DJI’s latest all-around drone, Air 3, is available to buy now. Replacing the extremely popular Air 2S while retaining a mid-range price tag, the DJI Air 3 features not one but two cameras. Both cameras deliver 48MP photos and 4K/60fps HDR videos but have different focal lengths to enable more depth in imagery. And there’s truly a whole lot going for this drone: up to 46 minutes of flight time, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, O4 HD video transmission system, and many other flagship features. But how does the Air 3 stack up against other popular consumer drones from DJI: Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 3 Pro? Let’s find out…
Also read: All about RC 2, DJI’s new drone remote controller with screen
| DJI Air 3 | DJI Mavic 3 Pro | DJI Mini 3 Pro | |
| Starting Price | $1,099 | $2,199 | $759 |
| Takeoff Weight | 720 g | 958 g | < 249 g |
| Max Flight Time | 46 mins | 43 mins | 34 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery) 47 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) |
| Max Flight Distance | 32 km | 28 km | 18 km (with Intelligent Flight Battery) 25 km (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) |
| Max Ascent Speed | 10 m/s | 8 m/s | 5 m/s |
| Max Descent Speed | 10 m/s | 6 m/s | 5 m/s |
| Max Horizontal Speed (at sea level, no wind) | 21 m/s | 21 m/s | 16 m/s |
| Max Takeoff Altitude | 6,000 m | 6,000 m | With Intelligent Flight Battery: 4,000 m With Intelligent Flight Battery Plus: 3,000 m |
| Max Wind Speed Resistance | 12 m/s | 12 m/s | 10.7 m/s |
| Operating Temperature | -10° to 40° C (14° to 104° F) | -10° to 40° C (14° to 104° F) | -10° to 40° C (14° to 104° F) |
| Internal Storage | 8 GB | 8 GB | None |
| Image Sensor | Wide-Angle Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP Medium Tele Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP | Hasselblad Camera: 4/3 CMOS, Effective Pixels: 20 MP Medium Tele Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP Tele Camera: 1/2-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 12 MP | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Effective Pixels: 48 MP |
| Lens | Wide-Angle Camera FOV: 82° Format Equivalent: 24 mm Aperture: f/1.7 Focus: 1 m to ∞ Medium Tele Camera FOV: 35° Format Equivalent: 70 mm Aperture: f/2.8 Focus: 3 m to ∞ | Hasselblad Camera: FOV: 84° Format Equivalent: 24 mm Aperture: f/2.8-f/11 Focus: 1 m to ∞ Medium Tele Camera: FOV: 35° Format Equivalent: 70 mm Aperture: f/2.8 Focus: 3 m to ∞ Tele Camera: FOV: 15° Format Equivalent: 166 mm Aperture: f/3.4 Focus: 3 m to ∞ | FOV: 82.1° Format Equivalent: 24 mm Aperture: f/1.7 Focus: 1 m to ∞ |
| Digital Zoom | Wide-Angle Camera: 1-3x Medium Tele Camera: 3-9x | Hasselblad Camera: 1-3× Medium Tele Camera: 3-7× Tele Camera: 7-28× | 4K: 2× 2.7K: 3× FHD: 4× |
| Obstacle Sensing | Omnidirectional binocular vision system, plus an infrared sensor at the bottom of the aircraft | Omnidirectional binocular vision system, plus an infrared sensor at the bottom of the aircraft | Forward, backward, and downward vision system |
| Video Transmission System | O4 | O3+ | O3 |
| Remote Controller Live View Quality | 1080p/30fps, 1080p/60fps | 1080p/30fps, 1080p/60fps | 1080p/30fps |
| Max Transmission Distance (free of interference) | FCC: 20 km CE: 10 km | FCC: 15 km CE: 8 km | FCC: 12 km CE: 8 km |
| Max Transmission Distance (with interference) | Strong Interference: urban landscape, approx. 1.5-4 km Medium Interference: suburban landscape, approx. 4-10 km Low Interference: suburb/seaside, approx. 10-20 km Low Interference and Obstructed by Buildings: approx. 0-0.5 km Low Interference and Obstructed by Trees: approx. 0.5-3 km | Strong Interference: urban landscape, approx. 1.5-3 km Medium Interference: suburban landscape, approx. 3-9 km Low Interference: suburb/seaside, approx. 9-15 km Low Interference and Obstructed by Buildings: approx. 0-0.5 km Low Interference and Obstructed by Trees: approx. 0.5-3 km | Strong Interference: urban landscape, approx. 1.5-3 km Medium Interference: suburban landscape, approx. 3-7 km Low Interference: suburb/seaside, approx. 7-12 km |
| Battery Capacity | 4,241 mAh | 5,000 mAh | Intelligent Flight Battery: 2,453 mAh Intelligent Flight Battery Plus: 3,850 mAh |
| Charging Time | 80 minutes (using the included data cable of the DJI 65W Portable Charger) 60 minutes (using the DJI 100W USB-C Power Adapter and Battery Charging Hub) | 96 minutes (using the included data cable of the DJI 65W Portable Charger) 70 minutes (using the DJI 100W USB-C Power Adapter and DJI Mavic 3 Series 100W Battery Charging Hub) | Intelligent Flight Battery: 64 minutes (with the DJI 30W USB-C Charger and the battery mounted to the aircraft) 56 minutes (with the DJI 30W USB-C Charger and the battery inserted into the Two-Way Charging Hub) Intelligent Flight Battery Plus: 101 minutes (with the DJI 30W USB-C Charger and the battery mounted to the aircraft) 78 minutes (with the DJI 30W USB-C Charger and the battery inserted into the Two-Way Charging Hub) |
| Compatible Remote Controllers | DJI RC-N2, DJI RC 2 | DJI RC-N1, DJI RC | DJI RC-N1, DJI RC |
So, is the Air 3 the drone for you? Absolutely, especially if you’re not a professional photographer and yet want professional features like dual primary cameras and omnidirectional obstacle sensing without breaking the bank. Also, it’s worth highlighting that Air 3 clearly trumps DJI’s flagship (and much more expensive) Mavic 3 Pro in several key aspects such as flight time and video transmission system. Further, this drone comes with all-new remote controllers that have more antennas and enhanced anti-interference capabilities.
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