Air 3S vs Air 3 at a Glance
Spec | Air 3S | Air 3 |
|---|---|---|
Price | £911.05 (in stock) | £869.00 (out of stock) |
Wide camera | 1-inch CMOS, 50MP, 24mm | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP |
Medium tele | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP, 70mm, 3x optical | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP, 70mm, 3x optical |
Video | 4K/60fps HDR, 4K/120fps | 4K/60fps HDR |
Flight time | 45 min | 46 min |
Max transmission range | 20km (O4) | 20km (O4) |
Obstacle sensing | Six vision sensors + forward-facing LiDAR, Nightscape | Omnidirectional vision, APAS 5.0 |
Vertical shooting | 2.7K native | 2.7K |
The Wide Camera Is the Real Difference
A 1-inch sensor gathers more light than the Air 3's 1/1.3-inch chip, the gap shows most at dusk, indoors or in overcast conditions rather than on a bright day where both cameras hold up well. The medium tele camera is identical on both, 1/1.3-inch, 48MP, 70mm, 3x optical zoom, so the upgrade is specific to the wide lens rather than the whole camera system. 4K/120fps slow motion is Air 3S-only, the Air 3 tops out at 4K/60fps.
LiDAR Adds Low-Light Obstacle Sensing
The Air 3S's forward-facing LiDAR feeds its Nightscape obstacle sensing, keeping detection reliable after dark where the Air 3's vision-only APAS 5.0 system depends on ambient light. Both are omnidirectional in daylight, the difference is specifically in low-light and night flying reliability.
Flight Time Runs the Other Way
The Air 3 actually holds a one-minute edge, 46 minutes against the Air 3S's 45, the only spec on this list where the older model comes out ahead. It's a marginal difference in practice, roughly one extra minute per battery, not enough on its own to offset the wide camera and LiDAR gap.
Free Gifts Included
DJI Air 3 Fly More Combo (RC 2)
Purchase From UK's Highest Rated Dealer · 46-Min Max Flight Time
Free Gifts Included
DJI Air 3 Fly More Combo (RC-N2)
Purchase From UK's Highest Rated Dealer · 46-Min Max Flight Time
Free Gifts Included
DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (RC 2)
1 Inch CMOS Primary Camera · 14 Stops of Dynamic Range
Free Gifts Included
DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (RC-N3)
1″ CMOS Primary Camera · 14 Stops of Dynamic Range
Common Questions
It's currently out of stock at Drone Safe Store. The Air 3S is in stock and carries the upgraded wide camera and LiDAR sensing.
No, both use the same 1/1.3-inch 48MP 70mm 3x optical zoom camera, the upgrade is specific to the wide lens.
No, the Air 3 holds a marginal one-minute edge, 46 minutes against 45, the only spec where it comes out ahead.
Less than in low light. Both cameras produce sharp footage outdoors in good conditions, the 1-inch sensor's advantage shows up most at dusk, indoors and in overcast weather.
No, that's Air 3S-only, the Air 3 tops out at 4K/60fps.
