Everyone who’s thought about getting a drone has probably immediately focused on the best drones for photos and video. However, it doesn’t make sense for most people to spend a lot of money on a drone without any camera capabilities when they could buy one with advanced features at a lower price.
Since all the best drones are built for video, it’s best to start with the best camera drones. If you’re looking for a drone that can take professional shots, read on! This article will briefly talk about some of the best quadcopters explicitly made for taking pictures and videos to help you get started in this field before touching more extensively on the best drones overall further down.
The best drones for photos and video combine excellent flight stability, durability, long battery life, controllable ranges, and ease of use into an efficient package that can take stunning aerial shots from unmatched vantage points. Moreover, if they are drones with camera 4K, programmable drones, or drones with obstacle avoidance features, it will only be a bonus for you.
Well, to help you out, below are the five best drones for photos and video that you can get on the market:
Best Drones For Photos and Videos
| Product Image | Title | Brand | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
  | DJI Mavic Air 2 | DJI | Check Price |
  | DJI Air S2 | DJI | Check Price |
  | Parrot Anafi FPV | Parrot | Check Price |
| Skydio 2 | Skydio | Check Price | |
  | PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard Version | PowerVision | Check Price |
DJI Mavic Air 2
Specification:
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- Camera: 4K
- Battery life: 34 minutes
Body
The DJI Mavic Air 2 has many new features that are bound to impress! The first thing you may notice is that the drone looks very similar to its predecessor, the DJI Mavic Air. But don’t let it deceive you. This little guy packs a big punch with the newest technology!
Every time I hold the DJI Mavic Air 2, I feel like it is an incredibly well-built drone! With its foldable propellers and detachable legs, it is super compact. The design is also similar to that of the previous model, with a few minor changes.
It has two front arms that are longer than on the Mavic Air but shorter than on the Mavic Pro. The camera of the Mavic Air 2 is also better than the Mavic Air. It is now placed at an angle, making it easier to take selfies or follow subjects while flying.
In addition, the DJI Mavic Air 2 has five vision sensors that are present in each corner of its frame. These sensors allow for more excellent stability when flying and shooting video. Moreover, the controller device has seen some updates as well! It now comes in black instead of white or grey for all three colors (still available).
Another excellent update is that there are two sidelights beside the main power button rather than one on top next to the power. There are no other buttons on top of the controller, which gives it a sleek look. The screen has also been updated with a higher resolution. The controller now uses the same beads-blasted metal construction as the Mavic Pro Platinum.
Features and Performance
DJI Mavic Air 2 is the best drone for photos and video. This drone has a new 32 MP Stereo vision camera with an ultra-low-noise lens, allowing more light to enter the sensor. In addition, it features an 8 GB internal memory that can get up to 128 GB with a Micro SD card.
GPS+, GLONASS+ vision positioning system ensures navigation accuracy of 2.5 meters, 0′ taking off or landing. Moreover, it makes videos by stabilizing 4K video at 30 fps frame rate, 1080p at 96fps frame rate, and 720p HD at 120 fps frame rate, so you can create slow-motion videos easily.
Besides, a movable three-direction folding arm makes it best for traveling. The flight time of this impressive drone is 24 minutes with a maximum control range of 10 km. Furthermore, it also features obstacle sensors on the front, bottom and rear so you can fly this best drone safely. It comes with 5G Wi-Fi support which means you can enjoy files transferring at 8 GB per second speed.
Additionally, safety features make it best to travel with this best drone. This drone has a built-in 48 MP camera for selfies and video calls. It can fly at a maximum speed of 72 km/h in the Sport mode, which is best for outdoor activities like racing or chasing sports events.
This video drone also comes with a couple of Intelligence flight modes, including gesture modes like PalmControl, Tripod mode, ActiveTrack, TapFly, etc., that makes photos or videos best. One of the best things is that you can control it using hand gestures at 4 to 5 meters distance, making this one of the best drones for photos and video.
DJI Air S2
Specification:
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- Camera: 5.4K
- Battery life: 31 minutes
Body
The DJI Air 2s is a tiny drone, only 5″ by 5″ and 1/2 inch thick. It weighs just under 4 ounces. The drone’s body seems to be made of a lightweight plastic that flexes very easily upon impact with a surface. The color scheme of this drone is black and white with a red accent.
The camera has been placed right in the center on the bottom, surrounded by two circle LED lights for design. There are also two more LED lights, one on each side near the front, which helps you keep track from any angle of what direction it’s facing as well as helping make sure you don’t lose sight at nighttime activities.
Finally, to allow proper signal reception for GPS positioning, four antennas surround the bottom of this drone. Now onto the propellers, the DJI Air 2s has two propellers, one for each motor. They are designed to be flexible and help with impact absorption but also have a useful life expectancy of about 5-10 hours, depending on what you are using them for.
You should note that both main blades have their motors. So if one were ever to fail, the other edge could still provide lift which can save money in replacement costs. You can entirely control Air 2S by your smartphone, which you hold in your hand while flying. Some versions come equipped with a remote (if you’re willing to shell out an extra $20), but it’s not required to pass the drone. Instead, you download the DJI Go App, and it allows for all command functions.
Features and Performance
The DJI Air 2S is an improved version of its predecessor, the Air 2. However, while it has a few additional features that make it stand out from other drones at this price point, it still lacks some essential features that should be available in this price range.
These include better resolution and image capture functions, shooting in RAW, and a longer flight time. It features a flight time of 31 minutes and a maximum video resolution of 5.4K. In addition, the two batteries included in the package each provide up to six minutes of extra power, allowing for more filming time when needed.
It has intelligent functions such as Follow Me Mode, GPS-assisted hovering, an ActiveTrack system that offers more precise tracking, and a return-to-home function for more excellent safety. In addition, the drone’s vision positioning system allows pilots to fly indoors and in areas without a GPS signal.
Moreover, the DJI Air 2S comes equipped with the A3 FlightAutonomy system, composed of two forward-facing cameras, infrared sensors, and dual ultrasonic range finders. It also features an OcuSync transmission system with a maximum working range of 4.3 miles (7km) and a top speed of 44mph (72kph).
The high-end DJI Air 2S package includes DJI Goggles flying goggles, which provide FPV real-time videos from the drone’s point of view. The DJI Air 2S does have some good features that may make it worth its price tag, including the A3 FlightAutonomy system for more excellent flight safety and a more extended working range. However, these come at a relatively steep price compared to drones in the same category since they do not perform much better.
Parrot Anafi FPV
Specification:
- weight: 0.6 pounds
- Camera: 4K
- Battery life: 25 minutes
Body
The Parrot Anafi FPV is the newest drone release from Parrot. This lightweight foldable drone has a dual battery system that helps to range and stability and has an automatic takeoff function. The drone’s body is of black plastic, and it weighs just 309g without any gimbal or camera attached (battery excluded).
It measures 155mm x 160mm x 60mm (folded) and extends to 940mm (maximum dimension with propellers extended). This size makes it considerably smaller than other drones on the market. It simply folds down into a small compact size and can be stored in a backpack or handbag!
This means no bulky cases and less opportunity to damage your drone while traveling. And it’s not just the size that makes the Parrot Anafi stand out from other drones. It’s also the features that make it an excellent choice for several purposes, particularly high-quality video and photos.
Furthermore, the body has four blue rubber feet to protect it from any ground damage. The drone’s underside has ventilation holes located on the left and right sides, along with a broader vent on the bottom center. The drone’s top has an integrated gimbal camera mount, which can support up to 120g (3oz).
On the left side of the drone is a MicroSD card slot, while on the right side, there’s the USB-C port for recharging and additional storage. Additionally, the front half of this section contains two LEDs, one red LED to indicate that the battery is dangerously low and will soon cut out. In contrast, another green light means that it’s safe to fly again after charging. It is a pretty decent drone with impressive built quality.
Features and Performance
After a couple of months of its release, the Parrot Anafi FPV drone is still considered one of the best VR drones in the market and can perform like many other expensive drones. This VR drone was designed with 4k video resolution and 180º gimbal, making it unique from other VR drones.
You can control it by using Parrot’s Flight application for Android or Apple phones to live stream video up to 2km away from the controller. This lets you interactively control the drone by leaning left or right, also tilting forward and backward using a whole 360-degree immersive experience.
When it comes to aerial photography, there’s no need to worry about image stabilization since its 3-axis digital stabilization combined with a high-performance VR gimbal makes it possible to shoot precisely and professionally. And since the drone’s camera is VR-ready, you can capture VR photos and VR videos with a click of a button.
Parrot Anafi has a 21-megapixel 1/2.4-inch CMOS sensor equipped with an f/2.2 aperture lens which is enough to take pictures at 12x optical zoom, especially for auto mode (Aerial Photo). Moreover, its mechanical shutter delivers up to 2000 high-speed consecutive shots or 4k 30fps video recording capability supported by electronic image stabilization resulting in smooth images without jello effects even without a VR headset.
Parrot Anafi can fly for up to 25 minutes via VR auto mode (Aerial) and VR auto mode (Aerial Selfie) for battery life. In addition, it provides the best FPV experience since they come with a pair of 4K screens which work best in sunlight and at night. But keep in mind that the screen brightness can affect VR performance. Especially if you are outside on a sunny or cloudy day.
Skydio 2
Specification:
- weight: 1.7 pounds
- Camera: 4K
- Battery life: 23 minutes
Body
First of all, it is the best drone for photos and video because of its sleek body and design. It has a camera on the front and the bottom for perfect symmetry (unlike some other drones, which have an off-center camera). Skydio 2 has a foldable design that makes it more portable than best drones for aerial photography.
Its body consists of four arms that contain prop guards helpful both in first-person view (FPV) racing and standard aerial recording. It has a weight of 280g and a size of 105mm in length, 134.5 in width, and 131 in height. Therefore, one of the best camera drones currently available on the market can provide top-quality footage without breaking the bank.
The best drones for aerial photography are usually lightweight, but Skydio 2 has managed to do this while offering quality durability that will last in the long run. It is made out of plastic and aluminum alloy components to give it a durable feel and a lightweight design.
But, unfortunately, its lightweight makes it easy for them to get blown around in the wind when you fly them outside. However, it has four propellers protected by prop guards, making them the best drones for aerial photography. These props are also designed to help keep the wind from disrupting your flights.
Features and Performance
The Skydio 2 is the second iteration of the Skydio, a UAV drone that follows you wherever you go. It has all the features of its predecessor along with some new ones. A significant improvement with this release is that it now has obstacle avoidance.
Other enhancements include improved battery life, better video quality, and a more straightforward setup. With its obstacle avoidance feature, Skydio 2 can now avoid obstacles in front of it while flying. This allows for big jumps and sudden movements without worrying about crashing into objects around you.
The video quality has also been increased to 4K at 30 FPS. In addition, the battery life is now 25 minutes, which is a 25% improvement from its predecessor. It comes with some Intelligent Flight Modes such as Active Track, TapFly, Cinematic Mode, and Terrain Follow mode.
Additionally, you can now set waypoints on Google Maps, which allows you to record your path, and the drone will follow it autonomously. It is capable of obstacle detection up to 65ft away. So if something gets close, it’ll stop flying before it comes into contact with any object.
It has a 27mph top speed and a 13mm camera lens for better photo quality compared to other models in its range. In addition, it can fly up to 4 miles away before it runs out of battery life. Moreover, it has a Qualcomm Snapdragon Flight 801 processor and 16GB of internal storage.
The Skydio 2 improves its predecessor in every aspect: video quality, obstacle avoidance, speed, and range. It’s great for those who want the best drones for photos and video that move with you and follows your every move no matter the situation.
PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard Version
- Video Capture Resolution: 4K HD
- Item Weight: 10.53 pounds
- Battery Life: 3.5 hours
Specification:
- weight: 1.9 pounds
- Camera: 4K
- Battery life: 30 minutes
Body
PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard is a hexacopter design with six arms, 4 of which are foldable. It has LED lights placed on the front arms, primarily for decoration since it’s not always visible during nighttime flying. It has a weight of 1206 g and a dimension of 518mm(L) x 488mm(W) x 164 mm (H), while the size of the propeller is 95mm in diameter.
This drone with a 4K camera comprises carbon fiber composites, aluminum alloy, and ABS plastic. The arms are of very flexible plastic, which is excellent for impact absorption. I crashed my PowerEgg into a wall at full speed. Only to find that the wall had more scratches than my drone!
The design of the PowerVision PowerEgg X Wizard Version includes landing gear that is removable for FPV flight. At the back is where all the action happens. This “X” shaped arm with two brushes per arm is attached to what they call an “eggbeater.”
This is also known as an anti-torque system, which stabilizes the drone by spinning in different directions at the same time to compensate for drift that may be due to the wind or torque reaction from spinning props. It’s a pretty neat idea for a drone, and it is also the only one that I know of that uses this design.
Features and Performance
The wizard enables users to control the camera via an android smartphone remotely. It has a built-in WiFI system that allows for remote control by way of an Android Phone. It also uses four brushless motors that work together to power a highly efficient E48 class motor controller (the highest efficiency rating for brushed controllers).
All are powered by two 18650 batteries (2000mAh) which are removable and replaceable. With four rotors spinning at 9600 RPM, it powers up to 2Kg of thrust, which is enough to lift even the heaviest DSLR camera with ease. The PowerEgg X comes with a built-in dual battery system that can be charged via USB or DC jack (shown below). It also has an intelligent flight mode, where it will fly back to you if there’s a low power in flight for safety reasons.
In addition, it has a high-capacity storage unit on the underside of the device. Along with LED lights that help you see what direction you’re going while flying at night time or in poor light conditions. The PowerEgg’s built-in camera is a 5.8Ghz 900TVL CCD Camera with 120-degree FOV, fixed focus, and night vision, capturing both photos and video from high up in the sky.
In addition to this, the Wizard version comes with a 4GB Micro SD card preinstalled and an 8GB Class 10 Micro SD Card for users who prefer to use their own storage devices. It is ideally suited for outdoor flying having a battery life of around 30 minutes. Its reliable features and good battery life makes it one of the best drones for photos and video.
Conclusion
If you are in the photography/videography business, the drones mentioned above are what you should consider. Check out each product accordingly to its features and get the best drones for photos and videos for yourself.
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