Get the Mavic 4 Pro ($2,419) if you work alone or travel light: it folds to about 1 kg, flies 51 minutes, and its 100 MP 4/3 Hasselblad camera plus 70 mm and 168 mm tele cameras cover most professional jobs. Get the Inspire 3 (quote) if you shoot high-end film, TV or commercials with a crew: its full-frame 8K camera takes interchangeable DJI DL lenses, records CinemaDNG and ProRes RAW, and supports a separate camera operator. Both need FAA registration and Part 107 for paid work.
Specs side by side
| Mavic 4 Pro | Inspire 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,419 (Fly More Combo $3,189) | Quote |
| Weight | 1,063 g | About 4 kg with camera, lens and batteries |
| Main sensor | 4/3 in, 100 MP | Full-frame, 8K |
| Lenses | 28 mm f/2.0 to f/11, 70 mm f/2.8, 168 mm f/2.8 | DL 18, 24, 35, 50 and 75 mm |
| Max video | 6K/60 HDR, DCI 4K/120 | 8K/75 ProRes RAW, 8K/25 CinemaDNG |
| Raw video | No | CinemaDNG and ProRes RAW |
| Log profiles | D-Log, D-Log M, HLG (10-bit) | Raw formats above |
| Max flight time | 51 min | 28 min |
| Max speed | 25 m/s (90 km/h) | 94 km/h |
| Wind resistance | 12 m/s | 14 m/s in flight |
| Obstacle sensing | Omnidirectional vision + forward LiDAR | Omnidirectional vision |
| Video link (FCC) | O4+, 30 km | 15 km (FPV camera) |
| Storage | 64 GB internal + microSD | DJI PROSSD 1TB |
| Dual operator | No | Yes |
Prices are our current prices. Specs are DJI's published figures.
The key differences
Image capture. The Inspire 3's full-frame sensor and raw recording are built for productions that grade and composite footage alongside cinema cameras. You choose the lens for the shot, from an 18 mm wide to a 75 mm f/1.8. The Mavic 4 Pro's 4/3 sensor is smaller, but at 100 MP with 10-bit D-Log and 6K, it delivers footage that holds up for most commercial, real estate, documentary and travel work, with three focal lengths always ready.
Crew and control. The Inspire 3 supports dual control: one person flies while another operates the gimbal camera. That's how most aerial cinematography is done for complex moves. The Mavic 4 Pro is a one-person drone, though its Infinity Gimbal can rotate 360° and tilt 70° upward for creative angles.
Flight time and logistics. The Mavic 4 Pro flies 51 minutes on one battery. The Inspire 3 flies about 28 minutes per pair of batteries and needs a case, charging station and SSDs. A day of Inspire work means more batteries, more setup and usually two people.
Speed and wind. The Inspire 3 reaches 94 km/h and DJI rates it for 14 m/s wind in flight, useful for chasing vehicles and flying in exposed locations. The Mavic 4 Pro tops out at 25 m/s (90 km/h) with a 12 m/s wind rating.
Size and travel. The Mavic 4 Pro fits in a backpack. The Inspire 3 needs a large transport case and more setup time on location.
Who each one is for
- Mavic 4 Pro: solo filmmakers, real estate and marketing videographers, documentary and travel shooters, and as a B-camera on bigger productions.
- Inspire 3: film and TV productions, commercial crews, and anyone who must match a cinema camera's look and workflow.
Availability
The Mavic 4 Pro is legal to buy and fly in the US, but DJI never launched it on its US store, so our stock is limited. See Mavic 4 Pro in the USA. The Inspire 3 is quoted with the lenses and accessories your production needs.
Common mistakes
- Buying an Inspire 3 for solo work. Without a camera operator, you lose much of what it offers.
- Underbudgeting the Inspire system. Lenses, batteries, SSDs and a charging station add up.
- Assuming the Mavic 4 Pro shoots raw video. It records H.264 and H.265, with log profiles for grading.
Quick answers
Is the Inspire 3 under the 55 lb Part 107 limit? Yes, at about 4 kg. Register it and fly under Part 107 for paid work.
Which is better for real estate? The Mavic 4 Pro, by a wide margin on cost and setup time.
Read the Inspire 3 guide and Mavic 4 Pro guide, or contact us to build an Inspire 3 quote.
Related guides
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- DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mavic 4 Pro: which should you buy?
- Is the DJI Mavic 4 Pro worth it? An honest review of who should buy it
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