We loved the DJI Air 3 when it was released as a really easy-to-fly drone that is compact enough to take travelling so when we discovered that an S model was being released our interest was piqued.
The DJI Air3s is a step up being a midrange consumer drone with an impressive dual camera combination. This uses a 1” CMOS wide-angle camera and a 1/1.3’ CMOS medium telephoto camera to give you unmatched image quality.
Primary Camera: A 50MP 1-inch-CMOS sensor with a 24mm lens, capable of capturing 4K/60fps HDR and 4K/120fps video.
Secondary Camera: A 48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with a 70mm medium tele lens, offering 3x optical zoom.
So this means you can shoot in 4K/60fps HDR as well as capture slow motion in 4K/120fps a step up from the 4K/100fps of the Air 3. There are also 2 more megapixels up to 50 from 48 showing why this is a decent upgrade, but not quite big enough to make it an Air4.
Where the different sensor makes the bold leaps forward are the cameras now supporting 14 stops of dynamic range improving the quality in difficult lighting situations. The Air 3S can record 10-bit video using H.265 encoding in normal colour mode, with a maximum ISO of 12,800. In D-Log M and HLG colour modes, the maximum ISO is raised to 3,200, allowing for enhanced brightness and detail in low-light conditions. While shoots at night are improved, it’s those dusk shoots that have removed a great deal of noise making the images really stunning to look at and use in projects, there are very few devices like this that perform well in this environment, so it’s great to see.
The Air 3S introduces several innovative features to enhance the photography experience:
– Free Panorama Mode: This feature is available on both cameras and allows for the seamless creation of panoramic shots by stitching multiple images together.
– ActiveTrack 360°: Keeps subjects centred in the frame by automatically planning optimal flight paths based on the surrounding environment.
– Subject Focusing: Maintains sharp focus on the subject, even during manual flight or when the subject moves off-centre.
One of the standout features of the Air 3S is its advanced obstacle-detection system that includes a forward-facing LiDAR allowing for accurate identification of weak visual features: (A first for DJI drones). The device also has downward infrared time-of-flight (TOF) sensors and six vision sensors: Two each at the front, rear, and bottom.
This comprehensive system enables nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing, allowing for safe nighttime photography. The drone can automatically identify and avoid obstacles during flight and return paths.
I was impressed by the Air 3S performance on battery and storage which now include up to 45 minutes of flight time and a significant increase to 42GB of built-in storage. This still fills up fast when shooting in 4k but there is a slot for an SD card unlike the smaller novice drone the DJI Neo which although being amazingly powerful for its class only allows for 20GB internal storage.
On that, going from using the Neo to this is like stepping into the future. Although the setup takes a bit longer the sheer speed in which you take off and the stability in the air is unbelievable. I was nervous taking it out for a flight as we’d had a fair bit of average weather for a few weeks but I ended up biting the bullet and sending it up on a semi ok day. The result was a good example of the power of this device and of the safety options on the DJI Air3S model. They are really a massive step up, and it makes sense, the investment is a step up so you want to make sure that even a pretty average pilot like myself isn’t doing damage to my investment or to others.
Additionally, the DJI O4 HD video transmission technology delivers 10-bit video at 1080p/60fps over distances up to 20 kilometres. This basically means you enjoy a stable connection and real-time footage, even from a considerable distance putting your mind at ease, especially in those early days of learning to use your drone.
The Fly More Packages are always the best option when choosing your drone and The DJI Air3S is no different. The pack I reviewed included the RC2 controller with built-in screen and an ND filter set that I would suggest as a “must have” for the device as it comes with ND8, ND32 & ND128 giving you greater ability to create that perfect exposure. These are simple to install with a twist and lock and come in a quality storage container.
Pricing and Availability
The DJI Air 3S is available in various configurations:
– DJI Air 3S with RC-N3 controller: $1699 AUD
– DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (three batteries and DJI RC-N3 controller, ND filter set and shoulder bag): $2129 AUD
– DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (three batteries DJI RC 2, ND Filter Set, Shoulder bag): $2429 AUD
The big selling points of the DJI Air3S are its advanced dual-camera system, enhanced safety features, and extended flight capabilities. The DJI Air 3S has made all the right improvements on its predecessor while maintaining its lightweight and portable nature, in fact, it is poised to become the go-to drone for travel photography hobbyists and professionals alike.
