When it comes to choosing the best commercial drone for your needs, DJI offers two standout options: the Mavic 3 Enterprise and the new Matrice 4 series. Both drones excel in their respective fields, but they cater to different requirements. Let’s compare them and help you decide which is the right fit for your operations…
A Closer Look…
The Mavic 3 Enterprise Series stands out for its compact size and portability, making it perfect for quick take-offs and fast-paced work. Its lightweight design ensures easy transportation and supports an optional RTK module to enhance its detailed mapping and surveying tasks – making the Mavic 3E a well-rounded and user-friendly option for both beginners and seasoned pilots alike.
In comparison, the Matrice 4 Series is built to tackle more challenging and intricate tasks. While it may not be quite as portable as the Mavic 3, it offers a diverse range of advanced features such as its integrated DJI RTK modules with GNSS and Vision Fusion Positioning to provide high accuracy, making it the ideal choice for more complex operations that require extra capabilities.

Performance & Flight Time
The Mavic 3 Enterprise offers an impressive 45-minute flight time, making it perfect for long operations. Its compact, foldable design ensures easy portability for professionals on the go. Featuring a 4/3 CMOS 20MP wide-angle camera with a mechanical shutter, it captures fast, blur-free shots for smooth and efficient mapping. Plus, the 12MP telephoto camera with up to 56× hybrid zoom lets you capture detailed images from a distance.
The Matrice 4 series offers around 40 minutes of flight time and excels when it comes to carrying heavier, specialised payloads thanks to its robust build – making it perfect for demanding tasks like surveying and industrial inspections. With a 4/3-inch 20MP wide-angle and two 48MP telephoto cameras (1/1.5 inch & 1/1.3 inch), it’s been expertly built to handle complex surveys and detailed inspections with ease.
*Keep in mind that the payloads for the Mavic 3 Enterprise Series & the Matrice 4 Series are not interchangeable. This is something to consider if you’re looking to use existing payloads across both drone models!

Thermal Imaging
For tasks that require thermal imaging, the Mavic 3T offers a 640 × 512-pixel thermal camera. It’s equipped with features like point and area temperature measurement, high-temperature alerts, and color palettes, making it an excellent choice for quickly assessing critical situations.
The Matrice 4T on the other hand, takes thermal imaging to the next level. It combines a 48MP wide-angle camera, two telephoto cameras, a thermal camera, and a laser rangefinder, all working seamlessly to provide accurate, detailed data. This powerful setup is perfect for advanced thermal and night operations, providing the precision and depth you require for complex missions.
Our Conclusion…
When deciding between the Matrice 4 Series and the Mavic 3 Enterprise, it really comes down to what you’re looking for. If you’re handling more intricate tasks that require top-tier imaging, precision, and versatility, the Matrice 4 Series is your go-to. It’s packed with advanced features and built for those complex, high-end operations.
On the flip side, if portability and ease of use are more your style, the Mavic 3 Enterprise strikes a perfect balance. It’s great for quick deployments and standard tasks like inspections, making it an excellent choice for those who need something reliable and efficient on the go.
If you’re unsure which one fits your needs best, don’t worry, our team at Drone Shop is here to guide you! We offer expert advice to help you make the most of your commercial drone investment. Thanks for reading, and feel free to explore our related articles below if you want to dive deeper into drone insights!