Thanks for studying this text on which drone is healthier: the Autel Evo Lite Plus or the DJI Mavic 3 Professional.
Whereas DJI has been releasing prosumer and advanced-level drones at a blazing pace this previous 12 months to 12 months and a half, Autel has taken a slower strategy to drone releases, with a good bit of time between main releases.
I primarily fly drones for enterprise functions. So my important focus oftentimes is “what drones work finest for my shopper’s wants.” With this view in thoughts, I’ve used the Autel Evo Lite+ for a little bit over a 12 months and the Mavic 3 Professional for just a few months.
On this article, I’ll study the important thing variations between the Autel Evo Lite Plus and the Mavic 3 Professional, the upgrades within the all-new Mavic 3 Professional, my general expertise with every, and why I think about the Mavic 3 Professional to be the higher industrial drone.
In case you are trying to increase your skilled fleet, this text will aid you determine which drone is finest for you and your shoppers.
Transient Overview
Autel Evo Lite Plus
Because the senior on this comparability article, the Autel Evo Lite Plus was launched in January 2022 and is considered because the direct competitor to the 2021 DJI Air 2S.
Apart from competing towards the Air 2S, the Evo Lite Plus is a smaller (i.e. lite) and equally highly effective model of the Autel Evo II skilled drone, dubbed the Evo II Professional. Even shut to 2 years later, the Evo Lite Plus affords just a few trade requirements.
Whereas the Evo Lite Plus is smaller and considerably cheaper than the Mavic 3 Professional, it has fairly a bit to supply:
- 40-minute flight instances, excellent for lengthy shoots, initially remarkable in a drone of this dimension in early 2022
- Three-way impediment avoidance sensing which might help in safer flight maneuvers
- 1-inch digicam sensor for 20 MP high-resolution skilled high quality images
- Absence of Geofencing to make sure you can fly the place and when wanted, with correct authorization
Mavic 3 Professional
Launched in Might of 2023, the newer Mavic 3 Professional is an improve to the unique Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Basic, including a tri-camera system that enables for 3 completely different focal lengths.
When on the lookout for the perfect digicam system in a prosumer drone, the Mavic 3 Professional, or particularly the costlier Mavic 3 Professional Cine, is the drone to buy in case you have the finances for it, as this high quality comes at a value.
- Tri-camera system for bringing cinematic imaginative and prescient to life from various views
- A number of 10-bit Shade Profiles for added shade grading flexibility
- Waypoint Missions included within the DJI Fly app to simply plan repeatable and complicated routes
- Apple ProRes Video Encoding, included within the Cine model, for skilled tv and film productions
Fast Verdict
As talked about, in an effort to increase my fleet for industrial work, I’ve used each the Autel Evo Lite Plus and the Mavic 3 Professional on shopper tasks, in numerous capacities.
Strictly from a feature-set perspective, the Mavic 3 Professional is the clear selection for the work I do for shoppers.
My firm takes care of all kinds of artistic wants for our shoppers, and the digicam on the Mavic 3 Professional is ideal for delivering theirs and even my imaginative and prescient.
The Evo Lite Plus does have a superb digicam. Nonetheless, the Mavic 3 Professionals tri-camera system takes this up a notch, providing extra versatility within the photos captured, making it excellent for a wider vary of industries.
Having two extra focal lengths on the Mavic 3 Professional permits for getting tighter photographs on topics, whether or not this be for actual property, roofing, and even high-altitude mobile and electrical-related gear.
Not solely does the Mavic 3 Professional have numerous log-like shade profiles for the three cameras, however these are additionally in 10-bit, which may be important for shopper video work.
The Autel Evo Lite Plus, although, does a formidable job over a variety of business tasks, particularly with its one-inch digicam sensor and a number of taking pictures modes.
The Mavic 3 Professional, alternatively, is an entire, well-rounded industrial workhorse, dealing with all content material calls for with flexibility and the best high quality.
What are the Important Variations?
Contemplating the year-plus launch hole between the Autel Evo Lite Plus and the Mavic 3 Professional, there are fairly just a few technical upgrades the Mavic 3 Professional advantages from over the Autel Evo Lite Plus.
I get pleasure from utilizing each the Evo Lite Plus and the Mavic 3 Professional. Nonetheless, with the upgraded specs and general flexibility, the Mavic 3 Professional is my selection for my industrial enterprise wants.
When taking numerous forms of images and movies for my shoppers, the Mavic 3 Professional persistently does a superb job.
The number of media taken with the Mavic 3 Professional coated numerous industries, similar to Actual Property, Metropolis commissioned tasks, Building, and Lake Administration.
The Mavic 3 Professional excels over the Evo Lite Plus in fairly just a few areas, primarily camera-related, in addition to an extra space or two:
- Tri-Digital camera System: The Mavic 3 Professional not solely has a 24 mm equal lens (over the Evo Lite Plus’ 29 mm) however provides a 70 mm medium-tele lens and 166 mm tele lens for extra dimensions of creativity when filming video and capturing nonetheless photos.
- Digital camera high quality: That is the place the Mavic 3 Professional actually units itself aside from the Evo Lite Plus (and most drone cameras). The primary 24 mm digicam is a 4/3 20 MP Hasselblad digicam with wonderful shade science. For professionals, having a bigger important digicam than the Evo Lite Plus permits for extra dynamic vary and adaptability. Moreover, in contrast to the Evo Lite Plus, the three cameras can document 10-bit footage, which is necessary relating to flexibility when shade grading. Additionally, if choosing the costlier Cine model of the Mavic 3 Professional, Apple ProRes video encoding is accessible for all three cameras.
- Omnidirectional impediment avoidance: Whereas that is virtually commonplace with DJI’s latest strains of drones, it’s lacking from the Evo Lite Plus and affords added 360-degree safety when performing tough maneuvers in obstacle-ridden environments. The brand new impediment avoidance system can be instrumental for superior subject-tracking capabilities.
- Weight: This may not be as necessary for some as it’s for others. Nonetheless, the Mavic 3 Professional, being heavier than the Evo Lite Plus by near 120 g, means it’s barely extra secure within the air. This makes it much more very best when filming in windier situations.
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Evo Lite Plus is a part of a collection of smaller however succesful Autel drones modeled after the bigger Evo II and Evo II Plus.
Whereas having Lite within the identify may point out to some that the Evo Lite Plus is a lesser drone, that is removed from the reality. The Evo Lite Plus has lots of the advantages of the Evo II Plus, solely in a smaller bundle.
Autel pioneered longer battery life in shopper and prosumer drones with the discharge of the Evo II and II Professional, which boasted 40-minute flight instances again in 2020.
That longer battery life made its technique to the smaller Evo Lite Plus, and I have to say I used to be initially impressed with the battery life when immediately evaluating it to my then workhorse, the Air 2S.
Additionally making its approach into the smaller Evo Lite Plus is a 20 MP one-inch digicam sensor. This was truly an enchancment over the bigger Evo II (non-Professional model), as that digicam was half the scale, utilizing a 1/2-inch sensor.
With this bigger digicam sensor got here the power to shoot wonderful low-light footage. Working example: considered one of their modes is dubbed “Evening shot.”
Moreover, following the custom of the Autel drones earlier than it, the Autel Evo Lite Plus will not be Geofenced. Though Autel has oftentimes spoken of maybe including geofencing to the bigger Evo II line, they did specify that the Lite and Lite Plus wouldn’t be receiving any sort of geofencing limitations.
Key options of the Evo Lite Plus:
- 20 MP 1-inch digicam sensor
- Adjustable aperture from f/2.8 – f/11
- 6k 30 fps; 4k 60fps Log and regular shade profiles
- 3-way impediment avoidance system
- 40-minute battery life
Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ Premium Bundle
1” CMOS Sensor with 6K HDR Digital camera, No Geo-Fencing, 3-Axis Gimbal, 3-Approach Impediment Avoidance, 40Min Flight Time, 7.4 Miles Transmission, Lite Plus Extra Combo.
We earn a fee in the event you make a purchase order, at no extra price to you.
10/25/2023 06:56 pm GMT
Mavic 3 Professional
The Mavic 3 Professional is the subsequent iteration within the Mavic 3 line.
Initially launched in 2021, it’s the successor to the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Basic and is particularly meant for images and videography professionals trying to ship the best high quality content material to their shoppers.
The Mavic 3 Professional provides a medium-tele digicam at 70 mm and improves the tele digicam of the Mavic 3, rising the focal size from 162 mm to 166 mm, whereas concurrently bumping up the picture high quality.
Whereas the bodily efficiency of the Mavic 3 Professional is just about similar to the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Basic (relating to pace and stability), the primary enhancements are discovered within the technically improved and expanded digicam system.
The Mavic 3 Professional continues the custom of getting 360-degree impediment avoidance safety as a result of omnidirectional impediment avoidance sensors all through.
For a lot of professionals, that is important, particularly when filming sophisticated sequences in tough locales.
Key options of the Mavic 3 Professional:
- Triple-camera system
- Professional-level Distant Controller choice
- Hasselblad 24 mm Important digicam with adjustable aperture (f/2.8 – f/11)
- 5.1k 50 fps; 4k 120fps 10-bit D-Log, D-Log M shade profiles
- Apple ProRes (Cine Model)
- DJI Goggles and DJI Movement 2 compatibility
- Omnidirectional impediment avoidance
- Waypoints
Our Decide
DJI Mavic 3 Professional (Fly Extra Combo)
Flagship Triple-Digital camera Drone with 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Digital camera, 15km Video Transmission, three Batteries, Charging Hub, and extra.
We earn a fee in the event you make a purchase order, at no extra price to you.
10/26/2023 04:51 pm GMT
Head-to-Head Comparability
Digital camera
Winner: DJI Mavic 3 Professional
Concerning drone images and videography, having extra focal size choices is at all times finest. This will definitely be agreed upon by skilled photographers utilizing DSLR and Mirrorless cameras.
When filming, and even when taking images, having three focal size choices offers you the pliability to get actually artistic and inform tales in a way more dynamic approach.
As an illustration, utilizing the 166 mm digicam brings the topic of selection into focus.
Switching over to the 70 mm digicam in the identical scene will then convey focus to mentioned topic whereas additionally establishing the atmosphere across the topic.
Lastly, leaping to the 24 mm extensive angle provides cohesiveness to the story, placing into perspective the topic in relation to your complete scene.
This is only one technique to creatively inform a narrative utilizing the Mavic 3 Professional’s tri-camera system.
To raised current visible content material, and to the delight of videographers worldwide, the Mavic 3 Professional can shoot video in numerous 10-bit shade profiles in 10-bit:
When taking pictures 10-bit, there may be higher flexibility for shade adjustment and grading when enhancing video in software program similar to DaVinci Resolve, Remaining Reduce Professional, and Adobe Premier (to call just a few).
This is because of their being a little bit over a billion colours and variations to work with, versus the 16 million colours current in 8-bit.
Whereas the Mavic 3 Professional doesn’t shoot 6k video just like the Evo Lite Plus, it could shoot at a most of 5.1k 50 fps, all in 10-bit shade.
Moreover, the Mavic 3 Professional can shoot 4k 120 fps over the Evo Lite Plus 4k 60 fps. With the addition of FHD 200 fps, the Mavic 3 Professional can obtain easy, ultra-slow-motion photographs.
As talked about briefly earlier, there may be assist for Apple ProRes 422 video encoding, which is important for these taking pictures for tv and film productions. Up to now, there isn’t any different prosumer or shopper drone that shoots in Apple ProRes. You’d have to maneuver as much as the totally skilled stage of DJI drones for this.
The Mavic 3 Professional wouldn’t be a pro-level drone if it didn’t have an adjustable aperture. The primary 24 mm Hasselblad digicam has an aperture that may be adjusted between f/2.8 to f/11.
Whereas adjusting the aperture may not make a noticeable distinction when taking pictures footage, it could make a really huge distinction when taking pictures video and attempting to remain throughout the 180-degree rule with out the usage of ND filters.
Flight Efficiency
Winner: DJI Mavic 3 Professional
Merely put, the Mavic 3 Professional flies quicker than the Evo Lite Plus.
On the beneath chart, the ascent and descent speeds with the Evo Lite Plus have been all in Sport mode, whereas the ascent and descent speeds for the Mavic 3 Professional are the identical throughout all flight modes (Cine, Regular, and Sport). The horizontal speeds for each drones are whereas in Sport mode.
Autel Evo Lite Plus | DJI Mavic 3 Professional | |
Ascent | 11.18 mph | 17.89 mph |
Descent | 8.94 mph | 13.42 mph |
Horizontal | 40 mph | 46.97 mph |
Not solely does the Mavic 3 Professional fly quicker than the Evo Lite Plus, however for my part, it handles higher.
The Evo Lite Plus has a slight lumbering really feel to it in comparison with the Mavic 3 Professional. It does get to the place it must go, but it surely will get there with a heavy and sluggish management really feel, though it’s a lighter drone than the Mavic 3 Professional.
Altering the EXP settings within the Autel Sky app did little to appropriate this sense.
However, the Mavic 3 Professional handles rapidly and exactly. May this be as a result of quicker motors? Probably. Nonetheless, even when flying slowly, the Mavic 3 Professionals management simply felt extra “tuned in.”
When mixed with adjusting the EXP settings throughout the DJI Fly app, the flight management bought even higher, with the Mavic 3 Professional dealing with and performing like my different business-use DJI drones.
Distant Controller Compatability
Winner: DJI Mavic 3 Professional
The Mavic 3 Professional can be a transparent winner on the subject of the distant controller choices obtainable for it. The Evo Lite Plus solely makes use of the only, top-heavy X-Field-like controller, whereas the Mavic 3 Professional may be operated utilizing the next three DJI distant controllers:
From an expert perspective, the DJI RC Professional is probably the most sturdy answer for controlling the Mavic 3 Professional, because it has a 5.5-inch display with 1000 nits of brightness, excellent for brilliant days.
Moreover, third social gathering apps may be put in on it, thus enabling it to be a real all-in-one controller answer, separate from a cellphone.
Following carefully behind the DJI RC Professional is the DJI RC, which is a extra reasonably priced choice. At 700 nits of brightness, the DJI RC can nonetheless be seen in very brilliant situations.
Lastly, my go-to selection when doing jobs with out the DJI RC Professional is the RC-N1 controller. Whereas this takes a little bit longer to get arrange and deploy as a result of added gadget and cables, any good gadget can be utilized with it.
I exploit a Tripletek pill hooked up to the RC-N1 when taking pictures for our lakefront shoppers, as it’s waterproof, shockproof, and has 1500 nits. Excellent for fixed solar glare off the water and if I occur to by chance drop it within the atmosphere.
Geofencing
Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
One in every of the huge issues Autel drones are recognized for is their lack of geofencing. The Evo Lite Plus isn’t any exception.
Though the newer DJI drones working DJI Fly are pretty straightforward to unlock in authorization zones, there are completely no unlocks wanted with the Evo Lite Plus. Merely purchase LAANC authorization, activate the Evo Lite Plus, and fly.
No geofencing is important the place it’s both laborious to unlock areas via the DJI Fly app or for areas the place unlocking the placement needs to be carried out from a desktop pc beforehand. This has sadly confirmed to be problematic for some prior to now utilizing DJI drones.
Conclusion
Having used the Evo Lite Plus for nearly a 12 months and utilizing the Mavic 3 Professional for months commercially for repeat shoppers, I’ve to say that the Mavic 3 Professional fits my enterprise functions completely.
The Autel Evo Lite Plus is a wonderful drone for a lot of industrial purposes and industries, with its one-inch digicam sensor and 40 minutes of flight time.
In case you are on the lookout for a geofence-free drone with a professional-grade digicam, able to 40-minute flight instances, all for half the value of a Mavic 3 Professional, then the Autel Evo Lite Plus will be the drone for you.
The Mavic 3 Professional, alternatively, supplies probably the most flexibility and picture and video high quality wanted to present probably the most skilled finish outcomes to shoppers, together with these within the movie trade.
In case you are like me and must ship the best high quality content material and media to shoppers, the Mavic 3 Professional is the higher selection, fingers down.