Preview: DJI Air 3S

DJI has released an improvement to the DJI Air 3: DJI Air 3S. This new drone comes with some impressive upgrades, including an advanced telephoto lens and the brand new RC-N3 controller. In this article, we take you through the key improvements and what they mean for drone pilots.

Brief history

The DJI Air series is loved by both recreational and semi-professional pilots, and for good reason. With each new release, they manage to balance price, performance and camera upgrades. The DJI Air 3, released in July 2023, already stood out for its dual camera setup and light weight. Above all, the combination of a telephoto camera and ease of use made the drone a success. Now the question is: can DJI top this success with the Air 3S?

Features DJI Air 3S

The DJI Air 3S builds on the strengths of the Air 3, but offers some interesting improvements:

• Main camera (50 Mega Pixels)
• Zoom lens (70 mm equivalent)
• Obstacle sensors (and front LIDAR detection)
• DJI RC Track (tracking beacon)

Bigger camera and more zoom fun

One of the most notable upgrades is the larger 50 MP main camera, providing even better image quality. Zoom capabilities have also been expanded: you can now zoom up to 7x optically and even up to 9x with hybrid zoom. This makes the drone ideal for capturing distant objects or for creative close-up shots. Moreover, you can rotate the camera vertically, which is handy for content creators who want to shoot images directly for social media.

Improved obstacle detection

The Air 3S is equipped with a new LiDAR sensor on the front, in addition to the optical sensors already present. This technology enables the drone to detect obstacles even in low-light conditions, such as dusk or at night. This makes flying safer and gives you more freedom to film in challenging conditions.

DJI RC Track

Following the release of the DJI Air 3S, DJI will present another new feature: DJI RC Track.A unique addition to the DJI Air 3S. Instead of the standard controller, you can control the drone with a tracking beacon. This small device fits in your hand and lets the drone automatically follow you, take off, land and change camera angle. Handy for solo adventures or when you want your hands free. You can even give commands via voice commands.

Comparison between the DJI Air 3 and DJI Air 3S

Key issues at a glance:

Briefly: The specifications of the DJI Air 3S have been beefed up a bit compared to the DJI Air 3. This is certainly interesting if you don't already own a device.

Laws and regulations

The DJI Air 3S weighs 724 grams. The drone has the C1 label and can be flown in subcategory A1. In subcategory A1, you are allowed to fly the drone over built-up areas. Fancy getting started with the DJI Air 3? For the DJI Air 3, you need the A1-A3 certificate.

DJI Air 3S: Considerations

If you don't already have a device, then the DJI Air 3S is recommended over, say, a DJI Mini 4 Pro, because of its larger main camera (including specifications) and zoom lens. On the other hand, of course, the introduction of the DJI Air 3S does not make the 'old' Air 3 a bad device.

If you already have a DJI Air 3 and are hesitating about making the switch, wait a little longer to decide, as rumours are circulating about the appearance of the new Mavic 4 (Pro). However, this device is in a higher segment in terms of price. So the DJI Air 3(S) is cheaper anyway.