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The rumor that DJI was going to announce a new mid-level UAV for aerial cinematography proved to be right on the money, as the company announced the DJI Air 3 drone.
The latest generation drone features a gimballed dual camera array with DJI’s next-generation O4 transmission system and an omnidirectional obstacle sensing system.
Image Credit – DJI
But what may be its most game-changing feature is the Air 3’s revolutionary battery design, which offers up to 46 minutes of flight time. The result is more loitering time to set up shots, and do so from an even greater distance.
Two Cameras in One
“The DJI Air 3 is the first drone of our Air Series which offers professional features like dual primary cameras and omnidirectional obstacle sensing and at the same time retaining its lightweight capabilities with a weight of just 720g for more freedom and flexibility,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director at DJI.
“The drone is the perfect all-rounder for your outdoor adventures.”
Image Credit – DJI
Content creators are bound to love the gimballed dual camera array, which features a wide-angle 24mm F/1.7 aperture with a 2.4μm pixel size, and a 70mm F2.8 3x telephoto.
Each camera has an independent 1/1.3” camera sensor, which provides dedicated processing for vastly improved 4K/60p HDR video quality which can optically zoom from one camera to the other without impacting the image through digital manipulation.
The camera can also record vertical video in 2.7K by cropping the 4K image so that users can share the video immediately through social media.
Users can also capture 4K video at up to 100 frames per second with HDR image quality from 10-bit D-Log M and HLG color modes. DJI states that their new D-Log M mode can retail even greater details in highlights and shadows, for increased dynamic range and image quality.
The drone also has several shooting modes including Master Shots, Night Mode, Hyperlapse, SlowMotion, and a Smart Photo mode for capturing still images with optimum HDR settings for the best shot possible.
Image Credit – DJI
Increased Range
DJI’s O4 Transmission system increases the range of the Air 3 to up to an incredible 20 km (12.43 miles), for improved transmission stability of up to 1080p/60fps live feeds, and a higher frame rate ensures a smoother viewing experience.
The greater distance also means that the drone user will be confident that the pilot will not lose connection with the drone due to going out of range.
Should the drone’s connection drop, however, the Air 3 has an advanced return-to-home feature that will return the drone to the established home point automatically.
The RTH feature is also triggered when the batteries are nearly depleted and will remind the pilot to press the return to the home button before the automatic return is engaged.
Advanced Obstacle Avoidance and Navigation
The Air 3 also sports a next-generation APAS 5.0 omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system, which provides stereo fisheye lenses in the front and the back, thereby giving the drone complete awareness of all obstacles it may encounter.
With binocular sensors on the bottom, the drone has spherical coverage and using its advanced avoidance algorithms, can plot a safe course around anything it may encounter.
DJI states that the APAS system is so advanced, that the Air 3 can be flown by beginners with confidence that their drone will avoid and smoothly bypass obstacles, giving them the confidence and experience while tackling the steep learning curve that comes with operating a drone.
Image Credit – DJI
But what may be its most alluring feature, is that the DJI Air 3 can stay aloft for up to forty-eight percent longer, giving the drone pilot/camera operator more time to set up shots.
The Air 3 can stay aloft for 46 minutes, and thanks to the newly designed battery charging hub, users have the option to transfer power from one battery to another, in situations where an electrical outlet is not available for recharging.
Pricing and availability
The DJI Air 3 is available now from DJI and its authorized dealers starting at a retail price of $1,099, or $1,349 when choosing the FlyMore Combo, which includes the DJI RC-N2 remote controller.
The Fly More Combo is also available with the DJI RC2 for a retail price of $1,549. Each Fly More Combo includes a dedicated controller, two intelligent batteries, the new charging hub, and a carrying case.
More details are available on the DJI Air 3 Website.
Order Links:
DJI Air 3 Drone with RC-N2 (B&H)
DJI Air 3 Drone Fly More Combo with RC-N2 (B&H)
DJI Air 3 Drone Fly More Combo with RC 2 (B&H)
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