TechCamerasDronesDJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3 drones: the key differencesThe DJI Avata and DJI Mavic 3 are two superb drones and produce ace video content but which one is for you?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechCamerasDronesDJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3 drones: the key differencesThe DJI Avata and DJI Mavic 3 are two superb drones and produce ace video content but which one is for you?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The DJI Avata and DJI Mavic 3 are two superb drones and produce ace video content but which one is for you?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: DJI)
(Image credit: DJI)
Today’s best DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Avata dealsDJI Mavic 3$2,049$1,689.10ViewSee all pricesDJI Avata$889ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Avata dealsDJI Mavic 3$2,049$1,689.10ViewSee all pricesDJI Avata$889ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Avata dealsDJI Mavic 3$2,049$1,689.10ViewSee all pricesDJI Avata$889ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Avata deals
DJI Mavic 3$2,049$1,689.10ViewSee all pricesDJI Avata$889ViewSee all prices
DJI Mavic 3$2,049$1,689.10ViewSee all prices
DJI Mavic 3$2,049$1,689.10ViewSee all prices
DJI Mavic 3
DJI Mavic 3
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$2,049$1,689.10
$1,689.10
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DJI Avata$889ViewSee all prices
DJI Avata$889ViewSee all prices
DJI Avata
DJI Avata
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$889
$889
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Welcome to our comparison feature on the newDJI Avataand its larger stablemate, theDJI Mavic 3. Both of these drones represent the pinnacle of aerial cinematography – which is why they feature in our guide to theBest Camera Drones– yet they are entirely different beasts.
For this reason, this comparison won’t be about which drone is best but how each model performs and how they individually shoot aerial footage from such vastly differing perspectives.
In an ideal world, any self-respecting professional or amateur aerial cinematographer would do well to have both drones in their armoury, if only to have the wherewithal to cover every conceivable angle for all of their creative works.
But this is a far from ideal world right now so what I’ll try and impart is the way these two drones differ and the types of aerial video and stills they’re capable of providing.
DJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3: key differences
This is what you get with the DJI Avata package(Image credit: DJI)
This is what you get with the DJI Avata package
This is what you get with the DJI Avata package
(Image credit: DJI)
DJI’s new Avata FPV drone provides a portal to a whole new style of cinematography that simply isn’t attainable using a conventional camera drone like the DJI Mavic 3. Where, up until relatively recently, aerial video footage from a drone like the Mavic 3 was restricted to being flat, gentle and smoothly cinematic, the new Avata produces footage that dives and sweeps like an angry peregrine falcon homing in on a kill. Hence, where the Mavic 3’s footage is similar to looking over the passenger basket of a hot air balloon, the Avata’s is like being strapped to the nose of a jet fighter.
And this is what you get with the DJI Mavic 3 package(Image credit: DJI)
And this is what you get with the DJI Mavic 3 package
And this is what you get with the DJI Mavic 3 package
(Image credit: DJI)
The Avata’s DJI goggles are amazingly comfortable and not too heavy on the head. Furthermore, the quality of the footage streaming live from the nose of the craft is outrageously sharp which makes flying it a confidence-inspiring hoot. Using goggles to fly a drone is an extremely immersive experience but it can also be nauseating for beginners, so take it one step at a time and be sure to sit down when flying lest you lose balance.
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Aside from the fact that one drone is flown line of sight and the other wearing goggles, the biggest difference between these two drones is that the DJI Avata is much, much smaller and therefore narrower than the Mavic 3 – the Avata is 18cm in width and the Mavic 3 is 28.3cm without propellers – and this makes the Avata a shoo-in for tight flying through windows and around obstacles. For this reason, the Avata is equipped with a robust propeller guard that will help protect the drone in crashes and when flying within the vicinity of people.
DJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3: speed differences
When it comes to speed, the Avata is in its own league. For instance, where, in Sport mode, the Mavic 3 is capable of reaching an acceptably nippy top speed of 42mph, the Avata in manual mode can hit an incredible 60mph. This is still a lot slower than some racing drones but to most pilots 60mph is plenty fast enough.
DJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3: flight characteristics
The DJI Avata is a perfect size for flying through small gaps(Image credit: DJI)
The DJI Avata is a perfect size for flying through small gaps
The DJI Avata is a perfect size for flying through small gaps
(Image credit: DJI)
This is because the Avata can also be flown in full manual mode which opens up a raft of control options. I should add that before selecting manual mode, the pilot should first use the DJI Virtual Flight app to learn the ropes of manual control because it is stupefyingly difficult to get a handle on. Basically, the simulator app connects with the goggles and hand controller to provide as realistic a virtual flight as possible. In fact, the graphics are so good it’s like playing a computer game.
Once mastered, manual mode is the go-to function that all FPV pilots use when shooting video. It’s the only mode that allows pilots to quite literally dive down the side of a waterfall and instantly flip around to shoot straight up again. Which brings me to control response.
(Image credit: DJI)
DJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3: control systems
You control the Avata with a gyroscopic hand controller(Image credit: DJI)
You control the Avata with a gyroscopic hand controller
You control the Avata with a gyroscopic hand controller
(Image credit: DJI)
The Mavic 3 ships with a standard hand controller while the Avata comes with DJI’s amazing Motion Controller. To use it, simply tilt you hand forward, backwards, left and right and the drone will follow suit. However, you can’t engage manual mode using the Motion Controller so if you really want to open up full manual functionality, you will need to invest in theDJI FPV Remote Controller 2. This will provide full control in all directions so you can control the Avata to turn instantly and dive nose down.
DJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3: cameras
The Avata’s camera is very good but nowhere near as sharp as the Mavic 3’s(Image credit: DJI)
The Avata’s camera is very good but nowhere near as sharp as the Mavic 3’s
The Avata’s camera is very good but nowhere near as sharp as the Mavic 3’s
(Image credit: DJI)
The Avata’s camera is equipped with a 1/1.7“ CMOS sensor capable of recording in 4K at 60fps and 2.7K at 120fps. Since the Avata’s gimbal has only one axis, images are steadied using horizon-steady electronic image stabilisation. The camera’s field of view is a super wide 155˚.
If you want to shoot ravishing video and stills, the Mavic 3 is unsurpassed(Image credit: DJI)
If you want to shoot ravishing video and stills, the Mavic 3 is unsurpassed
If you want to shoot ravishing video and stills, the Mavic 3 is unsurpassed
(Image credit: DJI)
The Mavic 3 is also available as a ‘Cine’ model which comes with DJI’s superb RC Pro controller with bright display, a built-in 1TB SSD and support forAppleProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, and Apple ProRes 422 LT video recording. This model is extraordinarily expensive, mind, and only suitable for pros who also have the computing power in their editing suites to deal with much larger file sizes.
In a nutshell, there is a world of difference between the two cameras and the quality of the images they produce. Granted, the speedy footage the Avata produces is much more dramatic to watch and it’s perfectly acceptable to be viewed on a large computer monitor, phone or tablet, but it can’t hold a candle to the Mavic 3, which produces much better video that has a lot more detail in the frame.
Hence, if you want to shoot aerial video of very near professional quality that can be viewed on a huge screen, opt for the Mavic 3. But if you want to create jaw-dropping video content while enjoying the immersive experience that only FPV flying can provide, go for the Avata.
The upshot is that these two drones create such different content that many pros and prosumers have added both models to their armouries.
DJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3: video styles
As explained throughout this article, both of these drones provide quite radically different content that is difficult to illustrate in words, so I think the best form of explanation is to show you a couple of YouTube videos that perfectly illustrate the different styles of video each drone produces.
DJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3: shooting stills
(Image credit: DJI)
(Image credit: DJI)
DJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3: Obstacle sensing
The DJI Mavic has five-way obstacle sensing while the Avata has just one downward-facing sensor(Image credit: DJI)
The DJI Mavic has five-way obstacle sensing while the Avata has just one downward-facing sensor
The DJI Mavic has five-way obstacle sensing while the Avata has just one downward-facing sensor
(Image credit: DJI)
DJI Avata vs DJI Mavic 3: verdict
(Image credit: DJI)
(Image credit: DJI)
Since these two drones are so radically different, you ultimately need to weigh up the kind of footage you think you’ll want to shoot. The DJI Mavic 3 is generally easier to control and much better suited to beginners. It also shoots much sharper footage and stills.
The DJI Avata, on the other hand, provides a much more immersive flying experience and the footage it’s capable of shooting is much more dramatic though not as detailed as the Mavic 3. Also, the Mavic 3 is much quicker to get in the air and its prop arms fold up for easier porterage.
Want my personal opinion? Watch as many YouTube videos as you can to learn about each drone’s characteristics and the type of footage they’re capable of shooting and then make your decision.
Today’s best DJI Mavic 3 deals$2,049$1,689.10ViewLow Stock$1,879ViewLow Stock$2,050ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best DJI Mavic 3 deals$2,049$1,689.10ViewLow Stock$1,879ViewLow Stock$2,050ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best DJI Mavic 3 deals
$2,049$1,689.10ViewLow Stock$1,879ViewLow Stock$2,050View
$2,049$1,689.10View
$2,049$1,689.10View
$2,049$1,689.10View
$2,049$1,689.10
$1,689.10
Low Stock$1,879View
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
$1,879View
$1,879View
$1,879
$1,879
Low Stock$2,050View
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
$2,050View
$2,050View
$2,050
$2,050
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best DJI Avata deals$549View$629View$889ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best DJI Avata deals$549View$629View$889ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best DJI Avata deals
$549View$629View$889View
$549View
$549View
$549View
$549
$549
$629View
$629View
$629View
$629
$629
$889View
$889View
$889View
$889
$889
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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