The DJI Mavic 3 Classic is the new, cheaper version of the DJI Mavic 3 and comes to democratise the range of “cheaper professional drones“. I think this drone will be, in the short term, the best value for money drone, if you want to do drone photography and video in a very professional way. I’ll keep telling you.
If you have the old Mavic 2 and you expected to upgrade your equipment, seeing the exorbitant price of the new Mavic 3 when it was launched on sale a year ago, I understand if you decided to wait a little longer and keep your old version of the Mavic 2 or switch to DJI Air 2s, which is not a bad option either.
With the arrival of the DJI Mavic 3 Classic, it’s finally your time to take it to the next level.
For newcomers to the world of drones, if you are one of them, this drone, although it seems obvious, weighs more than 250 grams so it is not a drone that you can fly without a licence.
Differences between the DJI Mavic 3 and the DJI Mavic 3 Classic
The exterior appearance of the DJI Mavic 3 and the DJI Mavic 3 Classic leave no doubt that they are the same type of drones as the finish and components are the same. It would be easy to confuse them if it wasn’t for the marking on one of the legs that says the name of the type of Mavic 3 it is.
Camera and lenses
They are almost 90-95% the same and the only difference is the camera. The camera has only one lens, unlike the Mavic 3 model which has two, one on top of the other.
As DJI has removed the telephoto lens from the Mavic 3 Classic, i.e. the top camera, the final design of the protective lens frame is different from the Mavic 3, going from having 2 “windows” to having only one. As you can see in the photo below.
This feature will make the filters between these two drones non-interchangeable. This makes sense, as the division of the two lenses would be in the centre of the new “Classic”, and other non-original markings such as those of the Freewell brand are also useless.
The camera features of the DJI Mavic 3 are:
- One 24 mm micro 4/3 lens
- A 162 mm 1/2″ medium telephoto lens
While the DJI Mavic 3 Classic’s camera has:
- One 24 mm micro 4/3 lens
- No secondary telephoto lens
Other characteristics
The DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Mavic 3 Classic have the same flight behaviour, with no difference in flight performance, range and reliability.
They have the same options during the flight:
- Hyperlapses
- 180° and 360° panoramic photo mode, or equirectangular photos
- Active track 5.0
- 360° obstacle avoidance sensors
Drone video recording is done in 5.1K at 50 fps, 4K at 120 fps. It uses normal, D-log and HLG colour profiles with even better results than the other DJI drones, as the Hasselblad lens means the results are a couple of notches above.
This drone is simply perfect and the essential tool for imaging professionals seeking excellence. Whether it’s the DJI Mavic 3, the DJI Mavic 3 Classic or the DJI Mavic 3 CINE (the most expensive version of all Mavic 3 models), you can carry out any type of drone event or any project you may have in mind with the greatest of guarantees.
What’s new in the Mavic 3 Classic
Well, it brings some new features compared to its other siblings that were not standard, but with future software updates I’m sure they will all be brought up to the same level. These characteristics are:
Night mode
This is the most interesting feature of these new developments. A night mode with which we can achieve spectacular results with hardly any time for further editing on our computer. Features of this night mode:
- This mode only works in 4K at 30 fps.
- Enables the possibility to raise the ISO limit to 12800.
- This mode automatically applies a noise reduction filter that compared to the other recording modes gives simply spectacular results.
- It works in automatic mode or in professional mode, allowing us to change all possible values: aperture, shutter speed, ISO and overexposure.
Cruise control mode
With the new cruise control mode option on this DJI Mavic 3 Classic, you can lock the direction and trajectory of the drone at that moment. This can range from a simple trajectory, such as up and down, to a complex trajectory involving both joysticks of the controller.
This option can be assigned as a shortcut to one of the buttons on the remote control.
Class marking
In Europe the Mavic 3 Classic finally comes with the class marking, C1, so it seems that drone marking will finally be implemented in future drone launches.
ISO 1600 at D-log and HLG
With the DJI Mavic 3 Classic comes the ability to raise the maximum ISO up to 1600. On the other Mavic 3 models it could only go up to 800.
Camera protector
It does not represent a major structural change except that the inside of the “classic” model’s protective lens housing is not lined with leather, as is the case with the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 CINE models.
What is the price difference between the DJI Mavic 3 and the DJI Mavic 3 Classic?
The price difference between these two drones is between €400 and €500. The final price will depend on the type of packs you choose:
- Mavic 3 Classic + single battery and without remote control on sale for around 1499€.
- El Mavic 3 Classic + mando RC N1 (el control remoto clásico) se venderá por unos 1599€
- Mavic 3 Classic + DJI RC controller for sale for a price of 1749€.
- If you want to extend the range of your DJI Mavic 3 Classic, you will need the “fly more” kit with two batteries and a car charger/lighter for €599.
In my opinion, without adding the small improvements such as “night mode” or “cruise control mode”, which will also be available for the other models of Mavic 3, and bearing in mind that the main differentiating feature between these drones is the telephoto lens missing on Mavic 3 Classic, I consider that the difference in price between the DJI Mavic 3 and the DJI Mavic 3 Classic is fair..
Think that a telephoto lens can open up the spectrum of job opportunities with the drone, for example to be able to perform technical inspections of wind turbines or structures that represent a danger when working from close quarters, among other work. This special feature of being able to use the zoom is a plus that, in my opinion, has to be paid for.
After this comparison, which drone would you choose between the two, do you prefer another type of drone? I’m interested in your opinion, I read you!
