DJI Air 3 to Air 3s?

sarahb · Saturday at 3:18 PM

My primary work is residential real estate for 10 agents. I have and use the DJI Air 3. I have heard a lot of great things about the Air 3s and was wondering if you all could share any additional features over the Air 3 and if it is worth upgrading.

Thanks in advance,
Sarah

GadgetGuy · Saturday at 10:12 PM

Key Differences

Camera Sensor: Air 3S has a 1-inch sensor (main), Air 3 has a 1/1.3-inch sensor (main).
Obstacle Sensing: Air 3S adds a forward LiDAR sensor for superior night/low-light detection, alongside omnidirectional sensors; Air 3 has omnidirectional.
Tracking: Air 3S has ActiveTrack 360° for more intelligent path planning, Air 3 uses ActiveTrack 5.0.
Panorama: Air 3S offers a new "Free Panorama" mode.
Storage: Air 3S comes with 42GB, Air 3 with 8GB.
Image Quality: Air 3S offers better dynamic range (14 stops vs 12) and detail in challenging light due to the larger sensor and more megapixels.
Video Specs (Air 3 Advantage): Air 3 has a slightly higher max bitrate (150Mbps vs 130Mbps) and higher FPS for slow-mo (4K/100fps vs 4K/120fps on Air 3S).

GFields · 2025-12-14T10:59:41-0500

I struggled with the same thing. Personally, I didn't see a significant difference in purchasing the Air 3s. I own the Air 3s now, but only because I dropped my Air 3 and damaged the front sensors. I found the Air 3s for the same price as the Air 3, so I bought it. I cannot see any significant improvements in the still shots or in the video. I sent the Air 3 to DJI and had it repaired, and I am going to sell it (no use in having two).

sarahb · 2025-12-14T11:29:48-0500

GadgetGuy said:
Key Differences

Camera Sensor: Air 3S has a 1-inch sensor (main), Air 3 has a 1/1.3-inch sensor (main).

Obstacle Sensing: Air 3S adds a forward LiDAR sensor for superior night/low-light detection, alongside omnidirectional sensors; Air 3 has omnidirectional.

Tracking: Air 3S has ActiveTrack 360° for more intelligent path planning, Air 3 uses ActiveTrack 5.0.

Panorama: Air 3S offers a new "Free Panorama" mode.

Storage: Air 3S comes with 42GB, Air 3 with 8GB.

Image Quality: Air 3S offers better dynamic range (14 stops vs 12) and detail in challenging light due to the larger sensor and more megapixels.

Video Specs (Air 3 Advantage): Air 3 has a slightly higher max bitrate (150Mbps vs 130Mbps) and higher FPS for slow-mo (4K/100fps vs 4K/120fps on Air 3S).

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Thank you! That's a video that I had already seen. Since I don't use Active Track, that's not important to me. I am intrigued by the 1" sensor but rarely, if ever, shoot in low light situations. I'm thinking I'll just stay with what I have. I would love to get the Mavic 4 Pro but 1, can't afford it, and 2 not being able to get DJI refresh is a deterrent.

sarahb · 2025-12-14T11:31:03-0500

GFields said:
I struggled with the same thing. Personally, I didn't see a significant difference in purchasing the Air 3s. I own the Air 3s now, but only because I dropped my Air 3 and damaged the front sensors. I found the Air 3s for the same price as the Air 3, so I bought it. I cannot see any significant improvements in the still shots or in the video. I sent the Air 3 to DJI and had it repaired, and I am going to sell it (no use in having two).

Thank you. I think I'll just stay with what I have. If/when things change between DJI and the US, I might get the Mavic 4 Pro.