DJI Mavic 3 Traditional vs. Phantom 4 Professional (Right here’s My Selection)

Head-to-head Comparability

Digicam High quality

The primary time I noticed the photograph and video high quality from a Mavic 3 drone, I used to be shocked. I imply, it began to be the subsequent era as a result of whoever thought we might see a 4/3-inch Hasselblad digital camera in a drone?

By then, I had little data concerning the technical elements of drones. I used to be simply the man flying them, and I beloved them. So I examined many cameras and drones, and ever since we obtained the Mavic 3 Line, together with the Traditional and three Professional, I’ve been capable of take my pictures to the subsequent degree.

The Phantom 4 Professional CMOS will not be that unhealthy, both. Its 1-inch sensor is method above the typical of most drones in the marketplace, and the digital camera high quality is phenomenal.

In reality, the Phantom 4 Professional V2 additionally has its place among the many greatest drones with the most important digital camera sensors. 

The one vital benefit the Phantom 4 Professional v2 has over the DJI Mavic 3 Traditional is, in reality, the mechanical shutter. As a be aware, DSLR cameras have mechanical shutters, and it’s uncommon to search out one in a drone.

Nonetheless, the Swedish firm Hasselblad managed to create nothing however the very best digital camera sensor present in any shopper drone.

The dynamic vary, low-light capabilities, coloration illustration, and readability of pictures and movies captured by the Mavic 3 Traditional are merely astonishing. 

Additionally, now we have to keep in mind that each drone cameras are mounted on a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, which helps stabilize the video and pictures even in windier circumstances.

Nonetheless, the DJI Mavic 3 Traditional information at a a lot larger bitrate, in reality, double at 200 Mbps as in comparison with the Phantom 4 Professional V2, which information at 100 Mbps. Which means that the video high quality is much superior to the one present in a Phantom 4 Professional.

» MORE: Digicam Know-how in Drones (Defined)

Flight Efficiency

When aiming in the direction of skilled and business degree drones, all of them are constructed to fly fantastically with clean management and fairly fast response from the distant controller.

However flying in windy circumstances could include some challenges, particularly if we’re about to do a business job that was deliberate forward of time. 

Whereas none of those drones are water-resistant or are supposed to fly in any wet circumstances, the Mavic 3 Traditional has a significantly better wind resistance than the Phantom 4 Professional, making it supreme for harsh climate flights.

In addition to the wind resistance degree, the Mavic 3 Traditional is marketed by DJI to have the ability to fly in decrease temperatures than the Phantom 4 Professional. Whereas it’s not beneficial to fly throughout chilly climate as it would drastically have an effect on the battery life, and total, each drones will do exactly nicely, I might at all times belief the Mavic 3 Traditional to fly in additional harsh climate circumstances.

From my experiences with each drones, I have a tendency to provide the Mavic 3 Traditional the favor this time simply because it offers higher with climate circumstances, is far sooner than the Phantom drone, and, so far as I bear in mind, has smoother controls.

» MORE: Understanding Drone Wind Resistance Ranges (Defined)

Good Options

Up to now couple of years, drones have had a large enhance in technological developments, making newer drones smarter than ever in comparison with older ones.

And since the Phantom 4 Professional is far older than the Mavic 3 Traditional, it doesn’t profit from the identical superior options.

For example, the Mavic 3 Traditional does have APAS 5.0 and Lively Monitor 5.0, that are essentially the most superior and newer clever fashions, alongside the Lively Monitor 360 present in Mini 4 Professional.

With this, the drone calculates prospects when monitoring or avoiding obstacles at a a lot sooner charge and is able to extra sensible options.

One conclusive instance can be that the Mavic 3 Traditional has an Superior Return-to-home the place the drone is not going to solely fly in a direct path in the direction of you however will discover a new path if wanted (if obstacles are on the best way).

Though I might not belief this characteristic with my drone, it offers me that rather more peace of thoughts that my drone received’t fly straight into the primary constructing if the RTH is activated and there’s no clear pathway between the drone and me.

The DJI Mavic 3 Traditional additionally has the QuickShots modes like with all newer DJI drones, from DJI Mini 2 to Mavic 3 Professional. However sadly, not the Phantom 4 Professional. Not less than not the identical options.

Subsequently, the monitoring capabilities and processing energy behind the Mavic 3 Traditional are far superior to those discovered behind the Phantom 4 Professional v2.0.

» MORE: Good Options in Drones (Defined for Freshmen)

Portability

None of those drones are as transportable because the DJI Mini 3 Professional, Mini 4 Professional, and even the Air 3, which weighs not more than 720 grams.

However nonetheless, with the DJI Mavic 3 Traditional weighing round 900 grams, now we have the benefit of a little bit of portability as a result of it might probably fold and is far more compact than the Phantom 4 Professional.

The Phantom drone weighs almost 1.4kg and doesn’t fold in any respect. It has tall touchdown gear that’s completely put in into the drone body.

For transportation, you’ll undoubtedly want a big inflexible case particularly designed for the Phantom 4 Professional V2.0, or you’ll battle touring with this drone. Packed in a tough case, it occupies a number of house.

The benefit of the extra compact Mavic 3 Traditional is that it may be positioned in a backpack, as with most DJI drones, and though you’ll really feel the load a bit, it received’t be as unhealthy as having a Phantom drone.

Subsequently, there’s little doubt that the winner right here is the Mavic 3 Traditional by a big margin.

» MORE: Touring With a Drone (Is It Price It?)

Flight Time

Even if the DJI Phantom 4 Professional V2.0 has a a lot bigger battery capability than the one discovered within the Mavic 3 Traditional, it flies for much less time.

Older-generation drones don’t are likely to fly for greater than half-hour. Nonetheless, at the moment, having a drone within the air for therefore lengthy was terrific, although you solely get about 25 minutes of precise flight time.

These days, most drones have a mean of 40+ minutes. 

The distinction between the Mavic 3 Traditional and different Mavic 3 drones in flight time will not be that a lot; in reality, the identical batteries work for the whole Mavic 3 line.

The Phantom 4 Professional V2.0 has no different matching batteries for this drone. 

In fact, now we have to contemplate many different elements that may have an effect on the flight time of a drone, comparable to wind speeds and climate circumstances, interference, and the way we fly the drone total.

With the Mavic 3 Traditional, count on to have an precise flight time of about 35-37 minutes earlier than you have to land with out discharging the battery to zero.

Nonetheless, it’s method higher than the Phantom 4 Professional’s flight time.

» MORE: Flight Time of All DJI Drones (Defined)

Flight Vary

The Phantom 4 Professional V2.0 comes with the older era transmission system, the O2, whereas the Mavic 3 Traditional has the O3+ transmission system.

The Mavic 3 Traditional has two newer generations of OcuSync that make a big distinction in flight vary and fight heavy interference areas.

Whereas legally, you aren’t allowed to fly out of the road of sight, it’s good to know that these drones are able to such flights. 

The most recent transmission system module was launched final 12 months with a large enchancment in vary and penetration. That’s the DJI O4, which is the subsequent enchancment to the one discovered behind the Mavic 3 Traditional.

» MORE: Lengthy Vary Drones: Final Information

Compatibility

All of us wish to have a drone that’s not locked in to make use of solely with the equipment or controllers it got here with. We want a little bit of flexibility for no matter cause.

However with the DJI Phantom 4 Professional, we don’t have any flexibility. It’s suitable solely with the unique controller, and that’s it.

That’s as a result of this drone line was concluded years in the past and lengthy earlier than the Mini, Air, and Mavic collection began to switch them. Then, the main target shifted towards these.

For example, the DJI Mavic 3 Traditional with the O3+ transmission system is suitable with the usual DJI RC-N1 distant controller, to which you have to connect a cellphone or pill, and with the DJI RC with display screen, and essentially the most skilled distant controller ever launched, the DJI RC Professional.

Should you’re into business work with this drone, you’ll profit to the utmost from essentially the most skilled RC ever created, the DJI RC Professional.

Furthermore, the compatibility doesn’t finish right here. 

When the FPV facet of DJI had huge success, they began to focus much more on the FPV expertise with goggles. So it wasn’t lengthy till two DJI goggles, the Goggles 2 and Integra, grew to become suitable with a number of drones, together with the Mavic 3 Traditional.

However keep in mind that you’ll be capable of see by the goggles and get the identical FPV expertise solely by controlling the drone (and linking it) to the DJI RC Movement 2, a movement controller particularly created for FPV drones launched by DJI. 

» MORE: Greatest Drone Controllers

Security Options

Within the case of many options and clever modes, the expertise has developed quite a bit prior to now few years, and total, drones have turn out to be safer to make use of.

From APAS 5.0, which is an Superior Piloting Help System, the DJI’s expertise permits the drone to detect, keep away from, and even bypass obstacles in all instructions and to pinpoint the drone’s actual location to a tenth of a meter, the DJI Mavic 3 Traditional is much superior to what we discover in Phantom 4 Professional.

The phantom drone will not be unhealthy in any respect. It does have 3-directional anti-collision sensors and some security options behind it, however nothing will examine to one of many most secure drones launched by DJI ever, which is the Mavic 3 Traditional, in addition to the opposite drones from the Mavic 3 collection.

Each drones are capable of reply and autonomously return to house if getting out of vary or dropping sign with the drone, on low battery, and even refusing to take off in restricted airspace.

Nonetheless, the International Positioning System present in Mavic 3 Traditional is much superior to the one discovered within the Phantom 4 Professional.

The security options are there for a cause, and if we replicate a couple of years again, even earlier than the Phantom 4 Professional, they had been virtually non-existent on cheaper drones.

Should you’re fascinated by extra security options which are a part of these drones, we advocate you learn the next article:

» MORE: Drone Security Options (All You Must Know)

Apps

The Mavic 3 Traditional does use the DJI Fly App, which is the most typical and up-to-date app used throughout all of the newer DJI drones.

Alternatively, the Phantom 4 Professional V2.0 makes use of the older DJI Go 4 App.

Whereas extra options and updates are being added to the DJI Fly App that advantages essentially the most drones (excl. firmware updates), the DJI Go 4 will not be but discontinued and continues to obtain help.

One of many greatest downsides with the DJI Mavic 3 collection (not solely the Traditional model) is that it doesn’t help SDK (Software program Growth Package), so it will likely be extra restricted with being suitable with third get together apps.

Alternatively, the Phantom 4 Professional V2.0 absolutely helps SDK. 

This characteristic is normally restricted or restricted on newer drones and is launched as soon as these drones become old, however it’s not at all times.

» MORE: DJI GO 4 vs. Litchi vs. Autopilot: Which App is Greatest?

Ease of Use

With newer drones and higher expertise, drones have turn out to be even simpler to fly, arrange for flight, calibrate, and management.

The DJI Mavic 3 Traditional is one in all them. It’s a really sensible drone with many security options behind it, but it surely does have a couple of newbie instruments to assist anybody get began.

And even if you happen to really feel you’re about to crash the drone, the impediment avoidance sensors ought to assist you to.

It doesn’t take a lot time to set it up. You unfold the arms; propellers can at all times keep on drones as nicely. Activate the DJI RC or RC Professional, or join the cellphone to RC-N1 and fly it.

Alternatively, you’ll at all times have to attach a cell phone to the Phantom 4 Professional Controller, which can require further setup, particularly if you happen to take away the propellers after every flight for transportation.

I’ve flown many drones, and solely a handful can I say are very easy to fly. Included on this are the Mini 3 Professional and 4 Professional and Mavic 3 collection. They’re unbelievable drones for rookies however, on the similar time, intimidating to fly, realizing how a lot they price.

» MORE: Learn how to Fly a Drone: Final Newbie Information (with Drawings)

Conclusion

You in all probability know that I already made up my thoughts lengthy earlier than creating this text – and I’m not influenced by something or anybody nor sponsored to jot down this comparability – I merely wish to state the truth that when you spend the cash on an costly drone, that’s it – there’s largely no turning again.

And each drones are fairly costly for most individuals, and I actually don’t need you to choose the improper one.

So my absolute determination is to choose the Mavic 3 Traditional – for its present value, it’s the most effective drones with a expertise/value ratio. It’s additionally the most cost effective drone you would purchase with a 4/3 inch CMOS, which is extraordinary for pictures, filming, and even business purposes.

The Phantom 4 Professional V2.0 is outdated, and whereas it nonetheless receives help, different drones from the Phantom line don’t. So it will likely be only a matter of time till they cease supporting this drone.

Now, don’t get me improper, if you happen to handle to get a very whole lot for a used Phantom 4 Professional (second model), or with a large low cost as new with a serious value hole between it and the Mavic 3 Traditional, then it’s justifiable to accumulate it.

Aside from that, persist with the Mavic 3 Traditional as you received’t remorse it – or if you happen to can afford so as to add a couple of hundred bucks to your funds, intention for the Mavic 3 Professional because it’s the very best and most superior shopper drone ever created.

» MORE: Greatest Drones for Carrying Weight