DJI Mavic 3 Classic vs. Phantom 4 Pro (Here’s My Choice)

Hello, and thank you for checking out this comparison between two professional DJI drones, the Mavic 3 Classic and Phantom 4 Pro.

Interestingly, these two drones are some of the most underrated in the entire drone industry nowadays around this price point. And they’re both fantastic!

With all the focus going to the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, Mini 4 Pro, and Air 3, what do I think about the Mavic 3 Classic or Phantom 4 Pro? Do they stand up to the competition, and is there any reason to pick either of those two in particular?

Let’s dive into this comparison to see what my recommendation is. I want you to make the right decision and avoid spending your hard-earned money on a drone that won’t fit your needs, especially since these two are not cheap drones at all.

Brief Overview

DJI Mavic 3 Classic

The Mavic 3 Classic is a stripped-down Mavic 3 version and was released one year later, in November 2022. 

Even though it’s already one year and a couple of months old, this drone still remains on top of the line for what it can do.

The Mavic 3 Line has proved to be one of the best professional lines of drones that are accessible to most people. They’re compact and extraordinary for commercial purposes. 

But how does the DJI Mavic 3 Classic differentiate from the other two or even from the Cine versions?

This version is the only one from the Mavic 3 series that has one camera. While the Mavic 3 has two cameras, including a telephoto one, and the Mavic 3 Pro comes with three cameras, with the “Classic” version, we only see the Hasselblad version.

In fact, that’s the best camera behind a Mavic 3 drone and is capable of obtaining extraordinary photography and films.

However, we must remember that with this drone, we don’t have the 28x hybrid zoom.

Other than that, the Mavic 3 Classic has the same specs and components as its bigger brothers, the Mavic 3 and Pro.

As for comparing it with the Cine version, those are advanced drones from this line with the capability of filming in pure Apple ProRes and with 1TB internal memory.

Now let’s see what this drone has to offer:

• It comes with a 4/3 inch Hasselblad camera, which is one of the best (if not the best) drone cameras today, without relying on cinematography-type drones and RED cameras mounted on drones.
• The DJI Mavic 3 Classic comes with an OcuSync 3.0+ transmission system, making this drone excellent for long-range flights. It is also compatible with the DJI RC-N1, DJI RC, and DJI RC Pro.
• The battery behind the Mavic 3 Classic is excellent and provides up to 46 minutes of flight time.
• This drone has an omnidirectional binocular sensing system, which is absolutely fabulous at stopping and preventing the Mavic 3 Classic from colliding with any object and crashing. It has full coverage from any angle.
• The Mavic 3 Classic comes with APAS 5.0 and Active Track 5.0, which is the next generation with many innovative features and advanced intelligent modes such as advanced return-to-home, waypoints, and an extraordinary follow-me mode.
• It’s one of the best drones out there, easily accessible, and will take fantastic photographs and videos, even at night.

There’s so much more behind the Mavic 3 Classic that makes this drone shine. And we’ll go deep into it later, but for now, let’s see how the Phantom 4 Pro stands out.

» MORE: Autel EVO Lite+ vs DJI Mavic 3 Classic (Here’s What I Like)

DJI Phantom 4 Pro

The Phantom 4 line started in 2016 and ended in 2019 with a total of 6 drones in the series. But only two of them are the “Pro” version, and here we’re talking about the Phantom 4 Pro (1st version), released in 2016, and the V2, released in 2018 (relaunched in 2020).

Anyway, the Phantom 4 Pro line is relatively old compared with many professional drones nowadays. But even so, the technology behind it was ahead of its time when it was released.

As we’re looking at both versions and they are discontinued from production, we will focus on this topic towards the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, which is the second version. It has proven to be more efficient and an improved version over the first one.

What does this drone have to offer?

• A considerable camera sensor of 1 inch in size capable of delivering fantastic low-light and night photographs, with a remarkable dynamic range and high bitrate videos.
• Decent flight time of about 30 minutes and the capability to fly long-range for up to 6000m in Europe, China, and Japan (3.7 miles) or 10000m in the USA (6.2 miles).
• It also comes with 3-way anti-collision sensors (forward, backward, and downward vision sensors).

» MORE: DJI Mavic 3 Pro vs. Phantom 4 Pro (Here’s My Choice)

Quick Verdict

Here at Droneblog, we have all sorts of drones, from beginner and budget to semi-professional and professional drones, FPV, and much more, so we can fly them, test and use them regularly to give you the best information we can provide.

Now, if you’re in a rush, I’m going to give you my final answer before diving down into details.

There’s currently no reason you should pick the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0. Although it’s a fantastic drone, it’s more than five years old, discontinued, and more expensive than the Mavic 3 Classic, which, at its price, offers the best value for the money found in any drone nowadays.

In almost every case, unless you really need the Phantom 4 Pro (V2.0) specifically, I recommend picking the Mavic 3 Classic.

And we’ll further explain why. But for now, let’s have a look at the differences between these two drones.

» MORE: Autel EVO 2 Pro vs. DJI Mavic 3 Classic (Here’s My Favorite)

What are the main differences?

Both drones are manufactured by DJI, one of the best drone manufacturers in the world. The drones released by this company are top-notch, although some have complaints about them.

However, as time passes, better technological advancements are seen behind newer drones. 

And that’s why the Mavic 3 Classic has huge performance advantages over the Phantom 4 Pro.

• The Mavic 3 Classic is a newer type of drone with better components and the ability to fly longer and farther by a large margin as compared to the Phantom 4 Pro.
• Mavic 3 Classic is much safer to fly because of the omnidirectional anti-collision sensors, whereas the Phantom 4 Pro has only 3-way coverage. Also, the Mavic 3 Classic has many intelligent functions that the Phantom 4 Pro does not have, at least not at this performance level.
• The Phantom 4 Pro is more bulky and harder to transport than the Mavic 3 Classic. While you will need a special rugged case to transport the Phantom 4 Pro, in contrast, you can fold the Mavic 3 Classic and place it in your backpack. Also, the Phantom 4 Pro is about 400 grams heavier than the Mavic 3 Classic.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 vs. Air 3 (Here’s My Choice)

DJI Mavic 3 Classic

We have had the Mavic 3 Classic and other Mavic 3 drones for a while. They’re extraordinary for commercial applications, professional photography, and filming. 

The Mavic 3 Line is simply the best drone nowadays, and very few compete with it in terms of camera quality, flight time, and features. One competitor would be the Autel EVO 2 Pro V3 drone.

Of course, the price dropped quite a lot because the Mavic 3 Classic has been stripped of the telecamera. And let me be honest here – not everyone needs a telephoto camera, and unless you work in an industry where you need one for something specific, like wildlife photography, you won’t need it either.

» MORE: DJI Mavic 3 Classic vs. Mavic 3 Pro (Here’s My Choice)

So I am thankful to have the Hasselblad, 4/3 inch, the largest camera sensor found in a consumer drone, and the best one!

And if you are a beginner and have the budget for this drone, there are currently no other drones I would like to recommend over this one around this price point.

DJI Phantom 4 Pro

When the general population imagines and thinks about a drone in the sky, even the visual representation of a drone is, in fact, a Phantom type of drone. 

They were so popular and good back at that time when no other drones could ever do a good job.

But even nowadays, a Phantom 4 Pro V2 can still be used in many industries, and the photo quality remains excellent many years later.

Some drones, like the Phantom 4 Pro, age well, like wine. 

However, sadly, support is minimal for this drone and was ended last year for most drones from the Phantom line.

» MORE: DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 – SD Card (Explained for Beginners)

Even so, some of us at Droneblog still have the Phantom 4 drone, and it proves to be an okay drone even nowadays. It’s not the best, but it’s not the worst, either. 

In fact, reflecting back on my experience with Phantom 4 Pro drones, I would say if you manage to get it in a bargain, go for it. But don’t spend thousands on it.

Head-to-head Comparison

Camera Quality

Camera Quality	DJI Mavic 3 Classic	DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
CMOS Size	4/3 CMOS, Effective Pixels: 20 MP	1-inch CMOS, Effective pixels: 20M
Photo Resolution	20 Megapixels	20 Megapixels
Video Resolution	5.1k at 50fps or 4k at 120fps	Max 4k at 60fps
Gimbal	3-axis mechanical gimbal	3-axis mechanical gimbal
ISO Range	Video: 100-6400 (normal color) Night Mode: 800-12800 (normal color) Photo: 100-6400	Video: 100-6400 (Manual) Photo: 100-12800 (Manual)
Aperture	f/2.8-f/11	f/2.8-f/11
Shutter Speed	Electronic Shutter: 8-1/8000 s	Electronic Shutter: 8-1/8000 s Mechanical Shutter: 8-1/2000 s
Other Specs	Video Format: H.264/H.265 Max Video Bitrate: 200 Mbps Color Mode: Normal/HLG/D-Log/D-Log M Zoom: Digital, 3× (only in Video Mode) 12.8 Stops Native Dynamic Range Vision Detection Auto Focus Technology	Photo: JPEG, DNG (RAW), JPEG + DNG Video: MP4/MOV (AVC/H.264; HEVC/H.265) Max Video Bitrate: 100 Mbps
Overall Winner	✅	❌

The first time I saw the photo and video quality from a Mavic 3 drone, I was shocked. I mean, it started to be the next generation because whoever thought we would see a 4/3-inch Hasselblad camera in a drone?

By then, I had little knowledge about the technical aspects of drones. I was just the guy flying them, and I loved them. So I tested many cameras and drones, and ever since we got the Mavic 3 Line, including the Classic and 3 Pro, I have been able to take my photography to the next level.

The Phantom 4 Pro CMOS is not that bad, either. Its 1-inch sensor is way above the average of most drones on the market, and the camera quality is exceptional.

In fact, the Phantom 4 Pro V2 also has its place among the best drones with the largest camera sensors. 

The only significant advantage the Phantom 4 Pro v2 has over the DJI Mavic 3 Classic is, in fact, the mechanical shutter. As a note, DSLR cameras have mechanical shutters, and it is rare to find one in a drone.

However, the Swedish company Hasselblad managed to create nothing but the best camera sensor found in any consumer drone.

The dynamic range, low-light capabilities, color representation, and clarity of images and videos captured by the Mavic 3 Classic are simply astonishing. 

Also, we have to remember that both drone cameras are mounted on a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, which helps stabilize the video and images even in windier conditions.

However, the DJI Mavic 3 Classic records at a much higher bitrate, in fact, double at 200 Mbps as compared to the Phantom 4 Pro V2, which records at 100 Mbps. This means that the video quality is far superior to the one found in a Phantom 4 Pro.

» MORE: Camera Technology in Drones (Explained)

Flight Performance

Flight Performance	DJI Mavic 3 Classic	DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Flight Speed	Max Ascent Speed: 8 m/s Max Descent Speed: 6 m/s Max Horizontal Speed: 21 m/s	Max Ascent Speed: 6 m/s Max Descent Speed: 4 m/s Max Horizontal Speed: 20 m/s
Hovering Stability	Excellent hovering stability	Excellent hovering stability
Return-to-home	Yes, Advanced RTH Function	Yes, Standard RTH Function
Wind Speed Resistance	Level 6, 12 m/s	Level 5, 10 m/s
Control and Flight Performance	Very good and smooth control when flying	Decent and smooth control when flying
Operating Temperature Range	-10° to 40° C (14° to 104° F)	0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)
Overall Winner	✅	❌

When aiming towards professional and commercial level drones, all of them are built to fly fantastically with smooth control and pretty quick response from the remote controller.

But flying in windy conditions may come with some challenges, especially if we’re about to do a commercial job that was planned ahead of time. 

While none of these drones are water resistant or are meant to fly in any rainy conditions, the Mavic 3 Classic has a much better wind resistance than the Phantom 4 Pro, making it ideal for harsh weather flights.

As well as the wind resistance level, the Mavic 3 Classic is advertised by DJI to be able to fly in lower temperatures than the Phantom 4 Pro. While it’s not recommended to fly during cold weather as it will drastically affect the battery life, and overall, both drones will do just well, I would always trust the Mavic 3 Classic to fly in more harsh weather conditions.

From my experiences with both drones, I tend to give the Mavic 3 Classic the favor this time just because it deals better with weather conditions, is much faster than the Phantom drone, and, as far as I remember, has smoother controls.

» MORE: Understanding Drone Wind Resistance Levels (Explained)

Smart Features

Smart Features	DJI Mavic 3 Classic	DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Tracking Capabilities	Active Track 5.0 with APAS 5.0 Spotlight Point of Interest	Active Track Profile Spotlight Circle
Follow-me Mode	Yes	Yes
Intelligent Flight Modes	MasterShots, QuickShots, Hyperlapse, Panorama	Tap Fly, Gesture Mode, Draw Mode
Waypoint Flight	Yes	Yes
Cruise Control	Yes	No
Overall Winner	✅	❌

In the past couple of years, drones have had a massive boost in technological advancements, making newer drones smarter than ever compared to older ones.

And because the Phantom 4 Pro is much older than the Mavic 3 Classic, it does not benefit from the same advanced features.

For instance, the Mavic 3 Classic does have APAS 5.0 and Active Track 5.0, which are the most advanced and newer intelligent models, alongside the Active Track 360 found in Mini 4 Pro.

With this, the drone calculates possibilities when tracking or avoiding obstacles at a much faster rate and is capable of more smart features.

One conclusive example would be that the Mavic 3 Classic has an Advanced Return-to-home where the drone will not only fly in a direct path towards you but will find a new path if needed (if obstacles are on the way).

Although I would not trust this feature with my drone, it gives me that much more peace of mind that my drone won’t fly straight into the first building if the RTH is activated and there’s no clear pathway between the drone and me.

The DJI Mavic 3 Classic also has the QuickShots modes like with all newer DJI drones, from DJI Mini 2 to Mavic 3 Pro. But sadly, not the Phantom 4 Pro. At least not the same features.

Therefore, the tracking capabilities and processing power behind the Mavic 3 Classic are far superior to the ones found behind the Phantom 4 Pro v2.0.

» MORE: Smart Features in Drones (Explained for Beginners)

Portability

Portability	DJI Mavic 3 Classic	DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Weight	895 grams	1375 grams
Size	Folded (without propellers): 221×96.3×90.3 mm	Diagonal Size (Propellers Excluded): 350 mm
Foldable?	Yes	No
Easy to Carry?	Yes	No
Overall Winner	✅	❌

None of these drones are as portable as the DJI Mini 3 Pro, Mini 4 Pro, or even the Air 3, which weighs no more than 720 grams.

But still, with the DJI Mavic 3 Classic weighing around 900 grams, we have the advantage of a bit of portability because it can fold and is much more compact than the Phantom 4 Pro.

The Phantom drone weighs nearly 1.4kg and does not fold at all. It has tall landing gear that is permanently installed into the drone frame.

For transportation, you will definitely need a large rigid case specifically designed for the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, or you will struggle traveling with this drone. Packed in a hard case, it occupies a lot of space.

The advantage of the more compact Mavic 3 Classic is that it can be placed in a backpack, as with most DJI drones, and although you’ll feel the weight a bit, it won’t be as bad as having a Phantom drone.

Therefore, there’s no doubt that the winner here is the Mavic 3 Classic by a large margin.

» MORE: Traveling With a Drone (Is It Worth It?)

Flight Time

Flight Time	DJI Mavic 3 Classic	DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Max Flight Time per Battery	46 minutes	30 minutes
Max Hovering Time	40 minutes	n/a
Battery Capacity	Li-ion 4S, 5000 mAh, 77 Wh	LiPo 4S, 5870 mAh, 89.2 Wh
Overall Winner	✅	❌

Despite the fact that the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 has a much larger battery capacity than the one found in the Mavic 3 Classic, it flies for less time.

Older-generation drones do not tend to fly for more than 30 minutes. However, at that time, having a drone in the air for so long was terrific, despite the fact that you only get about 25 minutes of actual flight time.

Nowadays, most drones have an average of 40+ minutes. 

The difference between the Mavic 3 Classic and other Mavic 3 drones in flight time is not that much; in fact, the same batteries work for the entire Mavic 3 line.

The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 has no other matching batteries for this drone. 

Of course, we have to consider many other aspects that can affect the flight time of a drone, such as wind speeds and weather conditions, interference, and how we fly the drone overall.

With the Mavic 3 Classic, expect to have an actual flight time of about 35-37 minutes before you need to land without discharging the battery to zero.

Still, it is way better than the Phantom 4 Pro’s flight time.

» MORE: Flight Time of All DJI Drones (Explained)

Flight Range

Flight Range	DJI Mavic 3 Classic	DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Transmission System	DJI OcuSync 3.0+	DJI OcuSync 2.0
Max Flight Distance	18.6 miles or 30km	n/a
FCC (USA)	9.3 miles or 15km	6.2 miles or 10km
CE (Europe)	5 miles or 8 km	3.7 miles or 6 km
SRRC (China)	5 miles or 8 km	3.7 miles or 6 km
MIC (Japan)	5 miles or 8 km	3.7 miles or 6 km
Overall Winner	✅	❌

The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 comes with the older generation transmission system, the O2, while the Mavic 3 Classic has the O3+ transmission system.

The Mavic 3 Classic has two newer generations of OcuSync that make a significant difference in flight range and combat heavy interference areas.

While legally, you are not allowed to fly out of the line of sight, it is good to know that these drones are capable of such flights. 

The latest transmission system module was released last year with a massive improvement in range and penetration. That is the DJI O4, which is the next improvement to the one found behind the Mavic 3 Classic.

» MORE: Long Range Drones: Ultimate Guide

Compatibility

Compatibility	DJI Mavic 3 Classic	DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Compatible Controllers	DJI RC-N1 DJI RC DJI RC Pro DJI RC Motion 2 (with goggles)	Standard DJI Phantom 4 Pro RC
Compatible Goggles	DJI Motion Integra DJI Goggles 2	None
Overall Winner	✅	❌

We all want to have a drone that is not locked in to use only with the accessories or controllers it came with. We need a bit of flexibility for whatever reason.

But with the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, we don’t have any flexibility. It is compatible only with the original controller, and that’s it.

That’s because this drone line was concluded years ago and long before the Mini, Air, and Mavic series started to replace them. Then, the focus shifted toward those.

For instance, the DJI Mavic 3 Classic with the O3+ transmission system is compatible with the standard DJI RC-N1 remote controller, to which you need to attach a phone or tablet, and with the DJI RC with screen, and the most professional remote controller ever released, the DJI RC Pro.

If you’re into commercial work with this drone, you will benefit to the maximum from the most professional RC ever created, the DJI RC Pro.

Moreover, the compatibility doesn’t end here. 

When the FPV side of DJI had massive success, they started to focus a lot more on the FPV experience with goggles. So it wasn’t long until two DJI goggles, the Goggles 2 and Integra, became compatible with several drones, including the Mavic 3 Classic.

But remember that you’ll be able to see through the goggles and get the same FPV experience only by controlling the drone (and linking it) to the DJI RC Motion 2, a motion controller specifically created for FPV drones released by DJI. 

» MORE: Best Drone Controllers

Safety Features

Safety Features	DJI Mavic 3 Classic	DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Obstacle Avoidance Sensors	Omnidirectional binoculars obstacle avoidance sensors	3-way obstacle avoidance sensors (front, backward, and downwards)
When Losing Signal	Can return to home autonomously, but it also benefits from the advanced RTH	Can return to home autonomously
Downward Vision Sensors	Yes, supplemented with an IR sensor	Yes.
GPS	GPS + Galileo + BeiDou	GPS/GLONASS
Overall Winner	✅	❌

In the case of many features and intelligent modes, the technology has evolved quite a lot in the past few years, and overall, drones have become safer to use.

From APAS 5.0, which is an Advanced Piloting Assistance System, the DJI’s technology enables the drone to detect, avoid, and even bypass obstacles in all directions and to pinpoint the drone’s exact location to a 10th of a meter, the DJI Mavic 3 Classic is far superior to what we find in Phantom 4 Pro.

The phantom drone is not bad at all. It does have 3-directional anti-collision sensors and a few safety features behind it, but nothing will compare to one of the safest drones released by DJI ever, which is the Mavic 3 Classic, as well as the other drones from the Mavic 3 series.

Both drones are able to respond and autonomously return to home if getting out of range or losing signal with the drone, on low battery, or even refusing to take off in restricted airspace.

However, the Global Positioning System found in Mavic 3 Classic is far superior to the one found in the Phantom 4 Pro.

The safety features are there for a reason, and if we reflect a few years back, even before the Phantom 4 Pro, they were almost non-existent on cheaper drones.

If you’re interested in more safety features that are part of these drones, we recommend you read the following article:

» MORE: Drone Safety Features (All You Need to Know)

Apps

Apps	DJI Mavic 3 Classic	DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Core App	DJI Fly App	DJI Go 4
SDK?	No	Yes
Overall Winner	❌	✅

The Mavic 3 Classic does use the DJI Fly App, which is the most common and up-to-date app used across all the newer DJI drones.

On the other hand, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 uses the older DJI Go 4 App.

While more features and updates are being added to the DJI Fly App that benefits the most drones (excl. firmware updates), the DJI Go 4 is not yet discontinued and continues to receive support.

One of the biggest downsides with the DJI Mavic 3 series (not only the Classic version) is that it does not support SDK (Software Development Kit), so it will be more limited with being compatible with 3rd party apps.

On the other hand, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 fully supports SDK. 

This feature is usually limited or restricted on newer drones and is released once these drones get older, but it is not always.

» MORE: DJI GO 4 vs. Litchi vs. Autopilot: Which App is Best?

Ease of Use

Ease of Use	DJI Mavic 3 Classic	DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Beginner Friendly	More beginner friendly	Less beginner-friendly than the Mavic 3 Classic
Easy to Setup	Easy to set up, it takes less time	More complex to set up if the propellers are removed for transportation.
Easy to Fly	Easier to fly thanks to APAS 5.0	More difficult to fly than any newer drones.
Overall Winner	✅	❌

With newer drones and better technology, drones have become even easier to fly, set up for flight, calibrate, and control.

The DJI Mavic 3 Classic is one of them. It’s a very smart drone with many safety features behind it, but it does have a few beginner tools to help anyone get started.

And even if you feel you’re about to crash the drone, the obstacle avoidance sensors should help you.

It does not take much time to set it up. You unfold the arms; propellers can always stay on drones as well. Turn on the DJI RC or RC Pro, or connect the phone to RC-N1 and fly it.

On the other hand, you will always have to connect a mobile phone to the Phantom 4 Pro Controller, which may require extra setup, especially if you remove the propellers after each flight for transportation.

I have flown many drones, and only a handful can I say are really easy to fly. Included in this are the Mini 3 Pro and 4 Pro and Mavic 3 series. They’re fantastic drones for beginners but, at the same time, intimidating to fly, knowing how much they cost.

» MORE: How to Fly a Drone: Ultimate Beginner Guide (with Drawings)

Conclusion

You probably know that I already made up my mind long before creating this article – and I’m not influenced by anything or anyone nor sponsored to write this comparison – I simply want to state the fact that once you spend the money on an expensive drone, that’s it – there’s mostly no turning back.

And both drones are pretty expensive for most people, and I really don’t want you to pick the wrong one.

So my absolute decision is to pick the Mavic 3 Classic – for its current price, it’s one of the best drones with a technology/price ratio. It’s also the cheapest drone you could buy with a 4/3 inch CMOS, which is extraordinary for photography, filming, and even commercial applications.

The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 is outdated, and while it still receives support, other drones from the Phantom line do not. So it will be just a matter of time until they stop supporting this drone.

Now, don’t get me wrong, if you manage to get a really good deal for a used Phantom 4 Pro (second version), or with a massive discount as new with a major price gap between it and the Mavic 3 Classic, then it is justifiable to acquire it.

Other than that, stick with the Mavic 3 Classic as you won’t regret it – or if you can afford to add a few hundred bucks to your budget, aim for the Mavic 3 Pro as it’s the best and most advanced consumer drone ever created.

» MORE: Best Drones for Carrying Weight