The DJI Air 3 has a recognizable appearance, two lenses, and a 46-minute flying duration.
It’s out: the drone industry’s worst-kept secret. It goes by the name Air 3, and yep, all of the rumors have come to pass. DJI has announced a new drone that costs $1,099 and up. It features two cameras, a 46-minute battery life, enhanced communication with Ocusync 4, a new controller, and a new design that is similar to the newly released Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Pro. I would like to know if any of these changes excite you greatly. Not at all? In this case, too.
Let me clarify one thing before you get upset with me for this heated take: the Air 3 is an excellent drone. Despite having a smaller image sensor than its predecessor, it’s nevertheless a good flying camera that makes certain improvements. Did DJI forgo some adaptability in exchange for image quality?
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That was my first concern, and it may be yours as well. Don’t worry, though; the image quality is still excellent. Beautiful aerial photos may be taken with either lens. Its bigger f/1.7 aperture lens improves low light performance of the primary sensor. Its 1/1.3-inch sensor and maximum aperture are comparable to those of the camera featured in the Mini 3 Pro.
The second 3x telephoto lens is the same lens that is included with the recently released Mavic 3 Pro, except it has a smaller f/2.8 aperture. And it’s starting to become obvious why this drone is a little disappointing at this stage. It’s a synthesis of previously seen antiquated concepts. Don’t get me wrong, though: I would much rather pay $1,099 than the $2,199 that the Mavic 3 Pro requires. I was also unimpressed with the camera’s third lens, a 7x telephoto zoom.
However, I do have two small issues with the telescopic camera on the Air 3. It’s simply not workable. Allow me to clarify.
The video may appear a little flat, to start. The foreground and backdrop are somewhat separated from one another, but not significantly. Here, don’t anticipate amazing bokeh. However, the image’s compression alone makes it worthwhile, plus the parallax effect is fantastic. It was boring seeing the same old 24mm drone footage, so I’m delighted there’s more variation now.
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Pros
- Versatile camera
- Great battery
- Great low-light performance
Cons
- Kind of boring
- Heavier than before
- Smaller main sensor than Air 2S
Second, I try to film at the lowest ISO while keeping the correct shutter speed (twice the frame rate) because I fervently want to get the best possible image quality out of any of my cameras. This implies that I’ll probably need to increase the ISO when I move from the main lens with its f/1.7 aperture to the tele lens with its f/2.8 aperture, which will add more noise to my recordings.
Although it’s a minor gripe, it detracts from the experience of filming. Some after-market ND filters that can make up for the aperture difference and facilitate fluid lens switching are something I’d really want to see. Or even better, integrated ND filters, something we’ve all been longing for. Or variable aperture, which is even better? DJI, now is the moment.
The Air 3 drone is capable of 4K 60 video capture, and unlike the Air 2S, it does not crop your video. It makes the most of both sensors. With the exception of vertical mode, which is to be expected, practically every feature—including Active Track, Night Mode, 4K 60, and 4K 100 frames per second—works on both lenses. And no, you cannot record in real 4K vertical orientation with this drone by flipping its camera 90 degrees. Instead of just cropping your horizontal footage, it allows you to film via an open gate. A good middle ground, albeit I wish it had reversed the camera.
As for photos, this drone takes 12MP photos, and they look good. You’ll be happy with what you get here, and DJI’s RAW files leave plenty of information to manipulate in the editing process. DJI also lists a 48MP photo mode, but I have not been able to find it in its usual place in the menu. Presumably, it will come later with a firmware update. I have reached out to DJI about this.
If you are familiar with DJI’s current lineup, there isn’t much else to talk about outside of those two lenses. The new controller is equally as excellent as the previous one. Though DJI’s OcuSync connectivity mechanism has been updated, I haven’t experienced any significant connection problems in a long time. Although the Air 3’s range is rated at 20 kilometers (12 miles), you won’t be able to use it in reality or legally. These days, battery life is almost the same for the entire lineup—around 45 minutes, give or take. Unlike the batteries I encountered when reviewing the Mini 3 Pro, I haven’t observed any significant problems here.
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Additionally, DJI switched out its D-Log color profile with D-Log M, a less flat variation. Compared to D-Log, it’s easier to color grade and doesn’t require shooting at a high ISO, but the dynamic range is substantially lower. Yes, I wish DJI had given us both choices. DJI secretly switched D-Log and D-Log M in the Air 2S drone through a recent software upgrade. Although a DJI representative claimed on the company’s forums that it was only a “naming convention problem,” many pilots were still incensed.
The Mavic 3’s night mode, which debuted at the end of 2022, was carried over to the new Air 3. With it, you can raise your ISO to 12800 from the standard 6400 limit when shooting in regular mode. It appears that in-camera noise reduction has been performed to the clip in addition to the filming parameters.
You’ll notice the drone’s audible noise right away as one hardware issue. It is still loud—rated at 81 dB—but because of the larger propellers, the sound is bassier and lower frequency, less penetrating than before.
The Air 3 is a capable, if uninspiring, drone
And the Air 3 is that. It’s still a really competent drone that performs a lot of tasks well, but it’s also a touch boring. It fits in neatly between the Mini and the Mavic 3 at either $1,099 (with the new controller) or $1,349 (with the Fly More Combo). It’s now up to you to choose between the Air 3’s adaptability, the Mavic 3’s bigger sensor for higher image quality, and the Mini’s sub-250g proper vertical cinematography.
Fundamentally, the Air 3 is merely an iteration of concepts that have previously been used in other DJI products. Nothing about this article would inspire you to go out and take a flight. Next year, I want to see something fresh. Is it possible to incorporate ND filters? Will there be any 360-degree cameras here? Or perhaps we only use one backward camera at first? What about the Mavic 3 series’ adjustable aperture trickling down? I’m all set for a change.
DJI Air 3 : FAQs
Q. What does the DJI Air 3 feature?
With a dual-camera setup, improved obstacle avoidance, intelligent flight modes among many more, the DJI Air 3 features 4K video at higher framerates that would be at home flying with professional and recreational drone fliers alike.
Q.. What exactly happens with a dual-camera setup on the DJI Air 3?
It allows flexibility in shooting from different perspectives, including a wide-angle camera and even a telephoto camera in a dual-camera system, so users can easily switch between lenses when they want a close-up or wide shot without losing any quality.
Q. What’s the flying time of the DJI Air 3?
The flying time for the DJI Air 3 has been extended to up to 46 minutes on one charge, as opposed to earlier models. In turn, this extends flight sessions and provides some extra ability to shoot footage prior to the need for recharging the batteries.
Q. What is the Obstacle Avoidance System on the DJI Air 3?
Advanced obstacle avoidance is fitted in the DJI Air 3, with sensors on many of its sides. This will help in detecting and subsequently avoiding obstacles during flight; thus, making it safer and easier to navigate through complex environments.
Q. Does the DJI Air 3 provide the capability to record in 4K?
Yes, it does. The DJI Air 3 supports 4K video recording at different frame rates, including 60fps and maybe even higher in specific settings. It also features HDR video, allowing for richer colors and better contrast in footage.
Q. How does the DJI Air 3 compare to previous models like the DJI Air 2S?
Compared to its predecessor, the DJI Air 2S, the new Air 3 features a dual-camera setup, more extended battery life, improved obstacle avoidance, and enhancement in flight stability. The upgrades will make the drone more versatile and user-friendly to those who seek high-quality video and photo capture.
Q. Is DJI Air 3 beginner-friendly?
Yes, the DJI Air 3 is designed with beginner pilots in mind. This model features some intelligent flight modes like QuickShots, ActiveTrack, and Smart Return to Home, which take over parts of flying so that users with little experience can easily capture professional-quality footage.
Q. What is the maximum range for this drone, the DJI Air 3?
Equipped with DJI’s O3+, the DJI Air 3 is capable of flying up to 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), with a strong and reliable connection between the drone and remote controller. This offers more leeway to fly in large or open areas.
Q. What are some of the intelligent flight modes available on the DJI Air 3?
Intelligent flight modes include QuickShots, FocusTrack, and MasterShots. These features make the drone fly and capture cinematic footage while the user provides a bit of input, which results in professional output.
Q. Where to buy the DJI Air 3?
The DJI Air 3 will be available on DJI’s official website, as well as through all of their retail and online stores. Bestfluencer has provided links in this article to reputable retailers for your convenience.
If you would like to learn more about the DJI Air 3, please read its full review at Bestfluencer.
