DJI Mavic 4 Pro vs DJI Air 3S

• In this blog we cover...

• Camera Comparison: See how the Mavic 4 Pro’s triple-camera system compares to the Air 3S’s dual-camera setup.

• Flight Performance: Explore differences in flight time, speed, and transmission range.

• Obstacle Sensing & Safety: Learn how each drone handles low-light environments, obstacle avoidance, and Smart RTH.

• Gimbal & Creative Features: Understand the creative advantages of the Mavic 4 Pro’s Infinity Gimbal and Air 3S’s smart flight modes.

• Storage, Charging & Controllers: Compare storage capacity, charging speed, and compatible remote controllers.

DJI has expanded its camera drone lineup with the Mavic 4 Pro, designed for professionals with a unique triple-camera system and Infinity Gimbal.

It's a worthy contender to the Air 3S, a compact drone offering dual-camera versatility and a strong all-round performance.

While both drones get the job done - and do so very well, the Mavic 4 Pro has some more sophisticated capabilities, and the Air 3S remains a smart choice for users seeking high-quality results in a more portable frame.

In this blog, we compare the two models across key areas to help you decide which drone best suits your requirements.

Key specs at a glance

Let's take a quick look at how the two camera drones measure up against one another.

Camera systems

Both drones feature impressive camera systems, but which one truly delivers the better performance?

Mavic 4 Pro leads with a triple-camera system, including a 100MP 4/3 Hasselblad sensor, a 48MP medium tele camera, and a 50MP tele camera.

All three cameras support high-quality video capture, including 6K/60fps and 4K/120fps, along with advanced colour profiles like 10-bit D-Log M and HLG. You also get RAW stacking, Subject Focusing, and Free Panoramas for added creative control.

In comparison, the Air 3S has a dual-camera system: a 50MP 1-inch wide-angle camera and a 48MP 1/1.3" medium tele camera.

Both cameras support 4K/60fps HDR, slow motion up to 4K/120fps, and 14-stop dynamic range. The Air 3S delivers excellent results for travel and content creation, but the Mavic 4 Pro offers higher resolution, better colour depth, and more flexibility for professional post-production.

Flight performance

Each drone has a hefty flight time and impressive speed - lets look a little deeper at how these two operate in the air.

The Mavic 4 Pro offers up to 51 minutes of flight time, a top speed of 90kph, and a flight range of 41km. It uses DJI’s latest O4+ transmission system, supporting 30km range with 10-bit HDR video transmission.

The Air 3S follows closely with 45 minutes of flight time and a 10km range via O4 video transmission. For most users, this is more than enough, but the Mavic 4 Pro stands out for extended missions and signal stability over longer distances.

Obstacle sensing and safety

The Mavic 4 Pro and Air 3S both feature LiDAR and offer closely matched safety systems, making them well-equipped for secure and stable flights.

The Mavic 4 Pro features 0.1-lux Nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing and uses LiDAR for forward-facing precision, even in low-light environments.

It can map surroundings in real time and use Smart RTH without GNSS. ActiveTrack 360° is also improved, supporting tracking in more complex scenarios and partial visibility.

The Air 3S also includes LiDAR, low-light sensing, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing, with ActiveTrack 360° and Subject Focusing.

It can operate in darker environments than the original Air 3 and map surroundings without GNSS, offering excellent safety for its class.

Gimbal and creative tools

The Mavic 4 Pro raises the bar with its Infinity Gimbal, allowing operators to capture more creative and dynamic shots with ease.

The Infinity Gimbal on the Mavic 4 Pro offers 360° rotation and 70° upward shooting, enabling creative angles like Dutch tilts and more dramatic perspectives. It’s designed for professional-grade footage and allows for vertical shooting with the RC Pro 2.

The Air 3S includes creative modes like MasterShots, QuickShots, Hyperlapse, Waypoint Flight, and a new Free Panorama mode.

While its gimbal doesn’t offer the same freedom as the Mavic 4 Pro, it still delivers high-quality content with ease.

Storage and sharing

The Mavic 4 Pro has 64GB or 512GB onboard storage depending on the package*, with fast data transfer, parallel charging hub, and power bank mode.

The Air 3S has 42GB of internal storage and supports off-state QuickTransfers, making it easy to manage files on the go.

*The standard and Fly More Combo Mavic 4 Pros come with 64GB, upgrade to to the Creator Combo for 512GB.

Remote controllers

The Mavic 4 Pro is compatible with DJI RC 2 and the advanced DJI RC Pro 2. The RC Pro 2 stands out with a 7-inch rotatable Mini-LED display, built-in microphone, and seamless syncing for vertical shooting.

It also includes a flight simulator, giving pilots a chance to build confidence before flying—ideal for users seeking a pro-level setup.

In comparison, the Air 3S supports the DJI RC 2 and RC-N3. Both deliver a solid user experience, but lack the premium display, onboard mic, and added features of the RC Pro 2, making the Mavic 4 Pro setup more suitable for advanced users or those seeking maximum control and display quality.

Final thoughts

The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is built for professionals who need the best in image quality, creative flexibility, and flight performance. It’s ideal for filmmakers, inspectors, and commercial users working in demanding environments.

The DJI Air 3S is a strong all-rounder. It’s lighter, more affordable, and still packed with features that suit content creators, travellers, and anyone looking to step up their aerial photography.

If you’re serious about camera performance, long-range missions, or demanding projects, the Mavic 4 Pro is worth the investment. If portability and value are more important, the Air 3S is hard to beat.

Get in touch

Need help choosing, or you'd like to learn more? Contact the heliguy™ team for tailored advice or to order your drone today.