DJI Air 3S is official in Nepal. The compact design with a focus on travel photography has received positive reviews from drone enthusiasts and professional photographers for its image quality and advanced features.
The DJI Air 3S sits on the foundation of the DJI Air 3 by introducing notable upgrades. The 3S now has a larger 1-inch main camera sensor, which increases low-light performance, capturing more detail and vibrant colours even in challenging conditions. Another addition on the 3S is the inclusion of a forward-facing LiDAR sensor for better obstacle avoidance, ensuring precise navigation and safety. Also, the 3S has a new panorama mode for better wide-angle shots.
The Air 3S was launched alongside the DJI Neo, which is a compact and lightweight drone designed for ease of use and portability. The Neo has features such as palm takeoff, AI subject tracking, QuickShots, 4K video, multiple control options, and a compact, foldable design, making it suitable for stepping into the drone world.
Let us see what the DJI Air 3S delivers in terms of specs.
Specifications of DJI Air 3S
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | Folded (without propellers): 214.19×100.63×89.17 mm Unfolded (without propellers): 266.11×325.47×106.00 mm |
| Takeoff weight | 724 grams |
| Flight time | 45 minutes |
| Maximum flight distance | 32 km |
| Transmission distance | 20 km |
| Maximum speed | 21 m/s |
| Maximum ascent speed | 10 m/s |
| Maximum descent speed | 10 m/s |
| Max hovering time | 41 minutes |
| Operating temperature | -10° to 40° C |
| Stabilisation | 3-axis mechanical gimbal (tilt, roll, pan) |
| Camera sensor | Wide-Angle Camera: 1-inch CMOS, 50MP Effective Pixels Medium Tele Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP Effective Pixels |
| ISO range | Video Normal: 100-12800 (Normal) 100-3200 (D-Log M) 100-3200 (HLG) Slow Motion: 100-6400 (Normal) 100-3200 (D-Log M) 100-3200 (HLG) Photo 100-6400 (12 MP) 100-3200 (48 MP and 50 MP) |
| Zoom range | Wide-Angle Camera: 1-2.9x Medium Tele Camera: 3-9x |
| Live view quality | Remote Controller: 1080p/30fps and 1080p/60fps |
| Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) | GPS + Galileo + BeiDou |
| Internal Storage | 42 GB |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Sensing | Omnidirectional binocular vision system, supplemented with forward-facing LiDAR and an infrared sensor at the bottom of the aircraft |
| 3D Infrared Sensor | Forward-Facing LiDAR Measurement Range (nighttime): 0.5-25 m (reflectivity > 10%) FOV: Up and Down 60°, Left and Right 60° Downward-Facing Infrared Sensor Measurement Range: 0.3-8 m (reflectivity > 10%) FOV: Front and Back 60°, Left and Right 60° |
| Battery | 4276 mAh Li-ion 4S |
| Charging | Approx. 80 minutes (with DJI 65W Portable Charger) Approx. 60 minutes (with DJI 100W USB-C Power Adapter and Battery Charging Hub) |
| Price | Normal: Rs 165,000 RC-N3 – Fly More Combo: Rs 210,000 RC2 – Fly More Combo: Rs 240,000 |
Design and build
The DJI Air 3S brings a slightly updated design while keeping the portability and legacy of the Air 3. The most noticeable change is the dual-camera system with the larger sensor size setup from the Air 3. The redesign of the drone’s front section to accommodate the new cameras, giving it a modern and functional look. Its folded dimensions are 214.19 × 100.63 × 89.17 mm, and the unfolded size is 266.11 × 325.47 × 106.00 mm, making it easy to carry in a backpack or travel bag.
The Air 3S has a durable build quality to handle various conditions during flights. It also features advanced sensors, including fisheye lenses on the front and back and binocular and infrared sensors underneath, which provide a 360-degree view for better obstacle detection and flight stability. Other than some physical appearance, the Air 3S has similar performance features as the Air 3.
Performance
The DJI Air 3S is similar to the Air 3 in terms of performance. It has a maximum ascent and descent speed of 10 m/s. It can fly horizontally at speeds of up to 21 m/s in calm conditions and up to 27 m/s with a tailwind. The drone also features a maximum takeoff altitude of 6000 metres, making it good for high-altitude areas. It can also resist wind speeds of up to 12 m/s.
The Air 3S has a maximum flight time of 45 minutes when flying forward at a steady pace and 41 minutes while hovering. It is suitable for extended shoots or long exploration sessions. It has a maximum flight distance of 32 km in windless conditions. Its hovering and flight accuracy are reliable, with vertical and horizontal precision ranges of ±0.1 m to ±0.5 m, depending on positioning systems.
The drone operates in a wide temperature range of -10°C to 40°C, making it versatile in climates. It supports multiple satellite systems, including GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou, for better navigation and positioning. Along with a maximum pitch angle of 36° and obstacle avoidance settings, the Air 3S balances speed, stability, and safety.
Camera
The DJI Air 3S is equipped with a dual-camera system for high-quality photos and videos. The Air 3S is much more focused on photography, with the wide-angle camera having a 1-inch CMOS sensor with 50MP resolution, while the medium telephoto camera features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with 48MP resolution. The wide-angle lens has an 84° field of view, a 24mm equivalent focal length, and an f/1.8 aperture for sharp and bright images. The medium tele lens has a 35° field of view, a 70mm equivalent focal length, and an f/2.8 aperture for detailed shots when zoomed.
The DJI Air 3S offers flexible ISO and shutter speed options, catering to various lighting conditions and creative needs. For photos, the wide-angle camera supports an ISO range of 100-6400 in 12MP mode and 100-3200 in 50MP mode, while the medium telephoto camera offers the same ranges for its 12MP and 48MP modes. In video mode, both cameras provide an ISO range of 100-12800 in normal settings, 100-3200 in D-Log M, and 100-3200 in HLG modes. For slow-motion videos, the ISO range extends from 100-6400 in normal mode and remains at 100-3200 in D-Log M and HLG.
The shutter speed, on the other hand, for both cameras is capable of speeds up to 1/8000 seconds for fast-moving subjects and down to 2 seconds for standard exposures. Additionally, simulated long-exposure photography is possible with durations between 2.5 and 8 seconds, which is good for light trails and low-light shots.
The Air 3S can shoot videos in resolutions up to 4K at 120 fps or Full HD at 240 fps, with formats like MP4 using H.264 or H.265 codecs. The maximum video bitrate is 130 Mbps, allowing for detailed and smooth footage. Photos can be captured in JPEG or DNG (RAW) formats with resolutions up to 8192×6144 for the wide-angle camera and 8064×6048 for the telephoto camera. Features include burst shooting, automatic exposure bracketing, and timed shots for flexible photography.
For stabilisation, a 3-axis mechanical gimbal ensures stable shots by reducing vibration in tilt, roll, and pan. The gimbal allows a tilt range from -90° to 60° and pan adjustments from -5° to 5°. The angular vibration range is ±0.0037° for steady footage even during motion. The gimbal also supports a maximum control speed of 100°/s, making it easy to adjust during flight.
Battery and features
The DJI Air 3S is powered by a 4276 mAh Li-ion 4S battery, which offers up to 45 minutes of charging. It takes about 80 minutes to charge with the DJI 65W Portable Charger or only 60 minutes with the DJI 100W USB-C Power Adapter and Battery Charging Hub.
It has 42 GB of internal storage to save photos and videos without relying entirely on external storage options. The drone also supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.2 for seamless connectivity.
Key Features:
- Omnidirectional Sensing: Equipped with a binocular vision system, forward-facing LiDAR, and infrared sensors, the Air 3S offers superior obstacle detection for safer flights.
- Non-GPS and Nighttime RTH: Ensures safe return to home even in low-light conditions by detecting and navigating obstacles like high-rise buildings.
- Enhanced Vision Assist: Provides a comprehensive view, including downward, front, back, left, and right perspectives, to improve situational awareness.
- Waypoint Flight and Cruise Control: Allows you to pre-set flight paths and lock controls for creative and hands-free filming.
- ActiveTrack 360°: Keeps subjects perfectly framed by adjusting flight paths and avoiding cluttered backgrounds.
- Optimised Tracking Performance: Tracks subjects even if partially obscured, ensuring focus on the main action.
- Subject Focusing: Maintains sharp focus on moving subjects, letting you concentrate on creative angles and movements.
The DJI Air 3S is available in three options in Nepal: Normal, which costs Rs 165,000; Fly More Combo with RC N3 remote control, which costs Rs 210,000; and Fly More Combo with RC2 remote control, which costs Rs 240,000.
