Comparison
DJI Mini 4K vs DJI Mavic 3
Would you notice?
Mini 4K vs Mavic 3: You would notice weight mostly as paperwork, bag mass and how close you may fly to people. You would not really notice max video, wind. UK paperwork is part of the difference: Mini 4K is C0 / sub-250 g (Flyer ID + Operator ID); Mavic 3 is C1 (Flyer ID + Operator ID).
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| Spec |  C0 · 246 g |  C1 · 895 g |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Released | 1 Nov 2023 | 9 Nov 2021 |
| App | DJI Fly Same | DJI Fly Same |
| Weight & UK law | ||
| Takeoff weight | 246 g Ahead | 895 g |
| UK class / IDs | C0 · sub-250 g · 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 | 138 × 81 × 58 mm | 221 × 96.3 × 90.3 mm (folded, no props) |
| Camera | ||
| Main sensor | 1/2.3-inch CMOS · 12 MP · 24 mm | 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad · 20 MP · 24 mm Ahead |
| Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8–f/11 |
| Field of view | 83° Same | 84° Same |
| ISO (photo / video) | 100–3200 / 100–3200 | 100–6400 / 100–6400 |
| Colour / log | Rec. 709 / normal | D-Log / D-Log M / HLG |
| Other cameras | Single camera | 162 mm 1/2-inch CMOS Ahead |
| Max video | 4K/30 | 5.1K/50 Ahead |
| Gimbal / vertical | 0° tilt | 90° tilt Ahead |
| Flight | ||
| Lab flight time | 31 min | 46 min Ahead |
| Hover time | 28 min | 40 min Ahead |
| Wind resistance | Level 5 · 10.7 m/s | Level 5 · 12 m/s Ahead |
| Max speed | 57.6 km/h Sport | 68 km/h EU · 75 km/h FCC Ahead |
| Climb / descent | 5 / 3.5 m/s | 8 / 6 m/s Ahead |
| Max takeoff altitude | 4000 m | 6000 m Ahead |
| Sensing | ||
| Obstacle sensing | Downward | Omnidirectional Ahead |
| Transmission | ||
| Video range (CE) | 6 km CE · O2 (10 km FCC) Same | 8 km CE · O3+ (15 km FCC) Same |
| Power & storage | ||
| Battery | 17.3 Wh | 77 Wh Ahead |
| Internal storage | Card only Same | 8 GB Same |
| 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 | 0 to 40 °C | −10 to 40 °C |
The i beside a spec is the explainer — hover or tap.
Questions
Will I notice the camera?
Mini 4K main: 1/2.3-inch CMOS · 12 MP · 24 mm, 4K/30. Mavic 3 main: 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad · 20 MP · 24 mm, 5.1K/50. You would notice sensor class in low light; you would not notice the word 4K if both already do it. Optical telephoto is only on Mavic 3 — that is a different picture, not a sharper crop.
Do I need to register the Mavic 3 in the UK?
Mavic 3 is C1, takeoff about 895 g (895 g standard. Cine is 899 g — this row is the non-Cine airframe.). 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 4K in the UK?
Mini 4K is C0, takeoff about 246 g (DJI Mini 4K / Mini 2 SE family: 246 g with standard battery. Mini SE (2021, 2.7K Wi-Fi) is a different airframe.). 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).
How far from people can I fly the Mavic 3 in the UK?
Mavic 3 (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 4K in the UK?
Mini 4K (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?
Mavic 3 carries more mass into DJI’s published wind figure (Mini 4K 10.7 m/s, Mavic 3 12 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?
Mavic 3 on paper. Mini 4K is 1/2.3-inch CMOS with Downward; Mavic 3 is 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad with Omnidirectional. Nightscape still needs texture and a minimum lux — it is not night vision.
Which is better for travel?
Mini 4K if the constraint is a bag and UK class (C0, 246 g). Mavic 3 if you will accept C1 and 895 g for the extra camera.
Can I keep my Mini 4K batteries, controller or ND filters?
You can keep: DJI RC-N1. You cannot take: Mini 2 / Mini 4K Intelligent Flight Battery. Phone clamp for Mini 2, Mini 4K, Mini 3 family, Air 2, Air 2S and original Mavic 3. Does not fly Mini SE (Wi-Fi stick), Mini 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, Flip or Air 3.
How much more does it cost?
DJI UK RRP (as of 2026-08-31): Mini 4K £259, Mavic 3 —. Used and CeX sit on the price board below — some of these are discontinued as new.
Who should buy which?
Mini 4K: C0, 1/2.3-inch CMOS. Mavic 3: The job pays, or the Hasselblad is the point.
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 4K as of 2026-08-31 | Mavic 3 as of 2026-08-31 | |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Store UK RRP | £259 Mini 4K (typical drone + RC) | — Discontinued as new — Mavic 3 (not Cine, not Classic, not Pro) |
| Amazon UK | See Amazon No clean Mini 4K buy-box (old ASIN now Lito 1) | See Amazon No new Mavic 3 buy-box — search only; confirm it is not Classic, Pro or Cine |
| eBay UK band | £160–£250 Used Mini 4K + RC working kits; Fly More at the top | See eBay Used Mavic 3 kits — confirm it is not Classic, Pro or Cine |
| CeX sell | £270 Mini 4K Fly More Combo, grade C EAN 6941565980397 | — CeX search — no SKU invented |
| CeX cash / voucher | £167 / £194 Mini 4K Fly More Combo, grade C EAN 6941565980397 | See CeX CeX search — no SKU invented |
Reviews that put these together
- 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