As technology evolves, the smart camera drones are getting more advanced. Which means, they are outfitted with more sensors that automatically detect objects in real-time. They also incorporate several upgrades such as better camera quality and more options to choose for a complete and immersive aerial photograph. Smarter camera drones like the brand new Mavic 2 sports 360-degree obstacle avoidance sensors and longer control distance that easily puts its competitors to shamble. Often of the time, you might be wondering if it is still worth buying a brand new Phantom 3 Professional drone without denting your bank account.

That is a perfectly valid question and I ask myself sometimes. You aren’t just the only one who is thinking whether the DJI Phantom 3 Professional is still worth buying. There are still photographers using this drone and it is still going strong. If having state-of-the-art features isn’t important to you. But the quality of the camera, how much the drone costs, and how easy it is to fly. Then, you definitely will want to learn more about the DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone.

Before you plan to check out our popular professional-grade camera drones list. You need to know what you plan on using these quadcopters for. Some drone users fly them purely for recreational purposes. Another portion of drone users fly them commercially or to expand their photography gallery. It is always a great idea to register your drone before you fly commercially. If you aren’t sure how to be sure to follow our easy step-by-step guide on becoming FAA certified.

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Quality Camera Over Features

Perhaps one of the most important parts, why the DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone is still going strong and remains popular despite the recent launch of Phantom 4 Professional, is its camera. Unlike its successor, the Phantom 3 Professional is mounted with a 12MP camera on a 3-axis gimbal stabilizer. It beautifully captures still at a 4K resolution setting and creates smooth 4KUHD videos at 30 frames per second.

It doesn’t come with a lot of features like obstacle avoidance features and several intelligent flight modes, unlike its successors. But, it is still an amazing drone regardless. Because most of its quality is focused on a camera that is designed to ensure you get the best experience and flexibility in aerial perspective. The Phantom 3 Professional can produce both JPEG and DNG format which means you can edit the stills using Photoshop and Lightroom.

Sure, it will require at least a bit more work to achieve the masterpiece quality. However, at the price that DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone is going for. It brings a lot of quality in its camera compared to the most expensive drones in today consumer market. A perfect choice for beginners, hobbyists, and professionals who want to be able to enjoy flying the drone and see the video in real-time.

Read Next: Top 12 Badass Reasons Why You Should Buy Phantom 4 Professional

It Doesn’t Cost Too Much Money

Aside from the most obvious statement, if you are on a tight budget and don’t want to spend too much money. The DJI Phantom 3 Professional is a great choice if you are looking to jumpstart your drone business. Starting your own drone business doesn’t have to be that expensive if you can acquire a quadcopter outfitted with a high-quality camera. All you need is the following list: a DJI Phantom 3 Professional, a domain provided by Namecheap, a hosting plan provided by Siteground, and you are all set to go!

To draw a comparison, if you are looking solely for photography purposes. Budget-wise, the DJI Phantom 3 Professional would be a better choice compared to Phantom 4 Professional or brand new Mavic 2. But, if you prefer more features, flight safety, and of course better camera, you would be better off with these latest released quadcopters. But keep it in your mind that achieving masterpiece quality is possible with DJI Phantom 3 Professionals.

It doesn’t matter which drone you are flying. If you are willing to put in your effort and time to learn the ins and outs of editing skills. You will be able to create beautiful shots that easily beats most photographers who don’t have a damn clue how to use these programs. Like, seriously… It is smart to save your money when you are willing to learn a few skills on your own and increase the amount of return on investments.

Read Next: What Is The Difference Between Phantom 4 Original and Obsidian Edition?

Phantom 3 Professional Makes A Great Hobby

Don’t get me wrong, the DJI Phantom 3 Professional is a very powerful drone. It is packed with an intelligent flight battery which provides 23 minutes of flight time. In addition to that, it is incorporated with Lightbridge which enables a maximum remote control distance up to 5,000 meters or 3.1 miles. This feature is especially important when it comes to being able to fly and maintain a reliable connection for the best flight experience.

The main point of this is that the Phantom 3 Professional makes a great drone for both kids and hobbyists. It doesn’t have to be all about taking pictures and turning them into masterpieces. If you have a kid or friends who want to become a drone photographer. The Phantom 3 Professional drone is a cheap choice that is truly packed with amazing punches. Intelligent flight modes, stunning footage quality, precise and responsive flight controls, you name it.

Read Next: Phantom 4 Pro: Best Drone for Hobbyists, Professionals, or Beginners?

So, Is DJI Phantom 3 Professional Still Worth The Money?

If you are going to ask me this question, I would say yes. But I don’t speak for others. In my opinion, if you are looking for a smart camera drone without spending too much money. The Phantom 3 Professional drone is your best option. You do not need to spend on top-end drones like Phantom 4 Professional and the like. How the images and videos turn out depends on your piloting and image editing skills that must be developed on your own.

You can easily buy DJI Phantom 3 Professional at $629 which is half of what Phantom 4 Professional ($1249) cost. Which is surprisingly cheap and has a lot of potentials if you learn how to use it the right way. There are at least three different models of Phantom 3 drone to choose from, but we highly recommend the Professional Edition for the following reasons: 4KUHD resolution, Lightbridge Technology, and more features.

In a certain case where you want to decide for yourself which edition is better for you. I recommend you to read our beginner guide: Which Phantom 3 Drone is Best For You. This concludes the article of whether the DJI Phantom 3 Professional is still worth buying. Let us know what you think of Phantom 3 Professional drone by dropping a comment in the comments section below! Happy flying and fly safe!