The DJI Air 3S is a 724 g dual-camera drone with a 50MP 1-inch main camera and a 48MP 70 mm medium tele camera. DJI rates its flight time at up to 45 minutes and its O4 transmission range at up to 20 km (FCC). It suits travelers and creators who want better image quality than a Mini without Mavic size or cost.
Below are the DJI Air 3S specs from DJI’s official spec sheet, what they mean in practice, and who should buy it.
DJI Air 3S Specs at a Glance
| Spec | DJI Air 3S (per DJI) |
|---|---|
| Release | October 2024 |
| Takeoff weight | About 724 g |
| Folded size | 214 × 101 × 89 mm |
| Max flight time | 45 min (hover 41 min) |
| Max flight distance | 32 km |
| Max speed | 21 m/s (19 m/s in the EU) |
| Wind resistance | 12 m/s |
| Wide camera | 1-inch CMOS, 50MP, 24 mm, f/1.8 |
| Medium tele camera | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP, 70 mm, f/2.8 |
| Video | 4K up to 120fps; 1080p up to 240fps; vertical 2.7K up to 60fps |
| Color | 10-bit D-Log M and HLG |
| Max bitrate | 130 Mbps |
| Internal storage | 42 GB plus microSD |
| Obstacle sensing | Omnidirectional vision, forward LiDAR, downward infrared |
| Transmission | O4, 20 km (FCC) / 10 km (CE) |
| Live view | 1080p at 30 or 60fps |
| Battery | 4,276 mAh, 62.5 Wh |
| Controllers | DJI RC-N3, DJI RC 2 |
DJI Air 3S Flight Time
The 45-minute rating comes from a wind tunnel test at a steady 32.4 km/h. Real flights with climbing, hovering for shots and wind will be shorter. Plan to land with 20–30% left.
Charging takes about 80 minutes with DJI’s 65W portable charger, or about 60 minutes with the 100W adapter and charging hub, per DJI. See our chargers for the DJI Air 3S and Mavic 4 Pro.
DJI Air 3S Range and Transmission
The O4 system is rated for 20 km under FCC rules and 10 km in CE, SRRC and MIC regions. Those are best-case numbers with no obstacles or interference.
- Buildings, trees and hills block the signal.
- Crowded Wi-Fi in cities cuts range.
- Keep the antennas pointed at the drone.
- In the US and most countries, you must keep the drone within visual line of sight, which is far less than 20 km.
Camera and Video
- 1-inch wide camera: the main camera for landscapes, low light and 50MP stills.
- 70 mm medium tele: about 3x the wide camera’s focal length. Good for compressed backgrounds and keeping distance from subjects.
- Both cameras: 4K up to 120fps, 10-bit D-Log M and HLG.
- Vertical video: 2.7K vertical up to 60fps for social clips.
Safety and Obstacle Sensing
The Air 3S has omnidirectional vision sensors, plus a forward LiDAR and a downward infrared sensor. DJI says the LiDAR improves sensing and return-to-home in low light. Obstacle avoidance still has limits with thin branches, wires and darkness.
For dusk flights, add an anti-collision light. See our drone strobe lights guide.
Weight and Registration
At about 724 g, the Air 3S is well over 250 g. In the US you must register it with the FAA and pass TRUST for recreational flying, or hold a Part 107 certificate for commercial work. EU and UK rules also apply at this weight, so check your local regulator.
Should You Buy the DJI Air 3S?
| Buy it if you want | Look elsewhere if you want |
|---|---|
| A 1-inch sensor in a travel-size drone | A sub-250 g drone with fewer rules |
| Two focal lengths for varied framing | Immersive FPV flying |
| Long flights and strong range | The top image quality of a flagship Mavic |
Prefer FPV? Read our DJI Avata 2 explainer. Want something tiny for selfies and follow shots? See the DJI Neo 2 explainer. Prices change often, so check the current price before buying.
FAQ
What is the DJI Air 3S flight time?
DJI rates the Air 3S at up to 45 minutes of flight and 41 minutes of hover per battery, measured in a wind tunnel at a steady speed. Expect less in wind, cold or with lots of climbing.
How far can the DJI Air 3S fly?
DJI lists a maximum O4 transmission range of 20 km (FCC) or 10 km (CE, SRRC, MIC) in unobstructed, interference-free conditions. Most rules still require you to keep the drone in visual line of sight.
How much does the DJI Air 3S weigh, and does it need registration?
It weighs about 724 g, so it is over the 250 g threshold. In the US it must be registered with the FAA, and most other countries also require registration or an operator ID at that weight.
What cameras does the DJI Air 3S have?
A 50MP 1-inch wide camera (24 mm, f/1.8) and a 48MP 1/1.3-inch medium tele camera (70 mm, f/2.8). Both shoot 4K up to 120fps with 10-bit D-Log M and HLG.
Which controllers work with the DJI Air 3S?
DJI lists the DJI RC-N3, which uses your phone as the screen, and the DJI RC 2, which has a built-in screen.
When was the DJI Air 3S released?
DJI launched the Air 3S in October 2024.
