DJI Air 3S Review - Is it Worth $1099?

[@PilotInstitute]

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[@sonjaudiovisuel3165]

nice review. Did you see more aliasing or moire on the air3s than other dji's drones ?

[@jonkeau5155]

I literally just went from a Mini 2 I’ve flown for 4 years to an Air 3S! Ordered it from DJI directly and got it in 5 days! I’ll be flying it this coming week once I get my flight number stickers on Monday!

[@CaseyDrones]

Might be me come tax time...I've flown on the Mini 2 platform since it was released except I've had 3 units and the one I have now has less than 20 hours of flight time, these little guys are Swiss army knives

[@FPV-FlyWithMe]

amazing video, masterclass, havent found anything better so far, thanks, sub and like well deserved !

[@SangheiliSpecOp]

Your editing is very good, you show everything you talk about. That camera chart is awesome

[@shiruki.fan.account]

I got it as an upgrade to my Air 2S, still love having that 1" sensor.

[@SmartSamsung-u5h]

Air2s is still superior for photography 😸

[@_evL_]

I'm excited to see this review! I picked up an Air 3S Fly More Combo in November 2024. W / RC 2. I am a PI Graduate. I also have a MOZ7 in my Fleet, rolling a RadioMaster TX16S MKII MAX PRO Radio - Lumenier Edition. Using a TBS Module for the MOZ7. Love Pilot Institute !!! 🤠👍💯❤ Greg and the Folks at Pilot Institute are FANTASTIC !!!

[@McShakyFPV]

As always, you’re the best at DJI reviews. I give you a hard time on self built FPV but in this area you’re the best.

[@RonaldBrown59]

Great review and testing, the camera chart comparisons were very informative. And I agree with your conclusions, this is also the drone I fly most of the time now. Thanks for sharing Greg.

[@HawaiiGirlAdventures]

Thank you for the review, Greg. 🙏 I appreciate the camera chart comparison, very detailed. And I especially love that studio background, wow! Was going to wait another 7-8 months to order my air 3S, but was afraid it would get caught up in customs and price would increase due to tariffs, so I ordered through a retailer in Ontario, Canada. Took 7 days to get it here in Las Vegas, but it never got delayed through customs. I shoot a lot of video and upgraded from the Mini 4K. I love my Air 3S and am very happy with the video quality I've been getting. 👍

[@soctnights]

Greetings from coastal CT. Thanks for the long awaited video from a trusted reviewer. Ordered from the DJI Store a 3S on 11/26/2024 and it arrived 12/2/2024 to my surprise. I ordered spare batteries for my NEO and 4K Pro from the DJI Store on the same date and they are still in transit. I wanted DJI brand batteries and many available batteries were OEM types. I wanted the spare batteries in case of future supply disruptions or price increases due to tariffs.

[@proflex310]

I've been waiting for this review !

[@BobCaseyAerial]

Thanks Greg you showed me I can keep what I got. I’m happy with the #Air3

[@CaughtonCamerabyBill]

Finally, a comparison test between the 3 and 3s that actually showed the truth. Agree that the usual person will not notice the difference and the Air 3 is still a great drone. I also think with the use of Lidar on the Air3s is what makes the RTH so much more accurate and that it maps it path it took out and will use it to return home. But that maybe just a bad rumor I heard. I love your videos and your Part 107 course. Thanks for sharing this info.

[@bunkermagnus]

I have the Air 3 but there are 2 features that tempt me like crazy, the new advanced return to home is insane! And also the new custom panorama photo mode.

[@JoshConnectMedia]

I have the Air 3 as well. For me, I don't really fly my drone out from a bunker or out from my hidden joint, so practically that feature won't add any huge difference to my cinematic shots. I will wait for the Mavic 4 pro. That one, i am even suspicious that DJI will rack down some features and then come out with Mavic 4 pro S after six months.

[@jaypeeem9893]

Would rotating lenses of different shapes and sizes affect the weight distribution and aerodynamics? Would this affect the calibration of the gimbal? A slight change in the center of mass and drag on the gimbal might yield undesirable results. Maybe the gimbal could be balanced with ballasts but would the plastic photodegrade evenly overtime? How would this affect the use of external filters and lenses? Recalibrating the gimbal mid-flight might not be practical either. How sensitive are the gimbals and what is the margin for error? I'd still love to see a revolving lease apparatus. That'd be cool.

[@geezerpleasers_OG]

One consideration on upgrading now, and on the coming Mavic 4, is that there will be a 25% tariff that is going to make these drones a lot more expensive in another few months.

[@DroneServiceProvidersAlliance]

We already pay a 25% tariff. Not sure we'll pay more. Lots of questions still to answer. I actually saw one quote where Trump said he'd be asking for a 15% tariff on Chinese goods. I wonder if that means it would go down?

[@jgalbreath]

And that's only if you can get them pass customs! I'm having problems getting M350 items.

[@geezerpleasers_OG]

@@DroneServiceProvidersAlliance No, it doesn't. Trump announced on November 25 that he will propose an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff on China, as part of his first executive orders on January 20, 2025. He's also made threatening statements on his Truth Social platform about circumstances under which he might impose additional tariffs all the way up to 100%. He's obviously concerned about current meetings between the President of Mexico and China's Xi Jingping, and about the growth of the BRICS bloc in response to his coming trade wars.

[@geezerpleasers_OG]

@@DroneServiceProvidersAlliance Trump stated explicitly on November 25 that he would impose an additional 10% tariff on China on his first day in office

[@DroneServiceProvidersAlliance]

@@geezerpleasers_OG lots of things are said on the campaign trail and during pressers. We'll see where this one goes.

[@alessandrovvf]

I can't understand the full video for my problem with the language. I don't understand what is the best setting of the camera, if i should use the 12mpxl o 50/48mpxl? And, why the air 3s doesn't have an highest resolution such the air 2s?

[@ronaldwilson9525]

I have an Air 3 and I won’t be upgrading. But that’s as of right now. Maybe this time next year the RC-N3 model might be temping. I can use my Air 3 batteries from my fly more kit as well as my RC-2 so I view that as a plus. I’ll let you know next year.

[@JoshConnectMedia]

They do that because they don't wanna run out of products as in this way, they could still cone the customers by giving bits and pieces of add ons every time just as iphone does. I have an Air 3 and now, and like , gosh , why couldn't they put the one inch in the Air 3 but now, there is one inch in the Air 3 s. Isn't that frustrating ? I have totally stopped upgrading . my last iphone i bought was iphone 12!! Should I upgrade from Air 3 to Air 3s?

[@MrRaymond1021]

Impressive review of the air 3S Greg. That's not a bad idea of having a lense with a rotational optics to have different focal. I want to get the air 3S but to be honest my air 2S is still flying, and pretty much still impressive as old as it is. Thanks for sharing Greg, see you in the next video. 👍👍👍

[@SmartSamsung-u5h]

The only problem I see with Air2s compared to the Air3s is the battery endurance 🦾 and the 70mm lens

[@airheadbit1984]

Great camera review! Two things, Top speed of the Air 3S is 60mph and the Air 3 batteries have less mAh without the ability to do the 'transfer' function of the Air 3S batteries.

[@jonahkaiguam]

Mavic 3 had 7x 167mm ½ cmos. I hardly use it as I can't shot in DLOG-M or RAW for photos. The ½ sensor was just too zoomed in for me to use it that when shooting video, I would digital zoom on the MTF main sensor to 2x and it still looked pretty good to my eyes

[@freelyroaming]

is it the big brother to the air 3 or the successor?

[@hawretreat5469]

Great review! Thank you. Do you have any insight as to when or if DJI will update the 3S firmware to allow use of the Googles 3?

[@seventyone30]

One sensor, 3 lenses, oh would the Mavic be so lucky! 🙏🏼 Great video! 💯

[@ThePNWRiderWA]

Thank you for an honest review. So May of the reviews are infomercials and try to make the 3s sound as the greatest thing since sliced bread I have the 3 and the 3s. I wanted the speed for its higher speed. While tracking fast moving cars , motorcycles etc The images and no better

[@EricRoseBahamas]

Thanks for the video. After this wonderful level of testing, is the Air 2S probably better for photography, compating the one-inch sensors only?

[@jw-adventure6002]

I agree, this video has a great level of detail and information in comparison for the Air3 and Air3S. But id like to see this comparison with the Air2S and Air3S.

[@SmartSamsung-u5h]

​@@jw-adventure6002the Air2s with the real 20mp sensor is still better for photography!

[@armasca123]

Sure! Air2s is still great 👍

[@RDOverland]

I ordered the air 3S last week and now it’s stuck in Louisville KY. It looks like it is being held for customs clearance. This is disappointing. 😩

[@SheykoMatt]

Does the DJI AIR 3 increase flight time using DJI AIR 3S batteries

[@PilotInstitute]

It’s not really a battery issue as much as it is that the Air3S has a bit more tech available on board that consume more.

[@SheykoMatt]

@@PilotInstitute the DJI AIR 3S has a bigger capacity battery than the DJI AIR 3 so increase flight time. Last flight time on the DJI AIR 3S using DJI AIR 3 battery

[@SheykoMatt]

Does the flight time increase on the DJI AIR 3s if using DJI Mavic 3 pro propellers?

[@PilotInstitute]

Those props don’t fit into the back.

[@SheykoMatt]

@ doesn’t it do any flight time slight change using 2 propellers?

[@PilotInstitute]

We tested that with the Air3 and there was a slight change in flight time but not enough to take the risk doing it.

[@chriscapune7873]

Great review!!! I love my Air 3s 👍🐈‍⬛🐾🐝🍻

[@DougPetersenInspire]

Upgrading from my Mini 3 Pro to the Air 3S. Too bad it’s stuck in customs in Cincinnati at the moment.

[@bernhardvisuals]

Nice review. A pity 20mp and 5k aren't available like on the 2s.

[@FWMCBigFoot]

Hi Greg, very thorough review. Thank you for including the Mini Pro 4 in the comparisons. I have the mini 4 because of the 250-gram rule I'm too stupid to feel comfortable not violating without a small drone. If I learn and can meet the larger drone requirements can I use my current RC 2 controller with this new drone and save money or are they dedicated to a single drone?

[@SmartSamsung-u5h]

You can find the truth in DJI pages. But yes RC 2 is fully compatible!

[@FWMCBigFoot]

@SmartSamsung-u5h thank you. I'm not familiar with DJI pages, so I guess I better learn about them. Thank you again.

[@SaurabhDarole]

Nice video

[@ronmarvicsin7709]

Where is going to end? I realize technology keeps moving ahead but I have four dji drones. My latest is the Matrice 30T I don’t see buying anymore. Oh I have the Mav3 classic too

[@RAFFAELECLEMENTEAPR]

Ciao ho visto che sei molto bravo e soprattutto preparato, volevo chiederti una cosa!!! Anche io ho un air 3s (ho aggiornato da un air 2) e facendo delle riprese soprattutto registrando sui tetti delle case in certe circostanza tipo quando ci riflette il sole mi viene fuori il Moirè effect a voi è capitato? ho seguito questo problema su diversi forum, social ed è capitato a molte persone!! Visto che sei così preparato ti volevo chiedere secondo te con qualche aggiornamento software riescono a risolvere? Sono molto contento dell'Air 3s ma da questo punto di vista un po deluso. Grazie

[@SmartSamsung-u5h]

That is an inherited problem. We have to live with it! 😔 Maybe a future drone with low pass filter could solve the problem 🦾

[@DroneServiceProvidersAlliance]

7 frame AEB!!!!!!!! Gives me hope for that being on the Mavic 4 Pro.

[@PilotInstitute]

Yep! I thought about you when I saw that.

[@DroneServiceProvidersAlliance]

@@PilotInstitute ❤

[@trivalleyviews]

I just bought mine yesterday, fingers crossed it doesn't get caught up in customs.

[@SangheiliSpecOp]

Nice. Get it before the ban or the tariffs pass LOL. I'm buying mine in a week or two, grinding away at work for it and some camera gear

[@johnkennedy6689]

It won’t. I bought mines 2 weeks ago and it got delivered in 6 days. I believe the hold up is when its bought in bulk like for places that sell drones like best buy.

[@VernonLewis-v1j]

Not true at all. I bought mine 6 weeks ago directly from DJI. It took 3 days to get to Cincinnati where customs impounded it. As far as I know it’s still there. DJI refunded my money. 😢

[@jw-adventure6002]

​@VernonLewis-v1j yeah, you are right. There have been lots of accounts of random individual Air3S shipments being held by customs for an extended period, some of which indicate they request a bunch of additional information to release, included a social security number of the recipient.

[@geoffraczkiewicz3287]

Bought a single Air 3S directly from DJI and stuck in customs for a couple weeks now. And yes, they required not only my SSN but it being on a particular form like a W2. Unable to get it out of customs even with DJIs help. So it is true.

[@fez3606]

A lens turret...so very 1950s retro...just like great Grandpa's 8mm film camera!

[@geo.b.4012]

Unfortunately, I crashed my Air 3 and it is beyond repair. I replaced it with the Air 3s but have a couple questions. Can I use the Air 3 batteries in the Air 3s and can I use the propellers from the Air 3 on the Air 3s? I've called DJI 3 times and was told no each time, yet their website says they are compatible. Of course, I could just try it out but I'm curious has anyone swapped these batts & props?

[@SmartSamsung-u5h]

🔋🔋🔋 yes 💯% interchangable

[@geraldmcgivern6300]

Unfortunately a design flaw prevents H.264 from working in 4k which is a show stopper

[@PilotInstitute]

H.265 is a superior codec to H.264.

[@geraldmcgivern6300]

@@PilotInstitute so what Raw is superior to JPG but both JPG and H.264 are industry standards and this failure is a major problem

[@PilotInstitute]

But RAW are much larger files while H265 is the roughly same file size for better quality. H.264 is an older common standard but I wouldn’t call it industry standard. There’s really no reason to use h264 today if you have h265 available, unless you have an older computer that doesn’t support it.

[@geraldmcgivern6300]

@@PilotInstitute not an industry standard ?thats not what my clients say, unfortunately this bug means that the air3s is not usable on many shoots

[@geraldmcgivern6300]

@@PilotInstitute The reason to use H.264 is when that is what you clients require

[@ernieschatz3783]

"Smart RTH uses liDar, otherwise it's exactly the same." That is incorrect. The Air 3s uses mapping to record the path to its home point. A good example is if you takeoff from under something with a roof like a picnic gazebo. When you RTH, the Air 3s will fly back underneath the gazebo roof and land in the same spot using the earlier mapping. Try that with the Air 3. It will return to the home point GPS but hover above the roof looking for a suitable landing spot. That said, I know RTH wasn't the main thrust of your review. Kudos on the most thorough camera review I've seen so far.

[@jj1m404]

Quite surprised to see that the Air 3S video footage looks much better than the Mavic 3 Pro.

[@Dronesteve-72]

Subbed awesome

[@bensmith136842]

April release? I say sooner. I certainly hope. April is four months away...I figure it be released before Christmas. Or January or atleast February. Just a guess. As April is probably also.....

[@gianpierocontardo59]

Normal color profile is 10 bit (not 8) 😉

[@chesh972]

I thought DJI neutered the ability to use the USB-C TO HDMI Out. If this has that capability, that is great news!

[@DroneServiceProvidersAlliance]

Depends on the drone. Some can and some can't. But you can't get a clean out. Flight telemetry is still shown. If you're live broadcasting, that is an issue.

[@chesh972]

Thanks for the reply Vic. I dont think i'll mind the flight telemetry on the out feed. It's just for me to have a larger display for myself while flying. Eventually, I would like to learn more photography skills, get the Mavic4 Pro and actually use my Pilot Certificate that I achieved earlier this year.

[@TheAerialBoogeyman-OUC12]

😁👍

[@chriscapune7873]

Great review!!! I love my Air 3s 👍🐈‍⬛🐾🐝🍻