Autel EVO Nano+ vs DJI Air 3S
Specs, camera quality, and ratings compared · Updated 2026
Two drones from different weight classes and price points. 3-inch telephoto), LiDAR obstacle avoidance, and 45 minutes of flight time at 724g.
The EVO Nano+ at $659 is a sub-250g drone with a RYYB sensor built for low-light stills. The Air 3S is DJI's current mid-range.
The Nano+ is a discontinued Autel camera that still performs well for its size.
Pros & Cons
Autel EVO Nano+
- RYYB sensor filter absorbs about 40% more light than traditional RGGB arrays, producing class-leading low-light stills for a sub-250g drone
- No geofencing restrictions, so pilots can take off anywhere without DJI-style FlySafe unlock procedures (at their own legal responsibility)
- 50MP stills from the 1/1.28-inch sensor produce detailed landscape crops that rival the DJI Mini 4 Pro
- 3-way obstacle avoidance (front, rear, bottom) was rare for a sub-250g drone at launch and still beats the DJI Mini 3's downward-only sensors
- Bright orange and red colors make it significantly easier to maintain visual line of sight than grey DJI drones
- 249g takeoff weight keeps it cleanly in the no-registration recreational category
- Discontinued. Autel has exited the consumer drone market to focus on enterprise, and there's no EVO Nano 2 replacement coming
- 4K/30fps cap with no 4K/60fps option, making it a weak choice for videographers compared to any current DJI Mini
- Customer support is consistently described as terrible by owners, with reports of denied warranty claims and expensive repair charges
- SkyLink transmission is noticeably less stable than DJI's OcuSync, especially at distance or in areas with Wi-Fi interference
- Jello effect in video footage is a persistent issue caused by vibration, which firmware updates only partially fix
- Autel Sky app has recurring bugs including disconnects when exiting settings and false obstacle detection in direct sunlight
- 20-25 minute real-world flight time is shorter than the DJI Mini 3 (30-34 minutes) and Mini 4 Pro (20-25 minutes with better video)
- FCC Covered List placement in late 2025 complicates future parts availability and repairs in the US
DJI Air 3S
- Dual camera with a 1-inch wide sensor and 3x 70mm telephoto gives you two focal lengths without moving the drone
- LiDAR omnidirectional obstacle sensing detects obstacles down to 1 lux, making night and dusk flights practical
- ActiveTrack 360° with Cycling Mode follows subjects through complex environments while you control the path with a touch wheel
- 45-minute flight time is among the longest in any consumer drone, giving real session length without battery swaps
- 42GB internal storage plus microSD means you won't lose a session to a forgotten card
- DJI O4 transmission holds a stable 1080p feed out to distances you'd never actually need
- Level 5 wind resistance (12 m/s) handles coastal and mountain gusts that would ground a Mini-series drone
- 10-bit D-Log M and HLG color profiles give editors real latitude in post without 8-bit banding
- 724g means FAA registration is required in the US, even for recreational use
- Fixed aperture on both lenses means you need ND filters to control shutter speed in bright conditions
- $1,099 base price, and the total investment with a Fly More Combo hits $1,599
- Bulkier and heavier than the entire Mini series, doesn't fit in a jacket pocket or small bag
- No true vertical video rotation like the Mini 5 Pro. Vertical mode is a crop, which wastes sensor resolution
- Telephoto lens has a smaller 1/1.3-inch sensor, so low-light quality drops noticeably when zoomed in
- US availability is complicated by FCC Covered List restrictions, pushing buyers to third-party retailers
Price Range
The Air 3S costs $1,099 for the standard kit with full US availability and DJI warranty. The EVO Nano+ clears at $659 with no manufacturer warranty or long-term support. That is a $440 gap.
The Air 3S Fly More Combo runs about $1,449. The Nano+ is what you see is what you get at clearance. Battery costs: around $55 for the Air 3S, $50+ for the Nano+.
The Air 3S battery lasts 45 minutes versus 28 for the Nano+, so your cost per minute of flight is significantly lower on the DJI.
When you factor in warranty, ongoing support, and per-minute flight cost, the Air 3S offers better long-term value despite the higher sticker price.
Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all columns →
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
3.8 | 4.5 | |
| Camera & Imaging | ||
| Camera | 4K/30fps | 4K/120fps |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.28-inch CMOS (RYYB) | 1-inch CMOS (wide) + 1/1.3-inch (tele) |
| Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.8 (wide), f/2.8 (tele) |
| Zoom | — | 3x optical (telephoto lens) |
| HDR | ||
| RAW/DNG | ||
| Flight Performance | ||
| Flight Time | 28 min | 45 min |
| Range | 10 km | 20 km |
| Max Speed | 16 m/s | 21 m/s |
| Gimbal | 3-axis mechanical | 3-axis mechanical |
| Smart Features | ||
| Obstacle Avoidance | ||
| GPS | ||
| Follow Me | ||
| Return to Home | ||
| Build & Design | ||
| Price | $659 | $1099 |
| Weight | 249g | 724g |
| Foldable | ||
| Buy Now | Buy Now | |
Camera System
3-inch sensor. Both shoot 50MP stills and 4K/120fps video in 10-bit D-Log M. 9, shooting 50MP stills and 4K/30fps in 8-bit.
The RYYB color filter is the Nano+'s unique strength. It captures roughly 40% more light than conventional sensors, giving the Nano+ an edge in very dim conditions despite its smaller sensor.
In good light, the Air 3S's larger main sensor produces better dynamic range and cleaner images.
Obstacle Avoidance and Transmission
- Obstacle avoidance: LiDAR omnidirectional (Air 3S) versus none (Nano+)
- Transmission: DJI O4 at 20km (Air 3S) versus Autel system at 10km (Nano+)
- Slow motion: 4K/120fps (Air 3S) versus 4K/30fps max (Nano+)
Flight Performance and Weight
- Battery: 45 minutes (Air 3S) versus 28 minutes (Nano+)
- Weight: 724g with FAA registration (Air 3S) versus 249g without registration (Nano+)
The Air 3S's 17 extra minutes of flight time means covering an entire location without swapping batteries.
Choose the DJI Air 3S if:
- You need dual cameras for wide and telephoto compositions without repositioning
- You shoot landscapes, architecture, or golden hour scenes needing 14 stops of dynamic range
- You want 10-bit D-Log M for professional color grading
- LiDAR obstacle avoidance matters for flying near structures and trees
- You need 45 minutes of flight time per battery
The Air 3S is the better photography drone for most situations.
Choose the Autel EVO Nano+ if:
- Travel photography where weight is the top concern
- You need sub-250g (249g) for no registration in many countries
- Dawn, dusk, and overcast shooting are your primary conditions (RYYB sensor advantage)
- You travel frequently and shoot primarily stills in natural light
The Nano+'s portability and low-light capability make it a practical travel choice despite being discontinued.
Our Verdict
The Air 3S at $1,099 is the stronger photography drone. Better sensor, dual cameras, 10-bit video, LiDAR, and 17 more minutes of flight time add up to a more capable tool. The Nano+ at $659 is worth considering if sub-250g weight and RYYB low-light performance are your priorities, and you are comfortable buying discontinued hardware. For most photographers, the Air 3S's advantages justify the $440 premium.
DJI Air 3S
4.5/5 overall · $1099
Written by Paul Posea · Reviewed by Sarah Kim · Updated 2026-02-15