I caved and bought the new Mavic 3 Drone last week. After charging it up and then 2 days of rain, I was finally able to get it out for some test flights. Definitely still some glitches and missing features, but wow I'm still impressed.
Here is the Drone next to shoe for size comparison.
This Drone has the features I really wanted in my last Drone. My previous choices were between the Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom. I really wanted the zoom capability (even though limited) on the Zoom model, but decided on keeping the better camera with the pro model. Now we have both in one drone (with two cameras).
It folds up nicely! Just like the Mavic 2 series and looks are very similar.
The "Fly More" package adds extra propellers, two additional batteries for total of three, and a charger that holds all three. It also comes with a nice Camera bag that can convert between shoulder strap and backpack straps. This is much nicer quality than previous models and was a nice surprise.
Here was my first picture of just some clouds that were there while hovering after initial takeoff. I like it.
So, how about the specs? Here's a few for the techies:
Flying time per battery = 46 minutes (Incredible!) My previous Mavic 2 would get about 30 minutes. This is a significant improvement.
Range = 15km (9.3 miles)! Are you kidding me? Of course trees, buildings, mountains, etc. will limit this, but holy cow!
Speed = 19 meters per second = (42 mph) = 72 kph!
Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level = 6,000m = 19,685 feet.
Primary Camera = Hasselblad 4/3 CMOS 20MP Stills, Capable of 4K and 5K video. Capable of 2x and 4x Digital zoom.
Secondary Camera = DJI camera - 12MP Stills, 4K video, Capable of 7x Optical zoom, 14x Digital, 28x Digital zoom
Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing - Much improved obstacle avoidance from all directions now.
Advanced Return to Home (RTH) - New capabilities for optimal route and obstacle avoidance during RTH operations.
That's just the highlights.
There are of course some glitches and gotcha's.
Not all expected features are yet live, but will be added via a firmware update in January. This includes most of the "smart flight" modes, like boomerang, hyperlapse, dronie, rocket, activetrack, etc.
For a full list of missing features and expected release dates, see this site link by DC Rainmaker.
I also found the new DJI Fly app buggy. I was not able to install it on my current phone due to Android compatibility issues with Android 12. Luckily, I had an old phone stashed away in a drawer, and was able to pull it out and install the new App. Otherwise it would have been an expensive paperweight.
The Mavic 3 does not work with the "Smart Controller" used by the Mavic 2. It requires the purchase of a new "RC Pro" version of the Smart Controller (comes bundled with the Cine Model). I ordered this RC Pro remote as I don't like using my phone, just for the compatibility reasons, and because I don't like draining my phone to fly. However no one seems to have it in stock (including DJI), so it's sitting in back-order limbo.
Ok, so now for the fun stuff, despite the negatives of the missing features and controller snafu, this is still an amazing drone to fly. I won't be letting it out too far until I get the new controller and have tested it's RTH stability more, but wow the zoom capabilities are incredible.
Here's some pics of the nearby Pond at the various pre-prog zoom levels. All taken while hovering in the same spot.
This is the normal 1x view from the camera.
Here we are at 2x digital zoom from the Hasselblad camera.
Here's at 4x Digital zoom from the Hasselblad camera.
Once you change to 7x, it automatically switches to the DJI tele camera and now back at an Optical zoom from that camera.
Then we have even further 14x digital zoom (really just 2x on the tele-cam).
And then the amazing 28x digital zoom (really just 4x on the tele-cam). Yes, that close while the drone hovering in the same spot as above. I was blown away.
Here's a similar series of the target range. This is about 200 yards away, and 350 feet high from the target pictured at the end. Again all taken from the same spot while hovering.
This is the normal 1x view from the camera.
Here we are at 2x digital zoom from the Hasselblad camera.
Here's at 4x Digital zoom from the Hasselblad camera.
Once you change to 7x, it automatically switches to the DJI tele camera and now back at an Optical zoom from that camera.
Then we have even further 14x digital zoom (really just 2x on the tele-cam).
And then the amazing 28x digital zoom (really just 4x on the tele-cam). Yes, that close while the drone hovering in the same spot as above. I was blown away.
Here's some videos of it zooming in and out. Switching the video zoom modes while filming video. Wow.
Pond Video:
I can hardly wait for the RC Pro controller and the January firmware updates! This is exactly what I've been waiting for to get more nature pics and even wildlife pics without disturbing them. Now if I can just find those Moose!
