Have you ever wondered what it’s like to see things from a bird’s point of view? Drones, also known as quadcopters, are highly popular right now, as they offer a unique and exciting perspective for photography and videography enthusiasts. These small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) may be used for different applications, but the best way to maximize them is through aerial photography and videography. Drones provide adventurous content creators with a new way to document the world around them, resulting in stunning still images and breathtaking video footage.
Whether you’re an enthusiast or a professional photographer, drones are a must-have especially if you want to explore new perspectives and views. It’s also a great investment that can be used for hobbies and professional activities.
Are you planning on buying a camera drone for yourself? Check out our comprehensive drone buyer’s guide to learn more about what to look for. And to help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best drones for you to consider.
Here are some of the best camera drones for all skill levels (and all budgets:
- DJI Spark
- DJI Phantom 4
- Yuneec Typhoon H
- DJI Mavic Pro
- DJI Phantom 3 Standard
- Parrot Bebop 2
- Hubsan X4
- Zuzu 6-Axis Gyro
- Hubsan H107C X4 Mini
- UDI RC Swan
What to Look for When Buying a Drone:
Drones don’t just come in different brands, shapes, and sizes—they vary in prices and specs, too. But since most of them are costly, it’s the kind of purchase that needs to be thoroughly thought out before making a concrete decision. As a prospective buyer, you wouldn’t want to settle for a drone that doesn’t meet your expectations as a photographer and as a user, right?
Don’t know where to start? Here are some key specs that you should look at when choosing a drone:
Flight Time
This is the average flying time that a drone has with a single charge. Make sure that you consider this one, particularly if you plan to shoot videos. Choose a drone with the longest flight time (higher end consumer drones average at around 25 minutes of flight time per charge) to avoid unwanted interruptions while shooting.
Maximum Speed
Speed is pretty much self-explanatory—it’s the measure of how fast you drone can fly in the air. This may not seem important to drone users who only plan to use their aircraft for capturing aerial images or recording videos, but it’s still something to consider as it may be an important factor for the type of content you want to create.
In any case, as long as its speed doesn’t affect the quality of the photos or videos, a drone is good to go.
Maximum Flying Height
Since your purpose for buying a drone is to capture aerial footage, it’s important to consider a drone’s maximum flying height prior to purchasing. It can give you an estimate of how high (and far) a drone can fly without losing its connection to the controller. If your budget allows for it, invest in a high-end drone that can go above and beyond for more spectacular aerial photos and videos.
Onboard Camera
Most drones have built-in cameras, but there are some that don’t. Since this article is about drones with cameras already attached to the body, the question isn’t whether the drone has a camera, but whether the onboard camera has the right specs you are looking for. Look at the size of the sensor, the focal length of the lens, the camera’s ISO range, shutter speed range, and video recording modes.
At the very least, make sure it has a high megapixel count so that it can produce crisp, sharp images.
Controller Type
Drones come with different types of controllers. Most high-end drones either come with a controller that allows you to attach a device (either a smartphone or a small tablet) for a live view of the camera’s footage, while others come with a controller that already has a touchscreen built into it. This will depend on what kind of controller you, as a user, would prefer.
Whatever type of drone you choose, make sure that it comes with a remote control that offers the most optimum way for you to view what the camera is seeing, as this is important for taking good pictures and videos.
Budget
Budget is a big deciding factor for every drone buyer. Before you start shopping around, make sure to set a budget that you can work with. It can be tempting to splurge a little, but always remember not to go over the top. After all, if you’re a beginner, there’s always the chance that you might crash it or lose it—and that’s probably not something you want to happen if you spent way over your budget on the drone.
If you think your budget isn’t enough to get you the best drone there is, search for affordable ones that can still live up to your expectations.
Best Drones with Cameras:
DJI Spark
Adorama Price: $499.00
Key Specs
- Flight Time: 16 minutes
- Speed: 30 mph
- Maximum Flying Height: 4000m (13123ft)
- Onboard Camera Resolution: 12 megapixels
- Video Resolution: FHD 1920×1080 30p
This is the smallest, smartest and most affordable drone that DJI makes. If you are looking for immediacy in aerial photography, the Spark is one of the most hassle-free drones you can find. With Spark’s QuickLaunch and FaceAware, the drone can launch from your hand by recognizing your face. Simple Control allows the drone to be controlled using just hand gestures, without the need of a remote controller or mobile device. The Spark offers a max flying speed of 31mph in Sport Mode, and offers a long 16 minute flight time for its size. It also comes with interchangeable batteries, as well as a micro USB charging port, making it easy to recharge on the go.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro
Adorama Price: $1,499.00
Key Specs
- Flight Time: 30 minutes
- Speed: 72km/hr
- Maximum Flying Height: 6000m (19685ft)
- Onboard Camera Resolution: 20 megapixels
- Video Resolution: 4K UHD
If you’re looking for the best camera drone that can exceed conventional limits and take your photography to even greater heights, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro is definitely a drone to consider. It has a built-in camera with a 1-inch 20 MP sensor, with powerful video processing and a mechanical aperture to address rolling shutter distortion issues that are often encountered when taking pictures of fast-moving subjects or when shooting while flying at high speed.
The DJI Phantom 4 is also a fast flyer with a maximum speed of 72 kilometers per hour and can soar through the skies with a maximum flying height of 600 meters. Battery life has also been improved, allowing for longer flight times. On a full charge, this drone offers up to 30 minutes of flight time.
The best thing about this drone, however, is the additional features that make flying it easier and more intuitive. The Phantom 4 Pro has a highly sophisticated obstacle sensing and avoidance system, which means it can “see” and dodge obstacles all on its own. It also comes equipped with DJI’s ActiveTrack—a feature that allows the drone to track moving objects and follow them while maintaining proper camera focus.
Yuneec Typhoon H
Adorama Price: $1,299.00
Key Specs
- Flight Time: 25 minutes
- Speed: 70 km/hr
- Maximum Flying Height: 122m (400ft)
- Onboard Camera Resolution: 12 megapixels
- Video Resolution: 4K UHD
The Yuneec Typhoon H is without a doubt one of the best drones on the market. It has a flight time of up to 25 minutes, with a maximum speed of 70 kilometers per hour. Unlike some of the more popular drone choices, the Typhoon H is a compact hexacopter with six foldable rotors. This gives it increased power, speed, and elevation, and provides additional stability to help combat blurred images or shaky footage.
This drone has a 3-axis, anti-vibration gimbal camera with full 360-degree rotation and a 12-megapixel image resolution and 4K video capture. It has a maximum flying height of 122 meters and can go as far (from the controller) as 45.72 meters. There are various safety features in place as well, such as a Dynamic Return Home (the drone will automatically return to you when the connection is lost) and a rotor design that will automatically switch the drone to five-rotor mode in case one rotor fails.
In addition, another great feature of the Yuneec drone are its integrated autonomous flight modes. It can follow or orbit you, as well as a certain subject of your choice. You can also pre-set coordinates that your camera can follow for smoother and more tactical aerial photography.
DJI Mavic Pro
Adorama Price: $999.00
Key Specs
- Flight Time: 23 minutes
- Speed: 65km/hr
- Maximum Flying Height (above sea level): 16,404ft (5000m)
- Onboard Camera Resolution: 12.71 megapixels
- Video Resolution: 4K UHD
Small, simple, and powerful—three words that accurately summarize one of the best drones of the bunch. The DJI Mavic Pro is all about showing you that there’s more to it than meets the eye. Despite its compact size and travel-friendly weight, this DJI drone is designed to push boundaries with a flight ceiling of 6,000 meters above sea level, a maximum flight speed of 65 kilometers, a maximum flight time of 27 minutes in ideal weather conditions, and a highly sophisticated network of hardware and software for optimum overall performance.
As expected, the onboard camera is on par with DJI’s premium standards. It shoots 4K video at 30fps and captures high-quality images in RAW or JPEG with its 12.71-megapixel camera, which maintains stability thanks to a 3-axis mechanical gimbal.
The Mavic Pro also has autonomous modes similar to the Phantom 4 Pro, such as ActiveTrack and Obstacle Detection.
A standard Return to Home feature allows this drone to find you in the event that it loses connection with the controller, or once its job is done.
DJI Phantom 3 Standard
Adorama Price: $499.00
Key Specs
- Flight Time: 25 minutes
- Speed: 72 km/hr
- Maximum Flying Height: 19,685 ft (6000 m)
- Onboard Camera Resolution: 20 megapixels
- Video Resolution: 2.7K HD
If you’re looking for a more affordable DJI model without sacrificing any important features, consider the DJI Phantom 3 Standard. It offers up to 25 minutes of flight time, has a maximum speed of 72 kilometers per hour, and an altitude ceiling of 6,000 meters above sea level. It also has a user-friendly interface and controls, as well as an intelligent flight system, to make drone flying easy and almost effortless.
Although designed for quadcopter beginners, the Phantom 3 Standard offers optimum performance and produces stunning results, thanks to a 12-megapixel camera that delivers awesome aerial photos and cinematic HD video footage. Meanwhile, an advanced gimbal stabilization system ensures maximum stability for perfectly smooth, shake-free footage.
Like most consumer drones, this DJI quadcopter has a Return to Home feature to ensure your peace of mind.
If you want additional features and functionality, the DJI Phantom 3 comes in two other varieties: the Phantom 3 Advanced and the Phantom 3 Professional.
Parrot Bebop 2
Adorama Price: $439.00
Key Specs
- Flight Time: 25 minutes
- Speed: 65km/hr
- Maximum Flying Height: 100m (328ft)
- Onboard Camera Resolution: 14 megapixels
- Video Resolution: 1080p Full HD
If you’re looking for a quadcopter that’s perfect for entry-level aerial photography, the Parrot Bebop 2 is perfect for the job. This camera drone has a flight time of up to 25 minutes (on a single charge) in ideal weather conditions, and a maximum speed of 65 kilometers per hour.
An impressive 14-megapixel camera takes still images with better exposure and enhanced clarity, as well as cinematic full HD video. It is designed to take more photos of the landscape rather than just the sky, and can shoot at a 90° angle without losing photo or video quality.
Other features include a 3-axis digital stabilization system, a powerful rear LED light for maximum visibility at night, an automatic Return Home function, and two autonomous flight modes: Follow Me (drone is programmed to follow you) and Flight Plan (drone flies on its own, following a pre-plotted flight route).
Hubsan X4
Adorama Price: $189.99
Key Specs
- Flight Time: 20 minutes
- Onboard Camera/Video Resolution: 1080p Full HD
The Hubsan X4 is a beginner’s quadcopter drone with an HD camera that can capture aerial still images and 1080p video footage. If you’re looking for a relatively budget-friendly choice that offers great features, this drone also has brushless motors for increased efficiency, self-tightening propellers, integrated GPS for precise positioning and autonomous flight features, a 2.4GHz radio controller with a built-in LCD screen, and a Failsafe Mode (similar to the Automatic Return Home found in other camera drones) that allows it to return safely to its takeoff point.
It has up to 20 minutes of flight time when fully charged.
Zuzu 6-Axis Gyro
Adorama Price: $79.00
Key Specs
- Flight Time: 8-10 minutes
- Onboard Camera Resolution: 2 megapixels
- Video Resolution: 720p HD
The ZuZu 6-Axis Gyro Quadcopter is a great choice if you’re still a beginner with a somewhat limited budget range. It’s equipped with a 6-axis gyro stabilization technology that allows the drone to tumble, glide, and even roll in midair. It has a 2-megapixel camera that can take bird’s eye view photos and videos within the span of its maximum flight time, which is 8 to 10 minutes.
Drone with cameras are normally used for aerial photography and videography purposes—but that’s not what the ZuZu is for. While it can certainly take photos and videos, it’s really more of a recreational drone for casual hobbyists who would get a kick out of making their drone do all sorts of tricks and stunts in mid-air.
Another useful feature of the ZuZu are the large LED lights on its body, which provide maximum visibility and allow you to fly it even in the dark.
Hubsan H107C X4 Mini
Adorama Price: $49.00
Key Specs
- Flight Time: 7 minutes
- Onboard Camera Resolution: 0.3 megapixels
- Video Resolution: 720p HD
If you have older children or teenage kids that want to try piloting a drone and shooting aerial photography, the Hubsan X4 H107C is the perfect camera drone to get. It can fly for as long as 7 minutes and has a 0.3-megapixel camera that can shoot 720p photos and videos.
Unlike other quadcopters with cameras, the H107C’s lightweight, compact, and highly portable body is well within the weight range of drones that do not require registration with the FAA. Essentially a toy camera drone, you’re unlikely to violate any drone-flying laws.
Aside from flying and shooting aerial content, it can flip, tumble, and glide in the air, making sure that you or kids can get the full aerial photography experience at a low price.
UDI RC Swan
Adorama Price: $45.00
Key Specs
- Flight Time: 8 minutes
- Onboard Camera Resolution: 2 megapixels
- Video Resolution: 720p HD
Want to learn aerial photography the easy way? For those with limited budgets, beginner drones with cameras like the UDI RC Swan can definitely help you learn. It offers 8 minutes of flight time and a 2-megapixel camera that takes HD photos and videos from up above.
This lightweight camera drone features a 6-axis gyroscope to keep it stable during flight, but it can also do stunts such as 360-degree flips.
Built-in blade guards situated around the propellers offer added safety in the event of crashes or accidents.
