The Best Drones With Cameras for Photography
Drones have completely revolutionized the way we film things. Sweeping aerial shots that were once only accessible via expensive helicopter rentals can now be accomplished through drone footage. Camera drones have given ordinary people the means to achieve the stunning landscape shots and unique camera angles previously reserved for filmmakers with movie studio backing. If you’ve dreamt of flying right above tree level in beautiful forests or weaving between skyscrapers, a camera drone is an absolute must-have. We’ve compiled this list of the best camera drones in the sky to help you elevate your videography to the next level. The sky is the limit.
SNAPTAIN S5C 1080p Camera Drone
The Eye In The Sky
SNAPTAIN’s camera drone is one of the best on the market in this price range. This drone features helpful features such as altitude hold, which is a bit like an aerial cruise control; just get your drone up to your desired height, hit the altitude hold, and let the camera roll hands-free. The gravity control feature allows you to control the drone by tilting your phone back and forth like you’d control the view in a 360° video. The 1080p recording quality is sure to get you the impressive nature shots that you’re looking for. For the price, you can’t do better than the SNAPTAIN.
Pros:
- The headless mode allows for easier flying while the drone is further away from you
- SNAPTAIN’s app allows for video transmission up to 80m away
Cons:
- The battery life leaves something to be desired
Holy Stone HS110D 1080p Camera Drone
The Eagle's Eye
Holy Stone’s craftsmanship is on a whole other level with this drone. The sleek design gives the impression that this drone is worth a lot more than it is, and the feature list tends to do the same. With helpful features like headless mode, altitude hold, and mobile control, this drone makes flying and filming a cakewalk. The 120° wide-angle lens allows you to increase the breadth of the field of vision for your sweeping landscape and scenery shots. Also, Holy Stone’s mobile app makes uploading, viewing, and editing images and videos simple. If you’re looking for a drone that looks as good as it performs, look no further than this beauty from Holy Stone.
Pros:
- Holy Stone includes an extra battery with purchase
- There are protective propeller guards to increase the longevity of the drone
Cons:
- You can’t turn off lights or camera to preserve battery life
- The blade guards could be a bit sturdier
DEERC D20 720p Mini Camera Drone
Little Drone, Big Savings
This drone might be on the cheaper side, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come equipped with some impressive features. The DEERC D20 is stacked with familiar features like altitude hold and headless mode, but also includes less ubiquitous features such as “One Key Start,” which makes takeoff and landing easy as pie. You can even draw in a flight course on your mobile device for your drone to follow while in the air. Plus, the voice control features allow your drone to complete actions such as “takeoff” and “landing” via voice commands. The camera films at 720P, which is a lower resolution than some of our other picks, but for kids and beginners, you can’t do better than the D20 from DEERC.
Pros:
- A cheaper drone that’s perfect for kids
- Voice control and One Key Start features make take takeoff and landing simple
Cons:
- 720p camera resolution could be a bit too grainy for some users
RUKO F11Pro 4K Camera Drone
RUKO Gives You Wings
The RUKO’s F11Pro is a cut above the rest in style and performance. The asking price is considerably higher than some of our other picks, but one look at the build of this beauty makes it easy to understand why. RUKO’s 4K resolution camera will give you the closest thing to Hollywood helicopter shots you can get without calling in a rental yourself. The two upgraded batteries will each give you a 30 minute flight time while the GPS feature ensures that your drone will make it back to you safely. And with live video transmission viable from 300-500 meters away, you can let your drone travel far and wide to grab stunning footage for you to view instantly. The price point on this drone is higher than our other picks, but considering the souped-up camera quality and truly awesome feature set, we think the RUKO is more than worth the extra cash.
Pros:
- 4K camera resolution sets the RUKO apart from other similar models
- The 90-day warranty promises full money back if dissatisfied with your purchase
Cons:
- The price is undeniably steep
- The WiFi connectivity can be somewhat finicky
Potensic T25 1080P Camera Drone
Premium Performance from Potensic
If you thought the feature list on some of our other picks was impressive but the look wasn’t cutting it for you, this pick from Potensic is here to satisfy your discerning tastes. The Potensic isn’t all style and no substance, however. Potensic stacks the T25 with all of the standard camera drone features like headless mode, altitude hold, and One Key Start. It also includes more unique features like Dual GPS routing, flight path programming, and more. Potensic’s T25 is a beautiful drone that sits right in the happy mid-range spot between our premium pick and our more economical beginner drones.
Pros:
- Truly head-turning design that’ll impress even the most discerning of drone aficionados
- The Auto Return feature makes return journeys easy and worry-free
- The mid-range price gives you some of the premium quality of more expensive drones without breaking the bank
Cons:
- The battery life is, unfortunately, lower than a lot of our other picks, so make sure to keep both charged and maybe even buy extras for longer shoots
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to pilot a drone?
No, you generally don’t need a license as a recreational camera drone user, though there are some rules you’ll have to follow. In the United States, you need to register your drone with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). You also must mark your drone with the registration number given to you by the FAA and carry proof of registration while flying. Different states and countries have varying policies where drones are concerned, so make sure to look up the laws in your area before purchasing a camera drone.
What are some other drone guidelines I should know?
The FAA has placed several regulations on the use of drones in the past few years. One of the most strictly enforced is the mandate that drones cannot fly above 400 feet in the air (“Class G” airspace). This ensures that no drones are occupying airspace where commercial airliners and helicopters are present. Another important regulation is the “line of sight rule,” which dictates that drones must be kept within eyeshot of the drone pilot at all times. There are different rules for commercial and recreational drone use, so again, it’s best to look into the specifics for your area to ensure you’re flying within the law.
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