DJI gave us Christmas in July when it introduced the brand new DJI Air 3 drone on July 25. The drone is the subsequent version of the DJI Air line, which was final up to date in April 2021 with the launch of the DJI Air 2S. And the Air 2S in itself is an up to date model of the DJI Mavic Air 2, which launched in June 2020. So in a battle between the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S, which is healthier?
To be clear, the DJI Air 2S is now far cheaper than the DJI Air 3. The Air 2S begins at $799 (which is a comparatively latest value discount from the earlier $999 price ticket), whereas the DJI Air 3 begins at $1,099 (however realistically will value you $1,549 assuming you splurge for the DJI Air 3 Fly Extra Combo with DJI RC 2 controller). Unsurprisingly, the DJI Air 3 is a “higher” drone. However is it well worth the further value? If you have already got a DJI Air 2 or Air 2S drone, must you improve?
This information to the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S will illuminate what precisely has been improved on this latest Air mannequin and enable you determine when you ought to spring for the most recent digicam drone from DJI.
Evaluating value and key specs on the DJI Air 3 and Air 2S
At $799 for the Air 2S versus $1,099 for the Air 3, you’ll save roughly 27% (that’s $300) by choosing the mannequin that’s one technology older. So if deciding between the DJI Air 2S vs. Air 3, you’ll have to contemplate whether or not the DJI Air 3 drone specs are actually well worth the larger value.
Right here’s a rundown of how the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2 drones evaluate towards one another:
| DJI Air 3 | DJI Air 2S | |
| Beginning Value | $1,099 | $799 (decreased from ($999) |
| Takeoff Weight | 720 grams | 595 grams |
| Onboard digicam(s) | Two cameras (Large-angle digicam and Medium tele digicam) | One digicam |
| Photograph decision | 48 MP | 20 MP |
| Video Decision | 4K/60fps HDR movies | 5.4K/30fps, 4K/60fps (with cropping, with out HDR), 1080p/120fps (Gradual Movement solely helps as much as 1080p decision.) |
| Sensor | 1/1.3″ CMOS (wide-angle) 1/1.3″ CMOS (medium tele) |
1″ CMOS |
| Aperture | f/1.7 (wide-angle) f/2.8 (medium tele) |
f/2.8 |
| Pixel Measurement | 2.4 μm | 2.4 μm |
| Impediment Avoidance Tech | APAS 5.0 | APAS 4.0 |
| Impediment sensors | Omnidirectional binocular imaginative and prescient system, supplemented with an infrared sensor on the backside of the plane | Ahead, backward, upward & downward impediment sensing |
| Max Flight Time | 46 minutes | 31 minutes |
| Transmission System | O4 | O3 |
So what do all this stuff imply in reality? Right here’s a deeper dive into the DJI Mini 3 vs. Mini 3 Professional drones:
DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S digicam: Air 3 stands out with nighttime photographs
Or let’s assume cameras, plural. With the DJI Air 3 comes with not one however two cameras. They’re:
- A 1/1.3-inch CMOS wide-angle digicam
- 24mm format equal
- F1.7 aperture
- A 1/1.3-inch CMOS 3x medium tele digicam (can obtain 3x optical zoom)
- 70mm format equal
- F2.8 aperture
Having two cameras elevates the Air 3 nearer to the extent of higher-end DJI drones just like the DJI Mavic 3 Professional (which prices greater than $2,000), giving photographers entry to 2 totally different seems to be (zoom and huge angle) with out having to take down the drone to vary lenses, as is the case on different drones just like the DJI Encourage 3.
In the meantime, the DJI Air 2S has the one digicam, which has a 1” sensor providing 20-megapixel pictures and 5.4K video. For what it’s value, the DJI Air 2S supplied an enormous enchancment over the cameras on its predecessors upon launch, claiming the title of first drone of its measurement able to capturing 20-megapixel nonetheless pictures or video in 5.4K.
However 1″ on the Air 2S nonetheless can’t beat 1/1.3-inch CMOS on the Air 3. With that comes 48 MP pictures on the Air 3 versus 20 MP on the Air 2S.
You’ll see the best impression of bigger sensor measurement with regards to capturing in darkish environments, similar to at night time, with the Air 3 offering noticeably higher picture high quality notably throughout low-light photographs.
And it’s not simply sensor measurement, but in addition design. The DJI Air 2S has an previous technology of again illuminated sensor, whereas the Air 3 innovates with a brand new technology of stacked sensor.
Observe that the Air 2S does have a zoom function that was new on the time, albeit nonetheless restricted. It has a digital zoom that helps 4X zoom at 4K 30fps, 6X at 2.7K 30fps, 4X at 2.7K 60fps, 6X at 1080P 60fps and 8X at 1080P 30fps. Whats oddly limiting although is that the Air 2S’s zoom solely works for movies (so you may’t use it for taking pictures).
Associated learn: DJI Air 3 overview: probably the most {powerful} new addition to Air Collection but
Some new capturing modes on the DJI Air 3
Whereas this shouldn’t weigh too closely in your determination of which of the 2 drones to go together with, the DJI Air 3 does supply some new capturing modes. One stand out is the truth that the Air 3 is the primary drone of the Air Collection to help 2.7K vertical video capturing (9:16). For folk who shoot footage primarily for Instagram Reels and TikTok, this makes it simpler to movie footage for the format it was supposed.
DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S plane: Air 3 is much extra {powerful}
It’s unimaginable to not discover the various, many ways in which the Air 3 is a much more {powerful} plane than the Air2S. Amongst them:
Higher battery life: It’s powerful to disregard the 46 minutes of flight time you may get in a single go on the DJI Air 3, up from a measly 31 minutes on the Air 2S. That’s an almost 50% improve in battery life.
All that boosted energy does have one downfall, the Air 3 is bodily bigger than the Air 2S.
Whereas the Air 2S is 180 mm lengthy whereas folded, the Air 3 is 207 mm lengthy. And when unfolded, the Air 2S is 263 mm huge, however the Air 3 is 326 mm huge. The Air 3 can also be heavier, coming in at 720 grams whereas the Air2S is simply 595 grams. Positive, a 125 gram totally different might sound nominal on the floor, however for vacationers who worth packing ultra-light, or for motion sports activities or nature photographers who want to stay as nimble as potential, each gram can add up.
Improved impediment sensing: There are a number of explanation why the DJI Air 3 stands out within the realm of impediment sense and keep away from (which permits the drone to routinely detect one thing in its path and navigate a brand new route round it). For starters, the tech is barely higher (APAS 5.0 vs. APAS 4.0) on the Air 3.
However most notably is that the DJI Air 3 is the primary drone within the Air Collection to incorporate omnidirectional impediment sensing. The Air 2S affords four-way directional impediment sensors, however now the Air 3 affords consciousness in all instructions past simply 4.
Higher video transmission: The DJI Air 3 supply O4 video transmission whereas the Air 2S supplies O3 video transmission. That entails a most transmission distance of 20 km (assuming low interference, similar to flying at most seashores), whereas the Air 2S has a max transmission distance of simply 12 km.
DJI Air 2S vs Air 3: when is it well worth the improve?
There are a number of sorts of drone pilots who would particularly profit from the improved tech on the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S. It is best to go for the DJI Air 3 over the DJI Air 2S when you:
Movie in low-light environments: That bigger sensor will enhance your picture high quality in darkish areas.
Desire a zoom digicam for nonetheless pictures: For some pilots, zoom is irrelevant because it’s straightforward to only fly the drone nearer to get the element you want. But it surely’s not all the time that straightforward. Live performance photographers won’t legally be capable to fly over crowds. A marriage photographer would possibly wish to hold the drone far again to not disrupt the ceremony with noise.
Worth lengthy flight occasions: It’s arduous to argue with neary 50% extra flight time on the Air 3. If you happen to solely take brief flights and have easy accessibility to energy so you may recharge, then this won’t matter. However for folk working lengthy flights, or who don’t have a straightforward capability to recharge (possibly you’re out on an extended hike along with your drone), then having near 50% extra battery life is large.
When is the DJI Air 2S higher?
The DJI Air 2S remains to be a fantastic drone. Up till the launch of the DJI Air 3, I did take into account it the greatest drone for photographers underneath $1,000. It affords $300 financial savings, and it’s a extra light-weight plane. If you wish to lighten the load in your drone equipment with out lightening your pockets, then the DJI Air 2S could in actual fact be a greater wager.
You’re nonetheless taking a look at an unbelievable high quality drone with a still-powerful sensor. Particularly when you already maintain the Air 2S and are value acutely aware, don’t really feel like you have to improve. However when you’re set on getting a brand new drone and also you’re deciding between the 2, then it’s virtually for sure that it is best to spring the $300 extra for the DJI Air 3. The value distinction is nominal in comparison with the extent of improved specs.
Purchase the DJI Air 2S drone now from:
By the best way, if you wish to see what’s inside the brand new Air 3 drone, take a look at my contemporary DJI Air 3 unboxing video!
Between the DJI Air 2S versus Air 3 drones, which drone do you suppose is healthier upon contemplating the value distinction? Depart a remark under!
