The media could not be loaded. IntroThe DJI Air 3 is the drone you are going to love if you wish that you could have a Mini 3 PRO that had better image quality, full obstacle avoidance, waypoints, more zooming options and even better battery life.DesignThe Air 3s design is heavily influenced by the Mavic 3 line and I feel like this is a good thing since It gives the perception that you own one of the Mavic series. You’ve also got the similar stocks like the Mavic 3 series which are both good and annoying at the same time. Good for the times you plan to land your drone on a surface if you aren’t hand catching it and annoying because you have to remember to pull these arms out first or else you have to do it all over again.The materials DJI used here lend themselves to that premium feeling you’ll get when you pick this drone up. The casing feels very solid with no hollow feeling around it and makes this UAV feel very premium. One change that I found to be interesting is the fact that the gimbal doesn’t seem to lock in place once your power the drone off. This isn’t a huge deal but can be annoying since the gimbal cover for the Air 3 can be sort of hard to put on because the gimbal doesn’t stay in place.The Air 3 also has a good weight to it which adds to its premium perception and also bodes well for wind resistance.I personally don’t like the placement of the charging port and memory card slot being at the bottom. There are those out there who might land there drone in the dirt or grass and I’d imagine that even with this cover here, some of that dirt could be kicked up into these ports. It makes it even more concerning that this cover here is held on by one little small piece of rubber. If for some reason this comes off then now these parts are exposed permanentlyI do like and am surely a fan of the quick release props you get with the Air 3. Unlike the Mini 3 Pro’s props, these are easier to remove and replace at a moments notice which make it so that you can get back to flying much fasterAll in all it really is crazy just how much this feels like a Mavic 3 but smaller and less of hassle to carry around with all of its accessoriesControllerAs it stands right now, the Air 3 can on be operated with one of two controllers. The RC-N2 and the DJI RC 2. I got this with the RC-2 and the experience has been exceptional compared to the original RC, then the biggest difference you’ll notice immediately is the speed of operation with the controller. Everything from turning it on to switching cameras and other parts of operation is just overall significantly faster than the original RCYou also have the extended antennas now which do make for a more stable signal experience in even the most congested environments. One change that has been made is that you no longer have the protective cover on the bottom of and you only get one Usb Type C port to work with.Though the extra port has been taken away, functionality has been added in the form of now being able to connect the RC 2 to a computer and you now have video out over type C for those moments when you want to show the content you’ve captured on a bigger screen.Camera and GimbalThe camera is where the Air 3 starts to take on aspects of the Mini 3 series. There are a lot of opinions about the cameras on the Air 3 but one thing for sure is that either way you slice it, the quality of these cameras has been upgraded and having 2 cameras is always better than one.Dual camerasThe Air 3 has a dual camera set up and both of its camera sensors are the same size as the sensor in the Mini 3 series. This might scare some people away, especially those that had the Air2s or already have one of the Mini 3 series but if you take a closer look then you’ll see that improvements were indeed made. The Air 3 may use the same sensors size as the Mini 3 for both of its cameras but those cameras are put together in what’s called a stacked sensor format which opens up capabilities like much faster image processing and overall better performance of these sensors.The advantage you get with the air 3 is a much better dynamic range in even the harshest of lighting and in the lowest of lighting . It also has the same aperture as the Mini 3 series at 1.7 for the main camera which means it takes in quite a bit of light to give your imagery that boost in quality3X cameraThis zoom camera is new to the Air series and does open up a new perspective since 3X zoom could be considered a more comfortable zoom length. It make things like getting a parallax easier and makes it so that you can stay a safe distance away from something you might want to capture with the drone but don’t want to get to close to. It’s definitely a more usable focal length compared to something like the 7X lens on the Mavic 3 which is really only usable in a handful of situations. I’m also impressed with the clarity of the image coming out of the 3x camera and am glad that DJI lets you apply manual controls when using it. The only thing I might’ve wished for is for it to have the same aperture as the main camera but the 2.8 aperture is just fine in the situations I’ve used this zoom camera in. Speaking of aperture, its something that still isn’t controllable of the Air 3 so if you need to do any long exposure photography or something similar you’ll need an ND filter of some sort.Vertical shootingThe Mini 3 PRO came with a vertical shooting mode and now this same mode comes to the Air 3 in a sense. While you can definitely get vertical imagery on the Air 3 it isn’t in 4K but rather 2.7K. This is because the cameras don’t physically rotate l like with the mini 3 series but rather the drone crops in to a specific part of what you’re shooting and makes a vertical image out of that. This might seem kind of weird but the idea here is that if you’re posting any of this imagery to social media, those platforms will lower that quality anyway.In this case it’s one of those things that’s better to have and not need than to need and not have.48 MP PhotosThe Mini 3 pro was the first drone that could create 48 megapixel photos. The Air 3 is now the second drone I’ve encountered that can also do this but notice how I said “create 48 megapixel photos” and this is because in reality, the camera sensors aren’t natively capable of taking photos at such a high resolution. The Air 3 like the Mini 3 uses quad Bayer coding to construct a 48 megapixel photo since both sensors are truly maxed out at 12Mp.It does seem like the 48 mega pixel mode has been improved with the Air 3. It looks like it correctly exposes thing rather than make them darker but nonetheless you most likely wont need to use this mode.GimbalIf you’re at all curious about this controllable range of the gimbal, the tilt range you get with the gimbal goes between 90 and 60 degrees which is right in line with the Mini 3 series. The panning range goes between 5 and 5 degrees. No 5kI’ve never owned an Air 2s but I do know that one feature people seemed to like a ton was the fact that it could achieve 5.4k footage. If this is important to you then you might want to be aware of the fact that the Air 3 can only achieve up to 4K footage.Obstacle AvoidanceWhen it comes to obstacle avoidance the Air 3 is the first in the Air series to come with full 360 degree obstacle avoidance. This is definitely a feature brought down from the Mavic 3 series and is surely a welcome one since you can rest a little easier knowing that your Air 3 will be able to see almost anything.Active TrackThe focustrack set of tools is one of the best features about DJIs drones and of course all 3 modes are here but Active track has seen an upgrade where you can set to follow you in basically any direction. This is of course due to that all new 360 degree obstacle avoidance that comes with the Air 3. I was able to test out the Air 3s new active track and found it to work well…..mostly. In my experience, the drone had a problem seeing some tree branches even when there were multiple close together. This came as a surprise to me since it my Mini 3 Pro (which only has front, back and bottom sensors) was able to avoid those same tree branches I was referring to with ease.waypointsAnother one of my absolute favorite features with my Mavic 3 is waypoints and I’m happy to say that the Air 3 is the first drone outside of the Mavic series that can use this amazing feature. If you’re not aware of what this is, it essentially allows you to plot an automated route either by doing so, location unseen or by moving the drone to the points you want it to be at and pressing a button to lock in that particular point. You can also adjust other parameters and have this all carried out automatically.Is just really nice to have and not have to spend at least $1500 to get.Vision TransmissionI definitely enjoy the 1080p 60fps feed I get with my Mavic 3 and now you can enjoy the same on the Air 3. O4 has carried this over and its something that just makes for a smoother flight experience IMO. Where O4 takes this farther is the fact that It can now transmit this feed quality over a longer distance. 20 kilometers at least in the US.In my test incase able to realistically get 9084ft away until I started to loose signal which is way under the claims made. This test was performed in a wide open area with nothing but the surrounding mountains so I’m not sure why I lost signal but it could have something to do with the thinner air in the areaWind resistanceThe Air 3 is rated to withstand winds of up to 12ms which is roughly 26.8 mph. In the test I did, the winds were at about 27mph and the air 3 held up well but did get moved around a bit. Needless to say, I wouldn’t fly this in winds over 70mph.BatteryOne of the things about using any drone is having to worry about battery life and I can definitely say that that is most likely not going to be the case with the Air 3. I own three batteries for both my Mini 3 Pro and Mavic 3 and use all of them almost always when I’m out shooting for a long time but with the air 3 I end up only using two at most. This thing has superb battery life for sure and it’s still amazes me no matter how many times I keep this it up in the air. For my battery test , I used activetrack and tried to drain the battery to its critical level. I was able to get a little older 30 mins using the feature which is pretty remarkable As a reminder, using a feature like activetrack doubles the battery usage since the drone has to do more processing and calculations so not using a feature like this would almost double your battery life.ConclusionWith all of that being said, the Air 3 is the drone I wish they came out with when I decided to get my first drone. You’ve probably seen a ton of videos hyping it up but in this case I think the hype if warranted. I’d say that aside from the Mini 3 pro, this is a great starter, intermediate or advanced UAV that gives you some of the most high end feature all while giving you that low end starting price. It’s unfortunate that purchasing this drone with the RC2 brings the price up so much but I personally think its worth having just to have that piece of mind in knowing that you have an all inclusive solution that’s going to allow you to focus on what really matters which is flying the drone.The addition of waypoints is also welcome and I’m glad more people can now get access to this feature without having to point the way to the bottom of their wallets.Of course there are other things like the 3X telephoto camera but that’s just an added bonus to an already gracious offering.All in all I would definitely say that if you decide to purchase the Air 3, you will not be disappointed in any way unless you require something with a bigger sensor like the micro 4/3 in the Mavic 3.

I recently upgraded to Air 3 from my Mavic Air 2, and I must say, it has exceeded my expectations. The first thing that struck me was how much the flight experience has improved. The included remote controller offers intuitive controls and a comfortable grip, it all just felt seamless.Other things I absolutely like:1. Exceptional image quality: With its dual camera setup, and the 1/1.3″ sensor, Air 3 delivers outstanding image quality. The photos are incredibly sharp and detailed, videos also look more vibrant compared to my older drone.2. More flight time: One of the standout features of Air 3 is its impressive 46-minute flight time. I don’t even know if I will ever need to fly that long, but already pleased to be able to fly longer than before! No need to interrupt my flights for battery changes.2. Much, much better obstacle sensing: Air 3 comes equipped with omnidirectional obstacle sensing. This feature has been incredibly valuable during my flights, giving me the confidence to fly with ease and focus solely on shooting.Something to consider:It’s a pricey gear. It comes with a higher price tag compared to the Mini 3 Pro. For beginners, it might be better to go with the Mini first. However, if you’re serious about taking your aerial photography to the next level, Air 3 is well worth it.There is a learning curve: As a feature-rich drone, mastering all of Air 3 capabilities can take some time and practice. The various flight modes, camera settings, and advanced features require patience and dedication. However, this is a must for both safety reasons and the stunning results.Overall, I have to say Air 3 has brought my creative vision to new heights. It is a remarkable piece of equipment. While it comes with a higher price tag, it’s definitely worth it.

Air 3 has completely transformed my aerial cinematographer experience. As a filmmaker, I rely on the latest technology to capture unique, breathtaking visuals.One aspect I particularly appreciate is the ease of integrating this drone into my existing workflow. With the two cameras, ND filters, and upgraded sensor, it allows me to achieve even higher production value in my footage. It’s now easier to match it with the footage from other cameras we use in production. The compatibility and versatility of the drone make it an indispensable tool for my aerial cinematography projects.Cinematic FootageThe dual primary cameras equipped with 70 mm medium telephoto and wide-angle lenses deliver exceptional image quality. The footage is sharp, vibrant, and cinematic, truly enhancing the storytelling element of my work. Whether I’m shooting landscapes, action sequences, or establishing shots, the image quality never fails to impress.Active TrackAir 3 offers a wide range of flight modes – Active track, focus track, QuickShots and more. I mostly use the ActiveTrack mode for smoothly tracking subjects, and the Waypoint mode for precise path planning. Overall, this provides the versatility needed to capture shots with precision and creativity.Extended control rangeAir 3 control range is up to 20 kilometers. That’s pretty impressive. I can escape the limitations of traditional equipment and plan shooting from remote locations.In conclusion, Air 3 is a powerful tool. It is not in par with more advanced drones like Mavic 3 Pro, but still provides cinematic image quality, versatile flight modes, and longer range. If you’re a beginner filmmaker or looking to switch from older models, this drone os definitely the one to consider.

Very happy with the DJI flying time, range, and images. Satisfying upgrade. I could barely get 20-25 minutes of flying time with the Air 2 so would use 2-3 batteries for each project. With the Air 3 I rarely use more than 1 battery since I can stay aloft for the entire shoot and not have to factor in return flights to the base to change batteries and then start the next session. The quadcopter, batteries, and propellers are significantly larger than the Air 2, but the unit is quieter. The biggest detractor is that for the price there is no battery charger. The USB – C battery charger must be purchased separately.

Does nearly everything I wanted. Will not upload KML missions but I can fly them as a Waypoint. Works beautifully as a Cine drone. Great battery life and awesome Zoom for video.