It is no news that DJI has revolutionized the aerial photography space. The various generations of drone designs have given them the expertise and majority market shares in the drone industry with great accomplishments like drone miniaturization and foldable propellers; the advancement has majorly seen hits with just a few misses (I consider the DJI Mini SE and SE 2 misses and there’s nothing anyone can do to change my mind). With that in mind, let’s review the best drones you can get across the DJI fleet currently, considering the versatility of usage and budget;
- Mavic 3 Pro
Currently the flagship drone in the Mavic lineup. The Mavic 3 Pro and Mavic 3 Cine are wonders to behold. Equipped with a micro four-thirds sensor, two lenses (Wide angle and telephoto), and a variable aperture, the aerial device will get the job done. It shoots 5.6k RAW video, shoots raw images and has a flight time of over 47 minutes as well as 360 obstacle avoidance. The Mavic 3 replaces the DJI Inspire line that features a 4/3 sensor, so if you need an Inspire but smaller and with a significantly longer flight time, the Mavic 3 Pro or Cine is your best bet. The basic package starts at $2,049, whilst the most advanced package is $4,999.
- Mavic 3 Classic
The Mavic 3 classic is the Mavic 3 Pro without the telephoto lens and is $300 cheaper. If you feel you’d never have a need for a telephoto shot, then opt for the Mavic 3 Classic and enjoy all the goodness of a high-end drone but slightly cheaper at $1,749.
- DJI Air 2S
This is the replacement of the Mavic 2 Pro with better footage and a 1-inch sensor; the Mavic 2S shoot 5.6K footage at 60 frames per second. Its 1-inch sensor is perfect for low-light scenarios, and with a flight time of just under 30-35 minutes, you might not need a second battery to get the job done. This drone starts at $999.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro
The Mini 3 Pro is a drone aimed at social media creators who want the ease of shooting vertical content with all the other goodies f a pro-level drone at a reasonable price. This features a multi-angle obstacle avoidance system, shoots 48-megapixel images in 12-bit colour (RAW included), 4K/60p and has the best battery in the mini lineup with up to 47 minutes of flight time on a single charge. The smart controller also means you never have to link up your phone with the controller again, as that has its own dedicated screen. The drone starts at $599, but you might have to pay more depending on the package you want.
- DJI Mini 2
This is the cheapest in the line-up, starting at $399. The drone offers 4K/24p video in 10-bit colour and RAW capabilities when shooting photos. It has a small sensor, though, so performance in low light isn’t as great, but for the price, you get quite a number of features, including GPS and the Return to Home function, which has become a staple of the DJI name.
Other drones to consider include the DJI Air 2, the Mavic 2 Pro, and the DJI Avata and if you’re just a hobbyist and aren’t really particular about editing and post-production, then you can get the DJI Mini, or if you want better range with the Mini 1 specs, you can get the DJI Mini Special Edition.
