Autel EVO Lite Plus vs DJI Mini 3 Professional (Right here’s My Selection) – Droneblog

Welcome and thanks for studying this text on which drone I select: the Evo Lite Plus or the DJI Mini 3 Professional.

Trying on the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional, we’ve got two “greatest at school” drones for what they’re constructed to do, though markedly totally different in design aesthetics.
Each drones have been launched in 2022, with the Autel Evo Lite Plus being launched in January 2022 and the Mini 3 Professional, in Might 2022.
With solely a 5-month age distinction between the 2, Autel and DJI took totally different approaches to those well-loved drones.
I’ve used each the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional extensively over the previous 12 months or so.
This utilization ranged from frequent journey round numerous elements of the USA to industrial work for my shoppers. In all circumstances, 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.
In case you are on the lookout for a manageable drone that can be utilized recreationally and for some skilled work, when you so select, this text ought to make it easier to determine.
Temporary Overview
Autel Evo Lite Plus
As talked about, the Evo Lite Plus was launched in January of 2022, making it a bit of beneath 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 way of all of their newer drones, together with the Nano collection.
The Evo Lite Plus takes design cues from the bigger, dearer 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 occasions quick.
The Evo Lite Plus, although shut to 2 years previous, gives:
- 40-minute flight occasions, which, up till the Evo line of drones, was unusual to see in shopper 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, which means no flight restrictions, good for flying in areas the place correct airspace authorization has been obtained, however different drones might need issue 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 exceptional 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 in a position to retain its sub-250 g weight.
Drone fanatics trying to hold from registering their Mini 3 Professional, whereas nonetheless flying safer will recognize this.
By way of visuals, the Mini line had appeared 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 novel digicam.
The Mini 3 Professional has a set of wonderful, pro-like options, which embody:
- True verticle taking pictures which permits for immediate posting to social media within the right picture ratio
- 10-bit, 4k 60 fps video for content material creators and professionals on the lookout for flexibility when colour 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-12 months Evaluate (Video)
Fast Verdict
If you first take a look at the Evo Lite Plus and Mini 3 Professional aspect by aspect, though foldable drones, they’re clearly totally different.
The Evo Lite Plus is a bigger, extra stable drone than the Mini 3 Professional. On the flip aspect, 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 flippantly.
As knowledgeable who does loads of consumer 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 essential to me.
As a result of the Mini 3 Professional is so small, it already checks off the packing containers for a leisure journey drone.
Coupled with the truth that it shoots unbelievable video footage, footage shoppers are at all times pleased with, 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 answer.
» MORE:
What are the Foremost Variations?
The Evo Lite Plus is orange and the Mini 3 Professional is mild grey. No, that’s not all that differentiates the 2!
Whereas each drones are about the identical age, born in the identical 12 months, there are fairly just a few technological variations that separate the 2, and we’ll take a look at them now.
First, we’ll concentrate on the Evo Lite Plus.
- Measurement and Weight: The Evo Lite Plus weighs in at over thrice 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 need to take discover. The Autel Evo Lite Plus has a 1-inch Sony CMOS sensor. Along with a big sensor dimension that enables for extra mild to enter, the digicam additionally has a completely adjustable aperture, from f/2.8 – f/11. Apart from taking wonderful 20 MP images, the Evo Lite Plus also can shoot full 6k video, edging out a lot of the direct competitors, even now.
- Coloration Selections: Because the early years of the “flying pumpkin”, the Autel X-Star Premium, Autel has supplied its drones in orange. The Evo Lite Plus doesn’t stray from this, additionally coming in orange. Nevertheless, it additionally is available in grey and white. For many who would love a bit of selection and higher visibility, the three colour selections ought to do the trick.
- Lack of Geofencing: For a lot of, it is a make-or-break choice. The dearth of geofencing signifies that the Evo Lite Plus can fly anyplace 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 amazing set of stand-out choices as nicely. Together with, however not restricted to:
- Measurement and Weight: Whereas the bigger dimension 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 must 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 publish 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, Customary and Plus. The Customary battery choice yields flight occasions of 34 minutes whereas protecting the Mini 3 Professional beneath the 250 g threshold. The heavier Plus choice takes the load of the Mini 3 Professional over 250 g however yields 47 minutes of flight time.
- 10-bit colour: Within the skilled video area, 10-bit colour is a should. The Mini 3 Professional produces over a billion colour variations, versus 8-bit techniques 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 Selection)
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 lots of the advantages of the Evo II Plus, in a smaller, easier-to-manage package deal.
Autel has been identified for pioneering longer battery life in shopper 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 occasions approach again in 2020.
That longer battery life subsequently made its method to the smaller Evo Lite Plus. This was spectacular again when evaluating it towards 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 formidable 20 MP adjustable aperture one-inch SONY digicam sensor.
That is one thing many professionals, and, even, leisure photographers insist on, on account of publicity flexibility and picture high quality.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite Plus vs DJI Avata (Which One Is Higher?)
This was truly 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 power to shoot wonderful low-light footage. The Evo Lite Plus has numerous night time modes, for images and movies, that look nice, even by 2023 requirements.
As has been customary 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 when you make a purchase order, at no extra value 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 sorts of drone pilots.

It’s simple for newcomers to select up and fly whereas remaining enjoyable to fly for skilled drone fanatics.
One of many largest attracts of the Mini 3 Professional, like its predecessors, is its tiny dimension and sub-250 g weight.
The Mini 3 Professional is the best journey drone.
Not like another shopper or prosumer DJI drone earlier than it, the Mini 3 Professional managed to retain a really small footprint, weighing beneath 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 aren’t doable with out impediment avoidance.
The Mini 3 Professional shouldn’t be solely small and has visible sensors, nevertheless it additionally has just a few pro-level additions as nicely. These make it perfect for content material creators and videographers.
These embody 4k 60 fps taking pictures 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 amazing journey drone, the Mini 3 Professional packs sufficient punch for use for some skilled purposes, reminiscent of the actual property business.
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 important drone fails. Likewise, I take advantage of it usually in tight areas to get that completely framed shot.
Head-to-Head Comparability
Digicam

Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Evo Lite Plus is the clear winner in relation to the cameras on this comparability.
Whereas the Mini 3 Professional arguably has an amazing digicam, the Evo Lite Plus with its 1-inch digicam sensor appeals extra to the skilled and novice 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.
In case you are one to take night time footage, the Evo Lite Plus has a full suite of night time 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 in need of improbable.
I’ve used the Evo Lite Plus on just a few actual property jobs and the photographs have 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.
With the ability to shoot in 5k is particularly good for individuals 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 taking pictures video in Auto, it really works fairly nicely. This might need one thing to do some with the mixture of the moonlight algorithm and the adjustable aperture.
The Evo Lite Plus does an amazing job of exposing all the pieces nicely, from the shadows to the highlights. Night time-time video taking pictures is equally as spectacular as daytime taking pictures.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional for Actual Property Images (All You Have to Know)
Flight Efficiency

Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
In case you are not an all-out pace freak, then this could be a little bit of a toss-up. A tie.
Relating to flying horizontally in sport mode, the Evo Lite Plus is a bit of beneath 5 mph sooner than the Mini 3 Professional. To some, that distinction in pace means fairly a bit.
Nevertheless, if you take a look at the complete pace common throughout the board, the drones are just about neck and neck.
Pace 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 further 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, up to now, the place I’d be out and about flying recreationally, see an amazing 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 occasionally.
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 are actually loads simpler to unlock than just a few years in the past, with the Evo Lite Plus there are not any unlocks wanted.
As an alternative choice to pulling out the Aloft or UAV Forecast apps, the Autel Sky app will provide you with a warning to zones close by.
In case you occur to be in an authorization zone, you’ll be able to then purchase LAANC authorization onsite by way of Aloft and proceed to go and fly.
Upon getting skilled an absence of geofencing in numerous zones, you probably is not going to need to return to unlocking these zones in-app.
» MORE: Do Autel Drones Have Geofencing (And Tips on how to Unlock)
Portability & Comfort

Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
The Mini 3 Professional wins this class palms down.
If 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 outdoor sorts who prefer to movie themselves. With it weighing in at beneath 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 must be registered in the USA.
Nevertheless, if the Mini 3 Professional will likely be used for paid industrial work, or the furtherance of enterprise, it can must 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 nearly all sorts of carrying options.
Including to the comfort issue is the truth that the Mini 3 Professional has the choice to come back bundled with the all-in-one DJI RC sensible controller.
Just like the Mini 3 Professional, the DJI RC is ultra-lightweight and will be slipped into any sort of bag with out taking on an excessive amount of area.
In case you are 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 Novices)
Distant Controller Compatability

Winner: DJI Mini 3 Professional
The Mini 3 Professional is the clear winner in relation to the distant controller choices out there for it.
Whereas the Evo Lite Plus solely makes use of a single distant controller, the Mini 3 Professional will be operated utilizing the next DJI distant controllers:
If utilizing the Mini 3 Professional strictly from knowledgeable standpoint, the DJI RC Professional is the very best (and most costly) answer for controlling the Mini 3 Professional, because it has a 5.5-inch display with 1000 nits of brightness.
Moreover, third get together apps will be put in on the DJI RC Professional, enabling it to be a real all-in-one controller answer, needing no extra sensible units.
If flying the Mini 3 Professional recreationally, then the extra inexpensive, bundled DJI RC, is a superb controller.
At 700 nits of brightness, the DJI RC can nonetheless be seen in very shiny circumstances. That is good for touring.
When doing sure consumer work alongside waterfronts, I’ve opted to go along with the RC-N1 controller. It does take a bit of longer to get arrange and deploy, however you should utilize any sensible gadget with it.
I take advantage of a Tripletek 1500 nit excessive brightness pill connected to the RC-N1 for such jobs.
In case you’d like a unique perspective when flying, and a unique method to fly, there may be 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 out there to it. The Customary model and the Plus model.
If opting to go along with the usual model, there may be 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 occasions talked about by producers are when the drone is flying of their optimum check environments.
Actual-world consumer flight occasions will range by a couple of minutes.
When shifting 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 occasions in a Mini drone is an accomplishment in itself.
One thing to notice, the Customary clever batteries are tremendous light-weight and hold the Mini 3 Professional at beneath 250 g.
When shifting as much as the beefier Plus choice 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 must 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 Execs clever flight and shot modes |
---|---|
Rocket Fade Away Orbit Flick Sky Portrait Dynamic Observe 2(+) |
Dronie Helix Rocket Circle Boomerang Asteroid MasterShots Focus Observe |
The realm most drone fanatics and solo shooters are going to be involved about is Focus Observe.
The Autel Evo Lite Plus has an identical perform referred to as Dynamic Observe, nevertheless it’s not almost as refined and helpful as Focus Observe on the Mini 3 Professional.
Comply with Me Mode aka Focus Observe is an enormous deal at present on the earth of drones, and Focus Observe on the Mini 3 Professional is high notch.
By merely drawing a sq. round your topic, the Mini 3 Professional will exactly observe mentioned topic.
I’ve used Focus Observe many occasions 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 saved up with them, spot on.
Monitoring individuals who stroll behind obstacles is tough oftentimes for the Mini 3 Professional.
It’s 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 beneath objects to precisely observe topics that stroll or duck behind such obstacles.
Focus Observe on the Mini 3 Professional does have some limitations however nonetheless far exceeds the Evo Lite Plus with its Dynamic Observe.
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional – Tips on how to Use Lively Observe (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 12 months, I’ve to say they’re each improbable drones.
Autel and DJI took totally 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 certainly enchantment to these needing a inexpensive industrial workhorse than the Autel Evo II Professional.
It has an honest weight to battle off the wind whereas taking wonderful high quality 20 MP photos and 5.4k movies.
The Mini 3 Professional, alternatively, is essentially 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 taking pictures, pro-like 10-bit colour, and 4k 60 fps video capabilities, the Mini 3 Professional is ideal for many newbie flyers, fanatics, and even professionals alike.
» MORE: Autel EVO Lite+ vs. DJI Mini 2 SE (Right here’s My Favourite)
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