The Mavic 3 Classic, released by DJI in the fall of 2022, is the more budget-friendly option compared to its predecessor, the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine drones. Despite its lower price point, the Mavic 3 Classic still boasts impressive camera capabilities. Additionally, DJI has not sacrificed any essential flight or safety features, solidifying the Mavic 3 Classic as one of the top drones on the market. Some notable features include all-direction obstacle avoidance sensors and a flight time of over 45 minutes.
Overview
Like its Mavic predecessors, the Mavic 3 Classic is a compact, foldable quadcopter with a camera mounted under the nose of the craft. The Mavic 3 series is slightly larger than previous models, allowing for a larger camera and battery. With a flight time of up to 46 minutes, the extra size and weight are well worth it. The all-direction obstacle avoidance sensors are paired with DJI's APAS 5.0 self-guided flight system, the safest and most reliable to date. The Mavic 3 Classic is also compatible with older DJI remote controls and most parts and accessories from the other Mavic 3 drones. In comparison to the Mavic 3 Cine and Mavic 3, the Mavic 3 Classic does not have a secondary camera with a tele lens, cannot add an internal SSD, and cannot record in ProRes format, but it is still a capable drone in the sky.
The Micro Four Thirds camera is on par with most M4/3 DSLR cameras and the lens on the Mavic 3 Classic is not a dedicated interchangeable mount.
Mavic 3 Classic: An Honest Review
This post is an informative evaluation of the drone's features and is not meant to sell. It's intended to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information to make an informed purchase decision based on thorough testing and research.
What do we like
When evaluating drones, we prioritize their flying capabilities and their ability to capture photos and videos from the sky. The Mavic 3 Classic excels in both categories. It boasts a powerful 20MP Hasselblad camera that shoots smooth 5.1K video and clear still photographs, a 46-minute flight time, and a large connection range thanks to the O3+ transmission system. This results in a stable connection to the remote control, near-instant response on the sticks, and effortless navigation in the sky.
Flying the Mavic 3 Classic is a truly enjoyable experience, thanks to its long flight time of 46 minutes. This is significantly longer than most drones on the market which typically offer less than 33 minutes of flight time. Additionally, the available accessories such as ND filters and a
Fly More Kit with extra batteries, make it even more versatile.
In conclusion, the Mavic 3 Classic is a reliable and safe drone that is fun to fly, and produces high-quality media. Its starting price is more affordable compared to the original Mavic 3 drones, and it's clear that DJI has hit the sweet spot with this model.
Flight Performance
With a top speed of over 40 miles per hour and powerful motors, the Mavic 3 Classic is exciting to fly. The horizontal movement is controlled by software, but the vertical take-off speed is relatively unrestricted. It takes very little time to reach a maximum altitude of 400 ft. We did not test this speed specifically, but one of our videos shows about twenty seconds from about six feet up to max legal altitude.
The obstacle avoidance feature worked exceptionally well. During the fall season, there are many leaves and bare branches falling, and we are pleased to report zero collisions or mishaps with the drone. We also tested the drone in windy conditions, and it captured stable video from the sky with winds up to about 11 mph. However, we did not test it in higher winds.
The Mavic 3 Classic uses O3+ for its connectivity range, which is a new version of OcuSync, and is capable of transmitting a 1080p video signal up to 15KM. This should offer a solid connection even in a dense urban area, which is still far beyond the legal line-of-site rules in most countries.
The camera
The Mavic 3 Classic is equipped with a high-performance Micro Four Thirds sensor built by Hasselblad. It features a 24mm lens, a variable aperture range of f/2.8 - f/11, an 84-degree field of view, and 3x digital zoom. The camera can capture stunning 20MP still images with a resolution of 5280x3956 pixels and can record 5.1K video at 50fps. It also offers high-speed recording options like 4K at 120fps and 1080p at 200fps. Video recording can be done at a high bitrate of up to 200Mbps, which can be stored on the onboard storage or high-speed microSD card. The gimbal has a wide range of movement and can tilt upwards without capturing the nose of the craft. Pilots have controls to operate it from straight down (-90 degrees) to 35 degrees upward.
What we don’t like
As is typical with DJI products, the Mavic 3 Classic has limited configurable parts. While we understand the inclusion of an SSD in the Cine model is a major upgrade, it would have been beneficial if it were a user-swappable part, with a simple firmware update. Pilots in the racing world are accustomed to this concept, where they buy a frame and then make multiple parts and accessory swaps over the life of the craft. This includes experimenting with different propellers and cameras. The Mavic 3 series is a specialized piece of equipment, and we do not expect full configurability, but the price jump from the Mavic 3 Classic to the Mavic 3 Cine is significant, and it would have been beneficial if it could be done in stages.
The DJI Inspire 2 serves as a prime example of this strategy, with its interchangeable payload which has given that airframe over six years of shelf life. On the other hand, the Mavic 3 will likely have a shorter lifespan as newer cameras become available.
Despite these complaints, the Mavic 3 Classic is still a compelling machine for any potential pilot.
Should you buy the DJI Mavic 3 Classic?
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic is a great option for pilots who are looking for a high-quality drone at an affordable price. The starting price of $1,469 may still be in the upper range for consumer drones, but it offers a DSLR-caliber camera at a more accessible price point compared to other high-end drones on the market. The camera on the Mavic 3 Classic is a Micro Four Thirds sensor built by Hasselblad, which is capable of capturing stunning 20MP still images with a resolution of 5280x3956 pixels, and 5.1K video at 50fps. It also offers high-speed recording options such as 4K at 120fps and 1080p at 200fps, and can record video at a high bitrate of up to 200Mbps, which can be stored on the on-board storage or high-speed microSD card.
The Mavic 3 Classic also boasts a flight time of up to 46 minutes, and all-direction obstacle avoidance sensors paired with DJI's APAS 5.0, which is DJI’s safest and most reliable self-guided flight system to date. It also allows for a wide range of connection with some older DJI remote controls and accepts most parts and accessories from the other Mavic 3 drones, which is a pleasant change from having to buy new gear every time.
It's worth noting that the price point of $1,469 does omit a remote, and you would need to purchase one separately to get the full experience. The RC-N1 remote can be purchased for $1,599 or the DJI RC remote for $1,749. Additionally, if you are looking for more advanced features, the DJI Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine include a secondary camera with a tele lens, an internal SSD, and the ability to record in ProRes format. However, if you require interchangeable payloads and lenses, the Inspire 2 or Sony's AirPeak system might be a better fit for your needs.
Conclusion
In summary, the DJI Mavic 3 Classic is a reliable, safe, and fun drone to fly, producing quality media from the sky. With its camera, flight time, and obstacle avoidance sensors, it's definitely a solid choice for those looking for a high-quality drone at an affordable price, especially for those who prioritize camera quality over advanced flight features.
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