Written by Brittany G.
If you have owned or rented a drone before, or currently own a beginner drone and are looking for an upgrade - this article will be outlining some current DJI drones on the market that are built for more experienced flyers that are looking to expand their flying experience to have the ability to do some professional work (or just for fun).
DJI is a well-respected brand in the drone industry known for producing high-quality drones that cater to the needs of professional photographers and videographers. The DJI Mavic 3, DJI Inspire 3, and DJI Mavic 3 Pro - these drones come with impressive features and specifications, and in this article, we will compare them to help you choose the right one for your needs especially when expanding into professional work or cinematography within the drone industry.
DJI Mavic 3
The DJI Mavic 3 is a foldable drone that comes with an impressive two-camera system. It features a Hasselblad Camera with a 4/3 CMOS sensor that can shoot at 20MP images with 5.1K/50fps video and a Tele Camera with a ½” CMOS sensor that can shoot at 12MP with 4K/50fps. Easily it can fly for up to 46 minutes, at a transmission range of 15km, and can fly at speeds up to 72 km/h (mp/h). The Mavic 3 also has a 3-axis gimbal that helps stabilize the camera during flight allowing for smooth and stable footage
- Foldable drone with a two-camera system
- 4/3 CMOS for 20MP images and up to 5.1K/50fps video
- ½” CMOS for 12MP images and up to 4K/50fps video
- Can fly for up to 46 minutes
- O3+ Transmission system with a range of up to 15 km
- Maximum speed of up to 72 km/h
- 3-axis gimbal for stable footage
DJI Inspire 3
The DJI Inspire 3 is a professional-grade drone that is designed for high-end videography and photography. It has the largest sensor taking images at 44.7MP and can take impressive video up to 8.1K with 75fps. The drone can fly up to 28 minutes at a transmission range up to 15km, and with speeds up to 94 km/h (mp/h). The Inspire 3 also has a 3-axis gimbal that helps stabilize the camera during flight, so when going almost 95 km/h you will still have the ability to capture smooth footage.
- Captures up to 8.1K videos at 75fps and 44.7MP Images (with X9-8K camera)
- 35mm Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- Interchangeable Lens System (DL Mount)
- Can fly for up to 28 minutes
- O3+ Transmission System with a range of 15 km
- Maximum speed of up to 94 km/h
- 3-axis gimbal for stable footage
- Larger sensor than the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Pro
DJI Mavic 3 Pro
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro has a three camera system but still remains foldable for easy storage. It features two CMOS Tele Cameras (1/1.3” and ½”) and one Hasselblad Camera with a 4/3 CMOS sensor. It can capture up to 48MP images and 5.1K video at 50fps (see specifics below). The drone can fly up to 43 minutes, has a transmission range of 15km, and can reach speeds of up to 72km/h. The Mavic 3 Pro also features the 3-axis gimbal to stabilize the footage at such high speeds.
- Foldable drone for easy transport and storage
- 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera for 20MP images and up to 5.1K/50fps
- 1/1.3” CMOS Tele Camera for 48MP images and up to 4K/60fps video
- ½” CMOS Tele Camera for 12MP images and up to 4K/60fps video
- Can fly for up to 43 minutes
- O3+ Transmission System with a range of 15km
- Maximum speed of up to 72 km/h
- 3-axis gimbal for stable footage
- Hasselblad camera system included
When comparing these three drones, it’s important to consider their specific features and capabilities. Here’s a quick reference to some important features on each drone to consider before purchasing.
The DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Mavic 3 Pro are quite similar with the only real difference being the camera system. The Mavic 3 Pro has the additional camera making it a three-camera system compared to the Mavic 3 having the two-camera system. However even with the additional camera in mind, the DJI Mavic 3 still allows for high quality video at up to 5.1K and even images as high as 20MP which is impressive given its price point. The DJI Inspire 3 on the other hand, is a step above both in terms of the final camera quality with its 8K video quality on top of it having an interchangeable lens system with its DL lens mount.
In terms of flight time, range, and speed all three drones are relatively similar. The Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Pro can fly for approximately 45 minutes, while the Inspire 3 can only fly for about 30 minutes. All three have similar transmission systems, utilizing the O3+ Transmission system allowing them to transmit up to 15km of unobstructed flight. The Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Pro can fly at speeds at up to 72 km/h (mp/h) while the Inspire 3 can fly up to 94 km/h (mp/h) - so if youre looking for a long flight time the Mavic 3 or Mavic 3 Pro will be an easy fit, however the Inspire 3 may be tempting for those looking to fly fast and steady for cinema-grade video shoots and stunts.
Additionally, when it comes to pricing the Mavic 3 is the most affordable for what you are looking for in a advanced or professional drone, especially when you consider it is not too far behind the Mavic 3 Pro. However, if you truly want to go full professional and cinema-grade the Inspire 3 will be the drone for you as it easily gives you the highest quality video at up to 8K with the ability to swap out lenses. If you are just looking to upgrade and take a step closer to shooting professionally, or for your own video business the Mavic 3 would be a good recommendation for the quality you get from not only the two-lens system but also with it’s foldable design it makes it easy to transport on-location while being able to fly long lengths of time to get the perfect shot
No matter which drone you end up choosing to expand your knowledge with, it’s always important to double check all the details before going on your first flight. Once you have your drone in hand, don’t be afraid to fly!
Find an open field or park and open the DJI Fly App, it will give you a baseline of resources to understand what areas are okay to fly without permissions (or FAA Certification) and it also gives you a baseline instruction of how to begin flying, with an included training feature.
If you are looking for some instruction a bit more catered to some specific needs or additional guidance with shooting on a professional level, we offer One-on-One Training for Drones. These one-on-one sessions allow you to learn more about your drone and are catered to any of your particular questions and needs. Here at Unique Photo these do not require a drone purchase, as you may rent a drone with our Rental Department, however if you do already have one - we welcome all!