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Air 3 vs. Mavic 3 Pro vs. Mini 4 Pro: DJI drones compared

DJI’s latest all-around drone, Air 3, replaces the extremely popular Air 2S while retaining a mid-range price tag. Air 3 features not one but two primary 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 4 Pro? Let’s find out…

 DJI Air 3DJI Mavic 3 ProDJI Mini 4 Pro
Starting Price$1,099$2,199$759
Takeoff Weight720 g958 g< 249 g
Max Flight Time46 mins43 mins34 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery)
45 minutes (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus)
Max Flight Distance32 km28 km18 km (with Intelligent Flight Battery)
25 km (with Intelligent Flight Battery Plus)
Max Ascent Speed10 m/s8 m/s5 m/s
Max Descent Speed10 m/s6 m/s5 m/s
Max Horizontal Speed (at sea level, no wind)21 m/s21 m/s16 m/s
Max Takeoff Altitude6,000 m6,000 mWith Intelligent Flight Battery: 4,000 m
With Intelligent Flight Battery Plus: 3,000 m
Max Wind Speed Resistance12 m/s12 m/s10.7 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 Storage8 GB  8 GB2 GB
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
LensWide-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 ZoomWide-Angle Camera: 1-3x  
Medium Tele Camera: 3-9x
Hasselblad Camera: 1-3×  
Medium Tele Camera: 3-7×  
Tele Camera: 7-28×
12MP Photo: 1-3x
4K: 1-3x
FHD: 1-4x
Obstacle SensingOmnidirectional binocular vision system, plus an infrared sensor at the bottom of the aircraftOmnidirectional binocular vision system, plus an infrared sensor at the bottom of the aircraftOmnidirectional binocular vision system, plus a 3D infrared sensor at the bottom of the aircraft
Video Transmission SystemO4O3+O4
Remote Controller Live View Quality1080p/30fps, 1080p/60fps1080p/30fps, 1080p/60fpsUp to 1080p/60fps (in Photo or Video mode)
Up to 1080p/30fps (in Video mode)
Up to 1080p/24fps (in standby mode on the ground)
Max Transmission Distance (free of interference)FCC: 20 km   CE: 10 kmFCC: 15 km   CE: 8 kmFCC: 20 km   CE: 10 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. 1.5-4 km  

Medium Interference: suburban landscape, approx. 4-10 km  

Low Interference: suburb/seaside, approx. 10-20 km
Battery Capacity4,241 mAh5,000 mAhIntelligent Flight Battery: 2,590 mAh Intelligent Flight Battery Plus: 3,850 mAh
Charging Time80 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: 70 minutes (with the DJI 30W USB-C Charger and the battery mounted to the aircraft)
58 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 ControllersDJI RC-N2, DJI RC 2DJI RC-N1, DJI RCDJI RC-N2, DJI RC 2

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.

Read more: How to use automatic tracking, Follow Me mode on DJI drones

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Author

Avatar for Ishveena Singh Ishveena Singh

Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. She has been named as one of the 50 Rising Stars of the geospatial industry for the year 2021 by Geospatial World magazine.


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