Introduction
DJI’s “S” updates are often incremental, but meaningful. The DJI Air 3S builds on the foundation laid by the Air 3 model — dual cameras, powerful imaging, good flight time — and injects upgrades targeted at creators who want better low-light performance, safer obstacle sensing at night, and more storage.
Is it a ground-shaking leap? Not quite. But for many users, it represents a smart mid-range pick that bridges the gap between hobby and professional aerial photography. Let’s see how it performs in the field.
Spec Highlights & What’s New
Here are key specs and improvements that define the Air 3S:
| Feature | Specification / Improvement |
|---|---|
| Wide Camera Sensor | 1-inch CMOS (up from 1/1.3″ in Air 3) |
| Telephoto / Medium Tele | 70 mm (optical 3x) secondary camera, 1/1.3″ CMOS sensor |
| Flight Time | Up to 45 minutes nominal |
| Battery / Capacity | 4,276 mAh battery |
| Onboard Storage | 42 GB built-in storage (plus microSD) |
| Obstacle Sensing / LiDAR | Front LiDAR, omnidirectional sensors, TOF downward sensors |
| Video & Imaging | 4K / 60 HDR, 4K / 120 fps, improved dynamic range (~14 stops) |
| Weight & Size | ~724 g total weight |
| Release & Price | Launched October 15, 2024. Base ~$1,099 USD. |
Design, Build & Portability
- The Air 3S retains the foldable drone form factor of the Air series.
- At ~724g, it is heavier than many sub-250g drones, which imposes regulatory burdens in many countries, but still manageable for expedition setups.
- Build quality is solid: weather sealing, durable materials for arms, motors, and body.
- The case and storage are improved, with internal storage helping reduce reliance on memory cards mid-flight.
- The addition of LiDAR in the front is a significant design change, helping with obstacle detection especially at night or low-light conditions.
Camera & Imaging Performance
One of the biggest draws of the Air 3S is its improved imaging setup:
- The 1-inch CMOS wide-angle sensor brings better low-light capability, improved dynamic range, and finer detail in shadows/highlights.
- The secondary 70 mm / 1/1.3″ tele sensor gives you optical 3× zoom (medium telephoto) while maintaining good image quality.
- Video: supports 4K / 60 HDR + 4K / 120 fps modes. This gives flexibility for cinematic captures and slow motion.
- DJI claims ~14 stops dynamic range in auto mode for the 1″ sensor.
- The built-in storage (42 GB) is a big plus — allows capturing without needing to worry about SD card space during flight.
- Free Panorama mode: allows stitching multiple shots automatically.
Limitations / trade-offs:
- The drone does not have a variable aperture lens — meaning in bright daylight, you’ll often need ND filters to control shutter speeds.
- Some flare / hotspoting issues reported in very bright scenes.
- The zoom is fixed (70 mm optical) — digital zoom beyond that will degrade quality.
Flight, Performance & Stability
- The Air 3S offers 45-minute maximum flight time (nominal) with its battery.
- In real-world use, actual flight time tends to be slightly lower depending on wind, payload, and aggressive maneuvers.
- The drone implements omnidirectional obstacle sensing with multiple vision sensors, downward infrared sensors, and front LiDAR especially to help in low-light / nighttime flight.
- The improved Return-to-Home (RTH) feature leverages real-time visual mapping during outbound flight, enabling safer return paths even when GNSS is compromised.
- Flight stability is reported as strong, even in wind; the Air 3S handles control gains, stabilization, and image smoothing well during flights.
- The drone supports intelligent flight modes like ActiveTrack 360, Panorama, obstacle avoidance, etc.
- As time has passed, users report reliability and firmware improvements, making it more mature than early days.
Pros
- Much better low-light and dynamic range thanks to 1-inch sensor upgrade
- Dual-camera setup (wide + 70mm medium tele) gives creative flexibility
- Strong safety features: front LiDAR, omnidirectional sensing, smart RTH
- Onboard 42 GB storage is a huge plus for convenience
- Decent flight time (~45 minutes nominal)
- Friendly for both enthusiasts and creators — good balance between usability and features
- Improved panorama / intelligent modes enhance usability
- Build and stability are reliable and refined after firmware maturation
Cons
- Weight is relatively high (~724 g) — might push into regulated drone classes in many countries
- No variable aperture — reliance on ND filters for bright scenes
- Flare / hotspot issues in certain lighting conditions
- Charging / battery replenishment speed may not be revolutionary — you’ll need multiple batteries for extended shoots
- For users owning Air 3, gains may feel incremental rather than transformational — some report not worth upgrading immediately.
- Price is premium, especially when adding accessories & extras
Should You Buy or Wait / Comparison with Air 3
If you’re deciding between buying the Air 3S now or sticking with a current model (e.g. Air 3), here’s how to think about it:
Buy Air 3S if:
- You demand better low-light performance, improved dynamic range, and more creative flexibility
- You fly often in dusk, dawn, night settings or in tricky lighting
- You like having more robust safety features (LiDAR, smarter RTH)
- You value onboard storage so you don’t worry about card filling mid-flight
- You are entering the mid-range to pro drone field now, and want a drone that lasts
Stick / Wait if:
- You already own Air 3 and are satisfied with its performance — upgrades may feel marginal
- Weight regulations matter in your country; lower weight drones have fewer restrictions
- You want even more capabilites (like variable aperture, more battery efficiency) and are willing to wait for future models
- Price / cost is a major concern — the Air 3 might drop in price after the Air 3S is established
In many reviews, it’s noted: “If you own Air 3, upgrading immediately is not mandatory; if you’re buying fresh, Air 3S is a better long-term option.”
Final Verdict
The DJI Air 3S is a very strong mid-range drone that pushes into semi-pro territory. With its 1” sensor, improved obstacle sensing, safer return path systems, and dual-camera design, it stands out as one of the best in its class for creators who want high image quality without going full pro pricing.
It’s not perfect: weight, flare, and cost are trade-offs. But for most users wanting serious aerial capability without stepping into flagship Mavic or Inspire series, the Air 3S is one of the smartest choices in 2025.
