First video quality comparison - Mavic 2 Pro v.s. Mavic 3

[adcimagery]

The pixels in the M3 are twice the size of the M2 pixels. This allows twice as many photons to land on a pixel, yielding better dynamic range and low light performance.

Think of a camera sensor as a telescope (my other hobby is astrophotography) the bigger the scope the more photons enter. A 10” scope will perform much better and faster then a 5” scope because more light is hitting the sensor. But in the case of a drone the aperture size doesn’t change, you’ve increased the surface area of the sensor. This allows more detail in the image, doesn’t make the camera faster.

This is pretty hard to explain especially on a Friday night. If you have a two inch sensor it’s surface area is receiving and recording more photons per second, rendering more detail in any given image under any given conditions as the speed of light is constant. This is why you can blow up a 2 inch sensors image on a big screen and still see excellent results.

I'm specifically referring to his claim that a "larger sensor being able capture more light in real time. Meaning that where the Mavic 2 pro needs an ND 16 filter, this camera will use an ND 32.".

 

[canadian drone videos]

I'm specifically referring to his claim that a "larger sensor being able capture more light in real time. Meaning that where the Mavic 2 pro needs an ND 16 filter, this camera will use an ND 32.".

Speaking of filters, the only reason I even own one is to get the polarization. I never shoot drone footage at a low frame rate, just in case I want to slow the footage down... to either sync it to the music or get slow motion. F2.8 isn’t a setting I’m going to be using either. Personally I think drone footage shot from a drone that's simply flying in a straight line is rather boring to watch, unless you are in the canyons of mountains. Can’t use 25 or even 30 FPS in a turn looks choppy especially if you crop it in post. Upon raising these points a drone should never need an ND filter.

I always shoot in 60 FPS, a shutter speed of 120 or even a bit faster. Typically F5.6 or slower. Using those settings an ND filter isn’t needed even on a sunny day shooting snow scapes. A good polarizer does the trick, blocks out the light I don’t want let’s in the light I do want, ND filters block everything. I didn’t go for the fly more package because I have no use for ND filters especially if they are not polarized.

So ya I’m left to wonder why a Mavic 2 needs any filters at all? Maybe for photography, and very occasionally video. Don’t see much drone video shot at F2.8 in 25 FPS that looks good.