Mavic 3 Camera VS Mavic 2 Pro Camera
Drone Safe Store Pits DJI’s Flagship Drones Against Each Other
With the launch of the DJI Mavic 3, Drone Safe Store is diving into the differences between the DJI Mavic 3 and the DJI Mavic 2 Pro cameras.
The question is, how does the previous generation of the Mavic series compare to the latest DJI technology and more importantly, is it worth the upgrade?
Mavic 3 VS Mavic 2 Pro - At a Glance
Let’s dive straight into the key figures and specifications of the Mavic 3 and Mavic 2 Pro and work out where the Mavic 3 has improved over its predecessor.
The Mavic 3 comes in lighter than the Mavic 2 Pro at 895g compared to the slightly heavier 907g. Whilst this isn’t a massive decrease, the increase in tech on the drone would suggest it would be heavier, so this is an excellent reduction. When it comes to flying, the weight can significantly affect the flying quality, so once again, this is a good improvement.
Sensor size (try saying that with a lisp!) is a trickier comparison because the Mavic 3 has a dual camera. The ‘Prime Lens’ features 4/3” CMOS whereas the ‘Tele’ lens features 1/2“ CMOS. The Mavic 2 Pro has a 1” CMOS, meaning that the Mavic 3 has a significantly higher light-gathering area.
When it comes to still images, however, the Mavic 3 and Mavic 2 Pro are very similar, both boasting a 20MP Prime lens. Remember though, that the Mavic 3 features a tele lens of 12MP, which is super impressive when you consider that the drone is lighter!
Flight time is always a consideration when it comes to drone flying but luckily, the Mavic 3 can boast about an extra 15 minutes of flight time when compared to the Mavic 2 Pro. Do note however that due to this increase, it does take longer to charge.
Mavic 3 For Photography & Videography
As we established earlier, both the Mavic 3 and Mavic 2 Pro both shot aerial imagery at 20MP. The change here however is that the Mavic 3 is capable of shooting imagery in 12-bit RAW format.
The important change for pilots is a jump in quality for videography. The Mavic 2 Pro can capture 4K/30fps footage, while the Mavic 3 can capture epic footage at 5.1K/50fps and slow-motion video at 4K/120fps.
The Mavic 3 also has a greater max video bitrate and the Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo includes Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding for more detailed video processing: Something that the Mavic 2 does not have.
When it comes to video resolution, the Mavic 3's larger image sensor provides significantly higher video resolution and dynamic range, as well as more effective noise suppression in low-light environments. The native dynamic range of 12.8 stops aids in retaining more details in highlights and shadows, preserving rich visual information.
The Mavic 3 also has a new Vision Detection Auto Focus technology, which allows the Hasselblad camera to work with multiple vision sensors on board to capture distance data to optimise focusing speed.
Mavic 3 Smart Shooting
Both the Mavic 3 and Mavic 2 Pro come with a suite of smart shooting modes to help users create the best content possible without wasting any time. The Mavic 2 Pro includes Hyper-lapse, QuickShots, and a variety of panorama modes, including Sphere and 180°.
What is rather disappointing, however, is that whilst the Mavic 3 has some pretty cool smart shooting abilities of its own they are present at the launch. The Mavic 3 is due for a firmware update in January 2022.
The firmware update will bring a new version of MasterShots to help pilots build high-quality content without the hassle. A Panorama Mode will also be added to allow pictures to be directly stitched and processed by the drone instead of the DJI Fly App.
Currently, the Mavic 3 allows pilots to transmit content from the drone to a mobile device through Wifi 6.
Mavic 3 Camera VS Mavic 2 Pro Camera
Overall, the DJI Mavic 3 offers a significant step up when compared to the Mavic 2 Pro. The big bonuses on offer are the ability to shoot at 4K 120FPS combined with the improved flight time and lower weight. The Mavic 3 Cine's ability to shoot in Apple ProRes is an excellent addition that will be used by many.
Is the Mavic 3 worth it? It does depend on the jump you intend to make. The Mavic 2 and Mavic Air 2s still offer footage that wows, but is lacking the next-gen improvements found on the Mavic 3.
If you’re looking for a no-thrills, very basic upgrade, the DJI Air 2S could be for you, especially if you’re not completing a lot of professional aerial operations.
If you’re looking to upgrade to a drone that is prepared for the future and will genuinely wow clients, the Mavic 3 is for you. When the Mavic 3 receives its firmware update in January 2021, it will be better than ever.