DJI Mavic 3 Classic - A Landscape Photographer's Review

I’ve been using the Mavic 3 Classic for a couple of months for trips to Norway, Greenland and Iceland and putting it through it’s paces. Here are my thoughts after long term usage creating images and cinematic video. Thanks to DJI who sent me the Mavic 3 for this review.

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
2:23 Build Quality
3:45 Video Quality
6:44 Photo Quality
7:52 Flight Performance
9:30 Connectivity
10:16 Active Track
11:15 Obstacle Avoidance Sensors
12:27 Battery Life & Flight Time
14:42 Conclusion

If you're interested in purchasing any of the gear I use in this video, and you enjoy my videos, please support my work by clicking on the affiliate links below.
Thanks so much.

Drone:

Camera & Lens:

Backpack & Tripod:

Filters:

[Roy.story.]

Man andy i like that when you make these videos the samples your using are awesome. the samples ive seen on youtube are

[john_norris]

Great video Andy. I have a Air 2S and it is very helpful to watch your insights on the latest models. Thanks for all your output! 👍

[GoodcoStudios]

Amazing review and perspective. The beautiful images were such a lovely bonus. You are very talented sir!

[steaneblanch]

Great review....it's so good to have a real review and not another 'marketing' review. Some superb footage.

[rubenruiz]

Excelent video and review from a profesional perspective. Thanks!

[Xoot]

Drones becoming popular and having this level of quality is such a gift. Now almost anyone can make high quality nature documentaries etc.

[GabrielTheGuide]

Very informative video with examples of beautiful footage. I'm definitely considering the Mavic 3 Classic when my AIR 2S retires.

[damienhayes]

Thanks for this, it was just the review for me

[Richardtwood]

This is a wonderully thoughtful and helpful review. I have got 102 hours of flight time with the Mavic 2 Pro and 9 with the Mavic 3 Classic. I fully agree with your observations about the Classic. 90% of my flights have been over water and i now find it safer for the drone than flying over land. I am carefull when flying below 4 and I do have insurance with State Farm as opposed to DJI Care.

[mikeo.]

I really do love the classic! It was very much worth the price. It’s my first drone. The battery is amazing and when paired with my goal zero Sherpa 100 ac I really don’t need a second battery. By the time I get to my destination my battery is usually topped up again. As even 40minutes of flight time gives me amazing footage. Though as a first time operator I didn’t realize yes I have a lot of time, but you should really plan what you are going to do before doing it. Getting good videos definitely takes practice too. Though so far love pushing it to its limits! Thanks for the review really enjoyed it!

[fuglbird]

You are using your drone exactly as I want to use mine. This review was very useful to me. Thank you.

[frstesiste]

Very informative and inspiring video. Just used a drone a few times so far and your footage really show what can be done. As for DJI and 20MP I'd guess they didn't have much choice. As far as I know the options are either a 20MP Sony sensor or the 25MP Panasonic use with less DR and maybe higher power drain.

[DCFotographs]

Ive been battling between a classic or regular mavic 3. Cant wait to dive into the review

[kadeem.spencer]

Happy to see the quality this drone produces. I recently ordered one and can’t wait to start using it!

Did you use any type of filters while shooting?

Also, did you colour grade the standard footage?

[peterfritzphoto]

Great video, Andy. I just sold mine for the 3 Pro, which arrived just this afternoon. I shoot almost all my landscapes at the long end, so having the 70mm and 166mm lenses is going to be awesome.

[danielthomas]

Thank you for this so nice review. I saw some pictures from the Air 3 and I felt very disapointed.... Yes for the 70mm I agree with you... but for video it looks very nice.... I am also a photographer... having a Canon. R5.... the DJI MAVIC # pro is very. high expensive.... so I believe the classic could fulfil my need.... too bad I would have loved to download some of your pictures... just to appreciate the image quality.... Thanks Again. !

[Northernbreed]

I'm torn - getting close to either a M3C or the M3Pro, and while I don't expect I'd use the 7x zoom much, I do think there might be some use for the 3x (70mm equiv) zoom. Still, given the quality of the main 24mm equiv camera, that may very well be all I want and need. Thanks for the great review.

[John_McFadden]

Fantastic video, Andy. Great to hear a review of the Classic from your perspective. I'm primarily interested in using it for landscape photography rather than videography. I understand why people use neutral density filters when shooting videos with a drone. I'm curious if you have used polarising filters for landscape photography with your drone? I'm not sure how that would work with a drone since when using one on a camera lens you have to adjust the filter depending on the angle between the sun and the lens. Obviously you can't do that with a drone in flight, so I'm not clear about the advantages of using a polariser on a drone. Cheers!

[JulioFiadi]

Hi Andy.
Lots os thanks
A very good review.

Do you know is it is possible to turn off de under sensors, to land on hands ?
I was not able to do that on my Mavic 3 Classic.

[canonshoooter]

Your work is inspiring. I recently purchased the Mavic 3. I have heard flying over water that the drone may drop inadvertently in altitude due to the reflective nature of water. Is this a real concern & have you had this experience?