DJI Air 3S photo and video quality: what to expect

The DJI Air 3S produces excellent image quality for its size: a 1-inch, 50 MP wide camera and a 1/1.3-inch, 48 MP 70 mm tele, with up to 14 stops of dynamic range (DJI's figure), 4K/60 HDR video, 4K/120 slow motion and 10-bit D-Log M. The 1-inch sensor is the big upgrade over the Air 3, giving cleaner low-light footage and more detail in shadows and highlights.

Air 3S cameras side by side — The Air 3S pairs a large 1-inch main camera with a 70 mm medium tele. Both shoot the same video formats, but the wide camera leads in low light and resolution.

Video quality

4K up to 60 fps, plus 4K/120 slow motion in H.265. 1080p goes to 240 fps.
10-bit at 4K in every color mode, including Normal, so skies show less banding than on 8-bit drones.
D-Log M and HLG for grading or HDR delivery. D-Log M runs from ISO 100 to 3200.
Bitrate up to 130 Mbps.
Vertical video at 2.7K up to 60 fps on both cameras. See Air 3S vertical video.

The wide and tele cameras support the same frame rates and color modes, so you can cut between them. They use different sensors, so expect small differences in noise and color that a quick grade will match.

Photo quality

50 MP wide, 48 MP tele for large prints and crops in good light.
12 MP mode for cleaner low-light images, faster capture and simulated long exposures from 2.5 to 8 seconds.
RAW (DNG) on both cameras.
AEB up to 7 frames at 12 MP for HDR merges.

In daylight, 50 MP RAW files from the wide camera hold impressive detail. For sunsets and interiors-with-windows real estate shots, AEB brackets beat a single exposure.

Low-light quality

This is where the Air 3S separates itself. The 1-inch sensor gathers much more light than the Air 3's 1/1.3-inch sensors. Normal video ISO goes up to 12800 (the Air 3 needs its Night mode to reach that). Expect usable twilight and city-light footage from the wide camera. The tele, with its smaller sensor and f/2.8 lens, gets noisy sooner, so switch to the wide when light fades. Read Air 3S night mode for settings.

Where it falls short

Fixed apertures mean you need ND filters for natural motion blur in daylight.
The tele isn't 1-inch. In dim light it's a step behind the wide camera.
Not a Four Thirds camera. If you need the lowest noise and the most grading latitude, the Four Thirds sensors in the Mavic line still lead. Compare in Air 3S vs Mavic 4 Pro.

Air 3S vs Air 3 image quality

	Air 3S	Air 3
Wide sensor	1-inch, 50 MP	1/1.3-inch, 48 MP
Tele sensor	1/1.3-inch, 48 MP	1/1.3-inch, 48 MP
Max 4K frame rate	120 fps slow motion	100 fps slow motion
Normal video max ISO	12800	6400 (12800 in Night mode)

If you fly mostly in daylight, the Air 3 is close. If you shoot at sunrise, dusk or in high-contrast scenes, the Air 3S's wide camera is worth it. More in Air 3 vs Air 3S, or shop the DJI Air 3S.