The Air 3s is the new mid-range model of DJI’s prosumer line, nestled between the lightweight Mini models and the top-of-the-line Mavic
It combines elements from its predecessors, the Air 3 and the Air 2s
In this video, I will analyze the differences offered by the new model to help decide if it is worth upgrading from the two previous models or to make the best choice if purchasing the first drone
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If you prefer to watch this as a video, you will find my YouTube version at the end
You can check here the prices for the different configurations of the DJI Air 3. It is an affiliate link, so I get a small commission in case of purchase
Air 3s vs Air 3
Is This A Major Update?
The Air 3s was released in October 2024, 15 months after the Air 3. This is in line with the usual schedule for new models; a new model is now put on the market less than a year and a half after its predecessor
On some occasions, the new models bring some major improvements that entice most users to upgrade from the previous ones. Other times, there are just a few minor updates, useful only for some specific situations
Compared to the Air 3, the Air 3s brings improvements relevant only to small categories of users, some other differences are just minor useful features but not true deal-makers
I did not find any major reasons to upgrade, so I decided to skip this one
Dual-Lens Specs
| Air 3 | Air 3s | |
| Sensor size | 1/1.3″ | 1″ |
| Field of view | 24mm | 24mm |
| Aperture | f 1.7 | f 1.8 |
| Video resolution | 4k | 4k |
| Max bitrate | 150 Mbps | 130 Mbps |
| Photo resolution | 12 MP (48 MP mode) | 12 MP (50 MP mode) |
| Air 3 and Air 3s | |
| Sensor size | 1/1.3″ |
| Field of view | 70mm |
| Aperture | f 2.8 |
| Video resolution | 4k |
| Photo resolution | 12MP (48MP mode) |
Photography
Both models have a true photo resolution of 12 MP. They also offer a higher resolution mode obtained by splitting each pixel into four smaller ones to improve detail and resolution
The Air 3 produces images with a resolution of 48MP with both lenses, while the Air 3s can reach 50 MP with the wide-angle one
This mode should not be considered the true resolution of the camera. You can watch this article about the 48MP mode in the Mini 4 Pro if you want to know more about it
Image Quality
The main difference between the two models is the bigger 1” sensor of the Air 3s’ wide-angle camera. It should produce better results in low light and high dynamic range, with an announced 14 stops of dynamic range vs 12 for the Air 3
I have carefully analyzed footage taken with the two models and find it hard to find major differences. Even with the smaller sensor, the image processing platform of the Air 3 produces footage of excellent quality in all situations
Watching footage side by side at times I find just a touch of extra detail in the Air 3s, but if I watch them separately I cannot tell which model was used
The same goes for photography: the Air 3s has possibly the slightest advantage, but it is not a reason for upgrading for most users
New Features of the Air 3s
A very visible new feature of the Air 3s is the presence of a Lidar sensor above the camera. In the other models of the current DJI line, the obstacle detection system ceases to function in low-light conditions below 15 lux of luminosity
Thanks to the Lidar, the Air 3s achieves nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing. This sensor can detect obstacles in front of the aircraft in extreme darkness with only one single lux
It is an interesting safety feature, but only for a minority of users who do a lot of night shooting at close range
The Air 3s has a larger internal memory of 42 GB, vs 8 GB. It is a nice addition, useful when we forget to bring the memory card, but not a reason for an upgrade
The slow-motion mode has been pushed to 120 fps for extreme slow-mo. Another slight improvement compared to 100 fps in the Air 3
Other minor upgrades are
- Subject focusing, for maintaining a constant focus on a subject positioned at a very close distance
- An improved intelligent Return to Home that works even without a satellite connection
- The Free panorama photo mode
- Active Track has been improved for vehicles
The Air 3s brings some minor technology improvements that go in the right direction, but they are not deal makers for the majority of users
Air 3s vs Air 2s
Sensor Size and Resolution
The Air 2s is an outstanding drone with excellent video and photo quality thanks to the 1” sensor and the resolution of 5.4k for video and 20MP for photos
I love the Air 3, but many users were disappointed when it was released. They expected the same sensor size, video, and photo resolution as the Air 2S
Surprisingly the Air 3s is limited to 4k, despite the 1” sensor
The extra resolution is a big plus of the Air 2s in terms of video quality and for reframing and zooming while editing
The same goes for photography, as the Air 3 does not match the true 20 MP resolution of the Air 2s and offers only 12 MP focusing instead on the 48 MP mode
Reasons to upgrade from the Air 2s
The Air 2s is now almost three and a half years old, a geological era for drone technology, so many recently introduced features are missing
Battery life is probably the weakest point of this model. The announced flight time is 31 minutes versus a whopping 46 for the Air 3. This makes a huge difference for all users, especially those interested in hyperlapses
Omnidirectional obstacle sensors and Waypoint mode are two major missing features. Both functionalities have been added to the Air 3 and Air 3s, so many users can be tempted to upgrade
An even more important reason for the upgrade is the presence of the second lens in the newer models
The medium telephoto lens opens plenty of new possibilities for videography and photography: taking footage or photos in locations that cannot be otherwise reached, filming wildlife from far away to avoid disturbing, adding fascinating parallax effects between subjects in the foreground and elements on different layers in the background
The two lenses can be used in the same shooting to add variation and produce more interesting material that can be integrated into the same project
Most other intelligent modes have been improved since the release of the Air 2s, especially the tracking functionalities
For many owners of the Air 2s upgrading is something to consider, but which new model is the better choice? The Air 3 and Air 3s are both excellent candidates, the choice depends mostly on the price
For the same price choosing the Air 3s is the obvious choice. But at the moment the Air 3 is proposed at a discount of 10% and 20% compared to the Air 3s, according to the configuration. At this price, it becomes a very interesting candidate
You can check here the updated prices of the Air 3 in the different configurations