Trying to find out which camera drone to purchase? We have some bad news and lots of good news. The fantastic news is that in the last few years, drones (or unmanned aerial vehicle/UAV) have evolved beyond all recognition. The bad thing is that there are now many to select from that finding the right one can be a bit difficult task.
This is the reason we’ve put together this camera drone buying guide. Continue reading for our selection of the 12 camera drones available today – or, more specifically, the best camera drone – including models for various levels of expertise flying drones and all different budgets.
BEST 12 CAMERA DRONES AVAILABLE TODAY
1. DJI MAVIC MINI ($399)
DJI’s Mavic Mini is the most prominent quality camera-carrying camera drone for the masses at a nice price of $399. It weighs 0.55 pounds (249 gr), which is just shy of needing to register it with the CAA if you fly in the UK. Mavic Mini is an awesome little drone from DJI.
Size-wise, the drone is so little it could be covered under an iPhone 11 and easily tucked into a set of chinos. Its small size, low weight, and adjustable front propellor arms also provide it a better possibility of surviving a bang.
The Mavic Mini’s camera captures 1080p video at up to 60 frames per second and crisp 2.7K at up to 30fps. Its 12mp stills, meanwhile, are nicely detailed. Regardless of the size, the craft is stable in flight and nimble and fast when flying in the Sport mode.
It is going to readily fly for up to thirty minutes on a single charge and up to 2.5 miles or 4 km away (beyond the CAA’s line-of-sight law ). Yet, one thing that this camera drone does not have is obstacle avoidance. But we do not believe this is a problem if common sense prevails.
2. DJI MAVIC AIR 2 ($799)
The Deadly DJI Mavic Air remains still a real pocket rocket that excels in every department — it also won Best Drone in the T3 Awards 2019 — but can the drone compete for airspace? Against all expectations, the latest Mavic Air 2 is actually closer in size to its larger brethren –Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom — than it is to its predecessor and a little heavier.
It is not as pretty either, which, of course, is not a problem once it is in the air. What might be a problem for some is that it’s only a few centimeters shorter than the Mavic 2 and much larger than the Mavic Mini and, therefore, not quite as portable.
Believe it or not but size is an essential concern with drones and often a determining factor when making a choice between buying the drone or leaving it at home. Putting the few flaws aside everything else about this UAV yells “Buy Me Now” — including its price ($799).
The camera is a cracker and contains a half-inch detector able to shoot at 4K footage at 60fps. This drone’s stills taking capacity is much more attractive — up to 48mp resolution for unparalleled sharpness, detail and clarity.
Additionally, it includes a smorgasbord of the extra picture, and video enhancement technology, such as Scene Recognition, Spotlight 2.0 that locks protects the camera onto a subject, while the pilot does the flying along with the obligatory ActiveTrack for following moving subjects.
3. RYZE TELLO CAMERA DRONE ($99)
If you’re on the lookout for a titchy but very well equipped’ selfie’ kind drone which stays in the air for around 13 minutes at a time, comes with digital electronic image stabilization, snaps 5mp stills, captures video in somewhat decent 720p, and floats on the place without the help of GPS, then think about this remarkable small contender from Ryze. It did not win the T3 Award for the Best Budget camera Drone for nothing.
The Tello weighs only 80 grams and measures 98mm. In other words, it is small enough to tuck in a coat pocket, although not being foldable such as the DJI Mavic range. Though designed for indoor flying, this tiny craft is also expert at flying outside, so long as it is not too windy (without GPS on board, it could drift with the wind and may not make a way back to you).
For flying, simply launches the Tello app on your phone, select hand launch, throw it into the air, and steer it with the virtual joysticks. Everything the camera views is streamed to the phone, and because it’s digital stabilization, the footage it captures is exceptionally smooth (not Mavic smooth but steady enough nonetheless).
Same with the DJI Spark, the app also includes a couple of pre-programmed EC Shots’ including circle and camera drone (flies away from the pilot while automatically filming at the same time). The Tello has a 100-meter range that is more than sufficient space for many videography and photography purposes, and for people who want a drone that does aerobatics, it will also do that.
4. DJI MAVIC 2 Pro ($1,149- $1,599)
This pro-spec drone is practically impossible to crash since it comprises 10 obstacles sensors facing in each direction. It comes with a remarkable three-axis Hasselblad camera with gimbal, which comes equipped with a one-inch CMOS sensor — such as that in the Sony RX100 and RX10 series — and an adjustable aperture which goes from f/2.8 into f/11.
It is an exquisite item of kit capable of shooting different video resolutions, including 4K at around 30 frames per second, 2.7K at about 60fps and 1080p at around 120fps. Additionally, it takes sharp 20 megapixel RAW images.
The Mavic Pro’s camera program supports the 10-bit Dlog-M color profile for premium post-production color grading and 10-bit HDR video for excellent hyper-real footage. With new, bigger motors fitted into its four arms, the drone is currently capable of hitting 44mph in Sports mode and — with the assistance of a bigger battery — able to stay aloft for up to 30 minutes at a time.
Additionally, it is really quiet — so silent you can barely hear it from just 30 meters away. Its Occusync 2.0 transmission, meanwhile, provides crisp 1080p live streaming from up to five miles apart. Like the old Mavic, this one also feat 8GB of onboard storehouse along with the required Micro SD card slot. The hand control is pretty much the same as the original. However, it does have an added three-way speed switch (sports, normal, or tripod for slow cinematic recordings) for additional support.
Courtesy:DJI
Moving over to the DJI Move 4 app, the Mavic 2 Pro includes a cluster of flight modes, along with the inclusion of a Hyperlapse function that captures stop-frame visuals within a broad area before stitching it all together within the app. In fact, the only smart flight mode missing here is the gimmicky ‘gesture’ hand control.
5. DJI MAVIC 2 ZOOM ($1,179)
Rather like a car manufacturer launching different versions of the same version, DJI Mavic 2 Zoom has the precise same DNA as its stablemate, the Mavic 2 Pro. Both versions are the same size and quite much the same weight, and they’re both outfitted with the same multi-directional obstacle escape systems and the same internals.
In actuality, the only difference between the two is the camera, they are equipped with. Where the Pro includes a Hasselblad camera replete with a one-inch sensor for professional, high-quality aerial photography, the Zoom forfeits picture resolution in favor of 2x optical zoom with a 35mm format equivalent focal length of 24-48mm.
However, in regards to 4K video, the two models comprise the same rosy lens (4K at up to 30fps, 2.7K at up to 1080p60fps, at up to 120fps), so this is the model to buy if you intend to shoot a lot more video than you do stills.
6. AUTEL EVO CAMERA DRONE ($899 – $1,199)
This hi-tech, feature-packed drone does it all. Although it has been designed with intermediate-advanced photographers in your mind, the drone’s camera mounted on a 3-axis stabilizing global, captures video at 4k resolution up to 60 frames per second (up there with all the newest DJI Mavic Air 2) and features a recording speed up, to 100mbps in an H.264 or the H.265 codec.
The camera’s among the best we have seen on a drone at this price point, which makes it easy to capture more detail and color, even when filming at high speed. A generous variety of sensors help you avoid other objects while also making it incredibly simple to land.
We’re also especially impressed with the 3.3-inch OLED screen that has been incorporated into the controller. This, combined with the drone’s compact, foldable design (uncommon for one packaged with such an impressive selection of technology ) makes it perfect for people who like to dash out the door with their drone in a minute’s notice.
7. DJI MAVIC AIR ($799)
Although its replacement reviewed above, the DJI Mavic Air remains a real pocket rocket that excels in every department — it also won Best Drone in the T3 Awards 2019. It’s a lot compact and lighter than the DJI Mavic Guru 2s and not much larger than its smaller siblings, the Mini and Spark.
The 4K video quality in the air’s robust 3-axis camera program is awe-inspiring, and its 12mp photographs are exceptionally detailed for such a small camera. Additionally, it may take four styles of panorama pictures.
The air can be controlled with a cellular phone or palm gestures, convenient developments for those times when you can not be bothered to dig out the provided hand control. Having said that, flying with hand control is far and away, the most satisfying way to operate it.
Additionally, it lets you fly much farther — up to 4km (2.48 miles) away and back again on a battery that lasts approximately 21 minutes. Believe it, it is more than enough time to picture an opus.
The Mavic Air’s hand control is smaller than the Mavic Pro’s. It does not include an LCD screen, so you will want to rely only on the data and image feed to your smartphone or miniature tablet (iOS or Android). But that’s no major issue as long as your cellphone has sufficient battery.
8. PARROT ANAFI ($699)
The foldable Parrot ANAFI is the initial drone to take on DJI’s fleet of premium user camera drones, and not get shot down. It is a handy amount less expensive than the outgoing Mavic Air. It proves just somewhat less enjoyable to fly and use.
Similar to the Mavic series, this drone deflates for easy transportation. However, it isn’t quite as pocketable due to the 244mm length when folded. Nonetheless, it comes in an excellent transport case that’ll easily go into a small shoulder bag. The Anafi is just 320 grams, 110g less weight than the Mavic Air. If it ever falls out of the sky, it is less possible to sustain significant damage.
Despite it appearing like a dragonfly, the Anafi was apparently inspired by the humble bee. It features three-axis gimbal and 4K/21 megapixel camera mounted in front of the drone. This means the props won’t ever appear in the shot while the drone is moving forward at high speed. Additionally, it means the camera can be pointed 90˚ up for a unique view that few other drones provide.
Courtesy: Parrot
The latest Parrot FreeFlight 6 app for Android and iOS is very well-crafted and easy to get on a handle. It does not allow for as many cameras, flight, and global tweaks as the DJI Go 4 app, but it is perfectly okay for first-time users. The HD picture quality streaming is quite impressive.
9. MENKIND RED5 HAWK ($180)
RED5 is Menkind’s in-house manufacturer, but don’t let the fact that it is not a dedicated drone manufacturer set you off — this version rivals many of those who have a similar price tag. It packs a nice punch with both battery life (17 minutes) and transmission range (150 meters). It’s another drone that is terrific for those testing their drone photography skills. The onboard camera creates a crisp HD 1280 x 720p video. Features such as altitude hold, critical yield, route planner, and follow-me modes enable you to focus on your photography skills, rather than worrying for your drone going over that distant hill.
The one drawback is that it is not the most rugged of drones, although in case you’re the type of flyer that loves to dash out of the house with their drone at short notice, this is not a problem. It’s amazingly light and compact and folds into itself for easy transport. Good value £149 or $180.
10. PARROT ANAFI FPV ($799)
If you want to get into FPV (First Person View) flying but need a drone that captures much better aerial footage compared to the affordable Parrot Bebop 2 model, then you may want to provide this package a whirl.
The ANAFI FPV package comprises the drone itself, a Skycontroller 3 hand control, and a set of Parrot’s Cockpitglasses 3. All 3 things come packaged in a stupendously well-designed gray herringbone backpack.
For those unfamiliar with the theory, FPV is a little similar to normal flying, where the pictures from the front-mounted drone camera are streamed live to a Smartphone. Nevertheless, in this instance, the phone is clipped into the provided goggles, which you certainly wear on your head. This means you can’t see anything other than what the drone’s camera is currently pointing at. It’s a very unusual, disorientating feeling at first. However, once you get used to it, it’s possibly the closest you’ll get to feel the experience of really flying – without killing yourself in the process.
11. DJI INSPIRE 2 CAMERA DRONE ($2,599)
When it is about producing the best cinema-quality aerial footage, there’s simply nothing out there to touch the Inspire 2. In reality, the only reason this drone isn’t higher up our chart is that it is costly with a capital P and large with a capital L. Additionally, it weighs 4.25kg, so you can forget about sticking it in your handbag.
The Inspire 2 consists of magnesium and carbon fiber, and its dual battery system, four motors, and 13-inch propellers will take it to a flight time of up to 27 minutes and a top speed of 58mph. The landing gear is retractable, allowing another camera operator, or pilots, to take at a complete panorama. Additionally, it includes downward, forward, and upward-facing obstacle escape sensors for extra confidence when flying in critical locations.
The pro-spec CineCore 2.0 picture processing system of this drone is placed in the nose of this craft, which means just the camera’s lens and detector are connected to the gimbal.
This reduces weight and enables easy camera swapping. And speaking of cameras, the Inspire 2 includes a selection of five different models, from the compact Micro 4/3 Zenmuse X5 into the ultra-high-class Zenmuse X7, which consists of a Super 35 Sensor proficient of shooting 5.2K Apple ProRes. Needless to say, the imagery of this elegant cinematic system presents of the very highest order. But, boy, it sure is costly at £2,135 or $2,599.
12. POTENSIC D80 DUAL GPS BRUSHLESS DRONE ($199)
Potensic’s D80 Dual GPS Brushless Drone is an excellent option for those keen to get to grips with drone photography. It is packed with features that make it ideal for beginners, whether that is the Point of Interest feature, which programs the drone to fly around one point, and provide a detailed picture of the object, it is circling about, or the choice to set custom-designed flight paths.
The latter lets you use Potensic’s app to program your drone to follow pre-set routes, and it’s a fabulous way to test out your drone’s abilities. However, do not make the mistake of believing this drone is just for novices and intermediates.
There are loads of features to keep accomplished flyers entertained, and with an impressive 300-meter transmission range, and contemplated and Battery life, you’ll enjoy loads of time. We love the fact it has got a brushless motor, which is more durable and tougher — perfect for those planning to put your drone through its paces.