The DJI Phantom 3 was a revolutionary drone when it was released in 2015. It came packed with features such as 4K camera, integrated GPS, live streaming, and a long flight time. Over the years, DJI has released newer and better products, but does that mean the Phantom 3 is no longer good?
The answer is not straightforward since it depends on what you're looking for in a drone. If you're a hobbyist looking to get into aerial photography or videography, the Phantom 3 can still capture stunning shots. Its 12-megapixel camera can record high-quality 4K videos at 30 frames per second, which is still impressive compared to some newer drones. Moreover, the gimbal stabilization system ensures that your footage is smooth and professional-looking.
Another great feature of the Phantom 3 is the range. It can fly up to 3.5 miles away from the controller, which is still an impressive range for a drone in this class. In addition, the battery life of the Phantom 3 is around 20-25 minutes, which is decent compared to other drones on the market.
However, if you're looking for a drone with obstacle avoidance systems, then the Phantom 3 is not for you. It lacks sensors that can detect and avoid obstacles, which is a crucial safety feature when flying a drone. Moreover, the controller of the Phantom 3 is a bit outdated, and some users may find it difficult to use compared to newer controllers.
Lastly, one of the biggest drawbacks of the Phantom 3 is that DJI has stopped updating its software. This means that some newer features and capabilities that are available on newer DJI drones are not available on the Phantom 3. Additionally, you may experience compatibility issues with newer smartphones and tablets.
To sum up, the Phantom 3 is still a capable drone for aerial photography and videography, but it lacks some of the latest safety features and has outdated software. If these aren't important to you, then the Phantom 3 can still be an excellent choice for a drone at a lower price point. However, if safety features and updated software are a must-have for you, then it may be worth considering a newer DJI drone such as the Mavic Air 2 or the Phantom 4 Pro.
