The DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral (Mavic 3M) is a compact mapping drone for growers, agronomists and land managers. It pairs a 20 MP Four Thirds RGB camera with four 5 MP multispectral cameras (green, red, red edge and near-infrared) and a sunlight sensor, so software can build NDVI and other crop-health maps. It flies up to 43 minutes, weighs 951 g with its RTK module, and is sold by quote.
Quick facts
| Price | Quote (pricing depends on kit, software and support) |
| Takeoff weight | 951 g (with propellers and RTK module) |
| RGB camera | 4/3 CMOS, 20 MP, 24 mm, f/2.8 to f/11, mechanical shutter |
| Multispectral cameras | 4 × 1/2.8-inch, 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Bands | Green 560 nm, Red 650 nm, Red Edge 730 nm, NIR 860 nm |
| Max flight time | 43 min (37 min hover) |
| Max speed | 21 m/s forward (Sport) |
| Wind resistance | 12 m/s |
| Video link | O3 Enterprise, 15 km (FCC) |
| Obstacle sensing | Omnidirectional vision |
| Controller | DJI RC Pro Enterprise |
Specs are DJI's published figures.
What does the Mavic 3M do?
Healthy plants reflect a lot of near-infrared light and absorb red light. Stressed plants reflect less near-infrared. The Mavic 3M records those narrow bands as calibrated TIFF images, and its top-mounted sunlight sensor records light conditions so readings stay consistent as clouds pass. Processing software then turns the images into vegetation index maps such as NDVI, GNDVI and NDRE. The drone can also show an NDVI, GNDVI or NDRE view in its live video.
Those maps show thin, stressed or bare zones, often before they're obvious from the ground. Common uses:
- Scouting fields and directing ground checks to problem areas
- Building prescription maps for variable-rate spraying, spreading or seeding
- Tracking crop emergence and stand counts
- Monitoring orchards, vineyards, turf and natural areas
A standard camera drone can't do this, because it doesn't record calibrated near-infrared. See what is NDVI.
Mapping accuracy
The RGB camera's mechanical shutter (8 to 1/2000 s) avoids rolling-shutter distortion when the drone shoots while moving, which matters for accurate orthomosaics. With RTK enabled, DJI rates hover accuracy at ±0.1 m. Plan your RTK source (a network service or a D-RTK 3 base station) before your first mission.
How long does it fly?
DJI rates the Mavic 3M at 43 minutes of flight and 37 minutes of hover in calm conditions. Real mapping flights run shorter, because you land with a reserve and wind adds drag. Coverage per battery depends on altitude, overlap and speed, so plan missions in your software rather than relying on one acres-per-flight number. Bring several batteries for larger farms.
Do you need to register it?
Yes. At 951 g it's over 250 g, so register it with the FAA ($5, valid 3 years) and broadcast Remote ID. Mapping fields for your own farm business or for clients is commercial flying, so you need a Part 107 certificate. More: FAA registration.
Mavic 3M vs the Agras spray drones
The Mavic 3M doesn't spray. It finds where to treat. The Agras T25 and Agras T50 apply product. Many operations use both: map with the 3M, then load a prescription into the spray drone. Spraying needs extra FAA approvals and state applicator licensing. See best drone for agriculture.
| Mavic 3 Multispectral | Agras T25 / T50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Job | Crop-health mapping | Spraying and spreading |
| Weight | 951 g | 25.4 kg / 39.9 kg without battery |
| Extra FAA approvals | Part 107 | Part 137 and exemptions |
Before you buy
- Software. Decide how you'll process images, such as DJI Terra or a third-party platform. See best drone mapping software.
- RTK source. Network RTK or a base station.
- Batteries and charging. Field days need several batteries and a vehicle charging plan.
- 2026 rules. Already-authorized DJI models remain legal to buy and fly. See is DJI banned in the US.
Common mistakes
- Flying at midday with changing cloud. Even with the sunlight sensor, steady light gives more consistent maps.
- Low overlap. Gaps break the stitched map. Use your software's recommended overlap.
- Expecting a diagnosis. NDVI shows where plants differ, not why. Ground-truth every zone.
Quick answers
Can it record video? Yes, 4K/30 from the RGB camera and 1080p from the multispectral cameras.
Is it good for general mapping? Yes. The 4/3 mechanical-shutter RGB camera is a capable mapping camera.
Ready to price a kit? Request a quote or browse the agriculture collection.
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