dji air 2s vs mini 3 pro

DJI Air 2s Vs Mini 3 Pro – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Drone

Both the DJI Air 2s and Mini 3 Pro share many similarities, but there are also important differences such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the DJI Air 2s rather than Mini 3 Pro.

Why Do I Recommend DJI Air 2s

  • DJI Air 2S has a larger 1″ CMOS sensor compared to Mini 3 Pro 1/1.3” CMOS sensor. That’s why the DJI Air 2S can capture better quality professional image in low-light, allowing you to capture breathtaking moments at any time of day.

  • The Air 2S supports a higher video resolution up to 5.4K/30fps, providing sharper and more detailed footage than the Mini 3 Pro’s 4K/60fps.
  • The DJI Air 2S has obstacle sensors on all four sides (forward, backward, upward, downward), providing better obstacle avoidance compared to DJI Mini 3 Pro obstacle sensing capabilities on three sides.

  • The Air 2S has a faster maximum speed of 19 m/s in Sport mode, making it better suited for tracking fast-moving subjects compared to the DJI Mini 3 Pro which offer  maximum speed of 16 m/s in Sport mode.
  • The DJI Air 2S offers a higher up to 8x digital zoom capability in video mode and supports HDR video, improving video quality under different lighting conditions but DJI Mini 3 Pro provides up to 4x digital zoom for both photos and videos.
  • The Air 2S supports a broader ISO range up to 12800 for photos, enhancing its ability to capture images in darker environments compared to the Mini 3 Pro’s maximum of 6400.
  • DJI Air 2S provides 8 GB of internal storage, allowing for emergency backups or additional storage if the SD card is full while DJI Mini 3 Pro does not have internal storage.

Maybe the DJI Mini 3 Pro price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the DJI Air 2S. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

Feature DJI Air 2S DJI Mini 3 Pro
Camera Sensor 1″ CMOS 1/1.3” CMOS
Effective Pixels 20 megapixels  12 megapixels
Max Photo Resolution 5472×3648 pixels 4000×3000 pixels
Video Resolution 5.4K: 5472×3078 @ 30fps, 4K: 3840×2160 @ 60fps 4K: 3840×2160 @ 60fps, 2.7K: 2720×1530 @ 60fps
Digital Zoom Up to 8x (Video only) Up to 4x (Photo, Video)
Aperture f/2.8 f/1.7
ISO Range Video: 100-6400, Photo: 100-12800 Video: 100-6400, Photo: 100-6400
Shutter Speed 8-1/8000s 2-1/8000s
Flight Time Up to 31 minutes Up to 34 minutes
Max Speed 19 m/s (S Mode) 16 m/s (S Mode)
Lens FOV 88° (equivalent focal length: 22 mm) 82.1° (24 mm equivalent focal length)
Obstacle Sensing Forward, Backward, Upward, Downward Forward, Backward, Downward
Internal Storage 8 GB None
External Storage microSD up to 256 GB microSD up to 512 GB
Weight 595 g 249 g
Max Ascent Speed 6 m/s (S Mode), 6 m/s (N Mode) 6 m/s (S Mode), 5 m/s (N Mode)
Max Descent Speed 6 m/s (S Mode), 6 m/s (N Mode) 6 m/s (S Mode), 5 m/s (N Mode)
Vertical Shooting No Yes
Dimensions (folded) 180×97×77 mm 145×90×62 mm
Price Check DJI Air 2S Price Check DJI Mini 3 Pro Price

What Common Both Can Do?

Despite their differences, the DJI Air 2S and DJI Mini 3 Pro share several key features and capabilities that make them both excellent choices within the DJI lineup. Here’s what both drones can do, showcasing their common strengths:

  1. Both drones can shoot high-resolution video, with the Air 2S capable of up to 5.4K resolution and the Mini 3 Pro up to 4K, both at 60fps. This makes them suitable for professional-quality video productions.
  2. Both support JPEG and DNG (RAW) formats for photography, allowing greater flexibility in post-processing for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
  3. Both feature intelligent flight modes including MasterShots, FocusTrack, and Hyperlapse, enabling automated shooting and creative video sequences with minimal pilot input.
  4. Both are equipped with multiple sensors that help detect obstacles and avoid collisions, enhancing safety during flight.
  5. The drones offer substantial flight times—up to 31 minutes for the Air 2S and up to 34 minutes for the Mini 3 Pro—providing ample time for most shooting tasks.
  6. Both utilize GPS and GLONASS for navigation and stable flight, which is crucial for maintaining position and improving overall flight dynamics.
  7. Both use DJI’s OcuSync 3.0 technology, ensuring a stable and reliable long-range transmission of video and flight data back to the controller.
  8. Both drones offer digital zoom capabilities, allowing pilots to get closer shots of their subjects without physically moving the drone.
  9. Both drones feature QuickShots—pre-programmed flight maneuvers—that capture cinematic video clips automatically, such as Dronie, Circle, Helix, and Rocket.
  10. Both are compatible with the DJI Fly app, which offers an intuitive user interface for controlling the drone, customizing settings, editing footage, and more.
  11. Both have good wind resistance, rated at Level 5, allowing them to operate in moderate wind conditions effectively.
  12. Each drone supports HDR capabilities to enhance photo and video quality by increasing the dynamic range, which improves the detail in the lightest and darkest areas of an image.
  13. Both feature a compact, foldable design that makes them easy to carry and deploy quickly, ideal for travel and on-the-go shooting.

Common Features

Feature DJI Air 2S DJI Mini 3 Pro
Max Video Bitrate 150 Mbps 150 Mbps
Photo Formats JPEG/DNG (RAW) JPEG/DNG (RAW)
Video Formats MP4/MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC) MP4/MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC)
Max Transmission Range 12 km (OcuSync 3.0, FCC), 8 km (CE) 12 km (OcuSync 3.0, FCC), 8 km (CE)
Smart Features MasterShots, FocusTrack, Hyperlapse MasterShots, FocusTrack, Hyperlapse
Wind Resistance Level 5 Level 5
GPS GPS + GLONASS GPS + GLONASS
Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C 0°C to 40°C
Automatic Takeoff/Landing Yes Yes
HDR Video Yes Yes
Transmission System OcuSync 3.0 OcuSync 3.0
Color Profiles D-Cinelike D-Cinelike
Price Check DJI Air 2S Price Check DJI Mini 3 Pro Price

FAQ

  1. What is the main difference in camera quality between the DJI Air 2S and DJI Mini 3 Pro?
  • Answer: The DJI Air 2S features a larger 1-inch CMOS sensor which provides higher resolution and better performance in low light conditions. The Mini 3 Pro, although equipped with a smaller 1/1.3-inch sensor, compensates with a wider aperture of f/1.7 which also supports good low light performance but with slightly less detail than the Air 2S.
  1. Can both drones be used for professional video shooting?
  • Answer: Yes, both drones are capable of shooting up to 4K video at 60 fps, making them suitable for professional video production. The Air 2S can even shoot up to 5.4K at 30 fps, offering extra detail for high-resolution requirements.
  1. Are the DJI Air 2S and DJI Mini 3 Pro suitable for beginners?
  • Answer: Yes, both drones are user-friendly and equipped with automated flying modes, such as MasterShots and FocusTrack, which help beginners get professional-looking shots easily.
  1. Which drone has better obstacle avoidance?
  • Answer: The DJI Air 2S has a more comprehensive obstacle sensing system with sensors on all four sides, making it more adept at avoiding obstacles. The Mini 3 Pro has sensors on three sides (front, rear, and bottom).
  1. What are the advantages of the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s lighter weight?
  • Answer: The Mini 3 Pro’s weight under 250 grams makes it exempt from certain regulations in many countries, which can be a significant advantage for casual users or those traveling who do not want to deal with registration or heavier regulation.
  1. How do the flight times compare?
  • Answer: The Mini 3 Pro generally offers a slightly longer flight time of up to 34 minutes compared to the Air 2S’s 31 minutes, which can be beneficial for extended shooting sessions.
  1. Can both drones take vertical photos and videos?
  • Answer: Only the DJI Mini 3 Pro has the capability to shoot in a vertical orientation directly, which is particularly useful for content creation for social media platforms that favor vertical formats.
  1. Which drone is more portable?
  • Answer: Both drones are designed to be portable with foldable designs, but the Mini 3 Pro is lighter and smaller, making it slightly more convenient for travel.
  1. How does the digital zoom capability compare between the two drones?
  • Answer: The Air 2S offers up to 8x digital zoom for video, which is higher than the Mini 3 Pro’s 4x zoom for both video and photo. However, using digital zoom can reduce image quality, especially at higher zoom levels.
  1. Which drone is better for flying in windy conditions?
  • Answer: Both drones are rated with a Level 5 wind resistance, allowing them to perform well in windy conditions. However, the heavier Air 2S might have a slight edge in stability under such conditions due to its additional weight.

This FAQ covers the essential queries potential users might have about these two popular DJI drone models, helping them to make an informed choice based on their specific needs and use cases.

 

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