DJI Mavic 3 Pro: A drone with 3vcameras that can see everything
From $2,199, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is a powerful drone for independent filmmakers, travel vloggers, and aerial photographers. The Mavic 3 Pro updates the original and adds a medium telephoto lens to the wide and long ones. Even though DJI has minimal competition, the Mavic 3 Pro’s upgraded camera and obstacle-avoidance sensors put it at the top of the premium class.
Excellent video quality and safety features make the DJI Mavic 3 a folding drone breakthrough. With a great Four Thirds camera, customizable aperture, increased battery life, and collision avoidance, it’s everything drone fans could want in a lighter package than the Mavic 2 Pro. Thanks to firmware upgrades, it’s now fully featured, but non-professionals may struggle to justify the price.
DJI Mavic 3 Pro Specification
| Dimension | 3.8 by 3.9 by 9.1 inches |
| Weight | 2.1 lb |
| Rotors | 4 |
| Integrated Camera | Integrated with Gimbal |
| Megapixels | 20 MP |
| Media Format | microSDXC, Internal |
| Remote | Dedicated with LCD |
| Live Video Feed | 1080P |
What Is In The Box?
- The primary drone unit, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, has a camera and other critical characteristics.
- Drone control and navigation equipment.
- Drone rechargeable battery.
- A drone battery charger.
- Charger-to-power cable.
- A camera gimbal cover for travel.
- For connecting the drone to a computer or other device.
- Drone images and films are stored on microSD cards.
- Drone setup and operation instructions.
Two-minute review
The DJI Mavic 3 is the company’s most potent folding drone and outstanding performer. Considerable enhancements over the DJI Mavic 2 Pro cost money. For most non-professionals, the smaller and cheaper DJI Air 2S is the superior overall buy. Its hallmark is the DJI Mavic 3’s dual camera with two sensors and lenses. The primary camera’s 20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor with a customizable aperture produces the finest images in its class. The drone’s second telephoto lens lacks manual settings and raw shooting but can capture distant things.
The Mavic 3 has two versions: Standard and Cine. Besides pricing, Cine has a built-in 1TB SSD instead of 8GB of internal storage and supports Apple ProRes 422 HQ video recording. For this evaluation, we chose the Cine Premium Combo, which has all the same flying and still photography options as the standard version except Apple ProRes.
The Triple-Cam Drone
DJI added a third sensor and lens to the Mavic 3 Pro’s camera module but didn’t update any other hardware. The stack includes a Four Thirds 20MP 24mm camera with Hasselblad color science, the new intermediate Type 1/1.3 48MP 70mm (3x) combination, and a Type 1/2 12MP 166mm (7x) lens. As said, the Pro replaces the Mavic three but starts at the same price, so you don’t pay more for the third camera.
DJI Mavic 3 pricing and release date
Today, you may acquire one of three DJI Mavic 3 packages. As always, there’s a Standard edition and a Fly More Combo that includes two extra batteries and other essential extras for less than buying them individually. If you’re feeling flush, the Cine Premium Combo adds 1TB of storage, all Fly More Combo peripherals, the new DJI RC Pro controller, and two sets of ND filters.
The Mavic 3 Standard costs $2,199/£,879/AU$3,099. This set contains the Mavic 3 drone, Intelligent Flight Battery, RC-N1 Remote Controller, phone cords, battery charger, storage case, and propeller pairs. The DJI Mavic 3 Fly More Combo costs $2,999 / £2,549 / AU$4199. It contains two more Intelligent Flight Batteries, three more propeller pairs, a battery charging hub, an ND Filter Set (ND4/8/6/32), and a convertible carrying bag. The DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo costs $4,999 £4,279 / AU$ 7199. It contains everything in the Fly More Bundle, but the drone has a 1TB SSD instead of 8GB and supports Apple ProRes 422 HQ video recording. DJI RC Pro (with 5.5in screen) instead of RC-N1 Controller, ND Filter Set (ND64/128/256/512), and DJI 10Gbps Lightspeed Data Cable are other accessories.
The Mavic 3’s Standard and Fly More Combo cost approximately 40% more than its Mavic 2 Pro counterparts at launch, suggesting it’s a professional drone. The DJI Air 2S succeeds the Mavic 2 Pro at the top of the consumer range with a 1-inch sensor, while the Mavic 3 has a Four Thirds primary camera.
DJI Mavic 3 Pro Design/controller
The Mavic 3 follows the same design as its predecessors. This folds the propeller arms inside to make the drone smaller and backpack-friendly while not in use, then out again in seconds when ready to fly. Despite its darker paint, the Mavic 3 maintains its traditional appearance and build quality. Dimensions of the Mavic 3 are 212×96.3×90.3mm when folded and 347.5×283×107.7mm when unfolded. The folded size is identical to the Mavic 2 Pro, but the unfolded size is more significant.
The Mavic 3’s takeoff weight is 895g for Standard and 899g for Cine. This is lighter than the Mavic 2 Pro (907g), which is impressive considering the Mavic 3’s battery is heavier and has 5,000mAh against 3,850mAh. The Mavic 3 battery now goes into the back instead of the top.
DJI Mavic 3 Pro Features and Flight
Mavic 3 is a faster, more responsive drone than Mavic 2. This makes it more like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0. Normal and Sport Modes include more sensitive controls, while Cine Mode reduces speed and sensitivity for smoother flights and cinematic film.
Flight is agile or calm as needed. Its improved safety features and Quickshots flight modes make the Mavic 3 an excellent entry-level drone for beginners. Still, its pricing and features make it better for experienced pilots and video makers.
Despite its high price, the Mavic 3 is a powerhouse in terms of functionality and image quality, and DJI is recognized for making safe and easy-to-fly drones. It is an excellent option for first-time drone pilots. This drone may grow with you as your flight abilities and needs develop, and buying a higher-level model can save you money in the long run by reducing the need to upgrade. The DJI Mini 2 and Air 2S are appealing choices for many.
This works well in typical areas and around barriers like trees, maintaining smooth flying and ensuring consistency in video recordings. When flying in complicated surroundings like woods, APAS might become overloaded and cause the drone to fly erratically.
Despite obstacle avoidance enhancements in the December firmware update, the drone performed the same in our highly complicated test scenario. The Mavic 3 flew erratically in a tight avenue of trees and may have fallen into tree branches if not halted. Still, this was a challenging test, and turning off APAS let the drone fly more smoothly but with a greater danger of disaster. Given the outstanding onboard technologies, future firmware updates should increase obstacle avoidance.
In safety, the Mavic 3’s new location system connects to GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou satellites to increase hovering precision and reduce drifting. This is good; however, the Mavic 3 and earlier versions look the same when approaching.
According to DJI, the Mavic 3’s new 5,000mAh battery can fly for 46 minutes or 30km (without wind). Since wind, ambient temperature, and the minimum battery charge before ‘Return To Home’ are considered, the promised flying time is rarely attainable. The battery lasted well in cold and windy circumstances during testing, although the drone indicated RTH after 30 minutes. The Mavic 3’s many vision sensors detect obstructions in all directions, which may be extended to 200m with Advanced ‘Return To Home’ (RTH). Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) 5.0 uses six fish-eye and two wide-angle sensors to detect obstructions in all directions, improving obstacle avoidance. Configure the drone to fly past objects automatically to retain flying or brake when identified.
DJI Mavic 3 Pro Video/photo quality
The Mavic 3’s twin Hasselblad camera, with a 20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor and 24mm equivalent focal length, is its crowning glory. Like the Mavic 2 Pro, this camera has auto and manual focus from 1m to infinity with an adjustable f/2.8 to f/11 aperture. The second camera has a 1/2″ CMOS sensor, 162mm equivalent focal length, fixed f/4.4 aperture, and 28x hybrid zoom. The primary camera’s stills and video are outstanding, with only a little clarity loss at the frame’s edges. However, the fall-off is modest and must be found. It also outperforms DJI Air 2S fall-off. Even in high-contrast scenarios, no chromatic aberration was seen around subject boundaries, and high ISO noise management is good across the range, even if minor grain becomes noticeable at ISO 800.
| PROS | CONS |
| Stabilized triple-camera arrangement | The base model includes 8GB of storage. |
| Wide-angle Hasselblad color Four-Thirds camera | |
| A midrange 3x lens produces excellent images. |
Should I BuyDJI Mavic 3 Pro?
Due to its Four Thirds sensor, the Mavic 3 has the best image quality. This is an appealing alternative for professional aerial still photographers due to its superior noise management at higher ISO settings. The Cine version is pricey, but working pros don’t always consider pricing, and the Mavic 3 is less than the DJI Inspire 2. This little drone can shoot Apple ProRes video to a 1TB internal SSD, which is incredible.
Conclusion:
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro stands as a remarkable leap forward in folding drones, catering to the needs of independent filmmakers, travel vloggers, and aerial photographers alike. With its powerful camera system, including a Four Thirds primary camera and additional telephoto lenses, the Mavic 3 Pro delivers exceptional image quality and versatility. Enhanced safety features, such as obstacle avoidance sensors and improved flight control, further solidify its position as a top-tier choice in the premium drone market.
While the Mavic 3 Pro’s price point may be daunting for non-professionals, its comprehensive feature set and outstanding performance justify the investment for those seeking unparalleled aerial capabilities. Whether capturing stunning landscapes or navigating complex environments, the Mavic 3 Pro provides creativity and reliability, making it a worthy addition to any filmmaker or photographer’s toolkit.
FAQs:
1. What sets the DJI Mavic 3 Pro apart from its predecessors?
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro introduces significant upgrades, including a triple-camera system with a Four Thirds primary camera, improved obstacle avoidance sensors, and enhanced flight control capabilities. These advancements result in superior image quality, increased safety, and smoother flying experience compared to previous models.
2. Is the DJI Mavic 3 Pro suitable for beginners?
While the Mavic 3 Pro offers user-friendly features and flight modes, its price and professional-grade capabilities may be better suited for experienced pilots and content creators. Beginners may find more value in entry-level drones like the DJI Mini 2 or Air 2S before transitioning to the Mavic 3 Pro.
3. What are the key differences between the Mavic 3 Pro Standard and Cine versions?
The main distinction lies in the storage capacity and video recording capabilities. The Cine version includes a built-in 1TB SSD for storage and supports Apple ProRes 422 HQ video recording, catering to professional videographers’ needs. In contrast, the Standard version offers 8GB of internal storage and does not support Apple ProRes recording.
4. How does the DJI Mavic 3 Pro compare to its competitors?
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro stands out among its competitors due to its superior camera system, advanced obstacle avoidance features, and overall performance. While other drones may offer similar features, the Mavic 3 Pro’s combination of functionality, image quality, and safety make it a top choice for discerning professionals and enthusiasts in the drone market.
