DJI gave us Christmas in July when it introduced the brand new DJI Air 3 drone on July 25. The drone is the following version of the DJI Air line, which was once ultimate up to date in April 2021 with the release of the DJI Air 2S. And the Air 2S in itself is an up to date model of the DJI Mavic Air 2, which introduced in June 2020. So in a combat between the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S, which is best?
To be transparent, the DJI Air 2S is now a long way less expensive than the DJI Air 3. The Air 2S begins at $799 (which is a fairly fresh worth aid from the former $999 ticket), whilst 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 value the extra value? If you have already got a DJI Air 2 or Air 2S drone, will have to you improve?
This information to the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S will remove darkness from what precisely has been advanced on this latest Air type and assist making a decision for those who will have to spring for the latest digicam drone from DJI.
Evaluating worth and key specifications at the DJI Air 3 and Air 2S
At $799 for the Air 2S as opposed to $1,099 for the Air 3, you’ll save kind of 27% (that’s $300) through choosing the type that’s one technology older. So if deciding between the DJI Air 2S vs. Air 3, you’ll need to imagine whether or not the DJI Air 3 drone specifications are truly definitely worth the increased worth.
Right here’s a rundown of ways the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2 drones examine in opposition to each and every different:
| DJI Air 3 | DJI Air 2S | |
| Beginning Worth | $1,099 | $799 (decreased from ($999) |
| Takeoff Weight | 720 grams | 595 grams |
| Onboard digicam(s) | Two cameras (Vast-angle digicam and Medium tele digicam) | One digicam |
| Picture solution | 48 MP | 20 MP |
| Video Answer | 4K/60fps HDR movies | 5.4K/30fps, 4K/60fps (with cropping, with out HDR), 1080p/120fps (Gradual Movement simplest helps as much as 1080p solution.) |
| 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 device, supplemented with an infrared sensor on the backside of the airplane | Ahead, backward, upward & downward impediment sensing |
| Max Flight Time | 46 mins | 31 mins |
| Transmission Machine | O4 | O3 |
So what do a majority of these issues 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 proud with middle of the night photographs
Or let’s consider cameras, plural. With the DJI Air 3 comes with now not one however two cameras. They’re:
- A 1/1.3-inch CMOS wide-angle digicam
- 24mm layout an identical
- F1.7 aperture
- A 1/1.3-inch CMOS 3x medium tele digicam (can succeed in 3x optical zoom)
- 70mm layout an identical
- 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 get entry to to 2 other appears (zoom and extensive attitude) with no need to take down the drone to modify lenses, as is the case on different drones just like the DJI Encourage 3.
In the meantime, the DJI Air 2S has the only digicam, which has a 1” sensor providing 20-megapixel pictures and 5.4K video. For what it’s value, the DJI Air 2S presented an enormous growth over the cameras on its predecessors upon release, claiming the name of first drone of its dimension in a position to taking pictures 20-megapixel nonetheless pictures or video in 5.4K.
However 1″ at the Air 2S nonetheless can’t beat 1/1.3-inch CMOS at the Air 3. With that comes 48 MP pictures at the Air 3 as opposed to 20 MP at the Air 2S.
You’ll see the best affect of bigger sensor dimension in the case of taking pictures in darkish environments, corresponding to at evening, with the Air 3 offering noticeably higher symbol high quality specifically all through low-light photographs.
And it’s now not simply sensor dimension, but additionally design. The DJI Air 2S has an outdated technology of again illuminated sensor, whilst the Air 3 innovates with a brand new technology of stacked sensor.
Be aware that the Air 2S does have a zoom characteristic that was once new on the time, albeit nonetheless restricted. It has a virtual 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 restricting even though is that the Air 2S’s zoom simplest works for movies (so you’ll’t use it for taking pictures).
Comparable learn: DJI Air 3 overview: essentially the most {powerful} new addition to Air Collection but
Some new taking pictures modes at the DJI Air 3
Whilst this shouldn’t weigh too closely for your choice of which of the 2 drones to move with, the DJI Air 3 does be offering some new taking pictures modes. One stand out is the truth that the Air 3 is the primary drone of the Air Collection to enhance 2.7K vertical video taking pictures (9:16). For other people who shoot pictures basically for Instagram Reels and TikTok, this makes it more uncomplicated to movie pictures for the layout it was once meant.
DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S airplane: Air 3 is way more {powerful}
It’s not possible not to realize the numerous, many ways in which the Air 3 is a much more {powerful} airplane than the Air2S. Amongst them:
Higher battery existence: It’s tricky to forget about the 46 mins of flight time you’ll get in a single pass at the DJI Air 3, up from a measly 31 mins at the Air 2S. That’s a just about 50% build up in battery existence.
All that boosted energy does have one downfall, the Air 3 is bodily better than the Air 2S.
Whilst the Air 2S is 180 mm lengthy whilst folded, the Air 3 is 207 mm lengthy. And when opened up, the Air 2S is 263 mm extensive, however the Air 3 is 326 mm extensive. The Air 3 could also be heavier, coming in at 720 grams whilst the Air2S is solely 595 grams. Certain, a 125 gram other may appear nominal at 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 conceivable, each gram can upload up.
Progressed impediment sensing: There are a couple of the explanation why the DJI Air 3 stands proud within the realm of impediment sense and keep away from (which permits the drone to routinely come across one thing in its trail and navigate a brand new path round it). For starters, the tech is quite higher (APAS 5.0 vs. APAS 4.0) at the Air 3.
However maximum significantly 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 be offering O4 video transmission whilst the Air 2S supplies O3 video transmission. That involves a most transmission distance of 20 km (assuming low interference, corresponding to flying at maximum seashores), whilst 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 a couple of kinds of drone pilots who would particularly have the benefit of the enhanced tech at the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S. You will have to go for the DJI Air 3 over the DJI Air 2S for those who:
Movie in low-light environments: That better sensor will make stronger your symbol high quality in darkish spaces.
Desire a zoom digicam for nonetheless pictures: For some pilots, zoom is inappropriate because it’s simple to simply fly the drone nearer to get the element you wish to have. But it surely’s now not at all times that simple. Live performance photographers may now not legally be capable of fly over crowds. A marriage photographer may wish to stay the drone a long way again not to disrupt the rite with noise.
Price lengthy flight instances: It’s exhausting to argue with neary 50% extra flight time at the Air 3. When you simplest take quick flights and feature simple get entry to to energy so you’ll recharge, then this may now not topic. However for other people running lengthy flights, or who don’t have a very simple skill to recharge (perhaps you’re out on a protracted hike along with your drone), then having on the subject of 50% extra battery existence is massive.
When is the DJI Air 2S higher?
The DJI Air 2S continues to be a really perfect drone. Up till the release of the DJI Air 3, I did imagine it the absolute best drone for photographers beneath $1,000. It provides $300 financial savings, and it’s a extra light-weight airplane. If you wish to lighten the weight to your drone package with out lightening your pockets, then the DJI Air 2S might in reality be a greater guess.
You’re nonetheless taking a look at an implausible high quality drone with a still-powerful sensor. Particularly for those who already grasp the Air 2S and are worth mindful, don’t really feel like you wish to have to improve. However for those who’re set on getting a brand new drone and also you’re deciding between the 2, then it’s virtually for sure that you simply will have to spring the $300 extra for the DJI Air 3. The fee distinction is nominal in comparison to the extent of advanced specifications.
Purchase the DJI Air 2S drone now from:
By means of the way in which, if you wish to see what’s within the new Air 3 drone, take a look at my contemporary DJI Air 3 unboxing video!
Between the DJI Air 2S as opposed to Air 3 drones, which drone do you suppose is best upon bearing in mind the cost distinction? Go away a remark under!
