DJI Air 3S - The Flying Camera Review

Summary

In this video, the creator compares the DJI Air 3 and Air 3S drones, focusing on sensor sizes, image quality, dynamic range, and performance in various conditions. The Air 3S, with its larger 1-inch sensor, delivers better low-light performance, improved detail, and less noise compared to the Air 3. The video also highlights the drones' tracking capabilities, autofocus improvements, and the impact of sensor sizes on video quality. While the Air 3 remains a great drone, the Air 3S stands out for its enhanced imaging features, making it the creator's favorite choice despite not being a huge leap from the Air 2S.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video was filmed in a familiar location, where the creator has filmed before, providing a sense of continuity and comparison across different videos.
• 😀 The creator discusses settings like sharpness and noise reduction, recommending setting sharpness to -2 and noise reduction to -2 for more natural footage.
• 😀 There is a comparison between the DJI Air 3 and Air 3S, highlighting the difference in sensor sizes, with the Air 3S featuring a larger 1-inch sensor for better low-light performance.
• 😀 The Air 3S is noted to have slightly better dynamic range, exposure, and less noise compared to the Air 3, especially when capturing challenging shots in low light.
• 😀 The Air 3S also outperforms the Air 3 when it comes to holding onto highlights and maintaining shadow detail.
• 😀 The Air 3S has a 1-inch sensor, which offers 1.6x more surface area than the 1/1.3-inch sensor on the Air 3, improving overall image quality.
• 😀 The video discusses the benefits of using the same 1/1.3-inch sensor on both the 24mm and 70mm cameras of the Air 3, which results in consistent image quality despite different focal lengths.
• 😀 A key difference between the Air 3S and Air 3 is the ability of the Air 3S to shoot in D-Log M at a higher ISO (3200) for better performance in low light.
• 😀 There is a notable difference in autofocus and subject tracking, with the Air 3S featuring improved tracking and obstacle avoidance sensors, especially in spotlight mode.
• 😀 The creator suggests that the internal storage upgrade on the Air 3S (from 8GB to 42GB) is a useful feature, though a microSD card is still recommended for maximum footage reliability.

Q & A

What is the main difference between the Air 3 and Air 3S?

The primary difference is the sensor size of the 24mm wide camera. The Air 3S has a larger one-inch sensor compared to the 1/1.3-inch sensor on the Air 3, resulting in better low light performance and dynamic range.

How does the Air 3S perform in low light compared to the Air 3?

The Air 3S performs better in low light due to its larger sensor and larger pixels. It can shoot up to ISO 3200 in D-Log M, while the Air 3 tops out at ISO 1600.

What impact does the larger sensor have on the image quality?

The larger sensor in the Air 3S improves dynamic range, reduces noise, and captures more detail compared to the smaller sensor in the Air 3, leading to an overall better image quality.

What are the advantages of using the 70mm camera on the Air 3S?

The 70mm camera offers a 3x optical zoom, making it great for capturing distant subjects. It also provides a more versatile setup by having two cameras with the same 1/1.3” sensor, ensuring consistent image quality across both lenses.

Why does the reviewer recommend using manual focus on the Air 3S when filming close-ups?

The reviewer suggests using manual focus set to infinity when filming close-ups because the autofocus system might shift focus unexpectedly, especially when there are foreground objects like trees.

What are the benefits of the Air 3S having internal storage?

The internal storage on the Air 3S is increased to 42GB, providing more space for footage. However, the reviewer still recommends using a microSD card to back up footage in case of issues with the drone.

How does the recording bitrate of the Air 3S compare to the Air 3?

The Air 3S has a lower recording bitrate (130Mbps) compared to the Air 3 (150Mbps), leading to potentially lower video quality due to compression. However, both drones' bitrates are lower than expected for high-quality video, especially in slow-motion footage.

What is the role of the Lidar sensor on the Air 3S?

The Lidar sensor helps with obstacle avoidance and improves the drone's safety, especially during low light or when returning home. However, it is only front-facing, so caution is required when flying sideways.

How does the Air 3S compare to the Mavic 3 Pro in terms of zoom capabilities?

The Air 3S has a 70mm camera with a 3x zoom, which is good for most uses, but it does not match the 7x optical zoom of the Mavic 3 Pro. The Mavic 3 Pro offers superior zoom capabilities for capturing distant subjects with more detail.

What is the significance of the aperture differences between the 24mm and 70mm cameras on the Air 3S?

The 24mm camera on the Air 3S has an aperture of F/1.8, while the 70mm camera has a slightly smaller aperture of F/2.8. This means that the 24mm camera is more sensitive to light, but the larger sensor of the 70mm camera compensates for the aperture difference by offering better overall image quality in various lighting conditions.