Welcome and thanks for studying this text on which drone I select: the Evo Lite Plus or the DJI Mini 3 Professional.
Wanting on the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional, we’ve got two “finest at school” drones for what they’re constructed to do, though markedly completely different in design aesthetics.
Each drones had been launched in 2022, with the Autel Evo Lite Plus being launched in January 2022 and the Mini 3 Professional, in Could 2022.
With solely a 5-month age distinction between the 2, Autel and DJI took completely different approaches to those well-loved drones.
I’ve used each the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional extensively over the previous yr or so.
This utilization ranged from frequent journey round numerous components of the USA to business work for my purchasers. In all instances, each drones did a superb job.
On this article, I’ll study the variations between the Autel Evo Lite Plus and the DJI Mini 3 Professional, my general expertise with every, who may profit from both, and why I personally selected the DJI Mini 3 Professional over the Autel Evo Lite Plus.
If you’re in search of a manageable drone that can be utilized recreationally and for some skilled work, in case you so select, this text ought to show you how to resolve.
Transient Overview
Autel Evo Lite Plus
As talked about, the Evo Lite Plus was launched in January of 2022, making it a little bit underneath two years previous, on the time of this writing.
Like DJI, Autel has discovered a foldable design that works for it and this design flows by all of their newer drones, together with the Nano sequence.
The Evo Lite Plus takes design cues from the bigger, costlier Autel Evo II and Evo II Professional.
Just like the Evo II Professional line, it has a professional-level 20 MP adjustable aperture 1-inch CMOS sensor digicam. Strive saying that 3 instances quick.
The Evo Lite Plus, although shut to 2 years previous, gives:
- 40-minute flight instances, which, up till the Evo line of drones, was unusual to see in client and prosumer drones
- Three-way impediment avoidance sensing, when used appropriately aids in safer flight maneuvers
- 1-inch digicam sensor for 20 MP high-resolution skilled high quality images
- No geofencing, that means no flight restrictions, excellent for flying in areas the place correct airspace authorization has been obtained, however different drones may need problem unlocking
» MORE: Autel Evo Lite+ Evaluate
DJI Mini 3 Professional
Proper on the heels of the Evo Lite Plus, the Mini 3 Professional made its debut as the primary DJI Mini drone with impediment avoidance.
This was certainly one thing remarkable on the time in 2022 and has solely been matched by the Mini 3 Professional’s successor, the Mini 4 Professional, since then.
What makes having impediment avoidance sensors within the Mini 3 Professional such an enormous deal is that it’s nonetheless capable of retain its sub-250 g weight.
Drone lovers seeking to hold from registering their Mini 3 Professional, whereas nonetheless flying safer will recognize this.
By way of visuals, the Mini line had regarded fairly the identical for a number of years, beginning with the unique Mavic Mini launched again in 2019.
The Mini 3 Professional broke the design mildew with the addition of impediment avoidance sensors and a singular digicam.
The Mini 3 Professional has a set of wonderful, pro-like options, which embrace:
- True verticle capturing which permits for immediate posting to social media within the appropriate picture ratio
- 10-bit, 4k 60 fps video for content material creators and professionals in search of flexibility when coloration grading
- Three-way impediment avoidance for added flight security
- Weighs lower than 250 g which is ideal for these not eager to register their drone in the USA
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional: One-Yr Evaluate (Video)
Fast Verdict
While you first have a look at the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional facet by facet, though foldable drones, they’re clearly completely different.
The Evo Lite Plus is a bigger, extra strong drone than the Mini 3 Professional. On the flip facet, the Mini 3 Professional’s sub-250 g weight and tiny footprint are what many search for these days.
Taking a look at each drones for a “does all of it” drone, the Mini 3 Professional is my selection.
This selection was not made evenly.
As knowledgeable who does loads of shopper work, and travels fairly a bit up and down the Florida East and Gulf Coasts recreationally, a drone that may do each skilled work and leisure flights is vital to me.
As a result of the Mini 3 Professional is so small, it already checks off the containers for a leisure journey drone.
Coupled with the truth that it shoots unimaginable video footage, footage purchasers are at all times proud of, it really works for me on a Professional degree.
The Mini 3 Professional permits anybody to have the ability to carry only one drone with them, for quite a lot of functions. Much like a Swiss Military Knife, it’s an all-in-one resolution.
» MORE:
What are the Important Variations?
The Evo Lite Plus is orange and the Mini 3 Professional is gentle grey. No, that’s not all that differentiates the 2!
Whereas each drones are about the identical age, born in the identical yr, there are fairly a number of technological variations that separate the 2, and we’ll have a look at them now.
First, we’ll give attention to the Evo Lite Plus.
- Dimension and Weight: The Evo Lite Plus weighs in at over 3 times the load of the Mini 3 Professional, at 835 g. This added weight is definitely a bonus for the Evo Lite Plus, because it aids in it being extra secure within the wind, although rated at across the identical wind resistance because the Mini 3 Professional.
- Digicam: That is the place professionals and recreation photographers will wish to take discover. The Autel Evo Lite Plus has a 1-inch Sony CMOS sensor. Along with a big sensor measurement that permits for extra gentle to enter, the digicam additionally has a totally adjustable aperture, from f/2.8 – f/11. Apart from taking glorious 20 MP images, the Evo Lite Plus can even shoot full 6k video, edging out many of the direct competitors, even now.
- Shade Decisions: Because the early years of the “flying pumpkin”, the Autel X-Star Premium, Autel has provided its drones in orange. The Evo Lite Plus doesn’t stray from this, additionally coming in orange. Nonetheless, it additionally is available in grey and white. For many who would really like a little bit selection and higher visibility, the three coloration selections ought to do the trick.
- Lack of Geofencing: For a lot of, this can be a make-or-break possibility. The dearth of geofencing signifies that the Evo Lite Plus can fly wherever you’d prefer it to. It is not going to be grounded by invisible fences or zones, like DJI and different drone producers will.
The Mini 3 Professional has an incredible set of stand-out choices as nicely. Together with, however not restricted to:
- Dimension and Weight: Whereas the bigger measurement of the Evo Lite Plus was a, nicely, plus, the scale of the Mini 3 Professional is one thing to be admired. The Mini 3 Professional is sufficiently small to place in a small bag or sling. I oftentimes put mine within the pocket of my cargo shorts. With the Mini 3 Professional weighing lower than 250 g, that signifies that, in the USA, it doesn’t need to be registered. Extra on this later.
- Vertical Capturing: As a nod to the unique Mavic Professional of 2016, the digicam on the Mini 3 Professional bodily and absolutely rotates 90 levels. This permits the Mini 3 Professional to shoot portrait-mode images and movies and submit them to social media with out the necessity for post-process cropping.
- Battery Choices: The Mini 3 Professional was the primary to use two different-sized battery choices, Normal and Plus. The Normal battery possibility yields flight instances of 34 minutes whereas conserving the Mini 3 Professional underneath the 250 g threshold. The heavier Plus possibility takes the load of the Mini 3 Professional over 250 g however yields 47 minutes of flight time.
- 10-bit coloration: Within the skilled video house, 10-bit coloration is a should. The Mini 3 Professional produces over a billion coloration variations, versus 8-bit programs which solely seize 16 million colours. This permits for lots extra flexibility and creativity when color-grading footage in video modifying software program.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional vs. Holy Stone HS720E (Right here’s My Alternative)
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Evo Lite Plus is modeled loosely after the bigger Evo II and Evo II Plus launched prior.
Whereas being a smaller, scaled-back model of these drones, the Evo Lite Plus has most of the advantages of the Evo II Plus, in a smaller, easier-to-manage package deal.
Autel has been recognized for pioneering longer battery life in client and prosumer drones, as seen with the discharge of the Evo II and II Professional.
The Evo II line boasted unheard-of 40-minute flight instances manner again in 2020.
That longer battery life subsequently made its option to the smaller Evo Lite Plus. This was spectacular again when evaluating it in opposition to its then rival the Air 2S, adopted by its smaller and newer rival, the Mini 3 Professional.
Not like the Mini 3 Professional, the Evo Lite Plus has a powerful 20 MP adjustable aperture one-inch SONY digicam sensor.
That is one thing many professionals, and, even, leisure photographers insist on, because of publicity flexibility and picture high quality.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite Plus vs DJI Avata (Which One Is Higher?)
This was really an enchancment over the bigger, non-professional degree Evo II 8k, as that digicam solely had a a lot smaller 1/2-inch sensor.
With the Evo Lite Plus’ bigger digicam sensor comes the flexibility to shoot glorious low-light footage. The Evo Lite Plus has numerous evening modes, for images and movies, that look nice, even by 2023 requirements.
As has been normal with all Autel drones, for the reason that days of the X-Star, the Autel Evo Lite Plus is not Geofenced.
Whereas we’ll contact on this extra, having no geofencing means no limitations placed on the place and when you’ll be able to fly your drone.
Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ Premium Bundle
1” CMOS Sensor with 6K HDR Digicam, No Geo-Fencing, 3-Axis Gimbal, 3-Method Impediment Avoidance, 40Min Flight Time, 7.4 Miles Transmission, Lite Plus Extra Combo.
We earn a fee in case you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
11/11/2023 02:41 am GMT
DJI Mini 3 Professional
When the Mini 3 Professional was launched, it was to loads of fanfare. The Mini 3 Professional was and nonetheless is a much-loved drone amongst all forms of drone pilots.
It’s straightforward for inexperienced persons to choose up and fly whereas remaining enjoyable to fly for skilled drone lovers.
One of many largest attracts of the Mini 3 Professional, like its predecessors, is its tiny measurement and sub-250 g weight.
The Mini 3 Professional is the perfect journey drone.
Not like another client or prosumer DJI drone earlier than it, the Mini 3 Professional managed to retain a really small footprint, weighing underneath 250 g, all whereas having impediment avoidance sensors on board.
This implies the Mini 3 Professional advantages from the myriad of clever flight modes DJI has to supply in its bigger line of drones. A few of these modes are usually not attainable with out impediment avoidance.
The Mini 3 Professional shouldn’t be solely small and has visible sensors, nevertheless it additionally has a number of pro-level additions as nicely. These make it very best for content material creators and videographers.
These embrace 4k 60 fps capturing in addition to the flatter 10-bit D-Cinelike profile.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional vs. Air 2S (All You Have to Know)
Along with being an incredible journey drone, the Mini 3 Professional packs sufficient punch for use for some skilled functions, reminiscent of the true property trade.
It makes a viable backup drone for skilled drone pilots. I personally hold a Mini 3 Professional in my gear bag when doing bigger tasks.
I achieve this particularly when at actual property jobs, simply in case my primary drone fails. Likewise, I exploit it usually in tight areas to get that completely framed shot.
DJI Mini 3 Professional (DJI RC)
Light-weight and Foldable Digicam Drone
- 4K/60fps Video
- 48MP Picture
- 34-min Flight Time
- Tri-Directional Impediment Sensing, Built-in RC and display screen
We earn a fee in case you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
11/10/2023 04:56 am GMT
Head-to-Head Comparability
Digicam
Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Evo Lite Plus is the clear winner relating to the cameras on this comparability.
Whereas the Mini 3 Professional arguably has an incredible digicam, the Evo Lite Plus with its 1-inch digicam sensor appeals extra to the skilled and newbie images crowd alike.
The digicam on the Evo Lite Plus has a SONY 20 MP adjustable aperture 1-inch CMOS sensor. The aperture ranges from f/2.8 – f/11.
Because of this the digicam has few limitations when taking each images and movies in numerous lighting circumstances.
If you’re one to take evening footage, the Evo Lite Plus has a full suite of evening modes utilizing its extremely efficient Moonlight algorithm.
Nighttime video taken with the Evo Lite Plus is detailed, and sharp, with minimal noise
The 20 MP images that come out of the Evo Lite Plus are nothing wanting improbable.
I’ve used the Evo Lite Plus on a number of actual property jobs and the images had been the identical top quality as others I’ve taken with numerous prosumer DJI drones.
By way of video, the Evo is marketed to shoot as much as 6k. That is extra realistically 5.4k, which continues to be nice, as it’s a greater decision than the Mini 3 Professional can shoot movies at.
Having the ability to shoot in 5k is particularly good for many who do a good bit of video modifying and prefer to zoom in throughout video post-production, with out shedding an excessive amount of decision.
One thing notable concerning the Evo Lite Plus is when capturing video in Auto, it really works fairly nicely. This may need one thing to do some with the mix of the moonlight algorithm and the adjustable aperture.
The Evo Lite Plus does an incredible job of exposing all the pieces nicely, from the shadows to the highlights. Evening-time video capturing is equally as spectacular as daytime capturing.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional for Actual Property Pictures (All You Have to Know)
Flight Efficiency
Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
If you’re not an all-out velocity freak, then this is perhaps a little bit of a toss-up. A tie.
On the subject of flying horizontally in sport mode, the Evo Lite Plus is a little bit underneath 5 mph sooner than the Mini 3 Professional. To some, that distinction in velocity means fairly a bit.
Nonetheless, if you have a look at the whole velocity common throughout the board, the drones are just about neck and neck.
| Velocity in MPH | Autel Evo Lite Plus | Mini 3 Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Ascent | 11.18 mph | 11.18 mph |
| Descent | 8.94 mph | 11.18 mph |
| Horizontal | 40 mph | 35.79 mph |
The added weight of the Evo Lite Plus (all additional 585 g of it), equates to a barely extra secure flight when in windier circumstances.
Whereas the Mini 3 Professional is rated as a degree 5 wind-resistant drone, the gimbal has to work more durable to stabilize video footage.
The Evo Lite Plus has rather less gimbal work to do in windy circumstances, because it strikes lower than the Mini 3 Professional.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional and Climate
No Geofencing
Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
I’ve been in conditions, previously, the place I might be out and about flying recreationally, see an incredible place to fly, and never be capable to fly there as a result of the drone sees an authorization zone and grounded me.
This can be one thing many have shared when flying sometimes.
With all Autel drones, together with the Evo Lite Plus, there is no such thing as a such geofencing.
Though the newer DJI drones operating DJI Fly App at the moment are loads simpler to unlock than a number of years in the past, with the Evo Lite Plus there are not any unlocks wanted.
As a substitute for pulling out the Aloft or UAV Forecast apps, the Autel Sky app will provide you with a warning to zones close by.
Should you occur to be in an authorization zone, you’ll be able to then purchase LAANC authorization onsite by Aloft and proceed to go and fly.
Upon getting skilled a scarcity of geofencing in numerous zones, you almost certainly is not going to wish to return to unlocking these zones in-app.
» MORE: Do Autel Drones Have Geofencing (And Unlock)
Portability & Comfort
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
The Mini 3 Professional wins this class palms down.
While you evaluate what the Mini 3 Professional can do technically alongside the Evo Lite Plus, the Plus can’t evaluate to the Mini 3 Professional’s portability and comfort.
The Mini 3 Professional is ideal for vacationers and outside varieties who prefer to movie themselves. With it weighing in at underneath 250 g, it’s barely noticeable when in a images bag, sling, or purse.
Alongside the strains of weight, the Mini 3 Professional doesn’t need to be registered in the USA.
Nonetheless, if the Mini 3 Professional might be used for paid business work, or the furtherance of enterprise, it’s going to have to be registered.
Along with the load of the Mini 3 Professional, with its small footprint (you’ll be able to actually maintain it within the palm of your hand when folded), it’s simply tucked away in virtually all forms of carrying options.
Including to the comfort issue is the truth that the Mini 3 Professional has the choice to return bundled with the all-in-one DJI RC good controller.
Just like the Mini 3 Professional, the DJI RC is ultra-lightweight and might be slipped into any kind of bag with out taking over an excessive amount of house.
If you’re a traveler or solo creator, not having to make use of a smartphone along with the distant controller lets you stand up within the air sooner.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional with DJI RC (Defined for Newcomers)
Distant Controller Compatability
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
The Mini 3 Professional is the clear winner relating to the distant controller choices accessible for it.
Whereas the Evo Lite Plus solely makes use of a single distant controller, the Mini 3 Professional might be operated utilizing the next DJI distant controllers:
If utilizing the Mini 3 Professional strictly from knowledgeable standpoint, the DJI RC Professional is the most effective (and costliest) resolution for controlling the Mini 3 Professional, because it has a 5.5-inch display screen with 1000 nits of brightness.
Moreover, third social gathering apps might be put in on the DJI RC Professional, enabling it to be a real all-in-one controller resolution, needing no further good units.
If flying the Mini 3 Professional recreationally, then the extra inexpensive, bundled DJI RC, is a wonderful controller.
At 700 nits of brightness, the DJI RC can nonetheless be seen in very vivid circumstances. That is excellent for touring.
When doing sure shopper work alongside waterfronts, I’ve opted to go along with the RC-N1 controller. It does take a little bit longer to get arrange and deploy, however you need to use any good gadget with it.
I exploit a Tripletek 1500 nit excessive brightness pill hooked up to the RC-N1 for such jobs.
Should you’d like a distinct perspective when flying, and a distinct option to fly, there’s additionally the choice to fly the Mini 3 Professional with the newer DJI Movement 2 Controller w/ DJI Goggles 2.
» MORE: DJI RC vs DJI RC-N1 (All You Have to Know)
Battery Choices
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
Whereas Autel pioneered the longer-lasting, 40-minute battery in leisure drones, DJI has taken this a step additional.
The Mini 3 Professional has two battery choices accessible to it. The Normal model and the Plus model.
If opting to go along with the usual model, there’s an marketed flight time of 34 minutes. The Plus model has an marketed flight time of 47 minutes.
I say “marketed” as a result of the flight instances talked about by producers are when the drone is flying of their optimum take a look at environments.
Actual-world consumer flight instances will differ by a couple of minutes.
When transferring as much as the higher-capacity Plus batteries, the flight time will increase to about 42 minutes or so. Once more, that is primarily based on real-world utilization.
Regardless, having 40+ minute flight instances in a Mini drone is an accomplishment in itself.
One thing to notice, the Normal clever batteries are tremendous light-weight and hold the Mini 3 Professional at underneath 250 g.
When transferring as much as the beefier Plus possibility batteries, the load of the battery strikes the Mini 3 Professional out of the sub-250 g zone.
Because of this the Mini 3 Professional will then have to be registered, whether or not you might be flying it professionally or not.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 Professional Battery (All You Have to Know)
Clever Flight Modes
Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
Each the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional have clever flight modes aboard.
| Evo Lite Plus’ clever flight and shot modes | Mini 3 Professionals clever flight and shot modes |
|---|---|
| Rocket Fade Away Orbit Flick Sky Portrait Dynamic Monitor 2(+) |
Dronie Helix Rocket Circle Boomerang Asteroid MasterShots Focus Monitor |
The world most drone lovers and solo shooters are going to be involved about is Focus Monitor.
The Autel Evo Lite Plus has the same operate referred to as Dynamic Monitor, nevertheless it’s not almost as refined and helpful as Focus Monitor on the Mini 3 Professional.
Comply with Me Mode aka Focus Monitor is an enormous deal presently on this planet of drones, and Focus Monitor on the Mini 3 Professional is high notch.
By merely drawing a sq. round your topic, the Mini 3 Professional will exactly observe stated topic.
I’ve used Focus Monitor many instances on the Mini 3 Professional on the seashore following boats and jet skis and it carried out marvelously.
When out on the water, the Mini 3 professional by no means misplaced its topic. When monitoring vehicles, likewise it stored up with them, spot on.
Monitoring individuals who stroll behind obstacles is tough oftentimes for the Mini 3 Professional.
It is because it solely has three-way impediment avoidance and never omnidirectional sensing just like the newer Mini 4 Professional.
It can’t fly safely to the edges or underneath objects to precisely observe topics that stroll or duck behind such obstacles.
Focus Monitor on the Mini 3 Professional does have some limitations however nonetheless far exceeds the Evo Lite Plus with its Dynamic Monitor.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional – Use Lively Monitor (Step-by-Step Information)
Conclusion
After having owned and used each the Autel Evo Lite Plus and DJI Mini 3 Professional for greater than a yr, I’ve to say they’re each improbable drones.
Autel and DJI took completely different approaches to every of those drones, and I really feel that the Mini 3 Professional edges out the Evo Lite Plus within the areas that matter most to me.
The Evo Lite Plus will most probably attraction to these needing a inexpensive business workhorse than the Autel Evo II Professional.
It has an honest weight to struggle off the wind whereas taking glorious high quality 20 MP photos and 5.4k movies.
The Mini 3 Professional, alternatively, is probably the most rounded and balanced drone for these wanting each a journey drone and one thing that may additionally deal with some skilled workload.
With its light-weight physique and small footprint, coupled with vertical capturing, pro-like 10-bit coloration, and 4k 60 fps video capabilities, the Mini 3 Professional is ideal for many newbie flyers, lovers, and even professionals alike.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite+ vs. DJI Mini 2 SE (Right here’s My Favourite)
