The long-awaited folding drone DJI Mavic 3 is here! I compared it with the conventional model | VIDEO SALON

Report ● Yuki Inada (Command D)

About the basic performance of the Mavic 3

First, here are three notable topics for the Mavic 3.

The first is a camera equipped with a 4 / 3-inch CMOS sensor, which was originally developed in collaboration with Hasselblad, and a wide-angle lens of 24mm in the 35mm format. It has a dynamic range of 12.8 stops, supports 4: 2: 2 10-bit D-log, and can shoot 5.1K / 50fps and 4K / 120fps videos. Hasselblad was the first camera used by humankind to achieve its first lunar landing. I am deeply moved to think that Hasselblad has developed a flying camera.

The second flight performance has a maximum flight time of 46 minutes and a maximum video transmission distance of 8 km (Japanese specifications). The Air2s, which was released a little over half a year ago, has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes, but it has about 1.5 times the flight time. In the last few years, despite the fact that smartphones with large battery capacity have been appearing one after another, the battery capacity of the Mavic 3 has not changed much, and the flight time has improved overwhelmingly by reducing the internal power consumption. I was surprised to be there.

The third is that it is equipped with an omnidirectional obstacle detection function to ensure safety. The obstacle detection distance, which was 20m on the previous Mavic 2 Pro, has been greatly expanded to 200m. This not only avoids obstacles in all directions, but also contributes to a significant improvement in performance related to various automatic flight functions such as during RTH and automatic tracking flight.

Significant updates have been made to the camera, flight performance, safety performance and intelligent features.

Try out the Mavic 3's featured features

In the video, I first tried slow shooting at 4K / 120fps. The one taken with D-Log and the one with the LUT to convert to the manufacturer's genuine Rec.709. Next, a zoom function of up to 28 times. I zoomed in from the same place and verified the image quality. 5.1K can shoot at a maximum of 50 fps. The aspect ratio is about 17: 9, so if you use it in combination with a 16: 9 material, you will have to stretch it up and down and crop left and right. At the end of the video, we verified the avoidance of obstacles in all directions. The stick steered only back and forth to detect obstacle trees and avoid them brilliantly.

In addition to 4K / 120fps, D-log, and zoom, this sample is also tested by flying indoors without GPS.

Mavic 3 lineup

The Mavic 3 comes in three lineups. There are three types: the regular version (253,000 yen), the Fly More combo (341,000 yen), and the Cine Premium combo (583,000 yen).

The normal version includes the main unit, transmitter, and one battery. In addition to these, the Fly More combo will have a carry bag, ND filter, two batteries, and a charging hub. And the Cine Premium combo comes with a smart controller model-changed transmitter DJI RC Pro (brightness is 1000 nits, battery performance, HDMI output, video transmission performance is improved), and it is possible to shoot with Apple Pro Res 422 HQ as camera performance. As a storage destination, a 1TB SSD is built into the main unit (Cine Premium combo normal controller is not included). Depending on how much image quality you want, it will be divided depending on whether it is Mavic 3 or Mavic 3 Cine.

About the application

Use the same DJI FLY app as the DJI Mini series and Air series. There are no major changes in usability, but the video settings are increasing.

In addition, although it is an evolved omnidirectional obstacle sensor, the aircraft position information display at the lower left shows where and what shape the obstacle is like a chart. Red indicates a nearby obstacle, and orange indicates a slightly distant one.

About camera performance and recording mode

Speaking of drones, 1-inch sensors (Mavic 2 Pro and Air 2S) have been the standard for image quality on many aircraft, but this time it became a 4 / 3-inch CMOS sensor that was jointly developed with Hasselblad. I feel that it is the centerpiece of the turn. The case where the X5s was installed in the Inspire 2 released three years ago was the means to use the 4 / 3-inch, but with the Mavic 3 equipped with the 4 / 3-inch CMOS, the Inspire 2 was not taken out. , It has become possible to significantly reduce luggage. In addition, the Mavic 3 this time is equipped with a twin-lens, and although details will be described later, it is also equipped with a 162mm telephoto lens.

24mm for the wide-angle lens of the 4 / 3-inch CMOS sensor. The aperture can also be changed with F2.8-11. Up to 5.1K / 50fps, 4: 2: 0 10bit D-Log shooting is possible with the normal version. I couldn't borrow it in this test, but in the case of the CINE version, I can shoot with AppleProRes422HQ (4: 2: 2 10bit) and save it to the built-in 1TB SSD. It also has a USB-C Gen2 terminal for recording on the built-in SSD.

Please refer to the table below for the resolution and frame rate that can be recorded with the Mavic 3 and whether or not log recording is possible. Please note that 5.1K may not be able to match images well in editing if you shoot with various recording modes mixed, such as having only a 17: 9 aspect ratio or not being able to record in Log during zoom shooting. I need it.

Also, when shooting at 120fps or higher, you will be able to select slow in the app and then select it.

Telephoto lens specifications

The specifications of the telephoto lens are different from those of the wide-angle lens, and the 1 / 2-inch CMOS sensor has a focal length of 162 mm in the 35 mm format. The F value is a fixed 4.4 lens. The ON / OFF mode is such that you can zoom by tapping the binoculars mark next to the record button. To zoom smoothly, hold down the Fn button on the transmitter and control the camera angle adjustment torque to zoom smoothly, or tap the magnification button on the app to zoom with a fixed value of 1/2/4/7/14/28. I will do it.

As for how the standard and telephoto lenses are switched, the wide-angle lens 24mm is digitally zoomed from 1 to 4x, and the telephoto lens is digitally zoomed from 7 to 28x. The specification is to skip between 4x and 7x because there is no problem with lens switching, and if you want to take full advantage of the lens performance, the wide-angle lens 24mm or the telephoto lens 162mm is the digital zoom. It is desirable to shoot in the unphotographed state. Also, if you are using the zoom function, you can only record in 4K / 30fps or 1080 / 30fps for the shooting format (D-Log cannot be used either). Therefore, when shooting while switching between wide-angle and telephoto, it will not be complete unless you shoot at 4K / 30fps and the "color" mode is also normal.

The good and bad points that I felt from the user's perspective

Next, I would like to introduce some points that are nice for users, though they are detailed.

Another voice personally! I would also like to introduce that. The first is the attached bag. Did the drone and camera makers have the attached bags that were so particular about it? All the accessories fit perfectly, and it also has a function to transform into a backpack, but personally it is big and heavy, so I wanted it to be lighter with only the shoulder function.

Since the attached transmitter is the same as MINI2 and Air2s and compatible, it keeps increasing every time I purchase the aircraft, but basically it uses a smart controller, so there is no turn. It would be nice to have a sales package without a transmitter. However, the controller & bag is not related to performance, so I came to the conclusion that if you don't like it, you shouldn't use it.

Comparison verification with other models

DJI Air2s

Cut out from a video shot with the same exposure settings. Although it was a time when the sunlight was volatile, all cameras were excellent. As for the Mavic 3 and Inspire 2, the sensor size is large, so you can see the wide dynamic range from the dark part to the bright part. The actual video material can be downloaded here, so if you are interested, please compare the data. The color settings were normal (Rec.709) and D-log, respectively.

Comprehensive evaluation

I made a table of the usage ratio of the drone that I bring to the site. I think it will be like this after the Mavic 3 came out.

The Air 2s and Mavic 2 Pro will be completely replaced by the Mavic 3. However, as mentioned earlier, the reason for using 10% of Air2s is that it is overwhelmingly light and has little luggage. Also, considering that the price is almost half the price, the set is equipped with a 1-inch CMOS sensor for the quality of the picture, and you can shoot with log, I think that there are still many opportunities to play an active part. It's like using a point-and-shoot and a mirrorless camera.

The reason I decided to use Inspire 2 in 5% of the field in the future is that the lenses can be exchanged and the formats are available. I used to use the combination of Insprire 2 with X5s and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm F2.0 as the lens. This is a configuration similar to the Mavic 3 this time in terms of specifications. However, there are scenes where you shoot with M.ZUIKO's 50mm or 90mm lens, etc., and the Mavic 3 telephoto lens is limited to the recording format 4K / 30fps, all can be shot with 4K / 60fps log, so Inspire 2 I think there is still more to come. However, the size and weight of the luggage and the aircraft were of course difficult because the Inspire 2 was ridiculously large, but since it will be overwhelmingly reduced, it can be said that the Mavic 3 is the overwhelming victory when it comes to using the 24 mm alone. right.

Who would you recommend the Mavic 3 to?

With perfect performance, the Mavic 3 that appeared is suitable to be called a flagship machine in terms of image quality, flight performance and safety performance. However, it's not recommended for everyone, and the DJI Air2s can be carried small and lightweight, including a spare battery, as mentioned earlier. There are many situations where I want to reduce my luggage depending on the site, so I think that the range of choices that can be made based on the balance between quality and luggage has expanded, just like the feeling of taking any lens. On the other hand, I used to use the Inspire 2 until now, but by being able to replace it with the Mavic 3, it will be possible to make the luggage lighter and smaller, so I think Inspire 2 users will buy it immediately (really). It was heavy and difficult).

lastly

"The price of the Mavic 3 Cine is high!" I thought for a moment, but I suddenly thought that it was a handheld camera with Hasselblad technology, equipped with a gimbal, and could record with AppleProRes422HQ, 4K / 120fps. From the perspective of being able to shoot with, I thought it would be rather cheap (about half the price of the previously announced R4D!). Anyway, even if it is not Cine, it has become an overwhelming evolution as a conventional aerial camera for consumers, and it was in the Tondemonai era that a drone with specifications close to Panasonic GH5 and which can be folded and carried came out. rice field. Next, I hope Inspire 3 will surprise you even more.

◉ Yuki Inada, Representative of Command Dee. While doing aerial photography work, he runs a drone information site DRATION for beginners. He provided articles and information related to drones to various other magazines. He also advises on the introduction of drones to companies. While playing an active role as a disaster volunteer in the Kumamoto earthquake, he also cooperates with local governments in aerial photography of drones at the disaster area. WEB ● https://command-d.com/

● DJI Mavic 3 Product Details

https://www.dji.com/jp/mavic-3