DJI AIR 3S Review: Ideal Permanent Plane Camera is almost perfect

When Dji Air 3 was launched in 2023, I put a high tape of subsequent models. With the launch of Air 3s, Air 3 was stopped, for a good reason. Air 3s corresponds to or exceeds its predecessor, which leaves me wondering about the remaining room to improve it before the air chain pushes out of the equation.

Price and availability

Not cheap, but it is difficult to overcome

With the launch of the Air 3s, DJI stops the original Air 3 and replace it with 3S air at the same price of $ 1099. This includes the drone, one battery, the RC-N3 console (which requires a smartphone), and standard accessories. You will need to purchase a good SD card with high continuous writing speeds

The question is whether you should get it with Fly More Combo. I had mixed opinions in recent years because the time of one battery flight is often sufficient for many publications, which means that less people need additional batteries. However, things are different this time. In addition to the usual additional batteries, charging axis, shoulder bag, and additional fly, Fly More More includes a set of three ND filters (8/32/128). While this usually runs 99 dollars if it is purchased separately, it raises the price of editing and expulsion by $ 50 compared to previous generations. It is a good deal, assuming that you will use it.

As a result, Fly More Combo with the RC-N3 consolation unit (requires a smartphone) a sale of $ 1,399, and it costs editing and listing with an independent RC 2 consolation unit.

What is good in DJI AIR 3S?

You approach perfection

Although it seems difficult to imagine, Air 3s adds features and improves the previous model. The largest addition is the Lidar sensor faced forward, which adds avoiding obstacles when there is a little light, non -light or other sensors.

Since camera sensors are increasingly capable of evening shots and flight times allowing to stay in the air after sunset, it is not uncommon for you to have a drone in the air while turning into dark. The Lidar sensor adds an additional safety measure to reduce the possibility of clicking on the ends of the trees or other obstacles that may not be visible to the camera or the naked eye.

Another addition to the Air 3s Activetrack 360, which is built on the classic ACTITRACK features. This is the familiar automatic situation that we have seen for a long time, but it is able to move more fluids around the obstacles. It is not perfect and can enter into doubtful sites or be stuck behind trees and shrubs. I will not trust him around the trees without confirming the pillar guards. However, it is graceful and aggressive like athletic chasers like the old Skydio 2.

We have to talk about the cameras. First, the performance specifications have increased slightly from Air 3, which raised the Fraamers Max to 4K@120 and 1080p@240, up from 4K@100 and 1080p@200.

One thing and I found it strange when Air 3 came out was that it took a step back in the composition of the camera. The first air family was building a second camera, both of which are supported by 1/1.3 -inch identical sensors. It was traditional traditional compared to the 2S air before it, which was equipped with a 1 -inch sensor. In the past, the Mini 4 Pro was recommended on the air 3 because they have the same main sensor.

DJI This Quirk by intensifying the main camera of the wide angle 3s to the 1 inch sensor. This provides a better performance to collect light, more peaches, and a better picture. According to DJI, between the largest sensor and promotions to its photo processor, the Air 3s is able to up to 14 stations of the dynamic range when shooting in D-Log M. This is a big step of 12 stops with a 2S or 10 air stop with air 3.

What is bad in DJI AIR 3S?

Provide the best next time

It is almost a deceitful feeling to suggest that anything is “bad” about Air 3s, but we have to talk about the camera again. This time, we will focus on Teamoto with a 1/1.3 -inch sensor. This camera produces great pictures, and it will face difficulty in the argument that it is less than incredible, but there are ways to improved that can be improved.

First, the sensor does not pick up 1/1.3 inch the largest amount of light like a 1 -inch sensor for a wide angle camera. These are simple details that most people will not notice, but they affect noise at night or dark settings.

DJI marketing means that both cameras are able to 14 stations of dynamic range. I do not have the equipment needed to test it, but my comparison alongside indicates that the sensor 1/1.3 inches was less than that mark. I think it is closer to 12 or 13 stops, but it is difficult to judge.

One of the unique features that it describes in the air 3 was that the identical camera sensors, which means that it should produce identical colors. This is perfect because it requires a little work in correcting colors to match the shots when mixing shots from both cameras. Now that the sensors do not match the Air 3s, some color contrast may be produced. However, DJI has set both sensors to produce similar results and reduce contradictions, but it may not always be perfect.

Again, these points are primarily nitpicks. I doubt that anyone else is not a colored professional or a cinematic photographer will notice a trivial inconsistency in colors or a difference in the dynamic range at the extreme. These are mostly academic notes, not practical problems.

There are not many things to criticize. Air 3s is validated from almost all boxes, and I tend to focus on the elements of the Wishes list. I would like to see 1 inch identical sensors for major cameras and local phone. This would solve everything that you said earlier and could be a major improvement in Air 4 or 4S.

Regarding the vibrant more editing, narration and DJI construction at the cost of ND filters, I also think it is time to include a group of fan guards. They are inexpensive plastic pieces enough to include them without lifting the cost. It will be a worthy addition to the group that most people exceed or repeat with a 3D printer.

Should you buy it?

Every time DJI issues a new air model, finding the place that suits it in the market is difficult. On the one hand, Air 3s is smaller, lighter and cheaper than Mavic 3 Pro. However, although the 1 -inch sensor climb up, it is not less than a 4/3 -inch sensor on the current MAVIC 3 Pro. It is also about half of the price. On the other hand, the Mini 4 Pro is a great drone that coincides with a lower threshold of 250 grams and has a lower arduous price. However, it does not have the benefits of a telephone lens.

It is easy to distinguish between advantages and medium solutions in either direction. However, if you are trying to work on a budget limits and for some lighter comfort, I think most people will be more than happy with Mini 4 Pro. Meanwhile, if the cost is not a problem, Mavic 3 Pro is the best option. As much as Air 3s seems to feel as if he is approaching perfection, I can only think it is only appropriate for a narrow display of people who feel worth getting a dual -camera drone but they want to spend as much as possible.