The equipment is good, but the environment surrounding drones in Japan is still a bottleneck.
The latest Mavic series "DJI Mavic 3" has arrived, which has brought the trend of foldable propeller arms to drones. Compared to the original Mavic Pro that appeared in 2016 and the Mavic 2 Pro that took off in 2018, I'm curious that the name "Pro" was taken first. Did it become a low-priced version?
No, it's not. In recent years, DJI has been renewing its product brand name, and it seems that DJI Mavic 3 has become a name that represents the third generation Mavic as part of that. As a proof of that, it is amazing to make it as hardware. This is probably the best all-in-one shooting drone in the world.
This time I borrowed the actual machine and tried it.
Checking from the essential camera performance, the full-frame equivalent 24mm f / 2.8-11 wide-angle camera named Hasselblad uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor with 20 million effective pixels. You can record at up to 5.1K 50fps. When shooting in 4K, you can now shoot 120fps slow motion videos, greatly increasing the degree of freedom in video expression.
You can't change the lens, but it's easy to understand if it's a camera system that can shoot at any angle by flying the performance that exceeds the DC-GH5M2 (Panasonic single-lens camera) in the sky.
The unit also has a built-in telephoto camera with a 1/2 inch CMOS sensor and a full-frame equivalent of 162mm f / 4.4. It is a model that blows away the common sense that drone = wide-angle shooting.
This camera unit is really small. It feels smaller than the RX0II with a 1-inch sensor. Of course, the hardware is only a combination of parts such as the display and shutter button, but if you use only the parts such as the sensor, lens, and its cover, it is small enough to fit in your hand even with the Micro Four Thirds sensor. I'm amazed at the fact that it can be a unit.
The body weight is 895g including the battery. It's slightly lighter than the Mavic 2 Pro's 907g. However, the feeling of density when holding it in the hand is higher with DJI Mavic 3 whether the weight balance is improved or the battery shape is related. The gimbal cover and propeller fixing belt when folded and stored are rational, and are filled with the atmosphere of a well-crafted and excellent tool.
The controller is the same as DJI Air 2s. With a holder to attach the Max series of iPhone, the smartphone application screen is also used as a part of the controller. It's a little heavy, but it's easy to operate.
Then take off. The wind noise of the propeller is modest and fluffy. The maximum flight speed is 21m / s (about 76km / h), the operational limit altitude is 6000m (however, permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is required in advance to fly at altitudes of 150m or more in Japan), and the maximum flight distance is 30km (non-visual flight). Since it is certain that it will be, permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is required in advance), the maximum flight time when there is no wind is 46 minutes, and it has excellent performance as a drone. As I put in parentheses several times, getting permission is indispensable to bring out the ability of this guy.
Click here for the essential shooting image quality. The 1x, 2x, and 4x are taken with the Micro Four Thirds sensor, and the 7x, 14x, and 28x are taken with the 1/2 inch sensor. 7x has less noise and higher image quality than 4x, but this zoom power is overwhelming, isn't it? Even though it was taken from Narusawa Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, if you can zoom in so far, you may be able to see the climber climbing.
The image quality on the Micro Four Thirds sensor side is also higher than expected. The Mavic 2 Pro and DJI Air 2S with a 1-inch sensor were also of satisfactory quality, but the recording quality that leaves even the nuances of details is due to the desire to create various images. DJI Mavic 3 will also be effective in photogrammetry using drones (a method of shooting a subject from various angles to create a 3DCG model).
The accuracy of the obstacle detection sensor has also improved, and it is now possible to detect trees and walls 200 meters away. Of course, automatic avoidance is also possible, so the operator can concentrate on capturing the subject within the angle of view. Furthermore, the tracking performance of the subject has also improved. Since it can be detected from the front, back, left and right of the drone body, it gives the impression that it will continue to capture firmly even when the subject is moving too violently and is likely to jump out of the angle of view.
Well, it's well done. The standard model is 253,000 yen, and the DJI Mavic 3 Fly More combo with 3 batteries, a charging hub, and an ND filter in a special bag is 341,000 yen.
However, even so, considering the current situation in Japan, I cannot recommend it. Now that you can apply for a permit to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism online, you need to obtain a permit from the landowner or the local government or local organization that manages the land. And this is difficult. It is extremely difficult to obtain a permit individually in an area where the understanding of drones is not advanced.
If you fly something close to 1kg and think about what would happen if it crashed, it would be unavoidable to get sick. However, as it is now, the recognition as a drone = professional camera should be strengthened. Well, how can we raise awareness of drones as hobbies? Maybe, but I think it is necessary for manufacturers and distributors to work together to educate local governments. Is it difficult? But really, as it is now.
Source: DJI Shooting Cooperation: Abrasus Hotel Fujikawaguchiko