DJI introduced the Air 3S drone with a dual camera and navigation in the dark – from $1099

DJI has unveiled its mid-range drone, the Air 3S. The new product has received a number of improvements compared to its predecessor Air 3, thanks to which it can cope even better with shooting in low light conditions.

Image source: DJI

Compared to its predecessor Air 3, the Air 3S offers better image quality when shooting photos and videos, especially in low light, and also features Intelligent Night Obstacle Avoidance, allowing you to safely return to base during night flights.

«”DJI Air 3S takes our Air Series to the next level, offering professional features such as dual rear cameras and omnidirectional obstacle detection, while maintaining a lightweight weight of just 724g for limitless freedom and flexibility,” said Director of Product Experience DJI Ferdinand Wolf in a press release dedicated to the release of the new model. He added that the Air 3S is an ideal all-round travel photography device, allowing you to capture all the special moments of your vacation, while also ensuring safety and security when used at night.

To detect obstacles at night, the Air 3S uses a wide array of sensors, including front-facing LiDAR, bottom-mounted ToF infrared sensors, and six optical sensors: two each at the front, rear, and bottom.

As for the camera system, the Air 3S received a main camera with a 50-megapixel 1-inch sensor and a 24mm lens, as well as a 48-megapixel 1/1.3-inch sensor with a 70mm lens (3x zoom), both The cameras provide up to 14 stops of dynamic range when shooting in auto mode (not slow motion or vertical mode). 10-bit video can also be encoded in H.265 with improved ISO.

The main camera supports 4K video recording at 60fps in HDR mode and 4K video recording at 120fps. Compared to the Air 3, DJI says the new model’s file sizes are 30% smaller. Air 3S is equipped with 42 GB of internal memory, expandable via microSD, to store video and photo material captured throughout the entire flight lasting up to 45 minutes. These files can then be transferred wirelessly to your phone without even turning on the drone, or via the USB-C port to your laptop.

The Air 3S is equipped with a variety of smart shooting options, including ActiveTrack 360 for automatic subject tracking and DJI Free panorama mode.

The DJI Air 3S drone is available for purchase at store.dji.com with various configurations. Prices start at $1,099 for the kit, which also includes the DJI RC-N3 controller for controlling the drone with a smartphone connection.