Charger Requirement
It doesn’t come with a charger, so you need to buy a charger. Initially, using an old iPad charger with 15 watts took 24 hours to charge one battery. Switching to a 65 watt charger reduced the charging time to about 1 hour, showing a significant improvement.
Weight and Licensing
The DJI Mavic Air 3 weighs 700g or 25.4oz, requiring a license to use it in many regions, including Sweden where specific regulations are enforced.
Choosing Air 3 Over Mavic 3 Pro
The decision to opt for the Air 3 over the Mavic 3 Pro was made due to various reasons. While the 3 Pro has a larger sensor and is better suited for flying in windy conditions, the Air 3 offers a better remote range with less chance of signal loss owing to its dual-band connectivity. By adjusting settings, the Air 3’s image quality can be comparable to the more expensive 3 Pro.
Combo Version and Accessories
Opting for the combo version with the charging hub and three batteries, along with eight extra props for the drone, ensures readiness for any eventuality. Although still using the first set of props, having spare ones on hand is always beneficial in case replacements are needed due to wear and tear.
Remote Control Update
The RC remote recently received an update, improving the loading time and making it more responsive for immediate use.
Design and Build
The DJI Mavic Air 3 boasts a sleek and compact design that is perfect for on-the-go adventures. With its foldable arms and lightweight build, it is easy to transport and convenient to use. The drone also comes with a sturdy remote control that provides precise control over the aircraft.
Performance and Functionality
When it comes to performance, the DJI Mavic Air 3 does not disappoint. It offers impressive flight stability and maneuverability, making it a joy to fly for both beginners and experienced pilots. The drone’s intelligent flight modes, such as ActiveTrack and QuickShot, make capturing stunning aerial footage a breeze.
User Experience
One of the standout features of the DJI Mavic Air 3 is its user-friendly interface. The remote control is easy to use, with responsive joysticks for smooth aerial control. The drone also has a built-in map and view feature that allows users to navigate their surroundings and view live camera feeds in real-time.
Features of the DJI Mavic Air 3
Here we have some features bypass will make the Drone pass. The object break will make the Drone break in front of the object and you dont want it press off. I did it yesterday. It was scary and more about that later, youre also going to set the outer return to home altitude, which probably would be good to have like around 100 m, because most trees arent taller than that in Sweden.
Regulation and Altitude Settings
We, the regulation, is that you cant go higher than 120 M, so I have set the maximum altitude to 120. You could go as high as 500. If you go over to the control tab, you have the units first, we here in Sweden, we count in meters or kilometers uh and if we were in the air, as you will see later, we also have subject tracking and you will see what thats for later, As well and we do have follow mode or fpv with fpv, you will see the Drone banking in the image when you uh, when you turn so.
Usage for Cinematic Footage
We bought this drone mainly to create cinematic uh stock footage, and so we want the highest quality of slow nice. Smooth footage as possible so uh we grade everything afterward, so we will be in dlog and its nice to see a lot. So we have the control display, assist on and um. We have all set the white balance to manual and because were only flying Outdoors, so that sets to 5600 and to make this look very similar to the 3 Pro.
Image Quality
You could press the style here and you could adjust the sharpness and noise reduction to minus one, and you could always apply that later. If you need it in post, but that will make the image much much more similar to the 3 Pro and you do have eight gigs of storage internal, and we have two sets of 128 gigs memory cards that we use for a drone. And I have never filled them up because they are in h265 and they are very small files, even though there is 10 bit 4K files. I don’t know how much the bit is, but I will tell it right here: some more nice feature, though, in the remote that we can set is if we go to control and go to game and Expo tuning, we can set each Modes speed in any Direction really, and we can also set how this stick will operate or feel not really feel, but how much they will um react to your moves and so forth, and we have also the gimbal maximum speed and tilt smoothness.
Performance
So if we turn this up to like 20 now, will it will slow down smoothly before it? Let go because the default settings of the of the gimbal is really jittery or its really really stiff. I would say if we set it this back to like zero. It will stop right away, but its not very cinematic and it looks very, very uh Machinery, so to speak, but this looks much more fluid and nice and you can also set this of course for each mode, so we could have in the C mode.
Maximum Speed and Control Customization
The DJI Mavic Air 3 offers impressive speed capabilities, with a maximum horizontal speed of 3.5 m/s in normal mode, 15 m/s, and 18.5 m/s in sport mode. Users have the flexibility to customize the controls according to their preferences, allowing for a more tailored flying experience. Features such as cruise control and adjustable shutter speed can be assigned to specific buttons on the remote control for added convenience.
Cinematic Footage with Waypoints
For those looking to capture cinematic and smooth footage with the DJI Mavic Air 3, utilizing waypoints is the way to go. By setting waypoints before reaching a location, users can ensure precise and repeatable flight paths for their aerial shots. This feature is particularly useful for planning shots in advance or revisiting locations for additional filming.
DJI Mavic Air 3: Waypoint Feature Review
One of the standout features of the DJI Mavic Air 3 is the Waypoint feature, which allows users to create a custom flight path for the drone to follow. This can be incredibly useful for capturing specific shots or videos without having to manually control the drone throughout the entire flight.
Creating Waypoints
To create a Waypoint, simply open the DJI app and select the map view. Press the arrow with an “S” lying down, then press the plus sign anywhere on the map to create a Waypoint. Once you have created a Waypoint, you can set the altitude and speed at which the drone will fly to that point.
Setting Altitude and Speed
When setting the altitude of a Waypoint, you can choose the height at which the drone will fly to that point. This can be useful for capturing shots from different perspectives or heights. Additionally, you can set the speed of the drone to either a global setting or a custom speed, depending on your preferences.
Adjusting Gimbal and Heading
Within each Waypoint, you can also adjust the gimbal speed and heading of the drone. The gimbal speed determines how quickly the camera will adjust its angle while flying to the Waypoint, allowing for smoother transitions in footage. You can also set the heading of the drone to follow a specific route or adjust it manually during the flight.
Saving and Reusing Waypoints
Once you have set up your Waypoints, you can save them for future use. This can be handy if you have specific locations you want to revisit or if you want to use the same flight path for multiple shoots. Saving Waypoints allows you to easily load them for your next flight and capture the shots you desire.
Setting Waypoints
The DJI Mavic Air 3 offers a unique feature that allows users to set waypoints for the drone to fly to automatically. This feature can be incredibly useful for capturing specific shots or videos without the need for manual control.
Creating a Route
To create a route with the DJI Mavic Air 3, simply press the Waypoint button and add points along the desired path. You can adjust the altitude, gimbal speed, heading direction, tilt, and zoom for each point to customize your route.
Smooth Transitions
Once you have set your waypoints, you can initiate the route by hitting the “go” button. The drone will smoothly transition between points, tilting the camera and adjusting the gimbal as needed to capture the perfect shot. This feature ensures that your footage is seamless and professional-looking.
Waypoint Feature
You can set up how many waypoints you want and once set, the drone will return to home by default. However, you can adjust settings to allow the drone to stay in the air and track specific targets.
Control Sub Scanning
In the control settings, you can enable the drone to detect objects to track. By selecting a target, such as yourself, the drone will follow and track your movements. This feature is especially useful for capturing dynamic shots.
Sensitivity to Objects
When creating waypoints, the drone may not be as sensitive to nearby objects. However, once the waypoints are activated, the drone becomes highly responsive to obstacles. It is essential to monitor its path to ensure smooth and safe operation.
Smoothness of Gimbal
Adjusting the smoothness of the gimbal allows for cinematic fluidity in your footage. This feature enables you to capture shots with precision and clarity, enhancing the overall quality of your aerial videos.
Overall Experience
Using the DJI Mavic Air 3 has been a delightful experience. The drone’s capabilities, ease of use, and impressive features make it a top choice for aerial photography and videography. From the brightness of the remote to the extended battery life and the inclusion of multiple batteries, the DJI Mavic Air 3 offers a well-rounded and enjoyable flying experience.
Design and Portability
The DJI Mavic Air 3 boasts a sleek and compact design, making it easy to transport and set up for aerial photography or videography. Its small size allows users to carry it in a backpack or small bag, making it a convenient choice for travel or outdoor adventures. The drone’s portability is a major advantage for users who are constantly on the go and need a reliable and lightweight drone to capture stunning aerial shots.
Camera Quality
One of the standout features of the DJI Mavic Air 3 is its exceptional camera quality. The drone is equipped with high-quality lenses and sensors that deliver sharp and detailed images and videos. Additionally, the Mavic Air 3 offers users the ability to attach ND filters, enhancing the overall image quality and allowing for more creative control over the footage captured. Whether you are capturing landscapes, sports events, or social gatherings, the DJI Mavic Air 3 delivers impressive results with its advanced camera technology.
Flight Performance
The DJI Mavic Air 3 is known for its impressive flight performance, thanks to its advanced flight control system and intelligent features. The drone offers stable and smooth flight movements, allowing users to capture smooth and professional-looking aerial footage. Additionally, the Mavic Air 3 comes equipped with obstacle avoidance sensors, ensuring a safe and worry-free flying experience. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced drone pilot, the DJI Mavic Air 3 offers intuitive controls and reliable flight performance.
Features and Technology
In addition to its excellent camera quality and flight performance, the DJI Mavic Air 3 comes packed with a range of features and advanced technology. The drone offers intelligent flight modes, such as ActiveTrack, QuickShot, and Point of Interest, making it easy to capture dynamic and engaging shots. The Mavic Air 3 also features GPS navigation and a range of sensors for precise and accurate flight control. Overall, the DJI Mavic Air 3 sets a high standard for drones in terms of features and technology, making it a top choice for aerial photographers and videographers.
Overall, the DJI Mavic Air 3 is a top-notch drone that delivers on both performance and functionality. With its compact design, advanced features, and user-friendly interface, it is a solid choice for anyone looking to take their aerial photography and videography to the next level. Whether you’re a professional filmmaker or an amateur enthusiast, the DJI Mavic Air 3 is sure to impress.
The waypoint feature on the DJI Mavic Air 3 is a game-changer for drone enthusiasts and content creators. It provides a simple and effective way to capture precise aerial shots without the need for manual flying. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced pilot, the waypoint feature is sure to enhance your drone photography and videography experience.
