Key Points:
- If you are looking for a great camera, this drone is definitely for you!These advanced maneuvers are also included: Helix, Rocket, Circle, Dronie, and Boomerang.The price tag for this model may be a bit too high if this is going to be your first drone.
In November 2021, the DJI Mavic 3 Cine was released to the impatiently waiting drone enthusiast crowd. It is an upgraded version of the DJI Mavic 3 that was introduced at the same time. After a year of hands-on use and testing, what are the conclusions we, and other pro users, can share with certainty?
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We’ll break down every detail here to help you decide if this package is right for the type of control, video, and photo quality that you’re expecting. Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of the DJI Mavic 3 Cine and see how it stacks up.
DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo: Best Deal Today
DJI Mavic 3 Cine: Overview
To be precise, we’re going to be evaluating the DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo, the only package available with the Cine model. The standard Mavic 3 can be purchased alone or with the Fly More Combo, which we will use for some comparisons later on.
The Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo is a pro kit intended for the serious aerial footage creator. The great thing about the Cine, if your budget can handle it, is the technology of this unit makes it usable for the beginner as well.
Let’s take our overview deeper and look at some of the main points that you need to know, like costs, features, and options if you’re thinking about buying the Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo.
Release Date and Price
The DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo was released on November 4th, 2021, and for many users, including ourselves, did not disappoint. The price of $4,999.00 is more of a side issue if you’re serious about your drone footage.
The big question out there is whether the Cine Premium Combo is worth that price. Our short answer is simple – Yes. Although the Mavic 3 Fly More Combo will get you in the game, the Cine upgrade will make you Michael Jordan. The jump from good to great comes down to a few key features that we’ll break down in a minute.
- Video FormatSmart ControllerStorage
Different Models
There are two models of this drone available, the Mavic 3 and the Mavic 3 Cine. They have a lot in common, but our goal here is to focus on the things that set the two apart. With that in mind, we’ll begin our features list with one commonality that really needs to be covered in depth – the camera.
We’ll take a look at the Hasselblad 5.1K camera that’s included with both the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine, then go into the features that only come with the Cine.
Features
- The Camera – We could do an entire article on the Hasselblad camera that comes with the Mavic 3 and the Mavic 3 Cine all by itself. One thing to keep in mind is that when you get used to using a camera this good, you’re not going to be satisfied with lesser models. This dual camera offers 20mp 5.1k wide-angle 4/3 CMOS and a 12mp 1/2 28x hybrid zoom telephoto lens that can be activated in Explore mode. The camera is mounted with a 3-axis gimbal for premier stabilization.Apple ProRes 422 HQ – This is where our two models start to diverge. This high-quality codec is the industry standard and is only available with the Cine model.The DJI RC Pro smart controller – This is our favorite upgrade for the Cine. With lightning-fast joy sticks, an ultra-bright touchscreen, and low latency reliability.Storage – To accommodate the Apple ProRes capability, the Cine has a massive internal storage ability of 1TB, plus micro-SD card insertion for extra capacity.Lightspeed Data Cable – To aid in data transfer, the Premium Combo includes a 10Gbps data cable.
Specifications
What’s Included with the Premium Combo?
Here’s a complete list of what comes with your DJI Mavic 3 Premium Combo. (Also includes the DJI Mavic 3 Premium Combo owner’s manual)
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- Aerial drone w/ gimbal camera (built-in SSD)Remote controller (RC Pro)3 Intelligent Flight Batteries (1 pre-installed)Battery charger (attached 39″ USB-C cable)Charging hub12 Propellers8 ND filters19″ USB-C to USB-A cable41″ USB-C to USB-A cableLightspeed data cable4 Joystick knobs (2 pre-installed)Storage cover (pre-installed)Carry bagQuick Start GuideProduct InformationSafety Guidelines
DJI Mavic 3 Cine: Review
Even better than reading about features and specs is the actual hands-on use of this drone. Its super-responsive flight and excellent time in the air is an experience that we have not seen in many other drones. The biggest drawback to using it is the “spoiled factor.” It will spoil you, and it will be hard to go back to a “normal” drone that doesn’t have the Cine’s capabilities.
This awesome drone has a ton of flight modes and shooting options, but our favorite so far is the MasterShots mode. It lets you pick the subject and then keeps the target centered while it performs 10 different aerial maneuvers that give you a unique, short, cinematic video.
Other great intelligent flight modes that your Mavic 3 Cine comes with include:
- Active Track 5.0 – This “follow me” mode allows the drone to move in all directions when tracking the subject.QuickShots – Includes Helix, Rocket, Circle, Dronie, and Boomerang.Quick Transfer – Store images in your phone using Wi-Fi.
Mavic 3 Cine: Pros and Cons
Pros:
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- Video quality and capabilities are second to none.Control modes that give you every perspective and angle you can dream existed.Long flight time of 46 minutes for getting all the footage you need without changing or charging batteries.Lightning -fast joy sticks and maneuverability.Great when it comes to the wind. The Mavic 3 Cine is rated for winds up to 26.8 mph, but we tested it in some winds above that and it maintained altitude and video quality throughout.
Cons:
- Price – This is going to be a $5000 Drone package, and unless you’re making money with your unit or have money you don’t know what to do with, it may be overkill.Lacks choice with only one package option available.Once you get comfortable with all the bells and whistles of the Mavic 3 Cine, you won’t be satisfied using a cheaper model.
DJI Mavic 3 Cine: Is It a Buy?
If you have the money, then the Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo is definitely one of the best setups we’ve ever tested. The capabilities are second to none and the footage is spectacular. If you’re a pro and are serious about earning money with your drone footage, then the DJI Mavic 3 Cine premium Combo is definitely a good choice.
Buy It If…
You can think of this drone as an investment. As they say in the trading and investing world, “Never risk money you cannot afford to lose.”
If you are a serious video creator or are making money with your drone, you can’t go wrong. If you want the best drone experience on the market today, it is our conclusion after testing this model, that the DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo is worth every penny.
Don’t Buy It If…
If you’re a hobbyist that just wants a drone to experiment with or to find out if you’re going to enjoy owning a drone, then definitely don’t buy this combo.
It’s a no-brainer, but if the money is tight right now, you could go for a cheaper camera drone and still get some great results. The DJI Mavic 3 Fly More Combo will give you good footage and save you around $2000.
Up Next…
If you’re into all things drones, then check out some other articles on these subjects!
- The Best Drones For Fishing Footage. Did you know drones can be used to help fish? Check this out!The 5 Best Compact Drones For Travel. Don’t leave home without one of these little guys!The Best 6 First-Person Drones with VR Headsets. A VR experience really takes flying drones to another level!