DJI introduced the Mavic 3 Classic — a scaled-back alternative to its pricey cinematic Mavic 3. Dropping the quadcopter’s telephoto lens also drops the price (from a whopping $1,899 to a slightly-less whopping $1,469) and puts it in price comparison with its older Mavic 2 Pro model ($1,449).
But let’s take a look at what the change really means.
The Mavic 3 Classic comparison
The Classic still includes a lot of the glitzy features offered by the Mavic 3.
Its centerpiece is a 20-megapixel, 24mm-equivalent Hasselblad camera — nothing to sniff at when it can shoot 5.1K video up to 50 frames per second (fps) and capture 12-bit RAW photos.
Further: Its peak flight time is 46 minutes, with a range of up to 9.3 miles. The O3+ transmission system sends 1080p 60 fps video straight to your remote. And while you’ll still want to fly within line of sight, the AirSense ADS-B receiver warns of nearby aircraft when operating in higher altitudes.
Is it worth it?
The Mavic 3 Classic’s base price of $1,469 will only score you the drone, meaning no remote and no charger. Really, the drone’s meant for DJI users who want to upgrade but already have all the gear.
If you want the standard kit — including the charger and basic RC-N1 remote — you’ll be looking at $1,599. What about the display-equipped DJI RC remote? That’s $1,749. For the Fly More add-on, which gets you two batteries, a charging hub, a car charger, three pairs of quiet propellers and a convertible carrying bag, it’ll be an additional $649.
Suit your needs
Beginners probably aren’t going to be looking at the Mavic 3 Classic. For a tighter budget, the DJU Air 2S ($999) or the DJI Mini 3 Pro ($679) could be worth consideration.
That said, if you don’t need long-zoom shots, you might not miss the telephoto lens. The Classic still punches above its weight — even if the price does, too.
