DJI Mavic 3 Pro photo and video quality: what to expect

The DJI Mavic 3 Pro's image quality is excellent on its main camera and good on its two telephotos. The 24 mm Hasselblad has a Four Thirds 20 MP sensor with up to 12.8 stops of native dynamic range (DJI's figure), 5.1K video and an f/2.8 to f/11 aperture. The 70 mm uses a 48 MP 1/1.3-inch sensor and the 166 mm a 12 MP 1/2-inch sensor, so they're a step down in low light, but all three record 10-bit D-Log M.

Mavic 3 Pro cameras compared — DJI's specs for the three Mavic 3 Pro cameras. The Hasselblad main camera leads on every measure; the teles trade sensor size for reach.

Hasselblad 24 mm camera

Video: 5.1K at 24 to 50 fps, DCI 4K and 4K up to 60 fps, and 4K/120 slow motion. Up to 200 Mbps in H.264/H.265.
Photos: 20 MP, 12-bit RAW, with Hasselblad's HNCS color.
Color: Normal, HLG, D-Log and D-Log M.
Strengths: dynamic range, low noise, smooth highlight roll-off, and the adjustable aperture.

This is the same Four Thirds camera as the Mavic 3 Classic, so main-camera quality is identical between the two.

70 mm medium tele

Video: 4K at up to 60 fps, 160 Mbps.
Photos: 12 MP or 48 MP.
Color: Normal, HLG and D-Log M.

The 70 mm is the most useful second lens for many pilots. It compresses perspective, isolates subjects and lets you film people, cars and buildings from a comfortable distance. In good light it's sharp and close to the main camera; at dusk it shows noise sooner.

166 mm tele

Video: 4K at up to 60 fps.
Photos: 12 MP.
Aperture: f/3.4, the darkest of the three.

The 166 mm reaches far: wildlife, distant landmarks, and layered mountain shots. Its small sensor is the weak point. Use it in good light, keep ISO low, and fly in calm air because long lenses magnify every bit of drift and haze.

Does it shoot ProRes?

Only the Mavic 3 Pro Cine records Apple ProRes (422 HQ, 422 and 422 LT) on all three cameras. The standard Mavic 3 Pro records H.264 and H.265. For most YouTube, social and client work, 10-bit H.265 D-Log M is plenty.

Low-light quality

Normal video reaches ISO 6400 on all cameras, and Night mode extends to 12800 on the 24 mm and 70 mm. The Four Thirds sensor handles twilight cleanly; the teles get noisy sooner. See Mavic 3 Pro night mode.

Where it falls short

Teles aren't Four Thirds. Expect visible quality steps when you cut between cameras in dim light.
No native vertical video. You crop from a horizontal frame. See Mavic 3 Pro vertical video.
20 MP main stills are fewer pixels than newer drones offer, though the pixels are larger and cleaner.

Mavic 3 Pro vs Mavic 4 Pro image quality

The Mavic 4 Pro moves to a 100 MP Four Thirds main camera with 6K/60 HDR video, a 50 MP 168 mm tele and DJI-rated dynamic range of up to 15.5 stops. If you need the newest sensor, it's the upgrade; if you want three cameras for less, the Mavic 3 Pro still delivers. Compare them in Mavic 3 Pro vs Mavic 4 Pro.

To get the most from it, start with best Mavic 3 Pro settings, or shop the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.