Don't dream it's hover

Worried that flying restrictions are going to scupper your high-quality airborne shooting plans? Stuff India finds out if DJI's new mini-drone is the answer...

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TWO WEEKS WITH THE DJI MINI 3 PRO

₹97,499 / airytek.com

DAY 01

Thanks to the sheer number of camera-toting drones on offer, there’s never been a better time to take up aerial photography or video; but a recent tightening of laws means you can’t legally fly many of them in ‘residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas’ – ie: pretty much anywhere you’d want to. The only solution, unless you happen to own a few hundred acres of private countryside to play pilot in, is to buy a drone that’s under 250g and avoids the restrictions.

DJI’s Mini 3 Pro is extremely wee. It comes in at just a single gram under the limit and, with its rotor arms folded down, will barely make a dent in the average backpack, even when coupled with a remote control. On its own, it’ll even squeeze into larger coat pockets, and when folded up for storage you can protect the delicate camera and gimbal with a supplied hard plastic cover. You can basically take it anywhere without much bother.

With the front prop arms spread out wider than on the Mini 2, the blades should stay well out of shot.