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DJI Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced vs DJI Mavic 3 Thermal
Comparison between DJI Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced and DJI Mavic 3 Thermal drones. Find out how DJI M3TA's upgraded thermal camera further benefits operations.
DJI has unveiled the DJI Mavic 3T Advanced, an upgraded version of the DJI Mavic 3 Thermal;
The DJI M3TA features an optimised infrared camera compared to the M3T, enabling more accurate temperature measurements, clearer views at the same distance, and greater range with the same clarity;
In other departments, DJI M3TA shares the same technical specs and features, including the same wide-angle and tele cameras.
DJI has introduced a new drone to its Mavic 3 Enterprise line-up: The DJI Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced.
This recently-added member of the M3E family is an upgraded version of the DJI Mavic 3 Thermal, bringing a superior thermal camera for enhanced infrared imaging.
In other areas, technical specifications and features remain unchanged - including both drones being equipped with the same RGB wide and tele cameras to complement the thermal sensor.
So, what does it mean for operators? Essentially, you get a compact thermal drone solution with enhanced data capture capabilities compared to the tried and tested Mavic 3 Thermal.
It also offers a more cost-effective alternative to the thermal platforms in DJI's newer product families, the DJI Matrice 4 and Matrice 4D Series - although these drones are equipped with a more stacked feature array. More on this later.
DJI Mavic 3TA vs DJI Mavic 3T: What's the difference between the thermal camera?
The upgraded thermal camera is the key difference between the DJI Mavic 3TA and Mavic 3T, so let's look at how they compare - highlighting their similarities and the M3TA's enhanced specs, including narrower field of view and longer focal length.
Thermal camera | DJI M3TA | DJI M3T |
|---|---|---|
Resolution | 640 x 512 | 640 x 512 |
Pixel pitch | 8 μm | 12 μm |
DFOV | 41.2° | 61° |
35mm equivalent focal length | 60 mm | 40 mm |
iFOV | 0.88 mrad | 1.29 mrad |
Frame rate | 30 Hz | 30 Hz |
Thermal imager | Uncooled VOx Microbolometer | Uncooled VOx Microbolometer |
Temperature measurement method | Spot Meter, Area Measurement | Spot Meter, Area Measurement |
Temperature measurement range | -20° to 150° C (-4° to 302° F, High Gain Mode) 0° to 500° C (32° to 932° F, Low Gain Mode) | -20° to 150° C (-4° to 302° F, High Gain Mode) 0° to 500° C (32° to 932° F, Low Gain Mode) |
Digital zoom | 28x | 28x |
Palette | White Hot, Black Hot, Tint, Iron Red, Hot Iron, Arctic, Medical, Fulgurite, Rainbow 1, Rainbow 2 | White Hot, Black Hot, Tint, Iron Red, Hot Iron, Arctic, Medical, Fulgurite, Rainbow 1, Rainbow 2 |
How does DJI Mavic 3TA's upgraded thermal camera benefit me?
While the thermal cameras on the Mavic 3TA and Mavic 3T have the same resolution, tweaks to the field of view and focal length provide enhanced results.
This includes:
More accurate temperature measurement: A narrower field of view and longer focal length provide better spatial resolution. At the same shooting distance, a target of the same size takes more pixels, which makes the temperature measurement more accurate.
Clearer view at the same distance: DJI M3EA delivers sharper images when observing from the same distance.
Greater range at the same clarity: At the same infrared resolution, DJI M3EA can identify targets at greater distances.
The table shows that the M3TA's thermal pixel pitch is reduced compared to the M3T. Typically, with the same size sensor, 12 μm (fewer, but larger pixels) is better suited to thermal/nighttime operations because the larger pixels collect more infrared light and reduce noise.
However, the Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced's better spatial resolution (ie smaller iFOV) allows the thermal camera to obtain enhanced details at the same distance.
DJI Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced vs DJI Mavic 3 Thermal: Common features
Aside from the thermal camera, the specs, design, and performance of the DJI Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced are the same as the DJI Mavic 3 Thermal.
Some of these key specifications are highlughted below.
Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
Weight (with propellers, without accessories) | 920 g* |
Dimensions | Folded (without propellers): 221 x 96.3 x 90.3 mm (L x W x H) Unfolded (without propellers): 347.5 x 283 x 107.7 mm (L x W x H) |
Max flight time | 45 minutes* |
Operating temperature range | -10° to 40° C (14° to 104° F) |
Wide camera (visual) | 1/2-inch CMOS 48MP |
Tele camera (visual) | 1/2-inch CMOS 12 MP 8x digital zoom (56x hybrid zoom) |
Sensing | Omnidirectional binocular vision system, supplemented with an infrared sensor at the bottom of the aircraft. |
Transmission | DJI O3 Enterprise Transmission 8 km (CE) maximum transmission distance |
Controller | DJI RC Pro Enterprise |
*Please note, flight time and weight in the table above relate to the Mavic 3 Thermal and Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced drones, which use the DJI Mavic 3 Series Intelligent Flight Battery and DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series Propellers.
When used with the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series Battery (EU C1 Version) and DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series Low-Noise Propellers, the max take-off weight of DJI Mavic 3T and 3TA is 899g, and the maximum flight time is 36 minutes.
A Mavic 3 Enterprise Series drone with a C2 label cannot be considered C1-compliant if used with an EU-C1 version battery.
A Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced (EU-C1) version does come with a C1 certification, when used with the EU-C1 battery and low-noise propellers. The Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced (Universal Edition) currently does not have C1 or C2 certification.
Initially, heliguy™ is selling the Universal Edition.
DJI Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced vs DJI Matrice 4T and Matrice 4TD
The Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced can be considered a mid-grade upgrade: It builds on the thermal capabilities of the original Mavic 3 Thermal, but lags behind DJI's portable thermal solutions that are found within the newer DJI M4D and M4TD families.
Highlights of the beefed-up DJI M4T and DJI M4TD include a six-module payload array for greater mission versatility, (wide camera, medium tele camera, tele camera, laser rangefinder, therma camera, and NIR auxiliary light), AI object detection, and up to 49 minutes of flight time.
The DJI M4T and M4TD are essentially the same drone, but the M4TD is equipped with an IP55 rating.
However, these solutions come with a larger price tag.
So, for operators who want a portable, compact, and more affordable thermal drone - including those who want to stick with the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series for operational continuity - the new DJI Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced offers an ideal solution.
Contact heliguy™ today to start and scale your operations with DJI thermal drones.
