Choosing the right drone can be a tough decision, especially when you’re torn between two impressive models like the DJI Air 3S and the DJI Avata 2. Both drones offer unique features that cater to different needs, and in this article, we’ll break down their differences and highlight which one might be the right choice for you.
DJI Air 3S vs DJI Avata 2 – A Comparison
When it comes to drones, two models stand out for their incredible capabilities: the DJI Air 3S and the DJI Avata 2. The Air 3S is designed for cinematic shots, offering a stable, controlled flight experience, while the Avata 2 is an FPV drone, delivering speed, immersion, and dynamic action footage. The question is: which one should you choose if you can only afford one? Let’s dive deeper into their features and see what each drone offers.
Purpose & Use Case
DJI Air 3S
The Air 3S is built for those who seek cinematic, stable, and controlled shots. It’s perfect for a wide range of creators, including travel vloggers, real estate content creators, YouTubers, and photographers who need to capture stunning aerial photos. With its user-friendly features, it’s an excellent choice for anyone seeking high-quality photos and videos with minimal effort.
DJI Avata 2
On the other hand, the Avata 2 is for those who crave speed, flow, and immersion. This FPV (First-Person View) drone is ideal for action-packed content creators who want to capture dynamic, cinematic footage with thrilling movements like flips, rolls, and dives. The immersive experience it offers is incomparable, allowing you to feel more connected to the drone through goggles while flying.
Camera Quality
DJI Air 3S
The Air 3S boasts a three-axis mechanical gimbal, which ensures smooth footage, even in challenging conditions. It features a 24mm wide camera with an 84-degree field of view and a 70mm telephoto lens with a 35-degree field of view.
The Air 3S has a 1-inch sensor for the 24mm lens, ensuring better image quality and low-light performance. The drone shoots high-quality photos in RAW and JPEG formats, offering more flexibility in post-production. For video, it supports 4K 60fps and 4K 120fps in slow motion, and three color profiles: Standard, HDR, and D-Log M for easier color grading.
DJI Avata 2
The Avata 2 also has a 1-inch image sensor but is limited to shooting JPEG photos, which offers less flexibility in post-production than the Air 3S. It has a 12mm fixed focal length with a 155-degree field of view, which is ideal for dynamic, action-based footage. It also supports Standard and D-Log M color profiles. Both drones benefit from using ND filters, especially when shooting in bright conditions, as they help control shutter speed and create smoother footage.
Flight Experience & Ease of Use
DJI Air 3S
The Air 3S is incredibly beginner-friendly, much like its smaller counterparts, the Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro. It features GPS stabilization and various intelligent flight modes like Hyperlapse, Focus Track, Waypoints, and Mastershots, making it easy for beginners to get cinematic shots without much effort.
DJI Avata 2
While the Avata 2 is also suitable for beginners, it does come with a steeper learning curve, especially if you want to unlock its full potential in manual mode. DJI has made it easier to fly with the motion controller, which simulates a cinematic flying experience, but for those wanting to take full control, manual mode offers more freedom for flips, rolls, and dives. To truly master the drone, practicing in the FPV simulator is highly recommended.
Flight Performance & Handling
DJI Air 3S
The Air 3S is known for its stability, handling windy conditions with ease. It has a top speed of 60 mph and a range of 45 minutes on a full battery, depending on weather conditions. This drone is incredibly quiet, making it ideal for urban environments where noise reduction is important.
DJI Avata 2
The Avata 2 is nimble and agile, designed for FPV-style flying. Once you master manual mode, you can perform tricks like flips, rolls, and dives that the Air 3S can’t replicate. Its battery life lasts around 23 minutes, though it may drop to 10-12 minutes during more aggressive flying. It handles wind well but is a lighter drone, meaning it can get tossed around a bit in stronger winds.
Safety Features
DJI Air 3S
The Air 3S offers robust safety features, including 360° obstacle avoidance, Return to Home, and vision sensors. It also has LIDAR at the front for low-light obstacle detection. Its O4 transmission system supports a range of up to 20 km for an uninterrupted flight experience. As a C1-labelled drone, it’s great for flying in European countries under the A1/A3 license.
DJI Avata 2
The Avata 2 is built with prop guards, making it safer to fly near people and through tight spaces. While it doesn’t have 360° obstacle avoidance, it does have rear and downward sensors for stability. It’s also equipped with a turtle mode, which allows you to flip the drone back over if it crashes. The Avata 2 is also a C1-labelled drone, making it suitable for use in Europe under the A1/A3 license.
Portability & Build
DJI Air 3S
The Air 3S is slightly larger than the Mini drones but still folds up for easy transport. Its build quality feels superior, and it comes with a carry bag that offers space for extra accessories like ND filters and spare props.
DJI Avata 2
The Avata 2 is smaller and more portable, weighing just 377g. Though it’s not foldable, it’s made from durable shock-absorbing plastic and comes with a sling bag for easy transport, including space for goggles, batteries, and motion controllers.
Pricing & Value
DJI Air 3S
If you’re looking for both photo and video quality, the Air 3S is the clear winner. The Fly More Combo for the Air 3S with the RC2 controller is priced just under $1,600. This drone is ideal for those looking for an intuitive, reliable flying experience with impressive photo and video capabilities.
– 1-inch sensor for low-light shots.
– LiDAR for safe night flying.
– ActiveTrack 360.
– Compact and wind-resistant.
– 42GB built-in storage.
DJI Avata 2
The Avata 2 offers a more immersive FPV experience and is perfect for those who want a dynamic flying experience. Its Fly More Combo with the motion controller costs just under $1,200. However, if you’re after professional-grade photography, the Air 3S would be a better option.
– GPS positioning
– Return to Home
– Obstacle detection
– Turtle Mode
– Smart Features
– Enhancing safety and usability.
Who Should Get What?
- Get the Air 3S if you want cinematic shots, aerial photography, and longer flight times. It’s perfect for beginners who want something intuitive and reliable.
- Get the Avata 2 if you’re looking for immersive FPV flying and dynamic action footage. It’s great for those who want to learn manual flying and enjoy the thrill of FPV.
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Article Summary
Both the DJI Air 3S and DJI Avata 2 offer unique flying experiences. The Air 3S excels in cinematic shots and photo/video quality, making it the best choice for content creators and photographers. The Avata 2, however, offers a more immersive, fun experience with FPV flying, perfect for those looking for action-packed shots. Choose the drone that best fits your needs, whether you’re after cinematic visuals or an adrenaline-filled flying adventure.
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