know if I would like to use it a lot. So in your case, I won't spend the full 1000 at once.

Is there a drone available in Ontario, Canada that doesn't require non stop login and verification? I had a DJI mini 3 which was great for what I need (keeping tabs on 60 acre farm) but the non stop login issues got really old. Switching to Chinese, not recognizing login etc.. Is there a drone that just connects to the controller and doesn't require all the login shenanigans. It was great for about 6 months and then required logging in password resets every time I used it

If you want something good and not care about price get the mavic but if you do care about price then get the dji mini 3 or 4 pro remember to ALWAYS do the training flight simulater when you buy a new drone you will need to

Why do you say that? It has remote ID. I fly a Mini 3 everyday in the US.

Depends on your definition of "cheap". I'm learning right now on a DJI Mini 3 + remote I just got for $200 on Woot. Maybe I'll get something more expensive eventually, maybe not, but it seems like a good place to start to me.

It all depends on what your idea of "affordable" is and what features you consider important. Yes, you're going to give up features and quality on cheaper drones, that's the way it works. The question is what trade offs work best for you. There have been a few deals recently for the Mini 3 at $200. That's a great price for a great drone. But if you're interested in commercial applications it likely benefits you to spend more.

> but there’s some features I want I'm not sure what features you're looking for, but I was able to add some features I was looking for with my Mini 3 with Drone Link. Litchi may be another option.

Get the mini 3 before the DJI ban. The CCP drone act is part of the NDAA bill now so there’s a chance it will pass. With all things considered (that this is not the first ban attempt and the other proposed drone bill that would increase tariffs) right now is the best time to get a DJI drone. There are no alternatives as good as DJI.

I bought a mini 3. So far I’m happy with it. First camera drone though. I did spring for the RC remote with the screen

I have spent lots of time researching, and here is my take: Potensic Atom - good, budget friendly ($350 for FMC). Comparable specs to DJI Mini 4K and has added benefit of Follow Me and Waypoints. DJI mini 4K - DJI is more well known branded - $450 (FMC). Good specs, not as many features as Atom, but it is DJI I went with the Atom, just based on price, and I don't need to have a DJI. That being said, first flight out it was daylight, and I couldn't see my phone screen worth a damn. So, boxed it back up and sent it back. Got DJI Mini 3 FMC with the DJI RC (with screen). More than my budget, but I don't like the mobile device as the screen, so I spent extra. Regarding your other question: lots of info in this subreddit on what has to be registered and what doesn't. You need to do some research on recreational and TRUST certification (most likely your situation), if in the US. Other countries have different rules, so no one simple answer.

Basic Mini 3 or 4 is all you need.

What would be the drone you'd suggest to really sell the wonder of certain landscapes. Not national parks, but like fall foliage and amazing scenery. I'm practicing with a mini 3 right now, but by the end of the year I'd like to purchase one with an amazing camera that I could really capture the wonder of things with Editing based on mod feedback (thank you, and sorry about that!) Country: USA Budget: less than $4,000 Purpose: Photography Other requirements would be durable in various operating environments. Commercially viable.

Just got my Mini 3 today. For the price, Mini 3 should be a really good buy.

This [Makerfire FPV drone](https://www.amazon.com/Makerfire-Quadcopter-Beginners-Headless-Adjustment/dp/B075L58YQ6/ref=sr_1_5?crid=GZAYZ8D76UWB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5aVz5qeS771kvHeHVg2xp994JPhobFuyx08bdbzn1s1eRp3XAm9dRm128v4jA4vjpzq3Fye_rWBZlM-JuIJTiKOXV1q0PHagO00ZuTp-pNNVRwtyyiMV52_gXtpN6uWutiVrh7ep6jf8d_v2EjlPrpLlPvc13YmE33F6CCTJGPJ431pkwdKFloslcKRvIwGdYx_MsVldsByVcU6w_uxvLzvGDewp2JsVYIGUD_Hh1CqnR6iomGNByIAuoQR4d9gIlV7SSHaEc3ZAEaWJjaoQE9VBy8a4E1BovQ0Sq5BNGiw.BKg-vGvCwgM5YBAkVZ3X8mjF_XWZLLl74QnSw9vjAhY&dib_tag=se&keywords=drone%2Bwith%2Bcontroller%2Bin%2Bscreen&qid=1732930535&sprefix=dronbe%2Bwith%2Bcontroller%2Bin%2Bscreen%2Caps%2C237&sr=8-5&th=1) looks ok, setup looks a little wonky (theres a video on the page). It's $95. I still wouldn't recommend it over the excellent [DJI Mini 3](https://store.dji.com/product/dji-mini-3-refurbished-unit?from=pages-refurbished&vid=142261).

The best beginner drone with both a camera and a screen on the controller so you don't need a phone is the [DJI Mini 3 with DJI RC.](https://store.dji.com/product/dji-mini-3-refurbished-unit?from=pages-refurbished&vid=142261) It also has things like GPS, return to home so you don't lose the thing and it's beginner friendly. It is also just over quadruple your budget at $439 ($40 a month with financing). There are cheaper drones with cameras and a screen in the controller like the [$76 generic Drone With ESC Camera Screen Display Remote Control](https://www.amazon.com/Quadcopter-functional-Beginner-Brushless-Headless/dp/B0DK4G2J5C/ref=sr_1_6?crid=GZAYZ8D76UWB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5aVz5qeS771kvHeHVg2xp994JPhobFuyx08bdbzn1s1eRp3XAm9dRm128v4jA4vjpzq3Fye_rWBZlM-JuIJTiKOXV1q0PHagO00ZuTp-pNPpISRb5ts7pFEbbRedYNrYmm43HvgU0LpWTeJ3oyuiwRpapY66xcDC0N8DzYRCvCfSVOw-HuFpY8Zp12zw_qbRYx_MsVldsByVcU6w_uxvLzvGDewp2JsVYIGUD_Hh1CrGGB9cXa4fXkwlyrfmYzzpVAt4np9oMjwbCosGDu2O7O8wfDoPuB6ICF3oVC7tZ-8.eXqlI_zRMt0uif5sJKMBEGyWzrw655cm3y8NMdM5V8o&dib_tag=se&keywords=drone%2Bwith%2Bcontroller%2Bin%2Bscreen&qid=1732929366&sprefix=dronbe%2Bwith%2Bcontroller%2Bin%2Bscreen%2Caps%2C237&sr=8-6&th=1), I just couldn't possibly recommend it.

Yeah I can't speak to whether or not they're any good. Just at the right price point. I recommended the excellent [DJI Mini 3 with DJIRC](https://store.dji.com/product/dji-mini-3-refurbished-unit?from=pages-refurbished&vid=142261)

DJI is like the industry standard, I spent a lot of money on the FPV by DJI, almost$1,400 with extra batteries…….come to find out that the camera on the mini 3 is way better and I only paid $700 for that one with the fly mode kit ( Black Friday Special). If you can, wait until Black Friday/cyber Monday to make a purchase to save some money and get good deals.

Licensed drone pilot here. Stick with a mini or the avata unless you are looking to get your license, as a lot of restrictions apply to drones over 249g. On that note, Costco has a great package for the mini 3 and mini 3 pro, both of which are incredible, reliable systems with lots of cool features you would enjoy. Please get the avare app to check local flight restrictions and such, last thing you want is to fly into the line of a firefighting chopper and get shoved in a cell for 10 years.

I'd go with the pro. I got a mini 3, and wish it had the cool features the pros have like obstacle avoidance and tracking.

Instead get the previous gen mini 3 it's a lot better , cheap pr9bably same price second hand , and shoots 3 axis gimbal vertical and horizontal , sensors and just good.

So really any DJI will work. You can start cheep with a Mini 4k for around $300, though I'd recommend the Fly More Combo (extra batteries and propellers) which goes up to $450. The Mini 4 Pro is a step up and adds obstacle avoidance, which is helpful but not a must have, and an improved camera, but the price goes to $760 to start and $1,099 for the fly more (which also includes the touchscreen controller). Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro are also options, with the Mini 3 being a little better than the Mini 4k and the Mini 3 Pro being not quite as good as the Mini 4 Pro (the Mini 3 Pro only has front, rear, and below obstacle avoidance while Mini 4 Pro is all around). The Mini series has one big problem when it comes to Part 107 operations. When flying recreationally (not Part 107), drones taking off under 250g (which all DJI Mini drones are without accessories) do not require Remote ID. However, when Part 107, Remote ID is required regardless of weight. The Minis can support Remote ID, but due to the way DJI programmed it, it only turns on Remote ID when using an extended battery (sold separately). They do that because then it is 250g and above so requires Remote ID. So when using it for Part 107, you need to either use the extended battery or attach a Remote ID module (which is around $40). An alternative would be the DJI Air 3 (and soon to be released Air 3S). The Air is a bigger drone (about 2x-3x the size of the Mini series), so it is a little harder to carry (can't throw it in a bag as easily). However, it is more powerful and adds a 3x telephoto camera along with the standard camera (and like the Mini 4 Pro, has full obstacle avoidance). Because of its weight, it always has Remote ID enabled. It is a little higher in price than your budget though, coming in at $1,099 or a fly more combo (without the touchscreen controller) for $1,349. With the Air 3S on the horizon, I would recommend not buying one of these unless they are sale (we have been seeing sales lately as they try to get rid of inventory) or otherwise wait until the 3S comes out.

I started with a E88 (toy), them SJRC F22s 4k (not 4k video), now i have a Dji Mini Se (2.7K video) and waiting DJI Mini 3 arrive. My advice, get one cheap, learn something (i lost one F11 SJRC on his first flight, drown on the water for a hardware issue) and then move forward. The mini 3 i think is super, the Fimi mini 3 i think is great to.

I'm going to go against the grain here - I had the same dilemma and went for the mini 3. The oversharpening of the image on the video of the mini 3 is grotesque. It's borderline unusable with all the aliasing on buildings! Looks like the mini 4k has much less of that. So I'm considering returning it for the mini 4k now.

Depends on your priority - if it's video image quality, genuinely mini 4k looks better to my eyes. Mini 3 is pversharpened and looks cheap.

Given that you are planning to have another higher-end drone in a year or so, I think I would go with the Mini 3. It's a good drone and can do a lot of the things the Mini 4 Pro can do. As a beginner you'll spend some time in getting familiar with the controls, in the limitations and boundaries of what a drone can do, etc. Once you have the higher-end drone, you can still use the Mini 3 in more risky situations like flying over water or wherever it may be more riskier using a more expensive drone. And like you say, in a year, a new drone with better features may be available.

As for flight performance their both essentially the same. Handle wind equally well and have comparable range. The cameras are the big difference. The mini 3 offers a more advanced system with more options (like portrait, HDR Video and etc). Its a generation step forward but keep in mind if your flying in good sunny conditions it'll be hard to differentiate especially with the compression on most social media websites. The plus of the mini 2SE/4K is its cheaper (batteries, accessories) and the old mavic mini design is better at protecting the camera module from front impacts if you crash nose first.

underrated review. same drone flightwise, mini 3 has a better camera which may not matter to you if you’re just using the drone to post stuff on social media

Hi, I'm deciding between a few drones right now. (Mini 3 mini 4 pro, air 3, mavic 3 classic ) \~$1000 budget and good footage is a priority. I'll mostly use it for video, so 10-bit and log profiles are important . I'm already pretty experienced with flying drones. My main issue with the Mini 4 Pro is that some of the footage looks a bit over-sharpened. , I want something that can get close to matching the look of my Sony mirrorless . (bigger sensor in air and classic?) I’ve also been considering just going with the Mini 3 and calling it a day—then using it with a 04 FPV setup and gopro (I’ve flown FPV a lot) I'm trying to get a better sense of the image quality and portability of these drones. I’ll also be in Japan later this year, so having something under 249g would be nice. thanks!

Probably yes, given how discounted it is now. Actually has more range+flight time than the m4 pro too. The only real downside is the controllers are an older standard, so you can't share them with neo/flip/m4.

Hello experts! 1. Y 2. U.S. 3. ~$1,200 4. Outdoor photography / videography (fly fishing, backcountry driving, camping/hiking etc.) 5. Auto-follow functionality. Remote with screen is a plus I currently own a DJI mini 3 drone and absolutely love it, but I wish it could follow me on its own. Question is: is the follow me technology worth upgrading? If so, which model would you recommend?

Around a grand. The Mavic mini 3 is actually a pretty good drone though for around 500. If you’re new to flying drones I would start with the mini. It’s a solid beginners drone with pretty nice specs

I second that. The Mini 3 (non-pro) sells pretty cheap at the moment and I would prefer it over the 4k. Of course, the 3 pro or 4 pro are more expensive but even better. Buy whatever you can afford with an RC controller with a built-in screen to avoid fiddling with your cellphone. The RC2 of the 4 Pro supports DJI‘s latest transmission standard. Unfortunately, they seem to introduce a new one with every drone generation without backwards compatibility. Also set some money aside to get DJI Care Refresh.

I'd start out with a drone that weighs less than 250 grams because all you'll need to do is take the FAA TRUST test to fly it for recreation. (It's free and fast) I'd start off with a DJI Mini SE, Mini 4K or Mini 3. Either one of those won't break the bank, will fly like a dream compared to the toys you've flown, and take decent pictures and video. The "fly more" combos are nice and don't forget the DJI Care plan! https://trust.pilotinstitute.com/

I agree! The neo is the best drone right now if you’re on a budget I have a mini 3 and honestly want a neo

No, the only controllers that the Mini 4k supports are the rc-n1 and the rc-n1c. However, if you are willing to spend an extra couple 100 of bucks, you could get the mini 3, not to be confused with the mini 3 pro, as it supports the RC, the one that has a built in screen. As a beginner, make sure to get DJI Care or care refresh. You WILL crash and the care plan will most likely save you a fair amount of money.

mini 3 its a bit more expensive but the bigger 0.76 inch sensor and the vertical filming is worth it imo. mini 4k is great if u just want a drone to do basic things but that 0.43 inch sensor isnt great. neo is kinda a toy so dont get that

I gor mini 3 as beginner and very happy about that ı recommend fly more combo for 1:30 hour flight time Mini 3 pro will get you obsticle sensors which are great but comes with the price

I have the Air 3S. I also have the Neo. I used to have the Mini 3 and the Avata 2, but so far, the Air 3S is my favorite.

I use a Mini 3 however it doesn’t track, so I just use it to film other riders. If you want tracking, get a Skydio. DJI isn’t great for autonomous tracking.

Mini 4k is underrated I had to return a mini 3 cuz it just wouldn't compare with the mini 4k. Image wise the mini 3 was a better. I put both in the air in high winds the mini 4k did an amazing job compared to the mini 3.

It's better just more sensible to wind thats all. I had both up in the air the mini 4k passed the high winds without so much warnings. The mini 3 had a hard ride. Just hard on the gimbal,was not responding to high winds when the mini 4k was responsive. The mini 3 is definitely a better drone but not worth the upgrade from a mini 4k. Either go mini 4 pro or 3 pro.

The Mini- lines are exactly what you are looking for If you are casual (you'll get addicted, so be forewarned) they are a great starting point. Whichever Mini- you choose, I'd encourage you to get the RC with a screen when considering your budget and a DJI 2-year refresh. If you end up with the mini-3, you'll be happy. If you can afford a bit more for the 4k-pro - you'll be ecstatic. Aka, the best mini you can get with a RC screen with refresh. You won't regret the purchase

You have options for drones that "don't suck" 1) Don't buy another "toy" drone 2) Consider the Mini series from DJI - Mini 2 is not overkill IMO, it'd be pleasant 3) Consider the DJI NEO with a controller Depends if he wants FPV or platform. A mini-2 or 3 for platform, you may be able to get out of cheap. Good drones, no obstacle avoidance but you get what you pay for from DJI. A NEO with a controller, and even one of their goggle options might run you up over $500 with their new lesser expensive goggles, but is solid and opens up some of their other ecosystem with the controllers and goggles for later on.

Mini 4k Pro is my recommendation for beginners - I started with a Mini-3 and because of feature gaps, I went to to a Mavic 3 and haven't looked back. I probably wouldn't have a Mavic 3 at all if I got the Mini 4k Pro in the first place. FPV - I love my Avata 2. Neither Mavic-3 (or Mini-4k pro) or Avata-2 suffer from any quality including videography. If your budget is 2.5k, I think you'd be pretty close to a fly-more package for BOTH if memory serves me - if not pretty darn close.

Honestly, if you go Mavic 3 Pro, I dunno. Mavic 3 classic or Air 3s should be your internal debate IMO, on budget. A year of flying the classic a lot, and I've wished I had a pro less than five times. Either way, both are phenomenal drones, while the Mavic-3 Pro is AMAZING, it's probably overkill and overspend. FWIW - from a selling footage standpoint, my lowly Mini-3 is the only one that has made money - clearly not as good quality as every other drone I have.

I think the mini 3 is a lot better better compared to mini 4K and 2se being basically the same price

I flew mini 3 and it’s fine. It holds up in somewhat windy situations within reason. It can get much worse in higher altitude but you can feel it. When it’s really windy then it’s really windy and bulkier drone won’t really help that much. Don’t forget even if the drone can fly or maintain position in windy weather, the wind will cause vibrations to the gimbal.

Yes. With the plus batteries, yes Currently flying an air 3 that I got a great deal on, but if I hadn’t, mini 3 is what I’d choose.

Best value is the dji mini 3 with the plus batteries and the dji rc remote Best less budget awesome drone is the air 3 Mini 4 pro is a nice drone but it’s expensive enough and not a ton better than the mini 3/mini 3 pro that I wouldn’t recommend it for most people unless you need the obstacle avoidance/the best sub 250g camera you can get

It’s just the mini 2 se with a slightly better camera Get the mini 3, it’s not a question, then you can run the plus batteries aswell as the new smart remote

The first rule of tech is never wait for something new because there’s always something new. The new drone is an Air 3s which is going to be $1k+. Of the two you listed the mini 3 has a much better camera and better features. Also definitely recommend Care Refresh if this is your first drone. They’re a lot of fun. Enjoy!

The mini 4k is actually quite recent, with it being a revised version of the mini 2. You’d also get a mini two SE which is a slightly dumped down version of the mini two with the worst camera you’re definitely going to want a fly or combo with the extra batteries because it will allow you to have over an hour in the air which is plenty of time to get cool photos and videos. The only issue with DJI mini line up (save for the mini 3 pro and mini 4 pro) is they they don’t have obstacle avoidance, meaning that they are a lot easier to crash (I, alas, also crashed my mini 2) I would go with a mini 3, as it’s camera is miles better than the mini 2/2se/4k. It also produces a lower tone when flying, which makes it less like an annoying buzzing fly and attracts less attention. It’s motors are also, instead of pointing straight up, are angles a bit, which makes for a muck more manoeuvrable drone, especially when the drone is rotating around the t axis. Not saying that the mini 2/2se/4k is bad. They are still extremely capable drones. It’s just that the mini 3 is better for the extra price. If spending more isn’t an option then the mini 4k is a great drone. However, if I had to choose between a mini 2/2se/4k fly more combo and a mini 3 with only one battery I would chose the mini 3, as you can always get more batteries :) Hope this helps and merry Christmas!

You have no idea. Flip is a pile of dog shit. Mini 3 would run circles around the Flop and could do it backwards. Try that with the Flop. But I'm tired of of this Flip talk. You guys waste your money. Live and learn. IR not Lidar BTW since even reviewers can even seem to get that part right. Good luck to all the Flippers out there. Marketing victims.

The mini 3 with the remote which includes the screen. I had to buy an additional battery through Amazon but didn’t need to straight away, and will look to get another at some point. Would defo recommend, the vertical shooting is what made me go for it for better posts on social media.

Maybe something was wrong with your Mini 3. I never had any of those problems and the Mini 3 is just perfect for me.

Why no DJI? The "real DJI-Style" as you say, would actually be a safer option for a kid. While not a cheap option, there's so many failsafe, obstacle avoidance features, it stabilizes itself properly as soon as you release control, landing/take-off modes, return home, etc. You can restrict its height and its distance from the remote in the settings as well My 8 years old nephew tried my mini 3 and didn't have any problem figuring it out with proper coaching. A cheap drone would've been way harder to control without any assistance other than their so-so "leveled" flight. You say 13 yo to register your own drone, but in the law, could it be younger for simply piloting? You can solo an actual plane at 14 yo in Canada. How strict does drone piloting needs to be?

FIMI always delivers two things: 1- BAD/VERY BAD quality control. 2 - BAD/VERY bad support. One other thing FIMI always got is the specs they publish they simply forget the asterisks and they do need always more than you would like to have if they'd pubished it beforehand. Some people swear by FIMI footage camera quality, reliable controls, and good quality but I doubt as they either, never had anything else to compare to or are lying/misleading. Both drones from FIMI wer brand new and they failed to deliver. The FIMI mini 3 arrived here with loose propeller screws but I knew I had to check those due to previous experience with the brand. The FIMI mini 3 camera and everything else is subpar compared to DJI and the Potensic Atom. I have had already two tries at FIMI drones they never delivered the specs promised on launch, there is always an asterisk and alot of "BUT" to their hardware specifications and software features. The most honest drone I know of to start with are Potensic Atom. That drones is ALOT of fun. The DJI mini 3 is great, got slightly better specs overall Than the Potensic but is also very limited by NFZ's and I rarely fly it.

I totally agree that a basic Mini 3 is pretty much all you need if your just starting out with drone photography. It’s got a 4K camera, a good 38-minute battery, and falls under the FAA’s 250-gram limit, so it’s really convenient. If you do want more down the road, the Air 3 comes with two cameras and a longer battery. The Mavic 3 Pro ups it even more but costs alot. And the Avata 2 is great for speed and a more immersive feel, but for most beginners, the Mini 3 hits the sweet spot. And also check this thread. https://www.reddit.com/r/ConsumerAdvice/comments/1fum9ab/drone_options/

Had the mini 3 and taking pictures was amazing, the landscape is just something else https://preview.redd.it/xbswmdhwmi4d1.jpeg?width=6178&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da53359ba073d30b5cda253a4343d9721cb7ca7a

The Neo drone is primarily designed for capturing videos rather than photographs, which may not align with your preferences. The Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro drones are excellent options that can undoubtedly meet your requirements. While they are more expensive, they are worthwhile investments if you intend to capture more intricate shots. If your budget permits, these drones are worth considering. The Mini 4K and Mini 2 SE drones are ideal for beginners and offer all the necessary features. I personally started with the Mini 2 SE and still use it frequently, even after upgrading to the Mini 4 Pro. Based on your description, either of these drones should suffice. The battery life, in good flying conditions, should last 15- 20+ minutes, but purchasing additional batteries is recommended for extended flight times. In my opinion, the Mini 4K or Mini 2 SE drones are the best options for you. They are stable, capture excellent images suitable for social media, and are enjoyable to fly. I hope this information is helpful.

Mini 3 has a significantly better camera

Absolutely. Youll be shocked at how easy dji drones are to fly.

The mini 3 does not have obstacle avoidance.

The mini 3 does not have obstacle avoidance.

Mini 3 is awesome.

mini 2 and mini 3 can't track

mini 2 has quickshots, not active track. I owned both and both do not have active track. mini 2 can have "active track" if you use a paid third party app and not the dji fly app but I wouldn't recommend that.

This is 100% a part 107 use, sorry bud. You're not very likely to get caught, but staying on the right side of 3 letter agencies is always the correct answer.   Mini 3 w/ Maps Made Easy can do it. I think it'll do the flats for free, but I have whatever their top account is so I'm not sure what gets locked where. You can't use a mini 2 for flat maps because I think there's a gimbal angle in the metadata that the mini 2 doesn't have, also RID not built in.   Limiting factor will be resolution, lower flights = longer fly times, but about 2.0 cm/pixel will probably go faster than you think for 20 acres. 

Mini 3 is a great drone for most people. I just bought one a few months ago although I wish I had just bought a M4P or Air3s. I bought it for recreational use, but there’s some features I want and my boy has me interested in Fpv drones now. Now my issue is if I want to buy a Mavic3pro, Air3s as I’m a map nerd and modeling guy or get into FPV drones for fun

Just picked up a Costco mini 3 for 299 for this exact reason.

I did exactly what you’re thinking of doing. Got a cheap, $50 bucks drone from amazon so I could learn and practice before getting a “real” drone. I crashed it about 20 minutes in, I found it so hard to pilot that I put it away and never used it again, that was YEARS ago. Last month my family got me a Mini 3 and I thought it was gonna be a similar situation, but my brother told me to at least try it. I have been flying it for 3 weeks with no issues. I really think getting a cheaper drone for practice is not a good idea unless you get something like a used Mini 2 SE or similar. Get a good drone and if you’re worried about price, maybe get an older one. That’s my 2 cents :)

If you want to fly drones, mini 4k (or even mini 3 if you can afford it). If you want to get shots for videos, vlogs and maybe fly a little, go for neo (you can record yourself with audio from your phone; you can deploy it with no remote or just the phone; it is resiliant to crashes).

I just got into drones myself. I bought the DJI mini 4. One thing that’s nice about DJI is that they are programmed to not fly in restricted areas. It takes all the guessing out of it. I first bought the DJI mini three and did not get the insurance. That was a big mistake. I broke the camera Gimble and it was too expensive to repair so I had to get the mini 4. One thing I could suggest is that if you get the mini 4 vs the mini 3, you have more obstacle avoidance, which helps you to avoid crashes.

I dig my mini 3. Easy to fly and plenty good image quality for what I need

You should keep in mind that to fly fpv on the Neo, you'll also need the goggles (3 or n3) and either the Motion controller for a more restricted fpv flight, or the dji fpv rc 3 to use in full manual mode. Afaik you can't fly the Neo in fpv at all if you don't have the required gear. You're asking for a lot of things in a single Product. The neo has low flight time and only a half decent sensor (worse than the flip) so for photography it's probably not ideal. According to the faq it's also considered more of a "fpv introduction" and should not be flown in manual for extended periods and for aggressive flight. For open source sdk you'd have to look at older dji models or enterprise level stuff that costs thousands. Afaik the most recent one was the mini 3 and pro that had an SDK release.

DJI anything is more or less the answer. They have their quirks, but everything else comes with less support and more caveats. If you’re just starting out, a Mini is perfect.

The DJI mini is not worth 300 dollars. You can get a mini 2 SE for 240-280

Dude, get a mini . Those cheap drones are dog shit. With DJI you know everything is going to work properly.

You are smart to stay away from all of the drones that have sponsored reviews. Buying a drone is fairly easy: 1. Disregard anyone who tells you to buy a cheap drone first "to learn on". That's a complete waste of money. 2. In the U.S., buy DJI or Autel. I have specimens of both and find that Autel is just a little behind the curve, but not by much. DJI typically has much, much better after sales support than Autel. 3. Spend as much as you are comfortable spending. Don't hold back. 4. You can get a brand-new DJI Mini 4K for about $300... but that won't have extra batteries or a remote control with a screen (you'll have to use a smart phone or a tablet as your screen). Even though the battery claim may be 40 minute flight per battery charge, you're really only going to get 20 to 30 minutes. Get at least 3 batteries with your purchase. Adding an RC with a screen to the this package will get you close to $1K, new. 5. DJI MIni (or Autel Nano, or any drone under 250 grams) will allow you to travel to more international destinations and fly legally. That small weight also helps limit fatigue or space for carrying. 6. If you do not plan to travel outside the US, no need to limit your drone to the less than 250 gram category. VERY generally speaking, the heavier, the less affected by winds. That is, a Mavic 3 Pro at nearly 900 grams will handle higher winds and will handle better in winds than a 249 gram mini. 7. Right now the best drone over 250 grams is probably the DJI Air3s. Others will have differing opinions with this and all of the above. 8. These are not exhaustive guidelines but will provide you a start. We haven't even begun to talk about the need for Remote ID capability, for example. 9. So many options, so little time. Enjoy!

Until you've flown a DJI...you haven't flown. Get a Mini. Any generation. That's where you start.

They are very easy to fly and so the prop guards shouldn't be an issue. I'd go for at least the mini - if you can stretch to it the Mavic 3 (a used original Mavic 3 isn't massively more than a Mini 4 new). Though also, it sounds like just getting APS-C or even full frame camera and doing it by hand/cheap wire kit might produce even better results.

I ordered the eonvy air plus £159 and it took 2 weeks to arrive from China, It seems to fly ok but I cannot download an App for it so I can connect it to my android phone to view the cameras etc I cannot connect to the drones wifi and cannot find an app for the drone The site is a con been saying only 4 left for over 2 weeks the one touch return does not work or the obstacle avoidance Should have bought a DJi Mini

Start with a DJI Mini, you won’t regret it

I've used both the DJI Mini and Potensic Atom and in terms of flying the thing, it's no different. I have the fly more pack and so far it's been a great experience, but I'd really love to be able to fine tune the controls with an S curve like in DJI. From what I can gather they appear to be collecting user feedback on social media to help fine tune firmware (my opinion) as I think the firmware isn't yet perfect in terms of features etc; but I believe the more people talk about things the more likely they will be added (hopefully). I really like the subject tacking, I'm not sure if they could make it track via GPS as when it loses sight it stops tracking, I'm not sure if DJI is the same though, over all a nice drone and a decent price.

Pay attention to weight class restrictions, especially with the mini. Usually standard batteries are fine but when you use the plus batteries it may put you over to a new weight class and require registration, classes and certification. Check your laws, especially if you're making money with the drones.

The autel will fly similar to a DJI, obviously different UI and features but the overall "hover in place unless the joysticks are moved" will be the same. This is the standard for a lot of enterprise and film drones. You'll also hear the term "fpv" which is going to handle differently, YouTube can help with the difference there more. A DJI Mini can be purchased for around 250 I believe. There is also the DJI drama going on right now... Just a tip for when you're flying, especially if you'll be around structures with the autel, practice checking your moves before you do them. Visually check where you'll be flying the drone and also rotate the drone and check your camera to verify. This will help to not only reduce the chances of hitting anything but hopefully reduce stress too. Have a coworker act as a visual observer for you as well. Most of all have fun learning and check your airspace

For a better understanding, think of DJI as a Bugatti and the brand you posted as a Lada. This is your answer. Better get the DJI mini / mini 4k if you want a good beginner drone.

Honestly, to the eyes of the public, the Mavic isn't much more impressive than the mini. If you want to look serious, you need an Inspire or an M300. But that's 500% overkill for OP's use cases.

That camera will be really low quality, barely usable, and the range will be very short. And despite all the advertising, it will still be difficult to fly, so he’ll probably end up crashing it pretty quickly. I would recommend getting a really cheap indoor drown he can play around with without a camera you do t have to worry if he crashes, or a more expensive drone like a DJI Neo, which is actually kind of useful but you can’t control, or a DJI Mini which I would suggest supervising while he flies.

Your budget would not allow for a camera system with non digital zoom capabilities That said a DJI mini would provide everything else you are looking for. However with a quick google, Canada does require special licensure for flying a drone out side of visual line of sight. Mini's will give you a real time visual of what the drone sees either on the controller directly or on a phone connected to the controller, depending on controller model you get with the drone.

Second hand DJI minis can be got from that kind of money. The main concern with drones and crashing is when you're low to the ground. IE: Below tree lines. So as long as your not planning on weaving in between trees and buildings drones are fairly straight forward to use.

DJI mini meets all those points

DJI mini "whatever is in the budget".

I’d pick the Avata 2 for close inspection (within inches), and with head tracking it’s easy to look up under the soffits or down a chimney. I was actually doing this yesterday with the Neo, could get right up to there with on the 3rd floor and look in, bumping not a problem because propeller guards. I looked at a previous valet patch repair closely, saw a couple shingles that are possibly starting to slide. Went up the roof, probably with a clearance of 3”, and after going over the peak went to the chimney and looked down. Bumped another part of the roof and it crashed in the box gutter, but luckily I could take off again. With DJI Care, replacement for the Neo is only $29, so I don’t have to worry much. (Avata would only cost $49, but I’ve already used 2/4, and would prefer to not be without it for a week.) If you don’t want to get close and are okay with being feet away, then a mini is probably okay. Propeller guards might be good for cases where there are nearby trees or cables. Here’s an example of getting close, with head tracking, and being able to look up or down, or turn your head while you fly past - https://youtu.be/D2ygkUlsemQ?si=kswV-c1XyN1lYi-h

Agree with posts , DJI is market leader at this time based on consumer models. After budget then the choice is camera or FPV model. If your budget is huge and camera focused then it’s the full sized mavic or Inspire models, however its more likely you want a 249g or less weight class to maximize convenience so a mini. I would recommend the refurbished DJI units regardless of budget then you can spend the savings on extra batteries and/or DJIcare (insurance replacement).