Best Camera: Mavic Classic 3 or Air 3?

[nicshow]

My top priority is image quality for still photography. I’m torn between the MC3 and Air3. I understand that the Air3 has two cameras vs the 1 for the MC3. I understand the MC3 has variable aperture which appeals to me because I can stop down a bit to get to the lens sweet spot.

Is there anything that you can offer to sway me either way - image quality being the priority? For the advantages of the Air3 (updated transmission, controller, 2 lenses, etc) is there still a good reason to go with the MC3 because of image quality?

I’m not sure why the sentence above is outlined

 

[GFields]

I don't have the MC3 but I do have the Autel EVO Lite+ that has a variable aperture and find myself using the Air 3 primarily. The Air 3 produces amazing images.

 

[rawman001]

nicsho: Welcome to the forum! I agree with you, variable aperture is a valuable tool. I can't comment on the MC3 since I've never flown one. The additional telephoto lens on the Air3 is nice though. If image quality is your main focus I would think variable aperture would be more important. Also it kind of depends on what you plan to take pictures of.

 

[sarahb]

Welcome! I only have the Air 3 and must say it produces amazing images. I agree with the statement above that it depends on what type of stills you are mainly interested in. I work for a realtor and most of my shots will be homes for sale. So, if you're wanting images to blur the background then a variable aperture would be a must (unless you do this in post)

 

[Filmarik]

My top priority is image quality for still photography. I’m torn between the MC3 and Air3. I understand that the Air3 has two cameras vs the 1 for the MC3. I understand the MC3 has variable aperture which appeals to me because I can stop down a bit to get to the lens sweet spot.

Is there anything that you can offer to sway me either way - image quality being the priority? For the advantages of the Air3 (updated transmission, controller, 2 lenses, etc) is there still a good reason to go with the MC3 because of image quality?

I’m not sure why the sentence above is outlined

In theory:
Air3 has two 1/1.3" sensor cameras, M3C has one M43 which is much larger sensor. More than twice large. Purely based on sensor size, the M3C should produce better IQ and better dynamic range when taking photos. How big the difference is in real life is hard to quantify. The sweet spot for M3 camera lens is around f5. That could be a game changer for those who want to shoot in bad light but increasing ISO can compensate for that and noise can be cleaned in post very well with some of the apps on the market these days i.e. Topaz, DxO.
I'd suggest to get DNG files (from members in relevant forums?) from both drones, do your own processing and make your decission then.

 

[Meta4]

if you're wanting images to blur the background then a variable aperture would be a must

Not sure how you work this.
The wideangle lens has so much Depth of Field at any aperture, that your background is always going to be in focus unless your subject is only a few feet away.

 

[Meta4]

My top priority is image quality for still photography. I’m torn between the MC3 and Air3. .... I understand the MC3 has variable aperture which appeals to me because I can stop down a bit to get to the lens sweet spot.

The variable aperture is a handy feature, but the bigger sensor is more important in determining image quality.
The Mavic 3 main camera doesn't really have a "sweet spot".
It gives very good image quality at any aperture.

 

[Filmarik]

The variable aperture is a handy feature, but the bigger sensor is more important in determining image quality.
The Mavic 3 main camera doesn't really have a "sweet spot".
It gives very good image quality at any aperture.

Well, my experience is different. It might depend on an individual unit, as the IQ variation among these drones has been well documented. My M3P main 24mm camera definitely benefits from being stopped down. Wide open at f2.8 the corners and near edge sharpness are worse than at f5 or f5.6 which to me is the sweet spot for best uniform sharpness across the frame. Most wide angle lenses for DSLR cameras are the same, they do have a sweet spot for best uniform sharpness across the frame. In case of FF cameras it is usually between f8 to f11.

 

[sarahb]

Not sure how you work this.
The wideangle lens has so much Depth of Field at any aperture, that your background is always going to be in focus unless your subject is only a few feet away.

Some people think they know it all, right. I assumed since a drone was basically a flying camera, it works the same way. I am able to blur the background with my camera by opening the aperture to full. Yes, 5 feet or less is best for this.

 

[Meta4]

Some people think they know it all, right. I assumed since a drone was basically a flying camera, it works the same way. I am able to blur the background with my camera by opening the aperture to full. Yes, 5 feet or less is best for this.

How often are you shooting a subject that's only 5 feet in front of the drone?
I'd think for most drone flyers, it would be almost never.
Any example you'd care to share?

 

[cameracamel]

My top priority is image quality for still photography. I’m torn between the MC3 and Air3. I understand that the Air3 has two cameras vs the 1 for the MC3. I understand the MC3 has variable aperture which appeals to me because I can stop down a bit to get to the lens sweet spot.

Is there anything that you can offer to sway me either way - image quality being the priority? For the advantages of the Air3 (updated transmission, controller, 2 lenses, etc) is there still a good reason to go with the MC3 because of image quality?

I’m not sure why the sentence above is outlined

I am almost 80 . .Got my first camera about 1951. Official City Photographer for St. Petersburg, Fl. from 1980 til I moved to Arizona in 2003. Always used Nikons and the good old Hasselblad C500 cameras. I bought the Mavic 3 Classic for 1 reason......the Hasselblad camera.

 

[nicshow]

My top priority is image quality for still photography. I’m torn between the MC3 and Air3. I understand that the Air3 has two cameras vs the 1 for the MC3. I understand the MC3 has variable aperture which appeals to me because I can stop down a bit to get to the lens sweet spot.

Is there anything that you can offer to sway me either way - image quality being the priority? For the advantages of the Air3 (updated transmission, controller, 2 lenses, etc) is there still a good reason to go with the MC3 because of image quality?

I’m not sure why the sentence above is outlined

My thinking today is that since most of my images are only going to be viewed on a computer or online and not printed...and I use Topaz AI which can cover some degradation in IQ, I might be more tempted by the Air 3 as opposed to the Classic 3. Does my thinking make sense?

 

[Filmarik]

My thinking today is that since most of my images are only going to be viewed on a computer or online and not printed...and I use Topaz AI which can cover some degradation in IQ, I might be more tempted by the Air 3 as opposed to the Classic 3. Does my thinking make sense?

If the OP's top priority is the IQ for still photography I assume that the intention is not only viewing online but also printing (possibly large?). For that I am leaning towards M3C.

 

[Photobobhunt]

To what end ? I have a 2s and a Mini 2 and as a test, I took a photo of a dog park near my community with my mini 2 .
I ran the DNG file through Topaz Gigapixel AI for a 2 x resize.
It created a file of apx 20 x 27 inches at 300dpi , And made a print near the low center on a 8.5 x 11 piece of glossy paper on my Canon 200. The detail was outstanding ,even when " Pixel Peeping"
The print was sharp , No artifacts, and I could see a man with a black shirt and black hair separated by his neck, and his shadow . All from a 12 mp sensor that's 4.7mm x 6.7 mm. The person is at the bottom near the circle walkway

 

[Photobobhunt]

Half circle walkway , in the park

 

[Photobobhunt]

my error the man is at the fence between the two trees

 

[nicshow]

I have ended up settling on the Air 3 and returned the MC3 (unopened.)

I was very tempted to go with the “better” camera on the MC3. However, I read and saw enough people praising the 70mm camera and its ability to keep the drone further away in some cases and to compress the scene that I decided that it would be worth any tradeoffs.

The Air 3 truly is a pleasure to launch and fly (not that I have any experience with anything other than my Mini 4. I felt confident enough in it last night to hover over the Mississippi River for quite a while to capture this bridge. No editing done on the image other than with my iPhone.

Just thought I would update the discussion in case any one else was struggling with the same decision.

 

[Filmarik]

I have ended up settling on the Air 3 and returned the MC3 (unopened.)

I was very tempted to go with the “better” camera on the MC3. However, I read and saw enough people praising the 70mm camera and its ability to keep the drone further away in some cases and to compress the scene that I decided that it would be worth any tradeoffs.

The Air 3 truly is a pleasure to launch and fly (not that I have any experience with anything other than my Mini 4. I felt confident enough in it last night to hover over the Mississippi River for quite a while to capture this bridge. No editing done on the image other than with my iPhone.

Just thought I would update the discussion in case any one else was struggling with the same decision.

View attachment 177089

Congrats. The 2 cameras on Air3 are definitelly broadening possibilities. With clever postprocessing applied I trust that you'll be happy with IQ this drone is capable of producing, and with your decision to choose Air3 over M3C.
Happy flying and shooting!

 

[Droning on and on...]

While there are real parameters that can be measured, much of "image quality" is subjective.

MY OPINION
The M3C and Air 3 both produce outstanding results. Your picture of that bridge over the Mississippi is stunning.

For most situations and applications, the 1/1.3" sensor in 12MP mode can produce results indistinguishable from the 20MP 4/3" sensor to most people in most applications.

There is no doubt the 20MP sensor is more capable for more challenging, particularly low light, situations. Higher resolution 5280×3956, vs. 4032×3024.

The point is, most applications will not expose these differences. So unless you have a usage that will benefit from the more sensitive, higher resolution sensor, the dual camera capability will be far more of a benefit.

 

[Filmarik]

While there are real parameters that can be measured, much of "image quality" is subjective.

MY OPINION
The M3C and Air 3 both produce outstanding results. Your picture of that bridge over the Mississippi is stunning.

For most situations and applications, the 1/1.3" sensor in 12MP mode can produce results indistinguishable from the 20MP 4/3" sensor to most people in most applications.

There is no doubt the 20MP sensor is more capable for more challenging, particularly low light, situations. Higher resolution 5280×3956, vs. 4032×3024.

The point is, most applications will not expose these differences. So unless you have a usage that will benefit from the more sensitive, higher resolution sensor, the dual camera capability will be far more of a benefit.

Dynamic range will be probably where the M3C would outshine the Air3 especially in challenging landscape light situations. The latitude in post the larger sensor offers might to some people be more important than the pixel count itself. Regardless, the Air 3 is no doubt a great drone and in hands of a capable person will produce some amasing images.