The DJI Air 3S is the only drone I would buy with my own money – here’s why it brings me so much joy

They say money can’t buy happiness, but it is maybe buy one of the best drones and it’s close enough. 2024 was full of new technology announcements DJI it was also a busy year. The DJI Neo and DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro have been big hits here at Tom’s Guide, and I recently had the chance to check out a new one DJI Air 3S.

Air 3S is as close as possible to the perfection of drones. Offering 4K video at 60 fps — or 4K slow-mo at 120 fps — and the ability to record 10-bit D-Log M video, capture crystal-clear, detailed photos with the dual-camera system, and overcome obstacles with a new generation. intelligent obstacle avoidance, there’s just too much to love about the Air 3S.

Flying DJI’s latest creation has been so much fun that when I’m feeling low these days, I take to the skies and it helps tremendously. If you’ve been thinking about getting a drone, here’s why you need the Air 3S.

Bird’s eye view

Dark gray DJI Air 3S drone

(Image credit: Future)

Being able to look at the world from a height is a wonderful feeling. If you want to get a little existential, you realize how tiny you are compared to everything else around you. We’re just on a rock floating in space. But on the other hand, it puts your problems into perspective, and sometimes it’s good to take a step back, reassess, and tackle what’s in front of you with a fresh mind. This is how I feel when I fly the DJI Air 3S.

DJI Air 3S: footage from above – YouTube

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Imagine that you see the world from the same point of view as a bird. It is liberating, humbling, but at the same time inspiring. Given how easy it is to control the Air 3S with the RC-2 controller, I was able to hold it still in one spot, press the right stick, and zoom down to the 120m height limit. You can wonder in the footage above. The clips were shot in 4K/60fps and I love how smooth they are. The Air 3S three-axis mechanical gimbal keeps all footage stable—it’s the secret weapon for aerial photographers who can be confident and fly with confidence.

Take your creativity to new heights

A panoramic shot of Avoncliffe, UK, taken by a DJI Air 3S drone

(Image credit: Nikita Achanta / Future)

Drones can let you be creative in ways you never thought possible, and the DJI Air 3S has a lot of creative potential. You get two cameras: a 12MP/50MP wide-angle and a 48MP mid-telephoto camera. No matter what kind of shot you want, you’ll get it. You can shoot photos in RAW format for more creative freedom in post-production, but even JPEGs created straight out of the camera come out detailed and crystal clear. But you know what I love most about the Air 3S’s photo mode? Panorama.

Air 3S captures panoramas by combining 21 frames. All you have to do is position the drone in the sky and use the RC-2’s touchscreen to toggle the panorama option. The drone will then start taking pictures and you can see the progress on the controller. And the panoramas are also detailed. If you zoom in on the photo above, you can still see a lot of detail. The Air 3S captured the entire village of Avoncliffe in the UK and it’s one of the best photos I’ve ever taken – on any device.

DJI Air 3S: D Log M and Color Gradation – YouTube

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Aerial videographers will also appreciate the fact that you can shoot in 10-bit D-Log M or HLG profiles to preserve wide dynamic range, as the Air 3S is capable of capturing up to 14 stops of dynamic range. 10-bit video also means it’s capable of capturing 1.07 billion individual shades. I love shooting in D-Log M as it means I can get really creative with the color grading in Adobe Premiere Pro, as you can see above. It’s also a fantastic creative outlet for hobbyists, and I’ve definitely noticed that I feel happier when I do it.

Get on board!

Dark gray DJI Air 3S drone

(Image credit: Future)

So you want to buy DJI Air 3S? There is one very important thing you should do before you buy one: get your drone pilot’s license. The Air 3S weighs 724g/25.5oz. Generally, drones weighing less than 249g/8.7oz can be flown without a license — depending on local laws — but there are different rules for heavier drones. For example, in the UK I had to take an online test to get an A Flyer ID and Operator ID from CAA before flying the Air 3S and it cost me £11 (approx. US$14). In the US you will have to register with the FAAand with CASA in Australia. European countries will also have their own laws, so be sure to check online with an official source before you fly.

I also recommend downloading the DJI Fly app Android or iOS get up-to-date information on local laws, no-fly zones and other flight restrictions.

I see green trees…

DJI Air 3S: sample shots – YouTube
DJI Air 3S: sample shots - YouTube

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Of course, all this has its price. The DJI Air 3S is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive drone—it’s a happy medium. It begins with 1099 USD / £959 / A$1,699 and goes all the way to 1599 USD / £1,439 / A$2,429 for the Fly More combo. Personally? There is no other drone I would rather buy with my own money.

Being in nature calms me down, and being able to see our beautiful world from above makes me appreciate it even more. It’s also pretty grounding and makes me want to take more care of our planet. Seeing swaying trees, gushing water and swans looking at their seals from such a unique vantage point is powerful enough to move me to tears.

I’m very lucky to be able to see the world around me in all its glory with the Air 3S. It has set the bar very high and is truly the new gold standard for drones.