FIMI released its new entry-level drone. Not familiar with the name? FIMI is the manufacturer of Xiaomi 4K drone, Xiaomi Mitu drone and Xiaomi Action Camera. The new seems not to be wearing the Mi logo but it is often referred to as Xiaomi FIMI A3 drone. It is their new entry level drone, so most comparable with DJI Spark:
Xiaomi FIMI A3 drone vs DJI Spark
Xiaomi FIMI A3 drone vs DJI Spark (not representative size comparison)
Xiaomi FIMI A3
- Weight: 560g
- Dimensions:
285 x 229 x 69 mm - max. Speed: 65 kph
- Distance: 1 km
- Battery Capacity: 2000 mAh
- Flighttime: 25 min.
- Price: 275 USD
.
DJI Spark
- Weight: 300 g
- Dimensions:
143 × 143 × 55 mm - max Speed: 50 kph°
- Distance: 2 km°
- Battery Capacity: 1480 mAh
- Flighttime: 16 min.
- Price: 399 USD
(Deal with Remote)
° Remote Control required
Xiaomi FIMI A3 seems huge compared to the dimensions and weight of DJI Spark. But the increased weight and dimensions of A3 offer a benefit, a way longer flight time! And of course the price of A3 is very attractive if you are looking for an entry-level drone that offers video recording with integrated gimbal.
Camera Specs
Xiaomi FIMI A3
- Sensor: 8 MP
1/3.2” (CMOS) - Resolution:
4K – n/a
1080p – 30 /25 fps - Lens: FOV 80°
aperture f/2.0 - Bitrate: max. 60 Mbps
H.264, .mp4 - max. Photo Resolution:
3264 x 2448, .jpg - Stabilizer: 2-axis gimbal
Pitch: -90° to 0° (down/up) - Storage: microSD card
DJI Spark
- Sensor: 12 MP
1/2.3″ (CMOS) - Resolution:
4K – n/a
1080p – 30 fps - Lens: FOV 81.9°
aperture f/2.6 - Bitrate: max. 24 Mbps
H.264, .mp4 - max. Photo Resolution:
3968×2976, .jpg - Stabilizer: 2-axis gimbal
Pitch: -85° to 0° - Storage: microSD card
While Spark offers a 12 MP Sensor, there is only a 8 MP sensor used in Xiaomi FIMI A3, so you get slightly smaller resolution photos. In terms of video both are limited to 1080p video. With FIMI A3 you also get a 25fps PAL option, which I’m missing on DJI Spark. Unfortunately I currently don’t have a FIMI A3 for testing (as it is not shipped by now) to show you some comparison footage.
Controller
Xiaomi FIMI A3 drone vs DJI Spark – Controller
Xiaomi FIMI A3
- included
- Weight: ?
- Dimension: ?
- Screen: integrated
- Video Transmission: 720p
- App: not needed
- Controls:
2 Control sticks
five-direction joystick (menu)
–
Sport / GPS switch
RTH button (return to home)
Power Button
Gimbal Dial
Record Button
Customisable Button
micro USB port
AV Output
DJI Spark
- not included
- Weight: 274g
- Dimension: 145 x 80 x 60mm
- Screen: no -> phone
- Video Transmission: 720p
- App: DJI Go
- Controls:
2 Control sticks
Function Button
Flight Pause Button
Flight Mode Switch (Sport mode)
RTH button
Power Button
Gimbal Dial
Record Button
Customisable Button
micro USB port
–
Please note that the controller is not included in the cheapest DJI Spark offers and some of the flight specs (speed & range) can only be achieved with controller. You can fly Spark just with your smartphone.
Anyway I think Xiaomi FIMI A3 offers a great set with a controller that also holds an integrated screen (with Spark’s controller you need to use your smartphone as well).
Intelligent Flight Modes & Features
Xiaomi FIMI A3 – DIY port for Fireworks, LEDs or Servos
A nice feature is the DIY port on Xiaomi FIMI A3 drone which can be used to connect external devices to your drone, e.g. a fireworks lighter to ignite smoke or something similar.
Xiaomi FIMI A3
- GPS: yes
- Obstacle Avoidance: no
- Obstacle Tracking: yes
- Gesture Control: no
- DIY port: yes
- Flight Modes:
Orbit
Dronie
Fixed Wing Mode
Headless
DJI Spark
- GPS: yes
- Obstacle Avoidance: yes
- Obstacle Tracking: yes
- Gesture Control: yes
- DIY port: no
- Flight Modes:
Circle
Dronie
Rocket
Helix
Tap to Fly
A big plus of DJI Spark is definitely the obstacle avoidance sensor which helps beginners to avoid crashes. Gesture control is a nice gimmick and you can do videos of your activities without having a controller in your hand all the time. Check out my video I did on DJI Spark Gesture control.
Great to see both offering active track, and that’s the even more important feature. It also seems both have a similar set of pre-defined flight modes.
Xiaomi FIMI A3 – Intro Video
DJI Spark – Gesture Control Review
Retailer / Price Comparison
Conclusion
If the price of DJI Spark is too high for you to get an entry level drone, FIMI might has lowered that limitation for you. On the downside Xiaomi FIMI A3 drone is almost twice the size and weight of DJI Spark. But from the specs it seems to be convenient in many ways. I never liked the setup-procedure of my Spark. You need to open up the app, connect the phone with the controller, the controller with the drone and then there are constant App updates. Some you have to force to be able to fly and they came up when I had no wifi to update them. Sometimes quite bothersome.
With FIMI A3 you just need to start drone and controller – no other device (App) needed. The DIY port is interesting, you can hook up external devices to your drone or even control fireworks. Curious what well be available.
Unfortunately FIMI A3 is only available for pre-sale so I can’t show you any footage comparison, which will be interesting to see.
