The Mavic 3 is an advanced drone from DJI that features a dual-camera system, an updated sensor, extended flight time, and advanced obstacle avoidance.
With a Hasselblad branded 4/3 CMOS sensor camera, the ability to record video at 5.1K at 50fps and 4K at up to 120fps, a second 28x hybrid zoom camera, and a whopping 46 minute flight time and more, the Mavic 3 offers substantial upgrades from the previous iteration of the Mavic series.
These specs are impressive by any metric, but even more so at this price point. The two versions of the Mavic 3, the standard and Cine version, appear to be built for two categories of content creators: professional filmmakers and prosumers who want to push the envelope and expect the best technology available.
The Mavic Cine Premium Combo includes the industry-standard Apple ProRes 422 HQ codec, an internal 1TB SSD drive, and the DJI RC Pro – the newest version of the Smart Controller.
The Mavic 3 Fly More Combo and Standard Mavic 3 drone packages, on the other hand, are better for more entry-level filmmakers and tech enthusiasts. Both lack the ProRes codec, the 1TB internal drive, or the smart controller; instead, a standard Remote Controller is included (though the RC Pro will be available separately).
The Cameras
With its new dual-camera Hasselblad system, the Mavic 3 sets itself apart in a crowded field.
The drone has a customized L2D-20c aerial camera with a 24mm prime lens and a professional-grade 4/3 CMOS sensor.
The drone can shoot 20MP still photographs in 12-bit RAW format and films in 5.1K at 50fps and 4K at 120fps, with quality measured by strict Hasselblad standards.
As a result of the higher video resolution, smoother footage can be captured and cropping is more flexible, as well as slow motion video can be shot at 120 frames per second.
With the Mavic 3’s larger image sensor, the video resolution and dynamic range are much better. The Mavic 3 also has better noise cancellation in low-light situations.
A 12.8-stop native dynamic range helps to maintain more details in highlights and shadows, preserving rich visual information with better character.
The variable aperture of f/2.8-f/11 enables aerial photographers to capture crisper and clearer photos under different lighting conditions.
The 84° field of view (FOV) of the 24mm equivalent autofocus prime lens allows you to capture more details with excellent clarity.
The second camera on the Mavic 3 has a 162mm tele lens with 28x Hybrid Zoom (7x optical, 4x digital), a 12 MP resolution, and an aperture of f/4.4 that allows the user to see distant objects, providing more dynamic viewpoints and creative possibilities at a distance.
Its Vision Detection Auto Focus technology records distance data and optimizes focusing speed by utilizing numerous vision sensors on board.
The Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS) on the Mavic 3 ensures a highly realistic color palette right out of the box.
With professional imaging capabilities, the Mavic 3 takes aerial films at high resolutions and framerates, and thanks to the 10-bit D-Log color profile, captures up to 1 billion colors, allowing for natural color gradations and extensive post-production flexibility.
Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding is built into Mavic 3 Cine, providing professional users with a high-quality post-production tool for their needs.
For the massive amounts of data generated by the ProRes codec and the high frame rate films generated by the Mavic 3 Cine, a 1TB SSD is built-in.
The DJI Mavic 3 Cine supports both Apple ProRes 422 HQ and H.264/H.265 encoding, though DJI Mavic 3 (with Fly More Combo) only supports H.264/H.265 encoding. Only while recording in the Apple ProRes 422 HQ format at 4K/120fps can you get a data rate of 3772Mbps.
Flight Safety Improvements
The Mavic 3’s obstacle detection and navigation systems have been upgraded to provide drone pilots with the tools they need to be safe.
APAS 5.0 combines data from six vision sensors and two wide-angle sensors to detect obstacles in all directions in real time and plan safe flight routes to avoid them, even in complex surroundings.
The Mavic 3 also has ActiveTrack 5.0 (which will be available in a future software update, planned in January 2022), which allows users to detect obstacles even when in Normal mode.
In previous versions of ActiveTrack, the camera could only follow a subject while it was moving directly towards and away from the drone, and fly alongside a moving subject.
ActiveTrack 5.0, on the other hand, allows Mavic 3 to fly alongside and around a moving subject as it goes forward, backward, left, right, and diagonally.
Additionally, the aircraft’s sensors continue to monitor and frame the subject intelligently even if the subject moves too rapidly and is temporarily out of frame.
With ActiveTrack, these additional directions make it possible to move the drone and camera more fluidly and dynamically.
A rebooted Advanced Return To Home system is also included in the drone. The aircraft can now autonomously select the fastest, safest, and most energy-efficient path back to its home point, thanks to this awesome new function.
As the drone measures wind speed in the present environment, it computes the power required to return home in real time using the current wind speed and path. Before the RTH operation begins, users have additional time to fly safely before the operation is initiated.
The Mavic 3 features a solid positioning system that enhances hovering precision with signals from GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou satellites.
Multiple satellites can now be tracked faster with the Mavic 3.
Using Mavic 3, you can shoot long exposures and timelapses with greater accuracy, since it has improved hovering and positioning precision.
Other safety features included with the Mavic 3 include:
Altitude limits and geofencing: To warn drone pilots when they fly too close to sensitive areas and to promote awareness of altitude restrictions.
AeroScope Remote ID is a system that allows authorities to track and identify aerial drones in high-risk areas.
DJI AirSense: Notifies drone operators of neighboring planes and helicopters sending out ADS-B signals, allowing them to immediately fly to a safer position.
The Mavic 3 has a longer battery life and a more streamlined design.
Every aspect of the Mavic 3’s flying profile and power management has been redesigned to allow for significantly longer flight periods. And the end effect is stunning: up to 46 minutes of flight time!
This is extraordinary for a drone of its size, and it provides aerial photographers unprecedented latitude to capture dynamic situations.
Aerodynamic principles have also been applied to the body, arms, and gimbal of the Mavic 3. The drone has been tested in a wind tunnel and found to have a higher top speed of 46.9 mph, which is 35% faster than prior versions.
The Mavic 3 is foldable, portable, and easy to transport, weighing little under 900g in classic Mavic fashion.
Improved Transmission System
The DJI Mavic 3 comes with DJI O3+, an improved transmission system that ensures steady, smooth, and clear video transmission even in the most difficult conditions.
O3+ allows Mavic 3 greater range and transmits signals with improved stability and reduced video lag, with a maximum control range of 15km (FCC) / 12km (CE).
As DJI’s first drone with a 1080p/60fps live feed and high frame rate transmission, the Mavic 3 sets a new standard in drone technology. This allows the camera view to be displayed at a resolution that is near to what the camera records.
RC PRO Controller by DJI
The Mavic 3 comes with the opion of two controllers: the new RC Pro Controller and the traditional RC-N1 Remote Controller.
The new RC Pro Controller has been improved to provide a smoother control experience as well as increased antenna power for longer transmission distance.
It has a high-brightness screen of 1000 nits, which provides for greater vision and control during outside flights.
Its battery system provides a three-hour operational period and can be fully charged in 90 minutes.
The RC Pro Controller is included in the Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo and will also be sold separately. The Mavic 3 regular package and Mavic 3 Fly More Combo come with the RC-N1 Remote Controller.
Intelligent Photo Modes
The Mavic 3 has a number of sophisticated settings that can assist content creators in capturing outstanding photographs and movies.
These include:
MasterShots: Allows users to quickly and easily generate high-quality content. Videos can be generated in minutes and shared immediately with friends after automatic editing and dubbing in the app.
Panorama Mode: The Mavic 3 allows users to shoot beautiful landscapes with sweeping breadth and rich detail right from the drone, without the use of the DJI Fly App or any post-production.
QuickTransfer: This feather allows users to process and store data on their mobile devices without the need to connect directly to a remote server. The Wi-Fi 6 protocol allows the Mavic 3 to communicate materials from the drone to the mobile device more quickly.
These modes will be available through firmware updates starting in January 2022.
What’s the Difference Between the Mavic 3 Combos?
The Standard, Fly More, and Cine Premium are the three different versions of the Mavic 3 that are available for purchase.
DJI’s Cine version of the craft is distinguished by the addition of Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding, an internal 1TB SSD drive, and the DJI RC Pro.
In all, the Mavic 3 is another winner from DJI. The amazing camera specifications, combined with the incredible flying time, make it a true aerial powerhouse, suitable for both amateur and semi-professional content creators with a passion for technology, as well as professional filmmakers.
For more information about the Mavic 3, please contact us at sales@dronefly.com or visit us at dronefly.com.
