Best Camera Drones in 2020 [720p vs 1080p vs 4K Compared]

Drones with Camera 2020

Drones with camera are undoubtedly the most popular ones on the market. Basically, they are the driving factor of drones all around the globe and the leading reason why they became so popular in the first place. With their ability to capture everyone’s favorite moments from a completely new and breathtaking perspective, it is no wonder they’re still gaining in popularity.

Several other industries noticed a possible opportunity to expand their businesses and invested in drones as a new workforce. I am primarily talking about aerial photographers, farmers, real estate agents, travel agents and similar. They showed a solid dose of innovation with their early adaptation of camera drones. That’s something which more industries should need to do in order to stay competitive on the market.

With all of that being said, you must keep in mind that there is an abundance of drones with camera on the market. Pretty much every drone nowadays either comes with a camera or allows mounting of one. That’s why I decided to make a list of the best camera drones that have the potential to become the next big thing in the aerial photography drone industry.

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Before I start, I should mention, once again, that the camera drones on this list are separated into 3 categories seen above. Feel free to click on the image and it will lead you to the chosen section. So, without further adue, I’d like to get along with my personal favorites, and find out what is the best drone for photography!

 

Drones with camera 2020

ImageNameBatteryRangePrice
MJX X708 Table5. MJX X708W10min80m
4. Holy Stone F181W10min80mSee best offer
3. Holy Stone HS10015min500mSee best offer
2. Altair AA10810min100mSee best offer
1. UDI U818Plus12min150mSee best offer

5. MJX X708W

MJX X708W

Drone with hd camera

We are starting this list off with MJX X708W. It’s a fairly old player in the game but still hasn’t lost its charm at all. At the very first glance, you will notice the resemblance to Bugs 2. X708W sports roughly the same body lines but is much smaller than B2. Additionally, the price gap is more than noticeable so you can’t be surprised to see the lack of GPS and supporting features. Despite that, however, MJX X708W is a great entry-level drone with camera. Let’s take a closer look and see what’s so good about it…

Camera and features

Starting off with the camera, MJX X708W sports a 720p built-in sensor in the same location as the ever so popular Bugs 2. Similarly to the W version of Bugs 2, X708W also has WiFi FPV. The latency is actually pretty good. Much better than you’d expect from a camera drone at this price point.

Features are always on point when it comes to MJX drones. X708W possesses a fair share, that’s for sure. In addition to WiFi FPV, this little fella also sports headless mode, 2-speed modes, and one key return. Not bad from a drone that costs less than $50, right?

Specifications

MJX continues their record of long-range drones with camera with X708W. Believe it or not, this cheap drone can reach 80 meters away from the provided controller. It’s crazy! You’ll barely be able to see it at that point. Battery duration is not to be taken for granted either, with up to 10 minutes of flight time. Speed is another virtue, even more so considering this is a brushed model. Yup, brushed motors are inside meaning you will eventually buy replacements. On the bright side, they are really cheap so no need to worry.

 

 

4. Holy Stone F181W

Drone with HD camera

I’m sure most of you have already heard about Holy Stone. They are one of the most popular entry-level drone with camera brands out there. With awesome models such as HS170 and HS300 (and many others), they’ve really done a great job. Nothing different can be said about their F181W drone which combines great specifications with even better features and cameras. So, let’s dig right into it and see if there is anything interesting about this little camera drone champ!

Camera and features

If you take a sneak peek at Holy Stone F181W, you will notice that it sports a miniature camera on its bottom. We are talking about 120-degrees wide-angle camera. It is capable of recording in, you’ve guessed it, 720p resolution. Thanks to F181W’s in-flight stability, there is not a lot of jello effect going on. However, the best thing about this camera is not its quality but support for WiFi FPV. It works like a charm – simply mount your phone on the controller, download the app and connect to your drone’s network. You’re good to go! It’s that easy…

In terms of features, Holy Stone F181W has access to the likes of adjustable speed and one key flip. Furthermore, you can also get the benefit of altitude hold and headless mode, both of which provide a great experience for beginner pilots. Let’s not forget about the fact this bugger comes with an extra battery. You do realize this will practically double your flight time, right?

Specifications

As for the specifications, you will be happy to know Holy Stone F181W continues in the same fashion. Just take battery duration as the perfect example. Holy Stone F181W can endure up to 10 minutes. More precisely, 7 to 10 minutes, depending on if you’re pushing it too aggressively. Operating range stands tall at around 80 meters. Nice, huh? FPV range is, unfortunately not that good. I didn’t even expect anything more from a WiFi system. It can only go up to 30 meters… Despite that, I still firmly believe Holy Stone F181W is one of the best drones with camera in this price range. The 720p resolution of its aerial footage looks sharp. That’s why, if you want a cheap but viable aerial photography mode, Holy Stone F181W is a good choice.

 

 

3. Holy Stone HS100

Holy Stone HS100 Novi

Drones with camera 2020.

Next up we have a brand new drone with camera that just hit the market. I am talking about none other than the new Holy Stone drone. It goes by the name HS100 and aims to deliver a GPS-powered aerial photography options to the masses. It does cost quite a lot but has a lot to offer as well. Overall, the price/performance ratio is good although I’d like to see a slight price cut down the road. Anyways, let’s see what exactly are you going to get for this much money:

Camera and features

In terms of features, Holy Stone HS100 really has a lot to offer. The most notable aspect is definitely GPS/GLONASS which opens the doors for lots of supporting features. Of course, Altitude Hold, Return To Home and Headless Mode are all here. As a matter of fact, Holy Stone HS100 sports Follow Me too. Considering all these features, it’s pretty clear that this little camera drone is able to justify its high price tag.

Now we are coming to the only real downside to Holy Stone HS100. I am talking about the camera which can record only in 720p. However, it is not nearly as bad as other ones in this section. As a matter of fact, the image looks crystal clear and there is no shakiness or jello effect. That’s made true by HS100’s excellent in-flight stability powered by the above-mentioned GPS coverage and Altitude Hold.

Specifications

Specifications are nothing short of brilliant, don’t worry. Starting off with flight time, this birdie can endure up to 15 minutes in ideal conditions. This is made possible by the proprietary 2S 2500mAh LiPo battery which does itself justice. Operating range allows Holy Stone HS100 to travel up to 500 meters away from its transmitter. Pretty good, don’t you agree? All things considered, if you are aiming for an entry-level aerial photography camera drone, there is no need to look further than Holy Stone HS100!

 

 

2. Altair AA108

Altair AA108 Novi

Drone with HD camera

The second position on this list is reserved for Altair AA108 – drone with video camera. Just like Holy Stone HS100, Altair AA108 is a fairly new drone with camera on the market. However, it came out slightly earlier than HS100 and already managed to grab a dozen of positive reviews on Amazon. And it’s all justified considering the flying experience this little fella is capable of providing. So, without any more foreplay, let’s dig straight into the drone at hand:

Camera and features

As you can see from the image above, Altair AA108 has a miniature camera built into the tip of its nose. This is a well familiar design and there is nothing to add to it. As far as the camera itself is concerned, you are looking at a wide-angle lens (120-degrees to be more precise). Its maximum video resolution is 720p and it supports FPV too. Not a lot of distance on it though, around 20 meters. It’s enough for selfies… and you can’t really expect more from such a budget-friendly drone.

The actual features of this little camera drone are as follows: WiFi FPV, 3-speed modes, custom flight route settings and altitude hold. Pretty decent right? Best of all, you are getting an extra battery (and an extra set of propellers as well) which will double your airtime. If you think that’s all this birdie has to provide, you’re wrong. Wait till you read more about its specifications…

Specifications

Yes, Altair AA108 specifications are great for the entry-level drones with camera market. Its flight stability is marvelous too, making the entire package look pretty good. as for the actual numbers, Altair AA108 can reach all the way to 100 meters away from its sleek controller. Battery duration is excellent considering both the size and price of this cutie. It clocks in at around 10 minutes. Praiseworthy, don’t you agree?!

 

 

1. UDI U818Plus

udi-u818plus-drone-for-kids_web

Best drone for photography.

At the moment, the best drone with a 720p camera is surely UDI 818Plus. This magnificent little drone with camera stands great across all departments and is portraying itself as one of the best value for money packages out there. And it really is true – for the money you will end up paying for this little bugger, it sure has a lot to offer. So, let’s skip wit the introduction and head straight to the reasons why you should go for UDI U818Plus!

Camera and features

First things first – here’s what you need to know about UDI U818Plus camera. It is quite bulky and has 120-degree wide-angle field of view. Of course, we are talking about a 720p camera that has some sort of a stabilization method going on. How do I know? Well, I’ve tested it and realized just how stable the footage is. You will be surprised too, I guarantee it. Add altitude hold to the equation and you got yourself a highly stable entry-level aerial photography quad. What more could you ask for?

Specifications

Now that you know everything there is to know about this birdie’s features and imaging solutions, let’s take a closer look at its specifications too. Obviously, camera birds usually come with long operating ranges. This one proves that theory by being able to reach up to 150 meters away from its controller. Pretty neat, right? Well, if you think that’s neat, wait till you hear about its battery duration. Believe it or not, UDI U818Plus can fly for roughly 12-15 minutes per charge. Combine that with everything above and I’m sure you will realize what a steal UDI U818Plus really is.

 

 

Drones with camera 2020

ImageNameBatteryRangePrice
5. Force1 F10012min250mSee best offer
4. Holy Stone HS30012min150mSee best offer
3. DJI Spark16min2000mSee best offer
2. MJX Bugs 2W18min1000mSee best offer
1. Parrot Bebop 2 Adv21min2000mSee best offer

5. Force1 F100

Force1 F100 Novi

Drone with FullHD camera

The first in the line of drones with camera capable of recording in full HD (that’s 1080p for all non-tech savvy people reading this) is coming from Force1’s labs. It goes by the name F100 and sports a bulky appearance and gorgeous graphics. But, what else does it have to offer in addition to its flashy design? Luckily, a lot of things… almost to the point of me not knowing where to start off. I’ll stick to the usual script though and get things going with camera and features before moving to the number-game. So, let’s start our journey into Force1 F100… Shall we?!

Camera and features

Let’s get one thing clear at the very start – there are 2 versions of Force1 F100 available on the market. The cheaper one will get you only the drone itself with a transmitter. The more expensive one, on the other hand, will also get you a nice little action camera drone. Of course, if you already own one, there is no need to purchase the more expensive versions. For those who don’t, you will be happy to know that the included camera is pretty neat. It records FHD videos (obviously) and the image quality looks absolutely brilliant.

There’s a bit of a blank space left in terms of features of this drone with video camera. Considering the possibilities with that cool 1080p action camera I was really expecting at least GPS and altitude hold. However, Force1 F100 decided to lower the price tag and only include one key flip button and adjustable flying speed. The overall stability is good though, so the lack of altitude hold is not that big of a downside after all…

Specifications

Specifications are nicely finishing off Force1 F100’s story… and are going so with style. Starting off with the powerhouse, you will be happy to know this camera drone runs on powerful brushless motors. Combined with a hefty 2S LiPo battery, Force1 F100 can endure 10 to 15 minutes of flight time with ease. 10 is with the camera on and close to 15 is without it. As for the operating range, you can expect around 250 to 300 meters. A damn fine number coming from Force1 F100, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced users.

 

 

4. Holy Stone HS300

Holy Stone HS300 Novi

Drone with FullHD camera

4th spot belongs to another one of Holy Stone’s models. After giving the brand new HS100 a go, now we’ll focus on the old champ – HS300. This big bulky drone with camera still hasn’t lost its charm and can definitely pose a threat in this section of the drones market. That’s why we will first take a look at its camera. Afterward, you will get a glimpse into its features as well as specifications. So, I don’t see a reason why we should beat around the bushes any longer. Let’s go!

Camera and features

Like I said above, first, we’ll give its camera a closer look. Holy Stone HS300 works with a bulky 5MPX camera. Obviously, it can record full HD footage, otherwise, it would not be featured in this section. Other than that, it’s noteworthy to say a thing or two about the mount. While it might seem like a cheap ass mounting bracket, it’s actually far from that. Not only does it work with a precise locking mechanism but it also incorporates 4 dampening balls. Needless to say, this ensures smooth footage and no jello whatsoever.

In terms of software features, Holy stone HS300 has altitude hold and one key return. They are not GPS-powered though, so don’t expect pinpoint accuracy. Last but not least, there is a whole deal of accessories waiting for you inside the package. Not only will you get an extra spare of props, 4GB MicroSD card, and a tiny screwdriver… but you will also get 2 chargers. What will you need the extra charger for? Well, obviously for charging the extra battery that can be found inside.

Specifications

As I’ve said at least a couple of times above, the best drone for photography (not those petty toy-grade models) tend to have awesome operating range. It all depends on the price point though, but generally speaking, they really do. Just look at Bugs 2W below and you’ll realize what I’m talking about. HS300 perhaps isn’t the longest reaching camera drone out there and it doesn’t go near Bugs 2W. Despite that, it still has a decent operating range that clocks in at over 150 meters. Continuing in the same tone, Holy Stone HS300 weighs around 635 grams (1.4 pounds) and the majority of its weight is due to a hefty LiPo battery. More precisely, I am referring to the provided 2S 2000mAh LiPo pack. It’s great though – capable of giving around 10 to 12 minutes of flight time.

 

 

3. DJI Spark

DJI Spark Novi

Drones with camera

The Spark, a brand-new miniature by DJI has just been officially unveiled. Now, even though you still cannot buy it (UPDATE: you can order it now), it still deserves a special spot on this list just because it’s so damn awesome. It’s practically the size of a phablet and it fits into virtually all backpacks, handbags and even smallest purses. Is size the only thing the Spark excels at? Not by a long shot…

Camera and features

Believe it or not, this little camera drone incorporates a full HD, fully stabilized camera capable of recording in 1080p resolution at a solid 30 fps. Even though the stabilization is made true by a 2-axis gimbal and not a 3-axis one, I’m pretty sure you won’t even notice any difference.

On top of all that, there are also great futures to play around with. In addition to the standard ActiveTrack and TapFly, the Spark is equipped with a special feature called PalmControl which lets you control it with your bare hands. How’s that for an innovation, eh?! There is also another one called PalmLaunch which works in a similar way to PalmControl but instead of controlling you get to launch it from your hand.

Specifications

In terms of performance, the Spark is nothing short of spectacular, at least in the price/performance ratio. You see, with roughly 15 minutes of flight time and up to 2 kilometers of operating range (only when you’re controlling the Spark with the dedicated controller. List of drones with best flight range is here), It’s quite clear the folks over at DJI exceeded everyone’s expectations.

 

 

2. MJX Bugs 2W

MJX Bugs 2W Novi

Drone with FullHD camera

Even though DJI Spark brings forth an admirable set of features nicely poised with great battery duration and compact form factor… it is just too damn expensive. MJX Bugs 2W offers a lot of the same but at just a fraction of the price. It even has superior flight time and range (although this is kind of debatable). With that said, it definitely means business. As a matter of fact, I’ll go out on a limb here and say MJX Bugs 2W is the second-best 1080p drone with video camera available on the market… right after the glorious Parrot Bebop 2.

Camera and features

This is a drone with a 1080p built-in camera. And a pretty good one for that matter. It even sports WiFi FPV. To be more precise – 5G WiFi. amping the range all the way to 500 meters. Keep in mind though, it heavily depends on your smartphone and can vary from 200 to 500 meters. Even more in some cases – I’ve seen a guy fly WiFi only for more than 600 meters. There is no stabilization system present but still, all footage taken with MJX Bugs 2W is smooth and jello-free. How can this be? Well, it’s all thanks to the drone’s magnificent stability.

This is brought to life by combining GPS and GLONASS which allows around 16 satellites on average. Much more than what you can get on its main competitor – Hubsan H501S. Furthermore, MJX Bugs 2 also sports 2 smart GPS-powered features – altitude hold and return to home. In addition to that, this camera drone has a headless mode which will be a huge deal for beginners.

Specifications

When it comes to specifications, there is no doubt that MJX Bugs 2W beats out the majority of its direct best drones with camera competitors. The range on this quad is absolutely brilliant, reaching all the way to 800 meters. Flight duration is no pushover either. Enough with the teasing though, let’s flash some numbers. First of all, it needs to be said that MJX Bugs 2W incorporates a proprietary 1800mAh 2S LiPo battery. In fact, not just one but 2. Per battery, you can expect around 18 minutes of flight time. With 2 of them – poof… almost 40 minutes straight out of the box. Absolutely brilliant work MJX.. Keep it up!

 

 

1. Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer

Drone with FullHD camera

And finally, the best drone with 1080p camera currently available on the market is Parrot’s 2nd generation of Bebop drone. More precisely, Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer package which incorporates a handful of goodies for an affordable price. Coming in at the top spot, it is definitely worth the title. As a matter of fact, I’m sure you will agree with me once you see what’s this camera drone all about!

Camera and features

Once again, Bebop 2 is the second generation of popular Parrot’s lineup of drones. It features a sleek, lightweight design with a great full HD camera featuring a 14mpx sensor. It is mounted on a built-in 3-axis electronic image stabilization ensuring the optimal photo and video quality in terms of both smoothness and stability. Both FPV and VR are supported, but we’ll get to that in a second.

Features are a huge plus for Parrot Bebop 2. Not only does it have GPS but sports helpful features such as altitude hold and failsafe/return to home. If you want more, you can always but FreeFlight Pro which gives you access to Flight Plan. This is a paid feature which enables you to create fully autonomous flight missions. Last but not least, if you opt for Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer package you will not only get the drone but SkyController 2, specialized backpack and Cockpitglasses (AKA VR headset).

Specifications

What’s best about this drone with camera is definitely the Sky Controller add-on. It’s basically a dedicated controller (can be purchased with the drone itself but is also sold separately) as well as a range extender. Effectively, not only does the Sky Controller allow you seamless interaction with Bebop 2 but it also extends its range to cca 2 kilometers, enabling it to become quite a scout. It can easily be used as a drone for surveillance. especially considering the provided 3S 2700mAh LiPo battery gives out anywhere from 20 to 25 minutes of flight time. So, if you’re looking for a highly safe and reliable drone with a top-class camera, Parrot Bebop 2 is the way to go. Furthermore, if you’re looking for all that plus a backpack and VR headset, go for Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer package and thank me later.

 

 

Drones with camera 2020

6. Yuneec Typhoon H

Yuneec-Typhoon-H-Novi2

Drone with 4K camera.

The first drone bearing a 4K camera worth mentioning is Typhoon H. As you can see above, it is made by Yuneec and it has 6 propellers. Yes, this is a mighty hexacopter with an aggressive appearance and godlike performance to go alongside it. So, for everyone looking for the real deal in terms of aerial imaging solution, Yuneec Typhoon H seems like a viable option. With that in mind, let’s see what does it bring to the table in terms of camera, features, and specifications!

Camera and features

If collision avoidance is of utter importance to you but you want to go by as cheap as possible, then Typhoon H is the way to go. You see, even though this is still a higher-priced model, it is the cheapest one available that features a reliable collision avoidance system.

Apart from that, Yuneec Typhoon H also comes with an ST16 controller with a built-in 7-inch touchscreen powered by Android. It features intuitive controls and, believe it or not, it’s quite a breeze controlling this beauty. When it comes to aerial photography drones, Typhoon H is as good as they come with a stunning 4K stabilized camera. Feature-wise, it sports a total of 8 smart flight modes, automatic takeoff/landing, GPS navigation, and even retractable gear so you can move the camera in 360 degrees without it ruining the field of view.

Specifications

As far as specifications are concerned, there is no doubt Yuneec Typhoon H is on top of the drones with camera food chain. This massive hexacopter, even though bulky, can still achieve good speeds. To top it off, it can also fly for quite a while. 25 minutes for those of you looking for exact numbers. So yeah, almost half an hour of flight time nicely poised with 1.5 kilometers of operating range. All in all, the folk over at Yuneec definitely outdid themselves with this one. Yuneec Typhoon H is everything I thought it would be… and then some!

 

 

5. Autel Robotics X-Star Premium

Autel Robotics X-Star Premium Novi

Drone with camera.

Autel Robotics has had a huge success with its X-Star Premium camera drone. It is not a surprising fact considering the sheer build quality alongside all of its top-notch features. The first thing you will notice about this camera birdie is its bright orange color. One thing is for sure – it definitely makes X-Star Premium stand out from all other top-tier drones. Is there anything else that makes it stand out in front of the competition? Why don’t we take a sneaky little peek and see for ourselves…

Camera and features

Let’s start off with its 4K ready camera which is, who would’ve guessed eh, mounted on a 3-axis gimbal for ultimate stabilization. State of art camera system is one of the top reasons why this drone is so popular among real estate agents with drones. Feature-wise, X-Star Premium incorporates dual navigation systems (both GPS and GLONASS), SecureFly magnetic interference protection system (patented by Autel Robotics) and Starpoint Positioning System. This all allows the drone to maintain a ridiculously steady hover when shooting videos. Combined with a great stabilization system, it’s no wonder X-Star Premium is considered one of the best aerial photography drones at the moment.

Specifications

In terms of battery duration, Autel Robotics X-Star Premium does itself justice with around 25 minutes of flight time per charge. On top of that, the free-range technology allows this camera drone to provide its user with silk smooth HD FPV up to 1.2 miles (cca 2 kilometers) away from the transmitter.

 

 

4. GoPro Karma

GoPro Karma Novi

Drone with 4K camera

I’m sure most of you are familiar with the fact that GoPro, a worldwide famous action camera brand, entered the drone market. Unfortunately for them, their entrance wasn’t off to a good start. They had to pull Karma off sale due to technical issues. A lot of people were enraged because of this but, luckily, GoPro fixed the issues relatively fast and now their Karma models are back on shelves… This time, for good!

Camera and features

GoPro Karma does come with GPS and an array of supporting features that allow it to bear the title of a smart-drone with camera. But, the pinnacle of Karma aren’t features but its 3-axis gimbal which supports (obviously) newer GoPro Hero action cameras. More precisely, GoPro Karma gimbal has official support for

Top of the line is Hero 5 Black and Karma offers full support, just like we expected. The image quality is nothing short of brilliant. You can see it for yourself if you don’t believe me – there are plenty of videos captured with GoPro Karma available on YouTube.

Specifications

GoPro Karma has great specifications too. Although many people were disappointed when they saw the difference between this one and DJI Mavic Pro. Needless to say, Mavic Pro sports incredible performance that Karma just doesn’t live up to. Despite that, you can still expect up to 20 minutes of airtime and 2 kilometers of operating range, neither of which are bad by any means.

Finally, I should also mention Karma Grip, a nice little addition that will transform your aerial photography platform into a handheld or body-mounted one. It keeps the same image stabilization capability but adds an extra capturing method which is a great solution for outdoor activities.

 

 

3. DJI Mavic Pro

DJI Mavic Pro Novi

Best drone for photography.

And finally, we have come to the second DJI drone with video camera in this list. With its miniature size, foldable propellers and incredibly powerful hardware under the hood, DJI Mavic Pro is a future-proof drone that you can carry anywhere. But its small size factor might leave some worried. No need for that though – think of it as a baby Phantom 4 and you will be close to the truth.

Camera and features

When folded, It’s not bigger than a regular bottle of water. Such a small size allows you to carry it around wherever you go. Combine that with an absolutely amazing 4K camera and you’ll realize that Mavic Pro is the perfect solution for photographers who are constantly on the go.

Don’t even get me started on the features. Truth be told, DJI Mavic Pro has it all. From obstacle avoidance, GPS, autonomous flight modes and even gestures. Whatever you might wish for, chances are high DJI Mavic Pro can provide.

Specifications

Moreover, Mavic Pro represents the breakthrough when it comes to flight duration. While all of its miniature competitors offer up to 15 minutes of airtime, DJI took it one step further and doubled it to almost half an hour. If we are to be more precise with our numbers here, the exact measure goes somewhere around the 27-minute mark. That and amazing 7 kilometers of flight range are the true selling points of this little fella who is, at least in my honest opinion, the best all-around drone with a video camera for shooting breathtaking scenes.

 

 

2. DJI Phantom 4 Pro

DJI Phantom 4 Pro Novi

Drone with 4K camera

Runner-up for the best drone with a camera is DJI’s amazing Phantom 4 Pro. It’s their 2nd drone with obstacle avoidance. This is a huge news for everyone who wants the ultimate autonomous experience. Besides obstacle avoidance, Phantom 4 Pro has all sorts of advanced features. DJI is known for the implementation of everything that’s available on the market, and the situation is not different with Phantom 4 Pro. But, besides that, what exactly is so special about DJI Phantom 4 Pro and what makes it worth so much money? Oh boy, oh boy… where should I start?

Camera and features

Perhaps the camera makes a great starting point. DJI Phantom 4 Pro bears an upgraded 20MPX camera with a 1-inch sensor. As always, state of the art 3-axis gimbal is here for providing only the smoothest of aerial footage. Image adjustments are present as well as long-range HD live stream that is bound to blow your mind.

In addition to all standard features (there’s no point in listing those), some of the more advanced ones are definitely object tracking with ActiveTrack and intuitive flight system with TapFly.

Specifications

And finally, we have reached specifications of DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone with video camera. Starting off with 27 minutes of flight time on a full charge, It’s safe to say that Phantom 4 Pro belongs to the very top of the drone market when it comes to battery life. To top it all off, DJI implemented their extreme flight range technology called OcuSync (available with Inspire 2 and Mavic Pro) which allows Phantom 4 Pro to go as far as 7 kilometers away from its controller. With all that being said, it becomes pretty clear that DJI Phantom 4 Pro is second to only one mainstream drone… DJI Inspire 2!

 

 

1. DJI Inspire 2

DJI Inspire 2 Novi

Drone with 4K camera

The pinnacle of DJI’s drone-manufacturing ability is definitely their second generation of DJI Inspire. It’s one of the drones with camera that are not meant for everyone. With its advanced features, groundbreaking camera technology and above all – second to none build quality, it comes as no surprise it is decorated with an incredibly high price tag. So, with all that bearing in mind, in the next couple of paragraphs, I will do my best to portray you the excellence behind DJI Inspire 2. Let’s kick it off, shall we?!

Camera and features

Starting off with the camera technology, Inspire 2 is equipped with CineCore 2.0 image processing. With support for CinemaDNG and ProRes recordings, the fact that it’s going to be mainly purchased by professional photographs is not surprising at all.

Such a price will not drive away professional aerial photographers who know what they are looking for. If you are one of them, here’s a quick overview of Inspire’s main specifications and features so you can know in what you are investing such a huge sum of money. Lastly, Inspire 2drone with video camera also comes with all the standard features such as GPS navigation, obstacle sensing, auto return to home, follow me and many more…

Specifications

Moving forward to the specifications, you will be amazed by the fact that this monstrosity (yeah, it’s really big) can go as fast as 67mph. Likewise, it can also be up in the air for half an hour and go as far as 7 kilometers away from its controller. And finally, battery duration. Don’t worry guys – DJI Inspire 2 continues in the same brilliant fashion. No drawbacks here for sure since it produces around 27 minutes of flight time. Just like DJI P4Pro and Mavic Pro.

 

FAQ: Best Drones with camera

Overview of the most popular drone camera resolutions

Of course, all of you looking for the best drone for photography, you should know that a resolution is not the only thing that matters when it comes to cameras. The type of lenses, size, megapixel, etc… are all important aspects that make a camera good or bad. Today though, we will be focusing solely on resolutions.

 

Resolution basically represents all the details one single image possesses. It can be measured in various ways and serves as a quantifier for how close 2 lines (or pixels, if you want) can be while still be visibly distinguished. In short – the higher the resolution is, the more detail a picture is able to hold. With that being said, let’s take a look at the most popular camera resolutions in modern drones!

480p is an old standard. Its full resolution is 640 x 480. Over a decade ago, more than 80% of people watched videos on Youtube in 480p. Today, the bar has been set to 1080p or even 4K for those who enjoy the benefits of PC master race.

In drone world, 480p cameras are most frequently seen on the lowest end models out there. Still, there are pricier drones that use 480p as well, although not for recording video but for the popular FPV live streaming.

720p started an era of HD. At first, it got the nickname HD but was called that way for a short period of time. After the big brother, 1080p, took the mainstream scene by surprise, good old 720p was renamed to HD Ready. Even to this date, there are TV and monitor manufacturers who still name their 720p panels HD ready and 1080p ones Full HD.

720p cameras are a common sight in the low-end side of the market. In addition to that, there are also high-end models that have 4K ready cameras but rely on 720p for FPV and VR purposes. Live streaming 720p is not nearly as demanding as FHD or 4k so heftier models can even record in 4K and live stream in 720p simultaneously.

This is the most popular video/image resolution these days. Full HD is the nickname and it has been around for quite some time now. Even though 4K keeps knocking on the door, trying to reach the mainstream scene, it is still an enthusiast-only treat as the majority of people don’t yet have a 4K TV/monitor in order to experience true 4K footage.

When it comes to drones, 1080p cameras can be found on medium-end models as well as older flagships. The quality is amazing and you’ll probably be fine with one of these. Still, if you own a 4K display or you are targeting your footage for 4K-ready enthusiasts, it might be time to step up a notch and get the…

Amazing and glorious 4K cameras! The pinnacle of today’s display and camera technology. Even though there are higher resolutions than this (Dell’s UP3218K has 8K which is, quite frankly, a total overkill) and considering the fact most people still run FHD, 4K is yet to make a name for itself out there.

Despite that, if you want the best possible image/video quality (best drone for photography), a 4K camera will do you right! Once again, resolutions aren’t the only noteworthy aspect of a camera. So, if you’re already keen on going for a 4K one, make sure it has a decent-sized sensor (take Phantom 4 Pro as the perfect example – it has a 1-inch camera sensor), otherwise your images might have too much noise from all the information gathering inside a small area.

What are gimbals, and why you should know that?

I am sure you have noticed the word gimbal more than a few times in this article. For those of you who aren’t familiar with them, this will be the perfect time to do so!

Gimbals are extremely important when it comes to aerial footage recorded by drones. They are essentially small “camera holders” equipped with brushless motors that keep the mounted camera stable and level at all times. This effect is made true not only with brushless motor but with an anti-vibration mount as well. The combination of those 2 make up for an amazing stabilization system that has been used in professional photography and filmmaking for a long time now.

Let’s cut the story short! What this essentially does is give you a clear, silk-smooth video without any shakiness and blur. All of it is being dealt with by the gimbal, providing the camera a 3-axis stabilizing system that will annihilate all shakiness and vibrations. So, if you are looking for a drone that you’ll use for commercial aerial photography, make sure it has a 3-axis gimbal system. They come in various forms though, so you will have to keep an eye out for that. Some of them are built-in (DJI Mavic Pro for example) while others have standalone ones. You can even buy an aftermarket gimbal and mount it on your drone… if it’s supported, of course.

 

Am I allowed to record aerial videos in public areas using my drone with camera?

FAA’s regulations specifically claim that one must not fly a drone in public area. Not only is it considered unmannered but can also be dangerous. Imagine if there was a problem with you P4 Pro and it crashes on an unsuspecting Miss Harvey who suffers a concussion and sues you for an awfully lot of money… That’s why, If you want to record aerial footage with your drone, go somewhere far away from people (and airports) and record all you want.

 

CCD vs CMOS cameras

Now that you know everything there is to know about camera resolutions, it is time to take a look at the actual cameras. More precisely, a closer look at their sensors and the main 2 types that are available on the market. CMOS and CCD are their names, and today we are going to tell you more about them. Before going into details, I just want to let you in on a secret –  CMOS technology is much newer, but it doesn’t mean it’s better than the good old CCD. For once, it is cheaper to mass-produce but has several key differences (or should I say limitations?) when compared to CCD. Let’s check them out and see what are the key differences.

CCD

Stands for Charge-Coupled Device

CCD sensors consume more power than CMOS, but they’re a lot more expensive to manufacture. This lead to the majority of small cameras (for example smartphone, tablet, laptop and so on) being CMOS and CCD only taking up a ridiculously small portion of the market. However, this does not mean CCD cameras are inferior in any way. At certain things (such as low light performance) CCD sensors are actually much better than their CMOS counterparts.

CMOS

Stands for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor

This sensor type works in a similar way to CCD with the addition of extra circuitry (amplifiers) in each pixel which does extra work as soon as data arrives. This leads to better power consumption but has certain issues; the biggest one being the rolling shutter issue. However, they are cheaper to manufacture and consume less power which is why they’re used in virtually all day-to-day tech gadgets like smartphones and laptops.

What is the best software for drones with camera video editing?

If you’re thinking of making short aerial videos or wanting to be a professional aerial photographer and need some sort of a video editing software to clamp them together, perhaps looking at the small list below would do you a world of good. Keep in mind that the list order is irrelevant as there are many different aspects that make up a good program.

Some are oriented for beginners, others offer more but still at a relatively affordable price… while some offer everything you could ever ask for but match it with a premium price tag.

So, before choosing your next video editor, make sure you know what you want and how much time you want to spend learning the interface and basic tools.

  • Windows Movie Maker
  • Sony Vegas Pro
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • PowerDirector 13
  • Corel Video Studio
  • Pinnacle Studio 21

real estate agent with drone

How much can I earn from being a drone pilot?

This heavily depends on the type of work you do and how prepared you are as a pilot/photographer. It can range between enough money to barely make a living to living life on easy mode… It all comes down to a whole heap of variables, many of which under your command. If you’d like to start off with your career but have no idea where to begin, I’d warmly recommend Googling FAA Pilot License and start off with that. After you’ve obtained your license, here are some useful insights that could help you find a gig.

If you would like to make money off your drone, then a good way of starting off would be freelancing. There are several big freelancing platforms that connect people who want to work with people who require workers. And it works in a fast manner too. In terms of drone-related jobs, you will basically be living the life of a professional photographer. That’s the most common drone-oriented professions. There are others as well, but let’s focus on aerial photographers.

At first, you’ll have to spend a lot of time marketing your service. Perhaps doing a couple of freebies wouldn’t hurt too much. Look at it in a bright perspective – you’ll get more experienced, besides, it won’t cost you a penny… unless you happen to crash your drone. Of course, there are insurance policies for these scenarios, but that’s a whole other story…

Once you start attracting clients, make sure you do your work on time and keep up with the marketing. Making a website featuring some of your work could be worth a shot too. Word of mouth will give you a lot of credibility so make sure your communication with clients remains both friendly and professional at all costs. Rinse and repeat until you’ve gained somewhat of a consistency in terms of clients. Congratulations – you’re now a successful aerial photographer. Thank me later! ?

 

Take this with a grain of salt

And lastly, I’ve got a small rant I’d like to share with you guys! It’s not related to cameras. Instead, it’s revolving around drones and their marketing matters. Here goes…

The official specifications are somewhat of a trivial matter. You see, brands aren’t lying when they say, f.e., their model has up to 30 minutes of flight time, but in reality, that flight time is actually 25 minutes. There’s a lot of variables that affect the airtime of a drone, and they all need to be taken into consideration when presenting us with a number. Unfortunately (for the customers of course), brands usually measure official specifications in optimal environments to create a better picture of their product. In other words, they don’t necessarily lie to us, they just skew the truth slightly in their favor. And everyone does it. I’m not name-calling here for that simple reason – everyone does it… and it seems as though we, as customers, already came to terms with that since we are merely silently protesting on various RC forums instead of doing something about it.

 

Conclusion

All of the above-featured models will perform great as aerial photography drone platforms straight out of the box… that is, except for the Traxxas Aton. If you opt for that one, you will need to provide it with your own action camera in order to portray him as an extremely powerful hybrid model. That being said, I believe there is nothing more to add or subtract. We’ve come to the end of the list and without much hesitation, I’d like to thank you for reading with the hope the information provided will help you in your decision-making process!

Larry Haller