DJI Air 3 Review

Is the new drone from DJI the best yet and a vast improvement on the already excellent DJI Air 2s? I’ll find out in this DJI Air 3 review.

The DJI Air 3, is the newest model in DJI’s lineup of drones, and significantly boosts the features of the DJI Air 2s. Although aimed at imaging enthusiasts the Air 3 brings professional-grade features such as the camera into a more compact, form that’s easier and lighter to transport.

The most striking upgrade in the DJI Air 3 is the dual-camera system that supports 5.1K resolution and 10x hybrid zoom. This feature lets you capture stunning high-definition videos and photographs from varying distances and perspectives.

The Waypoint Flight mode is also a new feature to the Air range although has been seen on the Mavic drones for some time. Waypoints essentially enable you to create precise, pre-planned flight paths, with the Mavic, Phantom and Inspire this feature is essential for commercial work so it’s great to see it appear on this cheaper drone.

A new feature that I haven’t seen before is the battery charging hub’s power accumulation function. This enables you to use partially depleted batteries to transfer their remaining power to a single battery. This ingenious means that if you’ve had you’re flight time with the three batteries in the Combo kit and run each down to 25%, you can then place all into the hub, and the hub will then intelligently transfer charge from two of the batteries to the one remaining.

The DJI Air 3 also introduces several new creative tools, such as the LightCut automatic editing feature and Tilt-Shift Effect, giving you more versatility and control over footage.

The DJI Air 3 matches the build quality we have seen from DJI’s recent releases with the main body of the drone boasting a solid, compact frame that weighs in at just 720g. This lightweight structure doesn’t compromise durability – the drone’s construction is robust and can handle the occasional bump without significant damage. Although larger than the Mini 3 Pro it’s still of a decent size that enables it to slip into a side pocket of a backpack, although unlike the Mavic it doesn’t come with the same type of quick-release harness that helps to protect the props. In the usual style, the arms extend and rotate into position and lock securely.

In this DJI Air 3 review I discovered how the drone strikes a balance between style and function. Its sleek, streamlined body is again visually appealing and contributes to its aerodynamic performance. As you look over the body you can see the enhancements to the design of the Air 2s, the body has been smoothed and looks and feels more aerodynamic, and the sensors have all been moved slightly. The most noticeable sensor move is at the rear with the two sensors mounted in the middle of the back of the craft have now been positioned at the top edge. This move-in sensor does seem to give better coverage around the drone and certainly, they seem far more active in flight when compared with the Air 2s.

The general layout of the drone’s features and controls is as ever intuitive, primarily centred around the DJI Fly app, in this review I used the DJI RC with the screen, I’m a big fan of this RC over the old no-screen version as it keeps things neat and the general connection seems better. The remote control is a decent size and comfortable to hold with responsive control over the drone, across the top you also have a few additional shortcut dials and buttons that enable you to tilt the camera or adjust the exposure compensation. Through the screen, you can also quickly access settings, monitor flight data, and access all the camera controls including switching from one camera to another through the zoom feature.

The DJI Air 3 introduces various innovative features that make it an attractive choice for enthusiasts and professionals. One of the key selling points of this model is its dual-primary camera system, a first for the Air Series although we have seen the tri and dual systems on the Mavic 3 series drones. This system incorporates a 1/1.3-inch CMOS wide-angle camera and a 1/1.3-inch CMOS 3x medium tele camera, providing plenty of creative shooting possibilities. What’s great to see is that both cameras deliver 48MP photos and 4K/60fps HDR video, ensuring outstanding image quality and detail. Drop the resolution down to 1080p FHD and you can push the framerate to 200fps for both cameras.

Another feature worth noting is the 2.7K vertical video shooting mode. This has obviously been designed to cater directly to the social media generation, allowing content to be captured and shared instantly on various platforms.

As mentioned in the build and handling section the Air 3 features enhance flight safety, with an improved omnidirectional obstacle-sensing system, which plays a significant role in collision avoidance.

The new battery charging hub adds a power accumulation function, again more of this is covered in the build and handling section but is essentially a smart feature that optimises the use of remaining battery power.

A welcome addition to the navigation and mission planning of the Air 3 is the Waypoint Flight feature, allowing you to pre-define a flight path with multiple waypoints. The drone also introduces LightCut and Tilt-Shift Effect features, which are automated video editing and effect application tools, simplifying the post-production process for users.

Finally, the DJI Air 3 has been given the C1 class identification label as part of the new drone regulation framework introduced by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These regulations categorise drones based on their weight and potential risk factors and came into effect in the European Union and some other European countries on 31st December 2020.

The C1 class, which DJI Air 3 falls under, applies to drones weighing more than 250 grams and less than 900 grams, and that are unable to be flown over people unless there is no sustained flight over crowds.

For most consumers, this means that the DJI Air 3 is recognised by authorities within the EU and the other mentioned countries as meeting the safety requirements for a C1 drone. If you’re looking to use the Air 3 under C1 Class you must adhere to the rules and regulations set out for C1 class drones in the EASA regions.

The DJI Air 3 delivers remarkable performance, fulfilling the promise of an advanced and versatile drone that will suite enthusiasts and professionals. One of the stand-out improvements is the dual-primary camera system, a unique Air series offering greater versatility in aerial photography and videography. During testing, the drone seamlessly transitioned between the wide-angle and 3x medium telephoto camera, opening up various shooting possibilities.

The image quality is exceptional, with both cameras supporting 48MP photos, offering rich and detailed images. The dual 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensors directly output 4K/60fps HDR video without FOV cropping, a clear step from the previous model, the DJI Air 2S. The video footage in these settings displayed a high level of detail, vibrant colours, and natural light transitions.

The 2.7K vertical video shooting mode, tailored for social media use, performed well and provided content that was instantly ready to share.

When it came to flight performance, the DJI Air 3 remains very much a DJI drone with all the familiar flight characteristics. The enhanced omnidirectional obstacle sensing system proves its worth as I took the drone through some trees, or at least attempted to, adjusting the settings to be a little less sensitive enabled a slightly better balance to meet my preferences.

Adding the Waypoint Flight feature to the Air series is a welcome upgrade. During tests, it demonstrated its usefulness in executing pre-planned flight paths, allowing me to focus more on the photography or set a route for the drone to film, using the preset waypoint flight path also enabled a far smoother flight path than me flying manually.

Through the test, the weather was extremely changeable and the DJI Air 3 held up well, even in breezy conditions. While it lacks the rock-solid stability of the Mavic 3 in gusty winds, it’s an improvement over the Mini 3 Pro which can sometimes easily get blown off course if the wind picks up.

Essentially the DJI Air 3 delivers on the performance both in flight and visually that I had hoped from the small drone. The Air 3 is a substantial upgrade from the Air 2, and at the same time offers something a little different from the small entry-level mini 3 Pro and less than the Mavic 3 Classic or Pro.

While the image quality can’t quite match that of the Mavic 3 Pro it’s still extremely impressive and for most people working professionally in estate agency, weddings or for anyone wanting a drone that’s going to capture a decent picture the Air 3 is a great choice.

Through this DJI Air 3 review I have found that with its innovative features and significant performance enhancements over the Air 2, certainly raises the bar in the consumer drone market. Its dual-primary camera system increases the scope of what is essentially an enthusiast’s drone when it comes to creative aerial photography and videography. Moreover, the impressive flight performance, advanced obstacle sensing, and clever power accumulation function make the DJI Air 3 a highly capable and reliable drone.

Compared with its predecessor, the DJI Air 2, the upgrades are major. The step-up in camera specifications, image and video quality, and additional features like the 2.7K vertical shooting mode and Waypoint Flight functionality make the DJI Air 3 a worthwhile upgrade and an upgrade for today’s users.

DJI now have a clear line-up of high-quality drones, all offering exceptional video quality. The Mini 3 Pro for the entry-level, Air 3 for enthusiasts, and Mavic 3 Pro for the Pro’s. Essentially it’s your pick based on use and budget, each providing unique features and capabilities at different price points. Whether you’re a hobbyist, a professional, or somewhere in between, there is a DJI drone to suit your needs.

The DJI Air 3 strikes a commendable balance between functionality, portability, and price. Although the image quality may not match that of the Mavic 3 Pro, it’s still exceptional and will more than satisfy the requirements of most users. The DJI Air 3 brings a unique dual-camera system and a collection of creative and practical features to the table, setting a new standard for mid-range consumer drones.

If you’re considering an upgrade from a previous Air series model or looking to dive into aerial photography and videography for the first time, the DJI Air 3 would undoubtedly be a smart and valuable investment. Despite a few minor limitations such as wind resistance and overactive obstacle sensing, the positives far outweigh the negatives, making it a top pick in today’s drone market.

With the DJI Air 3, DJI continues to solidify its position as a leader in the drone industry, offering innovative and high-quality products that push the boundaries of what’s possible with aerial imaging.

To discover more about the DJI Air 3 check out the DJI website