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DJI Air 3S Drone First Look Review

DJI regularly updates their consumer drone range, adding innovative features that make capturing aerial content even more intuitive and safer. The launch of the Air 3S introduces some first-ever features to the DJI range, marking an exciting addition.

This model is designed primarily for travel vloggers and content creators on the move, and the Air 3S builds on its predecessor’s success by merging portability with advanced content creation features. This DJI Air 3S Drone First Look Review provides an in-depth comparison between this and other DJI models, while comparing different combo kits that you can get from the outset.

Let’s take a closer look at whether the Air 3S could be the perfect fit for your aerial content creation needs, and how it stacks against DJI’s ever-evolving range of drones.

How much is DJI Air 3S and the Fly More Combo?

In the UK, the DJI Air 3S (RC-N3) starts at £959.00, which rises to £1,239.00 for the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (RC-N3), and tops out at £1,439.00 for the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (RC 2). This positions it firmly in the mid-range category of DJI’s drones.

Air 3S Sample image 01 Bridge in low light @8.67mm (equivalent 24mm). Exposure: 0.3 sec. f/2.8. ISO 200

Dual Camera System

The Air 3 was the first in the Air-series drone to feature a Dual-Primary-Camera System, and the Air 3S builds on that with even more advanced capabilities. It incorporates a 1-inch sensor in the main camera, enhancing image quality and low light performance.

The two-camera setup includes:

The advantages of a dual-camera system are that creators can capture distinct perspectives with each lens, utilising the full sensor quality rather than relying purely on digital zoom to crop into the scene. Having said that digital zoom can be useful and is available on the Air 3S, with 1-2.9x from the wide angle camera and 3-9x with the tele. This supports location scouting and closer focusing on distant subjects, where critical sharpness isn’t always your primary concern.

This provides sharper, more detailed imagery from both cameras. The medium telephoto lens in particular, is ideal for portraits and close-ups, while the wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing wider landscapes and grand scenes.

This flexibility also allows for better composition without needing to switch between drones or lenses, streamlining the creative process for photography and videography. A streamlined workflow can be crucial when relying on battery power to keep your UAV airborne and capture the content you need.

Air 3S vs Air 3

The DJI Air 3S offers several improvements over its predecessor, which is most notably a larger 1-inch sensor in the primary camera. This is a significant upgrade compared to the previous model, which features a 1/1.3-inch sensor for both cameras.

The larger 1-inch sensor allows for better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, and provides up to 14 stops of dynamic range, making it more versatile for creators who shoot in sunrise, sunset and low light environments​.

Another new feature in the Air 3S is its enhanced obstacle avoidance system, which incorporates forward-facing LiDAR technology for the first time in any DJI drone. This improves the aircraft’s ability to detect and avoid obstacles in low-light or even complete darkness, which wasn't available in the Air 3​.

The Air 3S also supports a new Free Panorama mode, which enables users to capture stunning wide-angle shots with both the 24mm and 70mm lenses. The system provides more creative flexibility for landscape and portrait photography, which wasn’t available in the previous gen.

Air 3S Sample image 02 Mountain selfie @19.35mm (equivalent 70mm). Exposure: 1/320 sec. f/2.8. ISO 100

Internal storage is updated too, which we look at further below in our review.

Below is a quick comparison between three of DJIs mid to high-end aircraft.

Key features for aerial content

The DJI Air 3S is packed with features that make it an excellent option for aerial content creators. The aforementioned dual-camera system paired with intelligent flying capabilities and upgraded safety features, ensure that the Air 3S offers captures visuals while being even safer to pilot.

Here's a breakdown of 10 key features that set this apart for capturing exceptional aerial content.

1. Dual Camera System
2. 14 Stops of Dynamic Range
3. Free Panorama Mode
4. Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing with forward-facing LiDAR
5. Improved night obstacle avoidance
6. Up to 4K/60fps HDR Video Recording
7. Up to 45 minutes of flight per battery
8. Next-Gen Smart RTH
9. 10-bit D-Log M Colour Mode
10. Compact and Portable for travel vloggers and on-the-go creators

What other features does the Air 3S offer?

With 42GB of built-in storage the Air 3S is convenient for anyone who’s out of MicroSD cards, or simply wants quick-transfer storage for their footage. It’s also lightweight at 724g, which is perfect for travel vloggers and creators who want to travel light, while still bringing a drone that packs a punch.

It features an almighty 32km maximum flight distance, maximum 41 minutes hovering time and a very respectable 45 minutes maximum flight time, as recorded by DJI. This allows for scouting and content creation without needing to RTH as often to switch batteries.

Air 3S Sample image 03 Mountain range@8.67mm (equivalent 24mm). Exposure: 1/350 sec. f/1.8. ISO 100

What is Air 3S video quality like?

Both cameras support 10-bit D-Log M and 10-bit HLG colour modes, with a maximum ISO range of 100-3200. 10-bit D-Log M mode retains more highlight and shadow details for increased versatility while editing, and 10-bit HLG mode can record a higher dynamic range, achieving excellent results without the need for any grading. 

Slow motion recording is available from bother cameras, which support:

• H.264/H.265
• 4K: 3840 x 2160@24/25/30/48/50/60/120*fps
• FHD: 1920 x 1080@24/25/30/48/50/60/120*/240*fps
• 2.7K Vertical Shooting: 1512 x 2688@24/25/30/48/50/60fps

Anyone who records video with this drone will notice excellent DR of up to 14 stops, which competes with full sized interchangeable lens cameras. This helps to draw out tones from highlight and shadow areas, and is especially useful when shooting in twilight, low light and when there’s a lot of contrast between light and dark.

You can also add an Air 3S ND Filter Set (ND8/32/128) for £79.00, which includes three popular ND filters that help to balance brighter conditions, and create optical long exposure images.

What Safety features are there?

Higher-end drones stand out when it comes to safety, and the Air 3S takes this a step further with new and improved features. DJI has integrated advanced safety technologies that allow creators to fly more confidently in all conditions, including low-light and nighttime environments.

Key safety features include:

• Nightscape Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing – By harnessing downward infrared time-of-flight (ToF) sensors and six vision sensors (two at the front, rear, and bottom) the drone can automatically identify and circumvent obstacles, such as buildings, during its flight and return paths.
• Next-Gen Smart RTH with Enhanced Precision – When adequate lighting is available the aircraft will use real-time vision positioning and map construction technologies to return to home even without satellite signals.
• Forward-facing LiDAR technology – The drone utilises Light Detection and Ranging to detect and avoid obstacles, such as high-rise buildings.
• Vision Assist – Allows you to more accurately gauge spatial distances to the left, right, and back, which facilitates bolder movements

Air 3S Sample image 04 Winding road @8.67mm (equivalent 24mm). Exposure: 1/3200 sec. f/1.8. ISO 100

What is Air 3S for?

This model includes many of DJI’s most popular content creation features, such as the ability to record 4K video, slow-motion footage, panoramas, and vertical content. Much of this can be automated through intelligent modes like MasterShots, QuickShots, Hyperlapse, and more, utilising two high-resolution CMOS sensors to capture images that are sure to impress any audience.

Although it’s not the lightest or smallest aircraft in DJI's lineup, the Air 3S still weighs less than a typical telephoto lens, even with one of its controllers and spare batteries. This makes it convenient to hike and travel with a full combo kit, allowing you to capture high-quality content in various lighting conditions, including low light, sunsets, and even night.

It also comes with focus track which will keep the subject front and centre for vlog-style content, whether you’re skiing, cycling or hiking through mountains.

What’s Included DJI Air 3S vs Fly More Combo?

You can get Air 3S with two controllers and in a combo, providing photographers with the choice to select the perfect option for their needs. Many prefer a Combo because it includes essential drone accessories like extra batteries and a multi charging hub, extending flight times, for greater convenience.

The Air 3S strikes a balance between portability and advanced content creation features, making it ideal for creators who travel and shoot in different environments. Whether capturing landscapes or complex aerial shots in low-light conditions, this drone offers flexibility and safety without compromising on image quality.

The larger 1-inch sensor, in particular, delivers superb results with a wide dynamic range and detailed photos and videos, as seen in the samples included here. It’s a great option for those looking to elevate their aerial content without the need for a bigger drone setup.

Reserve your drone today, and choose between the Air 3S (RC-N3), Air 3S Fly More Combo (RC-N3) or Air 3S Fly More Combo (RC 2) to get the tool you need to create stunning visuals while you’re on the go.

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By Nick Dautlich on 15/10/2024