DJI Air 3S Soars into the Spotlight: A New Era for Aerial Travel Photography

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

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.

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.

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.

Photo Gallery

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.

Photo Gallery Shot-On DJI Air 3S

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!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

DJI Air 3S Photo Gallery