DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today unveils the DJI Air 3S, an advanced dual-camera drone designed to revolutionize travel photography. This latest addition to the Air Series is now available for order from store.dji.com, with shipping starting immediately.

Dual Cameras Redefine Aerial Imaging

The Air 3S features a 1-inch-CMOS, 24mm primary camera and a 70mm medium tele camera, each boasting up to 14 stops of dynamic range. This powerful combination allows for flexible shooting-range selections, capturing landscapes, architecture, and more in stunning detail.

“The DJI Air 3S takes our Air Series to new heights by offering professional features like dual primary cameras and omnidirectional obstacle sensing while retaining its light weight of just 724g for boundless freedom and flexibility,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Product Experience Director at DJI. “The Air 3S is the perfect all-rounder for travel photography – capturing all your special moments during vacation while also providing safety and security if operating at night.”

Enhanced Image Quality and Night Photography

DJI Air 3S drone

The Air 3S improves on 10-bit and ISO image quality, surpassing even the DJI Mavic 3 Pro in capturing breathtaking details. Both cameras support 4K/60fps HDR and 4K/120fps video recording, with a maximum ISO of 12,800 in normal color mode and 3,200 in D-Log M and HLG color modes.

The Air 3S takes video compression to the next level. It’s using a souped-up encoding algorithm that shrinks file sizes by over 30% compared to the Air 3. The kicker? There’s no hit to image quality. That’s a big win for creators looking to save precious storage space.

A standout feature is the new nightscape obstacle sensing, making the Air 3S the first DJI drone with forward-facing LiDAR. Combined with downward infrared time-of-flight sensors and six vision sensors, and next-gen Smart Return-to-Home (RTH) this technology ensures safe nighttime photography.

Next-Gen Smart Return to Home

The Air 3S is breaking new ground in nighttime drone ops. It’s the first DJI drone to rock forward-facing LiDAR, and it doesn’t stop there. With downward infrared sensors and six vision sensors strategically placed, this bird’s got eyes everywhere. This 360-degree awareness means it can spot and dodge obstacles on its own, whether it’s flying out or coming back home.

Green return-to-home path arcs from the Air 3S down to a marked home point.

What’s really cool is how it handles low-light situations. When there’s enough light, it’s basically creating a mental map of its surroundings. So even if you’re taking off from a spot with no GPS signal, it’s got your back for a safe return.

It’s like DJI took everything you’d want in an all-rounder drone and cranked it up a notch. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, the Air 3S is designed to keep your night shoots smooth and worry-free. It’s not just smart; it’s like having a high-tech wingman watching your every move.

Leaked promotional photo of the DJI Air 3S dual-camera drone.

Tracking Mastery: ActiveTrack 360° and Beyond

The Air 3S’s ActiveTrack 360° is a game-changer. It keeps subjects centered, planning smart flight paths based on the environment. Even with partial obstructions, it maintains dynamic framing.

Plus, the new Subject Focusing feature is a pilot’s dream. It keeps subjects sharp, even off-center or during manual flight. This frees you up to focus on the artistry – nailing that perfect composition or executing smooth camera moves. It’s like having a pro camera operator built right into your drone.

Innovative Features for Creators

The Air 3S introduces several groundbreaking features:

  • Free panorama mode for seamless creation of panoramic shots
  • ActiveTrack 360° for dynamic subject tracking
  • Subject Focusing to keep subjects sharp even during manual flight
  • 45-minute max flight time
  • 10-bit O4 video transmission up to 20 kilometers
  • 42GB built-in storage
  • Off-State QuickTransfer for convenient file transfer
  • Data Protection: Local Data Mode acts like “airplane mode” on the phone by completely disconnecting the DJI Air 3S from the internet, ensuring ALL data stays only in the drone.
Vertical poster of the Air 3S hovering above a dark twilight water gradient.
Widescreen crop of the Air 3S hovering over a glowing sunset horizon and water.
DJI Air 3S drone
RC-N3 controller and the folded Air 3S on a rock above a turquoise lake.
Pilot in a grey jacket slides a battery into the Air 3S airframe.
A folded DJI Air 3S on rock beside its controller and two-battery charging hub.
Folded Air 3S, RC 2 controller and a two-battery charging hub on a sunlit boulder.
RC 2 controller, charging hub and folded drone lined up on a lakeside rock.
Air 3S threads past a mottled tree trunk with no propeller guards fitted.
Hands hold the RC 2 controller over a white car hood with the drone alongside.
Skier in yellow carves an open snow slope as the drone tracks from behind.
Air 3S with propeller guards fitted hovering above boulders against a blue sky.
Man in orange holds the RC 2 controller while the drone hovers over a lake.
Air 3S banks against cloud above a snowy ridge, blue battery panel visible.
Woman leans from a white pickup with a controller as the drone hovers nearby.
Skier launches through a narrow rock couloir seen from below against blue sky.
Air 3S hovering above an alpine lake with a home point marker on the shore.
Low-angle view of the Air 3S climbing past clouds above a mountain ridge.
Air 3S with propeller guards fitted hovers between two mottled tree trunks.
Hands grip the DJI RC 2 controller with a hazy lake and mountains behind.
Lone skier descends a vast unbroken snow face in a distant wide shot.
Air 3S hovering just above rippling lake water in side profile.
Open accessory case beside the folded Air 3S on a rock above the lake.
Air 3S flying head-on across a pale turquoise lake ringed by bare mountains.
Three-quarter view of the Air 3S in flight above a turquoise glacial lake.
Air 3S approaches the camera with a hazy snow-capped peak behind it.
Air 3S skims low over dark rippling water beside a rocky shoreline.
Open filter case holding three ND filters beside the folded drone on rock.
Studio render of the Air 3S casting blue LiDAR beams forward in darkness.
Man in orange holds an RC-N3 with phone attached as the drone hovers ahead.
Folded Air 3S resting on a rocky ledge with mountains blurred behind.
Skier carves through fresh snow as the Air 3S tracks overhead between rock walls.
A DJI Air 3S perched on a rocky ledge with snowy peaks behind.
Air 3S scans a rock face with cyan LiDAR beams while flying through a gap.
Hands hold an RC-N3 with a phone clamped on top showing the live feed.
Air 3S standing on a grassy rock ledge with a snow-capped peak behind.
Skier jumps a rock couloir with the drone visible high in the sky.
RC-N3 controller, battery hub and folded drone arranged on a lakeside rock.
Skier throws up snow spray while carving between dark rock outcrops.
Folded drone, RC 2 controller and battery hub laid out on a sunlit rock.
DJI Air 3S
Folded Air 3S perched on a pale rock ledge against a clear blue sky.

Pricing and Availability

The DJI Air 3S is available in three configurations:

  1. DJI Air 3S (DJI RC-N3): $1,099
  2. DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N3): $1,399
  3. DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2): $1,599

DJI Care Refresh, a comprehensive protection plan, is also available for the Air 3S.

Shot on DJI Air 3S: Reflection
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Mountain Range
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Mountains 24mm
Shot on DJI Air 3S: The Mundala Pass 24mm
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Mountains 24mm Aerial Photo or Drone Photo
Shot on DJI Air 3S: free panorama
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Architectural_70mm
Shot on DJI Air 3S: free panorama
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Architectural_70mm
Shot on DJI Air 3S: free panorama
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Mountains 70mm Aerial Photo or Drone Photo
Shot on DJI Air 3S: 14 Stops of Dynamic Range
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Mountains 70mm Aerial Photo or Drone Photo
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Skiing 70 mm
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Mountain Range 24 mm
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Skiing 24 mm
Shot on DJI Air 3S: 10-bit D-Log M & HLG Video
Shot on DJI Air 3S: panorama
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Macao
Shot on DJI Air 3S: 24 mm jpg
Shot on DJI Air 3S: 70 mm jpg
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Mountain Range 70 mm
Shot on DJI Air 3S: 70 mm jpg
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Architectural_24mm
Shot on DJI Air 3S: 24 mm jpg
Shot on DJI Air 3S: Mountains 70mm Aerial Photo or Drone Photo
DJI Air 3S Drone

DroneXL’s Take

The DJI Air 3S represents a significant leap in drone technology, particularly for travel photography. Its advanced dual-camera system and enhanced night photography capabilities open up new creative possibilities. This aligns with recent trends in drone photography, where we’re seeing increasingly sophisticated and accessible aerial imagery.

The improved obstacle avoidance system is particularly noteworthy, potentially paving the way for more relaxed regulations around drone use, especially in urban areas.

What are your thoughts on the DJI Air 3S? How do you think it will impact aerial photography? Share your opinions in the comments below!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Rear three-quarter studio view of the Air 3S showing its exhaust vents.
Head-on studio view of the Air 3S with both gimbal cameras facing forward.
Studio side three-quarter of the Air 3S with the gimbal turned to the left.
Studio view of the Air 3S angled toward the camera with propellers extended.
Top-down studio view of the Air 3S showing all four arms and propellers.
Studio three-quarter of the Air 3S with propeller blades crossed over the body.
Air 3S in a studio shot with its propellers spinning and status light green.
Elevated studio three-quarter of the Air 3S showing the arm model marking.
Folded Air 3S with arms tucked, photographed against a white studio backdrop.
Air 3S shown with bare motors and no propeller blades fitted.
Air 3S fully enclosed by its four propeller guards on a white backdrop.
Front-facing studio view of the Air 3S with its landing legs extended.
Studio view of the Air 3S from above and behind the left rear arm.
Top-down view of the folded Air 3S showing the DJI logo on its shell.
DJI Air 3S Drone
Air 3S positioned above the RC-N3 controller in a white studio bundle shot.
Fly More kit with RC-N3 controller, three ND filters and a loaded charging hub.
Fly More kit with the RC 2 screen controller, ND filters and charging hub.
Combo layout with shoulder bag, two spare batteries and the RC-N3 controller.
Combo layout with shoulder bag, three spare batteries and the RC-N3 controller.
DJI Air 3S dual-camera drone in flight.
DJI Air 3S drone with 1-inch CMOS primary and 70mm tele cameras.
Flat overhead layout of the drone, six propellers, three batteries and accessories.
Combo layout with shoulder bag, two spare batteries and the RC 2 screen controller.
Combo layout with shoulder bag, three spare batteries and the RC 2 controller.
Starter kit with the folded drone, one battery, propellers and the RC-N3 controller.
Flat lay of the DJI Air 3S kit with propellers, cables, controller and battery.
Starter kit with the folded drone, propellers, cables and the RC-N3, no spare battery.
DJI RC-N3 controller shown front-on with its phone clamp folded flat.
DJI RC 2 controller with its built-in touchscreen, viewed from the front.
Clear plastic gimbal protector for the Air 3S camera, shown on white.
Three-bay charging hub loaded with batteries, DJI logo on the front face.
Intelligent Flight Battery lying on its side with the specification label facing up.
Intelligent Flight Battery standing on end with its contact terminals uppermost.
Four propeller guards laid flat in a symmetrical butterfly arrangement.
Empty filter case opened flat to show its three moulded filter slots.
Pair of low-noise propellers with blades folded together and orange tips up.
Empty three-bay charging hub angled to show its open battery slots.
Side profile of the charging hub showing its USB-C port and button.
Pair of propellers with blades extended straight and orange tips at both ends.
Rear three-quarter of the charging hub showing its gold charging contacts.
Flight battery angled to show the UKCA and CE markings on its top face.
Flight battery tilted to reveal its release button and ventilation slots.
Flat view of a flight battery showing the printed capacity label and QR code.
Flat view of a flight battery showing UKCA marking and lithium recycling symbols.
Four propeller guards resting loosely at angles on a white backdrop.
Overhead view of four propeller guard rings with their arm clips facing inward.
Filter case opened at an angle with three ND filters seated in the tray.
Empty filter case open beside three ND filters laid out on white.
Closed square DJI accessory case photographed straight on.
Single wide-angle lens seated inside its open square carrying case.
Wide-angle lens lying beside its open, empty square carrying case.
DJI shoulder bag closed, shown front-on against a white backdrop.
Closed rectangular DJI accessory case with the logo centred, front-on.
Closed rectangular DJI accessory case shown at a three-quarter angle.
Open square case cradling a wide-angle lens, viewed from the front.
Four unmounted propeller guards spread apart on a white backdrop.
Filter case opened flat with ND8, ND32 and ND128 filters in their slots.
Three ND filters lined up side by side showing their tinted glass.
Black USB-C to USB-C charging cable coiled on a white backdrop.
Closed square DJI case shown at an angle with the logo on its lid.
Filter case tilted open showing three seated ND filters from a low angle.
Two right-angle RC cables with USB-C and Lightning connectors on a white backdrop.