Imagine about flying just after sunset. The golden light reflects off the mountains, the city lights are starting up, and your drone is filming everything in amazing detail.
This is when the DJI Air 3S is at its best.
Table of Contents
DJI Air 3S Review: First Impressions Matter
The reputation of DJI is well known when it comes to making some of the best camera drones, and their Air series of drones combines professional cameras with portable designs.
The DJI Air 3S drone takes this concept one step further with improvements in the camera system, enhanced obstacle detection, increased flying time, and AI-assisted flying technology.
From opening the box all the way through to the practical use of this drone, this thorough DJI Air 3S review will cover everything you need to know.
For those who are content creators, travel filmmakers, photographers specializing in property photography, or even those just looking at their first premium drone purchase, this review will determine if the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo is right for you.
Why Choose the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo?
If you’re getting your hands on a high-quality drone, then the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo might be the way to go.
This will allow you to avoid having to buy additional accessories after the purchase because the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo will give you everything that will be necessary for extended and efficient flights.
With the DJi Air 3S Fly More Combo, you’ll get extra batteries, a charging hub, extra propellers, a shoulder bag, ND filters, and all other accessories that you need.
That means that you won’t have to stop to recharge batteries, as you can rotate them and charge other batteries while flying.
That will definitely be a very convenient choice for travel photographers.
DJI Air 3S Unboxing Experience
Unboxing the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo feels like opening a premium flagship drone.
Everything is well-packed and arranged inside the box. The package alone gives you confidence that you are buying the best aerial imaging drone.
The first thing you’ll see is the small shoulder bag where everything is properly packed inside without any wasted space.
Inside the bag, everything is organized in their own compartments for easy organization even when you’re traveling.
While you unpack every accessory, DJI’s dedication in creating quality products becomes evident.
Nothing looks cheap.
Every item is finished just as well as the drone itself.
If you’re upgrading from an older DJI drone or buying your first ever aircraft, the unboxing experience is a breeze and very exciting.
What’s Inside the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo Box?
The Fly More Combo comes with everything that is required to shoot for extended hours.
DJI Air 3S Aircraft
The highlight of the whole pack, without a doubt, is the DJI Air 3S Aircraft. The folding arms give it excellent portability combined with robust construction. In spite of being light-weight, the drone feels solid.
This is a folding camera drone that provides both high-level imaging quality and a lightweight design. The aircraft weighs around 724 g and thus retains portability without sacrificing stability and flight performance.
The aircraft boasts an advanced airframe built on the basis of a high-strength composite material that allows efficient flight and lightweightness of the drone itself. On the front part of the DJI Air 3S, there is a forward-looking LiDAR sensor that functions in combination with the omnidirectional vision sensing system for effective obstacle detection in poor light conditions.
The DJI Air 3S is driven by four highly-efficient brushless motors and low-noise propellers with the size of 22.10 × 11.94 cm. The maximum horizontal speed of the aircraft in Sport Mode equals 21 m/s (75.6 km/h or 46.9 mph).
This model of drone provides a maximum climb speed of 10 m/s and a maximum descent speed of 10 m/s, and it can safely fly in winds up to 12 m/s. The drone has the ability to operate at heights of up to 6,000 meters above sea level; thus, it can be used to shoot aerial photos in mountain areas.
With DJI’s sophisticated flight controller and GNSS positioning, the Air 3S ensures accurate hover and handling abilities.
DJI RC 2 Remote Controller
The DJI RC 2 remote controller is way more advanced than the standard DJI RC-N3 controller. The DJI RC-N3 needs a phone to connect to the DJI Fly app, while the RC 2 comes with a built-in 5.5-inch full HD (1920 × 1080) screen with a peak brightness of 700 nits that makes it easy to turn on the controller and take off right away without attaching any mobile device.
The DJI RC 2 uses the O4 video transmission system that ensures a low-latency HD live feed using the 2T4R high-gain antennas.
There is also an option of 32 GB of internal storage that stores system data and video recordings. The device also supports microSD cards for increased storage capacity up to 256 GB for video recordings and downloads.
An ergonomic design ensures comfortable handling of the controller during prolonged flights, along with precision control sticks for accurate maneuvering of the aircraft by both novice and professional pilots.
The DJI RC 2 offers a battery life of up to 3 hours from a fully charged battery based on its brightness and use. It takes about 1.5 hours to charge using a 65W USB-C PD charger.
Intelligent Flight Batteries and Charging Hub
The DJI Air 3S is equipped with a 4-cell Li-ion Intelligent Flight Battery that has a capacity of 4,276 mAh and a power rating of 62.6 Wh. The battery ensures long flight times and stable power output during the whole flight.
In optimal situations, the drone gives you the possibility to get Maximum Flight Time Up to 45 minutes However, when the drone is actively flying, avoiding obstacles, taking photos, and being in moderate winds, users can expect the flying time to be approximately 35 – 40 minutes.
The Fly More Combo package comes with three Intelligent Flight Batteries, which provide more than 100-120 minutes of flying time.
The DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo consists of a battery charging hub that can charge up to three intelligent flight batteries simultaneously. It prioritizes the battery with the maximum left energy level, helping you to go back to the flight process as soon as possible.
On the other hand, DJI does not provide a USB-C power charger in the box, and therefore, you should consider using a USB Power Delivery (PD) charger, preferably 65 W or 100 W, to get the best charging results.
Time Required for Charging of a Single Intelligent Flight Battery Using a 65 W USB-C PD Charger is About 80 minutes, and for three batteries with a charging hub, it takes about 180 minutes.
Time Required for Charging of a Single Intelligent Flight Battery Using a 100W USB-C PD Charger is About 60 minutes, and for Three Batteries with a Charging Hub is About 120-150 minutes.
Spare Propellers
The Air 3S Fly More Combo comes with an extra six spare propellers (12 blades), allowing you to be well-prepared for any damages during transportation or flights.
Each DJI Drone propeller has the size of 22.10 × 11.94 cm, being crafted from a robust composite nylon material with orange rubber tips that will increase durability and decrease vibrations. The propellers come as Clockwise (CW) and Counter-Clockwise (CCW) sets, making their installation fast and easy.
Having spare propellers at hand, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pilot, will allow you to replace damaged blades quickly and continue flying without any delays in your filming process.
Premium Shoulder Bag
A premium-quality shoulder bag is provided as a part of the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo, which is not only stylish but also very convenient in use. Unlike most bundled carrying cases, this one is very practical and well-designed.
There are three main compartments inside the bag, allowing safe placement of the aircraft, RC 2, and batteries with the charging hub in them. There is a smaller compartment in which all the extra accessories such as ND filters, spare propellers, and memory cards can be placed, and the inner zip pocket will be convenient for keeping the charging cable, manuals, and other small items in order.
There is a rear exterior pocket available for storing any documents or accessories. The comfortable shoulder strap made of high-quality material allows easy transportation of the case during traveling or outdoor shootings.
Water-resistant material on the outside surface of the case protects the equipment from moisture and dust, and the soft microfiber lining on the inside keeps the drone and accessories safe from scratches.
This practical and compact shoulder bag does not require buying any separate drone backpack.
ND Filters
Besides a new version of the camera, the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo comes with a set of three neutral density (ND) filters. They allow you to reduce the intensity of light coming into the camera and thus keep the right shutter speed in order to get high-quality footage without changing the colors.
Using ND filters will help adhere to the 180-degree shutter principle, according to which the shutter speed should be about twice as fast as the frame rate. Thus, 1/50 second shutter speed at 24 fps gives you natural motion blur instead of jittery movement.
All the filters are made of optical glass and have a multi-coated surface to reduce reflections and maintain image sharpness. The lightweight aluminum frame allows them to not affect the balance of the gimbal during the flight.
Real-world applications of each filter:
- ND8: Appropriate for overcast skies, dawn, dusk, or partially overcast sky situations.
- ND32: Appropriate for bright sunny days or standard daylight aerial photography. This is the filter that most pilots will use frequently.
- ND128: The best choice for extremely bright locations like beaches, snowy areas, deserts, or midday summer sun.
Inclusion of the ND filter pack into the Fly More Combo is a good choice since these filters are mandatory for professional aerial videography, and users won’t have to buy them separately.
USB-C Cable
The USB-C cable that comes with the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo allows for charging as well as fast data transmission. You can use it for charging the Intelligent Flight Batteries and the DJI RC 2 controller, as well as transferring photos and videos from the drone to a computer.
The cable is capable of up to 100 W USB Power Delivery (PD) charging, which means that you will be able to fully utilize the power of compatible 65 W or 100 W USB-C PD chargers. The only slight inconvenience is that the cable itself is rather short, which may be a problem when charging from a wall socket or a desk.
No charger in the box?
The only thing I would have wanted would be the presence of the USB-C power adapter in the Air 3S Fly More Combo package. Since the package already contains the charging hub and the USB-C cable, all you need to do is charge the two using another charger.
The advantage is that the drone is USB-PD compliant, which means you can use any 65W or 100W USB-PD charger by DJI, Ambrane, Ugreen, or even those compatible with laptops. The best thing about using a 100W USB-PD charger is that it will allow fast charging of the Intelligent Flight Batteries as well as the DJI RC 2 remote control.
First Hands-on Impression
Right from the start, the DJI Air 3S is immediately felt to be a well-refined model and not an entirely new drone model.
Every single hinge is made to feel sturdy. Every motor moves effortlessly.
Every propeller holds in place perfectly. Unfolding of the aircraft happens in mere seconds before its flight.
In contrast to older models, this one looks more aerodynamic and advanced.
Front obstacle sensors are integrated into the design of the aircraft, while the camera gimbal is especially steady and secure.
Its fit and finish definitely deserve its cost.
There is nothing loose. There is nothing that could rattle around.
Everything is precisely designed.
Even before flying it, it is evident that DJI wanted to make their top-end drone model.
Build Quality: Premium in All Aspects
In terms of industrial design, DJI has always taken a lead within the drone industry, and Air 3S lives up to this reputation.
The body is made from high-quality composite materials that ensure its good durability while being lightweight at the same time.
The folding mechanism appears to be durable enough to last thousands of cycles, while the landing legs provide sufficient ground clearance for all types of surfaces.
The placement of cooling vents ensures that the drone keeps the proper temperature during the long-term video shooting.
Overall, DJI Air 3S achieves a remarkable balance of portability and durability.
While trekking in the mountains, traveling across borders or transporting your drone in a camera backpack, you will definitely feel that the drone is designed for adventures.
Initially, the DJI Air 3S not only looks but also feels like a premium device.
Flight Performance – From Takeoff to Landing
The DJI Air 3S provides one of the most confident flights ever.
Whether you’re operating in mountainous, coastal, forested, or urban environments, the aircraft feels really steady. The newly developed flight controller reacts fast to controls but stays very smooth for cinematography shots.
It is very precise in hovering.
In case of medium wind conditions, the drone will stay in place almost immobile, giving photographers an opportunity to make precise framing without any need to adjust the aircraft’s position.
The acceleration process is smooth, climbing fast, and turning predictable. DJI did an amazing job in finding a balance between speed and stability for the Air 3S that is great for both novice and expert pilots.
Algorithms of intelligent flight provide great results in performance. Flying feels effortless.
Camera and Photography
Camera Module Explanation
The best feature of the DJI Air 3S is definitely its modern dual camera setup.
The main camera is equipped with a big 1-inch CMOS sensor with 50-megapixel resolution that provides an image full of details, good dynamic range, and much better low-light sensitivity compared to smaller sensors.
Another camera is equipped with a medium telephoto lens having a resolution of 48-megapixels. It enables users not only to use digital zoom but also to take beautiful videos and pictures without it by isolating the subject at a distance, taking advantage of natural compression, and not risking the safety of the flight itself.
Both cameras are attached to the DJI’s advanced three-axis mechanical gimbal, which helps to avoid any vibrations of the footage. The gimbal remains steady while making sharp turns and ascents and moves fast.
Moreover, it is very easy to switch between the cameras even during the shooting of videos.
Image Quality
There is notable improvement in the image quality offered by the DJI Air 3S as a result of its primary camera that uses a 1-inch, 50 MP CMOS sensor that ensures high-quality pictures with a good level of detail, dynamic range, and colors. The maximum resolution of pictures is set at 8192 x 6144, making the photographs taken by the drone super-resolved and appropriate for use in big prints or commercial purposes.
The main camera on the drone has an f/1.8 aperture and a 24 mm (35 mm equivalent) focal length. This wide angle allows capturing pictures of landscapes, architecture, travels, and real estate photography, among others. The improved size of the sensor allows collecting more light than previously, leading to cleaner and less noisy images, especially in low-light conditions such as sunrise and sunset.
Alongside the primary camera, there is a 70 mm medium telephoto camera with a 48 megapixel 1/1.3″ CMOS sensor that has an f/2.8 aperture. It is best for creating compressed viewpoints, separating remote objects, and creating cinematic photos without having to use digital zoom.
The DJI Air 3S is capable of shooting multiple formats, namely JPEG, DNG (RAW), and JPEG+RAW, allowing for unlimited post-processing capabilities for photographers. Taking pictures in the RAW format is best for preserving information and helps when highlighting details, pulling out shadowed areas and adjusting color balance in post-production programs like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One.
Video Quality
The DJI Air 3S drone has an advanced dual camera that can record videos at very high resolutions in various formats, hence making it perfect for professional work and content generation.
The first camera, which uses a 1-inch CMOS, is able to record 4K resolution (3840 × 2160) video at 60 fps in HDR mode and 120 fps for slow-motion effects. It also records 1080p full HD resolution videos at up to 240 fps, hence enabling the generation of ultra-slow-motion videos.
The second camera has a 70 mm medium telephoto lens with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor that captures 4K resolution videos at up to 60 fps and 4K videos at 100 fps, making it possible to get cinematic compression shots.
Intelligent Camera Modes
DJI has made the Air 3S camera equipped with several intelligent shooting modes, which make the process of aerial filmmaking more effortless.
MasterShots
The MasterShots mode carries out a series of professional flight moves around a chosen object before creating an edited cinematic video out of those moves. The feature is designed to help beginners obtain high-quality videos without thinking about how to plan their shots.
QuickShots
QuickShot modes include the following:
- Dronie
- Rocket
- Circle
- Helix
- Boomerang
- Asteroid
These automated flight moves provide you with professional video footage within one tap only.
Hyperlapse
In Hyperlapse mode, you can create time-lapse videos using your drone. Moving clouds, sunsets, traffic, and lights of the city create beautiful imagery without editing needed.
Panorama
The Air 3S camera captures a series of photos and then automatically stitches them into one panoramic image.
The Panorama mode works perfectly for landscapes, beaches, mountains, and urban skylines.
FocusTrack Suite
DJI’s FocusTrack includes several intelligent modes of tracking the subject:
- ActiveTrack 360°
- Spotlight
- Point of Interest
The drone tracks the movement of subjects and avoids obstacles, thus enabling the creator to focus on filming only.
Features and Safety
Range & O4 Video Transmission
DJI’s O4 video transmission system represents another significant improvement.
Under ideal FCC conditions, the Air 3S can achieve transmission distances of up to 20 km, while CE regions offer shorter but still highly impressive ranges.
More importantly, the live video feed remains extremely stable.
The transmission quality is sharp, responsive, and exhibits very low latency, allowing pilots to fly confidently while framing precise shots.
Signal dropouts are rare, even in areas with moderate wireless interference.
For professional aerial photography, a reliable video link is just as important as camera quality, and the Air 3S delivers exceptionally well.
Obstacle Avoidance
The Air 3S drone is equipped with an amazing safety feature known as obstacle sensing technology that is omnidirectional.
There are sensors mounted on different parts of the drone that detect and analyze the surrounding environment.
It doesn’t matter whether the drone is moving forward, backward, sideways, upwards, or downwards; it will intelligently sense any obstacle and change its direction to avoid it.
When shooting in proximity to:
- Trees
- Buildings
- Bridges
- Rocky terrain
- Forest paths
Obstacle detection works exceptionally well when the drone is operating in automated modes such as ActiveTrack, when the drone automatically flies around obstacles and keeps its target in frame.
The built-in front LiDAR sensor enhances the accuracy of obstacle detection, especially in low-light flight conditions.
However, although obstacle avoidance greatly minimizes the risk of collision, it cannot substitute proper piloting skills.
Return to Home (RTH)
DJI’s Return to Home system remains among the most reliable in the consumer drone industry.
Whenever battery levels become critically low, communication is lost, or the pilot manually activates RTH, the drone automatically returns to its recorded home point.
The Air 3S intelligently calculates the safest return route while using obstacle sensing to avoid collisions whenever possible.
GPS accuracy is excellent.
Landing precision is consistently impressive, often touching down within a few centimeters of the original takeoff point.
For beginners especially, this feature provides enormous peace of mind.
Knowing the aircraft can safely return on its own makes learning to fly far less intimidating.
Intelligent Flight Modes
Apart from manual flying, there are many intelligent flight modes offered by DJI that enable everyone to make aerial movies.
Such intelligent functions like cruise control ensure steady movement during long tracking, and waypoint missions allow pilots to perform a complicated path of flights with amazing precision.
ActiveTrack 360° keeps following objects automatically, changing its flight route to film scenes in cinematic frames.
Thanks to these intelligent modes, hard manual maneuvers become simple cinematic routines.
With the Air 3S, it is now easier than ever before to film any cars, cyclists, animals, boats, or hiking trips.
Safety Features
DJI has equipped the Air 3S with an impressive collection of safety technologies.
These include:
- Advanced Return to Home
- Low Battery Protection
- Automatic Hover
- GPS + Vision Positioning
- Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing
- AirSense (ADS-B) aircraft warning
- Intelligent Flight Battery Management
- Propeller Protection Alerts
- Emergency Brake Function
Together, these systems make the Air 3S one of the safest drones currently available for consumers.
Even beginner pilots can quickly gain confidence thanks to the aircraft’s intelligent automation and reliable flight assistance.
Who Should Buy the DJI Air 3S?
This drone can be used by almost anyone, which makes it one of the most versatile options currently on the market.
Content Creators
Are you someone who creates YouTube videos, Instagram Reels, or even movies? The Air 3S has everything you need to capture high-quality footage without much hassle.
Travel Photographers
Because of its portability, light weight, and long-lasting battery, the Air 3S happens to be one of the best travel drones out there.
Real Estate Agents
With the help of the twin cameras, steady gimbal, and intelligent flight modes, agents and photographers will be able to quickly produce high-quality marketing videos of real estate.
Weddings & Events Videographers
This drone will enable you to capture amazing establishing shots and sequences during wedding videos and events.
Beginners
Although this drone is an advanced model, it’s fairly easy for beginners to handle thanks to DJI’s user-friendly software.
DJI Air 3S Review – Final verdict
The DJI Air 3S is one of the most sophisticated consumer drones released by DJI.
Instead of presenting one revolutionary technology, the company paid attention to all the details to make the flight experience comfortable and reliable.
The dual-camera solution offers excellent flexibility when shooting photos and making videos. The large image sensor allows taking highly detailed shots with good dynamic range, while the telephoto camera makes new ways of cinematography possible.
The battery performance of this drone belongs to the top of its class and lets pilots capture as many moments as possible without constantly worrying about charging the batteries.
The combination of the DJI RC 2 controller, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, O4 video transmission, and intelligent flight modes makes the flight experience smooth and effortless.
Finally, the Fly More Combo adds extra value since it includes the equipment that all pilots will have to buy anyway.
If you have already used some DJI drones or want to purchase the first one, this drone is a perfect option.
It is powerful enough for professionals, simple for beginners, and flexible for different types of aerial photography.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the DJI Air 3S worth buying?
Yes. If you want a premium drone with excellent camera quality, long flight time, advanced safety features, and professional video capabilities, the DJI Air 3S is one of the best choices available.
2. Is the Fly More Combo worth the extra cost?
Absolutely. The additional batteries, charging hub, spare propellers, and carrying bag significantly improve the overall flying experience and offer better long-term value.
3. How long does the DJI Air 3S battery last?
Under ideal conditions, the drone can fly for up to 45 minutes. In real-world use, expect approximately 35 to 40 minutes per battery.
4. Does the DJI Air 3S shoot RAW photos?
Yes. It supports RAW image capture, giving photographers greater flexibility during editing.
5. Can beginners fly the DJI Air 3S?
Yes. Features like omnidirectional obstacle sensing, Return to Home, GPS stabilization, and intelligent flight modes make it beginner-friendly.
6. Is there any obstacle avoidance on the DJI Air 3S?
Yes. The drone has state-of-the-art omnidirectional obstacle sensing technology to avoid any obstacles during flights.
7. How far can the DJI Air 3S drone go?
The drone supports the O4 transmission system and thus offers a transmission distance of up to 20km (FCC).
8. Is the DJI RC 2 included?
Yes. It is included in the Fly More Combo package along with the drone itself.
9. Can the DJI Air 3S drone shoot 4K videos?
Yes. The DJI Air 3S shoots beautiful 4K video with up to 60 fps and 4K slow-motion video with up to 120 fps. Moreover, it also supports 10-bit color profiles.
10. Is the DJI Air 3S good for real estate photography?
Absolutely. It is one of the best drones for real estate photography and promotional videos.
