Mavic 3 vs Mini 4 Pro image comparison

[PhotoDB]

Has anyone done a head-to-head competition between these two 4/3 camera sensors? I'm guessing the Mavic 3 would win because of greater weight making it more stable in a breeze than the Mini. But I am wondering if anyone has actually tested them both. The higher pixel count on the Mini 4 Pro sounds attractive, but if it's not as sharp, who cares?

 

[waynorth]

They do not have the same sensor.
The mini 4 pro 1/1.3" sensor is 9,6 x 7,2 mm, area 69,12 square mm
The Mavic 3 Four Thirds (4/3) sensor is 17,3 x 13 mm, area 224,90 square mm
That is a HUGE difference.

 

[PhotoDB]

Missed that. You're certainly right. Thanks.

 

[Meta4]

 

[waynorth]

There was a typo in my answer above. The Mini 4 Pro sensor is 9,6 x 7,2 mm. I have corrected that.

 

[tlyons]

Has anyone done a head-to-head competition between these two 4/3 camera sensors? I'm guessing the Mavic 3 would win because of greater weight making it more stable in a breeze than the Mini. But I am wondering if anyone has actually tested them both. The higher pixel count on the Mini 4 Pro sounds attractive, but if it's not as sharp, who cares?

Pilot Institute usually does a nice side-by-side comparison. The Air3, Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro all have the sensor. As said the Mavic 4/3 is larger so catches more light. I would expect the Mavic 3 to be much better in low light.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Good luck!

 

[PhotoDB]

Thanks, my usage is shooting magazine covers, so I need the best resolution possible. I upgraded from the Mavic Air 2 a while back, and the difference was amazing. Never going back. I misread the size of the Mini 4 Pro sensor. I thought someone said it was a 4/3 like the Mavic 3, hence the question. Thanks, everyone, but I'm happy right where I am with the Mavic 3 for the foreseeable future.

 

[frankbiganski]

Hey

Thanks, my usage is shooting magazine covers, so I need the best resolution possible. I upgraded from the Mavic Air 2 a while back, and the difference was amazing. Never going back. I misread the size of the Mini 4 Pro sensor. I thought someone said it was a 4/3 like the Mavic 3, hence the question. Thanks, everyone, but I'm happy right where I am with the Mavic 3 for the foreseeable future.

Hi PhotoDB,

Can I impose upon you to post an unedited image taken with your Mavic 3 Pro?

I began with the Phantom 4 Pro which had an adjustable mechanical aperture. But I sold that long ago as I photograph a lot for estate agents, within a city, so I downsized to the Mavic 2 Pro and now the Mini 3 Pro. However, both of these drones have fixed apertures.

Just curious how a RAW to jpg image looks with an aperture of f.8 or smaller with the Mavic 3 Pro. There's a lot of landscapes and historical places I want to photograph and I just don't want to use the fixed-aperture drone.

Cheers!

 

[Meta4]

I downsized to the Mavic 2 Pro and now the Mini 3 Pro. However, both of these drones have fixed apertures.

The Mavic 2 pro had an adjustable aperture.

 

[frankbiganski]

The Mavic 2 pro had an adjustable aperture.

Not a mechanical aperture like the Mavic 3 Pro. Electronic didn't make the grade for me.

 

[tlyons]

Thanks, my usage is shooting magazine covers, so I need the best resolution possible...

If you're happy, then change nothing. But for comparison, at the usual settings for outdoors landscapes, the 48MP of the 1/1.3" sensor for the Mini xx Pro/Air 3 clearly has more resolution in common circumstances, for example ISO 100 with lots of light but not too much. Low light, the m43 will have much less noise and at some point the noise will wash out any details. Even then the smaller sensor with that faster lens doesn't fall behind as quickly as one might guess.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

There's a lot of common wisdom about the 1/1.3" sensor that doesn't hold up IRL or even a lab test. More interesting to me might be the variable aperture: DOF is generally unimportant at the distances a drone is used (excepting inspections) but the variable aperture reduces the hassle factor of ND filters in bright light.

Good luck!

 

[frankbiganski]

Thank you this, but I've seen these comparison video long long ago. Just looking for real life images. I'll press on. Cheers.

 

[PhotoDB]

Hi Frank,

I rarely shoot at f8 or greater, so I had to run outside and take a few for you. I'll get them to you later today. Got to run out now.
Doug

 

[PhotoDB]

Here are a number to look at. Three of the same pic are shot at f2.8, f8 and f11. The two shopping center pics are shot at 1x and 7x -= both optical. There are two other pics I've published, one day and one night, both shot at f2.8. Looking back, 90% of my commercial work is shot at f2.8 or f4. Hope this helps. DJI_0075.DNG

 

[frankbiganski]

Thank you so much! Definitely worth the upgrade. The detail in the roof tile is much more defined and realistic with the Mavic 3 Pro than with my Mini 3 Pro. My Mini makes the roof tile and bricks look digital. I saw other previous posts about this "phenomenon" but bought it anyway for its small size and decent clarity. There's something faux about the detail of the Mini images when zoomed-in to the image. Looks good after post though.

The overall noise between the drones are comparable but again, for high-end drone photography without spending near $20,000 on an Inspire 3 drone, I can see why you use the Mavic 3 Pro. And you're right. I really think the image at f2.8 at 1000 shutter speed is slightly sharper (hard to notice either way).

Seriously. Thank you. If you ever need an image of Tower Bridge or anything London-ish, let me know and I'll send it over.

Cheers!

 

[ryguy80]

I just picked up a Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo on sale for a really good price. Pretty much for the same price as a Mavic 3 Classic and RC controller bundle.

Basically got it for the 4/3" sensor, which should give me a little better image detail over the Mini 3 & 4 Pro's, especially in lower light (i.e. sunsets). The larger size for better wind resistance and variable aperture were also other selling points. Not sure how much I will use the tele lens, but guess I'll find out once I get flying with it.