DJI Zenmuse L3 LiDAR Payload
W-9 and vendor pack with every quote
Shipped direct from the manufacturer
A 1535 nm laser reaching 950 m on 10 percent reflectivity targets, with dual 100 MP mapping cameras. It flies on the Matrice 400 only, and DJI publishes its accuracy at four altitudes.
01
DJI names one aircraft for this payload, and it needs the L3's own gimbal connector
The Matrice 400 is the only aircraft DJI names for the Zenmuse L3, across its product page, specifications page, FAQ and support page. The L3 also requires the Zenmuse L3 single gimbal connector, the mount that joins a payload to the drone. DJI states that connector currently supports only the L3. Put another payload on it and video may shake; DJI's example is the Zenmuse H30T. The connector goes to the E1 port on the aircraft's underside, or DJI says mapping accuracy is reduced. A Matrice 350 RTK will not take the L3. DJI's current Zenmuse L2 page lists the Matrice 400, Matrice 350 RTK and Matrice 300 RTK. Ask us about the L2 if you fly the older two.
See through, far and true
DJI Enterprise's launch film for the Zenmuse L3.
02
DJI publishes accuracy on four pages, and the specifications page carries the fewest tiers
An accuracy figure with no altitude attached tells you nothing. DJI's specifications page gives two. At 120 m, 3 cm vertical and 4 cm horizontal RMSE. At 300 m, 5 cm vertical and 7.5 cm horizontal. DJI's FAQ carries those two, adds 3.5 cm vertical and 5 cm horizontal at 150 m, and adds vertical accuracy better than 10 cm at 500 m. DJI's support page carries all four. DJI's product page carries the 500 m figure as marketing wording with no RMSE label. The specifications page, the one a buyer is most likely to open, carries the fewest. DJI publishes no horizontal accuracy at 500 m anywhere. When a LiDAR quote hands you one accuracy number, ask which altitude it was measured at.
03
Every one of those figures needs DJI Terra afterwards, and the point cloud you see in flight is not them
DJI measured all of it in one setup. A Matrice 400 linked to a position calibrated D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station, flying a DJI Pilot 2 Area Route with Calibrate IMU enabled. Linear scanning at 15 m/s, gimbal pitch at -90 degrees, route segments under 3300 m, checkpoints on exposed hard ground. The point cloud was then processed offline in DJI Terra, with Optimize Point Cloud Accuracy switched on. DJI states the real time point cloud shown in DJI Pilot 2 during a flight is a field preview, and that its accuracy is not guaranteed. DJI does not label the figures absolute or relative. Processing for the L3 is free in DJI Terra as of version 5.1.0, and DJI says later functions may be charged.
04
DJI's specifications page gives three ranges, each with a reflectivity and pulse rate
Reflectivity is how much light a surface sends back. 700 m at 10 percent reflectivity and 350 kHz. 950 m at 10 percent and 100 kHz. 2000 m at 80 percent and 100 kHz. Range means the distance at which half the emitted pulses return. DJI measured it in 100 klx ambient light, at the center of the field of view, against a flat perpendicular target, 23 km visibility. The default is capped at 900 m. For a longer range, DJI says contact DJI support or an authorized dealer. DJI's FAQ publishes its 10 percent reflectivity table, splitting each range into center and edge of field. At 350 kHz that is 700 m center, 500 m edge; at 100 kHz, 950 m and 650 m.
05
Two 100 MP cameras cover 107 degrees between them, and only one records video
The L3 carries two 4/3 CMOS mapping cameras, 100 MP effective each at 12288 by 8192 pixels. CMOS is the chip that catches the light. Their optical axes sit 45 degrees apart, and the two images merge into a 107 degree horizontal field of view. A pixel binned 25 MP mode trades resolution for larger pixels and better low light sensitivity. Ground sample distance, the ground each pixel covers, averages 3 cm at 300 m nadir altitude. For the same distance, DJI recommends 100 MP above 150 m and 25 MP at or below it. Only one camera records video at a time, and DJI's FAQ names the right hand one facing the LiDAR.
06
The laser is Class 1 and eye safe in normal use, and DJI still says do not stare into it
DJI classes the 1535 nm laser as Class 1 under IEC 60825-1:2014, and states the product is safe under all normal conditions of use. Both halves stand. The user manual says not to look directly at the LiDAR optical window for extended periods. Do not view it through optical magnifiers such as telescopes or magnifying glasses, and do not photograph the LiDAR while it runs, to avoid damaging the camera sensor. DJI's Product Information document adds that another LiDAR in use, or any strong energy source, can permanently damage it. So can a perpendicular beam onto coated glass, or any mirror surface highly reflective at 1.5 μm, in its field of view. IP54 was achieved in controlled laboratory conditions, and DJI states protection decreases with use and wear.
07 FOR UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Who should not buy this, and what we will not print without a DJI source
Fly anything but a Matrice 400 and this is the wrong payload. Ask about the Zenmuse L2. Need a horizontal accuracy figure at 500 m for a specification, and DJI does not publish one. DJI lists water, wet surfaces, mirrors, rain, fog, dust and targets under 10 m as conditions that cost range and accuracy. DJI publishes no guaranteed software update date in its product page, specifications page, FAQ, support page, user manual or Product Information document. DJI's own packing list is pictograms with quantity counts and no labels, so we are not printing box contents we cannot source. My Surveying Direct is an authorized DJI Enterprise dealer and accepts purchase orders from universities, colleges and government agencies. Shipped direct from the manufacturer. Call +1 888 850 6533, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 Mountain Time. We will confirm whether the D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station ships with your order.
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Everything it does, in detail
The technical walkthrough, for the buyer who has already decided LiDAR is the right tool.
REFERENCE
Specifications
LiDAR performance
| Laser wavelength | 1535 nm |
| Laser safety classification | Class 1 (IEC 60825-1:2014) |
| Detection range | 700 m at 10% reflectivity, 350 kHz. 950 m at 10% reflectivity, 100 kHz. 2000 m at 80% reflectivity, 100 kHz. DJI defines range as the distance at which 50% of emitted pulses are detected, measured at 100 klx ambient light, central FOV, perpendicular incidence, 23 km atmospheric visibility. Capped at 900 m by default; DJI says to contact DJI support or an authorized dealer for a longer range. If a beam hits more than one subject, transmitter power splits and the achievable range falls |
| Detection range, center vs. edge of FOV | DJI's FAQ splits each frequency's range into a center value and an edge-of-field-of-view value, which the specs page does not carry: 290 m center / 200 m edge at 2000 kHz (recommended altitude ≤ 50 m); 400/280 m at 1000 kHz (≤ 100 m); 700/500 m at 350 kHz (≤ 300 m); 950/650 m at 100 kHz (≤ 500 m). Same 10% reflectivity, 100 klx, 23 km visibility conditions as above |
| Wire detection range | 21.6 mm steel-core aluminum stranded wire: 300 m at 100 klx, 350 kHz. 18.4 mm black PVC-insulated wire: 100 m at 100 klx, 350 kHz. Measured as the distance at which a fully scanned wire section reaches 4 points per meter, LiDAR center FOV perpendicular to the wire, Non-Repetitive scanning, drone flying at 15 m/s along clean, unaged wire, 23 km atmospheric visibility |
| Ranging accuracy | Absolute accuracy ±10 mm; repeatability under 5 mm at 1σ. Met at 25°C (77°F) ambient temperature, 350 kHz pulse rate, 80% object reflectivity, at 120 m and 300 m distances |
| Beam divergence | 0.25 mrad (1/e²) |
| Laser spot size | 41 mm at 120 m; 86 mm at 300 m (1/e²). DJI states this is about one-fifth the spot size of the Zenmuse L2 at the same range |
| Pulse emission frequency | 100 kHz, DJI's recommended flight altitude under 500 m. 350 kHz, under 300 m. 1000 kHz, under 100 m. 2000 kHz, under 50 m |
| Returns | Up to 16 returns at 100 and 350 kHz; up to 8 at 1000 kHz; 4 at 2000 kHz |
| Scanning modes and FOV | Linear: horizontal 80°, vertical 3°, most consistent point cloud distribution, DJI recommends it for high-accuracy terrain mapping. Star-Shaped: horizontal 80°, vertical 80°, DJI recommends it for forests or dense urban environments. Non-Repetitive: horizontal 80°, vertical 80°, DJI recommends it for power line and complex structural surveys |
| Eye safety, DJI's own warning | DJI states the L3 "is safe under all normal conditions of use." Its user manual adds: do NOT look directly at the LiDAR optical window for extended periods, or view it through optical magnifiers such as telescopes or magnifying glasses. Do NOT photograph the LiDAR while in use, to avoid damaging the camera sensor |
| Sensor-damage and burn cautions | DJI's separate Product Information document warns: to avoid burns, do not touch the camera case or optical window when powering on; do not expose the LiDAR to strong sources of energy such as a laser beam or another LiDAR in use, or it may be permanently damaged; avoid vertical laser beam incidence on high-reflectivity mirror surfaces (such as coated glass) at 1.5 μm wavelength within the LiDAR's field of view, for the same reason |
| Conditions that reduce range, accuracy or add point cloud noise | DJI's user manual lists: mirror or highly reflective surfaces, water or wet surfaces, low visibility (rain, fog), a payload that has just powered on and not warmed up, target distance under 10 m, excessively strong ambient light, backscatter from raindrops, fog droplets or dust, and high sampling frequency over large elevation differences |
Point cloud accuracy, by altitude
| 120 m altitude | Vertical 3 cm, horizontal 4 cm (RMSE). Published on DJI's specs page and DJI's FAQ, in agreement |
| 150 m altitude | Vertical 3.5 cm, horizontal 5 cm (RMSE). Published in DJI's FAQ and on DJI's support page; not on DJI's specs page, DJI's product page or our own listing |
| 300 m altitude | Vertical 5 cm, horizontal 7.5 cm (RMSE). Published on DJI's specs page and DJI's FAQ, in agreement |
| 500 m altitude | DJI's product page states vertical accuracy "better than 10 cm" at 500 m. This is DJI's own marketing wording, not an RMSE figure like the three altitudes above, and DJI gives no horizontal figure at 500 m anywhere. Published on DJI's product page, in DJI's FAQ and on DJI's support page, in the latter two inside an answer comparing the L3 to the previous generation; not on DJI's specs page |
| Shared measurement conditions for all four altitude rows above | DJI Matrice 400 linked to a position-calibrated D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station; DJI Pilot 2 Area Route with Calibrate IMU enabled; Linear scanning; 15 m/s flight speed; gimbal pitch -90°; straight segments under 3300 m; exposed hard-ground checkpoints conforming to the diffuse reflection model; DJI Terra post-processing with Optimize Point Cloud Accuracy enabled. DJI does not state ground-control-point density beyond "checkpoints," and does not label the figures absolute vs. relative |
| Point cloud thickness | 1.2 cm at 1σ at 120 m nadir altitude; 2 cm at 1σ at 300 m nadir altitude. Measured in Linear scanning on 80% reflectivity targets, with neither point cloud optimization nor downsampling enabled in DJI Terra. For 6σ, multiply the listed thickness by six |
| Positioning accuracy (RTK Fix) | Horizontal 1.0 cm + 1 ppm; vertical 1.5 cm + 1 ppm, in RTK Fix status |
| Attitude error | Yaw 0.02°; pitch and roll 0.01°. Post-processed, 1σ |
| Real-time point cloud accuracy, versus the figures above | DJI states the real-time point cloud shown in DJI Pilot 2 during flight is for field-operation preview only and its accuracy is not guaranteed. DJI states the figures in this section require DJI Terra offline post-processing to achieve |
RGB mapping cameras
| Sensor | Dual 4/3 CMOS, 100 MP effective (12288×8192). A pixel-binned 25 MP mode (6144×4096) trades resolution for larger effective pixel size and better low-light sensitivity; DJI recommends 100 MP above 150 m altitude and 25 MP at or below 150 m for the same ground sample distance |
| Lens, single camera | 28 mm equivalent focal length; FOV 73.3° (diagonal), 62° (horizontal), 41.2° (vertical); aperture f/2.0 to f/11 |
| Combined horizontal FOV, both cameras | 107°, composed by merging images from the two cameras set at a 45° optical axis angle to each other |
| Shutter | Mechanical shutter, 2 to 1/1500 s at f/2.0, 2 to 1/2000 s at f/2.8-f/11, rated for 500,000 actuations. Electronic shutter, 2 to 1/16000 s |
| Ground sampling distance | 3 cm average, at 300 m nadir flight altitude |
| Video recording | Only one of the two RGB cameras records video at a time; DJI's FAQ states it is specifically the right-hand camera when facing the LiDAR, which is why the gimbal does not recenter for video capture |
Positioning and PPK
| GNSS and POS update rate | GNSS 5 Hz; POS 200 Hz |
| Supported PPK differential data formats | DAT (generated in Base Station Mode by the D-RTK 3 Multifunctional Station or D-RTK 2); RINEX v2.1x, v3.0x; RTCM v3.0 to v3.3 (protocols MSM3 to MSM7); OEM4, OEM6. DJI requires the Multifunctional Station to stay within 15 km of the aircraft and to observe more than two GNSS constellations |
Gimbal and mounting
| Degrees of freedom | 3-axis (pitch, roll, yaw) |
| Angular accuracy | ±0.01° |
| Mechanical (structural) range | Pitch -135° to +73°; roll -90° to +60°; yaw -105° to +105°. DJI states this is a structural limit, not the controllable range |
| Controllable range | Pitch -120° to +60°; yaw -80° to +80°. Roll is uncontrollable, for stabilization only |
| Mounting method | Detachable DJI SKYPORT, via the Zenmuse L3 single gimbal connector |
| Connector exclusivity | DJI states the Zenmuse L3 single gimbal connector currently supports only the L3. Mounting a different DJI payload on it, DJI's example is the Zenmuse H30T, may cause video shake that affects functions such as Smart Track and Automated Overhead Power Line Inspection |
| Connector payload limit, from the Matrice 400's own specifications | DJI's Matrice 400 spec page lists a dedicated "Zenmuse L3 gimbal connector" rated at 2100 g maximum payload; above 1600 g, DJI states the gimbal damper lifespan falls from 1000 hours to 400 hours. The L3 itself weighs 1.60 kg plus 145 g for its own connector, 1.745 kg total, inside that limit but above the 1600 g damper-life threshold |
| Correct mounting port | DJI's FAQ states the gimbal connector must be connected to the E1 port on the aircraft's underside; otherwise mapping accuracy is reduced |
| Weight | 1.60 kg without the gimbal connector; the Zenmuse L3 single gimbal connector adds 145 g |
| Dimensions | 192 × 162 × 202 mm (L×W×H), measured in the default stabilized state after power-on, non-orthogonal gimbal design |
Environment, ingress and handling
| Ingress protection rating | IP54 under IEC 60529, achieved under controlled laboratory conditions |
| What keeps the IP54 rating intact | DJI's FAQ states: before installing, the gimbal interface and surface must be dry; before use, the gimbal must be firmly installed and the CFexpress card protective cap clean, free of foreign objects and closed; wipe the drone's surface clean before opening that cap. DJI states the protection level decreases over time with normal use and wear |
| Operating temperature | -20° to 50°C (-4° to 122°F) |
| Storage temperature | -40° to 70°C (-40° to 158°F). Not carried on our own listing; DJI's specs page only |
| General handling cautions | DJI states: this is a precision instrument, do not drop it, handle with care; land on flat ground to avoid impact damage; do not disassemble, modify, or add components such as filters or lens hoods; only remove the payload after the aircraft is powered off; do not splash it with water or clean it with alcohol, benzene, thinners, or other flammable substances |
| Storage and transport | DJI states: store the payload dry, well-ventilated and dust-free, out of direct sunlight and away from poisonous or corrosive gases; detach it from the aircraft for transport or storage, otherwise the gimbal damper balls' service life may be shortened or they may be damaged; transport it in its original packaging with the dedicated foam insert |
| LiDAR window cleaning | DJI states: clean the optical window with compressed or canned air first; then use a damp lens-cleaning cloth in one direction, never a substance containing alcohol, and never a dry cloth on granular dust or impurities, which scratches the window; use a mild soap solution if stains remain |
Aircraft and flight envelope
| Supported aircraft | DJI Matrice 400 only, requires the Zenmuse L3 single gimbal connector. No other aircraft appears anywhere in DJI's product page, specs page, FAQ or support page for this payload |
| Real-Time Follow altitude | 30 to 300 m, on the Matrice 400 |
| Power Line Follow altitude | Transmission lines, 10 to 130 m, DJI recommends 50 to 80 m. Distribution lines, 10 to 50 m, DJI recommends 30 to 50 m |
| Power Line Follow voltage floor | DJI designs this for lines of 10 kV and above; DJI states it cannot guarantee recognition of low-voltage lines such as 400 V, or communication and broadcast cables |
| Daily mapping coverage | Up to 10 km² in a single flight, up to 100 km² per day when paired with the Matrice 400. DJI's condition: flat terrain, 300 m nadir altitude, 20% side overlap, 17 m/s flight speed, over a 6-hour total effective flight time |
Data storage and software
| Memory card | CFexpress Type B, 1500 MB/s sequential write; DJI's bundled card is 1 TB. DJI states a non-bundled card may write more slowly or manage power less efficiently, which can cause frame drops |
| Card reader | Read/write speed above 900 MB/s |
| Exported data formats | DJI Terra exports point clouds as PNTS, LAS, LAZ, PLY, PCD or S3MB. DJI Modify imports LAS |
| Software ecosystem | Data collection in DJI Pilot 2; processing in DJI Terra; application and classification in DJI Modify; cloud viewing and measurement in DJI FlightHub 2 |
| DJI Terra processing cost for the L3 | DJI states point cloud processing and its advanced functions are free for the L3 in DJI Terra, as of DJI Terra V5.1.0. DJI notes future functions may not stay free, subject to the release notes current at time of publication; not a permanent guarantee |
Zenmuse L3 vs. Zenmuse L2
| L2 detection range | 450 m at 50% reflectivity, 0 klx ambient light; 250 m at 10% reflectivity, 100 klx ambient light. DJI's L2 specs page attaches a different ambient-light condition to each figure; our own listing's comparison table states both ranges without either light-level condition attached |
| L2 system accuracy | Horizontal 5 cm, vertical 4 cm, at 150 m, measured with the L2 mounted on a Matrice 350 RTK |
| L2 RGB camera | Single 4/3 CMOS, 20 MP effective, lens FOV 84° (DJI's L2 specs page gives no diagonal/horizontal/vertical breakdown for that figure). DJI's own L3 FAQ, in a sentence comparing the two cameras, instead states the L3's 107° combined horizontal FOV is "compared to L2's 73.7°." These two DJI figures for the L2 disagree and are not reconciled here |
| L2 laser wavelength | 905 nm, versus the L3's 1535 nm. DJI does not explain the reason for the change anywhere in the material checked, only that the L3's laser spot is about one-fifth the size of the L2's at the same distance |
| L2 weight | 905 ± 5 g, versus the L3's 1.60 kg |
| L2 maximum returns | 5, versus the L3's up to 16 |
| L2 supported aircraft | DJI's own L2 specs page lists Matrice 400, Matrice 350 RTK and Matrice 300 RTK (Matrice 300 RTK requires the DJI RC Plus controller). Our own listing's comparison table names only the Matrice 300 RTK and Matrice 350 RTK, omitting the Matrice 400; that omission is stale against DJI's current L2 page |
| Point cloud thickness, compared | DJI states the L3's point cloud thickness is only half that of the L2's, without publishing the L2's own thickness figure on either product's specs page |
Ordering
| Dealer status | Authorized DJI Enterprise dealer |
| Purchase orders | Accepted from universities, colleges and government agencies |
| Shipping | Shipped direct from the manufacturer |
| Speak to us | +1 888 850 6533, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 Mountain Time |