DJI built the Matrice 4E and Matrice 4T on one compact, folding airframe and changed only the camera head. That makes this an easier decision than most drone comparisons: you are not trading flight time, range or obstacle sensing. You are choosing between a mapping camera and a thermal camera.
This guide shows exactly what differs, using DJI's published specifications, what each aircraft looks like doing real work, who should buy which, and what a complete kit costs.
Quick Answer
- Best for mapping and surveying: DJI Matrice 4E, $5,189. A 20MP 4/3-inch mechanical-shutter camera, and DJI supports mapping without ground control points on it.
- Best for thermal, night and search: DJI Matrice 4T, $7,849. Adds a 640×512 radiometric thermal camera, an NIR auxiliary light and Night Scene imaging to ISO 819,200.
- Need both jobs done: one of each for $13,038. They share batteries, chargers and accessories.
- Need to fly in rain or from a fixed site: neither. Look at the IP55 Matrice 4D and 4TD with the DJI Dock 3.
4E vs 4T, Spec by Spec
All specifications from DJI's Matrice 4 Series spec sheet and FAQ. Prices are current Global Drone HQ prices, October 2026.
| Spec | Matrice 4E | Matrice 4T |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $5,189 | $7,849 |
| Wide camera | 20MP 4/3-inch, mechanical shutter, f/2.8 to f/11 | 48MP 1/1.3-inch, f/1.7 |
| Telephotos | 70 mm 48MP and 168 mm 48MP, 112× hybrid zoom | Same |
| Thermal camera | None | 640×512 radiometric, 1280×1024 High-Res mode, ≤50 mK |
| NIR auxiliary light | No | Yes |
| Night Scene ISO (tele) | 409,600 | 819,200 |
| Fastest photo interval | 0.5 s | 0.7 s |
| RAW photos | DNG on the wide camera | JPEG, thermal in R-JPEG |
| Mapping without GCPs | Supported on the wide camera | Precision not guaranteed by DJI |
| Laser rangefinder | 1,800 m | 1,800 m |
| Max flight time | 49 min (42 min hover) | 49 min (42 min hover) |
| Wind resistance | 12 m/s | 12 m/s |
| Water protection | None, not waterproof | None, not waterproof |
| Transmission | O4 Enterprise, 25 km (FCC) | O4 Enterprise, 25 km (FCC) |
| RTK | Built in | Built in |
Four Questions That Pick the Drone
Do you need to see heat?
People at night, hot connections, failing solar cells or hotspots after a fire all need thermal. That is the 4T. Nothing else in this comparison sees heat.
Is your deliverable a map or a model?
Orthomosaics, surface models, volumes and 3D models come from the 4E's mechanical-shutter camera. DJI supports mapping without GCPs only on the 4E.
Do you fly after dark?
Both have Night Scene modes, but the 4T adds an NIR light and twice the tele sensitivity. For night patrol and search, the 4T wins.
Will it fly in rain or live on site?
Neither handheld model is water rated. For rain or 24/7 remote launches, step up to the IP55 Matrice 4D or 4TD in a Dock 3.
Matrice 4E: Built for Mapping
The 4E exists for teams whose deliverable is a map, a model or a measurement. The 4/3-inch wide sensor with a mechanical shutter eliminates rolling-shutter distortion while the aircraft is moving. With a 0.5-second interval at up to 21 m/s mapping speed, it covers ground quickly. Smart 3D Capture builds a rough model on the controller and then generates precise routes for oblique capture around complex structures.
DJI Matrice 4E
$5,189 | Best for mapping, surveying and daylight inspection
Mechanical shutterMapping without GCPsSmart 3D CaptureBuilt-in RTK- 20MP 4/3-inch wide camera with a mechanical shutter, f/2.8 to f/11 and DNG RAW.
- Two 48MP telephotos (70 mm and 168 mm) for facade and tower detail from a safe distance.
- 0.5-second interval shooting and five-direction oblique capture for 3D models.
- Up to 49 minutes of flight and 25 km O4 Enterprise transmission.
DJI Enterprise's case study: a survey team models Limburg Cathedral with the Matrice 4E.
Mapping or responding?
Tell us what you fly and what you deliver. We will recommend the right Matrice 4 kit and send a quote with free US shipping.
Get a Matrice 4 QuoteMatrice 4T: Built to See Heat
The 4T is the one to buy when the target gives off heat or the work happens at night. Its radiometric thermal camera measures temperature, not just contrast, so it reads hot connections and failing panels as well as people and animals. The NIR auxiliary light and higher Night Scene sensitivity extend visual identification after dark.
DJI Matrice 4T
$7,849 | Best for public safety, search and thermal inspection
640×512 radiometricNIR light112× zoomComplete kit- 640×512 radiometric thermal with a 1280×1024 High-Res mode, -20°C to 550°C range.
- Three 48MP visual cameras and a 1,800 m laser rangefinder that geotags what it hits.
- NIR auxiliary light and Night Scene to ISO 819,200 for identification after dark.
- Ships as a complete kit: aircraft, battery, RC Plus 2 Enterprise, charging hub and hard case.
DJI Enterprise's case study: the Austrian Mountain Rescue Service on thermal and Night Scene searches.
The 4T on transmission line inspections in Mexico.
Can One Aircraft Do Both?
Not well. The 4E cannot see heat, and DJI states that the 4T's RTK cannot guarantee mapping precision. Programs that need both usually take one of three routes:
4E plus 4T: $13,038
One for mapping, one for response and thermal inspection. They share batteries, chargers, the speaker and the spotlight.
Matrice 400
Swappable payloads such as the H30T thermal and L3 LiDAR on one IP55 airframe. See our M400 vs 4E vs 4T comparison.
Dock 3 with 4D or 4TD
The dock versions are IP55 and launch on a schedule or on dispatch. See the 4T vs 4TD guide.
Accessories Both Share
| Accessory | Price | Fits | Why add it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matrice 4 Series battery | $285 | 4E and 4T | Up to 49 minutes each. Most crews run three or four. |
| Matrice 4 charging hub | $128 | 4E and 4T | Charges four batteries in sequence. Already in the 4T kit. |
| Colorado Drone Chargers Matrice 4 PRCS | $1,345 | 4E and 4T | Four-bay rapid charging from a truck inverter or generator. |
| DJI AL1 spotlight | $473 | 4E and 4T | Lights a subject at night from altitude. |
| DJI AS1 speaker | $319 | 4E and 4T | Live voice and text-to-speech broadcasts. |
| AVSS PRS-M4SUS parachute | $2,330 | 4E and 4T | Parachute recovery for flights over people. |
More mission add-ons, including drop systems and third-party lights, are in our Matrice 4E and 4T payloads guide.
Kit Budgets
4E mapping kit: $7,389
Matrice 4E $5,189, three spare batteries $855 and the Matrice 4 PRCS field charger $1,345.
4T patrol kit: $9,211
Matrice 4T $7,849, two spare batteries $570, AS1 speaker $319 and AL1 spotlight $473.
4T night SAR kit: $10,841
The patrol kit's 4T, speaker and spotlight with three spare batteries $855 and the PRCS charger $1,345.
4E + 4T pair: $14,178
Matrice 4E $5,189, Matrice 4T $7,849 and four shared spare batteries $1,140.
List prices with free US shipping, before any applicable sales tax. Multi-unit orders are quoted together.
How to Buy
- Request a quote with the aircraft, quantity and accessories you need, or order the 4E and 4T directly from their product pages.
- Pay by ACH, wire or card. Tax-exempt agencies purchase tax-free with a valid exemption certificate on file.
- We ship free within the US.
- Add coverage with one of our protection plans (batteries and propellers are excluded).
Federal grant or NDAA requirement? Neither the Matrice 4E nor the 4T is NDAA compliant. If your funding requires compliant hardware, start with our NDAA-compliant drones guide.
Get a Matrice 4 Quote
Tell us your organization, the mission (mapping, inspection, public safety or search), how many aircraft and which accessories you need. You will hear back within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Matrice 4E and 4T?
The camera head. The 4E has a 20MP 4/3-inch mechanical-shutter wide camera for mapping. The 4T swaps it for a 48MP wide camera and adds a 640×512 radiometric thermal camera and an NIR auxiliary light. The airframe, telephotos, laser rangefinder, flight time and transmission are the same.
Can the Matrice 4T be used for mapping?
It can fly mapping missions, but DJI states that the 4T with RTK cannot guarantee final mapping precision. For survey-grade work without ground control points, DJI points to the 4E's wide camera.
Does the Matrice 4E have a thermal camera?
No. For thermal, choose the Matrice 4T, or the Matrice 400 with a Zenmuse H30T.
What is the flight time of the Matrice 4E and 4T?
DJI rates both for up to 49 minutes of flight and 42 minutes of hover with standard propellers, without wind or payload.
Are the Matrice 4E and 4T waterproof?
No. DJI publishes no IP rating for the Matrice 4 series and advises avoiding contact with water. If it rains during a flight, return and land as soon as possible.
Do both have RTK?
Yes. The RTK module is built in and not removable. Pair it with a D-RTK 3 station or a network RTK service for centimeter-level positioning.
How far can the Matrice 4E and 4T fly from the controller?
O4 Enterprise transmission reaches up to 25 km under FCC rules in an unobstructed, interference-free environment.
Is the Matrice 4T worth the extra $2,660?
Only if you need thermal or serious night capability. For daylight mapping and inspection, the 4E's mechanical shutter makes it the better and cheaper tool.
How does the 4T compare with the Matrice 4TD?
The 4TD is the dock version of the 4T. It shares the camera head but adds IP55 sealing and fixed arms, and it lives in a DJI Dock 3.
Are the Matrice 4E and 4T NDAA compliant?
No. DJI aircraft are not NDAA compliant.
Keep Exploring
Prices last verified October 2026 against Global Drone HQ listings and subject to change. Specifications per DJI's Matrice 4 Series specifications and FAQ. Video footage and YouTube videos by DJI Enterprise.
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DJI Matrice 4 Price Guide 2026: 4E, 4T, 4TD and Dock 3 Costs
DJI Matrice 4 Price Guide 2026: 4E, 4T, 4TD and Dock 3 Costs