In relation to deciding between the DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Professional, you’re not simply selecting a drone—you’re defining your priorities as a pilot. These two DJI drones are powerhouses in their very own proper, providing distinct options to cater to completely different wants.
The DJI Air 3S stands out for its portability and flexibility, making it an distinctive journey drone. Alternatively, the DJI Mavic 3 Professional is a professional-grade machine designed to ship unmatched picture high quality.
I’ll get straight to the purpose at prime: for those who prioritize picture high quality and that alone (which means different components like portability and worth don’t matter as a lot to you), go together with the DJI Mavic 3 Professional. However for a extra well-rounded drone that checks all of the bins — good worth, lighter physique, higher impediment avoidance, extra highly effective video transmission, and many others. — then go together with the DJI Air 3S.
However for those who’re nonetheless curious to study extra about shopping for the DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Professional, learn on for an in depth breakdown that will help you resolve:
DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Professional: fast specs, in contrast
| Characteristic | DJI Air 3S | DJI Mavic 3 Professional | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning Value | $1,099 | $2,199 | Air 3S |
| Weight | 724g | 958g | Air 3S |
| Dimensions (folded, with out propellers) | 214.19×100.63×89.17 mm | 231.1×98×95.4 mm | Air 3S |
| Digicam System | Twin digital camera (extensive: 1-inch CMOS, tele: 1/1.3-inch) | Triple digital camera (extensive: 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad, medium tele: 1/1.3-inch, tele: 1/2-inch) | Mavic 3 Professional |
| Flight Time | As much as 46 minutes | As much as 43 minutes | Air 3S |
| Wind Resistance | As much as 12 m/s (26.8 mph) | As much as 12 m/s (26.8 mph) | Tie |
| Impediment Avoidance | Omnidirectional with forward-facing LiDAR | Omnidirectional | Air 3S |
| Inside Storage | 42 GB | 8 GB | Air 3S |
| Video Transmission | O4 | O3+ | Air 3S |
Flight capabilities
Wind resistance: Each drones deal with wind speeds as much as 12 m/s, which is fairly highly effective. Both are able to flying in sturdy breezes and at greater altitudes — and each are far superior to cheaper DJI drones like these within the DJI Mini line. Although technically the identical by way of specs, my qualitative opinion says that the Mavic 3 Professional has a slight edge in stability throughout high-precision maneuvers, owing to its heavier weight.
Return to house: Each drones supply computerized return to house options. However the newer, DJI Air 3S has a extra superior model dubbed Subsequent-Gen Sensible RTH (Return-to-Dwelling). Assuming sufficient gentle exterior, the DJI Air 3S makes use of real-time imaginative and prescient positioning and map development applied sciences to memorize flight paths. Observe that the tech actually solely works greatest when it’s shiny out. However when it’s darkish out, a distinct type of tech kicks in. That’s the forward-facing LiDAR, which may detect obstacles in low-light situations.
Watch the Air 3S execute a flight returning to house mechanically at 2:44 on this clip:
Winner: Tie.
Measurement and portability
The Air 3S is considerably lighter and extra compact. For that cause, I typically think about it a greater journey drone versus the DJI Mavic 3 Professional.
Even nonetheless although, the Mavic 3 Professional simply folds for transport. And by some dimensions, it’s really smaller than the DJI Air 3. Nonetheless be aware the scale distinction (958 grams for the Mavic 3 Professional vs. 724 grams for the Air 3S). That may not seem to be a ton, however it’s 32% heavier, which may weigh on you after touring for some time.
Winner: Air 3S.
Digicam high quality
Right here’s the place the Mavic 3 Professional really shines. Its triple-camera system, that includes a 4/3-inch Hasselblad extensive sensor, supplies unparalleled picture high quality, dynamic vary, and colour accuracy. Moreover, its two telephoto lenses supply versatility for cinematic photographs. In case your No. 1 precedence is picture high quality, go together with the DJI Mavic 3 Professional. It has extra choices and a bigger sensor.
To not point out, the Mavic 3 Professional’s ProRes recording choices and seamless integration with skilled workflows make it a filmmaker’s dream.
Then once more, the DJI Air 3S continues to be spectacular with its dual-camera system and 1-inch CMOS sensor. Even in regular colour mode, Air 3S twin cameras can document 10-bit video utilizing H.265 encoding. Moreover, the drone’s most ISO has been raised to 12,800, versus simply 6,400 on the DJI Mavic 3 Professional. That shouldn’t imply a ton for those who’re flying within the day or different shiny situations, however it’s important for flying at low gentle. Listed here are some photographs I took on my DJI Air 3S, so you’ll be able to see what it appears like from a standard, non-professional photographer:
What’s extra is that — in D-Log M and HLG colour modes — the utmost ISO is raised to three,200. Once more, meaning brighter, extra detailed photographs in darker situations. Relying on who you ask, 10-bit and ISO picture high quality on the DJI Air 3S means even crisper particulars than the DJI Mavic 3 Professional.
Different issues whereas filming
Apart from the precise digital camera high quality, the filming expertise is barely completely different on the 2 drones — and the Air 3S is best. For starters, the Air 3S has 42 GB of inner storage, versus simply 8 GB on the Mavic 3 Professional. 8 GB is an efficient quantity, however clearly 42 GB is much better. You may run hours of flights on 8GB.
Plus, the DJI Air 3S employs a extra superior video encoding compression algorithm that reduces video file sizes by extra 30%. That helps you save much more cupboard space.
Winner: The DJI Air 3S has compelling qualities like extra inner storage, however in the end this goes to the Mavic 3 Professional.
Battery life
The Air 3S provides 45 minutes of flight time, barely edging out the Mavic 3 Professional, which maxes out at 43 minutes. Each drones supply distinctive endurance, however the Air 3S supplies a minor benefit for prolonged flights. I wouldn’t sweat over the three minutes of distinction right here, however technically the Air 3S wins.
Winner: Air 3S.
Associated learn: DJI Air 3 vs. DJI Air 3S: is it well worth the improve?
Clever Flight Options
Each drones excel in impediment avoidance, however the Air 3S takes it a step additional with its LiDAR-assisted impediment sensing. That principally means it’s higher at detecting obstacles, particularly in low-light situations. And sure, the Air 3S is the primary DJI drone to function forward-facing LiDAR.
So far as computerized flight modes, each drones have a robust set of sensible options, together with the power to pre-program waypoints that the drone can mechanically fly to. Different sensible flight modes on each drones embody:
- FocusTrack: Presents steady monitoring photographs in a number of instructions through ActiveTrack 5.0, Highlight, and Level of Curiosity (solely obtainable on the Hasselblad digital camera and the medium tele digital camera)
- MasterShots: With one faucet, the drone mechanically shoots, edits and provides soundtracks to mechanically generate cinematic footage. (solely obtainable on the Hasselblad digital camera
- QuickShots: Permits the drones to fly in angles like Dronie, Rocket, Circle, and Helix (solely obtainable on the Hasselblad digital camera)
Making Panoramas in your drone
Now the Hasselblad digital camera on the DJI Mavic 3 Professional has one thing referred to as Panorama mode, which composes a 100MP lossless panorama picture. That was distinctive to simply the Mavic 3 Professional on the time.
However now with the DJI Air 3S, we’ve the same function referred to as Free Panorama mode. The Air 3S now captures panoramic photographs by stitching collectively a number of photos with a manually chosen topic or space. This mode is obtainable in each DJI Air 3S cameras, each with barely completely different types. The wide-angle digital camera provides a broader Subject of Imaginative and prescient, which is an effectivity play. I usually go together with the medium tele digital camera when making panoramas, because it has much less picture distortion.
Monitoring topics
I think about the DJI Air 3S a barely higher follow-me drone than the Mavic 3 Professional (although each are glorious). The Air 3S earns its edge by two new options referred to as ActiveTrack 360° and Topic Focusing. ActiveTrack 360° retains any topic optimally within the body by mechanically planning a flight path and adjusting framing. Topic Focusing function retains your topic in focus even throughout guide flight or when the topic strikes off-center.
Winner: DJI Air 3S
Value
At $1,099, the Air 3S is sort of half the worth of the Mavic 3 Professional, which begins at $2,199. For vacationers or hobbyists, the Air 3S provides excellent worth. And by many metrics, its specs are higher anyway.
The one spec the Air 3S can’t compete on? That triple digital camera, together with the Hasselblad. On condition that, professionals looking for the very best in imaging and options will discover the Mavic 3 Professional well worth the funding in the event that they’re being judged extremely on picture high quality.
For most individuals although, I don’t suppose they need to fall for the “costlier is best” lure. The DJI Air 3S is an excellent piece of apparatus.
Winner: Air 3S for budget-conscious consumers.
DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Professional: who’s every drone greatest for?
- Select the DJI Air 3S if…
You’re a journey fanatic or hobbyist who values portability, glorious efficiency, and affordability. It’s an ideal all-rounder for informal pilots and photographers.
Learn my full DJI Air 3S evaluation.
- Select the DJI Mavic 3 Professional if…
You’re an expert filmmaker or photographer who calls for the very best in digital camera expertise and superior flight options. Its capabilities are unmatched for creating cinematic content material.
Learn my full information to the DJI Mavic 3 Professional.
Associated
Uncover extra from The Drone Woman
Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your electronic mail.