You may be looking for a Mavic 3 alternative if the price is offputting or you do not want to purchase a DJI drone. With each new drone release, DJI introduces a whole new range of capabilities and pushes the limits of some specifications. This article will go through a range of alternative drones to the Mavic 3 based on its most celebrated features.
Some of the best Mavic three alternatives include the Autel Lite (for similar camera specs), Parrot USA (for zoom capabilities), Autel Evo 2 (for obstacle sensing capabilities), and the DJI Mini 3 Pro and Air 2S for flight time and quick shots.
Here are all of the drones that you should consider and the features that are comparable to the best features of the DJI Mavic 3.
Similar Camera – Autel Lite
One of the best features of the DJI Mavic 3 is its upgraded camera. It has an incredible Swedish brand camera with a professional-grade 4/3 CMOS. It can take photos of up to 20 megapixels and has an adjustable aperture from f/2.8 to f/11.
It provides natural colour to the photographs taken and allows for a greater dynamic range preserving the rich visual information captured and a much greater sense of depth.
The Autel Lite drone has the capabilities of this main Mavic 3 camera and can provide a similarly high dynamic range as the DJI Mavic 3.
Here are the specifications compared for each drone:
| Spec | Mavic 3 | Autel Evo Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 4/3 CMOS, Effective pixels: 20 MP | CMOS: 1/1.28 inch Effective pixels: 50M |
| Lens | FOV: 84° Format Equivalent: 24 mm Aperture: f/2.8 to f/11 Focus: 1 m to ∞ (with autofocus) | FOV: 85° Equivalent focal length: 23mm Aperture: f/1.9 Focus range: 0.5m ~ ∞ Focus mode: PDAF+CDAF/MF |
| ISO Range | Video: 100-6400 Still Image: 100-6400 | Video: ISO100 ~ ISO6400 Photo: ISO100 ~ ISO6400 Night scene mode: ISO up to 64000 |
| Shutter Speed | Electronic Shutter: 8-1/8000 s | Photo mode: 1/8000 ~ 8s |
| Max Image Size | Main Unit: 5280×3956 | 50MP：8192×6144（4:3） |
| Still Photography Modes | Single shot: 20MP Photos Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 20 MP, 3/5 bracketed frames at 0.7 EV Timed: 20 MP, 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 s | Single shot Burst shooting: 3/5 Auto exposure bracketing(AEB): 3/5 shots Interval: 2s/3s/4s/5s (default)/6s/…/60s (DNG min 5s) HDR imaging: 8192×6144/4096×3072/3840×2160 HyperLight: 8192×6144/4096×3072/3840×2160 |
You can see that the Autel Lite drone has a very similar series of specs to the Mavic 3, and if you are looking for a drone that can capture just as impressive photos, this is a great option for you.
Similar Zoom capabilities – Parrot USA
One of the fantastic features that the Mavic 3 introduced to the DJI drone ecosystem was a 4 times digital zoom camera. The zoom introduction meant that you could get a close up of the subject of your photo but didn’t have to get physically close.
If you’re looking for a drone with fantastic zoom capabilities that even outstrips the Mavic 3, I would highly recommend looking at the Parrot series.
The Parrot USA features a dual optical camera which can observe people from up to 2 km away with its 32 times zoom camera.
Here are the Tele camera features for both of the drones.
| Spec | Mavic 3 | Parrot USA |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/2-inch CMOS | 1/2.4’’ |
| Zoom | 4 x digital zoom | 5x => 32x in 1080 p The focal leap between the wide camera (1x to 5x) and the telephoto camera (5x to 32x) is automatic, guaranteeing a continuous zoom. |
Other drones that have a digital zoom capability that may also be a great fit for a DJI Mavic 3 alternative include:
- Autel Evo Lite and Evo Lite+ – 16 times digital zoom
- Autel Nano – 16 times digital zoom
- Mavic Air 2S – 8 times digital zoom
- Mini 2 – 4 times digital zoom (FHD)
- Mini 3 Pro – 4 times digital zoom (FHD)
Similar obstacle sensing – Autel Evo 2
Another great feature of the DJI Mavic 3 is omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
It enjoys the help of multiple wide-angle vision sensors that use an ocular vision to sense obstacles in all directions and plan a safe flight around them. It provides a 360° bubble of safety around the drone. Advanced obstacle sensing means that it can also navigate complex environments and return home even in the most challenging situations.
The Autel Evo 2 is a fantastic alternative if obstacle avoidance is important to you. This drone features 19 groups of sensors (including 12 visual senses, the main camera, ultrasound, and many inertial measurement units) to build 3D maps and plan a path through complex terrain in real life.
Here is the Autel Evo 2 navigating a complex environment using its 360° obstacle avoidance capabilities:
The dynamic, active tracking can simultaneously predict the speeds and location of many targets and identify 64 objects simultaneously.
If complex environments are where you are flying your drone regularly and you are looking for the best DJI Mavic 3 alternative, this drone should be higher on your list.
Similar flight time – DJI Mini 3 Pro
If you’re looking for a drone with a similar flight time to the DJI Mavic 3, I would recommend looking no further than the DJI ecosystem and looking at the DJI mini 3 Pro.
Here are the specifications of both the DJI Mavic 3 and the DJI mini 3 Pro to understand the differences between each of the drone’s performances.
| Spec | Mavic 3 | Mini 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Max Flight Time (no wind) | 46 minutes | 34 mins (with Intelligent Flight Battery and measured while flying at 21.6 kph in windless conditions) 47 mins (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus [7] and measured while flying at 21.6 kph in windless conditions). Only available in select countries. |
| Max Hovering Time (no wind) | 40 minutes | 30 mins (with Intelligent Flight Battery, no wind) 40 mins (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus [7], no wind) |
| Max Flight Distance | 30 km | 18 km (with Intelligent Flight Battery and measured while flying at 43.2 kph in windless conditions) 25 km (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus [7] and measured while flying at 43.2 kph in windless conditions) |
With the intelligent flight battery plus the DJI Mavic mini 3 Pro, you’ll notice that very much lives up to the flight time you can expect from the bigger and more powerful DJI Mavic 3.
Similar Quick shots – DJI Air 2S
The DJI Mavic 3 comes with a dizzying array of additional features, including an active track, master shots, panoramas, hyper-lapse, and quick shots.
To get a similar array of additional features, I recommend purchasing the DJI Mavic Air 2S, which will also have access to the similar smart shots that DJI has made easy for the beginner pilot.
| Soec | Mavic 3 | Air 2S |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | Hyper-lapse, wide-angle, master shots, active track, quick high-speed transfer, panorama, quick shots. | Hyper-lapse, wide-angle, 180°, sphere, mastershots, Spotlight, active track, point of interest, |
Both drones have master shots which are where the drone takes control of all of the important shots with just a single tap. By selecting your subject, the drone will fill and execute ten different manoeuvres in sequence, always keeping your subject in the centre of the frame and generating a short cinematic video afterwards. Never has it been so easy to capture incredible and shareable shots.
Summary
If you are looking for the best DJI Mavic 3 alternative, there are many options. DJI introduces a new set of features for each drone release, and the market is keeping up with its pace. From drones manufactured by other companies to DJI drones with similar capabilities, there is almost always another option that can replace the DJI Mavic 3 capabilities.
Choosing a drone that balances the appropriate features you need is important in deciding the best drone for you. In this article, we have been through all of the highlighted and marketed features of the DJI Mavic 3 and looked at an alternative.
