DJI Air 3S leak claims it could have a superpower that allows for smoother flights and dynamic footage
Information about DJI’s upcoming Air 3S recently surfaced on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), with noted leaker Quadro News sharing videos of the drone flying over a city and detailing what type of camera it might sport.
In his latest information post, the insider posted a close-up photo of the front of the device, which reportedly shows what could be “major improvements” coming to the Air 3S.
You may first notice that the two camera lenses are housed in a more sizable housing, with news site DroneXL The extra space suggests that the drone is “equipped with larger image sensors.” This should allow the Air 3S to take better photos in low-light environments. Above the forward-facing cameras are two Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensors, which allow the drone to be more aware of its surroundings. The DJI Air 3 has the same feature.
Between the sensors is a glass panel. What this is exactly is unknown, but DroneXL thinks it is a LiDAR sensor.
👉I won’t take the cat by the balls and compare the camera size of the new drone with the humble Air 3. Note the new sensor in the middle😉 #dji #djiair3s pic.twitter.com/HQtF56yqS1July 24, 2024
High-tech drone
LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. This technology is normally used to create three-dimensional models of the ground. Source devices send out pulses of light and use that information to map large areas. Certain smartphones, such as the iPhone 13 Pro, have this capability.
DJI has previously implemented the technology in commercial products. Zenmuse L2 camera supports LiDAR and can scan local terrain from the air. However, it costs over $13,000, so it’s just not meant for the average person.
👉A video of the DJI Air 3S flying. Cyber goddess spoils me#dji #djiair3s pic.twitter.com/dbiOdQOXCzJuly 25, 2024
If the company implements LiDAR in the Air 3S, it would be the first consumer drone with the feature. However, the technology cannot be used to map local terrain. DroneXL claims that LiDAR could significantly improve flight performance.
According to the publication, “autonomous flight modes could become more reliable… [and the] Improved tracking capabilities would give users a more manageable time to capture “dynamic… images.” LiDAR would have been too expensive to implement in drones a few years ago, but as things have evolved, the technology has become smaller and cheaper to produce. A new era of drone photography may be upon us.
As always, take this leak with a grain of salt. There’s still no word on if or when the DJI Air 3S will launch.
Be sure to also check out TechRadar’s roundup of the best DJI drones for 2024.
