Non-Fanboy First Look at the DJI Air 3 - Is This Drone Worth Reviewing?

[@802OutdoorAdventures]

These non fan boy reviews are a breath of fresh air. Thanks for taking the time to do these!

[@JeffSibelius]

I love hearing that. I'm seeing more reviewers actually broaching this subject in their videos, so hopefully things will be improving.

[@WORTHITORNOT]

Looking forward to your review of the Mavic 3 Classic and the Air 3. For me, I love the image quality at 5.3K with my Air 2S and really see no need to upgrade anymore. Hope you're doing well Jeff !

[@JeffSibelius]

Hey, Andre! Ultimately I will sell the Air 2S or the Air 3, depending on how my review with the Air 3 goes. I gotta tell you, I did a shoot with the Air 3 this weekend, inside of a church. The footage is really something and it flew beautifully indoors. This is going to be a really good comparison!

[@JeffSibelius]

DJI released the new Air 3 drone recently. They've done all their promotional pieces. The Brand Ambassadors have all published their rave reviews. Now it's time to actually have a rational conversation about the Air 3. What are the new features that actually mean something? What's good and bad about the DJI Air 3? And will I get one of these drones to do a review and tutorials? Watch this video for a grown-up discussion about the DJI Air 3.

[@RoadBlockNYC]

Thank you finally someone that tell the truth about it and not just riding the bandwagon cool review I appreciate it keep them coming

[@ssb73q]

Hi Jeff, I have both the Mavic 3 and Air 3. After using the Air 3 I doubt if I will ever fly the Mavic 3 again. While the FAA wasn't looking I flew the Air 3 over 5 miles and could have gone further while my Mavic 3 is only good for 3+ miles. The Air 3 cameras are amazing. Oh yeah, I am also retiring my Air 2s.

[@JeffSibelius]

I think you're going to see a lot of MA2 and MA2S drones getting retired as people get enticed by the 2 camera system and 360 OA. I will either sell my Air 2S or my Air 3 after I finish my review - this is really a good challenge.

[@billgrace9415]

Love your reviews. keep them coming

[@JeffSibelius]

Thanks! I've got several reviews and tutorials in the queue . . . and it felt really good to get back to doing the videos like this one.

[@AirWorthyTours]

I am still going to keep my Air2s, I specialize in aerial 360 panoramas, and the Air2s completely knocks it out of the park for me. Its panos look better than the Mavic 3 Classics!

[@JeffSibelius]

You know, I don't think I've ever used that feature with a drone. I'm going to have to try that out. To be honest, I was lukewarm on the Air 2S because it had so many limits on its features. It felt like I was using a demo version of a computer program, where some of the features were locked until you paid for it. But I think I will test out the pano feature with these drones to see what you're saying.

[@rayfielding]

Enjoyed your video and your initial assessment! I have already purchased the Air 3 so will be most interested in your review.

[@JeffSibelius]

Awesome! How are you liking it so far?

[@rayfielding]

@@JeffSibelius well it’s my first drone! My only experience is flying a Cessna when I did my pilots licence. I was buying the Air 2 s but then the Air 3 came on line. My reasons for both were very subjective. Sub 250g seemed too light. I would prefer a battleship to a motor torpedo boat. Line of sight means I have better chance with the bigger drone! Also I figured that responsibly to do all the training. Getting a small one to avoid the need for training seemed selfish and irresponsible. ( it’s more like awareness than actual training ) now the camera I do know a bit about. I use 2 semi professional 7Ds they are big beasts. Pixel size is not everything! Sensor size does make a difference! That said I seem to do more photos on my phone these days. There are a lot of good reviewers about but they use a lot of jargon! Sometimes make the assumption everyone terms. An example is they talk of photo compression you said just move drone nearer! No one else’s has said why have extended range if line of sight is the legal parameter. Your sense of humour very British! So I bought the Air 3. The final decision based on the fact Air 2 S is old technology and the air 3 has all around avoidance protection. This will give a clueless pilot a bit of a chance. There is no such thing as a beginner drone. So I thought star with something new and respectable !

[@JeffSibelius]

@@rayfielding I liked the reasoning you put into your purchase. - it's usually smart to get the latest version of a drone when you buy as long as price isn't a problem. - Mini drones add risk to your flying because they're more affected by wind. - Mini drones can have worse video because they're more affected by wind. I'm going to try to add a little more humor to the videos moving forward . . . I don't want my information to be too dry. And you make a really good point that all reviwers should remember: Not everyone understands the jargon. In a sense, all of the modern drones are beginner drones because they have the amazing control you get with GPS. At any time you can simply let go of the sticks and the drone will stop and wait for you to work yourself out of a jam. Most all have some level of obstacle avoidance, and the cameras have been very good for a few years. So, in a way there really aren't too many bad choices. However, if you're entering the drone world now, it makes sense to start with the latest drone so you have the best available features - especially if you get one with 360 degree obstacle avoidance and two really good cameras.

[@shsechas]

Hello my level headed friend. LOL Haven't heard anything from you in awhile. Glad you're still doing reviews. I now fly the M3P as our old Evo1 was a monster. Not buying anything new, but wanted to say hi, and let you know I'm still subbed for you. Even if it's just for support. Thumbs up Jeff. Stay well!

[@JeffSibelius]

I really appreciate you, Chas. You've been a great supporter for a long time. How do you like the M3P? I got the M3 Classic recently and I'm just getting started using it. Got some really good stuff with it so far! I appreciate your continued support and I hope you enjoy the videos I've got coming up!

[@shsechas]

@@JeffSibelius Love the M3P and have it with the RC. I did take the Evo1 out the other day just to exercise its wings. I did a few videos with the Mini3 but just started fooling around with POI, Spotlight, and active track. As far as the quickshots. Have no use for it.

[@JeffSibelius]

@@shsechas LOL I'm the same way with active track - not much of a challenge for a drone to follow me as I sit in a lawn chair and drink a beer. The things like POI orbit have a lot of value - I'm going to do a video on how you can use those things for some very cool shots.

[@FIatfoot]

Still happy on my air 2 (non s) don't see any reason to upgrade still. Maybe on air 3s or 4 I'll be more tempted

[@JeffSibelius]

I must admit - in some ways I like the Air 2 better than the Air 2S. I'm really looking forward to comparisons with the Mavic 3 Classic, Air 3 and Evo Lite Plus.

[@FIatfoot]

@@JeffSibelius hoping to see something that puts the best pieces of all of these models together. That would definitely make me want to upgrade!

[@SW-Video]

What I'm hearing from those who are opened minded enough to like DJI and Autel drones is that the Air 3 has an airframe and software control second to none while the camera(s) are a step down from the Autel Lite+. Opinions do vary though. My thought is that it would be amazing to have the Lite+ camera on this amazing Air 3 airframe. The best of both worlds. I don't have either one but I do trust the opinions of those I hear from on this subject. For now I'll stick with the Air 2s, Nano+, and Evo 2p.

[@JeffSibelius]

When I do a commercial flight, I always try to have a DJI and Autel drone with me - both are great platforms and they give me a greater confidence that things will work. I'm really looking forward to doing comparisons with these three drones!

[@ozstrayapanoramas8610]

I have both the Air 3 & Autel Lite. IMO the Lite has a better camera than the Air 3 (main camera). Better dynamic range, more image detail & better in low light. The Air 3 is better for all other capabilities.

[@JeffSibelius]

@@ozstrayapanoramas8610 That's going to be a very fun comparison video to create!

[@ozstrayapanoramas8610]

@@JeffSibelius I could do a camera comparison but the product fanboys will not be interested in the results in the slightest if its not in their favour

[@JeffSibelius]

@@ozstrayapanoramas8610 I don't create videos for fanboys . . . they don't need objective reviews, just affirmation for what they already believe. Trust me, there are lots of non-fanboys out there. (LOL I've got more than 1.3 million views to prove it.) If you want to do an honest review, I think it would be very well received.

[@7777russ]

You need to review the air 3. Just because a person can fly farther, they need to obey the law. A Corvette will go 160 and my Prius will go 80 but I wouldn't expect them to not make a corvette just because it can go faster than the speed limit. I have the air 3 and the obstacle avoidance is the best ever.

[@JeffSibelius]

I'm going to do it. I really looked at the improvements over the Air 2S to decide whether it was worth it. Finally pulled the trigger and so far, I'm loving it. This past week I flew it inside a church and I got some beautiful footage - remarkably stable and great color. So a non-fanboy review of the Air 3 will be coming, for sure.

[@londenard]

No you shouldn't bother with this drone.

[@JeffSibelius]

what don't you like about it?