DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise vs DJI Phantom 4 RTK

• The Mavic 3 Enterprise is DJI's new compact and lightweight drone surveying solution;

• The Mavic 3E is a more portable and more efficient solution than the DJI Phantom 4 RTK; 

• The Mavic 3 Enterprise has a larger sensor, bigger pixel size, and longer flight time compared to the P4 RTK;

• Tests show that the Mavic 3 Enterprise is up to eight times more efficient than the P4 RTK, when the GSD is 1cm;

• The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise is more cost-effective than the DJI Phantom 4 RTK;

• Read the blog for an in-depth comparison between the Mavic 3E and Phantom 4 RTK. Also find out how the Mavic 3 Enterprise compares to the M300 RTK-P1 for aerial surveying. 

Drones have become a key tool for surveying and DJI solutions have helped drive this revolution.

Now, DJI has unveiled its latest mapping drone: The Mavic 3 Enterprise.

Taking inspiration from the popular Mavic series, it offers a compact and lightweight aerial surveying solution.

So, how does the Mavic 3 Enterprise compare to DJI's other portable aerial surveying solution, the P4 RTK?

We'll take a look in this blog. We'll also analyse how the Mavic 3 Enterprise compares to the M300 RTK and P1.

DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Vs DJI Phantom 4 RTK: Key Specs At A Glance 

Before we delve into the specifics in detail, let's take a look at the key specifications at a glance. 

DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Vs Phantom 4 RTK: Cameras

Camera quality is crucial for surveying.

The Mavic 3 Enterprise comes out on top in this department thanks to several key upgrades on the Phantom 4 RTK.

While both drones' wide cameras have a 20MP resolution, the Mavic 3 Enterprise benefits from a larger 4/3 CMOS sensor, compared to the Phantom 4 RTK's one-inch sensor. This helps improve the image quality, upping the size of the pixels.

The Mavic 3 Enterprise achieves 3.3um pixel size, bettering the 2.4um on the P4 RTK.

Bigger pixels mean better low-light performance, reduced noise, good dynamic range, and the ability to obtain more information: A major benefit for precise and efficient aerial surveying. The Mavic 3 Enterprise also features an Intelligent Low-Light Mode, offering significantly improved performance in dimconditions. 

The Mavic 3 Enterprise also has a 12MP Tele Camera, capable of achieving up to 56x hybrid zoom.

The Mavic 3 Enterprise also has a shorter shooting interval - taking a picture every 0.7 seconds compared to the Phantom 4 RTK's 2.5 seconds, which further improves surveying efficiency. More on this in the next section.

Both drones have a mechanical shutter, meaning they can move while taking pictures without the risk of rolling shutter blur at higher speeds.

The tables below provide an overview of the camera specifications for both drones.

Wide Camera

Tele Camera

DJI Mavic 3E vs DJI P4 RTK: Surveying Efficiency And Accuracy

The Mavic 3 Enterprise is an extremely efficient surveying solution, especially in comparison to the Phantom 4 RTK.

There are several factors enabling this, including its better quality sensor (such as larger pixel size and bigger sensor), the shorter shooting interval and enhanced battery life (45 minutes - or 42 minutes with RTK Module - vs 30 minutes).

Tests have shown that the Mavic 3 Enterprise is up to eight times more efficient than the P4 RTK, when the GSD is 1cm. With 5cm GSD, the orhophoto efficiency of the Mavic 3E can reach 2.25 square kilometres, which is 1.9 times that of the Phantom 4 RTK.

The table below shows the enhanced efficiencies of the Mavic 3 Enterprise, compared to the Phantom 4 RTK.  

To aid surveying efficiency, the Mavic 3 Enterprise will benefit from Smart Oblique Capture: An automatic rotation of the gimbal to take images at different angles.

This will mean that the Mavic 3E will need to conduct two flights over the survey area to capture the necessary oblique data, whereas the P4 RTK would need to conduct five flights in different flight grid patterns to collect the same data. DJI says the Smart Oblique Capture feature for the Mavic 3E is coming at the end of this year.

Both drones benefit from TimeSync, which continually aligns the flight controller, camera and the aircrafts' RTK module. Additionally, TimeSync ensures each photo uses the most accurate metadata and fixes the positioning data to the optical centre of the lens – optimising the results from photogrammetric methods and letting the image achieve centimetre-level positioning data.

It is important to note that the Mavic 3E's RTK Module is an accessory and needs to be purchased separately from the drone. This module is required for high-precision surveying.

Meanwhile, to help ensure the accuracy of modelling, the Mavic 3E's camera will be calibrated with internal parameters when it leaves the factory and the internal parameters will be written in the XMP information of each image. 

The Mavic 3E and the P4 RTK can be used with the D-RTK 2 base station: DJI’s upgraded high-precision GNSS receiver that supports all major global satellite navigation systems, providing real-time differential corrections that generate centimetre-level positioning data for improved relative accuracy.

In terms of GNSS, the Mavic 3 Enterprise supports four GNSS systems, while the P4 RTK supports three. For drones operating in the UK region, these GNSS systems are:

• Mavic 3 Enterprise: GPS + Galileo + BeiDou + GLONASS

• Phantom 4 RTK: GPS + GLONASS + Galileo

DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Vs DJI Phantom 4 RTK: Performance

The Phantom 4 RTK is a powerful compact surveying solution. But the Mavic 3 Enterprise takes several key performance features and improves them.

We've already covered the longer flight time, which helps to increase surveying efficiency, but the Mavic 3E goes further than this, enabling surveyors to capture more data in more environments.

For instance, the Mavic 3 Enterprise series is a more robust, thanks to its improved wind-speed resistance (12m/s vs the P4R's 10m/s) and its greater operational envelope, enabling flights in temperatures from -10°C to 40°C, compared to the P4 RTK's 0°C to 40°C. 

However, neither aircraft has an IP rating, meaning they aren't suited to wet weather operations. 

Aside from its enhanced weather resistance, the Mavic 3E is also a more agile aircraft, with enhanced ascent and descent speeds.

The table below provides an overview of the drones' key performance features. 

DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Vs DJI Phantom 4 RTK: Safety Features

A key component of the drones' performance capabilities is its safety features.

The P4 RTK is an extremely reliable aircraft, but the Mavic 3E packs in some of DJI's most recent tech to afford pilots with even greater in-flight security.  

One of the highlights is the Mavic 3 Enterprise's omnidirectional binocular vision system, compared to the P4 RTK's forward/rear/downward binocular vision system.

The Mavic 3 Enterprise also benefits from:

• Advanced Return To Home: Automatically determines the optimal route back to the home point and executes it quickly. 

• APAS 5.0: Mavic 3 Enterprise continually senses objects in all directions during flight and bypasses them quickly and smoothly. 

DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Vs DJI Phantom 4 RTK: Design

The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and Phantom 4 RTK are different in their design.

One of the biggest differences is that the Mavic 3E is foldable, while the Phantom 4 RTK is fixed. This, plus its lighter bodyweight, means the Mavic 3 Enterprise is a more portable aircraft, ideal for slipping in a rucksack.

Both drones have fixed cameras, but the Mavic 3 Enterprise has the benefit of being able to carry extra modules, such as a spotlight and the all-important RTK module.

It is worth noting that the RTK module comes as part of the P4 RTK, whereas the module for the Mavic 3 Enterprise needs to be purchased separately and mounted to the top of the aircraft. This accessory is required to enable the drone to maximise its surveying capabilities.

DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Vs DJI Phantom 4 RTK: Remote Controller

The Mavic 3 Enterprise is controlled with the new DJI RC Pro Enterprise controller with 5.5-inch, 1,000-nit high-bright screen while the Phantom 4 RTK can be operated with either the standard RC with 5.5-inch built-in screen or the SDK remote controller, which is compatible with mobile devices.

The Mavic 3E benefits from the O3 Enterprise transmission system, which provides a stronger connection over 8km (CE), while the Phantom 4 RTK has the more dated OcuSync, and a more limited 5km (CE) maximum transmission distance.

The Mavic 3E utilises the new Pilot 2 app, while the P4 RTK standard controller has the pre-installed GS Pro. With the SDK remote controller, operators can plug in a compatible Android or iOS device and install any compatible DJI Mobile SDK-enabled app to harness the full power of their Phantom 4 RTK.

As an added advantage, the Mavic 3 Enterprise can be used with DJI FlightHub 2: An all-in-one cloud-based drone operations management platform.

DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Vs DJI Phantom 4 RTK: Mission Planning

The Mavic 3 Enterprise and DJI Phantom 4 RTK can conduct a range of flights, thanks to these mission planning features:

DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Vs DJI Phantom 4 RTK: Price

The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise is a more powerful aircraft than the Phantom 4 RTK - and it is also a more cost-effective option.

Purchasing the Mavic 3E and the additional RTK Module will cost just over £3,600, while the Phantom 4 RTK (which comes with built-in module) will set you back in excess of £5,000.

This makes the Mavic 3E a seriously attractive proposition: Bringing additional surveying efficiencies, at a more affordable price point. 

Mavic 3 Enterprise Vs M300 RTK and P1

The Mavic 3 Enterprise is an upgrade on the Phantom 4 RTK. But how does the Mavic 3E compare to DJI's other photogrammetry solution, the P1 camera integrated with the M300 RTK?

In truth, the M300-P1 is still DJI's most powerful photogrammetry drone mapping product, but they are aimed at a different audience.

The Mavic 3E is ideal for surveyors wanting a more compact and cost-effective aerial surveying solution and for those who don't want to jump straight to the M300 RTK-P1, which is a significantly more expensive platform, as well as a far heavier aircraft.

For instance, an M300 RTK-P1 combination comes in at just over the £16,000 mark. As we've said already, the Mavic 3E with RTK module is a fraction of this price, at just over £3,600. 

It is also important to state that the M300 RTK is a more versatile drone, able to integrate with a range of payloads - including LiDAR - for greater operational flexibility.

But for anyone who is considering choosing between the two, here's some vital stats to help you out.

 Aircraft

Camera

And in terms of surveying efficiency, here's how they stack up:

Mavic 3 Enterprise Vs Phantom 4 RTK: Summary

The DJI Phantom 4 RTK was a revelation when it was released in 2018: A lightweight, compact and highly-accurate mapping drone.

DJI has since built on these solid foundations and has now released the Mavic 3 Enterprise, which offers even greater portability and even better efficiencies.

Aimed at the same market as the P4 RTK, it is likely that the Mavic 3E will take the mantle as DJI's flagship compact mapping solution. After all, it is certainly an upgrade on the Phantom, and at a more cost-effective price point! 

The Mavic 3 Enterprise also provides a quality surveying solution for those who do not choose to use the M300 RTK-P1, or who want to start small, before scaling up.

Contact heliguy™ to start or scale your drone surveying programme with the DJI Mavic 3E.