Comparison
DJI Mini 3 vs DJI Avata 2
Mini 3 spec · Avata 2 spec · Upgrade from Mini 3 · Upgrade from Avata 2 · All compares
Would you notice?
Mini 3 vs Avata 2: You would notice weight mostly as paperwork, bag mass and how close you may fly to people. You would not really notice internal storage. UK paperwork is part of the difference: Mini 3 is C0 / sub-250 g (Flyer ID + Operator ID); Avata 2 is C1 (Flyer ID + Operator ID).
Set I fly on the home bench to see net upgrade cost from your airframe (CeX cash vs used / RRP). It stays in this browser.
| Spec |  C0 · 248 g |  C1 · 377 g |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Released | 13 Dec 2022 | 11 Apr 2024 |
| App | DJI Fly | DJI Fly / Goggles 3 |
| Weight & UK law | ||
| Takeoff weight | 248 g Ahead | 377 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 | 185 × 212 × 64 mm (with guards) |
| Camera | ||
| Main sensor | 1/1.3-inch CMOS · 48 MP · 24 mm Same | 1/1.3-inch CMOS · 12 MP · 12 mm Same |
| Aperture | f/1.7 | f/2.8 |
| Field of view | 82.1° | 155° Ahead |
| ISO (photo / video) | 100–3200 / 100–3200 | 100–25600 / 100–25600 |
| Colour / log | Rec. 709 / normal | D-Log M |
| Other cameras | Single camera Same | FPV super-wide (no tele) Same |
| Max video | 4K/30 HDR | 4K/60, 4K/100 Ahead |
| Gimbal / vertical | 90° tilt · true vertical | 165° tilt Ahead |
| Flight | ||
| Lab flight time | 38 min (51 with Plus) Ahead | 23 min |
| Hover time | 33 min Ahead | 21 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 | 9 / 9 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 | 10 km CE · O4 (13 km FCC) Same |
| Power & storage | ||
| Battery | 18.1 Wh (28.4 Wh Plus) | 31.7 Wh Ahead |
| Internal storage | Card only | 46 GB Ahead |
| microSD | microSD, up to 256 GB | microSD UHS-I Speed Grade 3, up to 512 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
Do I need to register the Avata 2 in the UK?
Avata 2 is C1, takeoff about 377 g (With built-in propeller guards.). 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 2 in the UK?
Avata 2 (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 2 carries more mass into DJI’s published wind figure (Mini 3 10.7 m/s, Avata 2 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 for travel?
Mini 3 if the constraint is a bag and UK class (C0, 248 g). Avata 2 if you will accept C1 and 377 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 2 £539 — £220 more for the Avata 2. Street, eBay bands and CeX trade-in are on the board; they move.
Who should buy which?
Mini 3: C0, 1/1.3-inch CMOS. Avata 2: 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 2 as of 2026-08-31 | |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Store UK RRP | £319 Mini 3 with DJI RC (C0) | £539 Avata 2 Fly More Combo (1 battery) — not original Avata, not 360 |
| Amazon UK | £339 Mini 3 (RC-N1) | £685 Avata 2 Fly Smart Combo, 3 batteries (dp B0FS18CVHG) |
| eBay UK band | £210–£360 Used Mini 3 + RC working kits | £450–£800 Used Avata 2 Fly More / Fly Smart (not original Avata, not 360) |
| CeX sell | — Mini 3 Fly More Combo + DJI RC, grade B (unpriced today) EAN 6941565949912 | £580 Avata 2 Fly More Combo (A) — product id 6941565980083A EAN 6941565980083 |
| CeX cash / voucher | See CeX Mini 3 Fly More Combo + DJI RC, grade B (unpriced today) EAN 6941565949912 | £255 / £365 Avata 2 Fly More Combo (A) — product id 6941565980083A EAN 6941565980083 |
Reviews that put these together
- Best DJI drone 2026: Neo 2 vs Flip vs Mini 5 Pro vs Air 3S vs Mavic 4 Pro vs Avata 2
UK running costs, legality vs weather, Mini 5 Pro vs Air 3S as a complementary pair
Gadget Scout · 2026-01-15 - Best DJI drone (2026): Mini 5 Pro to Mavic 4 Pro
Sub-250 argument, Mini 5 Pro 1-inch sensor, Air 3S telephoto vs Mini 5 Pro
DroneXL · 2026-03-01 - 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 360 vs DJI Avata 2
8K 360 dual 1/1.1 vs single-lens 4K/100 FPV, omni sensing only in 360 mode
Heliguy · 2026-03-15
Adjacent comparisons
Same-line alternatives for each side. The rest of the grid is on the drone pages and the compare hub.