DJI Air 3S overview: A travel-ready digital camera drone

FTC disclaimer: I didn’t receives a commission by DJI or another celebration to jot down this DJI Air 3S overview. I do earn a living off affiliate hyperlinks, which implies I make a small p.c of any purchases you make from the hyperlinks beneath. Thanks upfront for supporting The Drone Woman!

What’s the very best drone for journey photographers? Proper now, it’s the DJI Air 3S.

Particularly on account of its forward-facing LiDAR for enhanced impediment detection, 42GB of inner storage, highly effective construct even in wind, and a dual-camera system, it’s a superb companion for anybody severe about journey pictures.

I simply spent the week on the Hawaiian island of Oahu to place within the exhausting give you the results you want — testing it out. After I was there, it was excessive humidity and, although I didn’t fly it in direct rain, it was all the time fairly tough climate. Regardless of the wind (partially to flying near the ocean, in addition to typically rougher climate), it held up. And even in Hawaii’s wet, overcast November days, the Air 3S delivered vivid, vibrant photographs.

Suffice to say, I’m in love with the DJI Air 3S. Let this DJI Air 3S overview be proof!

When you’re somebody who takes your drone with you while you journey, that is the very best drone you should buy proper now. However I gives you extra to work with (and to make your case why this drone is worth it), with my full DJI Air 3S overview. Right here’s an in-depth take a look at how the Air 3S compares with different DJI drones, its ideally suited customers, and why it’s positively definitely worth the worth.

DJI Air 3S: key options for vacationers

There are all kinds of specs to notice on the DJI Air 3S. However since I’m pegging this as the very best drone for journey proper now, listed below are the specs that traveler will particularly love.

• Compact measurement: It weighs 724 grams and folds as much as 214.19×100.63×89.17 mm. Even with the carrying case, which is included while you purchase the Fly Extra Combo, it may possibly simply match into one other backpack. I put the Air 3S shoulder bag inside a backpack alongside my laptop computer, charger and different necessities like my pockets and snacks. All of it simply match beneath the seat in entrance of me on the airplane.
• Ahead-Dealing with LiDAR Expertise: This enables for extra exact impediment detection, particularly in low-light situations. Particularly after I’m someplace new and unfamiliar with the surroundings, I respect the peace of thoughts of improved impediment avoidance.
• Panorama Mode: This mode makes it simpler to routinely seize ultra-wide-angle pictures with out third-party software program. Given how panoramas and holidays go collectively like peanut butter and jelly, that is so handy.
• Enhanced Inside Storage: 42GB of built-in storage allows extra time capturing and fewer time swapping SD playing cards. It’s additionally much less fear about packing them! I’m all the time shedding stuff after I journey, so not worrying about this is very easy.
• Highly effective wind pace resistance: This drone is tremendous sturdy, with 12 m/s of wind resistance. I used to be capable of fly over a windy seashore in Hawaii with no downside. There have been conditions the place I bought flying tremendous excessive, and the controller alerted me that it was too windy and provided to return the drone to house. I typically didn’t take up the provide, however as an alternative lowered my altitude. I beloved the auto alerts in understanding after I was in a protected or unsafe wind zone. And even in pretty windy situations, I may nonetheless fly. In any case, I solely had a number of days in Hawaii and needed to seize as a lot footage as I may. I’d’t let wind cease me!

What’s new and improved from previous DJI Air fashions

The primary Mavic Air launched again in January 2018 as a small, moveable drone very like what DJI’s entry-level drone on the time, the DJI Spark, provided. But it surely was an enormous improve from the Spark, because it had the flexibility to fold up just like the Mavic Professional to grow to be even smaller, plus extra highly effective options included gesture management, the flexibility to shoot 4K video, plus options like TapFly and ActiveTrack.

Since then, the Mavic Air line has flourished, serving a candy spot between smaller drones just like the DJI Mini collection (which don’t succeed as nicely in tough situations like wind) versus the DJI Mavic collection, which sits at a worth level greater than what many photographers can afford.

After which DJI dropped the DJI Air 3S on Oct. 15, beginning at $1,099. That’s the identical worth because the DJI Air 3 upon its launch — but this one is a transparent improve.

Right here’s a take a look at how the Air 3S has superior from earlier fashions within the Air collection:

Clearly the DJI Air 3S brings substantial upgrades in impediment sensing, storage, and digital camera high quality. And positive, whereas the Air 3 is a robust drone in its personal proper, the Air 3S’s options cater to vacationers wanting extra flexibility and ease when capturing high-quality content material.

Associated learn: DJI Air 3 vs. DJI Air 3S: is it definitely worth the improve?

4 issues I like probably the most concerning the DJI Air 3S

There’s lots to like about this drone. However these had been my 4 private favourite options.

Digital camera

The DJI Air 3S actually shines with its digital camera upgrades, offering sharp, high-resolution footage. Take a look at my YouTube video embedded simply above this paragraph to see pictures in flight!

With its bigger sensor (1-inch CMOS, 50MP Efficient Pixels), greater dynamic vary, and higher low-light efficiency, this drone can shoot largely professional-grade photographs and movies that may be greater than high-enough high quality for one thing like a marriage ceremony or live performance recording.

Battery life

The prolonged battery lifetime of the DJI Air 3S (45 minutes) relative to one thing just like the DJI Mini 4K (simply 31 minutes) presents unbelievable comfort. I felt okay taking lengthy flights (and a number of flights all through one roadtrip across the island of Oahu, sans automotive charger) with out always worrying about recharging.

DJI has streamlined its footage switch course of on the Air 3S, coming a good distance from the clunky days of connecting GoPro cameras again within the Phantom 1 days. Earlier than, modifying footage was a headache.

These days, it’s fast and environment friendly to get content material from the drone to your cellphone (and in the end Instagram, or wherever you publish). After flying, I powered on the drone, opened the DJI Fly App, and immediately downloaded my footage. This comfort allowed me to add pictures to my Instagram (@thedronegirl) proper after flying!

Wind resistance

Regardless of less-than-ideal climate situations throughout my time in Oahu, the Air 3S — with its 12 m/s wind pace resistance — dealt with Hawaii’s gusty winds impressively. Usually, with a lighter drone or in a much less sturdy mannequin, I’d look ahead to calmer climate. I’m typically a risk-averse pilot! Alas, I didn’t have the luxurious of time on this journey. Fortunately, the Air 3S’s superior wind resistance allowed me to fly anyway, capturing the footage I wanted even on tough wind days.

What sort of drone pilot is the DJI Air 3S greatest for?

The DJI Air 3S is mostly good for you in the event you establish as a…

• Journey photographer: Its high-resolution digital camera and lengthy flight time makes capturing landscapes, seashores and cities straightforward.
• Intermediate to superior customers: This drone is straightforward to fly however has sufficient options to attraction to skilled pilots looking for pro-level footage.
• Company and authorities professionals: Privateness-conscious customers profit from Native Knowledge Mode, making the Air 3S appropriate for delicate environments.
• Out of doors adventurers: Whether or not you’re mountain climbing, browsing, or exploring, the Air 3S is rugged sufficient to deal with varied situations.

That stated, skip the DJI Air 3S in the event you establish as a…

• Informal hobbyist or newbie: This drone is overkill in the event you’d somewhat have a easy, budget-friendly drone. For these people, the DJI Neo or DJI Mini 4K is best. In any case, they’re less complicated plane with a cheaper price tag. And between these, which s higher? Take a look at my breakdown of the DJI Neo vs. DJI Mini 4K.
• Pilot flying in complicated landscapes:  Individuals who solely plan to fly in city or densely populated areas is perhaps pissed off by the potential for sign interference. They may additionally get tripped up byr the no-fly restrictions widespread in these areas. (After all, all the time fly solely in authorized airspace!) DJI’s geo-fencing software program is nice for most individuals because it largely prevents consumer error from flying in locations you’re not presupposed to. However some individuals would somewhat fly in locations they’re not presupposed to. In that case, discover a DJI various.
• Extremely-light traveler: I stated this can be a nice journey drone, but it surely’s nonetheless a lot bulkier than the Mini line. These prioritizing ultra-portability over functionality should discover the Air 3S to be a bit too cumbersome. When you nonetheless need high-end digital camera specs however need one thing pocket-sized (I’m you, carry-on solely vacationers), go together with the DJI Mini 4 Professional.

Deciding between the DJI Air 3S versus different drones

I dropped a bunch of drone names above. Need to study extra? Right here’s a quick comparability of the DJI Air 3S towards its closest rivals.

DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mini 4 Professional

Each the DJI Air 3S and Mini 4 Professional are travel-friendly (largely given their small measurement). However, they differ in options and goal customers. Right here’s how they evaluate:

At simply 249 grams, the Mini 4 Professional is far more moveable. It’s additionally cheaper. And since it weighs underneath 250 grams, it’s exempt from many types of regulation. Notably, the Mini 4 Professional doesn’t have to be registered with the FAA for leisure operations. It additionally doesn’t have to be Distant ID compliant. 

Nonetheless, the Air 3S has superior flight time, digital camera high quality and obstacle-sensing tech. That makes it a more sensible choice for these prioritizing high-end footage and longer flights.

DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Professional

The Mavic 3 Professional is DJI’s top-tier mannequin, so how does the extra budget-friendly Air 3S evaluate? Do you really want to pay roughly twice as a lot for the DJI Mavic 3 Professional?

The Mavic 3 Professional is the skilled’s selection with extra versatile lenses and ProRes recording. However in the event you’re a traveler wanting glorious high quality with out further weight and price, the Air 3S strikes that steadiness.

Is the DJI Air 3S definitely worth the worth?

Beginning at $1,099, the Air 3S is costlier than newbie drones. Nonetheless, it’s nicely beneath the Mavic 3 Professional’s price ticket. For worth delicate pilots, there are many nice, low cost DJI drones underneath $600.

The most cost-effective DJI drone that I like to recommend is the DJI Neo, which is simply $199. After all, the DJI Air 3S and Neo are very completely different drones, and it’s hardly truthful to match them. The Neo is a selfie or indoor drone. The Air 3S is for pilots who need large, sweeping pictures however at a cheaper price (and with a number of much less specs) than the DJI Mavic 3.

Right here’s a take a look at the accessible configurations:

I typically advocate the Fly Extra Combo with DJI RC 2. Certain, the shoulder bag and additional batteries are good. However, the true cause to go together with it’s for the DJI RC 2. The RC 2 controller has a built-in display, which eliminates the necessity to join a smartphone. That removes one main friction level: needing to ensure your cellphone is charged and linked (cables, ugh). With only one connection level, that is significantly better for pilots who wish to be within the air rapidly.

Annoyingly, that brings the value up by $500. I believe it’s price it, as flying is a lot extra seamless and fulfilling. You’ll get far more use out of the drone. And in the event you’re judging the worth by worth per flight, I assure you’ll fly extra with the DJI RC 2 versus the DJI RC-N3. Do some lady math, and extra flights = extra worth, which is definitely worth the improve.

DJI Air 3S overview: the ultimate verdict

The DJI Air 3S is a premium journey drone that mixes high-end options with portability. From forward-facing LiDAR for safer navigation to a spacious 42GB storage capability, it excels in ease of use, picture high quality and journey readiness. Certain, it’s priced above entry-level fashions, so it’s not for everybody. However, the Air 3S’s options make it worthwhile for vacationers and photographers looking for a high-quality, user-friendly drone.

Whether or not you’re taking pictures panoramic cityscapes or ocean waves (like I did in Hawaii), the Air 3S is greatest for anybody wanting easy-to-gather, high-quality aerial footage.

FTC disclaimer: No, DJI does NOT pay me for critiques!

I earn a living via affiliate hyperlinks. While you purchase a drone via one of many hyperlinks on this information, I do make a small fee. Thanks upfront for contemplating buying via my web site! It retains extra guides like this DJI Air 3S overview coming!

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