With so many DJI drones on the market, it can be difficult to find the right drone for your needs. Of the drones in their Mavic lineup, three drones each pack a powerful punch: the Air 3, Air 2S, and Mini 3 Pro. With differences in camera performance, transmission systems, and intelligent flight modes, each drone has its own strengths and weaknesses. Check out the main features of each drone to see how they compare.
The DJI Air 3, Air 2S, and Mini 3 Pro drones each offer distinct design and portability features. The Air 3’s design showcases the company's expertise and engineering excellence in a powerful and easy-to-fly drone. The advanced propulsion system and intelligent flight algorithms also ensure stability and control during flights.
In terms of portability, DJI has been focusing on foldable designs since the original Mavic Pro. This trend continues with the Air 2S and Air 3, each of which feature a compact body with foldable arms and propellers, making it easy to transport. However, both fall short of the Mini 3 Pro in terms of weight, which is under 249g, exempting it from registration in many countries. This makes the Mini 3 Pro the most portable of the three, as it is incredibly easy to carry on hiking trips, beach days, or weekend getaways due to its foldable and compact design.
| Air 3 | Air 2S | Mini 3 Pro | |
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Starting Price |
CAD $1,429 |US $1099 |
CAD $1,379 | US$999 |
CAD $1,049 | US $759 |
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Dimensions (LxWxH) |
207×100.5×91.1 mm Folded 258.8×326×105.8 Unfolded |
180x97x77 mm Folded 183x253x77 mm Unfolded |
Folded: 145×90×62 mm Unfolded: 171×245×62 mm |
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Weight |
720 g |
595 g |
Less than 249 g |
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Image Sensor size |
1/1.3-inch sensor Dual Camera |
1-inch |
1/1.3-inch sensor |
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Max Photo Resolution |
48 MP |
20 MP |
48 MP |
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Max Video Resolution |
4K/100 fps |
5.4K/ 30 fp |
4K/60 fps |
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Video Transmission |
O4 - 20km 1080p@60fps |
OcuSync 3.0 - 12km 1080p@30fps |
Ocusync 3.0 - 12km 1080p@30fps |
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Vision System |
Omnidirectional |
Forward + Backward + Upward + Downward Sensors |
Forward + backward + downward |
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Max Flight Speed |
75.6 kph (S-Mode) |
68.4 kph (S-Mode) |
57.6 kph (S-mode) |
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Max Flight Time |
46 Minutes |
31 Minutes |
Regular battery: 34 Minutes Plus Battery: 47 Minutes |
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Max Wind Resistance |
43.2 km/h |
38.5 km/h |
38.5 km/h |
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Internal Storage |
8GB |
8 GB |
1.2 GB |
When it comes to camera performance, the Air 3 is the clear winner. The Air 3 has an innovative dual-primary camera system consisting of a 1/1.3-inch CMOS wide-angle camera and a 1/1.3-inch CMOS 3x medium tele camera, both housed within the sleek and compact design of the drone. Despite having identical sensor sizes, these two cameras offer different focal lengths, resulting in uniform image quality and a wide range of creative possibilities.
The wide-angle camera excels in capturing sweeping landscapes, allowing for more immersive shots that embrace the full scope of natural beauty. The 3x medium tele camera also introduces lossless 3x optical zoom, which adds a distinctive and captivating perspective to subjects. This makes them stand out in visually compelling compositions.
Both cameras are capable of producing 48MP photos with rich, true-to-life details. This provides the flexibility of seamless cropping during post-processing, ensuring that users have the freedom to fine-tune their images according to their specific needs.
While the Air 3 is undoubtedly impressive, the Air 2S is a close competitor in its camera performance. Its main feature is its ability to capture perfect detail in various lighting conditions. With its upgraded 1-inch CMOS sensor, the drone is capable of shooting 5.4K/30fps and 4K/60fps video, as well as 20-megapixel photos. The combination of the 1-inch sensor and 20 megapixels results in larger pixel sizes, enabling exceptional low-light performance and reducing overall noise in both photos and videos.
For superior night shots, the DJI Air 2S features a 2.4μm pixel size. This allows users to capture all the intricate details of the world even after the sun goes down, resulting in crisp and vibrant night shots. The drone's high-quality image processing, noise reduction, high dynamic range, and color accuracy all contribute to the stunning quality of these night shots.
The DJI Air 2S also supports a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile and can record up to 1 billion colors, thanks to the upgraded image processing SoC. This wide color gamut ensures authentic and lifelike color reproduction, bringing images and videos closer to what the human eye can see. Additionally, the DJI Air 2S offers RAW shooting, providing you with greater flexibility in post-processing. The 1-inch sensor's 12.6 stops of dynamic range enable the camera to capture more light data from the scene, regardless of complex lighting conditions.
The inclusion of Intelligent HDR is another valuable feature, automatically capturing multiple shots at different exposure levels and merging them in-camera. This generates a final image with exceptional detail in highlights, shadows, and everything in between, giving you visually striking images that showcase even the most subtle features without the need for manual editing.
With its small size, the Mini 3 Pro isn’t able to contain all of the advanced camera features of the Air 3 and Air 2S. However, this micro drone packs in plenty of punch for its size. Equipped with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and dual native ISO, the drone can directly output HDR footage with higher dynamic range, revealing more details in both highlights and shadows. This ensures that each image is rich and captivating.
The Mini 3 Pro excels in aerial photography, with larger 2.4µm pixels and an f/1.7 aperture ratio. This enables it to capture true-to-life images even in low-light situations. Its 4K HDR video and 48MP RAW photos take content creation to the next level by providing stunning visual quality.
The drone's 4x digital zoom allows users to get closer to their subjects without disturbing them, making it ideal for capturing shots from a distance. Additionally, the redesigned camera gimbal allows for seamless switching between landscape and portrait mode with a simple touch, offering more editing flexibility and vibrant images ready for social media.
The Air 3 features a remarkable flight time of up to 46 minutes. This extended flight duration allows users to explore their surroundings, fine-tune compositions, and capture all desired shots in a single uninterrupted flight session. The new battery charging hub's power transfer function is a clever addition, enabling users to transfer remaining power from multiple batteries to the one with the highest charge level. This ensures optimal power management and longer drone operation, providing a seamless and uninterrupted flying experience.
The Air 2S features a max flight time of 31 minutes, about 1/3rd less than the Air 3 but pretty standard for most DJI drones. If you want to shoot in cold environments, the drone’s Intelligent Flight Battery is equipped with temperature sensing to keep it safe. It is also protected against overcharging and over-discharging, so you can charge the battery as long as you like without worrying about damaging it.
The Mini 3 Pro offers an impressive flight time of up to 34 minutes, allowing users to capture and explore more of their surroundings. The ultra-lightweight and powerful Intelligent Flight Battery is perfect for aerial photography, but those seeking longer flight sessions can upgrade to the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus. This extends the flight time to up to 47 minutes, ensuring worry-free exploration.
The Air 3 is compatible with the RC 2 or the RC-N2 remote controllers. The DJI RC 2 remote controller comes with a built-in 5.5-inch Full High Definition (FHD) screen, offering 700 nits of brightness for exceptional visibility in challenging lighting conditions. With a powerful processor and the latest O4 video transmission system, it ensures seamless and reliable communication with the drone. This provides access to live feed and crucial flight information during aerial adventures.
The RC-N2 remote controller features the latest O4 video transmission technology, offering faster and more stable video signal communication with the Air 3 drone. This guarantees smoother and more reliable flight experiences, providing effortless control during aerial adventures.
The Air 2S and Mini 3 Pro are both compatible with the DJI RC and RC-N1 remote controller. Both remote controllers have an 18 Mbps maximum video bitrate and a 120 millisecond latency. The RC has a maximum battery life of 4 hours, giving you enough time to perform several flights before charging the remote. It has a lightweight body, FHD display, and dual-spring control sticks that allow for more comfortable flying.
The RC-N1 has a user-friendly design and precise controls make piloting the drone effortless, allowing users to focus on filming. With its ergonomic and intuitive layout, the RC N1 remote controller enhances the overall drone operation, making it an excellent companion for both beginners and experienced aerial photographers.
The Air 3 is equipped with an advanced O4 video transmission system, resulting in substantial performance improvements. With a maximum transmission range of 20 km, it ensures a stable connection no matter how complex the environment. The live feed quality is outstanding, delivering smooth visuals at 1080p/60fps and enhancing the ease and enjoyment of operating the drone.
Both the Air 2S and the Mini 3 Pro are equipped with the DJI OcuSync 3.0 transmission system. With a Dual Frequency 2.4/5.8GHz system and 4 antennae, the O3 system offers up to 12km of video transmission range at 1080p with minimal latency. Like all OcuSync transmission systems, it ensures a reliable, smooth, and high-quality video feed even in challenging conditions.
The Air 3 features an advanced omnidirectional sensing system that provides complete environmental awareness, allowing the drone to detect obstacles in all directions.
When an obstacle is detected, the Air 3 utilizes APAS 5.0 to execute smoother avoidance maneuvers, ensuring a safer and more secure flight experience.
With such reliable obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities, even beginners can confidently fly the drone and explore their creative ideas with enhanced safety and peace of mind.
The Air 2S is equipped with Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS 4.0), enabling it to detect and avoid obstacles in four directions, including above, below, forward, and backward. With sophisticated APAS 4.0 algorithms, the Air 2S can efficiently detect and navigate around obstacles even in complex and high-speed flight situations.
The Mini 3 Pro includes active obstacle detection and stable video transmission, making it the safest Mini drone by DJI. With forward, backward, and downward dual-vision sensors, as well as an improved aircraft design, it offers a wider sensing range and enhanced safety. Real-time APAS 4.0 enables the DJI Mini 3 Pro to detect obstacles in its flight path, ensuring obstacle avoidance even in challenging environments.
The Air 3 features a host of intelligent flight modes. Advanced RTH automatically brings the drone back to its starting location. FocusTrack keeps your subject in the center of the frame in all of your shots through the use of Spotlight 2.0, ActiveTrack 5.0, and Point of Interest 3.0. The drone contains both QuickShots and MasterShots, each of which send the drone flying in a predetermined motion while you capture the perfect cinematic video.
The Air 3 features Night Mode for optimal nighttime filming and SmartPhoto 3.0 to automatically choose the best shooting mode from HDR, hyperlight, and scene recognition. The Waypoint feature allows you to plan flight routes and shooting actions in advance, while slow-motion videos allow you to add cinematic slow-motion effects to your aerial videos.
The Air 2S has many of the same intelligent Flight Modes as the Air 3. In addition to shooting modes such as Hyperlapse and Panorama, the Air 2S contains both MasterShots and QuickShots. The drone includes FocusTrack, which comprises Spotlight 2.0, ActiveTrack 4.0, and Point of Interest 3.0. Each of these modes help pilots automate shots and keep subjects in frame throughout the shot.
For a micro drone, the Mini 3 Pro is up there with some of the bigger drones in terms of its Intelligent Flight Modes. It includes FocusTrack that features all of the same modes as the Air 2S, as well as Hyperlapse and Panorama modes that add unique effects to the shot. Speaking of unique effects, Mini 3 Pro is the only DJI mini drone to include both QuickShots and MasterShots, giving you a range of predetermined videos to choose from.
Comparing the DJI Air 3, Air 2S, and Mini 3 Pro drones reveals distinct features in design, camera performance, flight capabilities, and intelligent flight modes. The Air 3 stands out with its dual-primary camera system, offering stunning photography and video capabilities with 48MP photos and 4K/60fps HDR videos. On the other hand, the Air 2S impresses with its powerful camera, intelligent flight modes, and exceptional low-light performance. Meanwhile, the Mini 3 Pro excels in portability, being the lightest and most portable among the three drones, making it a great option for users on-the-go. Each drone has its unique strengths that cater to various user needs and preferences, offering an array of exciting possibilities for aerial photography and videography.
Dr Drone
Author
DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.