The Mavic 3 Multispectral drone is the latest addition to DJI’s popular line of consumer drones. Following this release, you may be wondering what sets it apart from its predecessor—the Phantom 4 Multispectral.
In this article, we will compare these two drones to help you determine which one is the best fit for your needs.
| Key upgrades: | Mavic 3M | Phantom 4M |
| Flight Time | 43 | 27 |
| Drone | 951g, Foldable | 1,487g, Not foldable |
| Multispectral Camera | 5MP, 1x-32x, 4 bands | 2MP, 1x-8x, 5 bands |
| RGB Camera | 20MP, 4/3 sensor size | 2MP, 1/2.9” sensor size |
Let’s get into it.
Design and Build
The DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral has a compact design with foldable arms that fits easily inside a small backpack. Weighing at 951g, the Mavic 3 Multispectral is light and easy to carry around. On the other hand, the DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral is heavier at 1,487g and is not foldable. This makes the Mavic 3 Multispectral the more portable option between the two.
Camera
Both drones are equipped with a multispectral camera that can capture data including NDVI, NDRE, GNDVI vegetation indexes which provide farmers with essential data outlined below.
Revealing insights from across the electromagnetic spectrum supplies information that helps professionals to lower costs and increase productivity by removing the guesswork.
| Vegetation Index | Insights |
| NDVI | Detect the growth stage of your crops, differentiate between crops, detect plants under stress. |
| NDRE | Insight on chlorophyll content in leaves. |
| GNDVI | Estimates photosynthetic activity, water, and nitrogen content |
The main difference between the two cameras is that:
- The Mavic 3M has an upgraded camera and it has superior data collection capabilities.
- The Phantom 4M has a blue sensor, therefore has more bands than the Mavic 3M.
- Mavic 3M pilots can access multispectral data in real-time via a split-screen alongside the visual feed. A P4M pilot can also view in real-time but they would have to toggle between the visual and multispectral feeds.
Compare the specs below.
| Mavic 3M | Phantom 4M | |
| RGB Camera | 4/3 CMOS;
20MP |
1/2.9” CMOS;
2MP |
| Multispectral Camera | 4 Bands: Green, Red, Red Edge, Near Infrared
1/2.8” CMOS; Each camera; 5MP |
5 Bands: Green, Red, Red Edge, Near Infrared, Blue
1/2.9” CMOS; Each camera; 2MP |
| Lens | FOV: 73.91° (61.2° x 48.10°) Equivalent focal length: 25 mm Aperture: f/2.0Focus: Fixed Focus |
FOV (Field of View): 62.7° Focal Length: 5.74 mm (35 mm format equivalent: 40 mm), autofocus set at ∞ Aperture: f/2.2 |
| RGB Camera | 20MP, 4/3 sensor size | 2MP, 1/2.9” sensor size |
| Shutter Speed | Electronic: 1/30-1/12800s | Electronic Global: 1/100-1/10000s |
| Gain Range | 1x-32x | 1x-8x |
Multispectral Camera:
The Phantom 4 Multispectral has five bands (Green, Red, Red Edge, Near Infrared, and Blue), whereas the DJI Mavic 3M has four bands (Green, Red, Red Edge, Near Infrared), excluding the Blue sensor.
The Mavic 3M has a far superior imaging system which results in greater clarity and efficiency when collecting data for field analysis. Although DJI removed the blue band, the Mavic 3M still offers more powerful multispectral data.
The Mavic 3M can fly for 43 minutes, enabling it to cover a total area of up to 2 square kilometres during each survey. Compared to the P4M’s 27-minute flight time, the Mavic 3M excels in surveying efficiency and performance.
Payloads:
Both drones come with an RTK module, which is necessary for the real-time positioning of data on images. The camera and module sync to accurately pinpoint locations without the need for ground control points.
The Mavic 3M has a modular design, allowing for the attachment of multiple accessories like a loudspeaker for herding livestock. In contrast, the RTK module is fixed on the P4M and does not have the capacity for other payloads.
Flight Performance:
| Mavic 3M | Phantom 4M | |
| Flight Time | 43 minutes | 27 minutes |
| Maximum Speed | 33.5 mph | 31 mph |
| Operating Temperature | -10°C to 40°C | 0°C to 40°C |
| Transmission Distance | 8km | 5km |
Intelligent Field Scouting
The Mavic 3M can perform automated field scouting that can detect irregularities, such as emergence deficiencies, weed pressure, and crop lodging, in a timely manner. Additionally, it utilises Ai-based identification to conduct intelligent analyses, including identifying cotton seedlings and testing rice production. This technology enables real-time sharing of crop growth information, guides agronomic activities, and facilitates easy management of up to 70 hectares of farmland by a single person.
Smart Terrain Follow
With its Terrain Follow feature, the Mavic 3M allows operators to fly a survey mission over different terrains while maintaining a consistent altitude. This feature adjusts the drone’s altitude smoothly based on the terrain, ensuring that the data is collected with integrity and without the need to adjust for any discrepancies during post-processing.
Controller
The DJI RC Pro Enterprise smart controller with a built-in, high-bright screen is used to operate the Mavic 3M, while the Phantom 4 Multispectral is controlled using the Phantom 4 RTK SDK remote controller, which needs a separate smart device for operation.
Overall,
The Mavic 3 Multispectral builds upon the strong foundation established by the Phantom 4 Multispectral. It enables precise and efficient data gathering for professionals engaged in agriculture, land management, and environmental monitoring.
Both drones are great for agriculture applications, but if you’re looking for the best of modern technology and precise, top-quality data, the Mavic 3 Multispectral is the superior choice.
