Los Angeles, CA—The DJI Mavic 3 is a vastly improved update of the company’s iconic folding camera drone. In fact, the Mavic 3 is the most comprehensive improvement to the popular drone series in three years. It boosts performance in every function.
“Creating the Mavic 3 was an arduous journey for our engineers who tackled complex technical problems to serve the goal that the Mavic series has always met: build professional-quality imaging and flight technology into a compact consumer drone,” said Ferdinand Wolf, creative director, DJI Europe.
“The result is incredible. The Mavic 3 enables users to effortlessly make epic shots without compromising on small size, stunning performance, pervasive flight safety and dazzling image quality. We are confident that this drone will astonish videography and photography enthusiasts, as well as professional production houses and media workers around the globe.”
The drone was redesigned from tip to tail. It now boasts a Hasselblad camera with a Four Thirds CMOS sensor and 28x hybrid zoom camera. In addition, DJI upped its omnidirectional obstacle sensors with a maximum 665-foot range. It also redesigned the drone’s batteries to provide 46 minutes of flight time.
Notably, its upgraded hardware and software can process 5.1K video at 50 frames per second with heightened low-light sensitivity. It also supports 4K/120 fps for higher-quality results for slow-motion footage.
DJI Mavic 3 Key Features
The Mavic 3’s customized L2D-20c aerial camera embeds a professional-grade Four Thirds CMOS sensor with a 24mm prime lens in a compact form. Hasselblad standards for hardware performance and software algorithms allow it to shoot 20MP images in 12-bit RAW format as well as video in 5.1K at 50 fps or 4K at 120fps. The higher video definition creates smoother footage and more generous cropping possibilities.
The larger image sensor also increases dynamic range and more effectively suppresses noise in low-light environments. A native dynamic range of 12.8 stops helps retain more details in highlights and shadows. What’s more, an adjustable aperture of f/2.8–11 is available to meet the needs of aerial photographers in various lighting scenarios.
In addition, its 24mm-equivalent autofocus lens has an 84° FoV to capture more details with sharper clarity. Furthermore, the drone’s second camera employs a 162mm tele lens with 28x hybrid zoom (digital + optical) and an aperture of f/4.4 that can freely bring distant objects visually closer. Plus, new Vision Detection Autofocus technology enables the Hasselblad camera to work with multiple vision sensors to capture distance data and optimize focusing speed.
The camera also uses Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS), built on decades of photographic experience. Consequently, the Mavic 3 captures up to one billion colors, also thanks to the 10-bit D-Log color profile.
Enhanced Flight Safety
In addition, the drone’s APAS 5.0 system combines inputs from six fisheye vision sensors and two wide-angle sensors. They continuously sense obstacles in all directions and plan safe flight routes.
The omnidirectional obstacle sensing system also enables more intuitive subject tracking with the upgraded ActiveTrack 5.0. ActiveTrack 5.0 now allows the drone to move with the subject as it moves forward, backward, left, right and diagonally. It can fly alongside as well as around a moving subject.
If the subject temporarily goes out of frame, visual sensors continue to track and frame the subject intelligently and pick it back up when it reappears. These new directions enable more fluid and diverse drone and camera movement while using ActiveTrack.
A more powerful positioning algorithm also improves hovering precision with signals from GPS, GLONASS as well as BeiDou satellites.
Other safety features include geofencing to alert pilots when flying near sensitive locations; altitude limits to ensure pilots are aware of restrictions; and the AeroScope Remote ID system that allows authorities to identify and monitor drones in sensitive locations. An integrated AirSense system also warns of nearby airplanes/helicopters transmitting ADS-B signals.
The Mavic 3 also updates DJI’s Return to Home system. It permits the drone to automatically determine the shortest, safest, most energy-efficient route to its home point. The drone now measures the wind speed as well as calculates the power required for returning home and the return path in real time.
Moreover, DJI O3+ is an upgraded transmission system that delivers more stable and clearer video transmission, even in environments with strong signal interference. With a control range of 9.3 miles, O3+ enables the drone to fly farther and transmit signals with less video lag.
Longer Flight Time
With Mavic 3, DJI reshaped every element of the drone’s flight envelope and power management. Subsequently, it enables drastically longer flight times—up to 46 minutes in ideal conditions.
DJI also developed motors and propellers with higher energy efficiency; created a higher-capacity battery; and reduced the weight of the drone’s structure and components. It streamlined the shape of the arms, body and gimbal on aerodynamic principles to produce 35% less drag than previous generations.
Intelligent Creative Modes
The Mavic 3 also offers new intelligent modes for creating and editing photos and videos. They can control the flight path and camera movements in new ways. These features include:
- MasterShots. Users can create quality content more easily and quickly. After automatic editing and dubbing in the app, videos are created in minutes and directly shared with friends.
- Panorama. This mode allows the drone to stitch and process pictures without the DJI Fly App or any postproduction.
- QuickTransfer. Users can store and process materials on their mobile devices without linking with the remote controller. The Mavic 3 can now transmit materials to a mobile device more quickly via Wi-Fi 6.
New Accessories
DJI also introduced new ways to control, capture and carry the Mavic 3. The smart controller DJI RC Pro offers a smoother control experience. It’s upgraded with enhanced antenna power for an extended transmission distance of 9.3 miles. In addition, its 1000-nit screen enables better vision and control for outdoor flights. Its battery system also offers an extended operating time of three hours and charging in 90 minutes.
Moreover, the DJI 65W portable charger is a fast-charging option with a charging time of 96 minutes. It’s compatible with current notebooks as well as smartphones thanks to its USB Type-C output.
In addition, the DJI Convertible carrying bag features an entirely new design with a backpack and shoulder bag configuration. It accommodates the drone, accessories, a laptop, clothes and other personal items.
Furthermore, the DJI 10Gbps Lightspeed data cable lets users download material from the drone to a computer at high speed. Other new accessories include the DJI Mavic 3 wide-angle lens with a 108° FoV; a storage cover that uses a lightweight design to protect the camera, gimbal and propellers when folding and transporting the drone; as well as and DJI ND filters set that comes in two ranges—ND4/8/16/32 and ND64/128/256/512.
Package Configurations
The Mavic 3 Standard version retails for $2,199. It includes the drone; an intelligent flight battery; an RC-N1 remote controller and three RC-N1 cables; a battery charger; a storage cover; and three propellers (pair).
The DJI Mavic 3 Fly More Combo sells for $2,999. It adds two addition batteries; a battery charging hub; three more propeller pairs; an ND filter set (ND4\8\16\32); and the Convertible carrying bag.
Finally, the DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo has an SRP of $4,999. It features a built-in 1TB SSD and supports Apple ProRes 422 HQ video recording. This combo comprises the Mavic 3 Cine drone; three, intelligent flight batteries; the DJI RC Pro; a battery charger and charging hub; a storage cover; six propeller pairs; the ND4\8\16\32 and ND64\128\256\512 filter sets; the Convertible bag; as well as the DJI 10Gbps Lightspeed data cable.
