Air 3S photo samples

[gsf1200s]

Only 12MP mode (48MP not quite useable IMO) turned me away. I love the 20MP photos from my 6 year old Mavic 2 Pro which I still fly regularly.

 

[Erk1024]

If you buy the Air 3S, you should stick to 12 MP images, the colour artefacts and detail loss in the larger images are just too much

Agree. Also, if you're trying to maximize image quality, then you're probably shooting panoramas, and in that case you don't need the extra megapixels.

 

[wco81]

Agree. Also, if you're trying to maximize image quality, then you're probably shooting panoramas, and in that case you don't need the extra megapixels.

So definitely shoot panoramas at 12 Mp mode?

Here's a brief review of the Air 3S' photographic capability from a site which is more photo-centric, specifically landscapes.

DJI's New Air 3S: Is it a Good Choice for Landscape Photographers?

The new DJI Air 3S has made quite a splash in the photo and drone world, with a reasonable price, dual cameras, and robust obstacle avoidance with the addition of LIDAR. We've just shared a video comparing the Air 3S with the older but very popular Mavic 3 Pro. I'm not a video guy, so I won't...

fstoppers.com

He doesn't mention the artifacts in 50 Mp mode that much.

About That 50-Megapixel Sensor​

DJI has completely redone the image processing software. They say still photos look at least as good as what the Mavic 3 Pro and Classic can shoot. Their image pipeline can significantly enhance overall image resolution, noise reduction, and dynamic range.

Still, the sensor is basically a 12 MP sensor and DJI, and many other camera manufacturers use a Quad Bayer array. Without getting too technical to get a higher MP count the Air 3S sensor breaks each pixel into 4 pixels. When you compare the same image shot at 12 and 50 megapixels, the 50 MP shot indeed looks better, but you'll pay a bit of a price in noise and low light capabilities. Drone makers know that buyers look at that megapixel spec with cameras, often without knowing all the fine print. DJI does specify (in the fine print) that the camera is really 12 MP, but it can look much better than 12 MP with these techniques. If you'd like to learn more here's a good article on the subject. Anyway, the images from the Air 3S look great in 50 MP mode, but they are still not as clean as if the camera had a true 50 MP camera. However, the cost of the drone would be far more.

 

[Filmarik]

So definitely shoot panoramas at 12 Mp mode?

Here's a brief review of the Air 3S' photographic capability from a site which is more photo-centric, specifically landscapes.

https://fstop [QUOTE="wco81, post: ...oice-landscape-photographers-685696 [/QUOTE]

He doesn't mention the artifacts in 50 Mp mode that much.

pers.com/aerial/djis-new-air-3s-it-good-choice-landscape-photographers-685696[/URL]

He doesn't mention the artifacts in 50 Mp mode that much.

They do say that the 50mp photos are not as good as12mp photos and even though the 50mp look better than 12mp they do not look as good as photos taken with true 50mp sensor camera. Well, it is very diplomatic statement to put it mildly. I downloaded a few 50mp samples and I can tell you that if you are a serious landscape photographer you would be very disappointed. The fine details are smeared, the photos exhibit strange an uggly color noise and artefacts, weird color bleeding around subject edges looking kind of like nasty CA. The 50mp is only good for boosting the specs of this drone on paper. If would want to print large photos, the pano mode with 12mp setting is much better option than shooting in so called 50mp mode.

 

[Erk1024]

So definitely shoot panoramas at 12 Mp mode?

I would. I've shot panoramas with the 70mm 1/1.3" sensor of the Mavic 3 Pro, had megapixels to spare, and they were nice and sharp. The 1" sensor on the 3S should be even better. The only thing that's a little weird is some moire on the hub of the wheel? Maybe that's what it actually looks like, and those are pixels that animate on the hub or something. Not sure.

Here is an example. Even pixel peeping, it looks fine. This is also a 12MP quad bayer sensor.

BayfrontFerrisWheel_5120.jpg

drive.google.com

 

[Erk1024]

Only 12MP mode (48MP not quite useable IMO) turned me away. I love the 20MP photos from my 6 year old Mavic 2 Pro which I still fly regularly.

This is definitely true. I re-tested the images out of my Pro 2 recently (before I upgraded) and the image quality was solid, and the 28mm focal length was easier to stitch and very sharp. If I knew then what I know now, I could have gotten even better images out of it.

 

[wco81]

This is definitely true. I re-tested the images out of my Pro 2 recently (before I upgraded) and the image quality was solid, and the 28mm focal length was easier to stitch and very sharp. If I knew then what I know now, I could have gotten even better images out of it.

I have a Pro 2 as well.

The tradeoff vs. the Air 3S though is flight time and the video on the Pro 2 wasn't true 4K.