DJI Mavic 3 Classic
MSRP $1,600.00
“The DJI Mavic 3 Classic keeps almost everything that made the original Mavic 3 great, but at a much lower price point.”
Pros
The greatest digital camera on a shopper drone
Excellent efficiency
Bundled controller has a built-in display screen
Bug-free and feature-complete person expertise
When the DJI Mavic 3 launched in 2021, it raised the bar for what a drone is able to, however the issue was that it was priced to match its formidable aerial cinematography chops. Now, DJI has a option to tackle that drawback.
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic brings this flagship line of drones again to Earth with a way more cheap price ticket. On paper, DJI has achieved this with out sacrificing the core capabilities of the unique Mavic 3, however does this lofty purpose jibe with actuality?
DJI Mavic 3 Classic design
Andy Zahn / Digital Trends
The Mavic 3 Classic is, because the identify implies, basic. The Mavic line has inherited the crown of what a drone must be within the collective public consciousness, and the Classic matches that mould like a glove. Its 4 lengthy arms fold snuggly in beside the chassis of the drone for straightforward transport. The massive digital camera hangs on a three-axis gimbal beneath a large brow prow, and sensors are scattered everywhere in the physique of the drone. USB-C and microSD ports are situated on the rear of the drone above the battery compartment.
DJI Mavic 3 Classic First Flight! Fall Colors at Lake Sacagawea
If you’re acquainted with the Mavic 2 drone sequence, then you definately’ll discover the design of the Mavic 3 Classic to be a big enchancment. You don’t should unfold the arms to entry ports, and the drone includes a significantly better digital camera protector than different DJI drones.
Whereas different drones have a clip-on piece of plastic to guard the digital camera throughout transport, the Mavic 3 Classic includes a strap-on hood that’s extremely sturdy, simpler to connect, and likewise protects the propellers. It’s not fairly as good because the one included with the unique Mavic 3, but it surely does its job effectively.
DJI Mavic 3 Classic picture high quality
November Landscapes – DJI Mavic 3 Classic
The main digital camera of the unique DJI Mavic 3 presents the most effective picture high quality of any consumer-level drone, and the Mavic 3 Classic shares that very same superior Hasselblad digital camera with a Micro4/3 measurement sensor. It delivers each gorgeous 5.1K video and 20MP nonetheless pictures, plus it may possibly shoot slow-motion video in 4K at as much as 120 frames per second. This digital camera is so good that it may possibly stand in for a high-end mirrorless digital camera like my Nikon Z 6 in a pinch.
Of course, some main sacrifice needed to be made for DJI to have the ability to shave off such an enormous chunk of the value tag of the Classic. This drone solely options one digital camera, whereas the unique Mavic 3 has a further tremendous telephoto digital camera, which presents 7x magnification. I personally miss accessing that excessive zoom vary, which is especially helpful for filming topics reminiscent of wildlife from a protected distance. I additionally use the zoom digital camera to single out compositions from broad landscapes, reminiscent of distant mountains.
Mavic 3 vs Mavic 3 Classic: Crop vs Zoom
While the zoom digital camera of the unique Mavic 3 is certainly superior — and effectively price the additional money if you happen to can afford it — the enormous Hasselblad digital camera is definitely the extra vital of the 2 cameras. The zoom digital camera is definitely extra area of interest, and if you happen to had to surrender one thing to chop the price of the Mavic 3 down, it’s the apparent alternative.
The Mavic 3 Classic can file video utilizing a D-log colour profile, in addition to the potential to shoot nonetheless photographs in RAW format. These choices make for further flexibility whereas enhancing in post-processing, they usually permit the Classic to be thought-about as a critical skilled images and videography instrument.
DJI Mavic 3 Classic efficiency
Andy Zahn / Digital Trends
When I flew the unique Mavic 3 at launch in 2021, it was a bit disappointing. That drone began out with buggy software program and lots of lacking options. Over the previous yr since then, quite a few main updates have ironed out all of the kinks and reworked the expertise of capturing with that flagship drone, and the Mavic 3 Classic has benefited enormously from all that onerous work completed by DJI engineers. The Classic was simple to stand up and working, and I’m happy to report that I by no means encountered any bugs or efficiency points in my time testing it.
The Mavic 3 Classic is a really quiet drone, notably in comparison with the likes of the DJI Avata. Its massive propellers assist to scale back the noise it produces, making it extra usable in areas the place there’s the potential to trouble different folks.
Its massive propellers assist to scale back the noise it produces, making it extra usable in areas the place there’s the potential to trouble different folks.
In phrases of battery life, you possibly can count on roughly 46 minutes of flight time on a cost. This is sufficient to make the Mavic 3 Classic one of many few drones the place carrying a single battery with you on an outing doesn’t really feel like a extreme limitation. It’s additionally able to sustaining picture transmission with the controller at as much as 15km, which suggests a really dependable and powerful sign to be used at extra cheap distances.
The sensor array of the Mavic 3 Classic is very superior and is superb at monitoring topics and avoiding obstacles. I personally favor to fly the drone myself and solely make the most of impediment avoidance as a failsafe. However, there are quite a few computerized modes obtainable for getting particular photographs. Also, as with most trendy drones, the Mavic 3 Classic consists of return-to-home functionality, however as with all security measures, it must be seen as an emergency instrument reasonably than as one thing to depend on.
In phrases of pace and wind resistance, the Mavic 3 Classic actually exhibits its price. It can stand fairly excessive, gusty situations as much as 12 m/s, and might fly at speeds as much as 21 m/s. This makes it usable in climate that I’d by no means dare fly different drones in, and it permits extra dynamic, thrilling photographs than with different, slower drones.
DJI Mavic 3 Classic controller
Andy Zahn / Digital Trends
I examined the DJI Mavic 3 Classic with the DJI RC controller, which I praised in my assessment of the DJI Mini 3 Pro. It includes a built-in display screen, which I discover to be far superior to the expertise of flying with a controller that requires a telephone or pill to make use of because the display screen.
DJI Mavic 3 Classic value and availability
Andy Zahn / Digital Trends
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic begins at $1,470 for the drone solely, that means that if you happen to already personal a suitable controller, you don’t have to spend further for a redundant controller. If you do want a brand new controller, the most cost effective bundle is $1,600, which incorporates the DJI RC-N1 controller, although this doesn’t have a built-in display screen. You’ve obtained to pay one other $150 to get the DJI RC controller with the display screen, and I extremely suggest that you simply select that possibility over the extra fundamental DJI RC-N1.
The non-compulsory Fly More Kit is accessible for a further $650, which, whereas definitely steep, is nonetheless a sensible buy given the additional batteries, glorious carrying case, and different equipment it consists of. I all the time find yourself buying the Fly More Kit after I purchase a brand new DJI drone, as I all the time discover myself in want of additional batteries anyway. However, given the lengthy flight time per battery, you may be capable of get away with fewer batteries than you would want to hold alongside different DJI drones.
The Mavic 3 Classic is definitely attractively priced given its capabilities, but when it’s nonetheless too far exterior your funds, there are different nice choices obtainable. The DJI Mini 3 Pro stands out on this regard, because it begins at $760 with a controller, and delivers very good picture and video high quality in a significantly smaller bundle than the Mavic 3 Classic. Alternatively, if you happen to want a super-telephoto lens, the unique Mavic 3 begins at $2,050.
The greatest drone within the skies, however now for much less cash
Andy Zahn / Digital Trends
For anybody who wished a Mavic 3 however couldn’t fairly abdomen the excessive price ticket, the DJI Mavic 3 Classic is the flagship DJI drone you’ve been ready for. The solely vital factor you’re giving up is tremendous zoom functionality, however that’s one thing of a distinct segment characteristic on a drone, and many individuals contemplating a Mavic might be joyful to alternate it for a big financial savings.
Between its spectacular efficiency, implausible digital camera, bug-free software program expertise, and engaging value level, the Mavic 3 Classic deserves a spot within the equipment of any drone images fanatic.
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