After the successful launch of the DJI Neo, which we reviewed at its release, DJI has finally given us the opportunity to review one of their drones aimed at users seeking a professional-level experience at a price comparable to a flagship smartphone.
Table of Contents
What’s included?
We have the Fly More Combo version which has the DJI Air 3S, DJI RC 2 Remote Controller, 3x Flight Battery, Battery Charging Hub, ND Filter Set (ND8/ND32/ND128), 3 sets of Spare Propellers (Pairs), Type-C to Type-C PD cable, and Gimbal Protector which is placed in a DJI Shoulder Bag.
The shoulder bag stands out with its high-quality build and sleek gray color, which I personally appreciate. The compartments are well-designed to snugly fit the DJI Air 3S and its accessories. This ensures everything stays organized and secure. If needed, you can easily store the shoulder bag inside a larger bag or suitcase by simply removing its strap.
The Drone
You will quickly notice that there isn’t much difference between the Air 3 and the Air 3S, except for the model name text marked on the propeller arm. The weight has slightly increased from 720g to 724g, which is negligible in real-world use. The dimensions are 214.19 x 100.63 x 89.17 mm (LxWxH) when folded without propellers and 266.11 x 325.47 x 106.00 mm when unfolded without propellers. It is only slightly larger compared to the Air 3, but the difference is minimal.
Folding and unfolding the drone is simple, and the build quality feels excellent, with nothing about it coming across as cheap.
A significant upgrade in the DJI Air 3S is its internal storage, which now offers 42GB compared to the mere 4GB in the Air 3. It still supports a microSD card, providing an option for expanded storage.
In terms of flight performance, the Air 3S can reach a maximum ascent and descent speed of 10 meters per second and a maximum horizontal speed of 21 meters per second. The drone has an impressive maximum takeoff altitude of 6000 meters and a maximum flight distance of 32 kilometers, giving it incredible range and height capabilities. Its maximum wind resistance is 12 meters per second, which ensures stability even in moderately windy conditions.
For safety, the Air 3S includes a Return to Home (RTH) feature that automatically returns the drone to its takeoff point if the signal is lost or if the battery is critically low. It also comes with an omnidirectional obstacle sensing system that can detect obstacles in all directions. When an obstacle is detected, the drone can either bypass or brake, depending on the settings you choose.
Flying the drone at night is made safer with built-in flashlights that turn on during takeoff and landing to assist the sensors. When the drone is in the air, flashing anti-collision lights improve visibility and ensure safety by helping it remain visible to other aircraft, minimizing the risk of collisions.
The Controller
The Fly More Combo in the Philippines comes with the DJI RC 2 remote controller. This controller features a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen display, detachable joysticks, and foldable antennas for easy storage.
Flying the DJI Air 3S with this controller is an enjoyable experience. The grip feels comfortable and well-designed, while the controls are intuitive and easy to use. The buttons for zooming the camera, starting a recording, or switching between photo and video modes are well-placed, allowing you to focus on piloting without any hassle.
The user interface displays just the right amount of information about the drone. It keeps you informed on critical details without overwhelming you with unnecessary data, striking the perfect balance for an enjoyable flying experience.
The Cameras
The significant improvement in the DJI Air 3S over its predecessor lies in its camera system. The wide-angle camera now features a 1-inch CMOS, 50-megapixel sensor compared to the 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48-megapixel sensor on the Air 3. This upgrade translates to superior low-light performance and better overall image quality, making it an excellent choice for professional photography, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
The medium telephoto camera remains unchanged, featuring a 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48-megapixel sensor. It allows you to zoom in on your shots with a range of 3-9x, while the wide-angle camera offers a zoom range of 1-2.9x. This versatile zoom capability is particularly appealing to professional users, enabling them to easily adjust shots to fit various scenarios.
Both cameras are mounted on a three-axis mechanical gimbal that allows smooth panning, rolling, and tilting. In our experience, the gimbal provides exceptional stability even when flying the drone in strong wind conditions, ensuring professional-grade, cinema-level video recording.
By default, photos taken with the wide-angle camera are pixel-binned to 12 megapixels, but you can manually enable the full 50-megapixel resolution. Similarly, the medium telephoto camera outputs 12-megapixel photos by default, with an option to use the full 48-megapixel resolution. The drone supports both JPEG and DNG (RAW) formats, giving you flexibility when editing. Even JPEG images look professional, with sharp details and vibrant colors.
The improved camera sensor also brings upgraded video recording capabilities. The DJI Air 3S can record up to 4K at 120 fps and capture 1080p slow-motion footage at up to 240 fps. With the growing popularity of vertical videos, the drone supports vertical recording in 2.7K (1512 x 2688) at up to 60 fps. Footage can be recorded in H.264 or H.265 10-bit formats, ensuring high-quality results.
DJI Air 3S Sample Pictures – Daytime
DJI Air 3S Sample Pictures – Night
The photos we captured showcase impressive detail, even when the drone is flying high above. Buildings and houses remain sharp, and the dynamic range is exceptional during the day. At night, the camera still produces stunning photos with only slight graininess in darker areas, but the sharpness and detail remain on par with professional standards.
The video quality is equally excellent, delivering sharp details and vibrant colors even in low-light conditions. When panning across scenes, the camera maintains smooth and clear footage. In very low-light environments, some graininess is noticeable in the video, but the overall quality remains impressive and usable for professional work.
The App
Beyond the remote controller, you can access and manage the photos and videos captured with the DJI Air 3S through the DJI Fly app, which is free to download on both Android and iOS. The app also allows you to check for suitable flying locations, identify restricted areas, and update firmware for the drone and controller.
The Battery
The DJI Air 3S delivers an impressive 45-minute flight time on a single full charge. With the Fly More Combo bundle, which includes two additional batteries, you get extended flying time that allows you to capture all the shots you need without worry.
Charging is efficient, with the charging hub and a 65W charging brick taking the batteries from zero to 100% in under two hours. The remote controller charges in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and provides up to 4 hours of continuous use.
DJI Air 3S Verdict
The DJI Air 3S offers notable improvements over the DJI Air 3, but these upgrades may not be enough to persuade current Air 3 owners to upgrade. However, for those who are considering their first professional-grade drone, the Air 3S is an excellent choice, priced competitively at around the cost of a flagship smartphone.
With its 1-inch sensor for the wide-angle camera, the Air 3S delivers exceptional image quality, even in low-light conditions. Its versatility is further enhanced by the medium telephoto camera, which offers a 3-9x zoom range, allowing you to adapt seamlessly to various shooting scenarios.
The drone also impresses with its flight performance, long battery life, and a generous 42GB of internal storage, making it an ideal option for professionals and enthusiasts seeking a high-quality, reliable drone.
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