Thanks for studying this text on my favourite drone: the Autel Evo Lite Plus or the DJI Air 3.
This yr, DJI has frequently churned out drone after drone, ensuing within the Mini 4 Professional, Air 3, and Mavic 3 Professional. Autel, then again, has taken a extra restrained method when producing and releasing their drones.
Having flown the Autel Evo Lite Plus for slightly over a yr and the Air 3 a short while after its launch, I’ve used each of them commercially and recreationally.
On this article, I’ll study the important thing variations between the Autel Evo Lite Plus and the DJI Air 3, the upgrades within the DJI Air 3, my total expertise with every, and why I think about the DJI Air 3 my favourite drone of the 2.
If you’re searching for an ideal all-around drone that can be utilized each professionally and recreationally, this text ought to aid you determine.
Temporary Overview
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Autel Evo Lite Plus was launched in January 2022 and competed with the 2021 DJI Air 2S. Now, it competes with the Air 2S’s successor, the Air 3.
The Evo Lite Plus takes design cues from the bigger Autel Evo II and Evo II Professional. Just like the Evo II, it has a professional-level 20 MP adjustable aperture 1-inch CMOS sensor digital camera.
The Evo Lite Plus, being on related taking part in floor because the Air 3, presents:
- 40-minute flight instances, useful for these lengthy days of taking pictures the place each minute counts
- Three-way impediment avoidance sensing, aiding in safer flight maneuvers
- 1-inch digital camera sensor for 20 MP high-resolution skilled high quality photographs
- No geofencing, which means no flight restrictions, good for flying in warning zones with correct airspace authorization
DJI Air 3
Launched in 2023, the Air 3 is the extremely anticipated improve to the favored Air 2S.
The Air 3 is a superb alternative for brand new pilots, lovers, and people wanting a solidly constructed drone for some business work.
Whereas the Air 3 has a smaller predominant digital camera than its predecessor, the DJI Air 2S, it has fairly a number of main upgrades, a few of that are additionally seen within the dearer Mavic 3 Professional.
- Twin-camera system provides viewers very good parallax results
- Omnidirectional impediment sensing to make sure the protection of the Air 3 whereas in flight
- OcuSync 4 Video Transmission System for stronger, interference-free video indicators
- Enhanced monitoring and added flight modes for these seeking to movie themselves or specified topics
Fast Verdict
Over the months, I’ve completely used the Air 3 in each capability obtainable, from leisure to business. I used to be eager to attempt each single choice to see what the Air 3 might do. It didn’t disappoint.
Though I’ve used the Evo Lite Plus for slightly over a yr beforehand, it was instantly obvious when flying the Air 3 that it exceeded the Evo Lite Plus in virtually each means.
The Air 3 does every part the Evo Lite Plus does, and does most of them higher, as we’ll see extra in-depth quickly.
Though the Air 3 and Evo Lite Plus are related in worth (for the Fly Extra combo and Premium bundle), the Air 3 pulled means forward in bodily flight efficiency and impediment sensing. Add within the twin digital camera system, and the Air 3 is the higher well-rounded alternative.
Whereas the Autel Evo Lite Plus is a good drone, the Air 3 is probably the most versatile alternative for solo creators, anybody desirous to fly recreationally with clever flight modes, or these seeking to do business work for purchasers.
What are the Foremost Variations?
Trying on the Evo Lite Plus and Air 3, there’s over a year-long hole between the 2. This interprets into numerous variations between the 2, due to advances in drone expertise.
The most important and most notable variations between the 2 are as follows:
- Twin digital camera system: Though utilizing smaller 1/1.3-inch cameras, there are two. It has a 24mm equal wide-angle lens and a further 70mm lens, good for videographers searching for new views to inform their story. Photographers additionally profit from this lens, as they will now get nearer to their topic or focal point from safer distances.
- Stronger motors: At roughly the identical dimension because the Evo Lite Plus, the Air 3 can fly 46.9 mph, nearly 7 mph sooner than the 40 mph of the Evo Lite Plus.
- Omnidirectional impediment avoidance sensors: The Air 3 has full, 360-degree impediment avoidance, which permits the Air 3 to not solely fly safer when nearing obstructions but in addition profit from superior Return to Residence (RTH) options.
- Video Transmission System: OcuSync 4.0 permits the Air 3 to have one of many strongest transmission indicators to this point of any drone, additionally permitting for additional flight distances.
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Evo Lite Plus is modeled loosely after the bigger Evo II and Evo II Plus launched prior.
Whereas being a smaller, scaled-back model of these drones, the Evo Lite Plus has most of the advantages of the Evo II Plus, in a smaller, easier-to-manage package deal.
Autel has been recognized for pioneering longer battery life in client and prosumer drones, as seen with the discharge of the Evo II and II Professional. The drones boasted unheard-of 40-minute flight instances again in 2020.
That longer battery life made its approach to the smaller Evo Lite Plus and was spectacular again then when evaluating it to many DJI drones of the time, together with the Air 2S.
The Evo Lite Plus additionally has a 20 MP adjustable aperture one-inch digital camera sensor, one thing {many professional} photographers insist on, as a result of flexibility and picture high quality.
This was really an enchancment over the bigger, non-professional stage Evo II 8k, as that digital camera solely had a 1/2-inch sensor. With the Evo Lite Plus’ bigger digital camera sensor got here the power to shoot glorious low-light footage.
Additionally, one thing many drone lovers search for, the Autel Evo Lite Plus is not Geofenced. Though Autel has indicated a few of their drone traces would ultimately be geofenced, the Lite Plus wouldn’t be receiving geofencing limitations.
Key options of the Evo Lite Plus:
- 20 MP 1-inch digital camera sensor
- Adjustable aperture from f/2.8 – f/11
- 6k 30 fps; 4k 60fps Log and regular colour profiles
- 3-way impediment avoidance system
- 40-minute battery life
Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ Premium Bundle
1” CMOS Sensor with 6K HDR Digicam, No Geo-Fencing, 3-Axis Gimbal, 3-Approach Impediment Avoidance, 40Min Flight Time, 7.4 Miles Transmission, Lite Plus Extra Combo.
We earn a fee in case you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
10/27/2023 03:31 am GMT
DJI Air 3
The Air 3 is the successor to the favored consumer-level business workhorse, the Air 2S.
It doesn’t pigeonhole itself into a selected drone class, although. The Air 3 appeals to these new to flying drones, leisure flyers, drone lovers, in addition to professionals on a funds seeking to get nice low-light pictures and 10-bit, 4k video.
Not like the 20 MP adjustable aperture 1-inch digital camera within the Air 2S, the Air 3 makes use of smaller twin cameras.
Happily, with the advances in DJI’s imaging system, the standard of the 24mm and 70mm medium-tele cameras and low mild efficiency is superb. This allows the Air 3 to be confidently used recreationally, in addition to within the skilled house.
Couple this with 10-bit capabilities and 4k 100fps sluggish movement, and the Air 3 is nice to work with.
DJI Air 3 key options embody:
- Twin Cameras – 24mm and 70mm
- Omnidirectional impediment sensing
- OcuSync 4.0 Video Transmission System (12.4 miles)
- 4k 100fps, 10-bit D-Log M colour
- Energetic Observe 360
- Glorious price-to-features ratio (just like the Air 2S)
Head-to-Head Comparability
Digicam Choices
Winner: DJI Air 3
Though the Air 3 has a smaller predominant digital camera than the Evo Lite Plus, it has double the quantity of cameras because the Evo Lite Plus. Why does this put the Air 3 forward?
Whether or not recreationally or professionally, the power for the Air 3 to shoot at a 24 mm extensive angle in addition to zoom in to 70 mm is one thing DSLR and Mirrorless customers are accustomed to with zoom lenses. The 24-70 mm focal vary is definitely fairly standard in pictures.
Utilizing the 70 mm lens along side parallax strikes provides a artistic perspective and cinematic worth to video footage. Additionally, this digital camera provides nonetheless photographs the benefit of capturing a topic whereas additional away.
Due to the business work I do for companies, I shoot fairly a little bit of metropolis and concrete video footage. I oftentimes get this footage whereas launching from the highest of rooftop garages.
As a result of many of those areas are crowded with pedestrians, foot visitors, and autos, most instances, it’s not sensible or protected to fly hundreds of ft away from the house level to get the perfect shot.
The 70 mm digital camera is the right choice on the Air 3 to deal with all these conditions.
The 70 mm has the identical specs because the 24 mm, so I may be additional away from my topic whereas safely over a rooftop or construction, capturing the scene with the perfect settings doable.
Having a second 70 mm digital camera choice additional permits for artistic management whereas doing so effortlessly as a totally built-in choice.
Along with versatile focal size choices, the Air 3 shoots video at 4k as much as 100fps and slow-motion in 1080p at 200fps, all of which may be performed in 10-bit utilizing the D-Log M colour profile.
The Air 3 additionally presents 10-bit HLG (HDR) filming for elevated dynamic vary.
Flight Efficiency
Winner: DJI Air 3
Presently, the DJI Air 3 is among the quickest client and prosumer drones supplied by DJI and is critically sooner than the Evo Lite Plus.
On the chart beneath, the most ascent and descent speeds for the Evo Lite Plus are primarily based on flying in Sport mode. The DJI Air 3 has the identical ascent and descent speeds whether or not in Cine, Regular, or Sport mode.
The utmost horizontal pace for each can be primarily based on flying in Sport mode.
| Autel Evo Lite Plus | DJI Air 3 | |
| Ascent | 11.18 mph | 22.36 mph |
| Descent | 8.94 mph | 22.36 mph |
| Horizontal | 40 mph | 46.97 mph |
The Air 3 flies sooner and handles a lot better than the Evo Lite Plus. This isn’t to say the dealing with on the Evo Lite Plus is horrible.
The dealing with between the Air 3 and Evo Lite Plus may be likened to driving a sportscar and a late mannequin SUV, with the latter being the Evo Lite Plus.
Each autos will get you to your vacation spot safely. Nonetheless, the sports activities automotive is quicker and extra enjoyable.
The Air 3 is certainly enjoyable to fly and handles like most newer DJI drones, together with the way more costly Mavic 3 Professional.
What’s extra, if the dealing with is to not your specific flying type or choice, this could all be modified within the EXP settings inside the DJI fly app.
Battery Life
Winner: DJI Air 3
Anytime you might be out flying, the minutes matter. The Air 3’s batteries are rated at 46 minutes, whereas the Evo Lite Plus is rated at a decent 40 minutes.
At this cut-off date of flying drones, most of us understand that we’ll by no means get the producer’s most marketed flight instances. Nonetheless, flying the Air 3 all the way down to about 25%, I’m constantly getting 30+ minutes of flight.
The place the Air 3 actually shines and is kind of revolutionary is how the facility from every particular person battery may be transferred to a different for longer battery life.
Utilizing the three-battery charging hub, whereas unplugged, press and maintain the black operate button. The remaining energy from a number of batteries will then be transferred to the battery with the very best remaining energy.
Because of this as an alternative of getting three partially powered batteries, now you can have one totally charged, or shut to completely charged, battery in your subsequent flight, extending the quantity of taking pictures time considerably.
This selection could be nice to see on all of DJI’s future drones.
Impediment Avoidance
Winner: DJI Air 3
DJI has been in a position so as to add omnidirectional impediment sensing to its 2023 lineup of drones, with the Air 3 being no exception.
It is a much-needed and appreciated improve over the a lot liked DJI Air 2S’ 4-way system. This 360-degree, omnidirectional safety consists of:
- Entrance
- Again
- Left/Proper Sides
- High
- Backside
Whereas the Air 3 advantages from the added safety of 360-degree impediment sensing, we by no means prompt totally counting on automated impediment avoidance.
An added advantage of the brand new omnidirectional impediment avoidance system is the power to make use of superior clever flight modes and return-to-home features.
Video Transmission System
Winner: DJI Air 3
The Air 3 operates utilizing the upgraded OcuSync 4 (O4) video transmission system over its predecessor, the Air 2S’s O3 system.
With OcuSync 4, the video sign vary has been prolonged to 12.4 miles. That is practically double the space of the Evo Lite Plus’ 7.5 Miles.
We by no means endorse or advise drone pilots to fly that far, as, in america, the legislation is to fly inside visible line of sight (VLOS).
What the OcuSync 4.0 transmission system means for Air 3 homeowners is the Air 3 has an excellent stronger and cleaner sign working between the drone and distant controller. That is very best for each city and downtown areas.
The Autel Evo Lite Plus’ transmission system was sturdy for its time. Nonetheless, the Air 3’s sign is so much stronger and cleaner.
Geofencing (or Lack Thereof)
Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
There may be nearly nothing as irritating as finding and establishing in a gorgeous location and never with the ability to fly there as a result of the drone sees an authorization zone and grounds you.
With Autel drones, together with the Evo Lite Plus, there isn’t any such geofencing.
Though the newer DJI drones working DJI Fly at the moment are so much simpler to unlock than again within the DJI Go 4 days, with the Evo Lite Plus, there are not any unlocks wanted.
The Autel Sky app will warn you to zones close by, and you’ll then merely purchase LAANC authorization onsite and go fly.
As soon as experiencing this ease of flight in warning zones, it’s laborious to return to worrying about and having to unlock them in-app.
Conclusion
After utilizing the Air 3 nearly solely for weeks shortly after its launch, I can confidently say that the Air 3 is the right mix between a leisure and commercial-level drone.
The Air 3 advantages from newer expertise than the Evo Lite Plus, making it higher in nearly each single means:
- Digicam Choices
- Flight Efficiency
- Battery Life
- Impediment Avoidance
- Video Transmission System
The Air 3 is the right alternative if you’re searching for a whole package deal for leisure flights, solo content material creation, filming outside actions resembling mountaineering, biking, and boating, or seeking to do some business work for purchasers.
