DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Pro: even with a lower price, is the Air 3S actually better?

When it comes to deciding between the DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Pro, you’re not just choosing a drone—you’re defining your priorities as a pilot. These two DJI drones are powerhouses in their own right, offering distinct features to cater to different needs.

The DJI Air 3S stands out for its portability and versatility, making it an exceptional travel drone. On the other hand, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is a professional-grade machine designed to deliver unmatched image quality.

I’ll get straight to the point at top: if you prioritize image quality and that alone (meaning other factors like portability and price don’t matter as much to you), go with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. But for a more well-rounded drone that checks all the boxes — good value, lighter body, better obstacle avoidance, more powerful video transmission, etc. — then go with the DJI Air 3S.

But if you’re still curious to learn more about buying the DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Pro, read on for a detailed breakdown to help you decide:

DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Pro: quick specs, compared

Flight capabilities

Wind resistance: Both drones handle wind speeds up to 12 m/s, which is pretty powerful. Either are capable of flying in strong breezes and at higher altitudes — and both are far superior to cheaper DJI drones like those in the DJI Mini line. Though technically the same in terms of specs, my qualitative opinion says that the Mavic 3 Pro has a slight edge in stability during high-precision maneuvers, owing to its heavier weight.

Return to home: Both drones offer automatic return to home features. But the newer, DJI Air 3S has a more advanced version dubbed Next-Gen Smart RTH (Return-to-Home). Assuming enough light outside, the DJI Air 3S uses real-time vision positioning and map construction technologies to memorize flight paths. Note that the tech really only works best when it’s bright out. But when it’s dark out, a different sort of tech kicks in. That’s the forward-facing LiDAR, which can detect obstacles in low-light conditions.

Watch the Air 3S execute a flight returning to home automatically at 2:44 in this clip:

Winner: Tie.

Size and portability

The Air 3S is significantly lighter and more compact. For that reason, I generally consider it a better travel drone versus the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.

Even still though, the Mavic 3 Pro easily folds for transport. And by some dimensions, it’s actually smaller than the DJI Air 3. Still note the size difference (958 grams for the Mavic 3 Pro vs. 724 grams for the Air 3S). That might not seem like a ton, but it’s 32% heavier, which can weigh on you after traveling for a while.

Winner: Air 3S.

Camera quality

Here’s where the Mavic 3 Pro truly shines. Its triple-camera system, featuring a 4/3-inch Hasselblad wide sensor, provides unparalleled image quality, dynamic range, and color accuracy. Additionally, its two telephoto lenses offer versatility for cinematic shots. If your No. 1 priority is image quality, go with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. It has more options and a larger sensor.

Not to mention, the Mavic 3 Pro’s ProRes recording options and seamless integration with professional workflows make it a filmmaker’s dream.

Then again, the DJI Air 3S is still impressive with its dual-camera system and 1-inch CMOS sensor. Even in normal color mode, Air 3S dual cameras can record 10-bit video using H.265 encoding. Additionally, the drone’s maximum ISO has been raised to 12,800, versus just 6,400 on the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. That shouldn’t mean a ton if you’re flying in the day or other bright conditions, but it’s significant for flying at low light. Here are some shots I took on my DJI Air 3S, so you can see what it looks like from a normal, non-professional photographer:

What’s more is that — in D-Log M and HLG color modes — the maximum ISO is raised to 3,200. Again, that means brighter, more detailed shots in darker scenarios. Depending on who you ask, 10-bit and ISO image quality on the DJI Air 3S means even crisper details than the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. 

Other considerations while filming

Besides the actual camera quality, the filming experience is slightly different on the two drones — and the Air 3S is better. For starters, the Air 3S has 42 GB of internal storage, versus just 8 GB on the Mavic 3 Pro. 8 GB is a good amount, but obviously 42 GB is far better. You could run hours of flights on 8GB.

Plus, the DJI Air 3S employs a more advanced video encoding compression algorithm that reduces video file sizes by more 30%. That helps you save even more storage space.

Winner: The DJI Air 3S has compelling qualities like more internal storage, but ultimately this goes to the Mavic 3 Pro.

Battery life

The Air 3S offers 45 minutes of flight time, slightly edging out the Mavic 3 Pro, which maxes out at 43 minutes. Both drones offer exceptional endurance, but the Air 3S provides a minor advantage for extended flights. I wouldn’t sweat over the 3 minutes of difference here, but technically the Air 3S wins.

Winner: Air 3S.

Related read: DJI Air 3 vs. DJI Air 3S: is it worth the upgrade?

Intelligent Flight Features

Both drones excel in obstacle avoidance, but the Air 3S takes it a step further with its LiDAR-assisted obstacle sensing. That basically means it is better at detecting obstacles, especially in low-light conditions. And yes, the Air 3S is the first DJI drone to feature forward-facing LiDAR.

As far as automatic flight modes, both drones have a strong set of smart features, including the ability to pre-program waypoints that the drone can automatically fly to. Other smart flight modes on both drones include:

• FocusTrack: Offers stable tracking shots in multiple directions via ActiveTrack 5.0, Spotlight, and Point of Interest (only available on the Hasselblad camera and the medium tele camera)
• MasterShots: With one tap, the drone automatically shoots, edits and adds soundtracks to automatically generate cinematic footage. (only available on the Hasselblad camera
• QuickShots: Allows the drones to fly in angles like Dronie, Rocket, Circle, and Helix (only available on the Hasselblad camera)

Making Panoramas on your drone

Now the Hasselblad camera on the DJI Mavic 3 Pro has something called Panorama mode, which composes a 100MP lossless panorama photo. That was unique to just the Mavic 3 Pro at the time.

But now with the DJI Air 3S, we have a similar feature called Free Panorama mode. The Air 3S now captures panoramic shots by stitching together multiple images with a manually selected subject or area. This mode is available in both DJI Air 3S cameras, both with slightly different styles. The wide-angle camera offers a broader Field of Vision, which is an efficiency play. I typically go with the medium tele camera when making panoramas, as it has less image distortion.

Tracking subjects

I consider the DJI Air 3S a slightly better follow-me drone than the Mavic 3 Pro (though both are excellent). The Air 3S earns its edge through two new features called ActiveTrack 360° and Subject Focusing. ActiveTrack 360° keeps any subject optimally in the frame by automatically planning a flight path and adjusting framing. Subject Focusing feature keeps your subject in focus even during manual flight or when the subject moves off-center.

Winner: DJI Air 3S

Price

At $1,099, the Air 3S is nearly half the price of the Mavic 3 Pro, which starts at $2,199. For travelers or hobbyists, the Air 3S offers outstanding value. And by many metrics, its specs are better anyway.

The one spec the Air 3S can’t compete on? That triple camera, including the Hasselblad. Given that, professionals seeking the best in imaging and features will find the Mavic 3 Pro worth the investment if they’re being judged highly on image quality.

For most people though, I don’t think they should fall for the “more expensive is better” trap. The DJI Air 3S is a brilliant piece of equipment.

Winner: Air 3S for budget-conscious buyers.

DJI Air 3S vs. DJI Mavic 3 Pro: who is each drone best for?

• Choose the DJI Air 3S if…
  You’re a travel enthusiast or hobbyist who values portability, excellent performance, and affordability. It’s a perfect all-rounder for casual pilots and photographers.

Read my full DJI Air 3S review.

• Choose the DJI Mavic 3 Pro if…
  You’re a professional filmmaker or photographer who demands the best in camera technology and advanced flight features. Its capabilities are unmatched for creating cinematic content.

Read my complete guide to the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.