I’m seeking some insights that might provide different perspectives on my decision. I currently own an Air 2S, which I’ve been using almost daily for both work and personal projects since its release four years ago. Initially, I planned to buy the Mavic 4 Pro upon its release. While the Air 2S is still performing well, I have a flexible budget for an upgrade. Given the tariffs, I’m uncertain whether the 4 Pro is feasible for my budget anymore.
I’m considering the Mavic 3 Pro but I’m hesitant to pay the launch price for a drone that debuted a few years ago and has a successor on the way. Alternatively, the Air 3S looks appealing. The 70mm camera would provide many new opportunities for my work, while the 166mm on the 3 Pro offers even more possibilities.
I’m looking for varied viewpoints I may not have considered yet. Also, many stores are backordered or out of stock on the 3 Pro, so I feel I need to make a decision quickly if I choose that option.
Here’s my take based on my experience with both drones.
I own both the Air 3S and the Mavic 3 Pro, and they’re excellent options for nearly anyone. Here are some key differences: the Air 3S has superior obstacle avoidance capabilities at night but only when flying forward with the lidar. Additionally, the Air 3S manages point of interest shots better by maintaining a constant distance. It boasts two extra minutes of flight time (not a huge deal) and a transmission range of 20km versus the Mavic 3 Pro’s 15km. The Air 3S comes with 42GB of internal storage compared to the Mavic 3 Pro’s 8GB. The Air 3S can ascend and descend more quickly.
For commercial or professional use, the Mavic 3 Pro excels where the Air 3S cannot match. The Mavic 3 Pro is capable of shooting in true D-Log, features an adjustable aperture, and has the ability to record 5.1K video. Its additional focal length of a 166mm telephoto lens enhances versatility. The Mavic 3 Pro has a 4/3 CMOS sensor instead of the 1” CMOS on the Air 3S, which results in better photo and video quality in both day and night conditions. While the Mavic 3 Pro is also more stable in windy conditions, both drones perform quite well in that regard. These factors are crucial for my professional work. In daylight, I find the obstacle avoidance systems of both drones to be similar, but I wouldn’t rely on either one completely due to their heft. If I were just looking for a drone for social media posts or family use, I’d definitely go for the Air 3S or even a lightweight option under 250 grams for easier licensing and transport.
@Ashwin
Thank you! I’m not too concerned about obstacle avoidance since my Air 2S has been working excellently for me, and I’m familiar with its sensor layout. It’s my 10th year flying drones, and I’ve somehow managed not to crash (knock on wood).
I completely forgot about the adjustable aperture—which might just tip the scales in favor of the Mavic 3 Pro. As for D-Log, I might use it occasionally, but most of my content doesn’t require color grading, and I typically need quick turnarounds on my videos for the next day.
The internal storage isn’t a significant concern either; I’ve got plenty of SD cards at my disposal.
One feature I wish both the 3S and Pro had is the ability to physically rotate the camera to vertical orientation. That’s something I was really looking forward to with the Mavic 4 Pro. A physically rotating camera would be a game changer, particularly since many of my clients exclusively utilize vertical video. Often, I just can’t back up enough to fit something in the frame to crop from horizontal to vertical.