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The DJI Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine are two of the most advanced drones available today, designed to meet the needs of both professional photographers and videographers. The Mavic 3 Cine is the newest addition to this series and was specifically created with filmmakers in mind who require high-quality cinematic footage.
When comparing the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine, it’s essential to note that both models come equipped with a 5.1K camera capable of capturing footage at 50 frames per second. This is an important difference between them as it guarantees high-quality video production and produces smooth cinematic footage. Furthermore, the larger sensor on the Mavic 3 Cine provides better low-light performance as well as increased dynamic range.
The Mavic 3 Cine is also more compact and portable than its smaller sibling, making it easier to transport and use in various shooting scenarios. Unfortunately, these features come at a higher price point, making the Mavic 3 Cine more of a premium choice.
Ultimately, the decision between the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine will come down to your personal needs and preferences. Whether for professional filmmaking or recreational uses, both drones offer a range of advanced features and capabilities that will elevate any aerial photography or videography project.
Let’s break down these two drones’ differences so you can make an informed decision.
DJI Mavic 3 vs. Mavic 3 Cine: Side-by-Side Comparison
| DJI Mavic 3 | DJI Mavic 3 Cine | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 900g | 899g |
| Apple ProRes? | No | Yes |
| Resolution | 5.1K 50 FPS | 5.1K 50 FPS |
| Speed | 75 m/s | 75 m/s |
| Internal Memory | 8GB | 1TB |
| Maximum Flight Time | 46 minutes | 46 minutes |
| Remote | DJI RC-N1 | DJI RC Pro |
| Maximum Flight Distance | 30km | 30km |
| Camera | 12MP | 20MP |
- With a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, the sensor provides a 12.8-stop dynamic range that retains more details in highlights and shadows
- 46 Minutes of flight time
- Equipped with advanced Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, letting you fly confidently and safely wherever you are
- 15-kilometer max transmission range, which means you can fly farther to explore and capture more
- O3 Plus Transmission system for smooth and stable live feeds are smooth and stable.
- Smart Return to Home with a new Advanced RTH system whether activated by low battery or the pilot
- 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, providing a 12.8-stop dynamic range
- 46 Minutes of flight time
- DJI Mavic 3 Cine is equipped with advanced Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, letting you fly safely no matter where you are
- 15-kilometer max transmission range, which means you can fly farther to explore and capture more
- O3 Plus Transmission system, for smooth and stable live feeds
- Smart Return to Home with a new Advanced RTH system, Mavic 3 camera drone can return to its home point on a fast, safe, and optimized route whether activated by low battery or the pilot
DJI Mavic 3 vs. Mavic 3 Cine: What’s the Difference?
When selecting between the DJI Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine, choosing one over another can be difficult due to their distinct features. Let’s start by comparing their differences one by one.
Camera Specifications
The DJI Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine have distinct camera specifications. The Mavic 3 Cine features a 20MP resolution camera, while the Mavic 3 only offers a 12MP resolution. This difference in resolution allows the Mavic 3 Cine to capture more detail and produce sharper images than its counterpart.
In addition, shooting in Apple ProRes — an advanced video codec used by professionals for editing — gives professionals more freedom during postproduction and results in better color grading. On the contrary, the Mavic 3 does not support Apple ProRes, meaning footage captured by this model may require additional work during postproduction to achieve the desired look desired.
Internal Memory
Another major difference between the Mavic 3 and 3 Cine is their internal memory capacity. The DJI Mavic 3 Cine boasts an impressive 1TB, while the Mavic 3 only has 8GB. This means that, with the Mavic 3 Cine, you can store much more footage before having to offload it. This is especially useful for professional videographers who may need to shoot for extended periods without access to external storage devices.
Furthermore, having more internal space gives you more options during post-production as your footage will always be accessible without needing transfer from an external source.
Remote and Accessories
The Mavic 3 Cine comes with the DJI RC Pro remote controller, featuring a 5.0-inch display for convenient access to the drone’s camera feed. This makes for easier flying when both drones are at full power. Contrastingly, the Mavic 3 comes equipped with the DJI RC-N1 remote controller that requires an external device like a smartphone or tablet to display the camera feed.
However, the Mavic 3 is compatible with the DJI Smart Controller, an optional accessory that provides a built-in display similar to the RC Pro. Additionally, the Mavic 3 Cine comes with its own lens filter set that is not included with the Mavic 3. These filters can be useful for adjusting exposure settings and achieving certain looks on camera.
Flight Time and Distance
Both the DJI Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine have the same maximum flight time of 46 minutes and a range of 30km. However, the Mavic 3 Cine offers SmartTrack, which enables it to automatically follow and track a subject.
This is ideal for capturing cinematic footage of fast-moving objects like cars or athletes that cannot be tracked with other drones. Though both drones offer similar flight time and distance capabilities, the Mavic 3 Cine may be better suited for professional videographers needing advanced tracking capabilities.
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Weight and Size
The DJI Mavic 3 Cine and Mavic 3 share similar weights at 899g and 900g, respectively. They share similar sizes as well, however the Mavic 3 Cine features a larger camera than its counterpart, which may make navigating tight spaces or taking footage in restricted spaces more challenging.
Again, having more surface area exposed to windy conditions also leaves the drone more susceptible to crashes due to greater wind resistance.
Design
The DJI Mavic 3 Cine and DJI Mavic 3 have similar designs. Both feature a foldable design, and their dimensions are nearly identical. However, there are some subtle distinctions between the two models.
The DJI Mavic 3 boasts a sleek design and lightweight body, making it easy to carry around. Measuring 283.0 x 107.7 x 347.5mm in dimension and weighing 900g, this drone also features an innovative foldable design, making storage and transport much simpler.
The DJI Mavic 3 Cine has a similar design as its rival. In addition, it weighs 899g more and measures 221 x 96.3 x 90mm. The main distinction is that the Mavic 3 Cine features metallic gold stripes along its body for easy identification.
Performance
Both the DJI Mavic 3 Cine and Mavic 3 offer impressive performance capabilities. However, the Mavic 3 Cine has been designed specifically for professional cinematography, so it boasts some unique features.
The DJI Mavic 3 features a 20-megapixel camera capable of shooting 5.1K videos at 50 frames per second and its 3-axis gimbal for stable footage. It can fly at an impressive 75m/s maximum speed and boasts an impressive flight time of 46 minutes.
The DJI Mavic 3 Cine features the same camera and video capabilities as DJI Mavic 3 and Apple ProRes support for professional-looking videos. Plus, its DJI RC Pro remote controller gives users greater control over their drone’s movements. In addition, with 1TB of internal storage capacity, users can store hours of footage.
DJI Mavic 3 vs. Mavic 3 Cine: 9 Must-Know Facts
- Both drones can shoot at 5.1K resolution at 50 frames per second.
- The DJI Mavic 3 Cine has more internal memory of 1TB than its counterpart, while the DJI Mavic 3 only offers 8GB.
- Only the DJI Mavic 3 Cine can capture videos in Apple ProRes format — something the Mavic 3 isn’t capable of doing.
- Both drones offer a maximum flight time of 46 minutes and cover 30 kilometers.
- The DJI Mavic 3 Cine comes with the DJI RC Pro remote, while the Mavic 3 utilizes the DJI RC-N1 remote.
- Both drones have an effective maximum speed of 75 meters per second.
- The DJI Mavic 3 Cine weighs 899 grams, while its predecessor, the DJI Mavic 3, weighs 900 grams.
- The DJI Mavic 3 Cine camera measures 20 megapixels, while the DJI Mavic 3’s only measures 12 megapixels.
- The DJI Mavic 3 Cine is designed specifically for professional filmmakers, while the DJI Mavic 3 targets aerial photographers and videographers.
The History of DJI
DJI is a well-known Chinese technology company renowned for its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology expertise. Established over 17 years ago by Frank Wang in Shenzhen, Guangdong province of China, the company’s name stands as an abbreviation of Shenzhen DJI Sciences and Technologies, Ltd.
DJI has made waves in the market due to its specialization in drone functionality, photography, and videography. Also, they specialize in camera equipment like gimbals, action cameras, propulsion systems, and flight control systems, making them one of the leading providers of consumer and professional drones worldwide.
DJI has received significant investments from financial entities owned by the Chinese state, which have enabled it to expand operations and stay ahead of competitors. As a result, DJI is now one of the major players in the UAV industry with a market share exceeding 75% by 2021.
DJI’s UAV development and manufacturing have found numerous applications in film/television, defense, and law enforcement industries. This has given professionals in these fields the capacity to capture high-quality aerial footage, making their jobs easier and more efficient.
DJI is renowned for its commitment to innovation in drone technology, consistently pushing boundaries. This has resulted in groundbreaking features such as obstacle avoidance, GPS tracking, and advanced camera stabilization.
DJI has quickly become a renowned leader in the UAV industry due to its technical proficiency, creativity, and dedication to quality. With an unmatched market presence and expansive product lineup, the company has cemented itself as one of the premiere providers of drone technology worldwide.
- With a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, the sensor provides a 12.8-stop dynamic range that retains more details in highlights and shadows
- 46 Minutes of flight time
- Equipped with advanced Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, letting you fly confidently and safely wherever you are
- 15-kilometer max transmission range, which means you can fly farther to explore and capture more
- O3 Plus Transmission system for smooth and stable live feeds are smooth and stable.
- Smart Return to Home with a new Advanced RTH system whether activated by low battery or the pilot
- 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, providing a 12.8-stop dynamic range
- 46 Minutes of flight time
- DJI Mavic 3 Cine is equipped with advanced Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, letting you fly safely no matter where you are
- 15-kilometer max transmission range, which means you can fly farther to explore and capture more
- O3 Plus Transmission system, for smooth and stable live feeds
- Smart Return to Home with a new Advanced RTH system, Mavic 3 camera drone can return to its home point on a fast, safe, and optimized route whether activated by low battery or the pilot
DJI Mavic 3 vs. Mavic 3 Cine: Which One is Better?
In the battle between the DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Mavic 3 Cine, the 3 Cine comes out on top based on several factors, including resolution, internal memory, Apple ProRes support, and camera quality.
Both drones offer 5.1K resolution at 50 frames per second. However, DJI Mavic 3 Cine boasts more internal memory, with 1TB compared to 8GB for the DJI Mavic 3. The DJI Mavic 3 Cine also uses Apple ProRes format for higher quality footage and greater postproduction options.
Additionally, the DJI Mavic 3 Cine weighs slightly less than its counterpart, the DJI Mavic 3, which may be an advantage to some users. Furthermore, its camera boasts 20 megapixels compared to just 12 pixels on the DJI Mavic 3.
The DJI Mavic 3 Cine is a better option for those seeking a drone with higher resolution, larger internal memory, Apple ProRes support, a faster remote, lighter weight, and a superior camera. While the DJI Mavic 3 remains an excellent choice for drone enthusiasts, the DJI Mavic 3 Cine offers superior features tailored towards professional filmmakers and videographers.
