DJI Air 3S in light rain/drizzle or low light?

[tetraslash]

Hi. New to the DJI Air 3S and drones in general. That particular drone was my first pick.

It didn’t click to me to consider the lack of the IP rating at the time of purchase, which I’m now slightly regretting in retrospect. Unexpected rainy day while travelling and afraid to use it. One and only day in this location and tempted to pull the trigger to fly it or I’ll miss shots.

Has anyone taken the risk to fly their Air 3S through a drizzle?

Also, how good is the drone in the night? I didn’t consider using it in the evening or night as many consumer cameras and smartphones just don’t do well in low light, but it appears from DJI’s website that they have good enough lenses and sensors for it.

 

[Felix le Chat]

As far as the IP rating is concerned, pretty much all of the consumer class drones are vulnerable - you rely on good airflow to cool the chips, restrict the ventilation (one way of making the drone more water resistant) and you end up with a drone shut down when you least want it... either that or you've got chips going off like popcorn. The mini 3 and mini 4 being the case in point in the overheating department. The same problem rears it's head with conformal coatings (which will waterproof live electronics but also badly inhibits heat dissipation). Unless it's a Zapruder kind of moment: I can't think of many shots that are worth a £1,500+ risk.

RGGB sensor and drone camera tech has improved massively in the last 10 years, no doubt driven by phone and drone R&D. With DJI drones, low light photography has improved the most, but they're still behind Autel drones that use the RYYB Bayer matrix sensor (which allows up to 40% more light to hit the sensor photosites).

I doubt that the more recent DJI drones will disappoint anyone wanting to shoot available/low-light.

 

[Mrktn]

Hi. New to the DJI Air 3S and drones in general. That particular drone was my first pick.

It didn’t click to me to consider the lack of the IP rating at the time of purchase, which I’m now slightly regretting in retrospect. Unexpected rainy day while travelling and afraid to use it. One and only day in this location and tempted to pull the trigger to fly it or I’ll miss shots.

Has anyone taken the risk to fly their Air 3S through a drizzle?

Also, how good is the drone in the night? I didn’t consider using it in the evening or night as many consumer cameras and smartphones just don’t do well in low light, but it appears from DJI’s website that they have good enough lenses and sensors for it.

A big welcome to the forum from the UK!