DJI Mavic 4 Pro vs Air 3S: Comparison
What happens when DJI's professional flagship meets its travel-friendly sibling? I've been flying both the DJI Mavic 4 Pro and DJI Air 3S for the past month, putting them through everything from Alaskan night shoots to mountain landscapes.
While both deliver stunning aerial footage, they approach the job with surprisingly different philosophies. The Mavic 4 Pro brings triple-camera versatility and a groundbreaking rotating gimbal. The Air 3S counters with lighter weight, superior ActiveTrack performance, and significantly better value.
In this comparison, I'll show you which drone earns its place in your backpack based on real-world performance, not just spec sheets.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro & DJI Air 3S. Source: Canva
DJI Mavic 4 Pro vs Air 3S: Quick Overview
Here's the fundamental difference: The DJI Mavic 4 Pro packs a revolutionary triple-camera system with a 100MP Hasselblad sensor, variable aperture, and a 360-degree rotating Infinity Gimbal that enables true vertical 6K shooting. The DJI Air 3S delivers dual 1-inch sensors with a wider 24mm field of view, faster ActiveTrack response, lighter 724g airframe, and 240fps slow-motion capability. The Mavic 4 Pro's 4/3 sensor captures superior dynamic range and supports full D-Log across all lenses. The Air 3S weighs 339g less while maintaining excellent image quality for most scenarios.
For serious professionals demanding maximum image quality, extra telephoto reach, and creative freedom of a rotating gimbal, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro justifies its investment. However, for travel creators, real estate photographers, and enthusiasts who value portability and responsive tracking, the DJI Air 3S delivers 90 percent of the performance at roughly half the cost. The Air 3S actually surpasses its bigger sibling in ActiveTrack precision, 1080p/240fps slow-motion, and overall maneuverability. Choose the Mavic 4 Pro when post-production flexibility and professional color grading drive your workflow. Pick the Air 3S when you need a drone that disappears into your travel bag without compromising footage quality.
Table of Contents:
- DJI Mavic 4 Pro vs Air 3S: Full Comparison
- DJI Air 3S vs Mavic 4 Pro: Design
- DJI Mavic 4 Pro or Air 3S: Owner Reviews
- DJI Mavic 4 Pro and Air 3S Alternatives
DJI Mavic 4 Pro vs Air 3S: Full Comparison
| Specification | DJI Mavic 4 Pro | DJI Air 3S |
| Image | ||
| Weight | 1,063g | 724g |
| Dimensions (Unfolded) | 328.7 × 390.5 × 135.2mm | 266.1 × 325.5 × 106mm |
| Dimensions (Folded) | 257.6 × 124.8 × 103.4mm | 215.6 × 102.7 × 94.4mm |
| Main Camera Sensor | 4/3-inch CMOS (Hasselblad) | 1-inch CMOS |
| Main Camera Resolution | 100MP (25MP native) | 50MP |
| Main Camera FOV | 28mm equivalent (f/2.0-f/11) | 24mm equivalent (f/1.8 fixed) |
| Medium Tele Camera | 70mm, 48MP, 1/1.3-inch, f/2.8 | 70mm, 48MP, 1/1.3-inch, f/2.8 |
| Long Tele Camera | 168mm, 50MP, 1/1.5-inch, f/2.8 | Not available |
| Max Video Resolution | 6K/60fps HDR (main camera) | 4K/60fps HDR |
| Slow Motion | 4K/120fps | 4K/120fps + 1080p/240fps |
| Vertical Video | 4K/60fps (gimbal rotation) | 2.7K/60fps (cropped) |
| Dynamic Range | 15.5 stops (main camera) | 14 stops |
| Color Profiles | D-Log, D-Log M, HLG (all cameras) | D-Log M, HLG |
| Bitrate | 130Mbps / 1200Mbps (Creator Combo) | 130Mbps |
| Gimbal | 360° Infinity Gimbal, 70° upward tilt | 3-axis mechanical, standard range |
| Obstacle Sensing | 0.1 lux omnidirectional + LiDAR | 0.1 lux omnidirectional + LiDAR |
| Flight Time | 51 minutes (max) | 45 minutes (max) |
| Max Speed | 90 kph | 69 kph |
| Transmission System | O4+ (30km range) | O4 (20km range) |
| Battery Capacity | 6,654mAh (95Wh) | 4,276mAh |
| Internal Storage | 64GB / 512GB (Creator Combo) | 42GB |
| Controller Options | RC 2 or RC Pro 2 | RC-N3 or RC 2 |
| Regulatory Class | C2 (150m from populated areas) | C1 (30m from populated areas) |
| Base Price | $2,199 USD | $1,099 USD |
The spec sheet tells an interesting story about how DJI segments its drone lineup. Both aircraft share identical medium telephoto cameras and similar obstacle sensing systems, but they diverge sharply in sensor size, lens versatility, and intended audience.
The Mavic 4 Pro's Hasselblad 4/3-inch sensor captures images with 15.5 stops of dynamic range using the D-Log profile. That's cinema camera territory. The Air 3S's 1-inch sensor delivers 14 stops, which still exceeds most consumer cameras but leaves less latitude for aggressive color grading. In controlled side-by-side tests, the Mavic 4 Pro's larger sensor reveals noticeably more detail in shadow areas and maintains cleaner highlights during golden hour shoots. Real-world advantage? Significant for professionals delivering to clients. Minimal for social media creators who rarely push their footage beyond basic corrections.
Field of view creates a practical tradeoff worth considering. The Air 3S's 24mm equivalent wide lens captures more of the scene compared to the Mavic 4 Pro's 28mm perspective. When shooting interiors or tight mountain valleys where backing up isn't possible, those extra 4mm make a tangible difference. I found myself appreciating the Air 3S's wider view when filming forest trails and narrow city streets. The Mavic 4 Pro compensates with its 168mm telephoto that isolates distant subjects beautifully, but you lose that option entirely on the Air 3S.
The aperture situation reveals DJI's design philosophy. The Mavic 4 Pro's variable f/2.0 to f/11 range lets you adjust exposure without swapping ND filters mid-flight. The Air 3S commits to f/1.8 fixed, which gathers more light in dim conditions but requires carrying multiple ND filters for different lighting scenarios. Professional advantage goes to the Mavic 4 Pro. Practical convenience during travel favors the Air 3S since that brighter aperture means fewer filter changes.
Battery endurance separates these drones by six minutes on paper. The Mavic 4 Pro's 51-minute maximum typically translates to 35-40 minutes of active shooting. The Air 3S delivers 30-35 minutes. That five-minute difference matters less than you'd expect since both provide ample time for complex shots. The Air 3S's lighter weight means it handles wind more gracefully, sometimes extending practical flight time in gusty conditions.
Slow-motion capabilities favor the Air 3S in an unexpected way. Both shoot 4K/120fps, but only the Air 3S offers 1080p/240fps. For social media content where vertical framing dominates, that 240fps creates buttery smooth effects. The Mavic 4 Pro lacks this option entirely.
Transmission systems showcase incremental improvements. The Mavic 4 Pro's O4+ extends range to 30km compared to the Air 3S's 20km, though neither distance matters for legal recreational flying. Signal stability does matter, and the O4+ maintains stronger connections in urban environments with heavy WiFi interference.
Weight and regulatory classification create real-world consequences. The Air 3S's C1 rating allows flights within 30 meters of populated areas in Europe. The Mavic 4 Pro's C2 classification requires maintaining 150 meters unless you obtain special authorization. This matters enormously for real estate photographers and urban content creators.
Storage strategy differs fundamentally. The Mavic 4 Pro offers 64GB standard or 512GB in the Creator Combo with support for high-bitrate All-I encoding. The Air 3S provides 42GB with no upgrade path beyond microSD cards. For professional workflows requiring maximum quality, the Creator Combo enables hours of recording without storage anxiety.
DJI Air 3S vs Mavic 4 Pro: Design & Build
Both drones follow DJI's established folding design language but implement it with different priorities.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro Design:
The Mavic 4 Pro measures 328.7mm wide when unfolded and weighs 1,063 grams. The spherical Infinity Gimbal sits prominently at the front, housing all three cameras in a rotating mechanism that enables 360-degree rotation and 70-degree upward tilt. This gimbal represents genuine innovation, allowing Dutch angles and upward perspectives previously impossible on consumer drones. Build quality feels professional with tight tolerances and minimal flex. Six low-light fisheye sensors provide 0.1 lux omnidirectional obstacle sensing, supplemented by forward-facing LiDAR that excels in complete darkness.
The optional RC Pro 2 controller features a 7-inch Mini-LED display reaching 2000 nits peak brightness, making it genuinely usable under harsh sunlight. The screen folds upward automatically when you unfold the controller, powering on simultaneously with the joysticks deploying.
DJI Air 3S Design:
The Air 3S adopts a more compact 266mm wingspan and weighs just 724 grams. Its traditional suspended gimbal sits lower on the body with dual cameras visible. The overall aesthetic looks cleaner and more approachable. Arm hinges fold smoothly with no play, and the propellers mount via quick-release mechanism. Six vision sensors plus infrared provide identical 0.1 lux obstacle sensing capability.
The RC 2 controller option provides a built-in 5.5-inch 700-nit touchscreen that rotates 90 degrees for vertical framing. It's bright enough for most conditions but struggles in direct desert sunlight where the RC Pro 2 excels. Total weight with controller reaches approximately 971 grams.
Both drones feature collapsible designs that fold to roughly half their flight configuration. The Mavic 4 Pro folds to 257mm long while the Air 3S compacts to 215mm. Neither fits in a jacket pocket, but the Air 3S slides into a small camera bag alongside a mirrorless body. Build quality on both feels premium with no concerning flex or cheap plastics.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro or Air 3S: Owner Reviews
Real pilots who purchased these drones reveal performance details that spec sheets never capture:
DJI Mavic 4 Pro Owner Reviews:
Praises: "The 6K/60fps footage grades beautifully in DaVinci Resolve. I'm pulling detail from shadows that would be pure noise on my old Mavic 3 Pro. The D-Log profile on all three cameras means I can switch focal lengths mid-scene without worrying about color matching in post."
"That Infinity Gimbal opens creative possibilities I didn't know I needed. Being able to tilt 70 degrees upward means I can fly low and shoot up at cliff faces without awkward maneuvering. The 360-degree rotation creates cinematic effects that previously required FPV drones."
***
Drawbacks: "ActiveTrack feels sluggish compared to my Air 3S. When I swipe on screen to reposition the drone during tracking, it takes several seconds to respond and sometimes moves in the opposite direction. This makes following mountain bikers frustrating."
"The price jumped dramatically from the Mavic 3 Pro without proportional improvements. Yes, the sensor is better and the gimbal rotates, but the upgrade feels incremental when the Air 3S delivers such strong performance."
DJI Air 3S Owner Reviews:
Praises: "ActiveTrack on this drone is absolutely phenomenal. It follows me through dense forest trails without losing lock even when branches temporarily obscure the frame. The response to directional commands is instant and precise."
"That 24mm wide lens makes such a difference in tight spaces. I shoot real estate and the Air 3S captures entire rooms that required multiple takes with my Mavic 3. The extra field of view eliminates so much repositioning."
***
Drawbacks: "No true vertical 6K shooting hurts for Instagram Reels and TikTok content. The 2.7K vertical mode works but lacks the resolution I need when clients request both horizontal and vertical deliverables from the same shoot."
"The fixed f/1.8 aperture means I'm constantly swapping ND filters throughout the day as lighting changes. With the Mavic 4 Pro, I could just adjust aperture electronically. This adds precious minutes to every location change."
DJI Mavic 4 Pro and Air 3S Alternatives
If neither drone perfectly matches your requirements, consider these compelling alternatives:
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Sub-250g drone with native vertical shooting and 4K/60fps capability. Requires no FAA registration and offers C0 classification in Europe for maximum flying freedom, though image quality trails both larger drones significantly.
- DJI Mavic 3 Pro: Previous generation triple-camera drone frequently available at closeout pricing. Delivers similar focal length versatility as Mavic 4 Pro but lacks the Infinity Gimbal, improved low-light performance, and O4+ transmission.
The Mini 4 Pro targets travelers who prioritize portability over image quality. Its sub-250g weight eliminates registration headaches and enables flights in restricted areas. Native vertical shooting makes it compelling for content creators focused exclusively on mobile platforms.
The Mavic 3 Pro represents last year's technology at closeout prices, positioning it between the Air 3S and Mavic 4 Pro financially while offering three cameras like the newer flagship. You sacrifice the rotating gimbal and improved sensor but gain similar focal length versatility.
Should You Buy the DJI Mavic 4 Pro or Air 3S?
After a month of intensive testing across diverse conditions, both the DJI Mavic 4 Pro and DJI Air 3S deliver exceptional aerial footage with surprisingly different strengths.
Choose the Mavic 4 Pro if you're a professional delivering color-graded content to paying clients. The 4/3 Hasselblad sensor's 15.5 stops of dynamic range provides genuine post-production flexibility. The variable aperture eliminates constant ND filter swaps. The 168mm telephoto enables shots physically impossible on the Air 3S. The Infinity Gimbal's 360-degree rotation and 70-degree upward tilt create cinematic perspectives that justify the investment. The O4+ transmission maintains rock-solid connection in challenging RF environments.
Choose the Air 3S if you value portability, responsive tracking, and smart value. The 724g weight transforms multi-day travel from burden to pleasure. ActiveTrack performance genuinely surpasses the Mavic 4 Pro's sluggish response. The 24mm wide lens captures more scene in tight spaces where the Mavic's 28mm feels restrictive. The 1080p/240fps slow-motion option provides creative freedom the Mavic lacks. C1 regulatory classification enables urban flying the Mavic 4 Pro can't legally perform.
For most creators, the Air 3S represents the smarter purchase. Its image quality satisfies all but the most demanding professional workflows. The superior ActiveTrack alone justifies choosing it for action sports and documentary work. The Mavic 4 Pro earns its premium when you need that last 10 percent of image quality for client deliverables or when the 168mm telephoto becomes essential for your shooting style.