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D.JI is one of the most innovative gadget companies, constantly trying new things with their drones, such as the Mavic 3 Pro’s triple-camera setup. With the release of medium-sized machines, Air 3 camera drone, the company introduced a new trick called dual primary cameras. That means the telephoto camera has the same specs as the main camera, rather than being relegated to lower quality like the Mavic 3. This opens up new possibilities for the pilot and gives him two ways to create cinematic shots.
It also has many improvements over the Air 2 and Air 2S. It uses DJI’s new O4 transmission system, which greatly extends the range, while also equipping Air drones with waypoint functionality for the first time. Battery life has also been greatly improved, and quietness has also been significantly improved. Otherwise, it matches the Mavic 3 Pro in features like ambient obstacle detection, focus tracking, and hyperlapse.
Strong Points
- dual camera
- great image quality
- long battery life
- Reliable obstacle protection
- Extensive feature set
Cons
- slow charging
- Occasional subject tracking lag
However, some buyers may consider the 1/1.3″ sensor a downgrade compared to the 1″ sensor on the Air 2S. How does it compare to that model, and how does it fit in with the Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro models? To find out, I flew it over the Loire Valley in France with a drone pilot friend.
design and performance
With a dual camera module on the front and a similar design, the Air 3 (without Mavic in the name) looks more like the Mavic 3 than the Air 2 or Air 2S. It has the same frog-like design and folds exactly like the Mavic 3 for a compact size for travel. The main body is equipped with an omnidirectional sensor for detecting obstacles. As for storage, it comes with a regular microSD storage slot, inside he has 8GB, really for emergencies only. It’s also significantly heavier than the Air 2S, at 720 grams versus 595 grams.
At the same time, it borrows some aerodynamic tricks from the Mini 3 Pro, especially the larger propellers, which reduce noise to 81 decibels, making it almost inaudible when flying above 100 feet. The body is also aerodynamic, giving it more forward flight range than its predecessor and the ability to handle strong winds.
Much of the extra weight comes from the new 4,241 mAh battery, which weighs 267 grams more than the entire Mini 3 Pro. It has about the same capacity as the Mavic 3 Pro’s battery, and the Air 3’s range is significantly increased from 34 minutes to 46 minutes for him in the Air 2S.
In actual use, depending on flight style and wind, the flight time to return warning was approximately 35 minutes. This allowed me to fly for a full day with 3 fully charged batteries. DJI has also introduced a new charging feature with an updated battery hub, allowing him to transfer power from the two weakest batteries to the most charged battery with the push of a button. That way, you’ll be able to fly longer, even if you’re in a location where charging isn’t possible. One of the drawbacks of high-capacity batteries is their relatively slow charging speed.
Another key feature is the next-generation O4 video transmission system that extends the range to 15-20 km (9.3-12.4 miles). Drone range can be a big problem in Europe, where legislation has significantly reduced transmit power compared to the US. To compensate, DJI added his 5.1GHz frequency, new in Europe. This seems to have a significant impact on range and dropouts in treacherous terrain, as confirmed by testing in France.
In terms of maneuverability and speed, the Air 3 offers a good compromise between the stability of the Mavic 3 Pro and the agility of the Mini 3 Pro. The latter is great for following fast-moving subjects like mountain bikes and cars, but remains stable even in strong winds. At the same time, when the subject is moving between trees, the obstacle avoidance with APAS 5.0 is excellent, and there is less collision risk than the Mini 3 Pro, especially thanks to the additional sensors from the sides and rear.
All of DJI’s core features such as ActiveTrack, Master Shots, QuickShots and Timelapse are available on the Air 3 and work with both cameras. Active Track, which is used to lock onto and track subjects, works pretty much the same on both cameras. Like other drones from DJI, it’s generally reliable, but if you’re chasing a mountain biker through the trees, it can lag a bit and turn off tracking without warning.
Quickshot features like Dronie and Rocket are made even more interesting with the addition of a telephoto camera that can add even more intimacy and drama. The obstacle detection function is also useful. Since the drone automatically flies when you press ‘go’, it’s nice to know that if you get too close to something it will abort the flight, as it’s easy to miss boundaries.
In addition to these flight modes, DJI introduced the Mavic 3’s Waypoint flight modes to the Air series for the first time. Plan your flight and camera movements in advance so you can accurately repeat your flight over multiple takes, time-lapse videos, and more. It takes time to learn and set up, but gives consistent results. It also opens up creative possibilities, such as running timelapses during the day and night and seamlessly blending them together.
In addition to Air 3, DJI has announced the new RC-2, DJI’s third screen controller after RC and RC Pro. Significantly cheaper than the $1,200 RC Pro, this is a good compromise between the two. At the same time, it has a brighter screen, a heavier feel, and more precise controls than the RC. Available individually or bundled with the Air 3 Fly More Kit. DJI also announced another new controller, the RC-N2. This is essentially a revamp of the RC-N1, the main advantage being the new O4 transmission system.
camera
Gallery: DJI Air 3 Review: High Quality Zoom Adds New Creative Options | 30 photos
Gallery: DJI Air 3 Review: High Quality Zoom Adds New Creative Options | 30 photos
The important thing about the Air 3 is that the quality of the two cameras is the same. So it comes with a 1/1.3 inch 24mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.7 main camera and a 70mm f/2.8 telephoto camera. These focal lengths match his two primary cameras on the Mavic 3 Pro, and the sensor size is the same as the Mini 3 Pro and Mavic 3 Pro telephoto cameras.
The 70mm lens is especially good for action and hero shots, adding excitement and a more natural perspective. It’s the perfect portrait focal length, so it’s perfect for portraits such as weddings. You can also keep a greater distance from your subjects while compressing the space between them for safety or other reasons. As usual, the main wide camera is available for shots such as establishment, overhead and follow. And because they use identical sensors, it’s easy to match footage from his two cameras while editing.
The sensor features dual native ISO support, improved light sensitivity, and 4K 60p in HDR, or 4K up to 100 fps with slow motion only playback. 1080p can be shot at 200 fps with slow motion playback. The camera module can be tilted 90 degrees down and 60 degrees up, making it the first Air series drone to support 2.7K vertical 9:16 video.