Thanks for studying this text on my favourite drone: the Autel Evo Lite Plus or the DJI Air 3.
This 12 months, DJI has frequently churned out drone after drone, ensuing within the Mini 4 Professional, Air 3, and Mavic 3 Professional. Autel, alternatively, has taken a extra restrained method when producing and releasing their drones.
Having flown the Autel Evo Lite Plus for somewhat over a 12 months and the Air 3 a short while after its launch, I’ve used each of them commercially and recreationally.
On this article, I’ll look at the important thing variations between the Autel Evo Lite Plus and the DJI Air 3, the upgrades within the DJI Air 3, my total expertise with every, and why I take into account the DJI Air 3 my favourite drone of the 2.
In case you are in search of an incredible all-around drone that can be utilized each professionally and recreationally, this text ought to enable you to resolve.
Temporary Overview
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Autel Evo Lite Plus was launched in January 2022 and competed with the 2021 DJI Air 2S. Now, it competes with the Air 2S’s successor, the Air 3.
The Evo Lite Plus takes design cues from the bigger Autel Evo II and Evo II Professional. Just like the Evo II, it has a professional-level 20 MP adjustable aperture 1-inch CMOS sensor digicam.
The Evo Lite Plus, being on related enjoying floor because the Air 3, affords:
- 40-minute flight occasions, useful for these lengthy days of capturing the place each minute counts
- Three-way impediment avoidance sensing, aiding in safer flight maneuvers
- 1-inch digicam sensor for 20 MP high-resolution skilled high quality images
- No geofencing, which means no flight restrictions, excellent for flying in warning zones with correct airspace authorization
DJI Air 3
Launched in 2023, the Air 3 is the extremely anticipated improve to the favored Air 2S.
The Air 3 is a superb alternative for brand new pilots, fans, and people wanting a solidly constructed drone for some industrial work.
Whereas the Air 3 has a smaller most important digicam than its predecessor, the DJI Air 2S, it has fairly just a few main upgrades, a few of that are additionally seen within the costlier Mavic 3 Professional.
- Twin-camera system provides viewers very good parallax results
- Omnidirectional impediment sensing to make sure the security of the Air 3 whereas in flight
- OcuSync 4 Video Transmission System for stronger, interference-free video indicators
- Enhanced monitoring and added flight modes for these seeking to movie themselves or specified topics
Fast Verdict
Over the months, I’ve totally used the Air 3 in each capability obtainable, from leisure to industrial. I used to be eager to attempt each single choice to see what the Air 3 may do. It didn’t disappoint.
Though I’ve used the Evo Lite Plus for somewhat over a 12 months beforehand, it was instantly obvious when flying the Air 3 that it exceeded the Evo Lite Plus in virtually each method.
The Air 3 does the whole lot the Evo Lite Plus does, and does most of them higher, as we’ll see extra in-depth quickly.
Though the Air 3 and Evo Lite Plus are related in value (for the Fly Extra combo and Premium bundle), the Air 3 pulled method forward in bodily flight efficiency and impediment sensing. Add within the twin digicam system, and the Air 3 is the higher well-rounded alternative.
Whereas the Autel Evo Lite Plus is a superb drone, the Air 3 is essentially the most versatile alternative for solo creators, anybody eager to fly recreationally with clever flight modes, or these seeking to do industrial work for purchasers.
What are the Fundamental Variations?
Trying on the Evo Lite Plus and Air 3, there’s over a year-long hole between the 2. This interprets into numerous variations between the 2, due to advances in drone expertise.
The most important and most notable variations between the 2 are as follows:
- Twin digicam system: Though utilizing smaller 1/1.3-inch cameras, there are two. It has a 24mm equal wide-angle lens and a further 70mm lens, excellent for videographers in search of new views to inform their story. Photographers additionally profit from this lens, as they will now get nearer to their topic or focal point from safer distances.
- Stronger motors: At roughly the identical dimension because the Evo Lite Plus, the Air 3 can fly 46.9 mph, nearly 7 mph sooner than the 40 mph of the Evo Lite Plus.
- Omnidirectional impediment avoidance sensors: The Air 3 has full, 360-degree impediment avoidance, which allows the Air 3 to not solely fly safer when nearing obstructions but in addition profit from superior Return to Dwelling (RTH) options.
- Video Transmission System: OcuSync 4.0 permits the Air 3 to have one of many strongest transmission indicators up to now of any drone, additionally permitting for additional flight distances.
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Evo Lite Plus is modeled loosely after the bigger Evo II and Evo II Plus launched prior.
Whereas being a smaller, scaled-back model of these drones, the Evo Lite Plus has lots of the advantages of the Evo II Plus, in a smaller, easier-to-manage bundle.
Autel has been identified for pioneering longer battery life in shopper and prosumer drones, as seen with the discharge of the Evo II and II Professional. The drones boasted unheard-of 40-minute flight occasions again in 2020.
That longer battery life made its technique to the smaller Evo Lite Plus and was spectacular again then when evaluating it to many DJI drones of the time, together with the Air 2S.
The Evo Lite Plus additionally has a 20 MP adjustable aperture one-inch digicam sensor, one thing {many professional} photographers insist on, on account of flexibility and picture high quality.
This was really an enchancment over the bigger, non-professional degree Evo II 8k, as that digicam solely had a 1/2-inch sensor. With the Evo Lite Plus’ bigger digicam sensor got here the power to shoot glorious low-light footage.
Additionally, one thing many drone fans search for, the Autel Evo Lite Plus is not Geofenced. Though Autel has indicated a few of their drone traces would finally be geofenced, the Lite Plus wouldn’t be receiving geofencing limitations.
Key options of the Evo Lite Plus:
- 20 MP 1-inch digicam sensor
- Adjustable aperture from f/2.8 – f/11
- 6k 30 fps; 4k 60fps Log and regular colour profiles
- 3-way impediment avoidance system
- 40-minute battery life
Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ Premium Bundle
1” CMOS Sensor with 6K HDR Digital camera, No Geo-Fencing, 3-Axis Gimbal, 3-Approach Impediment Avoidance, 40Min Flight Time, 7.4 Miles Transmission, Lite Plus Extra Combo.
We earn a fee when you make a purchase order, at no further price to you.
10/27/2023 03:31 am GMT
DJI Air 3
The Air 3 is the successor to the favored consumer-level industrial workhorse, the Air 2S.
It doesn’t pigeonhole itself into a selected drone class, although. The Air 3 appeals to these new to flying drones, leisure flyers, drone fans, in addition to professionals on a funds seeking to get nice low-light photographs and 10-bit, 4k video.
Not like the 20 MP adjustable aperture 1-inch digicam within the Air 2S, the Air 3 makes use of smaller twin cameras.
Fortuitously, with the advances in DJI’s imaging system, the standard of the 24mm and 70mm medium-tele cameras and low mild efficiency is great. This permits the Air 3 to be confidently used recreationally, in addition to within the skilled area.
Couple this with 10-bit capabilities and 4k 100fps sluggish movement, and the Air 3 is nice to work with.
DJI Air 3 key options embrace:
- Twin Cameras – 24mm and 70mm
- Omnidirectional impediment sensing
- OcuSync 4.0 Video Transmission System (12.4 miles)
- 4k 100fps, 10-bit D-Log M colour
- Energetic Monitor 360
- Wonderful price-to-features ratio (just like the Air 2S)
Head-to-Head Comparability
Digital camera Choices
Winner: DJI Air 3
Though the Air 3 has a smaller most important digicam than the Evo Lite Plus, it has double the quantity of cameras because the Evo Lite Plus. Why does this put the Air 3 forward?
Whether or not recreationally or professionally, the power for the Air 3 to shoot at a 24 mm vast angle in addition to zoom in to 70 mm is one thing DSLR and Mirrorless customers are accustomed to with zoom lenses. The 24-70 mm focal vary is definitely fairly common in pictures.
Utilizing the 70 mm lens at the side of parallax strikes provides a artistic perspective and cinematic worth to video footage. Additionally, this digicam provides nonetheless images the benefit of capturing a topic whereas additional away.
Due to the industrial work I do for companies, I shoot fairly a little bit of metropolis and concrete video footage. I oftentimes get this footage whereas launching from the highest of rooftop garages.
As a result of many of those areas are crowded with pedestrians, foot site visitors, and autos, most occasions, it’s not sensible or secure to fly hundreds of ft away from the house level to get the most effective shot.
The 70 mm digicam is the proper possibility on the Air 3 to deal with these kind of conditions.
The 70 mm has the identical specs because the 24 mm, so I will be additional away from my topic whereas safely over a rooftop or construction, capturing the scene with the most effective settings attainable.
Having a second 70 mm digicam possibility additional permits for artistic management whereas doing so effortlessly as a totally built-in possibility.
Along with versatile focal size choices, the Air 3 shoots video at 4k as much as 100fps and slow-motion in 1080p at 200fps, all of which will be accomplished in 10-bit utilizing the D-Log M colour profile.
The Air 3 additionally affords 10-bit HLG (HDR) filming for elevated dynamic vary.
Flight Efficiency
Winner: DJI Air 3
At the moment, the DJI Air 3 is likely one of the quickest shopper and prosumer drones provided by DJI and is critically sooner than the Evo Lite Plus.
On the chart beneath, the most ascent and descent speeds for the Evo Lite Plus are primarily based on flying in Sport mode. The DJI Air 3 has the identical ascent and descent speeds whether or not in Cine, Regular, or Sport mode.
The utmost horizontal pace for each can also be primarily based on flying in Sport mode.
| Autel Evo Lite Plus | DJI Air 3 | |
| Ascent | 11.18 mph | 22.36 mph |
| Descent | 8.94 mph | 22.36 mph |
| Horizontal | 40 mph | 46.97 mph |
The Air 3 flies sooner and handles a lot better than the Evo Lite Plus. This isn’t to say the dealing with on the Evo Lite Plus is horrible.
The dealing with between the Air 3 and Evo Lite Plus will be likened to driving a sportscar and a late mannequin SUV, with the latter being the Evo Lite Plus.
Each autos will get you to your vacation spot safely. Nonetheless, the sports activities automobile is quicker and extra enjoyable.
The Air 3 is certainly enjoyable to fly and handles like most newer DJI drones, together with the way more costly Mavic 3 Professional.
What’s extra, if the dealing with is to not your specific flying fashion or desire, this will all be modified within the EXP settings inside the DJI fly app.
Battery Life
Winner: DJI Air 3
Anytime you’re out flying, the minutes matter. The Air 3’s batteries are rated at 46 minutes, whereas the Evo Lite Plus is rated at a decent 40 minutes.
At this time limit of flying drones, most of us notice that we’ll by no means get the producer’s most marketed flight occasions. Nonetheless, flying the Air 3 right down to about 25%, I’m persistently getting 30+ minutes of flight.
The place the Air 3 actually shines and is sort of revolutionary is how the facility from every particular person battery will be transferred to a different for longer battery life.
Utilizing the three-battery charging hub, whereas unplugged, press and maintain the black perform button. The remaining energy from a number of batteries will then be transferred to the battery with the best remaining energy.
Which means as an alternative of getting three partially powered batteries, now you can have one totally charged, or shut to completely charged, battery to your subsequent flight, extending the quantity of capturing time considerably.
This selection can be nice to see on all of DJI’s future drones.
Impediment Avoidance
Winner: DJI Air 3
DJI has been ready so as to add omnidirectional impediment sensing to its 2023 lineup of drones, with the Air 3 being no exception.
This can be a much-needed and appreciated improve over the a lot liked DJI Air 2S’ 4-way system. This 360-degree, omnidirectional safety consists of:
- Entrance
- Again
- Left/Proper Sides
- High
- Backside
Whereas the Air 3 advantages from the added safety of 360-degree impediment sensing, we by no means recommended totally counting on automated impediment avoidance.
An added advantage of the brand new omnidirectional impediment avoidance system is the power to make use of superior clever flight modes and return-to-home features.
Video Transmission System
Winner: DJI Air 3
The Air 3 operates utilizing the upgraded OcuSync 4 (O4) video transmission system over its predecessor, the Air 2S’s O3 system.
With OcuSync 4, the video sign vary has been prolonged to 12.4 miles. That is practically double the gap of the Evo Lite Plus’ 7.5 Miles.
We by no means endorse or advise drone pilots to fly that far, as, in the US, the regulation is to fly inside visible line of sight (VLOS).
What the OcuSync 4.0 transmission system means for Air 3 house owners is the Air 3 has an excellent stronger and cleaner sign operating between the drone and distant controller. That is preferrred for each city and downtown areas.
The Autel Evo Lite Plus’ transmission system was sturdy for its time. Nonetheless, the Air 3’s sign is so much stronger and cleaner.
Geofencing (or Lack Thereof)
Winner: Autel Evo Lite Plus
There may be nearly nothing as irritating as finding and organising in a ravishing location and never having the ability to fly there as a result of the drone sees an authorization zone and grounds you.
With Autel drones, together with the Evo Lite Plus, there isn’t a such geofencing.
Though the newer DJI drones operating DJI Fly at the moment are so much simpler to unlock than again within the DJI Go 4 days, with the Evo Lite Plus, there aren’t any unlocks wanted.
The Autel Sky app will warn you to zones close by, and you may then merely purchase LAANC authorization onsite and go fly.
As soon as experiencing this ease of flight in warning zones, it’s laborious to return to worrying about and having to unlock them in-app.
Conclusion
After utilizing the Air 3 nearly completely for weeks shortly after its launch, I can confidently say that the Air 3 is the proper mix between a leisure and commercial-level drone.
The Air 3 advantages from newer expertise than the Evo Lite Plus, making it higher in nearly each single method:
- Digital camera Choices
- Flight Efficiency
- Battery Life
- Impediment Avoidance
- Video Transmission System
The Air 3 is the proper alternative in case you are in search of an entire bundle for leisure flights, solo content material creation, filming out of doors actions reminiscent of mountain climbing, biking, and boating, or seeking to do some industrial work for purchasers.
