The best camera drones used to be little more than novelty toys for gadget-heads, but it’s all different now. These days you’re more likely to find the best camera drones in the hands of photographers and videographers both amateur and professional. This is because they allow the user to shoot from creative angles and get unique perspectives that simply wouldn’t be possible with any other camera.
The big difference these days is that the camera technology in drones has come a long way, with larger sensors, better video resolutions, and improved stabilization systems powered by onboard gimbals. Then there’s also the fact that intelligent flight controls are getting better and better, making drones so easy to fly that even a total novice can pick up the basics in minutes.
Of course, there are rules and responsibilities that come with drone flying. Before you take a drone into the air, it’s well worth checking out our guide to drones rules in the US, the UK, and beyond. Rules apply to drones of different sizes depending on the country, so even if you’re using a tiny drone, it’s worth reading up.
Every drone featured in this guide will give you fantastic results for photos and video. Each one has a camera supported by a powered gimbal for stabilized shooting, designed to counteract the bumps and buffets that come with flight. We’ve included drones suited to a range of different budgets, each of which has different levels of intelligent flight control and camera technology. While there are cheap drones that will do a good job, the rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. If your budget is tight, check out our guide to the best cheap drones you can buy right now.
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The DJI Air 2S has pushed the Mavic Air 2, which was previously our best-selling drone, out of the spotlight (see number one). However, you shouldn’t rule it out as a possibility because it’s less expensive than the Air 2S and may fit you better if you don’t want the new model’s larger 1-inch sensor.
It still shoots 4K/60p video, has a 34-minute flight duration, and a comparable maximum range of 10 kilometers. You also get the same subject-tracking capabilities as the Air 2S, as well as a slightly longer flight time of 34 minutes and that convenient, compact folding design. While we recommend the Air 2S if you can, the Mavic Air 2 is still a good choice because of its larger sensor and useful digital zoom.
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The Ryze Tello is a pleasant drone for first-time flyers because it is simple, lightweight, and economical. Despite its low price, the Tello packs a punch: the battery lasts a respectable 13 minutes, and the Tello can hover in place and execute a variety of automatic tricks thanks to downward-facing light sensors.
When streaming 720p HD video, the image quality from the nose-mounted 5MP camera is less spectacular, with a limited dynamic range and apparent compression artefacts. Because video is transmitted directly to your smartphone, any reduction in connection strength affects the frame rate.
However, the app is surprisingly basic and offers a simple method to drive the Tello, with a rewardingly snappy on-screen twin-stick configuration. The theoretical range is 100 metres, but 30-40 metres is more feasible — which, given how easily the 80g Tello can be blown off course by even the smallest breeze, isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
On a quiet day, the Ryze Tello is a blast to fly, flying ahead at a fast clip and reacting quickly to intuitive commands. The limited range is a drawback, but if you don’t accept choppy footage, it’s still the best beginner drone on the market.
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Shoots 4K/60p video at 100Mbps
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More complex than foldable
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Can fly in rain and land on water
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The PowerEgg X is a flyer, not a fryer, despite its culinary name. In a market dominated by water-resistant drones, PowerVision’s airborne orb stands out for its ability to fly in the rain and land on lakes (with the Wizard bundle). The plastic waterproof casing degrades image quality, but the ability to work in – and float on – the wet things opens up a world of creative possibilities.
The modular design, on the other hand, has a lot of flexibility. The PowerEgg X may also be used as a handheld gimbal camera or a self-contained AI camera that can be installed on a tripod and controlled with hand gestures. The disadvantage of the adjustable arrangement is that it takes longer to set up. It may be small, but it takes a few minutes to remove the protective covering from the body, attach the propeller arms, and set up the controller.
The image quality isn’t great, either. In bright situations, the PowerEgg X produces good, detailed 4K footage, but the fixed aperture, fixed-focus 12MP 1/2.8-inch CMOS sensor can’t compete with DJI’s Mavic drones. It’s also not able to capture in raw video formats right now. Even so, the PowerEgg X is one of the best solutions for brief, sharp video sequences in terrible weather.
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The incredibly amazing Inspire 2 easily defeats its predecessor on this list. It’s a lot more appealing now that it has a sleek aluminum composite bodywork update. Furthermore, with more powerful object avoidance technology, you won’t have to worry about accidentally cutting a tree and scratching that lovely figure.
The twin-battery setup provides more than 25 minutes of flight time, and the option to swap camera lenses gives professional photographers and videographers complete control over their photographs and 5K footage.
This drone is incredibly easy to fly because of the full-featured smartphone software and dedicated remote control, but make no mistake: this is a professional piece of equipment.