13 Nov
Blog

DJI Mavic 3 Review: A Return to Flagship Territory

dji mavic 3 hands on rating 17 out of 21

DJI Mavic 3

RRP $ 2,200.00

"This is the drone for the serious user who wants the best of the best in a portable package."

advantages

  • Versatile dual camera system

  • Flies incredibly smooth

  • Above average battery life

  • Excellent dynamic range

disadvantage

  • Expensive costs

  • Telephoto lens not good for low light

Never the one who sits still and lets the competition take a little of the limelight, DJI has set a wild pace in recent years. Since the release of the Mavic 2 series in 2018, the company has diversified its fabulous range of drones. Well, it's back to where it all started with a real successor in the DJI Mavic 3.

Instead of splitting it into two versions like its predecessor, the Mavic 3 combines everything in one package – complete with a Hasselblad dual camera system with a telephoto zoom lens. Seriously, it pretty much covers anything professional users could want. Knowing this, DJI is the only one that DJI competes with.

draft

Unsurprisingly, the Mavic 3 follows the same clean design language that has followed the company's range of products. Although, at 895 grams, it's technically bigger and heavier than that Mini 2 and Air 2S, the Mavic 3 still features the same foldable design DJI is known for, which makes it easy to travel. Throw it in a backpack with the controller and spare batteries, you still have room for all your other normal gear.

DJI Mavic 3 hovers in the air.John Velasco / Digital Trends

I highly recommend buying the Fly More Combo just because for the extra cost ($ 2,200 versus $ 3,000) you can get the replacement batteries, ND filters, charging station, and the most versatile drone bag I've ever seen. The sturdy fabric of the bag makes it feel sturdy, but I'm particularly amazed that it can be transformed from a shoulder bag into a backpack.

The design is not particularly innovative here. We've seen it countless times, but at least it's solidly built. There's a difference between its build quality and its entry-level drone in the Mini 2 – this one feels a lot thinner!

camera

The focus here is on the Hasselblad dual camera system that the Mavic 3 carries. Without question, it's what most folks serious about drones will pay attention to the most – and since it contains the largest sensor in the Mavic line, there are no surprises about its performance.

Close up of the camera on DJI Mavic 3.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Let me start with the main camera: a 20 megapixel 4/3 CMOS sensor that can record videos at 5.1K / 50fps, 4K / 120fps. When it comes to snapshots, they are accompanied by sharp detail and incredible dynamic range. The latter is worth describing in more detail because I'm impressed with how well it handles such contrasting light sources – it degrades highlights to compensate for the exposure of the rest of the scene. It is a joy to use for all types of aerial photography, ensuring that it is well equipped to handle it in all conditions.

The video quality of the Mavic 3 is just as impressive. Even if I don't use many of the Mavic 3's functions enough, there is a Pro mode to adjust video settings in the blink of an eye, and the option for 10-bit D-Log – perfect for everyone who who want to get the most out of the camera. Needless to say, the 5.1K video recording is handy for post-production, but I left it at 4K for the majority because it is less stressful on my computer.

When it comes to low light, this is still an area of ​​possibility in my opinion – just because shadows tend to have more noise, which becomes more noticeable if you decide to increase the exposure in post-processing. Videos in particular can still appear noisy in the shade, but their low-light performance is by and large significantly better than that of the Mini 2 and Air 2S.

The 162mm f / 4.4 aperture telephoto lens is useful if you know how to use it effectively. Technically, the drone switches to the secondary telephoto lens when it reaches the 7x zoom level – and I can tell the difference in real time because the image looks sharper on my phone. In addition, including the maximum 28x zoom, the quality will decrease as all of these zoom levels are nothing more than digital zooms.

It is a pleasure to use for all types of aerial photography.

I really love how I can get closer to a subject without actually having to control the drone to get closer. I can still be at a decent distance and get good shots. However, you will need some practice to keep the subject in the frame, as you will have to compensate for the zoom, which makes the controls more sensitive.

  • 1.
    DJI Mavic 3 1x zoom.
  • 2.
    DJI Mavic 3 7x zoom.
  • 3.
    DJI Mavic 3 28x hybrid zoom.

You should only use the telephoto lens when the lighting is good, just because it cannot be used in low light. In fact, I found that the Mavic 3 struggled to lock focus with the zoom lens when it was dark. Also, it doesn't help that the zoom lens quality can be riddled with noise – it just isn't meant for low light.

Controls

I've always enjoyed flying DJI's drones. The same smooth and responsive controls I've seen on previous DJI drones, the Mini 2 and Air 2S, can be seen here on the Mavic 3. The remote control is the same too, so I didn't have to spend time adjusting it. Part of the reason I enjoyed flying it is because of the new OS3 + technology which delivered a reliable 1080p feed to my phone at 60 frames per second here. I was really able to get a feel for how tightly the controls shift into sport mode, which allows you to push the Mavic 3 to its speed limits.

DJI Mavic 3 Fly More combo content.John Velasco / Digital Trends

The only hiccups I encountered while piloting the drone was when I was finishing a recording. Sometimes the feed froze for a brief moment, which was probably due to the microSD card I was using. So you should use one that can write to the card faster to avoid this particular problem.

Another reason the Mavic 3 is so comfortable to use is because of the omnidirectional obstacle sensors around the drone. The front, back, bottom and top of the drone are all covered so that first-time flyers or relatively young pilots can fly safely. These sensors help inform the drone if there is an obstacle in its flight path, such as a tree nearby.

Close-up of the omnidirectional sensors on the DJI Mavic 3.John Velasco / Digital Trends

The only thing missing from my tests was ActiveTrack 5.0, the system that would allow the Mavic 3 to fly autonomously while tracking a subject. Unfortunately, the firmware to enable this feature won't be available until January 2022 – along with other modes like MasterShots, Quickshots, and Panorama. Even so, I tested the Mavic 3's auto-tracking system by selecting a subject, either by selecting it on the screen or by drawing a frame around the subject on my phone. From there I was able to fly the drone while the camera remained fixed on the subject. It works fine of course, but I'm excited to see how the Mavic 3 will fly itself when ActiveTrack 5.0 is available.

battery

Sure, the Mavic 3's 47 mph top speed and 9.3 miles of transmission range should be applauded – mainly because I can fly the drone further than previous drones in the series. But the other notable thing is the 46 minute flight time. That's incredibly long compared to the Mini 2 and Air 2S, so I enjoyed flying the Mavic 3 without worrying about swapping out a new one frequently. However, in my tests, I found that the battery life got in the region of 35 minutes longer. That's still damn respectable in my book!

characteristics

Experienced pilots will eat up the drone's incredible camera performance and versatility to capture breathtaking content with its dual camera system. With this parallax effect, I was able to take gentle pans, but that was partly due to my experience. What is missing are the other recording modes that make DJI's drones easy to use, even for beginners who don't have a lot of flight time under their belt.

I can fly the drone further than previous drones in the series.

In particular, both MasterShots and Quickshots were inaccessible with the firmware I tested. However, having tried them both on the previous DJI Air 2S, I'm confident that they will work flawlessly on the Mavic 3. This is one of the Mavic 3's many attractions as it appeals to beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals alike.

DJI Mavic 3 hovers in the air.John Velasco / Digital Trends

I'm not saying the DJI Mavic 3 should be the drone you should buy when you're just starting out, but if you can afford it, there are tons of features to use to get you started. Instead, it is the pro user who is really going to get the most out of the Mavic 3 for commercial purposes.

Our opinion

DJI didn't take a moment to breathe. So when you think about what has happened in the past 3 years, it's incredible that the company continues to push the limits with its drones. After tackling the entry-level and mid-range market with its final drones, the DJI Mavic 3 screams out onto the stage to set the bar in the series. In fact, it's the one out there for those who are serious about their drone photography and cinematography – but I wouldn't go far to say it's the best drone out there.

In particular, the $ 2,200 startup cost is a significant investment for the average consumer. You can buy four DJI Mini 2 drones for the price of just one Mavic 3. Knowing this, it can be argued that many of its features are exaggerated if not used frequently. To reiterate, the Mavic 3 is for the serious user.

Is there a better alternative?

Fortunately, DJI has a few drones that are worth a look. The DJI Air 2S is a drone that bridges the gap between beginners and professionals, and it's only half the price of the Mavic 3. Alternatively, I can't overstate the appeal of the DJI Mini 2 as the perfect entry-level drone.

How long it will take?

Since it is largely considered the flagship drone in the DJI range, the Mavic 3 is solidly made from sturdy materials. Everything about its build quality and construction gives me confidence that it will work really well in the long run. There's a one-year limited warranty that covers defects, but you can purchase extended warranties through DJI that also covers damage.

Should you buy it?

You bet! If you want the best quality footage in a portable drone, you won't find anything better than the Mavic 3.

Editor's recommendations



08 May
Blog

DJI Mavic Air 2 Review: Better, Smarter, and Stronger

"Whether you are traveling for the first time or as a casual pilot, the DJI Mavic Air 2 rules the sky."

  • Detailed and crisp 4K 60 FPS footage

  • Excellent dynamic range with HDR recording

  • Easy to control

  • Long lasting battery life

  • Obstacle avoidance

  • The camera cannot deal with poor lighting conditions

DJI's dominance in the consumer drone market is relentless. It wasn't until last autumn that the company delighted everyone with its lightest and smallest drone, the Mavic Mini. However, to reach this size, the company had to remove some features that made it attractive for first-time buyers, but not for serious enthusiasts.

Enter the Mavic Air 2, successor to Mavic Air from 2018 and a far more legitimate competitor in the prosumer market. Given its outstanding features like 4K recording at 60 frames per second (FPS), the high-resolution 48-megapixel snapshot mode and a flight time of 34 minutes, you would think that this would cost as much as the Mavic Pro 2, but it does not, and that's what sets it apart.

Bloat

The Mavic Air 2 is slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor (570 grams). This is not a problem at all because the arms can be folded quickly for easy storage – ideal for stowing in a backpack. Sure, the Mavic Mini can be flown without having to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but the Mavic Air 2 maintains the same portability to make it a weekend street fighter. For comparison: The Mavic Mini measures 160 x 202 x 55 mm unfolded, while the Mavic Air 2 is not much larger with 183 x 253 x 77 mm.

As for looks, I don't mind that it has more to do with the Mavic Pro line – it's still a sleek drone. It has the same hard lines on its chassis, making it look more aggressive than its predecessor. Frankly, given the upgrades under the hood, it's a legitimate change. DJI drones have always set a standard for appearance, and the Mavic Pro maintains that. It looks and feels like a high-end part of the kit.

DJI Mavic Air 2 body close-up

If you are worried that the extra mass will slow down the speed, you shouldn't. The speed is not affected a bit – like its predecessor, it can reach a maximum speed of 42.5 miles per hour. You really get a feel for its speed in sport mode, which has stricter controls that help the Mavic Air 2 achieve a sophisticated acrobatics in the air. The maximum speed is only available in sport mode.

For most pilots, the normal mode with its balance between speed and responsiveness is more than enough, while the tripod mode offers slower and quieter movements.

It's also quieter than other drones I've flown, and its hum is almost quiet when it hovers in the air at about 150 feet. The most impressive thing is that the battery is designed for a flight time of 34 minutes, which is the longest in the Mavic line. Only a few drones for end users ever reach a speed of almost 30 minutes, with the vast majority clocking in the range of 20 to 25 minutes.

There is a lot of muscle power in a compact body.

Beginners will appreciate the intelligent pilot functions of the Mavic Air 2, which protect the drone from collisions and risky situations. The same forward and backward obstacle sensors as in the Mavic Air are also here, although they benefit from the predecessor by additional sensors pointing downwards. All of this helps power the latest DJI obstacle avoidance system.

In my experience, it has prevented the drone that is dead in its tracks from hitting a tree, even if you are still pressing your thumb on the controls. When you spend a huge amount of money on the Mavic Air 2, it's comforting that it's smart enough to avoid these disasters.

So when you look at everything that is on board, it is remarkable that everything is well packed together. It's a lot of muscle in a compact body.

Camera quality

At the center of the Mavic Air 2 is a new 12 megapixel 1/2-inch Quad Bayer CMOS sensor on a 3-axis gimbal. It is a larger sensor than the Mavic Air and Mavic Mini, so the overall performance alone can be improved.

Shutterbugs are particularly pleased with a new high-resolution 48 megapixel mode. Some comparison shots have greater detail and sharpness compared to the 12 megapixel shots, but the dynamic range isn't as good. However, some details in the shadows can be restored using an editor in the post. There's definitely a reason to use high-resolution mode, especially if you want to crop images later. In addition, I found the 12 megapixel snapshots perfect for social media posts.

There are significant improvements everywhere on the video page. It primarily records 4K video at 60 FPS, which even surpasses the 4K recording of the Mavic 2 Pro at 30 FPS. It's also worth noting that in this mode, a bit rate of 120Mbps (with HDR video recording at 100Mbps) is recorded, which gives more space to get details in the shadows and lights in the post. I also prefer the D-Cinelike profile because of its low contrast and unsaturated colors, because I can sort it better in the post according to my wishes.

It is undisputed that 4K 60 FPS and a bit rate of 120 Mbit / s are unique offers in the Mavic series and are also unique for drones in the same price range. Around $ 1,000 drones offer 4K 60FPS, and you'll generally have to run into this higher price range to get a competitive video bitrate.

The Mavic Air 2 also offers HDR video recording, a handy option for those who want to get the best results without having to work on footage later. This is due to the improved dynamic range as the highlights are toned down to prevent the sky from being blown out. Colors also get an increase in saturation to improve the overall picture, but noise is more common in shadows. In ideal conditions, however, it's not as distracting when it's sunny.

DJI Mavic Air 2 close-up of the camera

Other notable improvements over the predecessor are 1080p slow motion with 120 and 240 FPS and an 8K hyperlapse mode, which speeds up the footage in bite-size clips considerably. In addition, you have the cool shooting modes – like rocket, circle, and asteroid – that DJI has perfected to offer professional video to content creators.

The Mavic Air 2 has the tools and features that professionals crave to continue producing high quality content, but is also great for new flyers. The only disadvantage is that the quality decreases significantly in poor lighting conditions. I took it out at dusk with the sun already below the horizon. Even the larger sensor is still not enough to draw more light from the scene, which leads to high noise and loss of detail.

There are differences in performance, for example, that you get from the larger 1-inch sensor of the Mavic Pro 2 compared to this, which is why it is no surprise that performance in poor lighting conditions is not a drastic improvement over its predecessor. I wouldn't expect another drone with a 1/2 inch sensor to perform better.

Fly smarter

It's been a while since I last piloted a drone, but the safety standards introduced with the Mavic Air 2 make flying a breeze. Of course, the obstacle sensors discussed earlier help avoid collisions, but there are some other safety features that calm the mind.

The landing of the Mavic Air 2 is made easier under difficult lighting conditions by an additional light on the bottom of the drone. AirSense technology enables ADS-B signals to be received from other nearby aircraft and displays their locations on the screen. Finally, the updated APAS 3.0 system intelligently enables the Mavic Air 2 to avoid collisions and, in some situations, allows it to determine a path around obstacles. It is not always perfect to make some of these decisions, but I still have to face a serious collision.

DJI Mavic Air 2 controller

The controller supplied with the Mavic Air 2 has been redesigned. This time there is an area that you pull out from above to weigh your smartphone. It can be a little picky, especially if you have a thicker case on your phone. However, I like how the corresponding cable for connecting your smartphone is neatly stowed in the controller. The controller is a bit bulky, but I found it convenient to use.

In one case, the video feed was disconnected from the drone approximately 600 feet from my location during a flight. It was a heartbreaking moment, but I restarted the app, walked a few steps from my location, and the feed was set up again.

The Mavic Air 2 has updated Ocusync 2.0 transmission technology, which is supposed to deliver a reliable video feed at a distance of more than 10 kilometers, but must be line of sight. In my case, a small building may have blocked the connection. Fortunately, I only had to move a little to reconnect.

Our opinion

The DJI Mavic Air 2 is an impressive drone that is fun, easy and safe to fly. Whether you are new to the drone scene or an experienced professional pilot, the Mavic Air 2 offers everything you need. The price of the standard package is $ 799. However, I recommend spending the extra money to pick up the "Fly More Combo" for $ 988 as you get more value. You get a total of three batteries, a set of ND filters, additional propeller blades and a carrying case for the extra money.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes and no. The DJI Mavic Mini is an excellent drone for first and occasional pilots, which is partly due to its small size and lower costs. However, it does not achieve nearly the same range of functions as the Mavic Air 2.

Professionals who value performance should take a look at the Mavic 2 Pro, especially the larger sensor, which is better equipped in low light conditions. However, it is twice as expensive.

As for the rest? The only other drone that comes close to the Mavic Air 2 is the Skydio 2, which has a more sophisticated obstacle avoidance system. However, it costs more, runs shorter on battery life, and doesn't collapse into a more compact size.

How long it will take?

If you take the right flight arrangements, the solid build quality of the Mavic Air 2 will keep it going smoothly for a while. The propeller blades may need to be replaced at some point, but DJI throws an extra set into the box.

Buyers should also consider buying DJI Care Refresh + for $ 135 to protect the drone from water damage, collisions, and other crashes. It is comforting when you fly.

Should you buy it

Yes. This is an excellent drone that combines a lot of functions at a medium price.

Editor's recommendations