DJI Mini 3 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro: Sensor Size Breakdown
When it comes to drone photography and videography, sensor size plays a crucial role in determining image quality, low-light performance, and overall dynamic range. DJI has long been a leader in drone technology, consistently pushing boundaries with each new release. With the DJI Mini 3 Pro and DJI Mini 4 Pro, many drone enthusiasts are eager to know how these two models compare, especially when it comes to sensor size. In this post, we’ll dive deep into the sensor differences between the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro, discussing how they impact image quality, performance and why this is important for your aerial photography needs.
Understanding Sensor Size in Drones
Before we delve into the specifics of the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro, it’s essential to understand why sensor size is so critical in a drone. The sensor is the component in a camera that captures light to form an image. A larger sensor can capture more light, which results in better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Larger sensors also provide better dynamic range, meaning they can capture more detail in both highlights and shadows. For aerial photography, where you often deal with tricky lighting conditions like bright skies and dark shadows, having a good sensor can make a significant difference.
Now, let’s compare the sensor sizes of the Mini 3 Pro and the Mini 4 Pro.
DJI Mini 3 Pro Sensor Size
The DJI Mini 3 Pro, a mini drone launched in mid-2022, features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor. This is a relatively large sensor for a compact drone, especially in the sub-250g weight class, which is a significant selling point for the Mini series. The 1/1.3-inch sensor strikes a balance between portability and performance, allowing the Mini 3 Pro to capture detailed, high-resolution photos and videos while maintaining a lightweight design that is legal in many regions without needing special licensing.
This 1/1.3-inch sensor has a resolution of 48 megapixels, making it an excellent choice for capturing detailed still images and 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. It also has a wide aperture of f/1.7, allowing it to perform relatively well in low-light conditions, a key factor when shooting during sunrise, sunset, or in other low-light environments. Paired with features like HDR video and intelligent shooting modes, the Mini 3 Pro’s sensor is highly capable, particularly for a drone of its size and weight.
DJI Mini 4 Pro Sensor Size
The DJI Mini 4 Pro, released in late 2023, has also garnered significant attention. One of the biggest questions surrounding its launch was whether DJI would increase the sensor size, given that camera technology tends to improve with each iteration. The Mini 4 Pro sticks with the same 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor as the Mini 3 Pro, maintaining the same sensor size while focusing on other advancements in the drone’s features and performance.
While the sensor size remains the same as its predecessor, there are other upgrades that improve the overall image quality of the Mini 4 Pro. The Mini 4 Pro introduces enhanced image processing, better video stabilization, and upgraded smart shooting modes. Additionally, it benefits from improvements in DJI’s proprietary technology, such as better transmission capabilities, enhanced obstacle avoidance, and more efficient power management, allowing for slightly longer flight times and higher-quality video capture in real-world scenarios.
While some drone enthusiasts may have hoped for a larger sensor in the Mini 4 Pro, the decision to stick with the 1/1.3-inch sensor ensures that the drone remains within the sub-250g category, which is essential for legal operation in many regions. Increasing the sensor size would likely have required a larger and heavier drone, taking it out of this crucial category.
How Sensor Size Affects Performance
With both the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro sporting the same 1/1.3-inch sensor, you might wonder if there’s a significant difference in performance between the two. While the sensor size is the same, other factors such as image processing, lens quality, and software improvements all play a role in overall image quality.
Low-Light Performance
Thanks to its large aperture and advanced processing, the Mini 3 Pro handles low-light situations well for its size. However, the Mini 4 Pro improves on this with better image stabilization and enhanced HDR capabilities, allowing it to produce cleaner, more detailed images in darker environments. The sensor itself hasn’t changed, but DJI has made improvements to how that sensor processes light and color, resulting in better low-light performance compared to the Mini 3 Pro.
Dynamic Range and HDR
Both drones support HDR video, but the Mini 4 Pro has a slight edge in terms of dynamic range due to enhanced image processing algorithms. This means the Mini 4 Pro can capture more detail in both the brightest and darkest parts of a scene, making it an excellent option for challenging lighting conditions, such as sunsets or high-contrast environments.
Video Quality
Both drones are capable of shooting 4K video at up to 60 fps, which is more than enough for most casual and professional drone pilots. However, the Mini 4 Pro benefits from improved video transmission and stabilization, resulting in smoother footage, even in windy or more turbulent conditions.
Which Drone Is Right for You?
Ultimately, both the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro are excellent drones, and the decision between the two may come down to your specific needs as a drone pilot. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that still delivers great image quality, the Mini 3 Pro is hard to beat. Its 1/1.3-inch sensor, coupled with intelligent shooting modes and excellent low-light performance, makes it a fantastic choice for hobbyists and even semi-professional creators.
On the other hand, if you want the latest technology, better processing, and slightly improved image quality, the Mini 4 Pro is the way to go. While the sensor size hasn’t changed, the upgrades in software and hardware make a noticeable difference in overall performance, especially for more advanced users.
Conclusion
The sensor size in both the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro is identical—a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor. However, the Mini 4 Pro offers improvements in other areas, such as image stabilization, HDR capabilities, and overall processing power, making it a better choice for those who want the latest technology and slightly better image quality. Ultimately, both drones are excellent for their size and weight class, and the decision between them will likely come down to budget and your specific needs as a drone pilot.
