After testing both the DJI Air 3 and the DJI Air 3S, it's clear that these drones might share a lot of similarities, but each model offers something unique depending on what you're looking for. If you're a new drone pilot or someone upgrading from the DJI Mini series, the DJI Air 3 stands out as the best option, especially with its lower price point. The DJI Air 3S, on the other hand, includes some higher-end features that are usually reserved for the professional-grade DJI Mavic series, but in a lightweight portable package.
The DJI Air 3 is perfect for drone enthusiasts who have fully exhausted all of the capabilities of the Mini series and feel ready to take their photography or videography skills to the next level. New drone pilots will find this model to be a great starting point as well. During our test, the wide-angle camera helped capture beautiful landscapes in their entirety while the medium tele camera zoomed up to 9X to avoid disturbing wildlife. Additionally, 46 minutes of flight time and a built-in cooling system provided us with a generous amount of time to set up the perfect shot without worrying about battery life or overheating.
As previously mentioned, the DJI Air 3S brings a whole new level of performance. While DJI Air 3 and the DJI Air 3S have similar medium tele cameras, the 1-inch CMOS sensor in the DJI Air 3S’s wide-angle camera provided our landscape photos with a huge boost in photo quality. The pre-plannable waypoints included in this model allowed our pilots to set up complicated shots, such as a point of interest drift, without having to fly the path manually. Further still, the 42GB built-in storage provided us with enough space to take full advantage of the 4K 120fps video resolution. And if that was not enough space for our footage, this model supports up to 512GB microSD cards.
| DJI Air 3 | DJI Air 3S | |
| | | |
| Price | Starting at $1,139 CAD / $1,099 USD | Starting at $1,379 CAD / $1,099 USD |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | Folded: 207×100.5×91.1 mm (L×W×H) Unfolded 258.8×326×105.8 mm (L×W×H) | Folded: 214.19×100.6×89.5 mm (L×W×H) Unfolded: 266.11×325.5×106.0 mm (L×W×H) |
| Weight | 720 g | 724 g |
| Image Sensor Size | Wide-Angle Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS Medium Tele Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS | Wide-Angle Camera: 1-inch CMOS Medium Tele Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS |
| Max Photo Resolution | Wide-Angle Camera: 48 MP Medium Tele Camera: 48 MP | Wide-Angle Camera: 50 MP Medium Tele Camera: 48 MP |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K/100fps | 4K/120fps |
| Video Transmission | O4 20km 1080p@60fps | O4 20km 1080p@100fps |
| Sensing System | Omnidirectional Vision Sensors | Omnidirectional Binocular Vision System |
| Max Flight Speed | 21 m/s | 27 m/s |
| Max Flight Time | Approx. 46 | Approx. 45 Minutes |
| Max Wind Resistance | 43.2 km/h | 43.2 km/h |
| Internal Storage | 8 GB | 42 GB |
With the release of the DJI Air 3S, it’s time to take a look at the previous iteration and see how it compares to the newest model. The DJI Air 3 was a formidable drone upon its release, offering a big step up from the Mini series with a powerful dual camera system and omnidirectional obstacle sensing. The DJI Air 3S goes even further with Nightscape obstacle sensing, a new Free Panorama feature, Off-State QuickTransfer, and more internal storage than any DJI consumer drone before it.
Both drones are accessible to first-time fliers and fans of the Mini series, but there are a few key differences that can make one better-suited than the other. To help you decide between these two drones, we’ve compiled a guide to the major similarities and differences of the Air 3 and Air 3S.
Performance
The overall flight performance of both the Air 3 and Air 3S drones is quite comparable. They have similar flight times of 46 and 45 minutes respectively, and the wind resistance of each drone is identical at 12 m/s. As for portability, both drones are nearly identical in size and weight. A weight of roughly 720g makes each drone light enough to carry around for an all-day shoot, while their small size makes them easy to transport in a small bag or backpack.
Remote Controllers
Both the Air 3 and the Air 3S are compatible with the same remote controllers from DJI: the RC 2, RC-N2, and RC-N3. Here’s how each remote controller compares in terms of experience:
DJI RC 2
The DJI RC 2 remote controller has a built-in 5.5-inch Full High Definition (FHD) screen, making it the only remote controller on the list that doesn’t require the use of a smartphone. It has a brightness of 700 nits that provides good visibility in direct sunlight. With the O4 video transmission system, the connection between the RC 2 and the drone is more stable than ever.
DJI RC-N2
The DJI RC-N2 relies on the same O4 video transmission technology, but unlike the RC 2, it requires the use of a smartphone to transmit the video feed from the drone. The layout is otherwise quite similar to the RC 2, with a dual joystick setup that makes for easy flying.
DJI RC-N3
The DJI RC-N3 is the latest upgrade from DJI, available both as part of a Fly More Combo with the DJI Air 3S as well as an optional accessory purchased separately. Like the RC-N2, it requires you to use a smartphone to see the camera feed, and it’s designed to easily hold it directly above the remote. The RC-N3 is lighter thanks to a smaller battery than the RC-N2, although this does result in a lower battery life.
Transmission Range
Both drones rely on Ocusync 4.0, a powerful transmission system that ensures a stable connection across a vast distance. The Air 3 and the Air 3S have the same max transmission range of 20km, although this is typically measured in an unobstructed outdoor environment free of interference. For areas with medium or strong interference, it’s best to keep the drone within a 10km range or lower. The RTH function will send a reminder in the event of loss of signal, so be sure to pay attention to any alerts.
Charging Times
The DJI 65W Portable Charger has a charging time of approximately 80 minutes, while the DJI 100W USB-C Power Adapter and Battery Charging Hub will fully charge a battery in approximately 60 minutes. The 65W Portable Charger comes with both the Air 3 and the Air 3S while the 100W USB-C Power Adapter and Battery Charging Hub are available as separate accessories. The Battery Charging Hub also has a power accumulation feature that allows you to transfer remaining power from lesser-charge batteries to the one with the highest charge, getting you back in the air as quickly as possible.
QuickShots and MasterShots
Both drones are equipped with the popular QuickShots and MasterShots features. QuickShots includes a series of automatic flight modes including Rocket, Dronie, Circle, Helix, Boomerang, and Asteroid. MasterShots goes a step further by automatically executing even more complex movements, then editing the footage together with special music, cuts, and effects. Both features allow you to use the Air 3 and Air 3S to make professional-looking videos for social media without needing to be an expert pilot.
Waypoints
Both the Air 3 and the Air 3S have the Waypoint feature, which allows you to plan flight routes and shooting actions in advance. This is handy if you’re trying to film the same route multiple times, allowing you to get consistent shots even when performing challenging movements. It’s especially good at creating timelapse videos that capture transitions like day to night or changing seasons.
Dual Cameras
The dual camera system is one noticeable difference between the DJI Air 3 and the DJI Air 3S. Both drones come with a Wide-Angle camera and a Medium Tele camera, although they have slightly different specs in a few key areas. While both cameras have a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor on the Air 3, the Wide-Angle camera on the Air 3S is upgraded slightly to a 1-inch CMOS sensor. This allows the Air 3S’s Wide-Angle camera to take 50 MP photos instead of the standard 48 MP. It’s not enough of a difference to be truly groundbreaking, but professional photographers will notice and appreciate the improved clarity.
The lens parameters are slightly different between the two Wide-Angle cameras. While the Air 3 Wide-Angle camera has a FOV of 82°, the Air 3S has a slightly higher FOV of 84°. It’s also got an aperture of f/1.8 compared to the f/1.7 of the Air 3. The one area where the Air 3S’s camera system is lesser than the Air 3’s is the digital zoom range. The Wide-Angle camera on the Air 3 has a digital zoom range of 1-3x, compared to the 1-2.9x of the Air 3S. Again, these differences aren’t enough to be hugely noticeable to the average eye, but more advanced photographers will appreciate these slight differences.
Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing and Advance Return-To-Home (RTH)
The obstacle sensing system of the Air 3S is greatly improved from the Air 3, with the inclusion of a forward-facing LiDAR sensor that allows Nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing. While the omnidirectional visual sensors detect and avoid obstacles that are visible in the light, the infrared and LiDAR sensors can detect hidden obstacles even in low-light conditions.
This makes the RTH function even more powerful on the Air 3S. Using real-time vision positioning and map construction technology, the Air 3S can memorize flight paths during daylight hours to construct a safe path home once the sun sets. This is a giant step up from the Air 3, giving you more flexibility to fly around without worrying about making it home before dusk.
Active Tracking
Active Tracking is another major difference between the two drones. The Air 3 uses ActiveTrack 5.0, which allows the drone to scan and identify people, cars, and boats to track them in the frame. Air 3S uses the upgraded ActiveTrack 360°, which goes a step further by intelligently analyzing the surrounding environment to automatically plan a flight path and adjust the framing. It can also maintain focus on the subject even when parts of it are obscured by objects like bushes or railings. Lastly, the ActiveTrack 360° uses a Subject Focusing feature that keeps the subject in focus even when you’re flying manually or the subject shifts off-center.
New Panorama Mode
The Air 3 and the Air 3S both include a panorama option, but the Air 3S comes with a new Free Panorama mode that allows you to stitch together multiple images to create your own panoramic shot. This feature is available on both the Wide-Angle and Medium Tele cameras, minimizing image distortion and giving you wide-perspective shots with greater detail than ever before.
Off-State QuickTransfer
Another upgraded feature of the Air 3S is Off-State QuickTransfer, which allows you to send files from your Air 3S to a smartphone even when the drone is powered off. This is possible because the DJI Air 3S maintains Bluetooth connectivity for 12 hours once it’s powered off. You can also transfer files to a computer using a USB cable, again while the drone is powered off.
The Air 3 and Air 3S are similar enough that both DJI drones could work for most drone users. First-time drone owners will enjoy both the Air 3 and the Air 3S. If you’ve tried one of the drones from DJI’s Mini series and you’re looking for a stepping stone into professional photography, the Air 3 is a good level up. The slight upgrades of the Air 3S tend to make it geared toward a more professional demographic. If you want a drone capable of taking professional photos and videos but you’re not yet ready to commit to the DJI Mavic series, the DJI Air 3S is a good compromise. It’s powerful, affordable, and easy to use for inexperienced fliers.
The DJI Air 3 by itself is on sale for $1,139 CAD, while the Air 3S goes for slightly more at $1,439 CAD. Both DJI drones offer a selection of Fly More Combos that come with charging hubs, extra accessories, and more advanced remote controllers for the avid flier. Give them a look and see which drone matches your budget and your needs.
Dr Drone
Author
DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.