DJI Air 3 vs Air 2S: which drone to choose?

The latest addition to DJI’s Air range, the DJI Air 3 is the successor to the tried-and-tested DJI Air 2S drone. As we’ll see in this article, while many improvements have been made to this new model, they come at a price. So is it worth the extra cost? If you’re hesitating between the two, which one should you choose? If you already have an Air 2S, do you need to replace it? All the answers in our full DJI Air 3 vs Air 2S comparison.

DJI Air 3 vs Air 2S: design, size and weight

	DJI Air 3	DJI Air 2S
Weight	720g	595g
Dimensions (folded, without propellers) (L x W x H)	207 x 100.5 x 91.1 mm	180 x 97 x 77 mm
Dimensions (unfolded, without propellers) (L x W x H)	258.8 x 326 x 105.8 mm	183 x 253 x 77 mm

The DJI Air 3 is more than just an update of the DJI Air 2S. Although the classic folding design of DJI’s consumer drones is still present, its appearance has evolved: the gray hue is darker, the battery has moved, and a new nacelle and obstacle sensors have been added.

Above all, the new version of the Air range is clearly bigger and heavier than its predecessor. Its unfolded arm dimensions are 258.8 x 326 x 105.8 mm (vs. 183 x 253 x 77 mm for the Air 2S) and it weighs 720g (vs. 595g).

Even though it weighs well under 900 grams (which is important with regard to regulations, see note below), it’s bulkier than the Air 2S and therefore less practical if you’re looking to travel light.

🥇 DJI Air 2S advantage for ease of transport.

🚨 Note on regulations
The DJI Air 3 has a CE classification, class C1. As such, it will evolve in sub-category A1: overflight of people will be prohibited (unless accidental), but overflight of residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas will be permitted.
The DJI Air 2S, meanwhile, has no CE regulations. As such, it will evolve into sub-category A3 and, from 2024, not only will overflight of people be prohibited, but also overflight of residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas, which it will have to keep at a distance of at least 150 meters.
🥇 Advantage therefore for the DJI Air 3 with regard to the law, with which we’ll have fewer constraints.

DJI Air 3 vs Air 2S: radio controls and transmission

	DJI Air 3	DJI Air 2S
Compatible radio controls	DJI RC-N2 DJ RC 2	DJI RC-N1 DJI RC DJI RC Pro DJI Smart Controller
Video transmission system	O4	O3
Operating frequencies	2.4 GHz 5.1 GHz 5.8 GHz2.4 GHz 5.1 GHz 5.8 GHz 2.4 GHz 5.1 GHz 5.8 GHz	2.4 GHz 5.8 GHz
Max. transmission distance	FCC: 20 km CE: 10 km	FCC: 12 km CE: 8 km

The DJI Air 2S has the advantage of being compatible with a wide range of remote controls:

• the DJI RC-N1, the company’s standard remote control, with no screen but very reliable and ergonomic.
• the DJI Smart Controller, DJI’s first remote control with screen, but no longer in production.
• the DJI RC with screen, unveiled at the same time as the Mini 3 Pro.
• the DJI RC Pro, the successor to the Smart Controller that came with the Mavic 3, and the new star of DJI’s consumer radio control range.

All these remote controls use the DJI O3 protocol , which operates on two frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz) and offers a transmission range of 12km FCC and 8km CE.

The DJI Air 3 uses the new DJI O4 transmission protocol. This protocol is the brand’s latest transmission technology. It has the advantage of offering a more reliable transmission with an additional operating frequency in Europe (5.1 GHz) and extended ranges to 20km FCC and 10km CE.

On the other hand, the DJI Air 3 is only compatible with the new radio controls that incorporate the O4 protocol:

• the DJI RC-N2, a carbon copy of the DJI RC-N1 with an updated transmission protocol.
• the DJI RC 2, the O4 version of the DJI RC, to which two folding antennas have been added on top to improve transmission reliability.

🥇 Advantage DJI Air 2S for its compatibility with more radio controllers (including the RC Pro 👍🏻).
🥇 DJI Air 3 advantage for its compatibility with O4, DJI’s latest transmission protocol.

It is possible that these compatibilities will evolve in the future, and that both the DJI Air 3 and DJI Air 2S will become compatible with other remote controls. If you want to keep abreast of these developments, we invite you to take a look at our DJI remote control compatibility guide from time to time, which we update with each new DJI update.

➡️ Which DJI remote control for which drone: the compatibility guide

DJI Air 3 vs Air 2S: autonomy

	DJI Air 3	DJI Air 2S
Batteries	4241 mAh Li-ion 4S	3750 mAh Li-ion 3S
Battery weight	267g	198g
Max. flight time	46 minutes	31 minutes
Max. hovering time	42 minutes	30 minutes
Recharge time	65W charger: approx. 80 minutes Charging station + 100W adapter: approx. 60 minutes	Approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes

Autonomy is one of the major improvements made by DJI on its new Air 3. The newcomer to the Air range features a new battery with a capacity of 4241 mAh, compared with 3750 mAh for its predecessor.

Admittedly, the new batteries are heavier (267g vs. 198g), which adds to the drone’s overall weight, but they greatly increase maximum autonomy: 46 minutes for the Air 3, vs. 31 minutes for the Air 2S. Even if there is always a difference between the manufacturer’s data and actual flight times in the field, this still adds up to around 10-15 minutes of flight time, which is more than appreciable.

Note also that the battery installation design has evolved. Whereas the batteries of the DJI Air 2S snap onto the top of the drone, those of the DJI Air 3 slide in and clip onto the rear of the unit, like the batteries of the Mavic 3.

Finally, the recharge. While the batteries of the DJI Air 2S can be charged outside the drone via a mains charger, there’s no need to remove those of the DJI Air 3, as they can be charged directly via the drone’s USB-C port. If you opt for a Fly More pack, you can also use the charging station to charge the batteries separately.

🥇 DJI Air 3 advantage for autonomy and recharging, thanks to clearly increased flight times and simpler, more convenient recharging.

DJI Air 3 vs Air 2S: in flight

Wind speed and resistance

	DJI Air 3	DJI Air 2S
Maximum speed	21 m/s (limited to 19 m/s in Europe)	19 m/s
Max. ascent speed	10 m/s	6 m/s
Max. descent speed	10 m/s	6 m/s
Max. wind resistance	12 m/s	10.7 m/s

The DJI Air 3 offers slightly better flight performance than its predecessor. The biggest difference is in its maximum ascent and descent speeds, both 10 m/s (36 km/h) for the Air 3, versus 6 m/s (21.6 km/h) for the Air 2S.

The Air 3 is also slightly faster horizontally, with a top speed of up to 21 m/s (75.6 km/h), compared with 19 m/s (68.4 km/h) for its predecessor. However, if you live in Europe, you won’t benefit from this slight advantage, as the maximum authorized speed is 19 m/s… which is the maximum speed of Air 2S.

Wind resistance is also slightly higher on the DJI Air 3: it can withstand winds of 12 m/s (43.2 km/h), compared with 10.7 m/s (38.5 km/h) for the previous generation. Most likely due to its larger wingspan and heavier weight.

🥇 The DJI Air 3 has the edge in flight, even if the improvement on this point doesn’t break the bank.

Obstacle detection

	DJI Air 3	DJI Air 2S
Obstacle sensors	Omnidirectional detection system + infrared sensor under the drone	Optical system forwards, backwards, upwards and downwards

If the pure flight performance of the two drones doesn’t show a huge difference, it’s a different story when it comes to flight safety. Indeed, the DJI Air 3 takes obstacle detection to a whole new level.

While the DJI Air 2 can detect obstacles to the front, rear, top and bottom, the Air 3 now offers an omnidirectional detection system capable of detecting any obstacle in its path 360 degrees around it. This brings it up to the level of the Mavic 3, the brand’s top-of-the-range drone.

🥇 The DJI Air 3 has the edge when it comes to in-flight safety, with the added benefit of lateral obstacle detection.

In-flight features

DJI integrates new autonomous flight modes into each new generation of its drones, and the DJI Air 3 is no exception. But let’s start with what the DJI Air 3 and Air 2S have in common: the subject tracking function. Both drones integrate the FocusTrack subject tracking suite, and are thus capable of following a moving person or vehicle.

However, these functions are slightly more advanced on Air 3. Indeed, while both drones feature Spotlight 2.0 modes, in which the drone is manually piloted with the subject held in the center, and Point of Interest 3.0, in which the drone flies in a circle around the subject, the Air 3 offers version 5.0 of the ActiveTrack mode, where the Air 2S stops at version 4.0. In this mode, the drone tracks a target at a fixed distance and angle, and the DJI Air 3 has the advantage of offering additional parameters, such as the possibility of tracking in parallel, or at an angle determined by the pilot.

But the DJI Air 3 is capable of much more, and has the advantage of integrating new functions directly inherited from the Mavic 3 :

• Cruise control: this mode lets you lock in a speed and direction to ensure smooth movement, so you can concentrate on other things, such as framing the camera.
• the Waypoint function: this lets you program flight routes by positioning waypoints on a map. These tours can also be saved in the DJI Fly application for later use, such as at a different time of day or time of year.

🥇 Advantage once again for the DJI Air 3 for its in-flight features, which clearly put it on a par with the DJI Mavic 3.

DJI Air 3 vs Air 2S: photos and video

	DJI Air 3	DJI Air 2S
Camera	Main camera: CMOS 1/1.3 inch 48 MP 24 mm equivalent, FOV 82°, Aperture f/1.7 Remote camera: CMOS 1/1.3 inch 48 MP 70 mm equivalent, FOV 35°, Aperture f/2.8	1-inch CMOS 20 MP 22 mm equivalent, FOV 88°, f/2.8 aperture
Max. image size	8064 x 6048	3:2: 5472 x 3648 16:9: 5472 x 3078
Photo resolution	12 MP and 48 MP	20 MP
Max. video resolution	4K up to 100 fps FHD up to 200 fps 2.7K vertical pickup up to 60 fps FHD vertical pickup up to 60 fps	5.4K up to 30 fps 4K up to 60 fps 2.7K up to 60 fps FHD up to 120 fps
ISO range	100 to 6400 (Photo, Normal Video and Slow Motion) 800 to 12800 (Night Video)	100 to 6400 (Video) 100 to 12800 (Photo)
Photo format	JPEG DNG (RAW)	JPEG DNG (RAW)
Video format	MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265)	MP4/MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265)
Max. bit rate	150 Mb/s	150 Mb/s
Color profile	Normal (8 bits) HLG (10 bits) D-Log M (10 bits)	Normal HLG D-Log M
Digital Zoom	Main camera: 1x to 3x Remote camera: 3x to 9x	4K at 24/25/30 fps: 4x 2.7K at 24/25/30 fps: 6x 2.7K at 48/50/60 fps: 4x 1080p at 24/25/30 fps: 8x 1080p at 48/50/60 fps: 6x

Photo/video modes

While the DJI Air 3 has greatly evolved in terms of its autonomous flight modes, the Air 3 and Air 2S are much more similar when it comes to photo and video modes, in particular the automatic flight functions that allow you to take ready-made shots on the move.

On the video side, there are Timelapse and Hyperlpase modes, as well as the famous QuickShots modes (Rocket, Dronie, Circle, Spiral, Boomerang and Asteroid), and MasterShots mode (automatic stitching of QuickShots with music, ready for posting on social networks).

On the photo side, the same applies, with the great classics: single shot, interval, burst, AEB (automatic exposure bracketing) and the three Panorama modes: Sphere, 180° and Wide-angle.

However, a few small additions have been made:

• the return of the HDR function: this superimposes several different exposures to obtain greater detail in the shadows and highlights, for more vibrant images.
• vertical shooting: the Air 3 is natively capable of capturing 9:16 format images in 2.7K and Full HD at up to 60 fps by cutting the image vertically. Handy for those who post on networks like TikTok.
• Night mode: a function straight from the Mavic 3 once again, this increases the ISO range to optimize image quality in low-light conditions.

Last but not least, DJI has also added QuickTransfer mode to the DJI Air 3, enabling images captured from the drone to be quickly transferred to a smartphone.

🥇 Advantage DJI Air 3 for its few extra photo/video functions.

Cameras and image quality

The camera is certainly one of the biggest changes DJI has made to its new Air. Indeed, the 1-inch lens of the DJI Air 2S is replaced by not one, but two 1/1.3-inch lenses: a main wide-angle lens equivalent to 24mm, and a telephoto lens equivalent to 70mm.

The video resolutions offered by the two models are also different. The Air 3 abandons 5.4K, and the Air 2S is the only one of the two drones to offer it. However, the latter stops at 30 frames per second. Still, this offers the advantage of being able to crop images vertically more easily in post-production to obtain a 9:16 format, even though the Air 3 offers this option natively in 2.7k.

In 4K resolution, the Air 2S can film at 60 fps. The Air 3 can go up to 100 fps, which will be a real advantage when it comes to slow-motion shots, especially as it can go up to 200 fps in 1080p (compared with 120 fps for the Air 2S at the same resolution).

On the photo front, the two drones offer different but high quality resolutions: 20 MP for the Air 2S, and 12 or 48 MP (your choice) for the Air 3.

So, which drone has the best image quality?

The two models offer very similar renderings. However, available comparisons and analyses show that, despite its smaller sensors, the DJI Air 3 can have a slight advantage, with sharper images, a wider dynamic range, and a bit more detail in shadows and highlights.

Note, however, that this is surely due to the digital processing of his images. Although the latter are slightly brighter, the softer tones of those on the Air 2S give them a more natural look. So, above all, it’s a question of taste.

Above all, the Air 3 has the advantage of two different focal lengths , enabling it to take a wider variety of shots and achieve a whole new range of creative effects. It will also be able to frame closer without having to get too close, which can be useful in certain situations, such as filming people or a place where overflight is prohibited.

It’s also important to note that both lenses have the same modes, settings, resolutions or color profiles. By way of comparison, not all Air 2S modes are available at all resolutions, such as subject tracking, which stops at 4K and is therefore not available at 5.4K.

🥇 Advantage DJI Air 3, more for its two lenses than for its image quality alone.

DJI Air 3 vs Air 2S: price

🚨 Update
The DJI Air 2S is no longer offered for sale on the DJI online store. However, it is possible to find them on other sites or second-hand. The prices indicated in this section are the latest prices available on the manufacturer’s website.

	DJI Air 3	DJI Air 2S
Standard package	879€ See on Amazon	799€ See on Amazon
Fly More Pack	1079€ (DJI RC-N2 remote control) See on Amazon 1239€ (DJI RC 2 remote control) See on Amazon	1039€ See on Amazon

While the DJI Air 3 has an extra lens and functions, it is also much more expensive than its predecessor. It’s available on the DJI online store from €879 for the basic package including the DJI RC-N2 remote control, compared with €799 for the DJI Air 2S with the DJI RC-N1 remote control. That’s a difference of €80.

The difference is identical between the Fly More packs for the two drones (€1079 for the Air 3 vs. €1039 for the Air 2S), which offer additional accessories such as batteries, propellers or a charging station.

For those who want the best of the best, note that the Air 3 is also available in a Fly More package including the superb DJI RC 2 remote control with display at a price of €1,549.

🥇 DJI Air 2S advantage for those who want to save money.

Conclusion: DJI Air 3 vs Air 2S, which one to choose?

As we have seen in this comparison, the DJI Air 3 is a fine evolution of the DJI Air 2S. Image quality hasn’t been greatly improved, but with a camera, lots of features and almost 50% more battery life, it’s clearly superior to its predecessor, and even resembles a genuine little Mavic 3 with lower image resolution.

That said, it all depends on individual needs, and not everyone will be able to use all the new features the Air 3 has to offer. The Air 2S remains an excellent drone, and even a benchmark in its price range. If you already own one and what matters most to you is image quality, there’s no need to replace it with an Air 3.

Choose the DJI Air 3 if…

… you want a drone with maximum functionality but don’t have the budget for a Mavic 3. With its dual cameras, omnidirectional obstacle detection and all-new autonomous flight modes, the DJI Air 3 is a true mini Mavic 3 in power, albeit with less advanced image quality.

Choose the DJI Air 2S if…

… you just want good image quality and don’t need a ton of flight features. If you don’t need functions like Waypoint or 360° obstacle detection, the Air 2S will be a better choice. It’s still a great value for money, and will save you space in your bag and cash in your wallet.

To find out more, take a look at our tests of the two drones in this DJI Air 3 vs Air 2S comparison:
➡️ Full DJI Air 3 test
➡️ Complete DJI Air 2S test

🛠️ For maintenance and repairs, you can find all compatible spare parts:
* DJI Air 3 Spare Parts
* DJI Air 2S Spare Parts