Tech giant DJI has nailed it with the new Mavic 3 Pro, featuring no less than three camera sensors. And three cameras with different focal lengths are really better than one (or two).
This drone ticks all the right boxes: A time-tested and renowned Hasselblad camera, two cameras, a maximum flight time of 43 minutes, DJI’s reliable omnidirectional obstacle detection, and a 15km HD video transmission.
But what’s truly remarkable is that the new Mavic 3 Pro, a premium product if there ever was one, comes at a price that won’t break the bank. So here’s everything you need to know about the world’s first drone with three optical cameras.
The Mavic 3 Pro features a triple camera system with different focal lengths (24mm/70mm/166mm), each of which is designed for multi-faceted aerial storytelling. For example, you can establish the environment with the wide angle, move to a specific place with the medium telephoto and finally focus on a particular area or character with the tele camera.
The main camera is a Hasselblad 4/3 CMOS that the Mavic 3 Pro inherits from the original Mavic 3. This camera supports 12-bit RAW photo shooting with up to 12.8 stops of native dynamic range. It features Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS) technology that accurately restores the colors perceived by the human eye, so you don’t have to resort to extensive post-production or complex color presets.
To understand that the drone is ideal for creators and small studios, just look at its impressive pro video specifications: image capture up to 5.1K at 50fps or DCI 4K at 120fps. And then there’s the new 10-bit D-Log M color mode which, according to DJI, supports recording up to one billion colors. The drone maker is quick to point out that the Mavic 3 Pro delivers natural color gradations with delicate detail for a full-spectrum viewing experience, even in high-contrast scenarios, such as sunrises and sunsets. Additionally, D-Log M mode reduces the difficulty of color grading, allowing for efficient post-production without losing image quality or clarity.
That said, if you are a professional creator, you should check out the Cine version of this drone. In the Mavic 3 Pro Cine, all three cameras support Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, and Apple ProRes 422 LT encoding.
The Cine version also has a built-in 1TB SSD and comes with a 10Gbps lightspeed cable for easy data storage and transfer. For everyone else, there’s the High-Speed QuickTransfer option that lets you download images and video directly from the drone to a mobile phone via Wi-Fi 6 at speeds of up to 80MB per second without connecting to the remote controller.
But now back to the brand new medium-telephoto camera (70mm format equivalent), designed to give a unique sense of depth and space. With its 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and 3x optical zoom, this camera is capable of 48MP/12MP photos and 4K/60fps videos. It also supports the new D-log M and can be used to create stunning Hyperlapse videos.
The telephoto camera of the Mavic 3 Pro, on the other hand, has been improved in terms of resolution, aperture (from f4.4 to f3.4) and video frame rate. Now supports 4K/60fps video shooting with 7x optical zoom and 12MP photos. Thanks to the hybrid zoom that reaches 28x, there is no need to risk flying close to objects such as snowy mountains or buildings. Even wildlife can be observed effortlessly from a safe distance and without disturbing the animals (provided you have permission to fly where they are).
We also have to give DJI credit for not compromising on flight duration even with the addition of an additional camera. The Mavic 3 Pro supports up to 43 minutes of flight time, just three minutes less than the original Mavic 3, and ensures you don’t have to rush to replace the battery before you’ve even gotten the perfect shot.
To keep your mind even calmer, there are eight wide-angle vision sensors that work seamlessly with a high-performance computing engine to accurately detect obstacles in all directions and plan a safe flight path to avoid them. DJI’s new drone features omnidirectional sensing and APAS 5.0, and its O3+ transmission system is capable of transmitting a high frame rate 1080p/60fps HD live feed at a range of up to 15km.
And as is the case with most DJI drones, the new Mavic 3 Pro boasts several intelligent flight modes and safety features, including:
- FocusTrack: The Mavic 3 Pro’s Hasselblad camera and mid-telephoto camera support FocusTrack, which includes ActiveTrack 5.0, Spotlight and Point of Interest, enabling stable tracking shots in multiple directions.
- MasterShots: Activate MasterShots with just one tap and the drone will automatically shoot, edit and add soundtracks to automatically generate cinematic footage.
- QuickShots: Perform different camera movements like Dronie, Rocket, Circle and Helix.
- Panorama: Compose a 100MP lossless panoramic photo to capture a wider and more magnificent landscape.
- Waypoint Flight: The drone automatically plans a flight route based on the waypoints preset by the operator and can precisely repeat the routes.
- Cruise Control: Set Mavic 3 Pro to fly in any direction without continuously pressing the control sticks for smoother camera movement during long-distance manual control.
- Advanced RTH: Automatically determines a safe and efficient flight path back to the home point, easily bypassing obstacles in the RTH path.
