DJI Phantom 3 Advanced: My first DJI drone

DJI Phantom 3 Advanced review

After almost two years of flying with more or less toy quadcopters, I finally got my hand on a DJI Phantom 3 Advanced. I was so thrilled that my wife asked what it was with me. As I already had another quadcopter on my desk waiting for review, I had to leave the box unopened for a whole week. OK, I will be honest. I peeked inside a few times to check what was waiting for me :)

It’s true that probably a lot of you expected me to review the newer Phantom 4, but I thought it would be more helpful to check a more affordable DJI model. Certainly, the Phantom 3 Advanced quadcopter is not as versatile as its successor but at least it is a more perfected model. Not to mention that, after DJI’s “10 year anniversary” price drop, the Phantom 3 family became very attractive.

Last year, when the Phantom 3 series was announced to justify the price difference between the P3 Advanced and P3 Professional, the P3A’s camera was limited to 1080P video resolution. Later, P3A received 2.7K video capability and other nice features through a firmware update.

When everyone speaks about UHD 4K videos, why make compromises and accept only 2.7K or even less, like 1080p@60fps. Firstly, both of my displays (a Full HD TV and the computer’s monitor) have a resolution of only 1920 x 1080 pixels, so I can’t even playback 4K videos on native resolution. Another drawback of the 4K format is when you’re editing UHD videos, taking into consideration that you would need much more computing power compared to editing a 1080P video.

The next legitimate question would be, why to spend an extra $300 for the Phantom 3 Advanced over the P3 Standard? In my opinion, there are three big reasons: DJI Lightbridge HD Video Downlink, GPS+GLONASS, and Visual Positioning System. Of course, if you are a beginner/first-time pilot, you can opt for the cheaper one.DJI P3A review on FirstQuadcopter.com

Ok, enough with the comparison, and let’s go back to my DJI Phantom 3 Advanced review.

DJI Phantom 3 Advanced highlights

  • Vision positioning system (visual and ultrasonic sensors);
  • GPS+GLONASS dual positioning system;
  • 2.7K video recording;
  • 12MP photo resolution;
  • 3-axis stabilization gimbal with remote control of the tilt angle (90° to +30°);
  • 720p HD downlink (with up to 5KM range);
  • Auto-takeoff through DJI Pilot App;
  • One key return to home (RTH);
  • Failsafe auto return to home;
  • Auto flight logs;
  • Versatile mobile APP;
  • Intelligent flight modes (Follow Me, Point of Interest, Waypoints, Course Lock and Home Lock)
  • Smart flight battery with charging level indicator;
  • About 23 minutes flight autonomy.

DJI Phantom 3 Advanced review

When I saw that HobbyWOW has begun selling DJI products, I contacted Maggie to see if they will have the Phantom 3 Advanced quadcopter in their European warehouse. She said “Yes” and asked me if I would be interested in reviewing this quad-copter. Because of our good previous collaborations, I accepted her offer without much hesitation. Of course, another argument was that I couldn’t refuse a cute Asian girl like her (I hope my wife skips this part :D).

I should point out that my reviews reflect exclusively my personal opinion about the product and that I do not to accept being influenced in any specific way by sponsors or anyone else.

DJI Phantom 3 Advanced review – First impressions

As they have it in stock in Hamburg, I received the package in 6 days. Contrary to my expectation, the box is small, smaller than the one all my other 350 mm quadcopters have. Equipped with a handle, can be reused for storage or carry the quad to/from the flying field till you purchase a proper backpack.DJI Phantom 3 Advanced review - Accessories

Inside the package, besides the Phantom 3 quad with preinstalled gimbal and 2.7K camera, I found the following:

  • Transmitter with mobile device holder;
  • 16GB micro SD memory card;
  • Two sets of self-tightening propellers;
  • 4480 mAh flight battery;
  • Battery charger suitable for both aircraft and transmitter;
  • USB data cable;
  • Propeller wrench;
  • 1 set of spare anti-vibration damping balls;
  • Spare anti-drop kit;
  • 1 set of spare landing gear pads;
  • 4 sets of Phantom stickers (4 different colors);
  • Quick start guide (Chinese).

Frankly, I can’t say that I was truly impressed by the minimalist design of the aircraft or the transmitter. Actually, in terms of design, I can’t see too many improvements in the DJI Phantom series. In my opinion, the Yuneec Q500 4k has a much more exciting design than this Phantom 3 Advanced has. As I own both models I intend in the future to make a detailed side-by-side comparison of these two competitors. However, my wife disagrees with me as she thinks the Phantom’s charm can be found in its simple design and more delicate lines compared to the rough and aggressive lines of the Yuneec.DJI Phantom 3 Advanced review - Compared to Yunnec Q500 4k

The camera is secured from unwanted shaking during transportation with a reusable gimbal clamp. Don’t forget to remove this piece of plastic before every flight!

Everything comes pre-installed, even the battery is loaded into the quad. Except for the tool-free installation of the self-tightening propellers, there is not much to do prior to your first flight. Anyway, in order to have a safe maiden flight I recommend to read first the Phantom 3 Advanced user manual (I already printed it to have it with me on the flight zone).

As I wanted to check if everything is OK with the content of the package, I powered ON both the transmitter & aircraft, and I processed with the CSC arming sequence (pushing both sticks to the bottom inner or outer corners). Surprisingly, nothing happened :(. Before I started worrying about what is wrong, I accessed the P3A through the DJI GO mobile APP, and I had another unpleasant surprise: no LIVE video. After I calmed myself a bit, I realized that it was too much interference with my 2.4/5.8 GHz WiFi router. Immediately as I powered OFF the router, the live video feed appeared on my smartphone’s screen. Finally, I found out why I couldn’t start the motors, it appears that this quad must be activated before the first flight through the DJI GO App.DJI Phantom 3 Advanced review - Firmware update

I need advice from an experimented P3A owner. After I updated the firmware on the aircraft and RC, the DJI GO APP still requires an update to the Phantom 3 Advanced camera’s firmware, too. I checked DJI’s download section, but I didn’t find any camera firmware. Any idea where I can see it?

DJI Phantom 3 Advanced: Remote controller

Surely, the biggest advantages of the P3A remote controller is the extremely good range and the integrated Lightbridge receiver.

While the transmitter looks robust and pretty good, I miss the presence of an FPV display or at least a small status LCD. The transmitter is equipped with a mobile device holder, which allows to mount your smartphone as well as your tablet on the top of the remote controller. Additionally, there is a possibility to purchase a DJI-branded dedicated sunshade for your tablet or smartphone.

In order to attach an FPV goggles to the transmitter, you will need a “HDMI Output Module,” which can be purchased separately and it costs $99. I don’t know if this is premeditated, but manufacturers always seem to find a way to squeeze out some extra bucks from the customers.

The transmitter can be freely switched between mode 1 and mode 2 through the DJI GO mobile application.DJI Phantom 3 Advanced review - Transmitter

The remote controller is powered by a built-in 2s 6000 mAh rechargeable battery, which is great because you won’t need to complicate things with AA batteries.

Using the left shoulder dial button, adjust the tilt angle of the camera. Through the flight mode switch (located near the gimbal dial), you can select the desired flight mode:

  • F-mode – Intelligent orientation control (IOC);
  • A-mode – The aircraft uses only the barometer sensor to stabilize;
  • P-mode – Positioning mode (according to the GPS signal strength, the Flight Controller will switch automatically between P-GPS, P-OPTI and P-ATTI modes).

On the front panel, the power button and the RTH (Return to Home) button are located above the status LEDs.

Just forgot to mention that the P3A transmitter is the same as the one of the more expensive Phantom 3 Professional.

DJI Phantom 3 Advanced: Camera

As previously mentioned, the camera is secured with a plastic gimbal clamp, which must be removed before switching on the quad. The camera is hooked on a three-axis gimbal, stabilizing roll, pitch and yaw directions, keeping the video very smooth even during sudden flight maneuvers.DJI Phantom 3 Advanced review - Camera

The main difference between P3A’s and its bigger brother’s cameras is the highest possible video resolution. While the Phantom 3 Advanced can record videos with up to 2704×1520 pixels (30fps) the P3 Professional allows to record UHD videos with 4096×2160 pixels (25fps).

Both models allow the capture of still images with a resolution of 4000 x 3000 pixels (12MP). The images can be saved in compressed JPEG format and uncompressed DNG without data loss for better overall image quality and professional post-processing.

The Phantom 3 Advanced camera features a Sony EXMOR 1/2.3” image sensor with 12.4 M effective pixels. In the DJI GO APP, there are plenty of settings that allow to fine-tune the image quality in order to get the best result possible.

Professionals will definitely appreciate the possibility of installing an optical filter (UV or ND) on the camera lens.

In order to achieve the best field of view, the tilt angle of the camera can be remotely adjusted, allowing shooting straight ahead to straight down (ground view) whenever needed. Adjusting the gimbal button’s speed from 1 to 10 is a nice feature.

As you can see on the test video below (upload in progress), the camera has a nice color balance and good dynamic range. The 94-degree field of view lens features great image quality without noticeable barrel distortion.

Ten minutes of 1080p@60fps occupies about 4.3 GB on the micro SD card so you can record approximately 35-40 minutes on the included 16 GB micro SD card.

I just read that from now on, not just YouTube but also Facebook will support live video sharing. This way you can share your flights in real time with all your friends.DJI Phantom 3 Advanced review - DJI GO camera settings

If you accidentally turn OFF the quadcopter during video recording, you can recover the video file by turning it ON again and waiting about 30 seconds as the last footage is restored.

Phantom 3 Advanced: Flight performance

Before your first flight with the Phantom 3 Advanced, you should consider to check the following:

  • Fully charge both flight and transmitter batteries;
  • Check the firmware status of the aircraft as well as the transmitter (if required, proceed with the updates);
  • Enable the “beginner mode” through DJI GO app (especially if you are new in the world of drones);
  • Select the desired control mode (I always opt for mode2);
  • Be sure that the mode switch is set on “P-mode”;
  • Compass calibration (it is required every time you are on a new flight location);
  • Fly only in safe and legal zones!

The compass calibration process is very simple, with only two steps taking about 5 minutes.

Thanks to the dual GPS, the satellite acquisition speed is very fast, so you can start flying very quickly.DJI Phantom 3 Advance review - Ready to take-off

My first impression flying the Phantom 3 Advanced was “WOW”, it is much more stable than any of my other 350 mm quadcopters. Watching the 720P live video feed on my 9″ tablet was totally different from the quality offered by standard 5.8G FPV systems.

While the DJI Phantom 3 Advanced is mainly designed for aerial filming and crossing flights, today, I found out that it is also surprisingly fast and agile during my maiden flight.

Flying for the first time with this Phantom quad, I didn’t have the courage to fly farther away than 300 meters from me. The 20 minutes passed like a snap. I landed on the second battery warning, set to 10%.

I tested the DJI GO (Pilot) APP on all of my Android devices (Samsung Galaxy S4, S6, and Galaxy Tab A T555) . It had been installed and worked without any problem on all three devices.Phantom 3 Advanced review - Test flight

Pricing and availability

Those interested in this Phantom 3 quadcopter should know it can be for $799 at DJI.com and many popular online retailers. If you are a new pilot and don’t want to make long-range flights, I recommend you also look at the Phantom 3 Standard, a more affordable alternative ($499).

Phantom 3 Advanced camera test video

Phantom 3 Advanced – Tips, mods and hacks
  • I recommend the installation of propeller guards for first-time pilots;
  • To have a better view of the position of the aircraft, I recommend using propellers of different colors (for front and rear);
  • Unlock the EU (CE) radio power limit;
  • Radio channel hack – I read that the standard 8CH can be extended to 32CHs;
  • DIY sunshade;
  • Adding a GPS tracker in case the aircraft is lost.
REVIEW OVERVIEW
Price/performance ratio
Design and build quality
Flight characteristics
Remote controller
Camera
Senior editor and co-founder of FirstQuadcopter.com. Everything started about 4 years ago when I purchased my first drone. I still own that Syma X5C . Since then I have had the luck to review and test more than 100 drones.
dji-phantom-3-advanced-reviewFirst of all, sorry if my review is not that professional as they are writing in the “big league”. Overall I was positively impressed by this Phantom 3 Advanced. Definitely the biggest advantage over its competitors is the excellent control range and the HD video down link. In terms of design I was not impressed at all. There are other models with more professional design on the market (but this is only a matter of taste). While the package includes everything you need for your first flight, an extra battery would make it even more attractive. The DJI GO App offers countless possibilities but if you forget at home your mobile device you will be almost like hands tied. The P3A flies beautifully, the Vision positioning system allows to be flown even indoor. Both 1080P@60fps and 2.7k@30fps videos look great. Considering its price and if you don’t need 4K resolution the Phantom 3 Advanced is one of the best mid range quadcopter. <br> Pros<br> +Good built quality;<br> +Very stable and easy to fly;<br> +HD 720P video downlink;<br> +Excellent control and FPV range;<br> +Decent flight time, about 20-23 minutes;<br> +Dedicated RTH button; +Charging level indicators (on aircraft and transmitter);<br> +Customizable remote controller;<br> +Adjustable gimbal speed.<br> <br> Cons<br> -To use its full potential, it requires a mobile device (smartphone or tablet);<br> -No dedicated arming/disarming button;<br> -The landing skids and arms are sometimes shown in the recorded videos;<br> -Expensive spare batteries.<br>

8 COMMENTS

  1. 6 years old today, same battery from new, still a joy to fly my Phantom 3 Advanced! DJI really knows how to make durable drones!

  2. Many people wonder what would happen to the Phantom 3 Advanced quadcopter if it runs out of battery while flying. For that, this DJI Drone has failsafe auto-return feature. All you have to do is to correctly set the location via GPS settings, and it will automatically return on low battery at the take-off point.

  3. Purchased this Phantom 3 Advanced in December 2015 as a Xmas present for my partner.
    Sadly after only 6 months the quadcopter failed over the Brisbane river and came crashing down never to be seen again.
    My partner is devastated as this was the first and only time we had any problems with it and because if crashed into the river there was no chance of retrieving it.
    Has anyone else had similar failures with this DJI Phantom 3?

    • Hi Oliver,

      Starting December 2015, any “drones” weighing between 0.55 pound and 55 pounds must be registered at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before flying them outdoors in US.
      This weight category includes all DJI Phantom models, not just the Phantom 3 Advanced.

  4. Thanks for your honest and detailed review.
    Regarding your question: the P3A firmware includes the camera firmware too, maybe you need to flash it again. Sometime happens with DJI quadcopters…

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