DJI MINI 3 VS PARROT ANAFI
Drone technology
has advanced a lot over the past couple of years making high-quality drones
available to the general public. So, if you are looking for the best drone to
buy, then there are many great choices out there including the DJI Mini 3 and
the Parrot ANAFI.
Review
of the DJI Mini 3 and the Parrot ANAFI
Both the DJI and Parrot are relatively
similar, but they do each have their differences that may determine which one
is best for you.
User
Interface
When it comes to
the user interface, the DJI Mini has a dedicated device/controller with a
preinstalled flight app on it. On the other hand, the Parrot ANAFI uses a
smartphone plus controller combo with a flight app that needs to be downloaded
on your smartphone.
Both controllers
have a simple two-joystick design along with a touch interface for additional
commands. Though both have an intuitive user interface, the DJI Mini 3 is more
convenient to use due to having a built-in device and app ready to go.
Camera
The camera is
often the most important part of a drone. The DJI is equipped with a 4K camera
with a resolution of 12 MP. The Parrot drone is similar with it also shooting
in 4K but with a 21 MP resolution.
Both cameras are
on a gimbal allowing for the camera to be tilted upward or downward for vertical
image shooting.
Flight
Time/Power
Drones are known
for not having the best flight time. However, both the DJI and Parrot have
impressive flight times. The DJI has 38 minutes of battery life with the option
to buy a more powerful battery that lasts for 51 minutes.
On the other
hand, the Parrot has a 25-minute battery life. Both are somewhat resistant to
wind speeds with the DJI being able to withstand 38 kph (approx. 24 mph) wind
speeds and the Parrot being able to withstand a bit more at 50 kph (approx. 31
mph).
Portability
It can be
difficult to transport drones, but the DJI and Parrot drones are designed with
collapsible “wings” for easy transportation. The Parrot controller is also
designed to collapse to take up a little less space.
Other
Notable Features
Both drones have
their own set of notable features including:
DJI
Mini 3
●
1/1.3-inch sensor and dual native
ISO for quality pictures and videos
●
10 km (approx. 6 mi) video
transmission
●
QuickShots (dynamic flight
patterns and multiple camera modes)
Parrot
ANAFI
●
Dolly Zoom (video and picture
zoom) and Smart Dronies (automatic aerial selfies)
●
Geofence (virtual perimeter)
●
Multiple Camera Modes (timer,
burst, and wizard modes)
Price
When it comes to
pricing, the DJI Mini 3 is significantly more expensive at around $700. On the other hand, the Parrot
ANAFI costs around $370.
The cost
difference is mainly due to DJI’s 66% longer flight time along with the
built-in smart device in the controller as opposed to Parrot relying on an
external smart device such as a phone.
Final
Thoughts
Overall, if you
are looking for the best drone on a budget, then the Parrot ANAFI is a great
option especially if you already own a smartphone that can be used to control
the drone.