Marseille – Provence – South of France
Matrice 4E RTK for Fast and Accurate Drone Photogrammetry
From our base in Marseille, at the heart of Provence and the South Region, Drone-Pictures continues to innovate by investing in cutting-edge technology to serve its clients in aerial imaging and 3D modelling.
Our new DJI Matrice 4E marks a major step forward in photogrammetry: it combines high-end integrated sensors, intelligent functions and the robustness required for technical missions.
On this page, we outline both the technical specifications of the Matrice 4E, its key advantages for photogrammetry, and how we use it locally throughout Provence — from Marseille to the far corners of the South Region — for demanding, precision projects.
Teaser video – Drone photogrammetry in Provence – 3D modelling and orthophotos using the Matrice 4E
What is Drone Photogrammetry?
Before diving into the hardware, let’s briefly recall what photogrammetry is and how it can be useful to you.
Photogrammetry is a method for 3D reconstruction or geo-referenced mapping based on aerial or ground-based imagery.
By taking a large number of overlapping photographs (both lateral and longitudinal) and processing them through specialised algorithms, we can generate:
A dense point cloud, representing the surface of a terrain or structure,
A textured mesh (3D model) reproducing shapes and colours,
A geo-referenced orthophoto, i.e. an aerial image corrected for relief and perspective distortion,
Topographic measurements (distances, surfaces, volumes, slopes, profiles).
Drone photogrammetry is particularly suitable for rapid surveys of large areas, building or structure inspections (bridges, quarries, embankments, roofs), heritage documentation, as well as digital twin creation for BIM, urban, or architectural applications.
Thanks to embedded or ground-based RTK/PPK systems, we can now achieve centimetric accuracy, making drones an essential tool for surveyors, architects, local authorities and project managers.
The DJI Matrice 4E: Technical Specifications & Innovations
✦ Designed for Professional, High-Demand Use
Here are the main technical specifications of the Matrice 4E, part of DJI’s Matrice 4 series.
Multi-Camera Sensors and Laser Range Finder
Wide-angle camera: 4/3″ CMOS sensor, 20 MP, mechanical shutter — ideal for avoiding rolling-shutter effects during fast flights.
3× zoom, 70 mm focal length: 1/1.3″ CMOS sensor, 48 MP.
7× telephoto, 160 mm focal length: 1/1.5″ CMOS sensor, 48 MP.
Laser range finder: range up to 1,800 m, accuracy 0.2 m + 0.0015D.
Shooting interval: supports rapid capture (0.5 s) for continuous mapping mode, speeding up coverage.
Distortion Correction 2.0 directly applied to images to reduce lens-related geometric errors.
Aerial Performance
Maximum flight time (unloaded): up to 49 minutes (as per DJI).
Maximum horizontal speed: approximately 21 m/s (at sea level, no payload).
Wind resistance: up to 12 m/s (43 km/h).
Payload capacity: around 200 g, suitable for light accessories (sensors, lasers, PPK modules).
Compact and foldable design, ideal for field deployment and quick missions.
Intelligent Functions & Autonomous Mapping
Smart 3D Capture: automatically generates flight routes and preliminary meshes for complex buildings.
Oblique capture in 5 directions and orthographic capture in 3 directions, ensuring optimal coverage of façades and roofs.
Virtual environment detection and planning, trajectory control, and enhanced flight safety.
DJI Pilot 2 interface provides mission reports and on-site adjustments.
Compatible with the D-RTK 3 Station and supports external algorithms and third-party integrations.
Video features
UHD & 4K
24/25/30/50/60p
Photo features :
20 to 48 mpix depending the lens - DNG, JPG
Technical specifications :
Wind up to 12 m/s (43 km/h) Certified for scenarios FR S1, S2, S3 & EU STS-01, STS-02 Energy: up to 35 min. per flight Weight RTF 1,22 kilos
✦ Key Advantages of the Matrice 4E for Professional Photogrammetry
With these features, the Matrice 4E offers decisive advantages for modern photogrammetry operations:
Fast and Efficient Coverage
Thanks to the short capture interval (0.5 s) and oblique shooting modes, large areas can be covered quickly while accurately capturing vertical details (façades, roofs).
This reduces flight time, the number of required batteries, and overall mission costs.
Precision and Image Quality
The mechanical shutter and in-camera distortion correction help minimise geometric errors.
High-resolution cameras (20 MP + 48 MP) ensure sharp, detailed results even for complex architectural elements.
Multi-Camera Versatility
The triple-camera system allows operators to switch seamlessly between wide, medium and telephoto views — useful depending on subject distance or required level of detail — all natively without changing lenses.
Endurance and Autonomy
With up to 49 minutes of flight time, coverage per battery is maximised.
This is especially valuable for large-scale projects in rural areas, mountainous regions, or heritage sites.
Safety and Robustness
Advanced flight planning tools, trajectory control, and onboard sensors reduce risks during close-structure operations.
Workflow Interoperability
The Matrice 4E integrates naturally into photogrammetric pipelines using DJI Terra, Pix4D, Metashape, DroneDeploy, or WebODM.
Its image data is fully compatible with point cloud, mesh, and orthophoto processing.
Compactness and Mobility
Despite its advanced features, the 4E remains compact and foldable — ideal for deployment in urban environments or difficult-to-access sites.
✦ Marseille / Provence: a Strategic Advantage
- Our location in Marseille places us close to numerous heritage sites, architectural structures, quarries, coastal zonesand agricultural lands that greatly benefit from photogrammetry.
- Our in-depth knowledge of the local climate, wind conditions, and regulatory constraints (DGAC, prefectural) allows us to operate efficiently and safely.
- We cover the entire South Region — from the Alpilles and Bouches-du-Rhône to the Provençal ranges, Var, and along the French Riviera.
- Our clients — local authorities, architects, engineering firms, heritage services — appreciate working with a local operator: faster response, optimised logistics, and strong territorial expertise.
The Matrice 4E is thus perfectly suited to the diversity of Provence’s landscapes, historical buildings and industrial sites around Marseille.
Use Case: Château Charleval and Regional Missions
A great example of the Matrice 4E in action is the 3D modelling of Château Charleval (13).
In this project (detailed in our blog article), we captured over 2,800 images to generate a textured model of nearly 200 million faces — a result that can be used for heritage enhancement and preservation. 👉 Read the full article here
Other missions around Marseille and Provence also demonstrate the drone’s versatility in various contexts:
3D modelling of urban buildings (historic districts, Marseille landmarks) — such as the Saint-Louis factory in Marseille (10 hectares)
Orthophoto mapping of agricultural or peri-urban zones
Precision inspections of structures (roofs, façades, bridges)
Construction site monitoring and periodic comparisons (earthworks, progress tracking)
These examples show that the Matrice 4E is not only a “racing machine” for large-scale projects — it’s also extremely relevant for medium-sized local missions across our operating area.
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With Drone Pictures, you call upon a civilian drone operator, established since 2011 in Marseille, guaranteeing a high quality creative work. Our video productions and audiovisual services by drone, as well as our numerous clients, attest to our seriousness and our enthusiasm to always serve you better!