Dji Air 2s Fly More Combo

Wondering whether to go for the DJI Mavic 3 or DJI Air 2S? This article is here to help. To say nosotros were impressed with the DJI Air 2S when it launched in April 2021 is an understatement. It makes a massive step-up from its predecessor, the DJI Mavic Air two, with new automatic flying features, better object avoidance, enhanced communications with the controller and a fantastic improvement in image quality. No wonder it flew straight to the top of our all-time drone list; information technology'southward perfect for its target market of enthusiast aerial photographers and videographers, as our DJI Air 2S review attests.

Still, at the showtime of November 2021, the DJI Mavic 3 was announced, pushing the boundaries of what we expect from a consumer drone and delivering features that will put a smile on the faces of well-heeled amateurs, pro videographers and aerial landscape photographers. To find out more, see our DJI Mavic 3 review.

Both drones are available in a standard packet with the Air 2S retailing for GBP £899 / USD $999 / AU$one,699 and the Mavic iii for GBP £1,879 / USD $2,199 / AUD $3,099, or in a 'Fly more Combo' kit costing GBP £1,169 / USD $one,299 / AUD $ii,099 and GBP £2,549 / USD $2,999 / AUD $four,199 respectively, this gives you a couple of extra batteries and accessories to aid you get more air fourth dimension and better results.

There'due south also the Mavic iii Cinematic which supports Apple tree ProRes 422 HQ video recording and features an onboard 1TB Solid State Drive, merely it comes at a cost that is probable to just be acceptable to pro aeriform videographers – GBP £4,279 / USD $4,999 / AUD $7,199.

With those price differences in mind, we'll accept a look at how the DJI Mavic three vs DJI Air 2S compare to assist you decide which is the best choice of drone for you.

DJI Mavic 3 vs DJI Air 2S drone: design

When they're folded, the DJI Air 2S (180x97x77mm) is appreciably smaller than the Mavic 3 (221x96.3x90.3mm) and its 300g lighter, which adds up to make the Air 2S the easier drone to slip into your purse. However, the Mavic 3's weird rubbery gimp mask gives it ameliorate protection than the Air 2S'south gimbal cover and it keeps the propellers tucked in against its sides.

With the arms unfolded and ready to wing, the Mavic 3 measures 347.5×283×107.7mm whereas the Air 2S is 183×253×77mm. In utilize, this is unlikely to make much difference unless you're keen on squeezing your drone through small gaps.

Not surprisingly, the Mavic 3 looks beefier than the Air 2S and it feels a bit more than robust. The battery too slots in from the rear, rather than the meridian similar the Air 2S.

As soon every bit you pop out the batteries, the reason for some of the size and weight departure between the two drones becomes apparent, the Mavic 3's battery is much bigger - but then information technology enables upwards to 46 minutes of flying rather than 31 minutes.

Winner: DJI Air 2S

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DJI Mavic 3 vs DJI Air 2S: features

We'll look at the cameras in the next section and concentrate on the remainder of the drone and its controller here.

DJI has given the Air 2S object sensors that confront frontward, backwards, upwards and downwards, merely the sides aren't covered, which means if you're not careful you can shimmy sideways into a tree or some other drone magnet. The Mavic 3, withal, is able to see objects to its sides, making it a little safer in cluttered areas, although equally with the Air 2S, there are times when you may want to turn off the object detection so you tin wing through a bars space.

Both drones come equipped with DJI's Active Rail, QuickShots and MasterShots systems, which handover some or all control to their clever applied science to create smooth video in a range of different situations. These features are yet to be unlocked for the Mavic 3 (at that place's a firmware update promised for January), but information technology jumps from Active Rails iv in the Air 2S to Active Track 5 and, combined with the enhanced object sensing, information technology promises to deliver better tracking operation with less chance of a crash.

DJI supplies the RC231 (AKA RC-N1) controller with both drones, and they each use the DJI Wing app on a connected smartphone, so there are no differences to written report here. However, at 15Km, the Mavic 3'southward transmission distance is 3Km further than the Air 2S's. That takes the drone fashion beyond visual line of sight, which requires special permission, but it should hateful that the Mavic 3'southward connectedness is just a fraction more reliable at close quarters.

The Mavic 3 also has an Advanced Return to Abode (RTH) feature that enables information technology to work out the virtually efficient route back to its starting point, taking windspeed into account, reducing the chance of the drone deciding to head domicile earlier than necessary or running out of juice too quickly.

Dull, steady flight is ideal for videography, and neither drone disappoints in this respect, merely fast flying is more fun and ways you can get the drone into position for shooting quicker. Despite its extra weight, in a race to maximum altitude, the Mavic iii beats the Air 2S with a height ascension speed of 8m/south rather than 6m/s, and in horizontal flight information technology can striking 75kph (46.6mph) while the Air 2S maxes out at 68.4kph (42.5mph).

Winner: DJI Mavic 3

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DJI Mavic 3 vs DJI Air 2S drone: camera operation

Inside the Air 2S'due south gimbal-mounted camera is a 20Mp ane-inch type CMOS sensor that's capable of producing excellent-quality RAW, JPEG and HDR images and superb video. Its maximum video resolution is 5.4K at 30 frames per second (fps), but it can also shoot 4K (3840 x 2160) footage at up to 60fps or Full Hd at upward to120fps.

There are two cameras on the Mavic 3 with the main one using a 20mp Four Thirds type sensor. That ways the sensor is almost twice the size of the sensor in the Air 2S and information technology gives the Mavic iii a distinct advantage with regards to image quality, it's like having a decent mirrorless camera up in the air. It'south capable of shooting v.1K video at upwardly to 50fps, DCI 4K (4096x2160) at up to 120fps and Total HD at up to 200fps.

Also, rather than having a fixed discontinuity (f/2.viii on the Air 2S), the Mavic 3 has a variable aperture with a range of f/ii.8-f/11, which is useful for keeping the shutter speed under command when light levels change mid-flight.

The 2nd camera on the Mavic 3 isn't really the all-time option for photography or videography but the 162mm (equivalent) f/4.iv lens and up to 28x hybrid zoom are useful for checking objects in the distance to see whether information technology's worth flying closer to get a shot with the 24mm lens on the primary photographic camera.

Winner: DJI Mavic three

DJI Mavic 3 vs DJI Air 2S drone: which should I buy?

The DJI Air 2S has the advantage of beingness more portable than the Mavic 3, so it'southward easier to skid in a bag and you lot're more likely to accept information technology with you 'simply in case'. It'south also very stable in the air, piece of cake to fly, offers a great range of automatic and semi-automatic modes and is capable of producing superb-quality stills and video. It's unlikely to disappoint unless you see the images and video from the Mavic 3, which also brings actress object-sensing adequacy, enhanced rubber features, faster speed, incredible battery life and outstanding epitome quality. The Air 2S is a great drone but the Mavic 3 is fifty-fifty meliorate.

Overall winner: DJI Mavic iii