Comparison
DJI Mini 3 vs DJI Avata
Mini 3 spec · Avata spec · Upgrade from Mini 3 · Upgrade from Avata · All compares
Would you notice?
Mini 3 vs Avata: You would notice weight mostly as paperwork, bag mass and how close you may fly to people. You would not really notice sensor, internal storage. UK paperwork is part of the difference: Mini 3 is C0 / sub-250 g (Flyer ID + Operator ID); Avata is C1 (Flyer ID + Operator ID).
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| Spec |  C0 · 248 g |  C1 · 410 g |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Released | 13 Dec 2022 Same | 11 Aug 2022 Same |
| App | DJI Fly | DJI Fly / Goggles 2 |
| Weight & UK law | ||
| Takeoff weight | 248 g Ahead | 410 g |
| UK class / IDs | C0 · sub-250 g (C1 with Plus pack) · Operator ID + Flyer ID Ahead | C1 · Operator ID + Flyer ID |
| Open subcategory | A1 Over People Ahead | A1 Over People (C1 until 31 Dec 2027) |
| From uninvolved people | May overfly uninvolved people; not crowds. Flyer ID + Operator ID from 100 g with a camera. Towns OK in A1. Ahead | May overfly uninvolved people; not crowds. Flyer ID + Operator ID. Remote ID on from 1 Jan 2026 (C1 as UK1). Towns OK in A1. |
| Height (Open) | 120 m AGL Same | 120 m AGL Same |
| Folded size | 148 × 90 × 62 mm | 180 × 180 × 80 mm (with guards) |
| Camera | ||
| Main sensor | 1/1.3-inch CMOS · 48 MP · 24 mm Ahead | 1/1.7-inch CMOS · 48 MP · 12.7 mm |
| Aperture | f/1.7 | f/2.8 |
| Field of view | 82.1° | 155° Ahead |
| ISO (photo / video) | 100–3200 / 100–3200 | 100–6400 / 100–25600 |
| Colour / log | Rec. 709 / normal | D-Cinelike |
| Other cameras | Single camera Same | FPV super-wide (no tele) Same |
| Max video | 4K/30 HDR | 4K/60 Ahead |
| Gimbal / vertical | 90° tilt · true vertical | 185° tilt Ahead |
| Flight | ||
| Lab flight time | 38 min (51 with Plus) Ahead | 18 min |
| Hover time | 33 min Ahead | 18 min |
| Wind resistance | Level 5 · 10.7 m/s Same | Level 5 · 10.7 m/s Same |
| Max speed | 57.6 km/h Sport | 68 km/h EU · 97 km/h FCC Ahead |
| Climb / descent | 5 / 3.5 m/s | 6 / 6 m/s Ahead |
| Max takeoff altitude | 4000 m | 5000 m Ahead |
| Sensing | ||
| Obstacle sensing | Downward Same | Downward Same |
| Transmission | ||
| Video range (CE) | 6 km CE · O2 (10 km FCC) Same | 8 km CE · O3 (10 km FCC) Same |
| Power & storage | ||
| Battery | 18.1 Wh (28.4 Wh Plus) | 35.7 Wh Ahead |
| Internal storage | Card only | 20 GB Ahead |
| microSD | microSD, up to 256 GB | microSD up to 256 GB |
| GNSS | GPS + GLONASS + Galileo | GPS + Galileo + BeiDou |
| Operating temperature | −10 to 40 °C Same | −10 to 40 °C Same |
The i beside a spec is the explainer — hover or tap.
Questions
Will I notice the camera?
Mini 3 main: 1/1.3-inch CMOS · 48 MP · 24 mm, 4K/30 HDR. Avata main: 1/1.7-inch CMOS · 48 MP · 12.7 mm, 4K/60. You would notice sensor class in low light; you would not notice the word 4K if both already do it.
Do I need to register the Avata in the UK?
Avata is C1, takeoff about 410 g (With guards. FPV class.). In the UK a Flyer ID is required from 100 g, and an Operator ID is required from 100 g with a camera or from 250 g — this airframe needs both. This is not legal advice; read the CAA Drone Code for the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
Do I need to register the Mini 3 in the UK?
Mini 3 is C0, takeoff about 248 g (Under 249 g.). In the UK a Flyer ID is required from 100 g, and an Operator ID is required from 100 g with a camera or from 250 g — this airframe needs both. A Plus battery can take this out of C0 — weigh the pack you fly. This is not legal advice; read the CAA Drone Code for the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
How far from people can I fly the Avata in the UK?
Avata (C1): A1 Over People (C1 until 31 Dec 2027). May overfly uninvolved people; not crowds. Flyer ID + Operator ID. Remote ID on from 1 Jan 2026 (C1 as UK1). Towns OK in A1. Open height is 120 m AGL. Never over crowds. This is not legal advice — the CAA Drone Code (March 2026) applies to the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
How far from people can I fly the Mini 3 in the UK?
Mini 3 (C0): A1 Over People. May overfly uninvolved people; not crowds. Flyer ID + Operator ID from 100 g with a camera. Towns OK in A1. Open height is 120 m AGL. Never over crowds. This is not legal advice — the CAA Drone Code (March 2026) applies to the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
Which is better in wind?
Avata carries more mass into DJI’s published wind figure (Mini 3 10.7 m/s, Avata 10.7 m/s). On a UK headland that is often the whole decision. Lab Level numbers that match can still feel different because weight is not in the level name.
Which is better at dusk?
Mini 3 on paper. Mini 3 is 1/1.3-inch CMOS with Downward; Avata is 1/1.7-inch CMOS with Downward. Nightscape still needs texture and a minimum lux — it is not night vision.
Which is better for travel?
Mini 3 if the constraint is a bag and UK class (C0, 248 g). Avata if you will accept C1 and 410 g for the bigger airframe.
Can I keep my Mini 3 batteries, controller or ND filters?
These do not share a battery family. Plan to buy packs, and check ND thread and RC protocol — Mini 4 Pro filters and batteries do not sit on a Mini 5 Pro.
How much more does it cost?
DJI UK RRP (as of 2026-08-31): Mini 3 £319, Avata —. Used and CeX sit on the price board below — some of these are discontinued as new.
Who should buy which?
Mini 3: C0, 1/1.3-inch CMOS. Avata: Goggle flying, not a travel stills drone.
Price board
UK pounds, dated snapshots. Each cell names the box that figure is for. EAN is the barcode on that carton when a UK listing cited one; otherwise we leave it blank rather than guess. Not live APIs. Buying used checklist.
| Mini 3 as of 2026-08-31 | Avata as of 2026-08-31 | |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Store UK RRP | £319 Mini 3 with DJI RC (C0) | — Discontinued — original Avata (not Avata 2, not Avata 360) |
| Amazon UK | £339 Mini 3 (RC-N1) | See Amazon Explorer Combo listings exist; no new buy-box GBP (not Avata 2) |
| eBay UK band | £210–£360 Used Mini 3 + RC working kits | £250–£450 Used Avata Fly Smart / Explorer kits (not Avata 2 / 360) |
| CeX sell | — Mini 3 Fly More Combo + DJI RC, grade B (unpriced today) EAN 6941565949912 | £450 Avata Pro-View Combo (A) — product id 6941565939739A EAN 6941565939739 |
| CeX cash / voucher | See CeX Mini 3 Fly More Combo + DJI RC, grade B (unpriced today) EAN 6941565949912 | £198 / £283 Avata Pro-View Combo (A) — product id 6941565939739A EAN 6941565939739 |
Reviews that put these together
- DJI Mini 3 vs DJI Mini 3 Pro
1/1.3 shared class, 12 MP vs 48 MP, downward vs tri-directional sensing, price
Heliguy · 2022-12-14 - DJI Mini 3 review: a spendy, sophisticated entry-level drone
True vertical Mini without 4K/60, obstacle avoidance or subject tracking
DPReview · 2022-12-09 - The DJI Mini 3 is the best first drone to buy, period
First-drone flying, 4K/30, 1/1.3 sensor, endurance without Pro flight modes
Videomaker · 2023-01-15 - DJI Avata review — is this the FPV drone for all?
Ducted cinewhoop, Goggles 2 Pro-View kit, motion flying vs DIY FPV
Digital Camera World · 2022-11-01 - DJI Avata: which combo is best?
Pro-View (Goggles 2) vs Fly Smart (FPV Goggles V2) vs drone-only
Heliguy · 2022-08-25 - DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV—Which One Is Right for You?
Cinewhoop vs exposed-prop FPV, speed, goggles, motion vs sticks
UAV Coach · 2022-08-31
Adjacent comparisons
Same-line alternatives for each side. The rest of the grid is on the drone pages and the compare hub.