Over the last several months, I have written several blog posts on high-end DJI drones for photographers and videographers.

One such blog post was on the Phase One P3 payload for a DJI M300/M350 drone.  Another blog post was on the new DJI Inspire 3 drone.  Both drone packages represent the high end in DJI drone packages created for photographers/videographers.’

There is also another DJI drone that has been making quite an impression with photographers/videographers wanting a smaller and less expensive option, without sacrificing image quality or aircraft performance. It is the DJI Mavic 3 Pro Triple Camera Drone.

Its latest triple-lens technology, featuring 24mm, 70mm (3x Zoom) and 166mm (7x Zoom) focal length cameras makes it the perfect drone for a wide variety of photography and videography needs.  The Mavic 3 Pro features a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera with 12-bit RAW images and 4K/120fps video.  It also incorporates the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution, (HNCS), replicating colors close to what your eyes can see.  The two tele cameras round out a very broad range of focal lengths making this a very versatile photographic drone.

The Mavic 3 Pro uses the same Mavic 3 airframe as previous models.  With its 360-degree obstacle avoidance sensors, it is one of the safest drones on the market.  43 minutes of flight time means you have plenty of time to get the shots you need on just one battery.  With 15km HD video transmission, you have plenty of transmission power to go through dense obstacles, such as a forest between the drone and the controller.  This is one of DJI’s most stable aircraft platforms and because of its folding wings, it is very compact.  After many hours of flying Mavic 3 drones, it is one that I highly recommend for pilots of all skill levels.

There are several controllers that work with the Mavic 3 Pro.  The DJI RC is a newer controller that has a built-in screen instead of using your phone as a viewing screen.  It is a nice addition between a standard controller and the more deluxe DJI RC Pro.

It is basically a standard remote control for the Mavic 3 Pro with a built-in screen.  It is the least expensive controller option with a built-in screen.

The flagship controller for the Mavic 3 Pro is the DJI RC Pro.  With its enhanced performance and powerful O3+ video transmission, it is the ideal solution for professional photography.  Its 5.5-inch 1080p screen has a brightness level of 1000 nits, making it brighter than the standard DJI RC.  This unit is also built on a minicomputer allowing you to download other 3^rd party applications to the controller, making it more versatile if other programs are needed.

As with other Mavic 3 drones, the Mavic 3 Pro comes with autonomous flight modes:

• ActiveTrack 3.  This mode uses advanced algorithms to track and follow a subject, always keeping it in the frame.  Think of following a skier, cyclist, motorcycle etc.
• Hyperlapse.  Allows the Mavic 3 to fly a predetermined route and capture time-lapse footage. 
• Point of Interest 3.0.  Allows the Mavic 3 to capture aerial shots of a subject from different angles.  Very useful for architecture, landscapes, and more.

There is also a CINE version of the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.  This version is identical to the non-CINE version except that it comes with 1TB of internal SSD storage and comes with Apple ProRes on all three cameras, making it perfect for doing lengthy videos in one flight without having to change storage cards.  The CINE version comes with the DJI RC Pro and adds about $900 to the price of the kit. 

All versions have optional crash protection available at purchase.  With this DJI Care protection, DJI will replace the drone up to 2 times in the first year, if it is crashed.  There is a small deductible.  The only caveat is that the drone must be recoverable.  In other words, if it goes into a lake and cannot be recovered, the protection is void.  Very important coverage for someone just starting out flying drones.  It puts your mind more at ease as a beginner pilot.

The Mavic 3 Pro is a relatively new product for DJI but based on their proven Mavic 3 technology.  It will be the gold standard in this class of drone for some time, so your investment will be protected for years to come.  Whether you are a seasoned drone pilot and photographer or just starting out, this drone would be a valuable addition to your photographic arsenal.  If you are just starting out, here is a blog post that I created on Adding Drone Services to your Portfolio.

---