It definitely will. For me it's harder to justify why I wouldn't pay that few hundred extra for those features 3s provides. I wouldn't update from 3. But as a new to Air series, I'm satisfied.
@@CoastalDrone I will ad to this, you guys must have a corporate discount of some sort when logged in, for me, average Joe blow consumer without being logged in to ANY account and a 1st time buyer it's the following pricing, in Arizona, Oct 18th 4:35pm MST: DJI Air 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) - $1549.00 USD // DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) $1599.00 USD, and to add more fun to this conversation, I pulled the trigger and hit buy now on the 3S Combo and it said at checkout the actual Air 3S was "Unavailable." so I cancelled the whole order... I'm just passing along information that I experienced...
@@MarkWRoberts maybe this might be because we're viewing from Canada but it shows in USD? (www.dji.com/ca/products/camera-drones#air-series) DJI definitely not going to be giving us a break or a discount for poo-pooing their latest drone haha.
This title is very poorly described because you convey that PROS wouldn't buy this drone, but actually, it's not because you're PROS, but rather because DJI hasn't made significant improvements compared to the original. However, if you don't own one or have an older model, it's currently a very good option. Just some constructive criticism. Best regards.
I still have my air 2. Looking at the mavic 3 classic as that's a real upgrade a 3s isn't really an upgrade to be honest for a huge amount of reasons like no variable aperature, true 20mp sensor that has better colors. No over saturation and sharpness that the air 3s has. In my opinion the only drones worth buying are the mini 4 pro and the mavic 3 classic all others fall short.
I still have my AIR2 and the only reason that made me upgrade from AIR2 to AIR3S is the regulation here in the EU that AIR2 can now only fly in A3 environment, that is, outside urban centers, so in my case it was a great option.
@@avhdrones242 I know a couple friends that returned their air3s due to poor quality lens. So that's another issue especially for people who professionally film with their drones for photo/video. Seems their quality control is lacking.
what kind of improvements ? Smaller resolution 4K vs 5.4K while on 2S you can crop to zoom , photo 2 more MB is not improvement. Flight time is not big deal if you have 3 batteries and obstacle sensors the same once you out of the ground and not in the forest . Extra 200grams to carry and bigger to pack with other gear. I was expecting from DJI something better.
I’m coming from the Mavic Mini that’s over 5 years old now, so planning on getting an Air 3S sometime this year once I finish my Part 107 certification. It’ll be an incredible upgrade for video quality having 2 cameras that’ll both shoot in 4K and look great at night too.
A back-to-back comparison of the Air 2S and the Air 3S sensor would probably be imperceptible to untrained eye, which is frankly, what most customers are, (and that's not meant to be derogatory, its meant to say "if it looks good it is good.")
@@CoastalDrone sure, but a drone is not only about the camera, also safety features. air3 has a better transmission system and air3s has lidar safety. basically they both take a hot steamy dump on air2s is terms of safety
@@petrub27 who cares about safety i have over 10,000 flights and I have never crashed or came close to it. In fact I started flying my gf's mini 3 and with over 200 flights on it with no sensors i never needed sensors. That is for idiot pilots.
I agree. I own the Air 3 and the Mavic 3 and don’t see the need for this one, thankfully. I also own the Air 2S, Mini 3 Pro and the Mini 4 Pro so it will have to be the Mavic 4 that I may be interested in the near future. By the way, the Air 3 is getting most of the flying in these days.
I'm upgrading to Air 3S after owning Air2S and Air3. My use case is commercial real estate photography and videography. I want the image quality of the 2S with the flight time of the Air3. Also like the 40GB onboard storage and the 50 megapixel sensor. 4K at 120fps is also a plus. Recouping expense is not difficult when selling the old drones and earnings from the work. 3S arrives Monday.
@@dicekolev5360aside from the bigger sensor (which the 3s has shown in reviews to hold up to it just fine with updated tech,) There's literally no reason to go backwards., and spend double the money while doing it.
I think that if you lived in an area, such as I do, a mountain area with tall pine trees, and steep hillsides, you would probably have focus more on the ability of the Lidor system. That for me is a huge selling point navigating through a forest is very difficult. Any additional assistance could easily mean the difference between a crash drone or a successful photo shoot.
I had an Air 3 and I sold it because I was disappointed with the image quality. I felt for a drone with its size and flying capabilities, it should do better. Now owning the Air3s, the image quality now meets my standards.
You’re absolutely right. Sold mine just last month and I was disappointed in the image quality. For a drone that big, I really expected stronger image quality than my mini 4 pro.
I have been disappointed with the IQ the whole time I have owned this drone. I had to buy something to replace Air2S, because it was not certified in 1.1.2024-1.4. or something... So it did not meet the legal requirements for current laws and insurance company policies. Such a disappointment with the main camera.
Air 3S is the "C1 class" drone which allows flying in A1 category, almost just like Mini 4 Pro (flying over people is not allowed with Air 3S). Mavic 4 Pro will be a "C2 class" drone which means pilot will need to hold distance of 150 meters to people/buildings/traffic, unless taking an exam allowing to fly in the A2 category and distance of 30 meteres. Based on that, I see the Air 3S, with dual camera, a great drone option, which can fly legally at plenty of scenarios and has advantage over Mini 4 Pro with the extra, 70mm lens.
I own an air 3 and absolutely love it, I very rarely fly it at sunset/night, so for me, I personally don't see the upgrade worth it, not until the air 4 comes out.
8:19 😉… There is an DJI Inspire on the back wall 🙌🧡🕊️ But seriously love the ‘beware of the gear acquisition syndrome’ & ‘learn to get better on the tools you’re on’. Love it! Thanks 🧡 Subbed!
That Inspire 1 has done it's time and now its lot in life is decoration. The VTX is toast and all of our batteries were cycled out years ago. It was just an X30 camera anyway so a Mini 3 Pro destroys it in image quality. Wild to think about that eh?
Ah yes, having shot weddings in the 90s when medium format film cameras were what the "pros" used and any photographer "worth hiring" had to shoot with Hassy. I'm quite familiar with the syndrome
*I respect that you acknowledge that everyone's situation is unique. I grabbed the 3S because it was time for an upgrade. I do make a point of making sure the bird pays for itself before even considering buying a new one. My prior work horse was the Air 2s, which is now a backup for me. Believe it or not, before the Air 2S came out, I was still relying on my P4P! I pretty much love everything about that drone, aside from how much space it takes up. So I don't buy them all, but I do make occasional upgrades when it makes sense for me. Thanks for your input!*
Thanks, feeling a bit better as I am a new drone flyer and was not sure about if I should hold out for the air3s as I it was speculated to come out withing a year or less. I opted for the Air 3 and not to wait. Always feels a bit bad when your behind in tech but Im happy with my decision in the end.
@@stokestack Yea I just read up on this. Crazy I didn't know about the 130. I don't know enough about drone tech to really have and opinion. I'm happy with my air 3 so I'm not going to sit complaining if the grass is greener or not. But thanks for the info. I feel again better about my purchase.
I have just bought the Air3 after owning a Mini4 Pro for 12 months, love the Air3 as it is very stable in windy conditions, both drones have great features and say a lot for DJI engineering, love them both.
This is probably the most useful review of the Air 3s that I've come across so far. I'm presently using a Mavic 3 Classic, and have been mulling buying an Air 3s. Based upon the points that you make, I really don't know if I can justify the cost, for what I'd get in return.
It's a flying camera. It flies and it makes photos and videos. Simple as that. But noo, Dji be like " Let's make 50 features for the kids and overprice it 😅"
As a mini 3 pro user who once was debating on mini 3 pro vs air 2s, I was looking forward to the air 3s. Unfortunately they did not decide to go with the 4/3'' sensor which would be its main selling point and everybody was looking forward to. I am sticking to my mini 3 pro for now.
Im not sure what most people are filming but the fact that no one is commenting on the increased frame rates is further proof that most people don't use their equipment to its full capabilities. Like the sony fx3 & fx30, I'm planning on getting the air 3s specifically because of the 4k-120. Now ill be able to match my clips better when it comes to resolution.
@CoastalDrone I'm a track coach so having a drone that can film 4k 120 is clutch when it comes to analyzing footage. Makes it far more convenient and safer than riding my bike and holding $4000 with one arm trying to keep up with the athletes This past weekend I filmed a swim meet and the difference between 60fps and 120fps is pretty obvious. Even with some of the fashion shows that I've done, most are 60fps but I did one on the beach a couple months ago where i experimented with 120fps since it was plenty of light and it was pretty sweet. If i could afford something that could film 4k 240fps I would pull the trigger.
Every drone is different for everyone depending on what you plan on doing with it.. For me i still have the maverick 3 and for what i do for my channel i am happy with everything maybe i will upgrade in couple of years..
I love my air3 and the only thing is LIDAR thats getting me to go to air3s. updates would prob change other things but im keeping my air3. im not going down that wormhole with updating everything everytime something new comes up. i also have air 2 and air 2s. my thing now is to have one controller many drones and mini4pro air3 so far im very happy with but sometimes i use the air2/2s when its windy before the 4pro. if they make mini5pro quick release props i might go from 4pro to 5pro. all the airs have that and are great!
My daughter head the original Air as well. She had 2 “fly aways” that were contributed to a bad battery. I have the Air 2 and it’s been a great drone, but it’s time for an upgrade.
@@riparianlife97701 After my daughter had the original Air and had the issues, we upgraded to a refurbished M3 Cine, since she was flying commercially. She’s been very happy with it.
I've been rocking the Air 2s and Evo 2 Pro for a lot of real estate jobs. Both have a 1" sensor with different color profiles. The Air 2s has been such a good workhorse but the fan is getting noisy so I hit the buy button for the Air 3s. The trusty Air 2s will become my backup.
i dont disagree with anything you said but there are safety improvements, which for me is less time worrying about collisions or bumping into something. i have a mini 3 pro as well, love the little fella, but there is extra brain time making sure i hit nothing. the worst thing i always feel is the gimbal guard, so much energy and quality and finish the product of with a cheap bit of plastic over the gimbal. thank you for video, spot on as well
I still have my original Air and Air 2S. My only gripes about the Air is noise and battery life(plus new batteries are hard to find now). The Air 2S has been my go to and it has never disappointed. Still a great drone. I am still on the fence about about the Air 3S. It's like getting a new car. The car that I have is just fine and does the job. I just kinda want a new one. Not because I need one, but because I want one. I struggle with that any time a new drone comes out and generally the clearer thinking wins, but not always.
keep your 2S man and wait for 4 . Don`t worry about batteries , they has secure discharge function to extend their life. This drone is a gold now - 5.4K and over 500grams. DJI made big mistake by diving into QUANTITY INSTEAD QUALITY.
Go watch the insane footage of the DJI Air 3s, where is takes off from an underground car park, flies out then around some buildings, then they push the RTH it flies all the way back including back underground to the place it took off from!
Yes I watched it too. Minghao pushes his drone to the extreme capability. RTH from his window n then his building garage n returning back is pretty impressive. Totally love my Air 3S
I just want a drone that records video to full view, I currently have the DJI 2s and it likes to record with solid black bars on top & bottom of the screen, unless I zoom in the image loosing my shots. Is there a drone that records & you don’t have to worry about this?
the new one inch camera in the air 3s compared to the air 3 (and not only to the older models) is a big improvement. You can see it promptly in daylight and not only in the dark. you can not compere the hdr of the air 3s with air 3. it is another level
New drone owner here. Just bought a Mini 3 (not the pro) to learn on. Mu plan was to learn with this drone, then buy the Air 3s, so I can do some photography and video work for my business and others. Do you think the Air 3s is enough platform to do construction and real estate photos and video, and possibly some mapping down the road? Would be be buying one until the middle of 2025, so maybe something else will be out that would work better by then? Please give me your thoughts. Thanks.
Impressive. A fair and well balanced review. Subbed. And...appreciated after the fan boy garbage I have sat through. Your advice at the end regarding GAS and rather...improving your basic skills...bang on.
well done! this is the first really good timeline review of the Air series and Mavic. My first drone is the mini 4 pro, and am amazed on what you can do with it. But I am a photographer , love taking panoramic images. I use Canon pro cameras and lens. The drone gives me another perspective not possible with hand held gear. My question is do I wait for the Mavic 4 to come out or will i be satisfied with the image quality of the Air 3S. Or will the Mavic 3 Classic take better photos ?
Technically, the Mavic 3 Classic 4/3 sensor *should* better than the Air 3S sensor, but that's not accounting for image processing improvements and the fact the new sensor is a stacked backside-illuminated sensor as far as we understand. You'd want to compare raw DNG files from both in similar situations, but again, at the end of the day, I bet you'd have a hard time telling unless you're blowing the images up to huge prints.
@@CoastalDrone ok, right i understand , the prints i make are A3+ and 13" by 38" for panoramic prints. I shoot in RAW so post processing is a must, I find with the mini 4 pro the dynamic range is poor, that is where i hope my next drones sensors will shine, pun intended! Thank you for y0our quick reply, I enjoy your content!
Super useful information! Love the comprehensive comparison. Looking to upgrade from my Mavic 2 Pro (having lots of issues now) during Black Friday in a couple weeks. Looking between the Mavic 3 Classic and Mavic Air 3S.
Interesting viewpoint, I'm coming from the 2S, but feel like the 70mm lens, better range, cellular dongle, better flight time and twice the megapixels on still images is enough to make it a worthwhile upgrade!
I feel, I had a good reason to replace my first drone (Mavic Air 2) after 4 years of ownership because of the added features of the Air 3. Excellent review.
Funny how ALL the Air3S reviews came out exactly 1 onth ago and 99,99% are "positive " DJI must think consumers are idiots. As if we don't know the concept of influencers who receive free drones + get paid to put out positive reviews about their product. Why this irks me? It all seems so disingenuous. There are almost zero reviews pointing out this drones weaknesses and flaws. Video stutter? Fixed aperture = messing around with ND filters? Price point? And all the other excellent points you brought up.
I am a first time purchaser for a drone, trying to add real estate drone shots to my photography business. Which would you recommend? I was ready to buy the mavic 3 pro, but the air 3s look compelling too, or should I wait until the mavic 4 pro?
Thanks for this video. I’m a hobbyist drone photographer. Believe it or not I still use an Inspire 1 but with the X5. After watching this clip I’m going to buy the Air3S. Thanks. By the way. Can anyone here give me a link to buy more batteries for the I1? I’m selling it but need to purchase a new battery first. Thanks in advance. Pete from New Zealand. Safe flying!
First off great video. I live in Southern Texas & about 6-8 months the only time I can fly is at night when the weather is cooler so having any camera with a low light advantage is a must. Today for example high of 91 & low of 76 😂 that’s still hot but our fall hot
I’m thinking about buying my first drone and as a hobbyist and possibly for a future RUclips channel your comparisons and comments about why you are not getting the 3s make it sound ideal for me 😊 I could probably buy an earlier drone model and save some money but the obstacle avoidance on the 3s should make life easier for me as a total beginner 😅
Not once did he mention the portability of the drones as well carrying the Mavic is heavier and bigger and nausea. Yes it can fly in more scenarios but you need to consider noise as well. People get pissed off when there's a drain flying above you so consider noise levels and portability as well the bigger the drone you go for the less portable the less likely you will use it. The smaller drones are great because you can pack them in a small bag for hiking.
ok i got the mini 2 se to start off. i love it. was looking for an upgrade, wish i got the mini 4 pro for distance and better quality and obstacle avoidance. the air 3s looks cool but needs to be registered since its over 249g.
6:32 "In my opinion..." Is the suggestion it's a 12 Mp sensor your opinion or is it based on fact? DJI confirmed to me it's Genuine 50 MP primary sensor, so I'm left wondering which is correct...... Cheers for an interesting vid! :)
It's a quad bayer sensor, so it "technically" has 48-50mp worth of pixels, but they way images are captured it could be "binned" to 12mp. The image produced will have that many pixels but the content will be the result of some software magic. We're going to do a full video about it soon.
I need a drone to map out ground and look at plants 🌱 what’s a great start to research I keep seeing the mavic pro but at 3k price should I start with the air ?
@@jpmcaptureone it doesn’t. It’s a fixed aperture lens so you will need to use ND filter if you can’t bring the exposure down. This matters most for video where you want to lock the shutter speed to double the reciprocal of your frame rate ie 24fps = 1/48 shutter
what about if I have a mavic 2 pro? this air3s will be and upgrade or a downgrade specially speaking about taking stills photography (photo sensor/quality) ? thank you
Out of scope - the Mini 4 Pro and the Air 3S are different markets. The Mini 4 Pro is a great drone at a lower price point but you don't get the 3x zoom or the performance of a 700g drone. The Mini 4 Pro will be a huge upgrade compared to the Mavic Pro especially if you get the RC2 Fly-More combo.
I want to upgrade from my mini 2, which I have had for more than 2 years. I feel the AIR 3S is the way to go for me as it is quite feature jump. I'm not interested in just an incremental improvement.
Off topic from the main subject in the video, but you said the tele lens on the Mavic 3 (not the pro) had soft images. Is it safe to say that the video is also soft with that lens? I was looking at buying a used version of the Mavic 3 (with the fly more combo with the built in screen controller) for 1k, but now I'm not so sure. If it helps, I take videos of trains. Thanks for the video and your time.
Yes, the video on the Mavic 3 is also soft. Depends on the version you have they did update the optics at some point. The Pro is significantly sharper.
I have the Air 2s and for most shots I do it is great. The Mavic 3 Classic having aperture control lets me take some sweet shots and the pictures and video quality is amazing. That being said besides the Lidar tech (hope I am saying that right.) there really is no reason to upgrade anytime soon. The Avata 2 gives me some great shots, and I look forward to see what DJI does next. I am just getting tired of being pushed into not just the new drone, but all new batteries, all new controllers, next gen Goggles 🥽 because they are not compatible with the next generation aircraft, or you have to wait a month or more to see if it will because DJI makes the next generation aircraft Ocusync that isn’t compatible with my older gear.
It’s worth getting for the price point if you’re looking to upgrade from a mini and can’t afford a mavic pro. Tho tempted I’m still holding off until mavic 4 is announced to make my decision I’m not rushing into it
You have a good point, DJI are becoming like Apple. Upgrades for the same drone line every year is annoying. I am happy with my Air3. The sensor is okay for what I do. I will buy a new drone in two years and that will be the Mavic series.
I like my Air 3 and have no plans to upgrade to the Air 3s. I would be more interested in it if they offered true log recording instead of the comprised M-log.
The battery life alone is a huge quality of life improvement. The Mavic 2 Pro is a great drone, but if you've cycled out your batteries I'm gonna bet you're well below 19 minutes these days....
@@CoastalDrone yeah these batteries are definitely not very happy with me these days. And to replace the three I have with newer or less cycles would probably run about 350-400 and still not be certain to be efficient. I think I’ll do the upgrade, hopefully customs will allow it to reach me!
I currently only have a Mini 3 pro, and I'm about to go to Iceland. I figure I either need a Mavic 3 pro or an Air 3S because I am going to need all the floating tele power I can get to give myself a chance of some volcano action. And I am totally struggling with buying a Mavic 3 pro at full price when I know it is so close to being obsoleted. So the Air 3S seems the logical choice - and the lidar shit is going to be amazing inside caves and buildings etc.
Thanks for this.. I'm one of the few people that seem to be still flying the original Mavic Pro. How do you think that would compare against this new drone? Is even that worth the upgrade?
I recently did a flight review with a candidate that brought a Mavic Pro with a fresh aftermarket battery. It was very interesting to see the differences in flight control dynamics. Coordinated turns were very difficult to do (like yawing and slewing at the same time). I let the candidate fly our Mavic 3 after he passed the review, and he was blown away how different and easier it was to fly the 3. I'd only flown the OG Mavic Pro a few times as our batteries are toast so it was interesting to see earlier flight control systems. (Personally I started with DJI on the Mavic Pro 2 / Air 2 / Mini 1 which was already quite mature and prior to that I was flying other brands). - Ian
@@CoastalDroneThanks for that! Did you happen to look at the difference in quality of footage . The Mavic Pro is still 4K.. it would be interesting to see whether you could tell much difference with that. Thank you for your reply!
@@CoastalDrone Thanks...it's actually an interesting question in the cycle of new and better drones an cameras etc...how big really is the difference in what the audience sees. On my channel the good old Mavic Pro still lets me tell the stories...but probably the dedicated controller is the thing I'd most like as phone connection drop outs are my biggest drama! Thanks for your videos!
Very nice points sir. I might, I'm getting it as an upgrade from air2. The plan was for next April, air3. But might as well plan for air3S instead now.
I also will be sticking to my original Mavic 3 and Mini 3 Pro combo. One of the things you did not mention is Post Processing software improvements. Frankly AI assisted post processing software is outpacing the minimal hardware improvements that DJI can bring to the table yearly. The cost benefits of simply using software to improve image quality to my mind far outweighs the hardware depreciation on these Drones which is worse than ever now that DJI keep making kit redundant almost as quickly as they are sold. Also, software is more versatile as it can help improve non-flying camera footage just as efficiently, cheaper than the losses incurred with hardware depreciation. Just seems to make more financial sense to me. Granted I love the techy gleaming new buttons that promise the world, but I think if one really needs to rely on obstacle avoidance more than the original Mavic 3 is capable of, perhaps flying drones is not suitable in the first place. I'm a huge DJI fan, I have a fair bit of their kit. Love them, BUT, they don't seem to care about looking after the financial resale value of perfectly capable, low mileage kit that might only be a year or so old. Cheapens the product and makes me feel like some kind of 'Cash-Cow' they want to milk too frequently.
I have the Mavic 2 Pro and I am looking to upgrade. I use it for residential real estate photography and video. I have loved the Mavic 2 Pro, but after owning it for 4+ years, I am ready to upgrade. I want a drone with the best picture quality and ability to shoot high quality video easily. What would be your 1st choice for the highest quality images?
So I do not own a drone by now. I am a photographer and videographer not likely to be flying in dark conditions, but I want good image quaility. I could save 360€ when I get the original Air 3 instead of the Air 3S. Is it worth the 360€ more, or can I happily get the Air 3? I think the quality difference will not be that visible...? Plus, will it be worth to wait until black friday to get an even better price for any of those?
I recommend you test the 70mm against the Air 3 and Mavic 3 Pro. That 70mm has been my main camera since the Mavic 3 Pro but the Air 3S (despite being exactly the same from a hardware standpoint) is so much cleaner in ALL shooting conditions. The main camera also performs just as good as the main camera on the Mavic 3 Pro which poo poos the Air 3. I don’t know what DJI has done with their encoders and algorithms to allow for this with a lower bitrate but it’s like magic. The Air 3 and Air 3S are the same price non fly more and only $50 difference with the fly more. IMO it’s a no brainer. And no I’m not sponsored and have never been sent a drone.
@@CoastalDrone honestly I’d still say that’s more than worth it. It’s hanging with the Mavic 3 Pro and beating the Air 3 considerably on the 1x and it’s beating both the Mavic 3 Pro and the Air 3 considerably on the 3x.
Well, done on the video… This is exactly what I was looking for as far as a review. I have the ARS too… And I was considering the RS three… Primarily for the 70 mm lens. Do you feel it’s comparable to the Maverick, three pro 70 mm?
I bought the mini 3 pro with the rc remote back in December of 2022. I've hardly been able to use it. I really waht mapping and photogrametry. I'm trying to do 3d modeling but my mini 3 pro has really hindered my productivity with the RC remote. I'm trying to figure out what the best direction is to proceed Pleaase help
Thanks for the great resume. DJI have said the 50MP is native 50MP and not through QBF Technology like the 12/48MP Sensor. Really like your rational thinking. It's true, many are fixated on new technology because it's new and cool without thinking about its added benefits and usage. For me the 3.2um pixel size, 50MP sensor is a big plus for survey work and zooming into 3D Models. I won't be buying one though as for my work, the Mini series gives me of course much more practical flying opportunities. If money wasn't an issue, sure, I would definitely buy. 😊
Wow, thank you! I didn't know my disease has a name! Really wanted the Air 3S for the long lens, I bought a Mavic 3 Classic. I didn't think I'd want the long lens, oops. Also the video compares I've seen on YT looks like the A3S camera is noticably better. But I'll take your advice and wait and see. Thanks Again!!!!
I have an air 2s and I'm struggling to justify switching to the 3s. Yes, longet battery and better sensors are really important, but even selling the 2s I'd spend almost 1000$ on a drone of almsot identical image quality. Thoughts?
Air 2S has SDK support, you can do mapping with it, and do other commercial inspection work, that the Air 3S will likely never be able to do because of DJI's shift to the Enterprise stack for SDK support.
I produce my videos with the end user as my focus. 80% are watching from their phones, not a giant screen 200K TV.... 4K @60 is at the top edge of usability. All public broadcasters shoot in 1080. Therefore, I have no need for Preparation H, as I fly a Mavic 3...
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
The DJI Air 3S RC2 Fly More Combo is $330 USD more than the Air 3 RC2 Fly More combo, is that extra $330 going to be worth it to you?
It definitely will. For me it's harder to justify why I wouldn't pay that few hundred extra for those features 3s provides. I wouldn't update from 3. But as a new to Air series, I'm satisfied.
Where are you getting that from? It's only $50 more for the DJI Air3 S RC2 Fly More Combo over the AIR 3 RC2 Fly More Combo.
@@XploreAz DJI Air 3S RC2 Fly More Combo - $1475 USD vs. $1145 USD for Air 3 RC2 Fly More Combo
@@CoastalDrone I will ad to this, you guys must have a corporate discount of some sort when logged in, for me, average Joe blow consumer without being logged in to ANY account and a 1st time buyer it's the following pricing, in Arizona, Oct 18th 4:35pm MST: DJI Air 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) - $1549.00 USD // DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) $1599.00 USD, and to add more fun to this conversation, I pulled the trigger and hit buy now on the 3S Combo and it said at checkout the actual Air 3S was "Unavailable." so I cancelled the whole order... I'm just passing along information that I experienced...
@@MarkWRoberts maybe this might be because we're viewing from Canada but it shows in USD? (www.dji.com/ca/products/camera-drones#air-series)
DJI definitely not going to be giving us a break or a discount for poo-pooing their latest drone haha.
This title is very poorly described because you convey that PROS wouldn't buy this drone, but actually, it's not because you're PROS, but rather because DJI hasn't made significant improvements compared to the original. However, if you don't own one or have an older model, it's currently a very good option. Just some constructive criticism. Best regards.
RUclipsrs aren’t even pros. Unless they’re making motion pictures?
Thank you, you saved me about 10 minutes.
@@Jamescreaneyor getting paid to do drone videos and photography for companies, for weddings, etc.
@@Expedition_Tranquilo ah right! I got paid for something like that but far from a pro.
I was gonna buy mavik PRO .. am I looking for pro 3s?
I upgraded to the 3S from the 2 and there are marked improvements in camera, flight time, noise level, obstacle avoidance and stability.
I still have my air 2. Looking at the mavic 3 classic as that's a real upgrade a 3s isn't really an upgrade to be honest for a huge amount of reasons like no variable aperature, true 20mp sensor that has better colors. No over saturation and sharpness that the air 3s has. In my opinion the only drones worth buying are the mini 4 pro and the mavic 3 classic all others fall short.
I still have my AIR2 and the only reason that made me upgrade from AIR2 to AIR3S is the regulation here in the EU that AIR2 can now only fly in A3 environment, that is, outside urban centers, so in my case it was a great option.
@@avhdrones242 I know a couple friends that returned their air3s due to poor quality lens. So that's another issue especially for people who professionally film with their drones for photo/video. Seems their quality control is lacking.
i went from 2s to 3s, overall its feels like a massif improvement.
what kind of improvements ? Smaller resolution 4K vs 5.4K while on 2S you can crop to zoom , photo 2 more MB is not improvement. Flight time is not big deal if you have 3 batteries and obstacle sensors the same once you out of the ground and not in the forest . Extra 200grams to carry and bigger to pack with other gear. I was expecting from DJI something better.
I’m coming from the Mavic Mini that’s over 5 years old now, so planning on getting an Air 3S sometime this year once I finish my Part 107 certification. It’ll be an incredible upgrade for video quality having 2 cameras that’ll both shoot in 4K and look great at night too.
When do you plan to take the exam? I'm curious on how tough it might be.
@ probably this summer, finishing up 11th grade and it’s a bunch of work all my classes I’ve got now…
I have a Air2S and it gets the damn job done.
A back-to-back comparison of the Air 2S and the Air 3S sensor would probably be imperceptible to untrained eye, which is frankly, what most customers are, (and that's not meant to be derogatory, its meant to say "if it looks good it is good.")
@@CoastalDroneso damn true if it looks good it’s good gotta have an eye for footage
@@CoastalDrone sure, but a drone is not only about the camera, also safety features. air3 has a better transmission system and air3s has lidar safety. basically they both take a hot steamy dump on air2s is terms of safety
@@petrub27 who cares about safety i have over 10,000 flights and I have never crashed or came close to it. In fact I started flying my gf's mini 3 and with over 200 flights on it with no sensors i never needed sensors. That is for idiot pilots.
Love mine
Waiting for Mavic 4
Hopefully they don't get stuck at the border either...
Me too
Will they wait until Spring of 2025 or Fall of 2025? Because the Mavic 3 was released on November 5, 2021?
Me too. I want adjustable aperture.
@@zenseekerEricyes if I have to get a small drone it would be the mini3. Waiting for mavic4 and adjustable aperture
I have an Air 3 and love it. I never fly at night. You have just made me feel justified in not buying the Air 3S. I and my check book thank you.
I agree. I own the Air 3 and the Mavic 3 and don’t see the need for this one, thankfully. I also own the Air 2S, Mini 3 Pro and the Mini 4 Pro so it will have to be the Mavic 4 that I may be interested in the near future. By the way, the Air 3 is getting most of the flying in these days.
3S is still better😂
I'm upgrading to Air 3S after owning Air2S and Air3. My use case is commercial real estate photography and videography.
I want the image quality of the 2S with the flight time of the Air3.
Also like the 40GB onboard storage and the 50 megapixel sensor. 4K at 120fps is also a plus.
Recouping expense is not difficult when selling the old drones and earnings from the work.
3S arrives Monday.
You could've just get the Mavic 3 Pro than wasting money on all these 3 you mention 🤷♂️
Air 3S 70mm camera performance is much better than Mavic 3 Pro. See real world comparison from Tom Wazzup on RUclips.
@@dicekolev5360aside from the bigger sensor (which the 3s has shown in reviews to hold up to it just fine with updated tech,) There's literally no reason to go backwards., and spend double the money while doing it.
@@dicekolev5360 I am MAKING money. What are you doing?
Never mind, I just looked at your channel. Not good…
@@dicekolev5360 I am MAKING money. What are you doing?
Never mind, I just looked at your channel. Not good…
I think that if you lived in an area, such as I do, a mountain area with tall pine trees, and steep hillsides, you would probably have focus more on the ability of the Lidor system. That for me is a huge selling point navigating through a forest is very difficult. Any additional assistance could easily mean the difference between a crash drone or a successful photo shoot.
placebo effect. I fly through mountain ranges never had a problem or needed lidar lol its gimmick for bad pilots.
I had an Air 3 and I sold it because I was disappointed with the image quality. I felt for a drone with its size and flying capabilities, it should do better. Now owning the Air3s, the image quality now meets my standards.
You’re absolutely right. Sold mine just last month and I was disappointed in the image quality. For a drone that big, I really expected stronger image quality than my mini 4 pro.
I have been disappointed with the IQ the whole time I have owned this drone. I had to buy something to replace Air2S, because it was not certified in 1.1.2024-1.4. or something... So it did not meet the legal requirements for current laws and insurance company policies. Such a disappointment with the main camera.
Air 3S is the "C1 class" drone which allows flying in A1 category, almost just like Mini 4 Pro (flying over people is not allowed with Air 3S).
Mavic 4 Pro will be a "C2 class" drone which means pilot will need to hold distance of 150 meters to people/buildings/traffic, unless taking an exam allowing to fly in the A2 category and distance of 30 meteres. Based on that, I see the Air 3S, with dual camera, a great drone option, which can fly legally at plenty of scenarios and has advantage over Mini 4 Pro with the extra, 70mm lens.
I own an air 3 and absolutely love it, I very rarely fly it at sunset/night, so for me, I personally don't see the upgrade worth it, not until the air 4 comes out.
8:19 😉… There is an DJI Inspire on the back wall 🙌🧡🕊️
But seriously love the ‘beware of the gear acquisition syndrome’ & ‘learn to get better on the tools you’re on’.
Love it! Thanks 🧡
Subbed!
That Inspire 1 has done it's time and now its lot in life is decoration. The VTX is toast and all of our batteries were cycled out years ago. It was just an X30 camera anyway so a Mini 3 Pro destroys it in image quality. Wild to think about that eh?
Ah yes, having shot weddings in the 90s when medium format film cameras were what the "pros" used and any photographer "worth hiring" had to shoot with Hassy. I'm quite familiar with the syndrome
*I respect that you acknowledge that everyone's situation is unique. I grabbed the 3S because it was time for an upgrade. I do make a point of making sure the bird pays for itself before even considering buying a new one. My prior work horse was the Air 2s, which is now a backup for me. Believe it or not, before the Air 2S came out, I was still relying on my P4P! I pretty much love everything about that drone, aside from how much space it takes up. So I don't buy them all, but I do make occasional upgrades when it makes sense for me. Thanks for your input!*
Thanks, feeling a bit better as I am a new drone flyer and was not sure about if I should hold out for the air3s as I it was speculated to come out withing a year or less. I opted for the Air 3 and not to wait. Always feels a bit bad when your behind in tech but Im happy with my decision in the end.
Check out the backlash over the 3S's gimped bitrate and you'll feel even better.
@@stokestack Yea I just read up on this. Crazy I didn't know about the 130. I don't know enough about drone tech to really have and opinion. I'm happy with my air 3 so I'm not going to sit complaining if the grass is greener or not. But thanks for the info. I feel again better about my purchase.
Just found your profile and LOVED this video! Subscribed and I dig your humor and practicality. Good job and keep it up 🎉
Thank you for helping me decide. I will hold my horses with the S, my Air 3 is doing the job. I can't justify the upgrade at the moment.
I have just bought the Air3 after owning a Mini4 Pro for 12 months, love the Air3 as it is very stable in windy conditions, both drones have great features and say a lot for DJI engineering, love them both.
Well said video mate. It’s good to hear from someone who isn’t just looking for a “YES”
This is probably the most useful review of the Air 3s that I've come across so far. I'm presently using a Mavic 3 Classic, and have been mulling buying an Air 3s. Based upon the points that you make, I really don't know if I can justify the cost, for what I'd get in return.
So true - "80% of people use 20% of the features" - definitely applies to me.
80% of drone owners keep their drone in the closet and hasn't been flown in over a year.
It's a flying camera. It flies and it makes photos and videos. Simple as that. But noo, Dji be like " Let's make 50 features for the kids and overprice it 😅"
As a mini 3 pro user who once was debating on mini 3 pro vs air 2s, I was looking forward to the air 3s. Unfortunately they did not decide to go with the 4/3'' sensor which would be its main selling point and everybody was looking forward to. I am sticking to my mini 3 pro for now.
Just as an addition the mini 3 pro has been phenomenal and always with me on my trips. Such an impressive image quality for the size and weight
Im not sure what most people are filming but the fact that no one is commenting on the increased frame rates is further proof that most people don't use their equipment to its full capabilities. Like the sony fx3 & fx30, I'm planning on getting the air 3s specifically because of the 4k-120. Now ill be able to match my clips better when it comes to resolution.
Interesting take. What are you shooting that needs 120fps from a drone? Typically we shoot at 24 or 48fps due to the limited bitrates.
@CoastalDrone I'm a track coach so having a drone that can film 4k 120 is clutch when it comes to analyzing footage. Makes it far more convenient and safer than riding my bike and holding $4000 with one arm trying to keep up with the athletes
This past weekend I filmed a swim meet and the difference between 60fps and 120fps is pretty obvious. Even with some of the fashion shows that I've done, most are 60fps but I did one on the beach a couple months ago where i experimented with 120fps since it was plenty of light and it was pretty sweet. If i could afford something that could film 4k 240fps I would pull the trigger.
Every drone is different for everyone depending on what you plan on doing with it.. For me i still have the maverick 3 and for what i do for my channel i am happy with everything maybe i will upgrade in couple of years..
I'm buying it for the smaller size than the Mavic 3, but mostly for the 60-mph speed which I love for chasing trains out in the Arizona desert.
Forget the desert, head up to Flagstaff after a snowfall with the Air3s.
I came here for maybe a 3 time but the style that You speak and form that You lay down the knowledge is exceptional. Thanks for Your video
Excellent review brother, thank you!
Should i keep my Mavic Calssic? or should i wait for new mavic series?
It’s a keeper! I own it as well. It’s my favorite drone hands down!
I have Air3 and no need for upgrade ❤
same
I would agree and wait for a Air 4 or Mavic 4. I have the m3pro and love the 3x lens. I also love how well it handles wind gusts
For social media content i dont see any deference in terms of quality so i will keep the air 3 in couple of years maybe 😊
Thanx for the comparison it's very helpful ! Subscribed
I love my air3 and the only thing is LIDAR thats getting me to go to air3s. updates would prob change other things but im keeping my air3. im not going down that wormhole with updating everything everytime something new comes up. i also have air 2 and air 2s. my thing now is to have one controller many drones and mini4pro air3 so far im very happy with but sometimes i use the air2/2s when its windy before the 4pro. if they make mini5pro quick release props i might go from 4pro to 5pro. all the airs have that and are great!
I had the first Air drone, and there was never a day I wasn't disappointed with its flight and photo performance. I sold it for $400.
My daughter head the original Air as well. She had 2 “fly aways” that were contributed to a bad battery. I have the Air 2 and it’s been a great drone, but it’s time for an upgrade.
@@HighlanderMikeGolf If I lose my M3 pro, I'll get an M3 classic to replace it. The tele camera is garbage anyway.
@@riparianlife97701 After my daughter had the original Air and had the issues, we upgraded to a refurbished M3 Cine, since she was flying commercially. She’s been very happy with it.
I've been rocking the Air 2s and Evo 2 Pro for a lot of real estate jobs. Both have a 1" sensor with different color profiles. The Air 2s has been such a good workhorse but the fan is getting noisy so I hit the buy button for the Air 3s. The trusty Air 2s will become my backup.
i dont disagree with anything you said but there are safety improvements, which for me is less time worrying about collisions or bumping into something. i have a mini 3 pro as well, love the little fella, but there is extra brain time making sure i hit nothing. the worst thing i always feel is the gimbal guard, so much energy and quality and finish the product of with a cheap bit of plastic over the gimbal. thank you for video, spot on as well
I still have my original Air and Air 2S. My only gripes about the Air is noise and battery life(plus new batteries are hard to find now). The Air 2S has been my go to and it has never disappointed. Still a great drone. I am still on the fence about about the Air 3S. It's like getting a new car. The car that I have is just fine and does the job. I just kinda want a new one. Not because I need one, but because I want one. I struggle with that any time a new drone comes out and generally the clearer thinking wins, but not always.
keep your 2S man and wait for 4 . Don`t worry about batteries , they has secure discharge function to extend their life. This drone is a gold now - 5.4K and over 500grams. DJI made big mistake by diving into QUANTITY INSTEAD QUALITY.
Best objective analysis I’ve seen, thanks!
Great video. Thanks for making it. I gave it a thumbs up and subscribed.
Go watch the insane footage of the DJI Air 3s, where is takes off from an underground car park, flies out then around some buildings, then they push the RTH it flies all the way back including back underground to the place it took off from!
I saw that and it's absolutely jaw dropping!
post a link
@@Bleachsprayerr Most RUclipsrs do not allow links, so maybe use that complicated thing called "search"
@@Bleachsprayerr Minghao Gou
Yes I watched it too. Minghao pushes his drone to the extreme capability. RTH from his window n then his building garage n returning back is pretty impressive. Totally love my Air 3S
Is this worth the upgrade from a mini pro 4?
It really depends on your needs. It's definitely a bigger sensor and more robust, and having the 3x lens means you have more options for composition.
I just want a drone that records video to full view, I currently have the DJI 2s and it likes to record with solid black bars on top & bottom of the screen, unless I zoom in the image loosing my shots. Is there a drone that records & you don’t have to worry about this?
the new one inch camera in the air 3s compared to the air 3 (and not only to the older models) is a big improvement. You can see it promptly in daylight and not only in the dark. you can not compere the hdr of the air 3s with air 3. it is another level
Honest video and review, well done and thank you.
I have the mavic 3 pro love it and not getting any more
New drone owner here. Just bought a Mini 3 (not the pro) to learn on. Mu plan was to learn with this drone, then buy the Air 3s, so I can do some photography and video work for my business and others. Do you think the Air 3s is enough platform to do construction and real estate photos and video, and possibly some mapping down the road? Would be be buying one until the middle of 2025, so maybe something else will be out that would work better by then? Please give me your thoughts. Thanks.
Only unknown is mapping since the Air 3S doesn't have SDK support and the timeline for getting it is always uncertain for consumer drones.
@@CoastalDrone Thanks. I though the RC2 had SDK support? I know the RC doesn't.
Impressive. A fair and well balanced review. Subbed. And...appreciated after the fan boy garbage I have sat through. Your advice at the end regarding GAS and rather...improving your basic skills...bang on.
Awesome vid!!! Thanks for the input and the real advice.
well done! this is the first really good timeline review of the Air series and Mavic.
My first drone is the mini 4 pro, and am amazed on what you can do with it.
But I am a photographer , love taking panoramic images.
I use Canon pro cameras and lens. The drone gives me another perspective not possible with hand held gear.
My question is do I wait for the Mavic 4 to come out or will i be satisfied with the image quality of the Air 3S.
Or will the Mavic 3 Classic take better photos ?
Technically, the Mavic 3 Classic 4/3 sensor *should* better than the Air 3S sensor, but that's not accounting for image processing improvements and the fact the new sensor is a stacked backside-illuminated sensor as far as we understand. You'd want to compare raw DNG files from both in similar situations, but again, at the end of the day, I bet you'd have a hard time telling unless you're blowing the images up to huge prints.
@@CoastalDrone ok, right i understand , the prints i make are A3+ and 13" by 38" for panoramic prints. I shoot in RAW so post processing is a must, I find with the mini 4 pro the dynamic range is poor, that is where i hope my next drones sensors will shine, pun intended!
Thank you for y0our quick reply, I enjoy your content!
Super useful information! Love the comprehensive comparison. Looking to upgrade from my Mavic 2 Pro (having lots of issues now) during Black Friday in a couple weeks. Looking between the Mavic 3 Classic and Mavic Air 3S.
Interesting viewpoint, I'm coming from the 2S, but feel like the 70mm lens, better range, cellular dongle, better flight time and twice the megapixels on still images is enough to make it a worthwhile upgrade!
Great and informative video guys. Really refreshing
We were kinda suffering from new gear tech burnout so I appreciate that you like it! - Ian
Great video !!
I feel, I had a good reason to replace my first drone (Mavic Air 2) after 4 years of ownership because of the added features of the Air 3. Excellent review.
Funny how ALL the Air3S reviews came out exactly 1 onth ago and 99,99% are "positive " DJI must think consumers are idiots. As if we don't know the concept of influencers who receive free drones + get paid to put out positive reviews about their product. Why this irks me? It all seems so disingenuous. There are almost zero reviews pointing out this drones weaknesses and flaws. Video stutter? Fixed aperture = messing around with ND filters? Price point? And all the other excellent points you brought up.
DJI Air 3s - "Specifically Built For The Night" Great Video ...just subscribed !! I didn't buy either ...
That was a really great breakdown.
Nice comparison video, and pros/cons are very valid depending upon circumstances.
I heard the camera in the Air 2S was a little soft and my experience would back this up. Do you now if the lenses in the Air3S are sharp?
If you are not buying, doesn't mean it won't be good to others at this moment of timeline of DJI
I am a first time purchaser for a drone, trying to add real estate drone shots to my photography business. Which would you recommend? I was ready to buy the mavic 3 pro, but the air 3s look compelling too, or should I wait until the mavic 4 pro?
LiDAR seems like a cool feature, hope to see it in the future Mavic series that's worth holding out for
This is the exact video I needed! I had the shiny new syndrome , but I have the same two drones you have and they work great, no need to add this one
It’s wild how far ahead of everyone they are. Why can’t anyone else make a decent drone at a good price.
Thanks for this video.
I’m a hobbyist drone photographer. Believe it or not I still use an Inspire 1 but with the X5. After watching this clip I’m going to buy the Air3S. Thanks.
By the way. Can anyone here give me a link to buy more batteries for the I1? I’m selling it but need to purchase a new battery first.
Thanks in advance.
Pete from New Zealand.
Safe flying!
First off great video. I live in Southern Texas & about 6-8 months the only time I can fly is at night when the weather is cooler so having any camera with a low light advantage is a must. Today for example high of 91 & low of 76 😂 that’s still hot but our fall hot
Great video and very informative.many thanks
I’m thinking about buying my first drone and as a hobbyist and possibly for a future RUclips channel your comparisons and comments about why you are not getting the 3s make it sound ideal for me 😊 I could probably buy an earlier drone model and save some money but the obstacle avoidance on the 3s should make life easier for me as a total beginner 😅
I'm gonna get one. It'll be my first drone. I wanted a Skydio 2 but I guess I missed out on that. This drone seems to have all the features I need.
I'm sure you will love it!
Not once did he mention the portability of the drones as well carrying the Mavic is heavier and bigger and nausea. Yes it can fly in more scenarios but you need to consider noise as well. People get pissed off when there's a drain flying above you so consider noise levels and portability as well the bigger the drone you go for the less portable the less likely you will use it. The smaller drones are great because you can pack them in a small bag for hiking.
ok i got the mini 2 se to start off. i love it. was looking for an upgrade, wish i got the mini 4 pro for distance and better quality and obstacle avoidance. the air 3s looks cool but needs to be registered since its over 249g.
6:32 "In my opinion..." Is the suggestion it's a 12 Mp sensor your opinion or is it based on fact? DJI confirmed to me it's Genuine 50 MP primary sensor, so I'm left wondering which is correct...... Cheers for an interesting vid! :)
It's a quad bayer sensor, so it "technically" has 48-50mp worth of pixels, but they way images are captured it could be "binned" to 12mp. The image produced will have that many pixels but the content will be the result of some software magic. We're going to do a full video about it soon.
I need a drone to map out ground and look at plants 🌱 what’s a great start to research I keep seeing the mavic pro but at 3k price should I start with the air ?
Do you know if the Air 3S allows you to change your apature?
@@jpmcaptureone it doesn’t. It’s a fixed aperture lens so you will need to use ND filter if you can’t bring the exposure down. This matters most for video where you want to lock the shutter speed to double the reciprocal of your frame rate ie 24fps = 1/48 shutter
@@CoastalDrone gotcha, ya I cant believe how many of these drones come with fix aperture...sort of a dealbreaker for me! Thanks for the info!
what about if I have a mavic 2 pro? this air3s will be and upgrade or a downgrade specially speaking about taking stills photography (photo sensor/quality) ? thank you
As a new pilot getting ready to upgrade from the original Mavic Pro I was wondering why the Mini 4 pro not mentioned. Thanks
Out of scope - the Mini 4 Pro and the Air 3S are different markets. The Mini 4 Pro is a great drone at a lower price point but you don't get the 3x zoom or the performance of a 700g drone.
The Mini 4 Pro will be a huge upgrade compared to the Mavic Pro especially if you get the RC2 Fly-More combo.
I want to upgrade from my mini 2, which I have had for more than 2 years. I feel the AIR 3S is the way to go for me as it is quite feature jump. I'm not interested in just an incremental improvement.
Off topic from the main subject in the video, but you said the tele lens on the Mavic 3 (not the pro) had soft images. Is it safe to say that the video is also soft with that lens? I was looking at buying a used version of the Mavic 3 (with the fly more combo with the built in screen controller) for 1k, but now I'm not so sure. If it helps, I take videos of trains. Thanks for the video and your time.
Yes, the video on the Mavic 3 is also soft. Depends on the version you have they did update the optics at some point. The Pro is significantly sharper.
@ thanks for the prompt response. I was trying to avoid the pro price tag. You think it’ll look alright on RUclips?
I have the Air 2s and for most shots I do it is great. The Mavic 3 Classic having aperture control lets me take some sweet shots and the pictures and video quality is amazing.
That being said besides the Lidar tech (hope I am saying that right.) there really is no reason to upgrade anytime soon.
The Avata 2 gives me some great shots, and I look forward to see what DJI does next. I am just getting tired of being pushed into not just the new drone, but all new batteries, all new controllers, next gen Goggles 🥽 because they are not compatible with the next generation aircraft, or you have to wait a month or more to see if it will because DJI makes the next generation aircraft Ocusync that isn’t compatible with my older gear.
It’s worth getting for the price point if you’re looking to upgrade from a mini and can’t afford a mavic pro. Tho tempted I’m still holding off until mavic 4 is announced to make my decision I’m not rushing into it
You have a good point, DJI are becoming like Apple. Upgrades for the same drone line every year is annoying. I am happy with my Air3. The sensor is okay for what I do. I will buy a new drone in two years and that will be the Mavic series.
We love the innovation, so someone's gotta keep buying them please, but not everyone needs a new phone, er, drone, every year.
I like my Air 3 and have no plans to upgrade to the Air 3s. I would be more interested in it if they offered true log recording instead of the comprised M-log.
Very practical analysis. You deserve a subscribe. Thanks to the launch of Air 3S I just both my Air 3 on a sale with $300 less :)
Thanks for the sub!
Currently having a Mavic 2 pro, will the upgrade be warranted? I don’t need tracking features
The battery life alone is a huge quality of life improvement. The Mavic 2 Pro is a great drone, but if you've cycled out your batteries I'm gonna bet you're well below 19 minutes these days....
@@CoastalDrone yeah these batteries are definitely not very happy with me these days. And to replace the three I have with newer or less cycles would probably run about 350-400 and still not be certain to be efficient. I think I’ll do the upgrade, hopefully customs will allow it to reach me!
I currently only have a Mini 3 pro, and I'm about to go to Iceland. I figure I either need a Mavic 3 pro or an Air 3S because I am going to need all the floating tele power I can get to give myself a chance of some volcano action. And I am totally struggling with buying a Mavic 3 pro at full price when I know it is so close to being obsoleted. So the Air 3S seems the logical choice - and the lidar shit is going to be amazing inside caves and buildings etc.
Thanks for this.. I'm one of the few people that seem to be still flying the original Mavic Pro. How do you think that would compare against this new drone? Is even that worth the upgrade?
I recently did a flight review with a candidate that brought a Mavic Pro with a fresh aftermarket battery. It was very interesting to see the differences in flight control dynamics. Coordinated turns were very difficult to do (like yawing and slewing at the same time). I let the candidate fly our Mavic 3 after he passed the review, and he was blown away how different and easier it was to fly the 3. I'd only flown the OG Mavic Pro a few times as our batteries are toast so it was interesting to see earlier flight control systems. (Personally I started with DJI on the Mavic Pro 2 / Air 2 / Mini 1 which was already quite mature and prior to that I was flying other brands). - Ian
@@CoastalDroneThanks for that! Did you happen to look at the difference in quality of footage . The Mavic Pro is still 4K.. it would be interesting to see whether you could tell much difference with that. Thank you for your reply!
@@MatthewPolack we didnt sadly. I still have our OG mavic Pro though, we could probably fire it up long enough for a camera comparison.
@@CoastalDrone Thanks...it's actually an interesting question in the cycle of new and better drones an cameras etc...how big really is the difference in what the audience sees. On my channel the good old Mavic Pro still lets me tell the stories...but probably the dedicated controller is the thing I'd most like as phone connection drop outs are my biggest drama! Thanks for your videos!
Very nice points sir. I might, I'm getting it as an upgrade from air2. The plan was for next April, air3. But might as well plan for air3S instead now.
I also will be sticking to my original Mavic 3 and Mini 3 Pro combo. One of the things you did not mention is Post Processing software improvements. Frankly AI assisted post processing software is outpacing the minimal hardware improvements that DJI can bring to the table yearly. The cost benefits of simply using software to improve image quality to my mind far outweighs the hardware depreciation on these Drones which is worse than ever now that DJI keep making kit redundant almost as quickly as they are sold. Also, software is more versatile as it can help improve non-flying camera footage just as efficiently, cheaper than the losses incurred with hardware depreciation.
Just seems to make more financial sense to me. Granted I love the techy gleaming new buttons that promise the world, but I think if one really needs to rely on obstacle avoidance more than the original Mavic 3 is capable of, perhaps flying drones is not suitable in the first place.
I'm a huge DJI fan, I have a fair bit of their kit. Love them, BUT, they don't seem to care about looking after the financial resale value of perfectly capable, low mileage kit that might only be a year or so old. Cheapens the product and makes me feel like some kind of 'Cash-Cow' they want to milk too frequently.
I have the Mavic 2 Pro and I am looking to upgrade. I use it for residential real estate photography and video. I have loved the Mavic 2 Pro, but after owning it for 4+ years, I am ready to upgrade. I want a drone with the best picture quality and ability to shoot high quality video easily.
What would be your 1st choice for the highest quality images?
So I do not own a drone by now. I am a photographer and videographer not likely to be flying in dark conditions, but I want good image quaility. I could save 360€ when I get the original Air 3 instead of the Air 3S. Is it worth the 360€ more, or can I happily get the Air 3? I think the quality difference will not be that visible...? Plus, will it be worth to wait until black friday to get an even better price for any of those?
Going to be pretty great for what’s coming next
I was close to getting a mini 4 pro. Is it better to get the 3s ? I have 107. Your thoughts ?
I recommend you test the 70mm against the Air 3 and Mavic 3 Pro. That 70mm has been my main camera since the Mavic 3 Pro but the Air 3S (despite being exactly the same from a hardware standpoint) is so much cleaner in ALL shooting conditions. The main camera also performs just as good as the main camera on the Mavic 3 Pro which poo poos the Air 3. I don’t know what DJI has done with their encoders and algorithms to allow for this with a lower bitrate but it’s like magic.
The Air 3 and Air 3S are the same price non fly more and only $50 difference with the fly more. IMO it’s a no brainer. And no I’m not sponsored and have never been sent a drone.
There's a $330 USD difference for us in Canada on DJI Store between the Air 3 and Air 3S at the moment.
@@CoastalDrone honestly I’d still say that’s more than worth it. It’s hanging with the Mavic 3 Pro and beating the Air 3 considerably on the 1x and it’s beating both the Mavic 3 Pro and the Air 3 considerably on the 3x.
Well, done on the video… This is exactly what I was looking for as far as a review. I have the ARS too… And I was considering the RS three… Primarily for the 70 mm lens. Do you feel it’s comparable to the Maverick, three pro 70 mm?
Air s2 - Air s3. That is…😂
I bought the mini 3 pro with the rc remote back in December of 2022. I've hardly been able to use it. I really waht mapping and photogrametry. I'm trying to do 3d modeling but my mini 3 pro has really hindered my productivity with the RC remote. I'm trying to figure out what the best direction is to proceed
Pleaase help
Thanks for the great resume. DJI have said the 50MP is native 50MP and not through QBF Technology like the 12/48MP Sensor. Really like your rational thinking. It's true, many are fixated on new technology because it's new and cool without thinking about its added benefits and usage. For me the 3.2um pixel size, 50MP sensor is a big plus for survey work and zooming into 3D Models. I won't be buying one though as for my work, the Mini series gives me of course much more practical flying opportunities. If money wasn't an issue, sure, I would definitely buy. 😊
I do like the fact that it flys at 60mph in spot mode but I’m waiting on the Mavic 4 pro
I'm waiting for the Mavic 4 Pro.
Will the Mavic 4 Pro be 8K? 🤔
8K is the new 480p. Get with the times and go 16K bro.
Wow, thank you! I didn't know my disease has a name! Really wanted the Air 3S for the long lens, I bought a Mavic 3 Classic. I didn't think I'd want the long lens, oops. Also the video compares I've seen on YT looks like the A3S camera is noticably better. But I'll take your advice and wait and see.
Thanks Again!!!!
I have an air 2s and I'm struggling to justify switching to the 3s. Yes, longet battery and better sensors are really important, but even selling the 2s I'd spend almost 1000$ on a drone of almsot identical image quality. Thoughts?
Air 2S has SDK support, you can do mapping with it, and do other commercial inspection work, that the Air 3S will likely never be able to do because of DJI's shift to the Enterprise stack for SDK support.
@@CoastalDrone even fewer reasons to switch!
I produce my videos with the end user as my focus. 80% are watching from their phones, not a giant screen 200K TV.... 4K @60 is at the top edge of usability. All public broadcasters shoot in 1080. Therefore, I have no need for Preparation H, as I fly a Mavic 3...
Well presented & easily explained. Thank you. I have mini 3 pro & neo. As a retired hobbyist, these will do me🇦🇺🪃🦘