Launched in the summertime of 2023, the DJI Air 3 has confirmed to be a dependable, well-rounded drone, good for these on the lookout for a mid-level drone with nice specs.
Like its predecessor, the Air 2S, the DJI Air 3 has a wonderful cost-to-feature ratio, enabling the Air 3 to be accessible to a variety of drone house owners. From learners to content material creators, to fanatics alike, the Air 3 has one thing for everybody.
We’ll take a look at lots of the options of the DJI Air 3 that make it a viable choice for Actual Property images, in addition to some pattern photographs from Actual Property shoots since its launch.
Overview
As talked about, the DJI Air 3 was launched in July 2023 and is the successor of the ever-popular DJI Air 2S, launched in 2021.
One factor that helped make the virtually three-year-old Air 2S a well-received drone was its 1-inch CMOS Sony sensor digital camera. That digital camera was good for various kinds of business work, together with Actual Property. Actually, till 2023, the Air 2S was my actual property work-horse, with many flight miles on it.
» MORE: DJI Air 3 Overview – Is This the Drone for You?
Sure, the Air 3 does have smaller foremost and secondary cameras than the DJI Air 2S’ foremost 1-inch” CMOS sensor digital camera. Nevertheless, the newer know-how in each of the Air 3’s cameras has aided the Air 3 in taking glorious photographs, in each vivid daylight and in low-light circumstances.
Due to the Air 3’s newer imaging know-how, though technically solely 12 MP photographs (extra on this shortly), the photographs taken are detailed and work properly for actual property, whether or not capturing buildings or the encircling atmosphere.
Required Certifications
Taking images and movies of houses on the market with the Air 3 falls beneath business functions, or the furtherance of enterprise.
In the USA, you could fly your drone beneath the FAA’s Small UAS Rule (Half 107) to be legally acknowledged as a business drone pilot.
Due to this, if wanting to do drone Actual Property images, in the USA, a Half 107 Certification is required.
For extra info on the Half 107 Certification course of, beginning your personal drone enterprise, or registering your DJI Air 3, please see the next articles:
Background on Shifting to the Air 3 for Actual Property
I’ve been capturing Actual Property photographs and movies for purchasers since 2018. I used a DJI drone with a 1-inch sensor when initially beginning out. On this case, the Phantom 4 Professional.
Again then, 1-inch sensors and capturing 20 MP photographs have been absolutely the business normal and a primary requirement for actual property professionals.
As a small firm, we added a couple of smaller-sensored Autel foldable drones to the fleet as backups. We additionally used them periodically when the DJI drones have been grounded on account of unlockable geofenced areas.
We didn’t like the unique Evo’s 12 MP picture high quality again then, however we saved them round simply the identical.
Quick ahead to 2021, and we retired our a number of Phantom 4 Professional workhorses in favor of the smaller footprint and 1-inch sensor of the Air 2S. The Air 2S can be our main workhorse for years.
For our higher-end houses over $500,000, we used the Mavic 3 Professional commonly for a time, as its 4/3 Hasselblad digital camera is unbeatable.
Nevertheless, the bigger, vastly dearer Mavic 3 Professional would show to be overkill for the extra average-sized and average-priced houses we commonly started getting booked for in 2023.
That is the place the Air 3 is available in.
Digicam know-how has gotten so good over the previous 2 years or in order that it has turn into evident that the 1/1.3″ sensor digital camera on the Air 3 would just do tremendous for actual property over the smaller sensor 12 MP cameras on the drones of yesteryear.
In our space, many residence consumers are viewing actual property footage on smartphones and tablets. Thus, extraordinarily high-resolution photographs taken on giant sensor drone cameras should not a necessity for our purchasers generally.
For these purchasers particularly requesting content material from the upper priced and spec’d Mavic 3 Professional, it’s accessible.
The Air 3’s mixture of dimension, weight, flight efficiency, and picture high quality makes the Air 3 the perfect drone for our actual property functions and is used commonly.
» MORE: Actual Property Drone Pictures: A Complete Information (Insider Ideas)
Air 3 Options for Actual Property Pictures
One of many causes the Air 3 is such a strong and well-rounded drone is the truth that DJI has crammed quite a lot of one of the best options from different DJI drones into the Air 3.
The Air 3, whereas an reasonably priced superior client drone, shares lots of the higher-end options of the far more costly and professional-level Mavic 3 sequence.
These options all result in a greater actual property picture expertise, akin to:
- Twin cameras, with focal lengths equal to 24 mm and 70 mm, respectively
- Omnidirectional impediment avoidance
- Night time Mode, leading to glorious night and nighttime photographs
Moreover, the Air 3 advantages from even newer DJI proprietary know-how over the Mavic 3 sequence, particularly:
- OccuSync 4.0 video transmission system
We’ll be discussing these options in-depth all through this text.
» MORE: DJI Mini 2 SE for Actual Property Pictures (All You Must Know)
Air 3 Digicam
One of many issues that makes the Air 3 so versatile is the twin cameras. Just like the unique Mavic 3’s setup, the cameras on the Air 3 are a bit smaller at 1/1.3″ sensors, versus the Mavic 3’s 4/3″ foremost digital camera.
» MORE: Finest Digicam Settings for DJI Air 3 (Picture & Video)
The primary digital camera on the Air 3 is equal to 24mm with an f/1.7 aperture, and the tele lens digital camera is equal to 70mm with an f/2.8 aperture. Each of those cameras take the identical decision photographs, which is right for actual property images.
The brand new 70mm digital camera is ideal for zooming in on explicit areas of curiosity inside a property or space facilities whereas sustaining distance out of your topic.
Within the above picture, the pool-goers have been alerted forward of time of the shoot. On the finish of the placement session, all of them talked about they didn’t hear and even discover the Air 3.
In some neighborhoods, being as inconspicuous as potential is important, and relying on the state of affairs, the Air 3 at occasions offers this.
| Digicam | DJI Air 3 |
|---|---|
| Huge-Angle Digicam: | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Efficient Pixels: 48 MP Pictures decision: 8064x6048px FOV: 82° Format Equal: 24 mm Aperture: f/1.7 |
| Medium Tele Digicam: | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Efficient Pixels: 48 MP Pictures decision: 8064x6048px FOV: 35° Format Equal: 70 mm Aperture: f/2.8 |
Picture Codecs & Picture Modes
As is anticipated of all of DJI’s newer drones, together with the Mini sequence, the Air 3 is able to capturing JPEG or RAW (DNG).
For skilled photographers, the choice to shoot RAW information oftentimes is a should, relying on their enhancing model. This isn’t to say you can’t be knowledgeable actual property photographer whereas capturing JPEG, as many do favor capturing JPEG due to the file sizes, and the photographs are nonetheless wonderful.
The Air 3 RAW (DNG) information are giant, uncompressed, and unprocessed information. Like floor cameras akin to Sony, Canon, and Nikon, these information retain all the information and data in a photograph. They will then be manipulated in any approach utilizing your actual property picture enhancing software program of selection.
Along with a slew of picture modes, the Air 3 provides the next nonetheless images modes an actual property photographer ought to discover helpful:
- Single Shot: 12 MP and 48 MP
- Computerized Publicity Bracketing (AEB): 12 MP, 3/5 frames; 48 MP, 3/5 frames at 0.7 EV step
Single-shot actual property photographs taken with the Air 3 look nice. When uncovered correctly, it’s onerous to make a distinction between the Air 2S 1-inch sensor and the Air 3’s 1/1.3″ sensor, even on the decrease 12 MP choice.
Except for the usual single-shot mode, which I personally use 50/50 when capturing properties, the AEB (computerized publicity bracketing) mode is superb.
AEB on the Air 3 works precisely prefer it does for floor cameras, supplying you with the power to seize 3 or 5 frames at 0.7 publicity worth steps between every captured picture.
» MORE: DJI Air 3 for Pictures
The Air 3 could be very steady when flying, even in breezy circumstances. When merging the AEB frames collectively, the ensuing images look nice, even with the motion of the Air 3, as could be seen within the instance under.
Low-Gentle & Nighttime Capabilities
When doing actual property images, there could also be occasions when it’s essential to get twilight pictures. There might even be occasions when nighttime pictures are wanted, maybe when capturing property in downtown areas.
Fortunately, the Air 3 takes glorious lowlight and nighttime images, both utilizing Night time Mode or fine-tuning the handbook settings your self in Professional Mode.
A lot of that is because of the Air 3’s foremost 24 mm digital camera having a really extensive f/1.7 aperture which allows quite a lot of gentle.
That is an argument for these saying the low-light efficiency of the Air 3 can not match the low-light efficiency of the Air 2S. The Air 2S, whereas having a bigger sensor, does have a tighter f/2.8 aperture. Photos converse a thousand phrases.
Though there could also be some traces of noise within the photographs taken in low-light circumstances with the Air 3, for probably the most half, this may be addressed in post-editing software program and isn’t a difficulty in anyway.
» MORE: Drone Pictures Final Information
48 MP Issues for Actual Property
Just like the Mavic Air 2 and DJI Air 2S earlier than it, the Air 3 can shoot 48 MP photographs.
When capturing 48 MP, though the cameras are technically 12 MP, Quad Bayer know-how is used. Quad Bayer know-how quadruples every megapixel within the digital camera, leading to sharper photographs. 48 MP photographs.
At present, I’m not utilizing the 48 MP choice for actual property, and all of our shopper photographs (together with the photographs on this article) are delivered as 12 MP photographs.
This all boils right down to the current degradation within the high quality of 48 MP photographs the Air 3 produces from both digital camera.
Upon its summer time 2023 launch, the Air 3 took nice footage in each 12 MP and 48 MP choices. A couple of months later, nevertheless, a firmware replace was put out by DJI that brought about the 48 MP photographs to be barely blurry, with a noticeable improve in chromatic aberration and ample artifacts.
DJI was made conscious of the problem and has since launched a slew of subsequent firmware updates to handle a few of these points.
Sadly, individually, I don’t really feel the 48 MP photographs are nearly as good as they initially have been upon the Air 3’s unique launch. Due to this, I’ll proceed to shoot 12 MP photographs till this subject has been rectified.
» MORE: Digicam Expertise in Drones (Defined)
Chromatic Aberration
I discussed that the Air 3 suffers from chromatic aberration when capturing 48 MP footage. It likewise suffers some when capturing 12 MP photographs.
What’s chromatic aberration?
Chromatic aberration is when there are noticeable coloured edges that seem round objects in high-contrast conditions. These colours are usually purple, inexperienced, or magenta.
Chromatic aberration is attributable to a digital camera’s lens, whether or not drone, mirrorless digital camera, or DSLR.
I actually observed a rise in chromatic aberration on vivid, unedited photographs, across the branches of timber and on the roof tiles.
Within the instance under, chromatic aberration was notably noticeable within the treeline, the place the solar was shining from the southeast. The shot was not used for the shopper.
Though nonetheless seen, to counter this, I had to make use of a heavy hand in Lightroom when utilizing the defringe instrument, together with pulling again the inexperienced, purple, and magenta saturation.
As the instance highlights, this didn’t work properly on this case, because the roof tiles have been the identical shade as nearly all of the chromatic aberration, and desaturating that shade would destroy the look of the tiles.
This might be countered simply by taking the identical image later within the day when the solar had moved. This, nevertheless, was not a viable choice that day as we had one other three shoots lined up one after the opposite.
Fortunately, there are methods across the chromatic aberration that’s generally discovered with the Air 3. That is both via using picture enhancing software program, altering the place of the Air 3, and even taking some photographs at one other time of day.
» MORE: Can You Fly DJI Air 3 at Night time (Defined)
Dimension & Flight Traits
The DJI Air 3 is barely longer, taller, and heavier than the Air 2S and nearly 3 times the burden of the Mini Professional traces of DJI drones.
The Air 3 flight traits could be outlined as managed and well-refined. These are traits anybody taking actual property photographs would need.
The Air 3 flies easily on all fronts, no matter transferring ahead, in ascent, or in descent. Flying the Air 3 for any goal is like driving a high-powered luxurious sports activities automobile, with equal components consolation and efficiency.
The Air 3 can actually be described as a fantastic flying drone.
When capturing actual property photographs, it’s fast to rise up and go and could be very straightforward to regulate. The Air 3 motors are highly effective, however it doesn’t really feel just like the Air 3 will probably be fast to get away from you in an uncontrolled method.
As a result of its managed flight traits, the ascent and descent speeds of 22mph don’t really feel as quick as they really are. They do come in useful when making an attempt to get in as many picture shoots as potential in someday.
With the Air 3 weighing 720 g, it handles wind very properly. So properly, the truth is, that it’s proof against winds as much as 26mph.
For our most up-to-date actual property tasks on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the Air 3 was flown in gusts between 15 and 20 mph. For the decrease register of that vary, it simply stayed in place for numerous pictures.
In larger mph winds, I’d believe the Air 3 would carry out equally as properly.
Battery Life
That is the place the Air 3 actually shines. But it surely’s not as a result of it has the longest battery lifetime of a client DJI drone; the Mini 3 holds that title at 50 minutes.
The Air 3 is rated to fly 46 minutes per battery.
Drone operators will hardly ever, if ever, get these kinds of flight occasions. Nevertheless, when persistently flying right down to about 25% battery on actual property work, I’m simply in a position to get about 34 minutes of utilization.
For actual property work, I counsel getting the fly extra combo, as three batteries is an effective quantity to have when doing a number of actual property jobs.
What makes the Air 3 battery setup so stellar is the all-new Air 3 battery charging hub.
In contrast to another DJI battery charging hub (as of this text’s writing), there’s an choice that permits you to press and maintain the black perform button (whereas the hub is unplugged) and switch the remaining energy from a number of batteries to the battery with the best remaining energy.
As a substitute of getting three partially powered batteries as you head to the following actual property shoot, now you can have one absolutely (or near a completely) charged battery in your subsequent flight.
That is notably helpful if doing quite a lot of shoots in the course of the day. I’ve had cases of not solely taking footage at a number of properties throughout a day but in addition filming 4k 60fps footage for every property as properly.
A number of batteries utilizing the facility switch function was a lifesaver.
» MORE: DJI Air 3 – Battery (All You Must Know)
Distant Controller Choices
Equally as essential because the digital camera specs, battery life, and efficiency is how the Air 3 is bodily managed by the tip person.
The Air 3 makes use of two completely different distant controller choices, the DJI RC 2 and the DJI RC-N2, each of that are good for the Air 3.
As a result of the Air 3 is on a special transmission system than, say, the Air 2S or Mavic 3 sequence, the DJI RC-N1, DJI RC, DJI Sensible Controller, and DJI RC Professional won’t work with it.
For many who already personal the DJI RC Professional, this can be a disappointment, as that distant controller is the best possible skilled management gadget for DJI client and prosumer drones.
Fortunately, each the DJI RC 2 and RC-N2 are viable choices, choices that each occur to work fairly properly for the Air 3.
Each controllers really feel and behave like their predecessors, the DJI RC and DJI RC-N1.
Most occasions, once we are out doing actual property, we’ll use the DJI RC 2, as that controller is loads vivid, at 700 nits, for many of our sunny days.
If capturing ocean or gulf-front properties, we would decide to additionally carry alongside the DJI RC-N2. This could be to connect considered one of our 1000-nit high-brightness tablets.
Moreover, when capturing actual property video footage, we at all times carry the RC-N2 hooked up to a 7″ high-brightness pill. The RC-N2 and pill mixture guarantee I can get one of the best framing potential, because of the bigger display screen.
» MORE: Fly DJI Air 3 Drone (With DJI RC 2)
Impediment Avoidance
When flying for actual property, it’s important to get the best-composed pictures of the property as humanly potential.
Oftentimes, we may be so centered on the shot at hand that we ignore our environment.
That is the place the brand new omnidirectional impediment avoidance system performs an important position. This 360-degree, omnidirectional safety consists of:
- Entrance
- Again
- Left/Proper Sides
- High
- Backside
When not doing skilled drone work, I’m one to usually fly with all impediment sensors off.
Nevertheless, I’ll admit that there have been occasions once I was absolutely engaged in a tough shot or two between quite a lot of timber and was so grateful that I had remembered to allow the proper security options.
I’ve been spared from a couple of shut calls utilizing the omnidirectional impediment avoidance system.
Whereas, sure, the Air 3 advantages from the added safety of 360-degree impediment sensing, we by no means counsel absolutely counting on automated impediment avoidance.
» MORE: Impediment Avoidance in DJI Drones (Defined for Inexperienced persons)
OccuSync 4.0 (Transmission System)
The Air 3 makes use of the upgraded OcuSync 4 (O4) video transmission system. This method is an improve over the Mavic 3 traces working on the O3+ system.
With OcuSync 4, the video sign vary has been prolonged to 12.4 miles on the Air 3, in comparison with the Mavic 3’s 9.3 Miles.
We by no means endorse or advise drone pilots to fly that far, because the legislation in the USA is to fly inside visible line of sight (VLOS) always.
What the OcuSync 4.0 transmission system means for Air 3 house owners utilizing the Air 3 for actual property work is that the Air 3 has a good stronger and cleaner sign working between the drone and distant controller.
That is very best for actual property photographers taking footage in each extremely congested city and downtown areas.
» MORE: DJI Transmission System (The whole lot You Must Know)
Geofencing Issues?
Like all DJI drones, the Air 3 can be geofenced.
In contrast to the skilled drones of outdated (the Phantom Professional and Mavic Professional traces), this era of DJI drones is simpler to unlock in authorization zones.
When doing actual property shoots, with the ability to instantly unlock areas is essential, as your shopper’s residence simply may be in an authorization zone, needing LAANC approval to fly.
With earlier iterations of DJI drones, it was generally onerous, if not inconceivable, to unlock the drone to do business work in sure areas. Due to this, many, myself included, had non-geofenced drones to fly in areas the place LAANC was licensed for the pilot however denied by DJI unlock.
Since utilizing the Air 3 for actual property work, we have now had completely no points unlocking the Air 3 whereas on location in authorization zones.