DJI Mavic 3

Initial Reviews

2021-11-29 22:25

So DJI launched the Mavic 3, and it has killer features on paper...

However, the launch hasn't gone smoothly, with lots of people complaining about the following things:


There's plenty of drama going on online, so let's break it down...

First Impressions

DJI Mavic 3 - What's in the basic package

It's pretty compact and sub 900g

It's pretty slender when deployed

The dual camera setup looks impressive at first glance

Overview of Advertised Features

Before and at launch, DJI advertised the following features for the Mavic 3:

Missing and incomplete Features [Yes, It's True]

At launch, the DJI Fly app doesn't let you do Hyperlapses or panoramic photos, as initially advertised. But the upcoming firmware update in January 2022 *should* add those features. Not a showstopper for now, but for those looking for those features specifically, I'd wait until January before deciding if I'd buy one.

At launch, the telephoto camera can only film in Auto at 30fps. Despite the limited frame rate, such strong zoom capability is a pretty cool feature to have on a drone, especially if your videography use case relies on zooming in to subjects from afar (or if you're James Bond performing covert surveillance. Just sayin'), but it's more a fun feature right now that won't currently satisfy the consumate videophotography professionals that bought this drone just for that.

You've been warned. Even if you're a billionaire and you don't care.

Drifting and Fly Away Issues

At launch, the DJI Fly app doesn't let you do Hyperlapses or panoramic photos, as initially advertised. But the upcoming software update in January 2022 *should* add those features. Not a showstopper for now, but for those looking for those features specifically, I'd wait until January before deciding if I'd buy one.

At launch, the telephoto camera can only film in Auto at 30fps. It's a pretty cool feature to have on a drone, especially if your use case relies on zooming in to subjects from afar (or if you're James Bond performing covert surveillance. Just sayin'), but it's more a fun feature right now that won't currently satisfy the consumate videophotography professionals that bought this drone just for that.

You've been warned. Even if you're a billionaire and you don't care.

Weirdness in DJI Fly app and controls [OK Fine, Yes]

Some people have complained that the Mavic 3 just feels weird to use... I haven't flown one, so I can't confirm or deny these, but I've heard:

It's Overpriced [No, It's Not - YOU GET A LOT FOR YOUR $$$]

Is it overpriced? Here are the prices at time of launch on the DJI Official Store:

I wish I could buy the Mavic 3 Fly More Combo, but I don't have the budget (or justification) to buy it right now. I'd buy the Cine Premium Combo without hesitation if I was a billionaire right now, but let's stay grounded for a moment (pun intended)...

But it's definitely not overpriced...

First off, the gimbal-mounted hyperlapse-making Hasselblad camera alone justified the price; I mean it shoots RAW photography as well as 5.1k Apple ProRes and 120fps 4K! 

Hi-end film cameras are super expensive. Hell, try finding a sub USD$3k DSLR camera that's capable of such specs, and then we'll talk... So for what this does, it's a bargain for most serious professionals. If anything, it's slightly underpriced (DJI, don't let this get to your head)!

If you're just a hobbyist drone amateur like me, DJI gives you plenty of other more affordable and similarly-capable options:

So what does this mean for early adopters looking to buy a Mavic 3? Or for those billionaires looking for stocking stuffers for their grandkids just as Christmas is around the corner?

DJI Extended the warranty on the Mavic 3 for early adopters because they paid attention and heard the complaints, but they also have a firmware update coming in January to HOPEFULLY address all the incomplete and missing features and polish the DJI Fly app experience. The equipment is all there, so if they can fix the issues this will be one very capable drone.

Bottom Line: wait until January to get one if you can