DJI updates dual-camera drone for aerial travel photography

GaryPageau
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DJI Air 3S

DJI announced the DJI Air 3S, an advanced dual-camera drone designed for travel photography, featuring a 1-inch-CMOS primary camera and a 70mm medium tele camera, each with up to 14 stops of dynamic range1 that both support the new Free panorama feature, the Air 3S allows for flexible shooting-range selections to capture landscapes, architecture, and more in stunning detail. The drone’s new nightscape obstacle sensing1 and precise next-gen Smart RTH (Return-to-Home) features ensure effortless peace of mind to safely capture perfect cinematic photography at night.

“The DJI Air 3S takes our Air Series to new heights by offering professional features like dual primary cameras and omnidirectional obstacle sensing while retaining its light weight of just 724g for boundless freedom and flexibility,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Product Experience Director at DJI. “The Air 3S is the perfect all-rounder for travel photography – capturing all your special moments during vacation while also providing safety and security if operating at night.”

The Air 3S’s dual cameras improve on the 10-bit and ISO image quality, capturing photos and videos with even more breathtaking details than the current DJI Mavic 3 Pro. Even in normal color mode, Air 3S dual cameras can record 10-bit video using H.265 encoding, delivering refined color performance and greater flexibility in post, with the maximum ISO raised to 12,800. In D-Log M and HLG color modes, the maximum ISO is raised to 3,200, allowing for greater brightness and more details in urban night scenes.

Free panorama mode in both cameras enables the seamless creation of panoramic shots by stitching together multiple images with a manually selected subject or area. The wide-angle camera offers a broader Field of Vision (FOV), greatly improving efficiency when capturing panorama photos. The medium telecamera significantly reduces image distortion, crafting expansive shots with a wide perspective from multiple photos and rich details captured by its superior focal length, the company claims. Both cameras are capable of shooting video with a maximum dynamic range of 14 stops, capturing cinematic footage in high-contrast scenes.

Air 3S Dual Cameras Include:

  • Primary 50MP, 1-inch-CMOS camera and 24mm lens supports 4K/60fps HDR and 4K/120fps video recording1 as well as 10-bit D-Log M color mode. This large sensor, enhanced by advanced image-processing technology and intelligent algorithms, preserves even minuscule details in low-light conditions such as sunsets and nightscapes.
  • Secondary 70mm medium tele camera with a 3x optical zoom excels at portrait and vehicle shots, offering compressed depth of field to highlight any subject with a bolder, more cinematic look. With its 48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, this camera supports the same video specs and color modes as the primary camera. This ensures visually consistent footage for streamlined post-processing.

Other Features

  • 45-Min Max Flight Time: With up to 45 minutes of flight time, the Air 3S offers adequate time to scout locations, compose, capture cinematic shots, and repeat.
  • 10-bit O4 Video Transmission: Powered by DJI O4 HD video transmission technology, the Air 3S delivers 10-bit video transmission at 1080p/60fps over distances of up to 20 kilometers.
  • 42-GB Built-in Storage: Setting a new standard, the Air 3S allows creators to film without needing to deal with microSD cards.
  • Off-State QuickTransfer: Files can be sent from the Air 3S to a smartphone even when the drone is powered off. Transfers to a computer can also be done with the drone powered off by simply connecting Air 3S via a compatible USB cable.
  • Charging Hub with Power Accumulation1: The Charging Hub supports PD fast charging and a power accumulation function, allowing users to transfer the remaining power of multiple low-power batteries into the battery with the highest remaining power.
  • Data Protection: Local Data Mode acts like “airplane mode” on the phone by completely disconnecting the DJI Air 3S from the internet, ensuring all data stays only in the drone.

The DJI Air 3S is available to order from store.dji.com. Availability through authorized retail partners will be announced at a later date. Pricing and configurations are as follows:

  • DJI Air 3S (DJI RC-N3) retails for $1099 and allows pilots to check the live feed and flight status using their smartphone.
  • The DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N3) retails for $1399 and includes the DJI RC-N3 remote controller, an ND filter set, two additional batteries, a battery charging hub, a shoulder bag, and more.
  • The DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) retails for $1599 and includes the DJI RC 2 remote controller with a 5.5-inch 1080p 700-nit high-bright screen, an ND filter set, two additional batteries, a battery charging hub, a shoulder bag, and more.