
DJI - Air 3s
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 14, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
29
3
"Recently upgraded to an Air 3S and the improvement/upgrade is fantastic. Well worth it especially when it’s windy out ... Yeah I added an Air 3S to my lineup this year for that exact reason. Couple shoots had my anxiety thru the roof. Stability in higher winds makes me happier for sure."
"The weight that I need for my area. ... I live by the beach and have a ton of wind"
"But being more sturdy in wind is a big advantage ... i often fly in windy situations without any problems. The air 3 is rock solid"
10
2
"With the Air 3S, you also get obstacle avoidance that works even at night—something no other drone can do, not even the Mavic 3 Pro."
"The Air 3S has FAR better obstacle avoidance in low light on its normal obstacle avoidance sensors vs the Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro ... Air 3S the sensors are fine even when its darker than im comfortable flying. ... The Air 3S exceeded my expectations in low light, both in terms of obstacle avoidance sensors (which are about 10x more light sensitive than the Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro)"
"has sensors in every direction plus lidar for obstacle avoidance ... won't have such good obstacle avoidance"
22
3
"Have you tried shooting in HLG on your A3S? I use this for better results at night. ... HLG is only 100-1600 but definitely gives a better looking result. ... I post process color grading HLG to HDR and looks way better than night mode because you get a larger dynamic range of colors and light to shadows from the original video done in HLG."
"On top of that, the Air 3S has D-log-M at extended ISO ranges, which happen to be the same ISO range the Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro only have shitty 8bit 'night mode' that SUCKS. ... as well as 10 bit D-log-M performance vs shitty 8-bit 'night mode' on the Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro."
"I start with Dji Air3S because I want to take cinematic footage and I don’t regret it’s amazing drone"
20
0
"That video is a hyperlapse with the 3x lens on the 3S. ... The 3x on the 3 is the same."
"The optical zoom lens was wonderful to film the volcanic eruption without risking the drone."
"Also the visual effect of the tele lens is very pleasing and something that always stood out with my clients. It instantly feels like an expensive cinematic production"
8
0
"Plus, the camera quality is almost on par with the Mavic 3 Pro, but at just a third of the price."
"Even if its a fixed aperture its still really versatile with a much more accessible price point than the mavic 4 and inspire."
"being half the price of the full sized Mavics"
Disliked most:
2
3
"I found that having an adjustable aperture gives me a better control of the exposure on a sunny day and also allows me to control what is in focus for my image. I don’t need to use filters to decrease the light on sunny bright days because I can just use a smaller aperture setting."
"Unfortunately, it's not native on the Air 3s because of the multiple lens arrangement."
"Aperture, makes sense. This offer is only for the Mavic series. If you’re doing land scape your photos won’t be as sharp as you would like."
0
3
"The noise is definitely more noticeable, with the M4P at 400 feet you cant hear it, where as the Air 3S at 400 feet you can still hear it."
"yes it’s loud, from 120m up I can still here it and it does get people’s attention."
"None of them are mini series quiet, my mini 4 pro is like a stealth drone, but they're also not avata noisy and don't get me started on the neo - damn thing is like a chihuahua when it comes to noise per pound."
2
1
"I’m looking at another drone in the <=249 gram for traveling because the units I have are quite heavy. Some countries won’t even let me fly them because of their regulations."
0
1
"But...the Air 3S doesn't have the SDK which means that a lot of the professional software used for things like mapping can't (easily) be used with it. ... So programs like Dronelink, Llitchi, Dronedeploy, Pix4D etc. cannot directly control the drone."
0
1
"Apart from that, the only other issue I’ve had with it isn’t about the drone at all, but rather the Fly More Combo bag. It’s rather… unprotective. Exposed sides, and no solid cover to protect the drone’s legs means if something sits on top of it, it will crush the folded legs of the drone. ... Neither did I, but I opened it one day to see a cracked landing leg and Twas 200 bucks to repair since it required a whole arm replacement, way too tight to soder"
In terms of being able to operate almost anywhere with the most bang per buck the drone to go for is the DJI Air 3s
Air3s it is. Obstacle avoidance will save you a lot of worries in developed areas. Also the visual effect of the tele lens is very pleasing and something that always stood out with my clients. It instantly feels like an expensive cinematic production
Flip is indeed not as bad as people say. But its image quality is totally not on par with an Air3s. it is a nice beginner drone though.
No. The flip, like the mini4pro has a 1/1.3" sensor, while the air3s features a full 1" sensor with a wider dynamic range. That does not make the flip video Bad in any way. But with the bigger sensor, wider range, double lens and more stable gimbal, its a different ballpark. Sadly as in terms of pricing of course.
I got me a neo after 10 years of not flying, to get back into the hobby. Now I got 2 Neos and an Air3s. So ya. I would say it is a great little beginner drone. Also an entry drug.
The Air3S is AMAZING, and works great in low light. Its one of my favorite drones I have.
You'll love the full frame sensor on the Air 3S; it is a workhorse, and have great color options.
My active fleet is up to two Air 3s and two Air 3S's. I have a retired Air 2 that just chills on my shelf these days. Its a FUN hobby and good way to make extra money.
10-4. (Nothing nefarious in the question. Unable to use my commercial pilot license because of health, just got my Part 107 and Air 3S and trying to put food on the table).
If you have the budget go air 3s, it handles much smoother than the mini series. Also don’t forget to factor in getting your 107 assuming you’re in the states.
Hey just sold my mini 4 for an Air 3 because I need something heavier, I live by the beach and have a ton of wind, I would have waited for the mini 5 coming out in September *with Lidar, but still would have been too lite *sub 250. The air 3 s has 3 basic things I like over the mini 4. -The weight that I need for my area. -Flight time 45 over 35 for the mini 4. -One inch sensor and dual camera on the 3s And the grand daddy, it has *Lidar. From What I understand about the mini 5 pro coming out it’s basically a smaller Air 3. Good luck drones rock.
Air 3s is daily used here at my company. Wonderful drone. Honestly you’ll get the hang of it quick. Compared to the minis, this beast is SO stable. Congrats
Air 3s would easily clear.
There is no good US alternatives that are equal in capabilities and price. It just seems like the majority of our drone industry serves the military and other govt. contractors and not hobbyist's or small businesses. I own a new DJI Air 3s and an old Tello which is great for flying indoors. The next the drone I buy might be a home made one at this point.
Curious to see the battery of that thing 🤡 I also use the 4G dongle on my Air 3S and have teated it….at around 9kms I turn around so I can return safely. If flown to the very end of the battery without having to return, I guess it will go somewhere around 18-20km
I was wondering the same but got the opportunity to get the air3s fly combo for the price of mini5p combo so I went for it. The most important aspect for me was the battery and even if m5p does a little better than m4p(atleast from raw values as no tests available so far) it's still a long way from the air3s batteries.
you're lucky then, for me the cheaper option was the air3s :) for which I had to do certifications and all stuff so I can fly above 250g drones.
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