DJI Phantom 3 Advanced

The Phantom 3 Advanced manufactured by DJI is an excellent consumer quadcopter with a stable build and electrifying video capability. Not only that, this multicopter is technologically capable which allows it to capture supreme aerial shots thanks to an easy-to-operate and safe flight mechanism.

Best of all, the DJI Phantom 3 Advanced drone uses Visual Positioning technology so it can avoid obstacles in its way, even when reaching maximum speed of 57 km/h. In fact, here the upgraded motors over the predecessor model allow for increased acceleration and accurate deceleration.

In order to fly low to the ground – think mere centimetres – the drone now works with the ultrasonic sensors keeping the drone level, which makes it ideal for indoor use as well, in this case without requiring a GPS signal. Flying high off the ground is possible up to 6,000 m in altitude.

The main highlight of the DJI Phantom 3 Advanced is the video quality and camera which is supported by a 3-axis gimbal. The on-board camera records video at 2.7K at 30 fps but also manages 1080p video at either 30 or 60 fps, which will entice filmmaking and photographer enthusiasts who take pride in majestic aerial footage. The maximum video is set at 40Mbps with a pretty good 94 degree field of view. Snapshots shoot at 12MP in either JPG or DNG RAW.

Flying this drone doesn't require too much technical know-how but feels intuitive for all the 23 minutes of flight time. This is thanks to the controller, which features the following control options: flight mode switch, gimbal control dial, camera settings dial, recording button, shutter button and more. For protection, you can also make use of the fail safe and return home functions.

On the controller monitor you get a 720p video feed (thanks to built-in Lightbridge technology) from a distance of up 1.6 km without obstructions using a 2.4 GHz frequency. Your tablet or smartphone can sit on the transmitter but also connects via USB so you don't have to worry about a WiFi connection.

The flight app is powered by Lightbridge, which is compatible with iOS and Android, but some testers claim it works better with iOS devices, which prompted DJI to release a list of Android mobile systems that achieve core performance.

We recommend you get the update released by DJI to take advantage of the auto-follow and orbit modes. Also new with this update is 2.7K video recording, a nice upgrade to the Advanced model and up from the 1080p video. Certainly, this Advanced model is more affordable than the pricier Phantom 3 Professional, which actually features 4K video support!

The DJI Phantom 3 Advanced will appeal to drone enthusiasts as much as it will to emerging filmmakers and landscape photographers looking to capture quality video footage and photos from creative angles. Good news, too, is that this quadcopter is available at an affordable consumer price point.