The Mavic 3 Classic soars for an impressive 46 minutes, making it one of the most enduring drones we’ve tested in its class. DJI released this drone about a year after the standard and Cine models, hitting a sweet spot at $1,469 (or $1,599 with the RC-N1 remote).
This drone’s most exciting feature is its legendary Hasselblad camera with a professional-grade 4/3 CMOS sensor in an incredibly compact body. The camera captures stunning 5.1K/50p video and delivers powerful 4K recording at up to 120fps. Our tests across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam showed the Mavic 3 Classic’s value for business sectors like construction and agriculture where image quality and flight duration are crucial.
The drone excels with advanced features like ActiveTrack 5.0, MasterShots, QuickTransfer, and Hyperlapse capabilities. At just 895g (1.97 lbs), it remains portable without compromising performance. Could this be the perfect drone for aerial creators and professionals in Saudi Arabia? Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Mavic 3 Classic worth your investment.
What Is the DJI Mavic 3 Classic and Who Is It For?
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic fits perfectly in DJI’s drone lineup. DJI released it in November 2022, a year after the standard Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine models. The drone keeps the flagship single-camera setup that made the original Mavic and Mavic 2 Pro popular. It comes with a price tag that’s easier on the wallet for creators who don’t need the telephoto lens found in the standard Mavic 3.
Designed for Prosumer and Enthusiast Pilots
The Mavic 3 Classic hits a sweet spot in the market, unlike basic drones. It serves both up-and-coming and professional photographers and videographers who need great image quality without the high cost of the full Mavic 3 lineup. The interesting thing about this drone is how it works as a friendly yet powerful creative tool that suits beginners, photo enthusiasts, and pros.
This drone gives professional-grade features in a package that’s easy to handle. It weighs 895g, making it a heavier consumer drone, but this solid build helps it stay stable in flight.
Bridges the Gap Between Air 2S and Mavic 3
The Mavic 3 Classic sits right between DJI’s mid-range Air 2S and the premium Mavic 3. Yes, it is true these drones play in different leagues – the Air 2S serves the mid-range market, while the Mavic 3 Classic targets high-end users. All the same, the Classic makes sense as an upgrade for Air 2S users who want a larger sensor, better battery life, and variable aperture that opens up more creative options.
The Mavic 3 Classic stands out from the Air 2S with better camera quality, improved obstacle detection, and longer flight time. The Air 2S flies for 31 minutes, but the Mavic 3 Classic stays up there 10-12 minutes longer. The drone also comes with obstacle avoidance sensors in all directions – even sideways and above. These features are a great way to get extra safety when flying near obstacles.
Best for Aerial Creators in Riyadh and Jeddah
Saudi Arabian aerial creators, especially in Riyadh and Jeddah, get great value from the Mavic 3 Classic at SAR 5989.73. The drone’s Hasselblad camera with Natural Color Solution captures Saudi Arabia’s landscapes in true-to-life colors, so you’ll spend less time adjusting colors after shooting.
Businesses in Dammam will find plenty of uses for the Mavic 3 Classic. Construction companies can take advantage of its 15km transmission range and all-around obstacle detection. Farms love its 46-minute flight time for checking large areas. The O3+ transmission system delivers smooth 1080p/60fps live feeds, letting you monitor projects clearly in real time.
Top Features That Make It Stand Out
The Mavic 3 Classic shows why aerial photographers across Saudi Arabia love this drone. Its professional features come in a compact package that makes it stand out.
Hasselblad Camera with 4/3 CMOS Sensor
The crown jewel of the Mavic 3 Classic is its Hasselblad camera with a 4/3 CMOS sensor and 20 million effective pixels. The camera’s Hasselblad Natural Color Solution creates vivid colors that need minimal editing. You can shoot stunning 5.1K video at 50fps, 4K at up to 120fps for smooth slow-motion, and 1080p at 200fps. The system’s 12.8 stops of dynamic range and adjustable aperture from f/2.8 to f/11 handle any lighting condition. This makes it perfect for shooting in Riyadh’s harsh midday sun or capturing Jeddah’s golden hour shorelines.
ActiveTrack 5.0 and Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance
ActiveTrack 5.0 brings smarter tracking that works in eight different directions. The system spots subjects and tells them apart from other objects while keeping smooth framing during complex moves. The drone’s omnidirectional obstacle sensing watches its surroundings through binocular vision systems in every direction. APAS 5.0 technology spots obstacles early and reacts faster. This helps you navigate through Dammam’s urban areas and construction sites safely.
Cruise Control for Smooth Cinematic Shots
The Mavic 3 Classic’s Cruise Control feature keeps your flight speed steady automatically. You can focus on camera angles and movements instead of managing throttle control. Your footage becomes smoother with fewer adjustments needed. This feature works with Normal, Cine, and Sport modes, plus APAS, Free Hyperlapse, and Spotlight. You’ll get creative shots of Saudi Arabia’s landscapes easily.
MasterShots, Hyperlapse, and FocusTrack Modes
Smart shooting modes make content creation simple. MasterShots performs professional camera moves like Dronie, Rocket, Circle, and Helix with one tap. FocusTrack’s Spotlight, ActiveTrack, and Point of Interest keep subjects framed perfectly without constant adjustments. Time-lapse fans will love the Hyperlapse modes (Free, Circle, Course Lock, and Waypoint). These are great for capturing Riyadh’s skyline or farming operations in rural areas.
OcuSync 3.0 with 15km Transmission Range
The O3+ transmission system reaches up to 15km in FCC-compliant areas, though Saudi Arabia typically allows 8km. You get clear 1080p live feeds at 60fps with minimal delay (120-130ms). This strong connection helps you monitor construction sites and survey agricultural land in Dammam and beyond.
Accessories and Setup Tips for First-Time Flyers
The right preparation of your Mavic 3 Classic will give you the best performance and longer life. Let’s look at everything you need and the setup steps that will get you flying safely.
Best Value for Business Sectors in Dammam
Dammam’s construction and agriculture businesses will find great value in the DJI Mavic 3 Fly More Kit. The kit comes with two extra Intelligent Flight Batteries, a Battery Charging Hub, a 65W Car Charger, and spare propellers. This complete package lets you fly longer without coming back to base. The DJI RC Pro controller works great for professional operations with its 1000-nit display and high-performance processor. You’ll see the screen clearly even in bright sunlight.
Unboxing: What’s in the Box for Each Combo
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic (DJI RC) combo has the drone, one Intelligent Flight Battery, the DJI RC controller, three pairs of low-noise propellers, a 65W Portable Charger, a USB-C cable, and a storage cover. The Fly More Kit adds two extra batteries, a charging hub, and more propellers. New users should check all parts before putting them together.
Battery Charging and Maintenance Tips
New flyers need to charge and activate their Intelligent Flight Battery before use since all batteries come in hibernation mode. The DJI 65W charger takes about 1 hour and 36 minutes to fully charge. Keep battery levels between 40-65% during long-term storage and run a charge-discharge cycle every three months. The battery charging hub charges multiple batteries one after another based on their power levels.
Propeller Installation and Safety Checks
The propellers come in two types – with marks and without. Put marked propellers on motors with marks and plain ones on motors without marks. Each propeller needs firm pressure on its motor and a twist until it locks. Look for damage, warping, or rust on propellers before every flight.
Storage Options: Internal vs microSD Cards
The Mavic 3 Classic has 8GB of built-in storage that fits about 18 minutes of 4K/60fps video. Serious video creators should add a microSD card (up to 2TB) with at least a U3 rating to handle the 200Mbps video bitrate. Tested cards like Lexar 1066x or SanDisk High Endurance series work best.
Conclusion
DJI Mavic 3 Classic balances accessibility with professional capability. The remarkable 46-minute flight time sets it apart from other drones. It captures complete shooting sequences without switching batteries constantly.
Of course, the Hasselblad camera system produces stunning images that match much pricier equipment. The large 4/3 CMOS sensor handles both Riyadh’s harsh midday light and Jeddah’s subtle sunset colors beautifully. The variable aperture gives creative control you just won’t find on simpler drones.
The price tag of SAR 5989.73 makes sense when you look at what you get. This drone packs most of the flagship Mavic 3’s features except the telephoto lens – something most users barely touch. This smart trade-off saves money without compromising performance.
Dammam’s business users will find great value in this drone. Construction managers can keep an eye on large sites thanks to the impressive 15km transmission range. Agricultural operations benefit from longer flight times when checking crops. Whatever your needs, the omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system keeps your flights safe during complex operations.
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic ended up being the sweet spot in DJI’s lineup. The Air 2S works great for casual creators, but the Classic delivers professional results without the full Mavic 3’s premium price. This compact folding drone handles like a much bigger professional system, giving Saudi Arabia’s content creators access to cinematic aerial capabilities.
The Mavic 3 Classic turns aerial imaging from a technical challenge into pure creative expression. Its blend of performance, portability, and price makes it the perfect choice for serious aerial photographers and videographers across the region.
If you’re interested in more information about the DJI Mavic 3 Classic, contact Abdulrahman Alshareef Group, DJI’s partner in Saudi Arabia.