DJI Air 3S: Elevating Your High-End Aerial Photography Experience with Dual Cameras

DJI has been on an impressive roll with its recent slate of innovative drone releases. Just weeks after introducing its beginner-friendly digital camera drone, DJI unveiled a brand-new product on October 15 – the DJI Air 3S.

The company’s latest offering, launched on October 15, 2024, is specifically tailored to meet the needs of travelers and photography enthusiasts seeking exceptional aerial imagery and videography solutions. Elevate your travel experiences with this exceptional drone, boasting advanced features such as a dual-camera system, omnidirectional obstacle detection, and superior low-light performance, making it an ideal choice for adventure-seekers seeking breathtaking photographs and cinematic footage, despite its compact size.

The compact design features a retractable arm configuration, reminiscent of its predecessors in the Air and Mavic series, where the limbs neatly fold inward, transforming the drone into a sleek, water-bottle-like silhouette.

The innovative device starts at an accessible price point of $1,099, offering a perfect balance between cutting-edge technology and affordability for enthusiasts who are passionate about their hobby. The product is currently available for immediate shipment.

Here’s everything you need to know about the DJI Air 3S, the latest addition to the DJI Air drone family: The popular series It Follows, which made its debut in July 2023.

DJI Air 3S: key options

Skilled high quality, dual-camera system

With the DJI Air 2S, you’re getting not just one, but two high-definition cameras. This groundbreaking digital camera boasts the ability to record 4K/120fps video as well as utilize 10-bit D-Log M colour mode. Each camera provides up to 14 stops of dynamic range.

Below are the key specifications for each:

50MP 1-inch CMOS sensor	48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor
24mm lens	Professional-grade 70mm medium-telephoto digital camera featuring a versatile 3x optical zoom.
Enhancing scenes in low-light conditions, ideal for capturing breathtaking sunsets and nighttime images.	What’s desired for capturing life-like moments, especially in portraits and various photographs, is a cinematic feel achieved through intentional compression of depth of field.

While I haven’t had a chance to personally operate the DJI Air 3S, I can comment on the sample images provided by DJI showcasing the drone’s capabilities. While professionals are employed to capture these images, it’s natural for them to possess a more polished appearance compared to those taken by an amateur.

The DJI Air 3S boasts exceptional picture quality, as exemplified by this very example.

LiDAR improves nighttime images

With its Nightscape Omnidirectional Impediment Sensing technology, the DJI Air 3S revolutionizes evening photography by harnessing the power of LiDAR, a cutting-edge innovation that sets it apart as a game-changing digital camera drone.

Drones equipped with specialized software are crucial for various businesses, particularly those operating in environments conducive to mapping applications. LiDAR technology, also known as Light Detection and Ranging, is widely utilized by many. The distant sensing technique employs a pulsed laser to measure subtle distances accurately. The resulting data generates detailed, high-definition digital representations of surfaces, terrains, and elevation patterns. While drone technology is often utilized in forest settings, enabling pilots to navigate above dense foliage while simultaneously observing conditions below?

You’re possibly not utilizing the DJI Air 3S to its full potential for mapping purposes. While DJI has leveraged its expertise to create a game-changer in various fields, particularly prioritizing safer navigation.

Utilizing a combination of advanced LiDAR technology, infrared, and vision sensors, the DJI Air 3S excels at detecting obstacles and ensuring safe navigation, even in challenging low-light environments. It is crucial for securing a stable image that photographers strive to capture nighttime scenes and dimly lit urban environments, such as building interiors and tunnel spaces, in order to preserve the integrity of their work.

Free Panorama mode

Rarely do we see the introduction of a novel capturing mode in a digital camera drone, as innovation often seems to reach a plateau. Despite appearances, this sentiment doesn’t seem entirely genuine.

The DJI Air 3S saw the company pioneer its innovative Free Panorama mode, a groundbreaking feature that revolutionized aerial photography. Here’s the improved text: It’s exactly what it seems: a computerized flight mode designed to simplify the process of capturing stunning panoramic images. Thanks to the dual cameras, this becomes a feasible feat.

Free Panorama mode cleverly leverages the capabilities of multiple cameras to seamlessly stitch together several images, resulting in breathtaking wide-angle vistas or precise telephoto panoramic shots. This camera lens is particularly well-suited for capturing vast vistas or detailed architectural features.

The DJI Air 3S employs its triple-camera array to seamlessly track and follow subjects at incredible speeds, capturing stunning footage with ease. This remarkable flying skill is thanks to its advanced computer vision technology and the drone’s exceptional agility, allowing it to adapt to various environments and scenarios. Whether you’re shooting breathtaking aerials of a fast-moving vehicle or simply want to capture life’s precious moments, the DJI Air 3S truly shines as an outstanding follow-me drone.

Flights on this drone can last for up to 45 minutes per battery charge, thanks to its efficient design.

One of the many products expected to flood the market soon will be this particular item. The LiDAR technology mentioned earlier, which enables this drone to operate effectively in low-light conditions, also features the ActiveTrack 360° system found in other recent DJI drones. With ActiveTrack 360°, designate a specific subject of interest, such as yourself, an automobile, or a friend. The drone’s digital camera robotically maintains a consistent focal point on its target, regardless of its location. Capable of intelligently monitoring and adjusting its flight path, the drone can navigate complex environments with ease, adapting to changes caused by obstacles such as bushes or bridges that may partially obstruct its view.

Regardless of whether you’re actually leveraging the ActiveTrack’s follow-me capabilities, the Sensible Return to Home (RTH) feature remains a vital safety mechanism. With Quick Return-to-House, the drone leverages advanced sensors to create a precise mapping of its surroundings, ensuring a safe and reliable return to its takeoff point – even in situations where satellite signals are compromised or unreliable.

The TDJI Air 3S leverages DJI’s O4 HD transmission technology, ensuring seamless video and data transmission. Effective solutions for long-distance management are crucial in today’s digital age. At distances of up to approximately 20 kilometers (about 12 miles), it is possible to transmit 10-bit video at 1080p/60fps, allowing for a real-time video feed to be received and controlled from such a distance.

What lies beyond the thrill of takeoff and the rush of soaring through the skies?

Despite efforts by DJI to mitigate the inevitable issues surrounding ground-based post-production after capturing aerial footage with their drones, the challenges persist. That’s clear right here.

Considering you might not need a memory card at all, the Apple Air 3S arrives with an impressive 42GB of internal storage. The ideal conditions for an exhilarating drone flight have been set, courtesy of the cutting-edge DJI Air 3S, which boasts a state-of-the-art video encoding compression algorithm that slashes video file sizes by a substantial 30%, thereby freeing up valuable storage space.

With seamless transfers of drone-captured footage to your PC or smartphone for editing, QuickTransfer takes center stage. When powering on the drone, you can view its information through the DJI smartphone app. With ease, you can seamlessly transfer your drone footage to your smartphone or tablet via the app.

While editing footage shot with a drone’s advanced camera, you can effectively utilize its diverse color modes, including 10-bit D-Log M and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG). These modes offer greater versatility in post-processing, enabling photographers and videographers to make precise adjustments to tones and details during the editing process. While the Air 3S’s twin cameras may have limited value in standard coloration mode, they are capable of capturing 10-bit video using H.265 encoding, which is a significant feature.

What about drone information privateness?

As privacy concerns surrounding drones have intensified, particularly in response to demands from some US politicians, DJI is seeking to provide a solution that obviates the need for regulatory intervention. Native Information Mode is a recognized feature.

Native Information Mode is essentially identical to airplane mode on a cellphone, functioning as a way to turn off all wireless connectivity features, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks. When activated, the DJI Air 3S seamlessly disconnects from the internet, ensuring that all flight data remains private and exclusively stored on the drone itself.

To get your hands on the DJI Air 3S, you’ll need to consider pre-ordering or purchasing one from authorized retailers like Amazon or Best Buy. You may also look into local electronics stores or online marketplaces that sell drones.

The DJI Air 3S is now available as a paired option, depending on the setup and one’s budget. These are:

• For $1,099, the starter kit features the DJI RC-N3, a compact and intuitive controller devoid of a built-in display screen, ideal for pilots familiar with the brand’s ecosystem. To capture stunning aerial footage, utilize your smartphone or tablet in conjunction with DJI’s app to simultaneously access a live feed, adjust settings, and monitor your flight status.
• ($1,399): Upgrade to the premium package for an additional $300 and receive the same top-of-the-line controller described earlier, plus a range of enhanced accessories to elevate your gaming experience. This bundle includes an ND filter set, additional two batteries, a battery charging hub, and a sturdy shoulder bag.
• ($1,599): Elevate your flying experience with this premium model, which now includes the DJI RC 2 distant controller instead of the DJI RC-N3, for seamless control and precise navigation. The controller boasts an impressive 5.5-inch 1080p 700-nit high-brightness display, providing a genuinely exceptional in-flight experience. The package also includes a range of complementary equipment from the previously mentioned Fly Extra Combo, including an ND filter set, two additional batteries, a battery charging hub, and a sturdy shoulder bag.

Right out of the box, you’ll find everything included in the comprehensive DJI Air 3S Fly Extra Combo with DJI RC-N3.

DJI’s extended warranty program, also known as the Care Refresh plan, is available for purchase with this drone.

The $1,099 tier is particularly enticing since it mirrors the original MSRP at which DJI initially released the DJI Air 3 back in July 2023. Despite the added features and enhancements, the newer model’s price tag remains unchanged. Taking into account the impact of inflation, the drone’s price is actually even more competitive, by certain “lady math” measurements, than when the DJI Air 3 launched in 2023 at a lower price point.

The DJI Air 2S is most suited for professionals and enthusiasts who require high-quality aerial photography and videography.

Beginning at a competitive price point of $1,099, the DJI Air 3S is actually not your average drone. Not looking to break the bank? Then move along – we’re talking about a $1,000 drone here. Consider upgrading to the DJI Air 2 or DJI Mini 2, which offer superior features and performance at a comparable price point. A beginner should not underestimate the significance of DJI’s latest drone release, the Mini 3 Pro, which predates the more advanced DJI Air 3S.

For photographers and drone enthusiasts seeking a high-end drone without the hefty price tag of the DJI Mavic 3 or its larger size, there are alternatives worth considering? Given the anticipated release of the Mavic 4, many are speculating that the Mavic 3’s value could decrease in the coming year.

The DJI Air 3S finds its sweet spot at the intersection of the Mini and Mavic series, boasting the latest specifications. For journey photographers and videographers seeking a versatile drone, the compact size (weighing just 724 grams) is a significant advantage. With its cutting-edge features like a dual-camera system, nighttime obstacle detection, and high-quality video capabilities, this drone is poised to make a splash in the market, satisfying the demands of enthusiasts seeking innovative technology.

As soon as I get my hands on the product, I’ll be sharing my thoughts and verdict – stay tuned!