DJI Unveils the Mavic 3: Dual Hasselblad Cameras, 28x Zoom and 46-Minute Flight Time

DJI announced today, November 5, 2021, the Mavic 3, a new consumer drone featuring two cameras on a single gimbal: a Hasselblad L2D-20c main camera with a 20-megapixel resolution and a telephoto camera with 28x hybrid zoom. The drone ships with a 5000mAh battery for flights of up to 46 minutes and an O3+ transmission system offering a control range of up to 15 kilometers.

Two cameras, one body: a first for DJI

Until now, anyone wanting a telephoto shot on a DJI drone had to settle for digital zoom, which degrades image quality, or simply fly closer to the subject. With the Mavic 3, the company opted for a mechanical solution instead: two separate cameras mounted on the same gimbal, each with its own sensor, lens and purpose.

• Main camera: Hasselblad L2D-20c, four-thirds sensor, 20 megapixels
• Main lens: equivalent to 24mm, up to 12.8 stops of dynamic range
• Maximum video on the main camera: up to 5.1K
• Telephoto camera: 12 megapixels, lens equivalent to 162mm
• Hybrid zoom on the telephoto camera: up to 28x

The telephoto camera is designed mainly for capturing subjects that shouldn't, or can't, be approached physically with a drone, such as wildlife. The combination of the two cameras lets photographers switch between wide framing and close-up shots without actually repositioning the drone, reducing disturbance to the subject and cutting down on planning time for shoots in the field.

A bigger battery and up to 15 kilometers of transmission range

Beyond the cameras, DJI also pushed the drone's flight specs forward. The new 5000mAh battery delivers a rated flight time of up to 46 minutes, placing the Mavic 3 among the longest-endurance consumer drones seen on the market to date. Alongside this, the transmission system was upgraded to the O3+ version, extending the maximum control range to 15 kilometers.

• Battery capacity: 5000mAh
• Rated flight time: up to 46 minutes
• Transmission system: DJI O3+
• Maximum control range: up to 15 kilometers

Smarter tracking and more precise positioning

DJI is also upgrading its subject-tracking system to ActiveTrack 5.0, which combines improved obstacle detection with more accurate tracking of moving subjects. The drone comes with a built-in Remote ID transmitter, a move that aligns with expanding civil aviation regulations requiring identification of unmanned aircraft in flight. The positioning system relies on a combination of GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou satellites, which should provide more reliable position locking in areas where a single system might have weak reception.

Does the spec sheet justify the leap?

The combination of dual cameras, a larger battery and extended transmission range makes the Mavic 3 a serious contender for professional photographers who previously had to choose between the portability of a consumer drone and the image quality of pricier equipment. Open questions remain around pricing, actual availability in different markets, and compliance with local regulations, including Remote ID requirements that are gradually taking effect in various countries. Until the drone reaches photographers and independent equipment reviewers, the official spec sheet remains the only basis for assessing its real-world performance.