The DJI Air 3S marks a significant leap in drone technology, positioning itself as one of the most versatile and powerful drones available today. Building on the strengths of its predecessors, the DJI Air 3S combines cutting-edge features with user-friendly controls, making it an ideal choice for both professional content creators and enthusiastic hobbyists. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore every detail of the DJI Air 3S—from its top-tier camera and flight performance to its smart features and advanced safety systems. If you’re looking for the perfect travel companion or the best drone for aerial photography and videography, the DJI Air 3S may just be the answer.
Key Specifications at a Glance
- Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with dual-camera system (wide and telephoto)
- Resolution: 48 MP stills, 4K HDR video at 60fps
- Flight Time: Up to 46 minutes
- Max Range: 20 km (12 miles) with DJI O3+ transmission system
- Max Speed: 68.4 km/h (42.5 mph)
- Obstacle Sensing: Omnidirectional
- Internal Storage: 8GB, expandable via microSD card
- Weight: 720 grams
Design and Build Quality: Lightweight, Compact, and Durable
The Air 3S maintains DJI’s signature foldable design, making it exceptionally portable and easy to carry on any adventure. Weighing in at just 720 grams, the DJI Air 3S is light enough to fit into a small backpack, yet solid enough to withstand outdoor elements like moderate winds. The drone’s matte finish gives it a sleek, professional look, while the durable build ensures that it can handle the rigors of frequent use.
When folded, the DJI Air 3S is remarkably compact, making it ideal for travel photographers and videographers who need a powerful drone that doesn’t take up much space. The drone is the same size as the DJI Air 3 and sits in between the DJI Mavic 3 and Mini 4 Pro. Its arms and propellers fold neatly into the body, significantly reducing its footprint.
DJI’s redesigned remote controller for the DJI Air 3S also deserves praise. It’s ergonomic, lightweight, and features customizable buttons for quick access to important flight and camera functions. The new O4 transmission system ensures a solid connection between the drone and the remote, offering low-latency video feed and reliable control over distances of up to 20 km.
Camera System: Stunning Dual-Camera Performance
The DJI Air 3S is equipped with a revolutionary dual-camera system, which includes a newly designed 1-inch CMOS wide-angle sensor similar to the DJI Air 2S and a 3x optical zoom telephoto lens. This setup is perfect for capturing a wide range of scenarios, from close-up shots of landscapes to detailed photos of distant subjects.
- Wide-Angle Lens: The main 1-inch wide-angle sensor is capable of capturing 50 MP stills and 4K HDR video at up to 60fps. This sensor excels in low-light conditions, offering excellent dynamic range and crisp details, making it ideal for sunrise or sunset shots, expansive landscapes, or even nighttime cityscapes. The high dynamic range ensures that bright and shadow areas are well-balanced in every shot.
- Telephoto Lens: The 1/1.3-inch telephoto lens provides 3x optical zoom (70mm equivalent), allowing users to get closer to their subjects without having to fly the drone into potentially risky areas. It is capable of shooting up to 48 MP stills. This feature is especially useful for capturing wildlife or shooting in locations where proximity to the subject may be unsafe or illegal. The telephoto lens performs exceptionally well when shooting video in 4K at 30fps, retaining sharpness and detail even when zoomed in.
Both cameras are capable of shooting in RAW format and capture videos in D-Log-M, giving professional photographers and videographers the flexibility they need for post-production editing. This is especially important for content creators who require high-quality footage that can be color-graded or adjusted for dynamic range.
Intelligent Flight Features: A Game Changer for Content Creators
One of DJI Air 3S’s biggest strengths is its wide array of intelligent flight modes, which make capturing professional-grade content easier than ever. DJI has packed the Air 3S with several AI-powered features that take the guesswork out of shooting complex scenes, allowing pilots to focus on their creativity rather than technical flying.
- FocusTrack: Whether you’re capturing a fast-moving vehicle, a person, or an animal, FocusTrack locks onto your subject and keeps it in the center of the frame as you fly. This feature is perfect for creating cinematic sequences or action shots.
- MasterShots: A beginner’s dream, MasterShots takes over the drone’s controls and automatically captures a series of dynamic aerial shots, including pans, tilts, and zooms. The drone then compiles these shots into a fully edited video, making it incredibly easy to create professional-quality content with minimal effort.
- Hyperlapse: This mode lets you create dramatic time-lapse videos with moving aerial footage. Whether you’re capturing a bustling city, a changing sky, or the ebb and flow of nature, Hyperlapse adds a new layer of depth to your videos.
- SmartPhoto: Using scene recognition and AI-based image processing, SmartPhoto analyzes the environment and adjusts the camera settings automatically. It optimizes for lighting, color balance, and dynamic range, ensuring the best shot every time.
- QuickShots: QuickShots are pre-programmed flight paths that allow the drone to perform specific maneuvers while recording video. These include the Dronie, Rocket, Circle, and Helix modes, all designed to give your footage a dynamic, cinematic flair with minimal input.
Flight Performance: Smooth, Safe, and Agile
The DJI Air 3S offers some of the most advanced flight performance seen in any DJI drone. With 45 minutes of flight time on a single charge, you can capture extended aerial sequences without worrying about the battery dying mid-flight. This extended flight time is ideal for long shoots, remote locations, or capturing multiple scenes without needing to land frequently to swap batteries.
At a top speed of 97 km/h (60 mph) in Sports Mode, the drone is fast enough to capture high-speed action scenes, whether you’re filming vehicles, sports, or nature. The DJI O4 transmission system offers a control range of up to 20 km, ensuring stable and clear real-time video feeds even in remote locations.
One of the most critical features of the DJI Air 3S is its omnidirectional obstacle sensing with the new Lidar Sensor capable of detecting obstacles at night. Using sensors on all sides, including the top and bottom, the drone can detect obstacles in its flight path and either stop or reroute itself automatically. This advanced feature is powered by DJI’s APAS 5.0 (Advanced Pilot Assistance System), which significantly improves safety, especially in complex environments like forests, urban areas, or narrow canyons.
Battery Life and Charging: Extended Flights Made Easy
The DJI Air 3S stands out with its 45-minute battery life, one of the longest for a drone. This extended flight time allows creators to maximize their shooting sessions, capturing a sprawling landscape or documenting a large event. The intelligent flight battery is long-lasting and charges quickly, making it convenient for creators who need to recharge during busy shoot days.
DJI’s three-battery charging hub allows users to charge multiple batteries simultaneously. With fast-charging capabilities, you can get the batteries up to 80% in around 30 minutes, minimizing downtime and maximizing time in the air.
Connectivity and Storage: More Room for Creativity
The DJI Air 3S features 42GB of internal storage, which is useful for quick shoots when you forget to bring an SD card. The drone also supports microSD cards, so you can expand storage to meet your needs. It’s advisable to use a high-speed card for 4K video recording to avoid lagging or lost footage.
The DJI Fly App offers an intuitive interface, giving users full control over their drone’s flight path and camera settings. With the real-time video feed displayed directly on your smartphone or tablet, you can make quick adjustments to exposure, frame rate, or focus. The app also features a variety of editing tools, allowing you to fine-tune your content before uploading it directly to social media.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Impressive dual-camera system (wide-angle and telephoto)
- 48 MP still images and 4K HDR video at 60fps
- Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance with APAS 5.0
- Extended 46-minute flight time
- Advanced intelligent flight modes (MasterShots, FocusTrack, Hyperlapse)
- Portable, foldable design perfect for travel
- Long transmission range of up to 20 km
Cons:
- Lower bitrate of 130 Mbps compared to 150 Mbps on the previous version
Conclusion: The Mavic Air 3S Sets the Standard
In conclusion, the DJI Air 3S is one of the most well-rounded drones available on the market today, combining cutting-edge camera technology, impressive flight performance, and a user-friendly interface. The versatility it offers—from its dual-camera system to its intelligent flight modes—makes it a perfect choice for both casual users and professionals. Whether you’re capturing stunning aerial landscapes for your next vlog or shooting a commercial project, the Air 3S delivers excellent results every time.
Its portability, extended battery life, and ease of use make it an excellent travel companion for photographers and videographers who need to pack light but still demand professional-grade footage. The added telephoto lens and 4K HDR video capabilities push the boundaries of what content creators can achieve, offering features that are typically reserved for much larger, more expensive drones.
At its price point, the DJI Air 3S offers exceptional value, and while it might not be the cheapest option on the market, its feature set justifies the investment. Whether you’re a seasoned drone operator or a beginner looking to up your content creation game, the Air 3S is a standout choice in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the DJI Mavic Air 3S
It takes approximately 60 minutes to fully charge the Air 3S’s 4,276mAh intelligent flight battery using a 100-watt Power Delivery charger. The charging time may vary depending on the power source, but DJI’s quick charging technology ensures the battery is ready to go as quickly as possible.
DJI Air 3S offers an impressive flight time of up to 45 minutes on a single charge, depending on flight conditions such as wind speed, temperature, and the selected flight mode. Our real world testing has the drone flying for around 35 minutes.
DJI Air 3S comes with 42GB of internal storage. This is enough to store approximately 45 minutes of 4K footage, depending on the resolution, bitrate, and settings used. However, it’s recommended to use a high-capacity microSD card for extended recording sessions, as 8GB will fill up quickly when recording in high-quality modes.
Yes, the Air 3S supports external storage. It can accommodate microSD cards with up to 1TB of capacity. DJI recommends using a UHS-I Speed Class 3 (U3) or above microSD card for optimal performance when recording in 4K resolution.
The Air 3S features O4 transmission technology, which allows it to fly up to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from the controller under ideal conditions with a clear line of sight. This ensures stable and reliable control even in environments with some interference.
Yes, the DJI Air 3S is designed to withstand winds of up to 38.5 km/h (about 24 mph). Its powerful motors and advanced flight stabilization system help keep the drone steady, even in moderately windy conditions, allowing for stable footage.
The Air 3S features a variety of intelligent flight modes, including FocusTrack (ActiveTrack, Spotlight, Point of Interest), MasterShots, Hyperlapse, QuickShots, and more. These modes allow users to capture cinematic shots with ease, whether you’re tracking a moving subject or automating complex flight paths.
Yes, the Air 3S is designed with both beginners and experienced pilots in mind. Its new next generation omni-directional obstacle sensing in all directions coupled with the new Lidar sensor, intelligent flight modes, and easy-to-use DJI Fly App make it very accessible for new drone pilots. Even if you’re a first-time user, the drone’s auto-takeoff, landing, and smart return-to-home features provide a safe and intuitive experience.
The Air 3S supports 4K video recording at 120 fps, offering stunning clarity, sharpness, and vibrant colors. It also has HDR (High Dynamic Range) capabilities, which enhance the dynamic range in your footage, ensuring well-balanced exposure and vivid details in both highlights and shadows.
Yes, the Mavic Air 3S supports RAW (DNG) format for still photos, providing advanced users with maximum flexibility in post-processing. This is especially useful for professional photographers who want to fine-tune their images without losing quality.
Pricing Information for the DJI Air 3S
The pricing for the DJI Air 3S can vary depending on where you purchase it and whether you choose to buy additional accessories or bundles. Below are the standard prices at the time of writing:
1. DJI Air 3S (Standard Kit)
• Price: $1,099 USD
The standard kit includes the Air 3S drone, a single battery, remote controller, charger, and a few accessories (propellers, cables, and documentation). This is ideal for users who already have other DJI accessories or don’t need extra batteries.
2. DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo
• Price: $1,349 USD
The Fly More Combo offers better value for frequent flyers, as it includes two additional batteries, a charging hub, a shoulder bag, extra propellers, and ND filters. This is a popular option for users who want to extend their flight time without worrying about charging during trips.
3. DJI Care Refresh (Air 3S)
• Price: Starts at $99 USD for 1-year coverage
DJI Care Refresh provides an additional layer of protection for your drone. It covers accidental damage, such as water damage, collisions, or crashes. For an extra fee, you can have up to two replacement units within a year, making it a good investment for new pilots or those flying in challenging conditions.
Additional Accessories:
- Extra Intelligent Flight Battery: $115 USD
- ND Filter Set: $69 USD
- Propeller Guard: $19 USD
- Additional MicroSD Card (64GB – 256GB): Varies from $20 USD to $60 USD, depending on capacity.
Prices may vary depending on your location and current promotions, so it’s always a good idea to check DJI’s official website or authorized retailers for the latest deals.
