DJI has created a new way to protect your drone's camera and gimbal.

Photos and video

DJI worked with Swedish camera maker Hasselblad to create a custom L2D-20c camera for the Mavic 3 series. Placed on the bottom, the main camera features a 20MP, Four Thirds CMOS sensor that has a 24mm (equiv.) lens with 84º FOV and variable F2.8-11 aperture. It can shoot still images in 12-bit Raw format. The entire dual-camera system is placed on a 3-axis mechanical gimbal.

With the Mavic 3 series, you can point the camera toward the sun and it will create a sunburst instead of blowing out and entire area.

Directly above is a camera that features a 12MP, 1/2" CMOS sensor. Entering Explore mode, by clicking the binocular icon in Photo mode allows you can activate this feature. The main camera offers up 1-4X digital zoom. The hybrid zoom switches to the tele lens which is capable of 7-28X digital zoom. A 162mm Hybrid Zoom (digital + optical) telephoto lens, 15º FOV, and fixed aperture of f/4.4 can hone in on a subject up to 28X. Similar to how Apple's iPhone operates, as you zoom in on a subject, it'll switch cameras – creating an optical zoom effect.

Until the Mavic 3 series, having a camera with a Four Thirds CMOS sensor placed on a drone meant purchasing a more expensive, and significantly bulkier, DJI Inspire and separately acquiring a Zenmuse X5 camera to mount on the drone's gimbal. The camera on the Mavic 3 also includes Hasselblad's HCNS technology which offers up enhanced color accuracy.

The Mavic 3 series features a dual-camera system with Hasselblad's HNCS technology. On the bottom is a 20MP, Four Thirds CMOS sensor while the top has a 12MP, 1/2" sensor with up to 28X zoom.

The standard Mavic 3 allows you to record video at resolutions up to 5.1K/50p, DCI or UHD 4K/120p and 1080/200p at 140 Mbps with H.265 and 200 Mbps with the H.264 codec. The Cine version, which we tested, includes Apple's ProRes 422 HQ codec. Besides the specs previously mentioned, it can record 4K/120p at 3772 Mbps (the latter resolution was not available yet to test). These video specs are a significant upgrade from the Mavic 2 Pro's 4K/30p at 100 Mbps and the Air 2S' 5.4K/30p at 150 Mbps.

The basic Mavic 3 gives you 8GB of internal storage and can capture up to 1 billion colors when recording in a 10-bit D-Log color profile. The Cine version features a 1TB SSD since it also offers up the larger files using Apple's ProRes 422 HQ codec. Both versions of the drone can use the full width of their 5.1K sensors. The housing on this dual camera system is lightweight and more suited for its overall size. As mentioned in the introduction, the Mavic 2 Pro had issues with pixel binning and line skipping, and there is no indication of this problem with the Mavic 3 drones.

The DJI Fly app and flight modes

The Mavic 3 series uses the DJI Fly app, which also powers the Mavic Mini, Mini 2, Mavic Air 2, and Air 2S. First introduced in November 2019 with the Mavic Mini, the pared down, intuitive interface showcases all the photo modes on the same screen. When switching out of Auto mode and into Manual, or Pro mode, the bottom-right-hand corner gives you sliders that allow you to adjust white balance, ISO, shutter speed, aperture and choose JPEG or Raw+JPEG imagery. Resolution can be adjusted once the 'Video' option is activated.

Shown on the Cine remote, you can adjust all your basic video settings at the bottom right-hand-side of the screen. You'll have to access the three-dot menu at the top right, and go into settings while in Video mode, to chose a codec - including ProRes.

Three dots in the top corner give you more detailed options including selecting D-Log, video format, photo size and format, and if you want to brake in front of or bypass obstacles. It allows you to set height and distance limits and choose Metric or Imperial units. You can also activate AirSense, a feature that warns remote pilots of manned aircraft nearby.

MasterShots, which was introduced with the Air 2S, is also included on the Mavic 3. It automatically creates 'professional-grade' footage that's ready to share on social media channels by simply selecting a few parameters, such as proximity and portrait or landscape orientation. It then flies autonomously and captures a variety of shots that are then stitched together, in app. You can then pick a soundtrack to add instantly. MasterShots was not yet available to test on the Mavic 3 Cine at the time of this writing, but we'll be updating this review as soon as possible.

DJI has equipped the Mavic 3 with ActiveTrack 5.0 for increased accuracy in tracking subjects during automated flights. This is different in that it allows the drone to move with the subject. So, you could set it up and go mountain biking, for example, and the drone will follow your movements. If the subject disappears from the frame, DJI says the drone's vision sensors will track movement and intelligently relocate it. The usual QuickShots, including Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket Asteroid and Boomerang are included. None of the features mentioned in this paragraph are available to test on the Mavic 3 but again, we will update this review as soon as we can.

The Fly app gives you the option to either brake in front of or bypass obstacles.

MasterShots was made with the casual consumer and beginner pilot in mind. This is not likely to be something a professional with access to Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or similar software will be interested in using, which is why it's perplexing that this is included with the Mavic 3 series. DJI is also introducing a QuickTransfer feature that allows users to transmit content from the remote to a mobile device, through a Wi-Fi 6 protocol, for instant editing. This seems like something an influencer or casual consumer, instead of a professional, would enjoy and use often.

What's it like to fly?

All of DJI's design updates and efforts to make the aircraft slimmer and more aerodynamic really paid off. The drone holds up well in the wind, hovers nicely, flies smoothly, and maneuvers flawlessly. It's quieter than the Mavic 2 series, with less of a buzzing sound, though you can still hear it in close proximity. If you're hoping to operate your drone incognito, this is still not really possible.

What I enjoyed most was using the DJI RC Pro controller which comes with the Mavic Cine Premium combo. All the colors and imagery displayed clearly and beautifully in near real-time. There wasn't any discernible latency. Maneuvering the joysticks felt effortless and overall, even though the controller looks big and foreboding upon first impression, it's ergonomically friendly.

The Mavic 3 series has 2 obstacle avoidance sensors on the bottom of the drone plus auxiliary lights to aid in landing during low-light situations.

The drone takes off swiftly and smoothly without any jerky movements or pauses. It also descends steadily and lands softly. Overall, the Mavic 3 is a joy to fly – it almost feels like it's moving effortlessly, floating around the sky even. What's unfortunate is that Hyperlapse mode, QuickShots, and APAS 5.0 weren't available for me to try out. I am curious to see how these features perform on the Mavic 3 series once they become available.

Odds and ends

Equipped with DJI's OcuSync 3.0 (O3) transmission technology, the Mavic 3 can fly at a distance up to 30 km (18.6 miles) when free of obstacles or interference. Of course you'd never want to fly this far but what this means is that there will be a clear transmission and the drone is less likely to lose its connection, especially if it flies behind an obstacle. Like its predecessor, it supports both 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands. In ideal conditions, it can fly up to 46 minutes: 15 minutes longer than the Mavic 2 series or Air 2S. The Mavic 3 can travel at up to 75.6 km/h (47 mph) in Sport mode.

The standard Mavic 3 supports memory cards up to 2TB and contains 8GB of onboard internal storage should you forget a card or run out of space. The Mavic 3 Cine contains 1TB of internal storage plus a memory card slot. You many need to use the latter as a backup if you're shooting a good deal of ProRes footage. If you've ever panicked about running out of space on a memory card, experienced corruption, or lost one, you'll especially appreciate this feature on the Cine.

DJI has also fine-tuned the RTH (return-to-home) capabilities. Instead of the drone flying to a certain altitude that you predetermine, it'll identify the shortest and most efficient path and bypass obstacles within a 200m range to get back to the home point. I look forward to testing this after launch when I know it'll be fully functional.

The Mavic 3 Cine comes with 2 sets of ND filters in 4/8/16/32 and 64/128/256/512.

The Cine Premium combo comes with two sets of ND filters. Even with a variable aperture, these will give you smoother video and hyperlapse footage in bright conditions by allowing you to properly adjust the shutter. It also includes a sturdy 10Gbps Lightspeed Data Cable that transfers your files from the drone, especially the ProRes clips, rather quickly. The cable's material is interwoven and sturdy. It doesn't appear to be something that will tear or come undone over time.

Who's it for?

A 20MP Four Thirds CMOS camera with a Hasselblad color profile, 1TB of internal storage, and Apple's ProRes codec make the Cine fit for a professional. This is why I'm perplexed that DJI is powering it with the Fly app. As stated earlier, this app was debuted two years ago with the Mavic Mini – a drone aimed at beginners. Even though the Air 2S could work for some professional use cases, it's still priced in a range that makes it a justifiable purchase for consumers.

The camera on the Mavic 3 performs extraordinarily well at night. There isn't any grain in this unedited image.

The Mavic 3 series is clearly aimed at professional drone pilots, given its pricing. This is why, in my opinion, DJI should have continued using the GO 4 app. Maybe Hasselblad's HNCS technology is so accurate that there isn't a need to delve into the different types of White Balance settings including Sunny, Cloudy, and Incandescent. But what if I decided I wanted to shoot in Shutter or Aperture Priority mode? Why does DJI's Phantom 4, which was released over five years ago warrant these sophisticated photography settings compared to a drone that costs substantially more?

Conclusion

The release of the Mavic 3 series is long-awaited and for the most part, it delivers. My disappointment comes from the fact that more abilities to customize your photo settings weren't included. DJI periodically updates its firmware, so the company could surprise us in the future. And since they never cannibalize their product line, I can't help but wonder what's next? What's yet to come might offer the Hasselblad color profile, an optical zoom, and possibly even interchangeable lenses on an aircraft that can easily be carried around.

I got to test the Cine Premium combo. I am really impressed with the carrying case that converts to a back pack, the Intelligent flight batteries that are easy to insert, now in the back of the drone, and the close to 45 (realistic) minutes of flight time. It's nice to go out and know you'll have over two hours to get your desired shots with three fully-charged batteries. The drone is easy and enjoyable to fly and maneuver. I also found the new gimbal guard so much more convenient to attach and remove. The fact that omnidirectional obstacle avoidance worked when I was flying in Normal mode is a bonus.

I look forward to trying out the features that aren't available yet, especially APAS 5.0. APAS 4.0 worked well on the Air 2S so I'm expecting promising flights, weaving through trees in a forest near my house. A cellular transmission dongle will also become available in the future (although we are told that it is not expected to be available in North America, the European Union, or the United Kingdom) and this will help the drone keep its connection in congested areas, especially if it's flying between buildings. All in all, the Mavic 3 series may not be perfect, but it represents DJI's ability to innovate and iterate with every new release.

What we like

• Four Thirds CMOS sensor
• 46-minute flight time
• Hasselblad color profile
• 5.1K/50p video with 10-bit D-Log
• 1TB storage

What we don't

• Digital zoom
• No mechanical shutter on main camera
• Lack of sophisticated photo settings
• Hefty price tag