DJI has unveiled the latest version of its midrange drone—the Air 3—which sits in the range between the Mini and the Mavic 3. The drone boasts both wide-angle and telephoto cameras capable of capturing 48MP stills and up to 4K/100p video with no crop (unlike the significant crop at 4K/60p of its predecessor, the Air 2S). Interestingly, DJI has chosen to reduce the sensor size, from the 1-inch design of the Air 2S to 1/1.3-inch sensors—with a potential image quality hit.
The wide-angle lens is equivalent to 24mm in full frame and has a maximum aperture of f/1.7, while the telephoto lens is a 70mm equivalent with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. Both cameras can capture 10-bit D-Log M and 10-bit HLG color modes. DJI claims 10-bit D-Log M retains more highlight and shadow detail for more flexible post-production. According to DJI, the maximum flight time is 46 minutes, which is dramatically improved—by 48%—over that of the Air 2S.
Other features include omnidirectional obstacle sensing (a first for the Air series), FocusTrack on both cameras to keep a subject in the center of the frame, 2.7K vertical shooting, hyperlapse shooting, and Night Mode for better results in darker situations.
The DJI Air 3 is available with the standard RC-N2 remote controller (which requires your smartphone and the DJI Fly app) for $1,100; and in two “Fly More Combo” bundles: (i) with the RC-N2, two additional batteries, battery charging hub, shoulder bag, and more, for $1,350, and (ii) with the RC 2 remote controller (which has a built-in 5.5-inch 1080p 700-nit screen), two additional batteries, battery charging hub, shoulder bag, etc., for $1,550.
