DJI makes two glorious drones for various functions: the adrenaline-pumping Avata 2, an FPV (First-Particular person View) racing flyer, and the versatile Air 3, a high-quality (but straightforward to fly) digicam drone for gorgeous visuals. So between the DJI Avata 2 vs. Air 3, which one do you have to get? The reply isn’t so simple as you may suppose, so let’s break down which drone is best for you.
How you can resolve between the Avata 2 vs. Air 3:
DJI Avata 2 vs. Air 3: a comparability of worth and specs
The DJI Avata 2 drone is all about FPV (First Particular person View) flying, permitting pilots to see the world via the drone’s eyes by carrying the DJI Goggles 3. It’s nice for flying indoors, significantly in tight areas, or for individuals who need to take wildly acrobatic motion movies. It launched in April 2024 because the second version of the Avata, which was DJI’s first forray into Cinewhoop-style drones.
The DJI Air 3 is a extra conventional digicam drone — and it’s an ultra-high high quality one at that. With two cameras (a wide-angle digicam and a 3x medium tele digicam), it’s one of many greatest digicam drones on the market. However it’s additionally fairly merely a robust workhorse, providing boffo specs like 46 minutes of flight time. That’s double the flight time of the Avata 2.
And with omnidirectional binocular imaginative and prescient system — supplemented with an infrared sensor on the backside of the plane — it’s virtually crash proof. That makes it particularly nice for novices who nonetheless need a super-high-quality drone.
Each have an analogous worth level. Although the Avata 2 begins at $999, in the end you’ll doubtless find yourself paying $200 extra to improve to the DJI FPV Distant Controller 3 (so funds $1,199). That’s the one method you’ll be able to fly the Avata 2 in handbook mode, which is admittedly the place you’ll be able to unlock these unimaginable flight capabilities. The DJI Air 3 begins at $1,099, placing you in the identical ballpark when it comes to value.
Past simply worth, although, right here’s a comparability of key specs differentiating the DJI Avata 2 vs. Air 3:
| DJI Avata 2 | DJI Air 3 | |
| Value | $999 | $1,099 |
| Takeoff Weight | 377 grams | 720 grams |
| Dimensions Folded with out propellers (L×W×H) | 185×212×64 mm | 207×100.5×91.1 mm |
| Max Flight Time | 23 minutes | 46 minutes |
| Max Wind Velocity Resistance | 10.7 m/s | 12 m/s |
| World Navigation Satellite tv for pc System | GPS + Galileo + BeiDou | GPS + Galileo + BeiDou |
| Onboard digicam(s) | One digicam | Two cameras (vast angle and medium tele digicam) |
| Picture Sensor | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Efficient Pixels: 12 MP | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, Efficient Pixels: 48 MP |
| ISO Vary | 100-25600 | 100-6400 (regular) 100-12800 (evening) |
| Max Picture Dimension | 4000×2256 (16∶9) 4000×3000 (4∶3) |
8064×6048 (48 MP) |
| Max Video Bitrate | 130 Mbps | 150 Mbps |
| Sensing Kind | Downward and backward visible positioning | Omnidirectional binocular imaginative and prescient system, supplemented with an infrared sensor on the backside of the plane |
| Video Transmission System | DJI O4 | DJI O4 |
So what do all these specs truly imply? Right here’s a deeper dive into the DJI Avata 2 vs. DJI Air 3 drones:
DJI Avata 2 vs. Air 3 digicam
Primarily based on digicam alone, the DJI Air 3 is the clear winner versus the Avata 2.
Following within the footsteps of higher-end drones just like the DJI Mavic 3, the DJI Air 3 boasts not only one however two cameras. Listed below are these two digicam’s specs.
- A 1/1.3-inch CMOS wide-angle digicam
- 24mm format equal
- F1.7 aperture
- A 1/1.3-inch CMOS 3x medium tele digicam (can obtain 3x optical zoom)
- 70mm format equal
- F2.8 aperture
Each DJI Air 3 cameras supply the identical specs when it comes to:
- 2.4μm pixel measurement
- 48MP pictures
- 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensors
- Publish-cropping assist for simple secondary composition.
- Help for twin native ISO for direct output of 4K/60fps HDR video at excessive body charges and as much as 4K/100fps max
- Help for 10-bit D-Log M and 10-bit HLG shade modes
Now the DJI Avata 2’s digicam is actually not dangerous, and it truly makes for an unimaginable choose in the event you’re trying to make use of it for making wild FPV movies and even doing indoor actual property pictures. However it’s simply not fairly there in case your major objective is extremely top quality pictures:
| Function | DJI Avata 2 | DJI Air 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Dimension | 1/1.3-inch CMOS | 1/1.3-inch CMOS |
| Efficient Pixels (approx.) | 12MP | 48MP |
| Max picture measurement | 4000×2256 (16∶9) 4000×3000 (4∶3) |
8064×6048 |
| Max video bitrate | 130 mbps | 150 mbps |
| Video Stabilization | Digital Picture Stabilization (EIS) | 3-axis Mechanical Gimbal |
| Discipline of View (FOV) | 155° | 82° (wide-angle digicam) 35° (medium tele digicam) |
Clearly, the DJI Air 3 simply gives a lot larger picture high quality. Extra pixels means bigger picture sizes, which is ideally if you wish to show your aerial imagery on one thing larger than a smartphone display screen. It operates at a better video bitrate, which implies higher video high quality. (Although the downside is bigger file sizes, too.)
There are some key variations, that are laborious to definitively state are higher or worse, although. That features the gimbal versus no gimbal, in addition to the sphere of view.
Gimbal vs EIS: The DJI Air 3 has a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, which is a staple in drones in providing that silky clean aesthetic of the digicam simply gliding via the air. In distinction, the Avata 2 ditches the gimbal in favor of digital stabilization algorithms to clean out footage. DJI touts two algorithms: DJI RockSteady (to get rid of total image shake) and DJI HorizonSteady (to make sure your footage stays locked on the horizon — even when the drone turns sharply or sways dramatically).
Whereas the DJI Air 3’s gimbal isn’t essentially delicate, the protruding exterior half is only one extra potential object that may very well be broken. DJI’s designers had that in thoughts when constructing the Avata 2, given it’s just about anticipated that the Avata 2 would crash.
The footage on the Avata 2 remains to be extremely clean, although. Simply take a look at this glide over my yard, filmed on the Avata 2:
It’s tough to disregard the ultra-wide, 155° discipline of view on the Avata 2. It gives a somewhat immersive kind of aesthetic, which you will or might not need.
With the Air 3, you’ve got two cameras to select from. The zoom digicam clearly gives a comparatively slim discipline of view at 35°. And even the 82° FOV on the wide-angle digicam is nothing like what you get on the Avata 2. Conventional filmmakers will doubtless err with what the Air 3 gives, however somebody in search of a distinct aesthetic may be curious to attempt the Avata 2.
Avata 2 vs. Air 3: Evaluating drone measurement (winner: Avata 2)
The DJI Air 3 is the larger of the 2 drones, so somebody attempting to fly via doorframes will favor the narrower design of the Avata 2. The Air 3’s dimensions (size and width) are 258.8 x 326 mm, whereas the Avata 2’s dimensions are simply 185 x 212 mm.
The Air 3’s uncovered propellers make it much less forgiving in crashes in comparison with the Avata 2, which has a built-in propeller guard.
So far as touring with the drones, they begin to develop into extra comparable. As a result of whereas the Air 3 is bigger in flight, its arms fold in, permitting it to shrink all the way down to 207×100.5×91.1 mm when folded up. The Avata 2 shouldn’t be a foldable drone.
So far as the burden of those two drones, the Air 3 is larger. The Avata 2 weighs 377 grams, and the Air 3 weighs 720 grams. Whereas I wouldn’t name the Air 3 ‘heavy,’ it’s nonetheless rather a lot heavier than the Avata 2.
Weight issues on each of those drones, as a result of they exceed the essential 250 gram threshold. Many nations categorize drones primarily based on their weight. And in lots of nations, drones that weigh beneath 249 grams are exempt from sure plane regulation, together with the necessity for registration. Particular to the U.S., drones that weigh 250 grams or extra have to be registered and Distant ID compliant if flying open air in most locations.
Sure, which means each the Air 3 and Avata 2 have to be registered when flown open air in most locations within the U.S.
DJI Avata 2 vs. Air 3: variations within the plane itself
The 2 plane look fairly totally different. The DJI Air 3 follows the shape first launched within the DJI Mavic Professional again in 2016. Which means foldable arms and a gimbal.
The DJI Avata 2 shouldn’t be foldable, however as a substitute options propellers protected by built-in propeller guards. These are supposed to shield the drone (and your partitions) within the occasion of a crash. And sure, given this drone’s nature as a racing drone, it’s type of prepared for a crash.
If you happen to’re flying open air, the Air 3 is best for one key purpose: it holds up higher within the wind. The Air 3 gives 12 m/s wind pace resistance. In the meantime, the Avata 2 gives a superb however not nice stage of 10.7 m/s wind pace resistance.
Impediment avoidance imaginative and prescient programs (winner: DJI Air 3)
The DJI Air 3 model has an omnidirectional binocular imaginative and prescient system supplemented with an infrared sensor on the backside of the plane. That successfully makes your DJI Air 3 drone crash-proof. If you happen to don’t need to danger crashing, order the DJI Air 3
The Avata 2 has simply downward and backward visible positioning — however that’s type of the purpose. That is meant to be a racing or acro drone, which means it flies flips and does acrobatic aerial tips. If you happen to’re afraid of crashing, this isn’t the drone for you.
Transmission (winner: tie)
It is a tie. Each drones use O4, which is DJI’s latest transmission system. This ultra-low latency, high-definition digital video transmission system, shows flight reside feeds in real-time, creating an immersive flying expertise.
Since each drones are appropriate with the DJI Goggles 3, that function actually turns into fascinating. Alas, when used with DJI Goggles 3, the latency is as little as 24 ms at 1080p/100fps reside feeds.
Battery life (winner: DJI Air 3)
The Avata 2 will get simply 23 minutes. The DJI Air 3 gives double that, at an unimaginable 46 minutes of flight time. Positive, you’ll be able to all the time purchase extra batteries. However having longer flight instances reduces dangers of drawback ought to your drone be flying far-off in robust wind circumstances and must return to residence. It additionally simply means much less time needing to spend chopping flights brief for recharging or changing batteries.
Maneuverability (winner: DJI Avata 2)
In fact, the winner right here is the Avata 2. It simply whips round so a lot better than the DJI Air 3. In case your objective is that fast-flying aesthetic, you’ll need the Avata 2. You are able to do much more tips with the Movement controller 3. Try one in every of my tester flights, displaying it in motion right here:
How you can resolve between the DJI Air 3 vs. Avata 2
Given how totally different these two drones are, the choice ought to be comparatively straightforward, regardless of their very comparable worth level.
The Avata 2 is an adrenaline-pumping, racing and acro drone. The Air 3 is extra versatile as a digicam drone for gorgeous visuals that may nonetheless perform as an FPV drone if you pair it with the brand new DJI Goggles 3 and RC Movement 3.
Who’s the DJI Air 3 greatest for?
Get the DJI Air 3 in case your major objective is high-quality imagery. The not one however two cameras are superior to what the Avata 2 gives.
And don’t skip it in the event you worth ease of use and stability or favor an extended flight time. It’s positively the extra beginner-friendly possibility versus the Avata 2.
Simply observe that in the event you ARE interested in flying FPV fashion with the DJI Air 3, it’s going to be much more costly. To get the complete FPV expertise, you’ll have to buy appropriate DJI goggles individually, including to the associated fee. If it’s the DJI Goggles 3 you need, that’ll be an extra $500. Even the cheaper DJI Integra aren’t precisely ‘low-cost,’ nonetheless coming in at $349.
Who’s the DJI Avata 2 greatest for?
Whereas the DJI Air 3 is sort of a slick luxurious automobile, the Avata 2 is for the one who needs a race automobile.
Solely get the Avata 2 in the event you thrive within the thrill of FPV flying. It’s the drone for adrenaline junkies who nonetheless need the comfort and high quality that DJI is know for. In case your fashion of an awesome video is tight maneuverability, motion photographs, flying quick or doing tips, that is your drone.
Finally the Avata 2 goes to be greatest drone in the event you actually need to showcase your flying expertise. However you’ll additionally have to improve to the DJI FPV Distant Controller 3 to make that occur (which prices an extra $200).
Positive, the Avata 2 guarantees to be new-pilot pleasant with its RC Movement 3 offering a simplified management scheme. However in the end, the Avata 2’s greatest options don’t come via except you’re a extremely expert pilot. Provided that, novices (or individuals whose objective is to not be a professional pilot) are simply higher off with the Air 3.
For extra details about these two drones, take a look at my detailed DJI Air 3 evaluation in addition to my complete DJI Avata 2 evaluation. Oh and by the way in which, are you additionally contemplating the DJI Air 3 over a less expensive drone, just like the DJI Air 2S? Try my information to the DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S.
And inform me, between the DJI Air 3 versus Avata 2 drone, which one would you somewhat have? Share your remark beneath!
