Autel EVO Lite vs. DJI Mini 3 Professional (Which One Is Higher?) – Droneblog

Within the nice battle of the manufacturers, it virtually at all times comes all the way down to Autel and DJI when evaluating one of the best drones. It will possibly’t be helped!

DJI continues to steer the drone {industry}, with the Mini 3 Professional as one among its best improvements thus far. It’s been one among my favorites since its launch, and although the Mini 4 Professional has come out since, there are nonetheless many days the place I’d slightly fly my Mini 3.

However oh, the Autel EVO Lite and its four-axis gimbal. That’s a factor of magnificence, proper there.

So, which is best? It’s time to resolve.

This overview will evaluate and distinction the Autel EVO Lite and DJI Mini 3 Professional, inspecting their variations in areas like efficiency, digital camera and video high quality, transmission distance, security options, battery life, and sensible options. As you learn, it’s possible you’ll notice why the Mini 3 Professional – my private choose – is a tricky one to beat.

I’ve loved utilizing each these drones completely, and I’m glad to share my flight experiences with you to information your choice so that you don’t waste a cent of your hard-earned moolah.  

Transient overview

Autel EVO Lite

The Autel EVO Lite has a number of the best possible options yow will discover in a shopper drone, particularly for beneath $1,000.

Granted, the EVO Lite simply squeaks by for that value if you choose the Premium Bundle, however it’s decrease price if you buy the usual version.

This drone got here out in January 2022, which already seems like a coon’s age within the drone world, because it was nicely over a yr in the past. I saved ready, considering some product from DJI would have a four-axis gimbal in addition to the Ronin 4D, however it hasn’t.

That makes the EVO Lite the king of its fortress. So, what sorts of options does this drone have? Let’s have a look.

• An industry-leading four-axis gimbal. Autel calls it the “first on this planet,” however what’s clear is that you simply actually can’t discover this in any DJI shopper drone. The gimbal goes the additional mile for the drone’s stability, making certain your pictures and movies are laser-sharp and lightning-focused.
• A world-class 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor that shoots in 4K HDR and 50 MP picture decision with RYYB colour filtering. The share of sunshine absorption that occurs with this mild array is bigger than most, resulting in crystal-clear pictures and excessive ranges of element for constructing a powerful portfolio.
• Wonderful impediment avoidance cameras that may see as much as 150 levels in entrance of the drone, bettering your security whether or not you’re a newbie or a seasoned vet.
• A battery lifetime of 40 minutes, an ordinary for Autel that is still spectacular, however. Working extra effectively is simpler with Autel.
• Configurable choices, like an ordinary or upgraded bundle, and two colours, together with my private favourite – orange. It’s an incredible alternative for higher visibility!

» MORE: Autel vs. DJI – Which Drones Are Higher?

DJI Mini 3 Professional

The Mini 3 Professional got here out later than the EVO Lite, in Could versus January 2022. It’s an upgraded model of the unique Mini 3 and was later adopted up by the Mini 4 Professional.

So, positive, the Mini 3 Professional isn’t the leading edge anymore, however this drone nonetheless has a lot to like.

There’s a cause I and lots of different drone pilots can’t cease speaking about it a yr and a half after its preliminary launch.

Really, there are a lot of causes, and so they embrace the next.

• An ultra-lightweight profile of beneath 250 grams, making the Mini 3 Professional mild sufficient that you simply don’t must register it when flying as a hobbyist. It’s additionally transportable, foldable, and able to go on each journey in your bucket checklist, as you’ll be able to at all times discover area for it in your carry-on or checked baggage.
• A 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor that shoots pictures in 48 MP RAW and 4K HDR. The RAW information are stuffed with wealthy, authentic element, simply as you captured them.
• High Clever Flight Modes, together with slow-mo video, True Vertical Taking pictures, Hyperlapses, MasterShots, Digital Zoom, FocusTrack, and Panorama. These modes automate drone flight for cinematic masterpieces you’ll be able to ship on the go utilizing QuickTransfer.
• Three-direction dual-vision impediment sensing and APAS 4.0 for impediment avoidance, a function the Mini collection has not at all times had. This makes the Mini 3 Professional one of many most secure within the collection to fly.
• Assist for daytime and nighttime flights (in case you’re legally allowed to) so you’ll be able to proceed having fun with the enjoyable together with your Mini 3 even after darkish.  

» MORE: How one can Join DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 Professional to Wi-Fi (Step-by-Step Information)

Fast verdict

Listed below are two drones that got here out inside the final yr and – much more pertinently – inside six months of each other. But they’re so distinctive in lots of ways in which selecting one of the best one was tough.

I’ve loved flying the EVO Lite and Mini 3 Professional, and whereas they shine in varied areas, you’re not right here since you wish to purchase each. You solely need one.

Right here at Droneblog, we’re dedicated to recommending solely essentially the most glorious drones to you for leisure {and professional} use. These recommendations come after a whole lot of hours of flight testing.

We’ve concluded that the DJI Mini 3 Professional is superior to the Autel EVO Lite, though granted, it isn’t by a lot. The Mini 3 Professional has equal video high quality and comparable picture high quality, whereas its security options are in the identical league as Autel. Nonetheless, its Clever Flight Modes can’t be beat.

The EVO Lite will at all times stay one among my favorites.

It has lots the Mini 3 Professional doesn’t, similar to an extended battery and a greater gimbal. It’s a wonderful alternative in so many respects and a drone I’m personally fairly obsessive about.

It’s an incredible drone for a lot of pilots, however I believe the Mini 3 Professional remains to be higher.

» MORE: Autel Evo Lite+ Evaluation

What are the principle variations?

Now that you simply’ve seen my advice for one of the best drone of the 2, let’s take a deep dive into how they’re totally different.

There are sufficient options between these two drones that it doesn’t matter what you favor, you may get what you’re on the lookout for.

• Gimbal: The Mini 3 Professional has a three-axis gimbal, the usual for DJI drones. Oppositely, it’s a four-axis gimbal for the EVO Lite, a distinction value noting. The extra axis provides a pan mechanic, giving the EVO Lite’s digital camera a larger diploma of management and precision throughout operation, however a three-axis gimbal is simply high quality for many pilots.
• Picture high quality: Right here is one other class the place the EVO Lite excels. It shoots in 50 MP picture high quality, whereas it’s solely 48 MP for the Mini 3 Professional. Nonetheless, the DJI drone additionally takes RAW footage, so I’d argue the standard and element are comparable.
• Weight: Right here’s an space the place the distinction between these two drones is extra obvious. The EVO Lite weighs a reasonable 835 grams, however it looks as if a heavyweight in comparison with the Mini 3 Professional. You’ll recall that it solely weighs 249 grams, so the Autel drone is about 4 occasions heavier.
• Shade choices: The EVO Lite is accessible in shiny orange for nice visibility or grey for an understated fashion. You may’t select the colour of the Mini 3 Professional, or any DJI drone, for that matter.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional – How one can Manufacturing unit Reset (Step-by-Step Information)

Autel EVO Lite

Autel proved that it’s prepared to push the envelope and innovate simply as a lot, if no more so, than DJI when it launched the EVO Lite, a starring version in its EVO Lite Collection.

Let’s get proper to it and talk about the gimbal as a result of it’s probably the most distinct options of the EVO Lite.

It’s a four-axis gimbal able to panning, yawing, pitching, and rolling with extra precision and accuracy than three-axis gimbals.

The EVO Lite can shoot vertically, a function DJI has already provided in a number of of its drones, so that is Autel’s reply to that.

Talking of capturing, you’ll end up getting carried away with this drone’s video and photograph capabilities, as they’re unbelievable. Its tiny 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor has a 50 MP picture decision and 4K HDR video decision.

That’s not the very best video res in an Autel drone, however it’s among the many greatest picture high quality yow will discover in its drones.

Autel calls the digital camera “supersensitive,” and I’d agree with that sentiment, in one of the simplest ways.

The RYYB colour filter array has extra mild than common and a brighter palette of colour.

Your sunrises shall be shiny pink and orange, your daytime pictures an ideal blue, and your night time pictures of a glimmering cityscape a rainbow of city chaos.

Activate HDR mode, and the EVO Lite will cobble collectively the last word shot based mostly on one of the best dynamic vary, distinction, and publicity settings.

It is a function Autel has replicated throughout a few of its drones, and I’m so glad to seek out it within the EVO Lite. It’s one among my favorites for saving time in put up.

Ship the EVO Lite into the sky and watch it do its factor utilizing cinematic modes like Orbit, Rocket, Flick, and Fade Away.

» MORE: Are Autel Drones Any Good? (You Would possibly Be Stunned)

The automated path the drone takes is nice for social media professionals desperate to appear like drone execs when missing expertise.

That’s not the one automated mode, by the best way. The EVO Lite contains Dynamic Monitor 2.1 for extra precision monitoring of something that strikes, together with animals and automobiles.

SkyPortrait is your greatest good friend in case you dwell for selfies, as it should take them for you, together with all your mates within the shot.

Then there’s this drone’s impediment avoidance. Autel has confirmed repeatedly that it excels in impediment avoidance in ways in which generally DJI doesn’t, not less than not persistently.

The EVO Lite has an ultra-wide impediment avoidance digital camera, an innovation Autel created across the time of this drone’s launch. The sensors constructed into the mannequin present a frontal view that’s 150 expansive levels.

This function will make you’re feeling safer when flying, particularly in case you’re nonetheless studying.

In the event you’re a extra skilled pilot, you’ll respect how one can focus extra on the EVO Lite’s dazzling cinematics and let it handle the remainder.

DJI Mini 3 Professional

The Mini 3 Professional has one of the best traits of the Mini line thus far, and that’s saying one thing, contemplating how critically acclaimed these DJI drones have been.

Dwelling as much as its identify, it weighs beneath 249 grams, so it’s about the identical weight as your smartphone. You gained’t thoughts carrying this drone in your pocket or in your again for hours, even days, similar to when backpacking.

DJI sharpened up the design in comparison with different Mini drones, rising the size of the props so the Mini 3 Professional is extra beginner-friendly.

In contrast to the Mini 3, the Professional has a greater gimbal, facilitating True Vertical Taking pictures. It won’t be a four-axis gimbal, however I believe it’s glorious.

Now, what about its digital camera? The Mini 3 Professional incorporates a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with an f/1.7 aperture.

You may’t regulate it, however the charge of sunshine is designed to brighten low-light videography and pictures, explaining why the Mini 3 Professional is appropriate for nighttime pictures.

You may depend on its aperture in all kinds of situations, broadening your drone flight horizons and your portfolio in sort.

The 48 MP picture high quality is a few of DJI’s greatest, and the identical goes for its 4K HDR video, which is similar to what the EVO Lite gives.

Bear in mind, the pictures are all in RAW format, which suggests extra knowledge and element are retained in each shot.

You may edit out what you don’t need in put up, which gained’t be a lot, contemplating this drone has D-Cinelike Shade in its movies and pictures for a brighter, richer world your shoppers will marvel over.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional: One-Yr Evaluation (Video)

The Mini line has not at all times had impediment avoidance, however the Mini 3 Professional does.

Its tri-directional impediment sensing system would possibly solely gauge downward, backward, and frontal threats with a dual-vision sensor system, however the Superior Pilot Help System or APAS 4.0 is for impediment avoidance.

APAS 4.0 won’t be the most recent version (that’s APAS 5.0, as of this writing), however it greater than suffices, particularly if the choice isn’t any impediment avoidance in any respect.

Moreover True Vertical Taking pictures, the Mini 3 Professional is able to so many Clever Flight Modes.

You may cut back velocity and take slow-mo movies, a perfect function for cinematics, or velocity up every thing round you with a dramatic Hyperlapse.

Digital Zoom facilitates safer capturing situations of wildlife and harmful nature, as you may get in on the motion with out being in the course of it.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 / Mini 3 Professional – How one can Stay Stream on YouTube (Video)

FocusTrack is like Autel’s Dynamic Monitor, permitting for topic monitoring, whereas MasterShots makes use of automated flight modes to seize reliably superior movies.

These options are the type that make me preserve coming again to DJI.

This suite of enjoyable, sensible modes has one thing for each kind of pilot, from business consultants trying to make their jobs simpler to influencers looking forward to distinctive footage to get these likes and clicks.

Head-to-head comparability

Digital camera system

Winner: Autel EVO Lite

Congratulations go to the EVO Lite for its four-axis gimbal.

Do I personally assume a four-axis gimbal is a gamechanger?

No. It’s positively cool, don’t get me flawed, however I can go from flying a four-axis gimbal drone just like the EVO Lite and again to a three-axis gimbal drone just like the Mini 3 Professional and never really feel like I’m lacking out on too terribly a lot.

DJI’s gimbals provide a excessive diploma of flexibility and adjustability regardless of having three axes as a substitute of 4.

Nonetheless, a four-axis gimbal is technically higher, so the EVO Lite wins this class.

There are extra causes to reward it, in fact. It has distinctive picture high quality, top-notch video high quality, a twin CDAF and PDAF autofocus system, a 0.8-inch CMOS sensor, and an RYYB colour filter array.

They’re altogether some sterling options.

That’s to not say the Mini 3 Professional is a slouch. It has a surprising colour show similar to the RYYB colour filter array within the type of its D-Cinelike Shade.

Its 48 MP picture high quality in RAW information preserves all of the element you can need, whether or not you’re having enjoyable capturing lovely cliffsides or on the job photographing a property on the market.

Its 4K HDR at 60 frames per second provides you an identical degree of video element as seen within the EVO Lite. I want the Mini 3 Professional’s video, because it feels extra high-fidelity to me.

After all, in case you’re working at 120 fps, the video high quality drops to 1080p, which isn’t so nice.

» MORE: Digital camera Know-how in Drones (Defined)

Efficiency

Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional

The light-weight, agile flyer DJI designed within the Mini 3 Professional is so enjoyable to choose up and fly. It’s extra aerodynamic than ever, and it’s beginner-friendly but by no means boring for intermediates and consultants.

As a pro-level drone, it has the digital camera capabilities and Clever Flight Modes to accompany you on the job, augmenting your tasks.

These automated modes take the Mini 3 Professional additional, whether or not it’s twisting and looping by means of the air on an automatic route or capturing slow-mo movies or hyperlapse pictures.

The flexibility is nothing in need of glorious, which I’ve come to count on from DJI.

And positive, possibly this drone doesn’t have Superior RTH or Waypoints, however it’s a Mini drone. It’s uncomplicated but reliable and has simply the fitting Clever Flight Modes.

The EVO Lite has its personal sensible modes, however to not the identical diploma because the Mini 3 Professional.

Plus, I’ve at all times discovered that no different drone model fairly matches DJI by way of sensible options, though Autel is getting darn shut.

I respect how the Mini 3 Professional has impediment avoidance.

It’s not DJI’s most subtle system, however APAS 4.0 remains to be higher than nothing, and mixed with the obstacle-sensing system, it is best to really feel safer within the skies than you maybe ever have when flying a Mini drone.

The EVO Lite has a distinct kind of impediment avoidance than a few of its different drones, such because the EVO II Professional.

The Lite’s front-facing digital camera sensors can detect obstacles in entrance of it.

It’s glorious, and doubtless somewhat higher than DJI’s impediment avoidance for the Mini drones, however the Mini 3 Professional wins this class as an entire.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 vs. Mini 3 Professional (Which Drone Is Higher?)

Portability

Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional

Right here’s one other class the place the Mini 3 Professional wins, and it wasn’t even tough to choose a winner right here.

The Mini 3 Professional, as you’ll recall, weighs 4 occasions lower than the EVO Lite.

You should have extra choices for packing it in baggage, similar to a checked bag or carry-on, or in a drone backpack on your on a regular basis adventures.

You may deliver the EVO Lite on simply as lots of these adventures; the bundle packs even embrace a tough carrying case.

The difficulty is, the EVO Lite is heavier, though not less than it’s foldable. 

» MORE: Finest Newbie Drones Beneath $500

RC compatibility and flight vary

Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional

The Autel Lite and Nano collection share a controller that’s appropriately named the EVO Nano & Lite Distant Controller. I prefer it as a result of it type of jogs my memory of an Xbox 360 controller however with much less bulk and extra ergonomics.

It’s a glossy black, with few buttons, transmission by means of the SkyApp, and a removable holster on your smartphone.

The Mini 3 Professional works with two DJI remotes, the DJI RC or the DJI RC-N1. The RC-N1 is appropriate with the Mini 2, Air 2, Air 2S, and Mavic 3.

It has no display, just like the EVO Lite’s controller, however incorporates a boxier distant with a smartphone holster.

The RC-N1 is enough, but when attainable, I like to recommend the DJI RC extra.

This newer, smarter, extra trendy controller with DJI O3+ video transmission energy has a display, a wonderful display to spare your smartphone.

The EVO Lite has a 7.4-mile transmission vary, which is nothing to sneeze at. The Mini 3 Professional’s transmission vary is 7.45 miles, so it’s only a smidge over.

Battery life

Winner: Autel EVO Lite

The battle of battery life commences. It’s the EVO Lite right here, which guarantees 40 minutes of flight time in response to Autel. In my expertise, it’s over 35 minutes however not fairly 40 minutes.

Each drone model overpromises on flight occasions, in order that didn’t shock me.

As for the Mini 3 Professional, it’s purported to fly for 34 minutes with the Clever Flight Battery. DJI calls that “prolonged.” I acquired round half-hour of flight time, simply over.

Extra flight time is at all times higher, and Autel is main the best way for the way lengthy a drone ought to have the ability to fly. The Mini 3 Professional may afford to catch up.

» MORE: Drone Batteries (In-Depth Info)

Conclusion

It was a neck-and-neck race between the Autel EVO Lite and DJI Mini 3 Professional.

In the end, the Mini 3 Professional got here out on high for qualities like a light-weight, forward-thinking design, purposeful digital camera system, higher impediment avoidance than Minis previous, and Clever Flight Modes, one among its strongest options.

The EVO Lite is likely one of the greatest Autel drones thus far in a group of fashions that I discover it onerous to decide on between.

Nonetheless, it’s marketed as a lightweight drone and is something however. It additionally barely excels over DJI in areas like picture high quality and impediment avoidance.