So ive been going back and forth on this for like two weeks now and i cant make up my mind. I mostly fly on weekends, some landscape stuff, occasional family videos, nothing serious. The Mini 3 Pro feels like the obvious choice because of the under 250g thing and i live near some restricted zones so registration has been a headache in the past.

But then i picked up the Air 3 at a store and just held it and it feels way more solid, and the omnidirectional obstacle avoidance is honestly tempting because i flew into a tree last spring and it was not a fun afternoon. The dual camera thing is also nice i guess but i dont know if ill actually use it that much.

Anyone gone from a Mini series to the Air 3 and felt like it was a genuine upgrade or does it just feel like paying extra for stuff you end up ignoring?

Honestly this was me about six months ago. I had a Mini 2 for a couple years and eventually pulled the trigger on the Air 3 and yeah it does feel like a proper step up, not just in specs but in how it handles wind. I fly near the coast a lot and the Mini used to get pushed around more than i liked. The obstacle avoidance has already saved me twice so for clumsy fliers like us it kind of pays for itself in peace of mind.

That said if the weight thing is genuinely a factor for where you fly i wouldnt dismiss it. The reg rules are a real pain depending on your country and the Mini 3 Pro footage is honestly stunning for what it is. I dont think you'd be unhappy with either one, it really does come down to your specific situation.

i went air 3 and dont regret it but i also just wanted the best thing i could afford so maybe not the most useful data point lol. the telephoto lens does get used more than i expected tbh, especially for wildlife stuff where you cant get close