Thanks for reading this post on my preferred drone: the Autel Evo Lite Plus or the DJI Air 3.
This year, DJI has actually constantly produced drone after drone, leading to the Mini 4 Pro, Air 3, and Mavic 3 Pro. Autel, on the other hand, has actually taken a more restrained technique when producing and launching their drones.
Having flown the Autel Evo Lite Plus for a little over a year and the Air 3 a brief time after its release, I have actually utilized both of them commercially and recreationally.
In this post, I’ll take a look at the crucial distinctions in between the Autel Evo Lite Plus and the DJI Air 3, the upgrades in the DJI Air 3, my total experience with each, and why I think about the DJI Air 3 my preferred drone of the 2.
If you are trying to find an excellent well-rounded drone that can be utilized both expertly and recreationally, this post needs to assist you choose.
Brief Overview
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Autel Evo Lite Plus was launched in January 2022 and took on the 2021 DJI Air 2S. Now, it takes on the Air 2S’s follower, the Air 3.
The Evo Lite Plus takes style hints from the bigger Autel Evo II and Evo II Pro. Like the Evo II, it has a professional-level 20 MP adjustable aperture 1-inch CMOS sensing unit cam.
The Evo Lite Plus, being on comparable playing ground as the Air 3, uses:
- 40-minute flight times, valuable for those long days of shooting where every minute counts
- Three-way barrier avoidance picking up, assisting in more secure flight maneuvers
- 1-inch cam sensing unit for 20 MP high-resolution expert quality pictures
- No geofencing, indicating no flight limitations, best for flying in cautioning zones with appropriate airspace permission
DJI Air 3
Released in 2023, the Air 3 is the extremely prepared for upgrade to the popular Air two.
The Air 3 is an exceptional option for brand-new pilots, lovers, and those desiring a sturdily developed drone for some industrial work.
While the Air 3 has a smaller sized primary cam than its predecessor, the DJI Air 2S, it has numerous significant upgrades, a few of which are likewise seen in the more pricey Mavic 3 Pro.
- Dual-camera system provides audiences exceptional parallax results
- Omnidirectional barrier picking up to make sure the security of the Air 3 while in flight
- OcuSync 4 Video Transmission System for more powerful, interference-free video signals
- Enhanced tracking and included flight modes for those wanting to movie themselves or defined topics
Quick Verdict
Over the months, I have actually completely utilized the Air 3 in every capability readily available, from leisure to industrial. I was eager to attempt every alternative to see what the Air 3 might do. It did not dissatisfy.
Although I have actually utilized the Evo Lite Plus for a little over a year formerly, it was instantly evident when flying the Air 3 that it went beyond the Evo Lite Plus in virtually every method.
The Air 3 does whatever the Evo Lite Plus does, and does the majority of them much better, as we’ll see more thorough quickly.
Although the Air 3 and Evo Lite Plus are comparable in cost (for the Fly More combination and Premium package), the Air 3 pulled method ahead in physical flight efficiency and barrier picking up. Include the double cam system, and the Air 3 is the much better well-rounded option.
While the Autel Evo Lite Plus is an excellent drone, the Air 3 is the most versatile option for solo developers, anybody wishing to fly recreationally with smart flight modes, or those wanting to do industrial work for customers.
What are the Main Differences?
Looking at the Evo Lite Plus and Air 3, there is over a year-long space in between the 2. This equates into a great deal of distinctions in between the 2, thanks to advances in drone innovation.
The significant and most significant distinctions in between the 2 are as follows:
- Dual cam system: Although utilizing smaller sized 1/1.3- inch video cameras, there are 2. It has a 24mm comparable wide-angle lens and an extra 70mm lens, best for videographers trying to find brand-new viewpoints to inform their story. Professional photographers likewise gain from this lens, as they can now get closer to their subject or sight from more secure ranges.
- Stronger motors: At approximately the exact same size as the Evo Lite Plus, the Air 3 can fly 46.9 miles per hour, nearly 7 miles per hour quicker than the 40 miles per hour of the Evo Lite Plus.
- Omnidirectional barrier avoidance sensing units: The Air 3 has total, 360-degree barrier avoidance, which makes it possible for the Air 3 to not just fly more secure when nearing blockages however likewise gain from sophisticated Return to Home (RTH) functions.
- Video Transmission System: OcuSync 4.0 enables the Air 3 to have among the greatest transmission signals to date of any drone, likewise permitting more flight ranges.
Autel Evo Lite Plus
The Evo Lite Plus is designed loosely after the bigger Evo II and Evo II Plus launched prior.
While being a smaller sized, scaled-back variation of those drones, the Evo Lite Plus has a lot of the advantages of the Evo II Plus, in a smaller sized, easier-to-manage plan.
Autel has actually been understood for pioneering longer battery life in customer and prosumer drones, as seen with the release of the Evo II and II Pro. The drones boasted unheard-of 40-minute flight times back in 2020.
That longer battery life made its method to the smaller sized Evo Lite Plus and was excellent at that time when comparing it to lots of DJI drones of the time, consisting of the Air two.
The Evo Lite Plus likewise has a 20 MP adjustable aperture one-inch cam sensing unit, something lots of expert photographers demand, due to versatility and image quality.
This was really an enhancement over the bigger, non-professional level Evo II 8k, as that cam just had a 1/2-inch sensing unit. With the Evo Lite Plus’ bigger cam sensing unit came the capability to shoot outstanding low-light video.
Also, something lots of drone lovers search for, the Autel Evo Lite Plus is not Geofenced Autel has actually shown some of their drone lines would ultimately be geofenced, the Lite Plus would not be getting geofencing restrictions.
Key functions of the Evo Lite Plus:
- 20 MP 1-inch cam sensing unit
- Adjustable aperture from f/2.8– f/11
- 6k 30 fps; 4k 60fps Log and regular color profiles
- 3-way barrier avoidance system
- 40-minute battery life
Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ Premium Bundle
1″ CMOS Sensor with 6K HDR Camera, No Geo-Fencing, 3-Axis Gimbal, 3-Way Obstacle Avoidance, 40Min Flight Time, 7.4 Miles Transmission, Lite Plus More Combo.
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10/27/2023 03:31 am GMT
DJI Air 3
The Air 3 is the follower to the popular consumer-level industrial workhorse, the Air two.
It does not pigeonhole itself into a specific drone classification. The Air 3 interest those brand-new to flying drones, leisure leaflets, drone lovers, along with specialists on a spending plan wanting to get excellent low-light shots and 10-bit, 4k video.
Unlike the 20 MP adjustable aperture 1-inch cam in the Air two, the Air 3 utilizes smaller sized double video cameras.
Fortunately, with the advances in DJI’s imaging system, the quality of the 24mm and 70mm medium-tele video cameras and low light efficiency is outstanding. This makes it possible for the Air 3 to be with confidence utilized recreationally, along with in the expert area.
Couple this with 4k 100fps and 10-bit abilities sluggish movement, and the Air 3 is excellent to deal with.
- DJI Air 3 crucial functions consist of:
- Dual Cameras– 70mm and 24mm
- Omnidirectional barrier picking up
- OcuSync 4.0 Video Transmission System (12.4 miles)
- 4k 100fps, 10-bit D-Log M color
- Active Track 360
Excellent price-to-features ratio (like the Air Two)
Head-to-Head Comparison
Camera Options Winner:
DJI Air 3
Although the Air 3 has a smaller sized primary cam than the Evo Lite Plus, it has double the quantity of video cameras as the Evo Lite Plus. Why does this put the Air 3 ahead?
Whether recreationally or expertly, the capability for the Air 3 to contend a 24 mm broad angle along with zoom in to 70 mm is something DSLR and Mirrorless users are accustomed to with zoom lenses. The 24-70 mm focal variety is really rather popular in photography.
Using the 70 mm lens in combination with parallax relocations includes an imaginative viewpoint and cinematic worth to video footage. This cam provides still pictures the benefit of catching a topic while even more away.
Because of the industrial work I provide for services, I shoot a fair bit of city and city video footage. I usually get this video while releasing from the top of roof garages.
Because a lot of these locations are crowded with pedestrians, foot traffic, and lorries, a lot of times, it’s safe or not useful to fly countless feet far from the home indicate get the very best shot.
The 70 mm cam is the best alternative on the Air 3 to manage these kinds of circumstances.
The 70 mm has the exact same specifications as the 24 mm, so I can be even more far from my topic while securely over a roof or structure, catching the scene with the very best settings possible.
Having a 2nd 70 mm cam alternative even more permits innovative control while doing so easily as a totally incorporated alternative.
In addition to versatile focal length alternatives, the Air 3 shoots video at 4k as much as 100fps and slow-motion in 1080p at 200fps, all of which can be performed in 10-bit utilizing the D-Log M color profile.
The Air 3 likewise uses 10-bit HLG (HDR) shooting for increased vibrant variety.
Flight Performance Winner:
DJI Air 3
Currently, the DJI Air 3 is among the fastest customer and prosumer drones used by DJI and is seriously faster than the Evo Lite Plus. On the chart below, the optimum
climb and descent speeds for the Evo Lite Plus are based upon flying in Sport mode. The DJI Air 3 has the exact same climb and descent speeds whether in Cine, Normal, or Sport mode.
| The optimum horizontal speed for both is likewise based upon flying in Sport mode. Autel Evo Lite | Plus | |
| DJI Air 3 | Ascent | 11.18 miles per hour |
| 22.36 miles per hour | Descent | 8.94 miles per hour |
| 22.36 miles per hour | Horizontal | 40 miles per hour |
46.97 miles per hour The Air 3 flies quicker and manages far better than the Evo Lite Plus. This isn’t to state the handling on the Evo Lite Plus is horrible
The handling in between the Air 3 and Evo Lite Plus can be compared to driving a sportscar and a late design SUV, with the latter being the Evo Lite Plus.
Both lorries will get you to your location securely. The sports cars and truck is quicker and more enjoyable.
The Air 3 is certainly enjoyable to fly and manages like a lot of more recent DJI drones, consisting of the far more pricey Mavic 3 Pro.
What’s more, if the handling is not to your specific flying design or choice, this can all be altered in the EXP settings within the DJI fly app.
Battery Life Winner:
DJI Air 3
Anytime you are out flying, the minutes matter. The Air 3’s batteries are ranked at 46 minutes, whereas the Evo Lite Plus is ranked at a reputable 40 minutes.
At this point in time of flying drones, the majority of us recognize that we’ll never ever get the maker’s optimum promoted flight times. Flying the Air 3 down to about 25%, I am regularly getting 30+ minutes of flight.
Where the Air 3 actually shines and is rather ingenious is how the power from each private battery can be moved to another for longer battery life.
Using the three-battery charging center, while unplugged, press and hold the black function button. The staying power from numerous batteries will then be moved to the battery with the greatest staying power.
This indicates that rather of having 3 partly powered batteries, you can now have actually one totally charged, or near totally charged, battery for your next flight, extending the quantity of shooting time considerably.
This alternative would be excellent to see on all of DJI’s future drones.
Obstacle Avoidance Winner:
DJI Air 3
DJI has actually had the ability to include omnidirectional barrier picking up to its 2023 lineup of drones, with the Air 3 being no exception.
- This is a much-needed and valued upgrade over the much liked DJI Air two’ 4-way system. This 360-degree, omnidirectional defense consists of:
- Front
- Back
- Left/Right Sides
- Top
Bottom
While the Air 3 take advantage of the included defense of 360-degree barrier picking up, we never ever recommended totally depending on automated barrier avoidance.
An included advantage of the brand-new omnidirectional barrier avoidance system is the capability to utilize sophisticated smart flight modes and return-to-home functions.
Video Transmission System Winner:
DJI Air 3
The Air 3 runs utilizing the updated OcuSync 4 (O4) video transmission system over its predecessor, the Air 2S’s O3 system.
With OcuSync 4, the video signal variety has actually been reached 12.4 miles. This is almost double the range of the Evo Lite Plus’ 7.5 Miles.
We never ever encourage or back drone pilots to fly that far, as, in the United States, the law is to fly within visual view (VLOS).
What the OcuSync 4.0 transmission system indicates for Air 3 owners is the Air 3 has an even more powerful and cleaner signal running in between the drone and remote controller. This is perfect for both city and downtown locations.
The Autel Evo Lite Plus’ transmission system was strong for its time. The Air 3’s signal is a lot more powerful and cleaner.
Geofencing (or Lack Thereof) Winner:
Autel Evo Lite Plus
There is nearly absolutely nothing as aggravating as setting and finding up in a stunning place and not having the ability to fly there due to the fact that the drone sees a permission zone and premises you.
With Autel drones, consisting of the Evo Lite Plus, there is no such geofencing.
Although the more recent DJI drones running DJI Fly are now a lot simpler to open than back in the DJI Go 4 days, with the Evo Lite Plus, there are no opens required.
The Autel Sky app will notify you to zones close by, and you can then just get LAANC permission onsite and go fly.
Once experiencing this ease of flight in cautioning zones, it is tough to return to stressing over and needing to open them in-app.
Conclusion
After utilizing the Air 3 nearly solely for weeks soon after its release, I can with confidence state that the Air 3 is the best mix in between a commercial-level and leisure drone.
- The Air 3 take advantage of more recent innovation than the Evo Lite Plus, making it much better in nearly every method:
- Camera Options
- Flight Performance
- Battery Life
- Obstacle Avoidance
Video Transmission System
The Air 3 is the best option if you are trying to find a total plan for leisure flights, solo material production, shooting outside activities such as hiking, cycling, and boating, or wanting to do some industrial work for customers.(*)
