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 best?
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 worth discount from the earlier $999 price ticket), whereas the DJI Air 3 begins at $1,099 (however realistically will price 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 definitely worth the extra price? If you have already got a DJI Air 2 or Air 2S drone, do you have to 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 assist you resolve if you happen to ought to spring for the most recent digicam drone from DJI.
Evaluating worth 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 definitely worth the greater worth.
Right here’s a rundown of how the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2 drones examine towards one another:
| DJI Air 3 | DJI Air 2S | |
| Beginning Value | $1,099 | $799 (lowered from ($999) |
| Takeoff Weight | 720 grams | 595 grams |
| Onboard digicam(s) | Two cameras (Extensive-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 (Sluggish 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 Dimension | 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 fact? Right here’s a deeper dive into the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S drones:
DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S digicam: Air 3 stands out with nighttime photographs
Or shall we embrace 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 completely different seems (zoom and extensive 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 images and 5.4K video. For what it’s price, the DJI Air 2S supplied an enormous enchancment over the cameras on its predecessors upon launch, claiming the title of first drone of its dimension able to capturing 20-megapixel nonetheless photos or video in 5.4K.
Although the Air 2S has a bigger sensor, the 48 MP images on the Air 3 may very well be seen as comparatively higher than the 20 MP on the Air 2S.
One other innovation with the Air 3 versus Air 2S is improved sensor 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. The Air 3 additionally stands out when capturing in darkish environments, similar to at evening, with the Air 3 offering noticeably higher picture high quality notably throughout low-light photographs.
Word that the Air 2S does have a zoom characteristic 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 possibly can’t use it for taking images).
Associated learn: DJI Air 3 evaluate: essentially the most highly effective new addition to Air Collection but
Some new capturing modes on the DJI Air 3
Whereas this shouldn’t weigh too closely in your choice of which of the 2 drones to go together with, the DJI Air 3 does provide 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 people who shoot footage primarily for Instagram Reels and TikTok, this makes it simpler to movie footage for the format it was meant.
DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S plane: Air 3 is way extra highly effective
It’s not possible to not discover the various, many ways in which the Air 3 is a much more highly effective plane than the Air2S. Amongst them:
Higher battery life: It’s robust to disregard the 46 minutes of flight time you will 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% enhance 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 extensive, however the Air 3 is 326 mm extensive. The Air 3 can be heavier, coming in at 720 grams whereas the Air2S is simply 595 grams. Certain, a 125 gram completely 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 just a few the reason why the DJI Air 3 stands out within the realm of impediment sense and keep away from (which permits the drone to mechanically 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 provides four-way directional impediment sensors, however now the Air 3 provides consciousness in all instructions past simply 4.
Higher video transmission: The DJI Air 3 provide O4 video transmission whereas the Air 2S offers 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 definitely worth the improve?
There are just a few forms of drone pilots who would particularly profit from the improved tech on the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S. It’s best to go for the DJI Air 3 over the DJI Air 2S if you happen to:
Movie in low-light environments: Anticipated improved picture high quality in darkish areas.
Need a zoom digicam for nonetheless photos: For some pilots, zoom is irrelevant because it’s simple to simply fly the drone nearer to get the element you want. But it surely’s not all the time that simple. Live performance photographers won’t legally be capable of fly over crowds. A marriage photographer may wish to preserve the drone far again to not disrupt the ceremony with noise.
Worth lengthy flight instances: It’s arduous to argue with neary 50% extra flight time on the Air 3. In case you solely take brief flights and have quick access to energy so you possibly can recharge, then this won’t matter. However for folk working lengthy flights, or who don’t have a simple capacity to recharge (perhaps you’re out on an extended hike together with your drone), then having near 50% extra battery life is big.
When is the DJI Air 2S higher?
The DJI Air 2S remains to be an excellent drone. Up till the launch of the DJI Air 3, I did take into account it the finest drone for photographers underneath $1,000. It provides $300 financial savings, and it’s a extra light-weight plane. If you wish to lighten the load in your drone package with out lightening your pockets, then the DJI Air 2S might the truth is be a greater guess.
You’re nonetheless an unimaginable high quality drone with an enormous sensor. Particularly if you happen to already maintain the Air 2S and are worth acutely aware, don’t really feel like it is advisable to improve. However if you happen to’re set on getting a brand new drone and also you’re deciding between the 2, then it’s nearly for sure that you must spring the $300 extra for the DJI Air 3. The worth distinction is nominal in comparison with the extent of improved specs.
Purchase the DJI Air 2S drone now from:
By the way in which, 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 best upon contemplating the value distinction? Depart a remark beneath!