Why DJI Mavic 3 Cine is our choice
Professional Aerial Production and Technology Choice
In the field of professional aerial production, drone photography, video production and complex post-production, choosing the right drone for each project is absolutely crucial. Whether we carry out assignments in Prague, Brno, Bratislava, Říčany, Beroun, Prague-West, Prague-East, Central Bohemia, Moravia or Slovakia, we always rely on technology that is proven, legally advantageous and reliable in real operation. Therefore, the DJI Mavic 3 Cine plays a key role in our equipment, even though DJI has recently launched the newer Mavic 4 Pro model.
Efficiency Over Novelty
Our selection is not based on what is latest, but on what is most effective for professional production – whether it is film shoots, FPV style, technical inspections, commercial video production, real estate video, industrial inspections or creative content.
The Mavic 3 Cine weighs less than 900 grams, which places it in Category C1 under CAA regulations. This represents a major advantage when filming in urban areas, where drone operations are strictly regulated. A lighter drone means less paperwork, faster permits and greater flexibility when working in densely populated locations such as Prague, Brno, Bratislava or Ostrava.
Legislative and Operational Differences
In contrast, the Mavic 4 Pro, which falls into the C2 category, requires more complex permitting processes and stricter operating conditions. In practice, this makes a significant difference – especially for commercial projects where time, mobility and the ability to react quickly to location changes are critical.
In regions such as Central Bohemia, South Moravia, Moravia, Prague-East, Prague-West or when operating between the Czech Republic and Slovakia, this flexibility is absolutely crucial.
Practical Deployment in Real Conditions
Although our team holds all required A1/A3 and A2 licenses, a lighter drone under 900 grams offers clear operational and legislative advantages. In practice, this means the Mavic 3 Cine can often be deployed in Prague, Říčany, Kamenice, Beroun, Brno, Bratislava or other cities without unnecessary complications.
This enables the creation of aerial videos, inspections, photography, FPV flyovers, commercial spots and technical documentation with a minimal administrative burden.
Camera Angle and Real-World Limitations
From a technical perspective, both drones deliver top-tier performance, featuring advanced sensors, high dynamic range, a stable gimbal and resolution suitable for detailed post-production. The Mavic 4 Pro does offer a 360° rotating gimbal, but in practice this provides no major advantage for most commercial projects.
On the contrary, this highlights one of the biggest drawbacks of the Mavic 4 Pro, which is rarely emphasized in marketing materials: the inferior base angle of the main camera.
While the Mavic 3 Cine delivers a naturally wide field of view suitable for cinematic compositions, real estate videos and dynamic fly-throughs, the Mavic 4 Pro features a narrower main camera angle. This results in reduced flexibility when filming in tight spaces, interiors or urban environments.
This limitation is further amplified when using a wide-angle lens, which introduces additional constraints such as the inability to power on the drone with the lens attached, ND filter incompatibility and only partial camera protection.
Workflow Impact on Professional Production
For professional production, where speed, reliability and a consistent workflow are essential, this represents a critical factor. In real-world use, the Mavic 3 Cine provides a naturally wider and more versatile framing, making it better suited for most commercial projects in the Czech Republic and Slovakia – from Prague to Bratislava, from Brno to Ostrava, from Beroun to South Moravia.
Optics and Practical Camera Use in the Field
The other major difference between Mavic 3 Cine and Mavic 4 Pro concerns the optics themselves and the practical use of the camera in the field. Although the Mavic 4 Pro offers a more modern design and a new type of gimbal, its basic main camera angle is narrower, which has a significant impact on the way you can create cinematic compositions, wide aerial shots or dynamic passes in urban environments.
In practice, this means that when filming in Prague, Brno, Bratislava, Říčany, Beroun, the Central Bohemian Region, Moravia or other densely built-up locations, it is often necessary to fly further away from the subject to fit the entire scene into the frame. But this is not always possible – especially in narrow streets, between buildings, industrial halls or during technical inspections.
Wide Angle Advantage of Mavic 3 Cine
Mavic 3 Cine, on the other hand, offers a naturally wider angle of view that is more versatile for most commercial projects. The wider angle allows you to capture more space without having to move away from the subject, which is key when shooting in city centres, tight spaces or creative FPV-style flybys.
This flexibility is essential for projects in Prague, Central Bohemia, Brno, Ostrava, Bratislava and other cities.
Wide-Angle Lens Limitations on Mavic 4 Pro
In order to achieve a similarly wide range, the Mavic 4 Pro requires a wide-angle lens, but this presents several challenges. The drone cannot be turned on with the lens deployed, as the gimbal performs a calibration at launch and immediately throws an error code.
Therefore, the lens must be deployed after the drone is powered on, which slows down the workflow and complicates quick movements between locations. This is a disadvantage especially in commercial production, where time pressure is often a factor.
ND Filter Incompatibility
Another complication is incompatibility with ND filters. Due to the design and weight of the lens, it is not possible to use conventional ND filters, which are a standard in professional video production.
ND filters allow the correct ratio between shutter speed and frame rate to be maintained, which is essential for the cinematic look of the image. Without them, the pilot is limited in bright conditions and must rely solely on a variable aperture. This is a partial solution, but not always sufficient – especially when shooting in summer, snow or other high-contrast scenes.
Camera Protection and Field Risks
This is compounded by the fact that the wide-angle lens only protects the main camera. The other two cameras are left without additional protection, which increases the risk of damage when shooting in dusty environments, industrial facilities or during low passes.
For professional pilots who work in the field across the Czech Republic and Slovakia, this is a significant factor – especially during technical inspections, where flights often take place in challenging conditions.
Handling and Workflow Impact
Additionally, mounting and dismounting the wide-angle lens on the Mavic 4 Pro is not as smooth as with filters from Freewell or DJI. The lens can get stuck during removal and requires more strength and patience.
This is another minor but annoying setback that slows down field work. Combined with the narrower base angle of the camera, this means the Mavic 4 Pro requires more preparation, more time and more care in handling.
Workflow Advantages of Mavic 3 Cine
In contrast, Mavic 3 Cine offers a stable, predictable and fast workflow that is ideal for professional production. The wider camera angle, no need for external lenses, ND filter compatibility and ease of manipulation allow pilots to focus on the work itself – on composition, movement, light and creative intent.
This is why Mavic 3 Cine remains the preferred choice for projects in Prague, Central Bohemia, Brno, Ostrava, Bratislava, Moravia and other regions.
Post-Production Capabilities
In terms of post-production, the difference is even more pronounced. Mavic 3 Cine supports Apple ProRes, a format that provides higher bitrate, better color depth and greater flexibility in color grading.
ProRes is the standard in professional film and commercial production because it enables more accurate color work, finer editing and better detail retention. Mavic 4 Pro does not offer this capability, which can be limiting for demanding projects where the emphasis is on maximum image quality.
Long-term sustainability and production workflow efficiency
In terms of long-term sustainability and production workflow efficiency, Mavic 3 Cine is still the most preferred choice for professional drone pilots in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The combination of lighter weight, legislative flexibility, wider camera angle, ProRes support and reliable operation creates an ideal foundation for delivering a wide range of projects – from commercial video production to technical inspections and creative FPV style.
In practice, this means that when shooting in Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Bratislava, Říčany, Beroun, Central Bohemia, Moravia, South Moravia or other regions, we can work quickly, efficiently and without unnecessary restrictions. Mavic 3 Cine allows pilots to focus on the work itself – on composition, light, movement and creative intent – rather than on paperwork, permits or technical compromises.
Limitations of the Mavic 4 Pro in professional use
Conversely, the Mavic 4 Pro, while newer and technologically interesting, comes with some major limitations that can be problematic in a professional environment. The narrower angle of the main camera limits options when shooting in tight spaces, urban development or dynamic flybys. A wide-angle lens that would solve this problem introduces additional complications – the inability to turn on the drone with the lens on, incompatibility with ND filters, more difficult handling, and only partial camera protection. All this slows down field work and increases the risk of errors or delays.
Workflow speed and reliability
For professional production, where speed, reliability and consistent workflow are important, this makes a huge difference. The projects we undertake in Prague, the Central Bohemian Region, Brno, Ostrava, Bratislava, Moravia and other locations often require fast movement between locations, immediate response to changes in light or conditions, and the ability to work without unnecessary technical constraints. Mavic 3 Cine meets these requirements without compromise.
Post-production and Apple ProRes
Another key factor is post-production. Support for Apple ProRes allows for significantly broader options in colour grading, exposure adjustments, dynamic range work and overall visual style tuning. ProRes is the standard in professional film and commercial production because it provides a high bitrate and preserves fine details that are often lost in compressed formats. The Mavic 4 Pro does not offer this capability, which can be limiting for demanding projects where the emphasis is on maximum image quality.
Operational economics
In terms of operational economics, Mavic 3 Cine is also a viable option. Although its purchase price of the combo was around 116,000 CZK, it still offers the best balance between price, performance and legislative flexibility. The Mavic 4 Pro may be cheaper, but its operational limitations, narrower camera angle and lack of ProRes may mean higher costs in the long run – whether in the form of longer time on set, more complex post-production or the need to use additional accessories.
Versatility across projects and regions
For our projects in Prague, Central Bohemia, Brno, Ostrava, Bratislava, Moravia, South Moravia and other regions, Mavic 3 Cine is the ideal tool that combines cutting-edge technology, operational simplicity and legislative benefits. It allows us to produce aerial videos, technical inspections, commercial video production, real estate videos, creative FPV content and close-up photography with maximum efficiency and professional quality.
This allows us to focus fully on what is really important – producing visually appealing, technically precise and creatively strong content that meets the expectations of clients in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Mavic 3 Cine allows us to work quickly, safely and without compromise, which is crucial in today’s dynamic professional video production environment.
Final comparison
And while the Mavic 4 Pro offers some advanced features, its narrower camera angle, more complex workflow and limitations when using a wide-angle lens confirm that the Mavic 3 Cine remains the most balanced choice for professional drone pilots who need a reliable tool for everyday field work – from city inspections in Prague to commercial video production in the Central Bohemia Region, Moravia or Slovakia.
Are you interested in the pricing and specific service offerings of FPVvideo? Visit the page Services / Pricing, where you can find an overview of all packages – from wedding drone videos and FPV indoor flights to complete productions for family events (baptisms, birthdays, anniversaries), corporate parties, team building, product presentations, manufacturing process videos, corporate spaces, or promotional videos for municipalities, towns, and regions. We film in locations such as Prague, Central Bohemia, Říčany, Benešov, Beroun, Kamenice, Moravia, and Slovakia. Everything with a focus on quality, safety, and a creative approach.