The DJI Inspire 3 Review

Drones come in all different shapes and sizes, from palm-sized drones you can fly around your living room to multi-ton models used by the military. But if you’re seeking the best drone for professional photography or videography, the DJI Inspire 3 is the option at the top of our list.

"When working with big production companies, the most important things they seek in a drone are camera quality, size, and safety," explains Sean McVeigh, Rhode Island drone videographer and founder of McVeigh Media.

This model ticks all our boxes, making it one of our go-to drones in our professional practice. Learn more about the DJI Inspire 3 specs and features here, plus see footage of this drone in action.

What size is the DJI Inspire 3?

Released in April 2023, the DJI Inspire 3 is the successor to the Inspire 2 model, which was released in 2016. It’s a bit larger and heavier than its predecessor, measuring 76 mm tall, 709.8 mm wide, and 500.5 mm long, or 27.9 x 6.9 x19.7 inches.

The base drone weighs 3,995g, or around 8.8 pounds, making it a fairly heavy model when compared to other drones in our fleet, like the Mavic 3 cine. However, the size is actually fairly modest for a professional drone model, and the frame supports one of the best drone cameras on the market.

What are the DJI Inspire 3’s camera specs?

The DJI Inspire 3’s camera features two notable improvements over the Inspire 2, which are:

• 8k resolution: The Inspire 3’s main gimbal camera can capture photos and videos in 8K. Photos have a max resolution of 8192×5456. Videos have a max resolution of 8192×4320.and can record in PreRes 422 at up to 30p. You can also grab an optional RAW upgrade to capture 8K video up to 75p in a superwide aspect ratio of 2.35:1
• Full frame sensor: This drone also features a 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor, bringing greater sharpness and dynamic range to your footage.

"Having a high-quality camera is paramount in aerial cinematography," explains McVeigh. "Filming in 8K resolution with multiple lenses ensures that every frame is filled with stunning visual fidelity."

Additionally, the FPV Camera received an upgrade over the Inspire 2. It features a 1/1.8” CMOS sensor, providing a better view of your surroundings when flying. It also films 1080p/60fps video, allowing you to see every detail of your flight time with more clarity.

This enhanced clarity and field of vision can help you pilot the drone more safely.

How safe is the DJI Inspire 3?

Additionally, the Inspire 3 features a more extensive set of safety features, which help keep the people around you, and the drone itself, out of harm’s way.

• Omnidirectional obstacle sensing: The Mavic 3 features 9 different sensors that can sense obstacles in any direction. A major upgrade from the Inspire 2’s three-directional system.
• Toggleable controls: The Inspire 3 also features a new customization ability to enable or disable obstacle sensing horizontally, upward, or downward, which can give you greater control over your flight experience.
• Night Vision: The FPV camera features a night vision mode, which provides an extra layer of safety when piloting the drone at night.

Thanks to these features, we consider it one of the safest drones in our fleet, and we feel confident piloting it in all different environments.

What’s the DJI Inspire 3’s Top Speed?

According to DJI, the Inspire 3 can reach a max horizontal speed of 94 kph, or around 58.4 mph. Of course, this estimate is without additional accessories attached in a windless environment. So, if you’re filming at a windy Rhode Island drone site, your top speed may vary.

What’s the DJI Inspire 3’s top flight time?

Thanks to the dual TB51 batteries, the DJI Inspire 3 has a maximum flight time of 28 minutes. But if you need to recharge, swapping the batteries out is fairly easy, and they recharge faster than other models.

The charging hub can get eight batteries to 100% in 160 minutes or two to 90% in 35 minutes. This makes the drone a powerful workhorse for longer days of filming.

DJI Inspire 3 Controller

Additionally, the Inspire 3 also comes with a whole slew of accessories, including the new DJI controller. While the Inspire 2 required an external monitor to pilot the drone, the Inspire 3’s controller features a 1,200 nit hi-bright monitor built into the screen. Although there is an HDMI port, we appreciate the convenience factor of this controller.

What does the DJI Inspire 3 cost?

At time of writing, the DJI Inspire 3 price starts at $16,499. A high price? Sure, but the DJI Inspire 3 has long been considered to be the best drone for the money by many Rhode Island drone operators.

That’s no small investment, even for a professional videographer. That said, since no other commercial drone today can compare in terms of camera quality and safety features, the DJI Inspire 3 is one of the best professional drones for the money in our book.

Rhode Island drone photography and videography for your next project

"The Inspire 3 is the safest and best camera system out there on the drone market," McVeigh says. And if you want to take full advantage of the DJI Inspire 3’s camera in your next video project, McVeigh Media is ready for you. As a master of drone photography in Rhode Island, McVeigh Media knows the ins and out of the best places to fly a drone in Rhode Island

As dedicated Rhode Island drone photographers, we take pride in using the best tools to capture our footage, including the Inspire 3 and other professional quality drones, like the Mavic 3 Cine. We’ll use this drone to the fullest of its ability, ensuring you get a polished, final product that you can be proud of. Contact us today to learn more and we can start planning your video shoot.