DJI has officially unveiled its new drone during the 'Chase the View' launch event held today. The highly anticipated Air 3S has been announced, although DJI has yet to release any formal details. Interestingly, The Verge has jumped the gun and shared its coverage on the launch ahead of time.
Upgrades in Camera Technology
The Air 3S sets itself apart from last year's Air 3, which is currently priced at $1,549 on Amazon, with a range of camera enhancements. For instance, DJI has upgraded the primary camera from the Air 3, swapping out the 48 MP and 1/1.3-inch sensor for a much larger and more detailed 1-inch type sensor that shoots at 50 MP.
Enhanced Features for Better Performance
While the Air 3S keeps the 48 MP telephoto camera from its predecessor (with a 1/1.3-inch sensor offering 3x optical zoom), both cameras boast 14 f-stops of dynamic range. This enhancement is expected to help the Air 3S perform better in bright sunlight or during sunset shots. Additionally, the drone can record 4K videos at a smooth 60 FPS with HDR or 120 FPS for slow-motion captures.
Storage and Battery Life Improvements
Allegedly, new compression techniques are said to reduce file sizes by up to 30%, coinciding with DJI’s expansion of internal storage from 8 GB to a whopping 42 GB, while still allowing for microSD card additions. The Air 3S is also equipped with six cameras, a LiDAR scanner, and an infrared ToF sensor, which greatly improves its obstacle avoidance capabilities and ensures reliable 'return to home' functionality in low-light situations. The drone is claimed to offer up to 45 minutes of flight time between battery changes, although this is likely only achievable under perfect conditions with minimal wind and obstacles.
The Air 3S will be available for order starting later today, with prices set at £959, €1,099, and $1,099, which includes an RC-N3 remote controller. DJI will also provide various combo packages with different controllers and accessories. However, it appears that the anticipated RC Track's release has been postponed, as it was not mentioned at all in The Verge's pre-launch coverage.
DJI via The Verge
