Drones with cameras 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 new workforce. I am primarily talking about aerial photographers, farmers, real estate agents and similar. They showed a solid dose of innovation with their early adaptation of drones with camera. 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 cameras 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 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. However, if you’re looking for a camera drone for kids, or indoor quadcopters with camera, you might find these articles helpful. So, without further adue, I’d like to get along with my personal favorites!
TABLE : Drones with 720p Camera
| Image | Name | Battery | Range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
5. MJX X708W | 10min | 80m | See best offer |
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4. Holy Stone F181W | 10min | 80m | See best offer |
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3. Holy Stone HS100 | 15min | 500m | See best offer |
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2. Altair AA108 | 10min | 100m | See best offer |
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1. UDI U818Plus | 12min | 150m | See best offer |
Drone with hd camera
5. MJX X708W
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.
Drone with HD camera
4. Holy Stone F181W
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 camera. 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 cameras 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.
Drone with HD camera
3. Holy Stone HS100
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 GPS-powered aerial photography option 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!
Drone with HD camera
2. Altair AA108
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.
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?!
Drone with HD camera
1. UDI U818Plus
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.
TABLE : Drones with 1080p Camera
| Image | Name | Battery | Range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
5. Force1 F100 | 12min | 250m | See best offer |
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4. Holy Stone HS300 | 12min | 150m | See best offer |
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3. DJI Spark | 16min | 2000m | See best offer |
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2. MJX Bugs 2W | 18min | 1000m | See best offer |
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1. Parrot Bebop 2 Adv | 21min | 2000m | See best offer |
Drone with FullHD camera
5. Force1 F100
The first in 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.
Drone with FullHD camera
4. Holy Stone HS300
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 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, serious drones with cameras (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.
Drone with FullHD camera
3. DJI Spark
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 solid 30 fps. Even though the stabilisation 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.
Drone with FullHD camera
2. MJX Bugs 2W
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 an 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 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 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 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!
Drone with FullHD camera
1. Parrot Bebop 2 Adventurer
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.
TABLE : Drones with 4K Camera
| Image | Name | Battery | Range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
6. Yuneec Typhoon H | 25min | 1500m | See best offer |
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5. Autel X-Star Premium | 25min | 2000m | See best offer |
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4. GoPro Karma | 20min | 3000m | See best offer |
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3. DJI Mavic Pro | 27min | 7000m | See best offer |
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2. DJI Phantom 4 Pro | 27min | 7000m | See best offer |
 |
1. DJI Inspire 2 | 27min | 7000m | See best offer |
Drone with 4K camera
6. Yuneec Typhoon H
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 drone, 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 awhile. 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 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 peak 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.
Drone with 4K camera
4. GoPro Karma
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 which 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.
Drone with 4K camera
3. DJI Mavic Pro
And finally, we have come to the second DJI drone with video camera in this list. With its miniature size, foldable propellers and an 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 video camera for shooting breathtaking scenes.
Drone with 4K camera
2. DJI Phantom 4 Pro
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!
Drone with 4K camera
1. DJI Inspire 2
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.
What are gimbals for?
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?
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 product, 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 a better power consumption but has certain issues; 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.
Best software for aerial 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
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’s 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 remain 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 model 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!
This new technological era brought us one piece of robotic that has come to change the way we view the world: drones, especially drones with camera. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles with capabilities beyond human skills. We now are capable of watching the world from the sky without the dangerousness or set of skills necessary to actually put ourselves in such position. From toy drones to professional drones, find safe place and fly above imagination. For fun or professional purposes, flying a drone is XXI century experience nobody will want to miss on. With this in mind, we at DronesGlobe aim to help and guide you through this choice you’re about to make “what is the best camera drone my budget can buy?”, “what is the best bang for my buck?”. Therefore we have crafted this article of best drone of 2017 with only the best live camera drone to inform you, by the end we assure you that you will be able to make your choice feeling 100% sure that it’s the best drone with camera for you! We’ll start with some cheap models with camera and finish with professional drones.
So, what’s the best drone of 2017 ?
Explanation of some terms used in this article:
First person view. Also known as remote-person view (RPV), or simply video piloting, it is a method used to control a radio-controlled vehicle (such as a drone with live camera in this case) from the driver or pilot’s view point. The live image is directly displayed in a screen, monitor or FPV Goggles.. All best drone 2017 comes with FPV.
Action camera also known as action-cam it is a digital camera designed for filming action while being immersed in it. Action cameras are therefore typically compact, rugged and waterproof at surface.
Gimbal a pivoted support that allows the rotation of an object about a single axis. For drones is used for photography and videography. Used to mount everything from small camera lenses to large photographic telescopes. Most developed ones are designed to give the camera operator the independence of handheld shooting without camera vibration or shake.
Quick pans (and sometimes shade provoked by the sun hitting the propellers) make the image wobble like jello, consequently images can become skewed with straight lines becoming distorted.
We have sorted drones in Tiers. What does that mean?
TIER 1: drones with: very good flight time or decent according to other enhanced specifications, very good flight distance range or decent according to other enhanced specifications, resistant to crashes, hover perfectly, has a good set of features and the best camera within its price range.
TIER 2: drones with: average (or above) flight time and / or average (or above) flight distance, resistant to common crashes, hovers steadily, has useful features and good image quality.
TIER 3: best drones of 2017 with: average (or below) flight time and / or average (or below) flight distance, hovers controllably, may only have basic features and camera image quality is slightly above average.
List of 30 drones with camera by DronesGlobe :
0$ to 100$
| Name | Image | Flight time | Range | Camera | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UDI U818A-1 |  |
6 minutes | 30 meters | 2MP | SEE IT ! |
| TARANTULA X6 |  |
8 minutes | 200 meters | No | SEE IT ! |
| JXD 509G |  |
8 minutes | 150 meters | 2MP | SEE IT ! |
| Hubsan H107C+ |  |
7 minutes | 100 meters | 2MP | SEE IT ! |
| KAIDENG K70C |  |
9 minutes | 200 meters | 2MP | SEE IT ! |
UDI U818A-1
is a low-cost quadcopter with camera aimed at good image quality usage. It is the HD upgraded version of the U818A. U818A-1 includes the best HD camera at the lowest price in the market, a real HD 2MP resolution! Capable of recording in a resolution of 1280 x 720; at 30 frames per second. If you prioritise camera quality, and your budget is limited, then this is the drone for you, currently in the market there isn’t a cheaper drone than this. Besides the great image quality, U818A-1 has an average flight time of 4 to 6 minutes, powered by a 3.7V 500mAh lipo battery. Control distance is only 30 meters, but considering the quality of the camera for such an affordable price it is normal that the manufacturer had to cut somewhere. Also, this drone is aimed at beginners looking for a good camera, therefore control distance of 30 meters should be enough.
| UDI U818A-1 Discovery Overlook: |
| Flight Time: 4 to 6 minutes |
| Camera: 2MP HD |
| Battery Type: 3.7V 500mAh LiPO |
| Range: 30 meters |
| Remote: 2.4GHz frequency |
| Gyro: 6 Axis |
JJRC H16 Tarantula X6
is one of my personal favourites. It tops this list for a wide variety of reasons. First of all, let me start by saying there are different package versions of this quadcopter in the market, here we discuss the version with a wide 5MP camera. This wide angle camera of 5MP is one of the best for the current price in the market and can be detached from the drone is not build-in, so you can fly without camera if you want to. Expect very good image quality with no “jello effect”. Besides that, Tarantula X6 has an amazing control distance of 300 meters! Way above the average control range for drones within this price range. Flight time is also above average, a good 8 to 10 minutes of pure enjoyment! It also includes awesome features such as IOC (Intelligent Orientation Control) which works much like an inner compass. Allowing features such as Return to Home. Definitely one of the best for its price. In this price range, this is definitely one of the best drones for filming from air.
| JJRC H16 Tarantula Overlook: |
| Flight Time: 8 to 10 minutes |
| Camera: NO |
| Battery Type: 7.4V 1200MAH Li-Po 30C |
| Range: 200 meters |
| Remote: 2.4GHz frequency |
| Gyro: 6 Axis |
| Features: Intelligent Orientation Control, Home Return |
Pioneer JXD 509G
is one of the most innovative low-cost drones to ever hit the market. Packed with a 2MP camera (720p resolution) capable of transmitting FPV (First Person View) flight directly to its monitor (also included in the package) through 5.8Ghz transmission. It does have some amount of “jello” effect. However, the live video transmitted to your LCD screen, directly installed on your controller, is surprisingly good quality with less ‘jello’ effect. The camera can be tilted to 20º degrees. Flight time is an amazing 9 to 10 minutes powered by its 3.7V 600mAh Li-Po battery. Control range is 150 meters, slightly above the average range for drones within its budget. It efatures surprisingly functions such as Altitude Holder (drone locks on a set height, allowing pilot to focus on photography and videography), Automatic Landing, Headless Mode and One-Key Return. One of the low-budget drones featuring the most amount of great and useful features.
| JXD 509G Overview: |
| Flight Time: 9-10 minutes |
| Camera: 2MP FPV (5.8Ghz transmission) |
| Battery Type: 3.7V 600mAh Li-Po |
| Range: 150 meters |
| Transmitter Frequency: 2.4 GHz |
| Modes: Altitude Holder, One-Key Home Return, Headless Mode, Automatic Landing |
- You might be interested in our “Best drones for sale 2016” list?
Hubsan X4 H107C+
is the upgraded version of the famous Hubsan product the X4 H107C. Packed with a built-in wide angle 2MP camera (720p resolution), H107C+ is one of the most sought mini quadcopters in the market. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor flight. Includes such features as Altitude Holder (drone locks in a set height allowing pilot to focus on photography and videography) and Headless Mode (easier orientation despite where drone front is pointing at). Powered by a 3.7V 520mAh Li-Po battery it has a flight time of 7 minutes and it only takes around 30 minutes to charge. Control distance ranges between 100 to 150 meters, which is relatively good for this small drone with camera.
| Hubsan X4 H107C+ Overview: |
| Flight Time: 7 minutes |
| Camera: 2MP FPV |
| Battery Type: 3.7V 520mAh Li-Po |
| Range: 150 meters |
| Transmitter Frequency: 2.4 GHz |
| Modes: Altitude Holder, Headless Mode |
Kaideng K70C Sky Warrior
K70C is a drone aimed at carried pretty much all action cameras available in the market. If you own, or are considering buying a GoPro, Xiami or SJCam, this is the best drone to carry one. Very powerful and robust it is the best and most affordable drone aimed at this specific cameras. It does come with its own 2M Hawkeye camera of decent quality, but if you want to get the most of this drone you should attach a GoPro to it! Very easy to fly, with a lot of carrying power, it is the low-cost drone for photography and videography. It has amazing LED lights in its arms for night flights and features Headless Mode, One-Key return and motorized gimbal. As previously mentioned the gimbal supports all types of action cameras. Flight time is 10 minutes and control range goes up to 200 meters.
| KAIDENG K70C Sky Warrior Overlook: |
| Flight Time: 10 minutes |
| Camera: HD 2MP 720p resolution with wide angled lens |
| Gimbal: Powered remote control motorized gimbal |
| Camera Mount: Designed for GoPro style cameras (GoPro Hero4, Xiaomi Yi, SJCam, among others) |
| Battery Type: 7.4V 2000mah Li-po battery |
| Range: 150 to 200 meters |
| Remote: 2.4GHz Frequency with 4 channels |
| Gyro: 6 Axis |
| Features: Headless Mode, One-Key Return, Motorized Gimbal, Camera mount compatible with GoPro, LED arms |
100$ to 300$
| Name | Image | Flight time | Range | Camera |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HUBSAN H502S |  |
13 minutes | 200 meters | 720p |
| JJRC H26D |  |
7 minutes | 300 meters | 3MP |
| Parrot AR 2.0 |  |
10 minutes | 30 meters | 720p |
| JJRC H26W |  |
6 minutes | 300 meters | 2MP |
| SYMA X8HG |  |
6 minutes | 70 meters | 0.3 or 8MP |
| JJRC H25G |  |
8 minutes | 200 meters | 2MP |
Hubsan H502S
is one of the most recent products by Hubsan, it currently is the lowest cost ready-to-fly out of the box GPS equipped quadcopter with follow me mode and a very nice camera. Packed with a 2MP camera capable of recording video and taking photos in 720p resolution. It is a FPV best drone 2017, meaning you can watch in real-time the live video recorded from its camera and displayed directly to the FPV monitor. Live video transmission is done in 5.8Ghz frequency. It includes such features as position hold (altitude holder), headless mode, follow me and return to landing. Has an amazing flight time ranging between 12 to 13 minutes and a control distance of 200 meters! All in one package ready to fly out of the box.
| Hubsan H502S Overlook: |
| Flight Time: up to 13 minutes |
| Camera: Built-in 2MP FPV |
| Battery Type: 7.4V 2000mA Lipo Battery |
| Range: 200 meters |
| Remote: 2.4GHz Frequency |
| Gyro: 6 Axis |
| Features: Headless Mode and Altitude Holder also known as Barometer Set Height, Follow Me and Return to Landing |
JJRC H26D
is JJRC’s drone for those pilots who prioritise camera quality. One of the first low-cost drones (if not the very first) to include a 3MP camera in its package. The camera has 120º field of view, ensuring you get the most of what you are recording or photographing. The camera is set on a 2-Axis gimbal Gimbal capable of tilting upward, downward, right or left with just a push of a button on your RC controller. This allows pilots to acquire different recording angles for their videos and photos. Besides this, JJRC H26D features Headless Mode and One-Key return. Flight time is an average 6 to 7 minutes powered by its 7.4V 1.200mAh 30C LiPo battery. Control range, as expected from JJRC, is an amazing 300 meters! H26D is an amazing toy drone packing a 3MP camera!
| JJRC H26D Overlook: |
| Flight Time: 6 to 7 minutes |
| Camera: HD 3MP 120º Field of View |
| Gimbal: 2 Axis (tilt upward, downward, right or left) |
| Battery Type: 7.4V 1.200mAh 30C LiPo battery |
| Range: 300 meters |
| Remote: 2.4GHz Frequency |
| Gyro: 6 Axis |
| Features: Headless Mode and One-Key Return |
Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Elite
is one of the best looking drones with camera out there in the market. It comes with different design options such as “Jungle”, “Snow” and “Sand”. Parrot AR is great personal drone with camera, it’s probably the best drone with HD camera in this price range. It has a highly protective frame surrounding the all quadcopter and ensuring good protection to the propellers and motors. Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 comes with a built-in 720p HD wide angle camera which can also work in FPV. The drone connects to the pilot’s smart device (phone or tablet) through an app available for both Android and iOS and displays the live video. Besides displaying the video, the app’s Director Mode also allows the pilot to program automatic movements through, allowing the pilot to focus on photography and videography while the drone autonomously performs the recorded set of movements. Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 does not come with a remote controller, instead it also uses the app to function has controlling system, yes you can control the drone through your tablet or smartphone! AR.Drone 2.0 has a flight time of up to 10 minutes and has a control distance around 130 meters.
| Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Elite Overlook: |
| Flight Time: 10 minutes |
| Camera: Built-in HD 720p resolution |
| Range: 30 meters |
| Remote: WiFi |
| Gyro: 6 Axis |
| Features: Return to Home, Ultrasound sensors, 1GB DDR2 RAM at 200MHz, 1GHz 32 bit ARM Cortex A8 processor |
JJRC H26W
is JJRC H26 FPV version. It basically has the same features and specifications but instead of a 3MP camera, it comes with a 2MP FPV camera. This real-time image transmission drone connects to your smartphone through an app available for iOS and Android, via WiFi, displaying live video on your phone’s screen.
| JJRC H26D Overlook: |
| Flight Time: 6 to 7 minutes |
| Camera: 2MP FPV |
| Gimbal: 2 Axis (tilt upward, downward, right or left) |
| Battery Type: 7.4V 1.200mAh 30C LiPo battery |
| Range: 300 meters |
| Remote: 2.4GHz Frequency |
| Gyro: 6 Axis |
| Features: Headless Mode and One-Key Return |
Syma X8HG
is one Syma’s most recent products, it is the upgraded version of the X8. Syma X8HG comes in different packages with different types of camera all produced by Syma. On this list we focus on the 8MP camera version as it has the best quality. The included camera is HD 8MP, capable of recording at 720p resolution with just a slight ‘jello-effect’. It’s an FPV camera and transmits live video via WiFi to a free to install app on your Android or iOS smartphone. It’s a camera made by Syma itself and it does compete with the low-cost sport action cameras. If you prefer to use another action camera the included mount also supports others. Syma X8HG has a very useful feature for photography and videography (Altitude Holder aka Barometer Set Height), basically the drone locks at a specific height, allowing pilot to focus on recording video and taking photos. Syma X8HG has a short range of 70 meters and an average flight time of up to 7 minutes. It’s definitely not the best live camera drone on the market, but for this price it’s good buy.
| Syma X8HG Overlook: |
| Flight Time: 5 to 7 minutes |
| Camera: 0.3MP or 8MP WiFi FPV |
| Mount: Compatible with Syma action cameras and others |
| Battery Type: 7.4V 2000mA Lipo Battery |
| Range: 70 meters |
| Remote: 2.4GHz Frequency |
| Gyro: 6 Axis |
| Features: Headless Mode and Altitude Holder also known as Barometer Set Height |
JJRC H25G
is one of the best drone 2017 and most affordable FPV quadcopters produced by JJRC. It includes its own FPV LCD monitor attached to the RC controller. Screen’s brightness can be adjusted according to light conditions allowing the pilot to change its display setting to the most useful configuration for a clear screen, even in strong daylight. Camera is 2MP and capable of recording at 720p resolution, the view angle can be easily adjusted downward or upward prior to take-off according to pilot’s recording needs. The FPV camera is installed on a vibration absorbing camera mount with 4 dumping balls which reduce the ‘jello effect’ effectively. It features Headless Mode and One-Key Return. Flight time is a good 8 to 10 minutes and control range is 200 meters.
| JJRC H25G Overlook: |
| Flight Time: 8 to 10 minutes |
| Camera: FPV 2MP 720p resolution |
| Battery Type: 2s 7.4V 1800mah Li-Po battery |
| Range: 200 meters |
| Remote: 2.4 GHz Frequency |
| FPV Transmission: 5.8 GHz frequency |
| Gyro: 6 Axis |
| Features: Headless Mode and One-Key Return |
300$ to 500$
| Name | Image | Flight time | Range | Camera |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DR Solo |  |
22 minutes | 800 meters | GoPro |
| DJI Phantom 2 |  |
18 minutes | 1 km | GoPro |
| Typhoon G |  |
22 minutes | 1 km | GoPro |
| Parrot Bebop |  |
11 minutes | 2 km | 14MP |
3DR Solo
is another amazing drone produced by 3DR Robotics. A very fast and best drone 2017 with a max speed of 89km/h. It features useful photography and videography features such as Selfie Mode, Orbit Mode and Follow Me mode, as well as Auto-Pilot. It doesn’t include a camera in its package but is Compatible with GoPro HERO3, 3+ and 4; optimized for HERO3+ and 4, thanks to its 3-axis stabilized gimbal. Flight time is around 20 to 25 minutes and control distance is 800 meters.
| 3DR Solo Overview: |
| Flight Time: 20-25 min |
| Camera: Compatible with GoPro® HERO3, 3+ and 4; optimized for HERO3+ and 4 |
| Battery Type: 5200 mAh 14.8 Vdc Lithium polymer |
| Max Speed: 55 mph (89 km/h) |
| Range: 800 meters |
| Autopilot: Pixhawk 2 |
| Gimbal: 3-Axis Stabilized |
| Motors: 880 kV |
| Features: Auto-pilot, Selfie Mode, Orbit Mode, Follow Me Mode |
–
DJI Phantom 2
is one of DJI’s most successful drone releases, although there currently exists Phantom 4 – best drone of 2017, DJI Phantom 2 remains a highly recommend drone, especially now that its price has gone down. Phantom 2 features amazing functions such as built-in GPS which powers auto-pilot feature (through waypoints program pre-flights and drone will fly the route by itself), altitude lock (drone won’t fly above that altitude), position holding (drone maintains same height without pilot input). This features are very useful for photography and videography. Phantom 2 has a control range of up to 1KMs! Its batteries power up to 20 minutes of flight time. On top of all this, Phantom 2 comes with its own Gimbal capable of supporting GoPro Hero cameras. Phantom 2 is also compatible with First Person View flight. Definitely one of the best drones for camera usage within this budget.
| DJI Phantom 2 Overlook: |
| Flight Time: up to 20 minutes |
| Camera: Doesn’t include one but supports action cameras such as GoPro |
| Battery Type: 11.1V 5200 mAh lithium-polymer batter |
| Range: 1KM |
| Remote: 2.4 GHz Frequency |
| FPV Transmission: 5.8 GHz frequency |
| Features: GOS, Auto-Pilot, Altitude Lock, Position Holding |
Yuneec Typhoon G
another high-quality quadcopter aimed at photography and videography. Typhoon G manufactured by Yuneec, has a personal ground station with a built-in touchscreen and FPV (First Person View) video live feed, and yes you can use your own GoPro! Thypoon G gimbal mount supports all types of GoPro camera. Thypoon G has greatly useful features for photography and videography fans, such as Typhoon G features useful modes such as Smart Mode (Headless Mode), Follow Me (drone follows a specific targeted moving object autonomously), Angle Mode, Home Mode and internal GPS. It has a flight time of up to 25 minutes! (How amazing is this) and a control distance of 1KM.
| Yuneec Typhoon G Overview: |
| Flight Time: up to 25 minutes |
| Camera: Doesn’t include one but supports GoPro cameras |
| Battery Type: 11.1V 5400 mAh lithium-polymer batter |
| Range: 1KM |
| Remote: 2.4 GHz Frequency |
| FPV Transmission: 5.8 GHz frequency |
| Features: Smart Mode, Follow Me, Angle Mode, Home Mode, GPS |
Parrot Bebop
was a massive hit when it first came out. An all-in-one quadcopter for your amateur and semi-professional photography and videography needs. It has a built-in 14MP camera capable of recording in 1920 x 1080p resolution with 30 frames per second and 3800 x 3188 pixels for photos, lens has a 180º angle view. It features Auto-Pilot (through paid app) and Return to Home. Flight time is 8 to 11 minutes and control distance is 300 meters.
| Parrot Bebop Overview: |
| Flight Time: 8 to 11 minutes |
| Camera: HD FPV 14MP 3072p 30fps |
| Battery Type: 2,700-mAh Li-po battery |
| Transmitter: Android or iOS device with Skycontroller Black (optional) |
| Range: 300 meters / 2000 meters with Skycontroller Black |
| Features: 180º angle view lens, Auto-Pilot, Return to Home |
500$ to 1000$
| Name | Image | Flight time | Range | Camera |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJI Phantom 3 Professional |  |
22 minutes | 2 km | 12MP |
| DJI Phantom 3 Advanced |  |
22 minutes | 2 km | 12MP |
| Typhoon Q500+ |  |
23 minutes | 600 meters | 12MP |
| Walkera Scout X4 |  |
23 minutes | 1500 meters | GoPro |
| 3DR IRIS+ |  |
21 minutes | 1 km | GoPro |
| Parrot Bebop 2 |  |
20 minutes | 2 km | 14MP |
DJI Phantom 3 Professional
is the most enhanced version of the famous Phantom 3 lines. It comes with its own 4K video at 30fps camera with 12MP, this camera is designed by DJI itself and it aims to compete with GoPro (which it does, it’s a very powerful camera). The professional f/2.8 lens of the camera has a 94º field of view. Besides the powerful 4K camera and the remotely controlled 3-Axis gimbal, Phantom 3 features an awesome set of features such as GPS-Assisted Hover, Vision Positioning System, Automatic Flight logs, Follow Me, Altitude Set Height, Return to Home, Auto-pilot and First Person View. Definitely one of the best drones with camera currently in the market. Powered by a smart battery, DJI Phantom 3 has a flight time of 23 minutes, control distance ranges between 2Km to 5Km depending on flight conditions.
| DJI Phantom 3 Professional Overview: |
| Flight Time: up to 23 minutes |
| Camera: FPV 4K 12MP Camera |
| Battery Type: 15.2V 4480 mAh Lipo 4S |
| Transmitter: DEVO Transmitter or tablet device |
| Range: 2Km~5Km |
| Features: GPS-Assisted Hover, Vision Positioning System, Automatic Landing, Automatic Flight logs, Follow Me, Altitude Set Height, Return to Home, Auto-pilot and First Person View |
DJI Phantom 3 Advanced
is another version of Phantom 3 line. It basically has the same features and specifications as the Professional version. Only difference is it comes with a 2.7K / 12MP camera instead.
| DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Overview: |
| Flight Time: up to 23 minutes |
| Camera: FPV 2.7K 12MP Camera |
| Battery Type: 15.2V 4480mAh Lipo 4S |
| Transmitter: DEVO Transmitter or tablet device |
| Range: 2Km~5Km |
| Features: GPS-Assisted Hover, Vision Positioning System, Automatic Landing, Automatic Flight logs, Follow Me, Altitude Set Height, Return to Home, Auto-pilot and First Person View |
Yuneec Typhoon Q500+
is a great tool for photography and videography. It features the ST-10+ 5.5″ Android touch screen personal ground station and the CGO2+ 3-axis gimbal camera capable of taking 16MP photos and amazing Full HD 60 FPS videos. The included in the package SteadyGrip extends the use of the gimbal camera from the sky to the ground, 130º FOV. Camera can also transmit FPV video. It features GPS, Smart Mode, Angle Mode, Home Mode, Return to Home, SAFE circle. Flight time is a good 25 minutes and control range is around 600 meters.
| DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Overview: |
| Flight Time: up to 25 minutes |
| Camera: FULL HD 16MP 60fps |
| Battery Type: 11.1V 5400mAh 3S lipo |
| Range: 600 meters |
| Features: GPS, Smart Mode, Angle Mode, Home Mode, Return to Home, SAFE circle |
Walkera Scout X4
is one of Walkera’s high-end quadcopters aimed at photography and videography. Scout X4 is somewhat of a “transformable” best drone 2017, being able to go from 4 motors to 8, becoming an octocopter. Auto-Pilot works through waypoints selected by pilot on Google Maps, to which Walkera Scout X4 will fly to alone. X4 features an excellent range of 1500 meters and 25 minutes of flight time. Scout X4 is also able to automatically return to the place of take-off as well as taking-off automatically too. It features Walkera’s G-3D gimbal (compatible with both the GoPro Hero 3 and 4 as well as iLook+). The complete package also includes an iLook+ camera with 720p resolution and 30 FPS. Flight controller is a Devo F12E FPV Transmitter 5.8 Ghz with open source APM software. X4 featuring autopilot.
| Walkera Scout X4 Overview: |
| Flight Time: up to 25 minutes |
| Camera: iLook+ 720p at 30fps. Also supports GoPro Hero 3 and 4. |
| Battery Type: 22.2V 5400mAh 6S intelligent flight battery |
| Range: 1500 meters |
| Features: Auto-Pilot, Follow Me, Automatic Home Return, Automatic Landing and Take-off GPS Position Hold, Hyper IOC, Failsafe Return to Home |
3DR Iris+
is one of the most amazing drone products manufactured by 3D Robotics. Can be remotely controlled via Android or iOS device (either smartphone or tablet) through an app or a nine-channel radio transmitter with on-screen telemetry for instant accurate flight data. It doesn’t include a camera (that is why Tier 3) but is capable of supporting GoPro cameras. 3DR Iris+ is developed around ease of use a nice fit for a beginner at aerial photography and videography. It features Mission Planner (program flights and Iris+ will perform them autonomously), high-performance 32-bit Pixhawk autopilot system built on ARM Cortex-M4 Processor, internal GPS, the GPS enables pre-programed professional-grade mission capabilities, for example mapping, scripted cinematography, scientific research, and other applications where repeatable flight plans are needed. Also features Follow Me Mode.
| 3DR Iris+ Overview: |
| Flight Time: up to 25 minutes |
| Camera: iLook+ 720p at 30fps. Also supports GoPro Hero 3 and 4. |
| Battery Type: 5100 Mah 3S |
| Range: 1KM |
| Features: uBox GPS, Mission Planner, Auto-pilot, Follow Me Mode |
Parrot Bebop 2
is the upgraded version of Bebop. Bebop 2 has a built-in 14MP FPV camera capable of recording at 3072p 30fps. Camera lso has a fish-eye lens 170º view. Bebop 2 can see practically everything before it; far left, right, above and underneath. Camera also functions with FPV (real time video transmission) it is displayed directly on the pilot’s tablet device through WiFi connection, FreeFlight 3 app is available for both Android and iOS. Through a paid app you can also get FlightPlan for pre-programmed flights. Control distance is a good 300 meters (2000 meters if Skycontroller Black transmitter is bought separately).
| Parrot Bebop 2 Overview: |
| Flight Time: 25 minutes |
| Camera: HD FPV 14MP 3072p 30fps |
| Battery Type: 2,700-mAh Li-po battery |
| Transmitter: Android or iOS device with Skycontroller Black (optional) |
| Range: 300 meters / 2000 meters with Skycontroller Black |
| Features: 170º fish-eye lens, FlightPlan (paid app), other features within app |
+1000$
| Name | Image | Flight time | Range | Camera |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJI Phantom 4 | |
24 minutes | 3km | 12MP 4K |
| DJI Inspire 1 |  |
20 minutes | 4km | 12MP 4K |
| Walkera Voyager 3 |  |
22 minutes | 1km | 12MP 4K |
| Yuneec Typhoon H | |
23 minutes | 800 meters | 12MP 4K UHD |
| Thunder Tiger |  |
23 minutes | 700 meters | GoPro |
DJI Phantom 4 – Best Drone of 2017
is the most recent product released by DJI. It aims to be the perfect autonomous drone. It comes with its own 12MP photo, 4K and HD video, 94º FOV camera, installed on a 3-Axis gimbal. Many people will say this is the best drone with HD camera. Capture your best moments easily with this high-quality camera produced by DJI itself. Phantom 4 is rich in features, many useful and simple to use for photography and videography. Features such as Obstacle sensors (drone will autonomously avoid obstacles when flying, TapFly (you tap the screen if your tablet on a map and the drone will fly towards that position), Visual Tracking, Smart Return Home, Dual Satellite Positioning System, Vision Positioning System and of course Auto-Pilot flight. The 4S 15.2V 5350mAh Intelligent Flight Battery powers up to an amazing 28 minutes of flight time! Phantom 4 also has an astonishing control range of 3.5 to 5km. All this makes Phantom 4 best drone with live camera.
| DJI Phantom 4 Overview: |
| Flight Time: 24 minutes |
| Camera: FPV 12MP photo, 4K and HD video, 94º FOV |
| Gimbal: 3 Axis |
| Battery Type: 4S 15.2V 5350mAh Intelligent Flight Battery |
| Range: 3.5km to 5km |
| Remote: 2.4 GHz Frequency |
| Features: Obstacle sensors, TapFly, Visual Tracking, Smart Return Home, Dual Satellite Positioning System, Vision Positioning System, Auto-Pilot |
DJI Inspire 1 V2.0
is a high-end quadcopter from DJI manufacturer. This drone features a Full 360º rotation 4K 12MP video camera, which can be remotely controlled via tablet through an app. Best thing about Inspire 1 is that it has a transform design, meaning the arms of the quadcopter can move, acquiring different positions. This is a very useful feature for photography and videography purposes. It features auto-pilot, GPS, aerodynamic transforming design, FailSafe, Hover in place without GPS, App-based control software, Live Map and Radar, Dynamic Home Point, among other amazing utilities. Maximum control range is an amazing 4.5Km. Flight time is around 20 minutes. Many people are saying this is the best drone for filming. Do you agree?
| DJI Inspire 1 Overview: |
| Flight Time: 20 minutes |
| Camera: Full 360º rotation 4K 12MP video camera |
| Gimbal: 3 Axis |
| Battery Type: TB48 Intelligent Flight Battery (5700mAh) |
| Range: 4.5km |
| Remote: 2.4 GHz Frequency |
| Features: Auto-Pilot, GPS, Aerodynamic Transforming Design, FailSafe, Hover in place without GPS, App-based control software, Live Mapa and Radar, Dynamic Home Point |
Walkera Voyager 3
is the competitor of DJI Inspire 1. It is an astonishing drone, but a little more affordable. It comes with its own HD 4608 x 3456 megapixels 1080p 60 FPS camera. It includes features such as GPS, GLONASS Dual-Navigation System, One Key Take Off, One Key Landing, One Key Go Home, Follow Me Mode. It has an average control range of 1000 meters and a flight time of around 20 minutes. It also comes with its own DEVO F12E, 12 Channels 2.4GHz with a FPV 5” Monitor to display great quality live video directly on the remote controller.
| Walkera Voyager 3 Overview: |
| Flight Time: 20-25 min |
| Camera: HD 1080p 60 FPS |
| Battery Type: 29.6V 3000mAh 10C(8S) LiPo Battery x 2 |
| Transmitter: DEVO F12E, 12 Channels 2.4GHz with a FPV 5” Monitor |
| Range: 1000 meters |
| Gimbal: 3-Axis Stabilized |
| Motors: WK-WS-42-002 Brushless |
| Features: GPS and GLONASS Dual-Navigation System, One Key Take Off, One Key Landing, One Key Go Home, Follow Me Mode |
Yuneec Typhoon H – Best Drone 2017 ?
is the only octacopter in our list. An amazing aerial machine for recording great quality video. It includes a 4K UHD 30fps, HD 1080p 120fps video / 12.4 Megapixel still camera and a 3-axis anti-vibration gimbal camera with full 360° rotation. Also the landing gear is retractable and the arms can fold, therefore becoming a very easy to transport drone. It features Integrated autonomous flight modes, Team Mode, ST16 All-in-one-controller, Orbit Me, Point of Interest Mode, Journey Mode (selfie mode), Follow Me Mode, Dynamic Home Return and collision avoidance. It has a control range of 1600 meters and a flight time of 25 minutes.
| Yuneec Typhoon H Overview: |
| Flight Time: 23 minutes |
| Camera: 4K UHD 30fps, HD 1080p 120fps video / 12.4 Megapixel still camera |
| Battery Type: 29.6V 3000mAh 10C(8S) LiPo Battery x 2 |
| Transmitter: DEVO F12E, 12 Channels 2.4GHz with a FPV 5” Monitor |
| Range: 800 meters |
| Gimbal: 3-axis anti-vibration gimbal camera with full 360° rotation |
| Features: Team Mode, ST16 All-in-one-controller, Orbit Me, Point of Interest Mode, Journey Mode (selfie mode), Follow Me Mode, Dynamic Home Return and collision avoidance. |
Thunder Tiger Robotix Ghost
is an amazing fit for your GoPro camera as it comes with a Gimbal aimed at that brand. It is a very unique design and a strong shell and an anti spark design to protect from crashes. It’s only Tier 3 because it doesn’t bring its own camera, you will have to purchase the GoPro separately. But the gimbal included in the package is very high-quality, a H3D-360 3 Axis Gimbal. It features Low Battery Warning, Waypoint Groundstation, TTR Hero App, Automatic Landing, One Key Home Return and Follow Me Mode. It has a control range of 700 meters and a flight time of 25 minutes.
| Thunder Tiger Robotix Ghost Overview: |
| Flight Time: 25 minutes |
| Camera: supports GoPro |
| Range: 700 meters |
| Gimbal: 3-axis anti-vibration gimbal camera with full 360° rotation |
| Features: Low Battery Warning, Waypoint Groundstation, TTR Hero App, Automatic Landing, One Key Home Return and Follow Me Mode |
Hubsan H501S
The fact that the 2nd worst drone on this list is Hubsan H501S just shows what a quality lineup of models we have in store for you! This model is not bad by any means. We are talking about a great value for money ratio here and I am sure all of you will appreciate it.
This compact drone features a high-quality full HD camera. It’s not a mounted one but a built-in one which offers a more lightweight approach to the entire drone.
Moreover, H501S can be considered as a proper alternative to DJI’s Phantom 3 or perhaps Parrot’s Bebop 2. With its solid array of features on top of which is the built-in GPS system along with follow me mode. It features a smart battery that can endure roughly 18 minutes of air time, which puts it to our list of 10 drones with best flight time. That’s more than great for the price range and, when combined with the responsive controller (with an LCD display), makes up for the main selling points of the H501S.
In the end, it’s important to add roughly 300 meters of flight range which is not half bad considering its price. All in all, if you are looking for a stylish drone that can provide you with a great set of features and plenty of fun, there is no need to look further than the Hubsan H501S!
Upair One
Coming in at the number 10 spot, Upair One also seems like a great alternative for earlier DJI Phantom models. With 2 different cameras to choose from, 2.7K and 4K, Upair One provides its users with a solid dose of versatility even prior to the actual purchase. With the price being only $50 higher for the 4K version, it is without a doubt the best bargain to go for.
In addition to the great quality camera which is mounted on a stabilisation gimbal system, Upair One has several additional praiseworthy features. It includes headless mode, altitude hold, one key return home and a huge 7-inch display mounted on its dedicated controller.
While we’re mentioning the controller, it’s noteworthy to add its similarity to DJI’s. It’s classier to be honest, but lacks that feeling of top quality that’s present with DJI’s controllers. Despite that, Upair One is still an excellent drone with approximately 800 meters of seamless flight range. If your FPV (all you need to know about FPV Goggles and Drones is here) is turned on, you can expect roughly half of that which is still good.
Lastly, it runs on a smart 5400mAh battery capable of enduring up to 18 minutes of flight time. As you can already guess on your own, Upair One is not exactly built to battle with the newest Phantom 4 or DJI Mavic Pro, but can still take on older installments any day of the week.
Traxxas Aton
This drone ranks high on my list of favorite drones ever made. It has everything a casual drone user could wish for. What’s even better – it sports all of it in a beautifully compact package that’s incredibly easy on the eyes.
Aton by Traxxas is one of those under-appreciated models which can, with the inclusion of a solid action camera, turn into an incredibly powerful hybrid model. Let’s take a closer look at it to see what exactly can it offer!
I’ll start off by mentioning that Traxxas unfortunately doesn’t come with a camera. On the bright side, you can order it with a dedicated gimbal that allows you to mount a high-quality action camera that can turn this drone into a proper aerial photography drone platform.
I’ve already mentioned Traxxas has the potential to become a powerful hybrid. That’s due to its 2 flight modes – sports and film. In sports mode, this daredevil of a drone can reach amazing speeds of more than 50mph. The stability will greatly suffer when flying this fast, but it’s still better than most similarly priced models in that department.
Likewise, when you select the film mode, you will be greeted with superior image stability and hovering capabilities, but at the price of flight speed. Feature-wise, Aton possesses GPS/GLONASS navigation systems, Air Brakes, return to home, LED lights and LED status bar. Combine all of that with a 3000mAh LiPo battery with roughly 20 minutes of flight time and you will understand why this drone is one of my personal favorites for causal use.
Yuneec Q500
Equipped with the CGO3 camera, Yuneec Q500 is a serious contender for the best value for money drone on the market. In addition to that, it can also boast with adjustable image factors such as white balance, light exposure, resolution and so on. Is this enough to get it into the top 5? Well… Almost!
In addition to its awesome CGO3 camera mounted on a 3-axis stabilization (4K capable at 30fps) with 12mpx sensor, Q500 comes equipped with a bunch of additional features we’d expect from a high-end drone.
The most important ones are watch me, follow me, angle mode and home mode, all of which are enabled or disabled via intuitive controls. When it comes to specs, Yuneec Q500 is nothing short of brilliant with roughly 800 meters of flight range. Likewise, its 5400mAh LiPo battery is not a joke either, as it can endure up to 25 minutes of flight time.
We have come to the end of our list of best drones with camera, best 2017 drones! So have you found the best drone for your budget and needs? The market is filled with amazing choices and the best have been added to this article. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought of these camera drones. Drones Globe is always happy to read your opinion. Happy flying and recording fellow drone lovers!
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