DJI Air 3S vs DJI Mavic 4 Pro
Specs, camera quality, and ratings compared · Updated 2026
The Air 3S at $1,099 and the Mavic 4 Pro at $2,199. Both have 1-inch class main sensors, LiDAR obstacle avoidance, and 10-bit D-Log video.
The Mavic 4 Pro adds a triple camera with optical telephoto, variable aperture, 100MP stills, and a 360-degree Infinity Gimbal.
The Air 3S has a dual camera (wide + 70mm), weighs 339g less, costs half as much, and is available through normal US retail channels.
For real estate photography, the question is whether the Mavic 4 Pro's extras justify double the price.
Pros & Cons
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
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
- Triple camera with a 4/3 Hasselblad main (100MP), 70mm medium telephoto, and 168mm telephoto gives three focal lengths without repositioning. Switch from wide property overviews to architectural details mid-flight
- Infinity Gimbal rotates 360 degrees continuously, enabling true native vertical video for social media, 70-degree upward tilts for building facades, and rotating shots no other consumer drone can produce
- 6K/60fps video with 10-bit D-Log across all three cameras gives editors consistent color science. The Mavic 3 Pro only offered D-Log on its main camera, forcing mismatched grades between lenses
- f/2.0 to f/11 variable aperture on the main camera controls depth of field and handles bright midday sun without ND filters. That's wider than the Mavic 3 Pro's f/2.8 minimum
- 51-minute flight time translates to 40-45 minutes in real conditions, enough to photograph an entire property exterior on one battery
- LiDAR omnidirectional obstacle avoidance works down to 0.1 lux, making twilight exterior shoots and return-to-home flights safe after sunset
- O4+ transmission holds a stable 10-bit HDR 1080p feed at 30 km. The live view quality is good enough to evaluate framing and exposure on the controller screen
- 100MP stills from the 4/3 sensor resolve enough detail for large-format prints and billboard-scale real estate advertising
- 1,063g exceeds both the 250g and 1kg thresholds, triggering stricter FAA regulations and heavier drone categories in the EU
- $2,199 for the base kit and $3,549 for the Creator Combo puts it beyond what most real estate agents will spend on a drone
- Not sold in the US officially by DJI due to FCC Covered List restrictions. Buying through B&H or third-party Amazon sellers means uncertain warranty and DJI Care Refresh access
- 28mm main camera is narrower than the Mavic 3 Pro's 24mm, and some property photographers miss the wider field of view for capturing full building facades up close
- ActiveTrack performance is weaker than expected. Several owners describe it as unreliable for consistent subject tracking, especially with vehicles
- No ProRes codec, which professional videographers expected at this price point
- Normal color profile ships with excessive contrast that requires significant correction in post. Owners who don't shoot D-Log get harsh-looking default footage
Price Range
The Air 3S costs $1,099 for the standard kit and about $1,449 for the Fly More Combo. The Mavic 4 Pro costs $2,199 for the base and $3,549 for the Creator Combo with the RC Pro 2 controller.
The Mavic 4 Pro is not officially sold in the US through DJI due to FCC Covered List restrictions.
You can buy it from B&H Photo or third-party Amazon sellers, but DJI Care Refresh and official warranty are uncertain.
The Air 3S has full US availability through DJI's normal sales channels with standard warranty. That availability difference matters beyond the $1,100 price gap.
Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all columns →
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
4.5 | 4.7 | |
| Camera & Imaging | ||
| Camera | 4K/120fps | 6K/60fps |
| Sensor Size | 1-inch CMOS (wide) + 1/1.3-inch (tele) | 4/3 CMOS (main) + 1/1.3-inch (med tele) + 1/1.5-inch (tele) |
| Aperture | f/1.8 (wide), f/2.8 (tele) | f/2.0-f/11 (main), f/2.8 (teles) |
| Zoom | 3x optical (telephoto lens) | 6x optical (28mm + 70mm + 168mm triple lens) |
| HDR | ||
| RAW/DNG | ||
| Flight Performance | ||
| Flight Time | 45 min | 51 min |
| Range | 20 km | 30 km |
| Max Speed | 21 m/s | 25 m/s |
| Gimbal | 3-axis mechanical | 3-axis Infinity Gimbal (360° rotation) |
| Smart Features | ||
| Obstacle Avoidance | ||
| GPS | ||
| Follow Me | ||
| Return to Home | ||
| Build & Design | ||
| Price | $1099 | $2199 |
| Weight | 724g | 1063g |
| Foldable | ||
| Buy Now | Buy Now | |
Camera System
5-inch, 50MP). 3-inch). Both shoot 10-bit D-Log.
The Mavic 4 Pro's variable aperture lets you control depth of field and manage bright midday sun without ND filters. The Air 3S needs ND filters for the same conditions.
Gimbal and Framing
The Infinity Gimbal on the Mavic 4 Pro rotates 360 degrees and tilts 70 degrees upward, enabling native vertical video and upward shots of building facades. The Air 3S gimbal is traditional.
Flight Performance
- Battery: 51 minutes (Mavic 4 Pro) versus 45 minutes (Air 3S)
- Weight: 1,063g (Mavic 4 Pro) versus 724g (Air 3S)
- Both have LiDAR omnidirectional obstacle avoidance
Choose the DJI Air 3S if:
- You shoot residential properties and want the best value
- The 1-inch sensor, dual cameras, and 45-minute battery handle most property shoots on one charge
- Full US availability with warranty matters (no gambling on support)
- Your clients view photos on web listings and MLS, where the quality gap is invisible
For agents and photographers shooting standard residential listings, the Air 3S produces images that clients can't distinguish from the Mavic 4 Pro's output on a web listing.
Choose the DJI Mavic 4 Pro if:
- You shoot luxury properties, commercial real estate, or produce materials for print
- 100MP stills give editors cropping room for large-format prints
- Variable aperture eliminates ND filter swapping during all-day shoots
- The 168mm telephoto captures details the Air 3S can't reach
- Vertical video via the Infinity Gimbal serves social media listings
If your clients pay $500+ per shoot and expect magazine-quality deliverables, the Mavic 4 Pro earns back its premium.
Our Verdict
The Air 3S at $1,099 for most real estate photography. It covers 90% of property shoots at half the price, with full US warranty and enough image quality for web listings, MLS photos, and standard marketing materials. The Mavic 4 Pro at $2,199 for professional production companies shooting luxury properties. The triple camera, variable aperture, and 100MP stills produce results that justify premium shoot fees. The extra $1,100 only pays off if your clients are paying for that level of quality.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
4.7/5 overall · $2199
Written by Paul Posea · Reviewed by Sarah Kim · Updated 2026-02-13