Best camera drone review | 7 drones to fly with your passion

So, whether you are an amateur or a professional photographer, here we present the 7 best camera drones. Our best camera drone review will help you find a top-rated quadcopter.

Drones have been increasing their capabilities over the years, becoming invaluable tools for photographers and filmmakers, as well as a source of entertainment for model airplane enthusiasts. A top-quality drone should have GPS stabilization, a back-home option, and automated flight modes. If you are new to this whole issue of camera drones and waited until now to invest your money, you made a good decision. Read our best camera drone review to have the top-rated drones with a camera to record videos at 4K resolution.

Drones with video recording at 4K resolution, almost perfect stabilization, and anti-shock sensors. Although if you are already a veteran, it is never too much to know the new alternatives in the market because if you already know what you are going to spend, better to do it intelligently.

Why trust us?

Our editorial team spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and comparing products to find the best value for money.

We do not publish any sponsored articles. We sometimes receive a commission from Amazon when you buy a product via our links. It allows us to finance our work while remaining completely impartial. Read more

Camera Drone: Safety and Regulations

If you’re flying within the United States, you need to take heed of FAA guidelines—or be prepared to face potential fines or jail time. There are no-fly zones set by the FAA, so don’t take off if you’re near an airport without notifying the control tower first. And, even if you’re out in the middle of nowhere, don’t take your drone above 400 feet.

Be sure to read up on the current FAA guidelines before buying. At press time, a court ruling states you don’t have to pay to register your device with the FAA, but that can change with an appeal. Even if you don’t have an FAA number attached to your aircraft, be careful out there.

Top 7: The best photographic drones with integrated camera

The drones that we are going to review are ready to fly; that is, they are models that you can use just from the box. In most cases, you only need your tablet or smartphone to see, in real time, what the drone sees.
In this review, we will focus on three basic and fundamental aspects when choosing a camera drone: battery, resolution of the camera/video, and maximum speed. As you can see, DJI dominates the market, but that does not mean that the other options we reviewed are less valid.

Also, please see our selection of the best drone apps for Android.

DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter Review

Best Camera Drone Review Phantom 4

This time, DJI took a big step in front of its predecessor the Phantom 3. With 35% more battery, more speed, and more flight autonomy, the Phantom 4 is positioned as one of the drones with more functions in the market. However, the Phantom 4 disappointed a bit, as the fans expected to receive more in terms of design, but, at first glance, it seems that the biggest change is the bright paint that gives the Phantom 4 a brilliant patina.

On the other hand, regarding the form of transportation, the camera drone took a step forward with its transport suitcase. Among the new functions of the Phantom 4, there are three that are, undoubtedly, the ones that call the attention of this quad.

Tap to Fly

Although we could see it as a counter, to activate this mode we need to connect a Tablet to our drone. By doing so, we will see what he sees at 720p and we can program the Phantom to fly to where we point him within his own range of vision. With just touching either side of the screen, the Phantom 4 will fly there.

Visual Tracking

Although the sensor of the Phantom 4 camera is the same as that of the Phantom 3 Pro, DJI gave the Phantom 4 a new lens that allows the device to obtain sharper images with better colors. In turn, the quad comes with a built-in reconnaissance system, which allows you to follow moving targets. Draw a square around your subject and that’s it! The Phantom 4 will follow you wherever you go. This is possible due to a system of stereo cameras mounted in front of the body, just above the landing gear.

These cameras, although they do not serve to record, give the drone so much the capacity to detect and evade obstacles as one of making Visual Tracking.

Sport Mode

Add the speed to your Phantom 4. With the Sports Mode, the drone reaches up to 72 km / h without wind against it. This mode is especially useful for continuous shots where a lot of movement is required. You can record motorcycles, cars in motion, and people running. In turn, despite the speed, the Phantom 4 keeps the subjects framed and the recording clear.

On the other hand, when we activate the Sports Mode, stereo vision is deactivated and much of the automatic option to evade obstacles is lost, so it is extremely important to maintain concentration when using the Sports Mode. However, one of the most significant contrasts of Sports Mode is that, although the company says otherwise, the propellers are shown in the video when you fly fast.

+ PROS

  • Stability: the camera remains stable even in strong winds.
  • 4K recording at 30 FPS.
  • 28 minutes of continuous operation.
  • Obstacle sensor.

– CONS

  • Expensive
  • You need a Smartphone to control the camera.
  • The obstacle sensor only works toward the front.
  • Sometimes the propellers are seen in the recordings.

Discover more and the price here

Also read: Top rated mirrorless cameras with 4K camera

DJI Inspire 1 Quadcopter with 4K Camera Review

Top rated camera drones reviews buying guide

This is another best camera drone to buy. Particularly in professional environments, keeping the drone flying and the camera running can be a challenge. So, if you’re looking for millimeter precision, better use the Inspire 1 in two hands: one person is busy flying while another person is busy recording. Also, thinking about the needs of photographers and filmmakers, DJI gave Inspire 1 the ability to change cameras to achieve different results. Also, the fact that the propellers rise without interfering with the shoot gives the device an advantage over others. Let’s see three functions that give Inspire 1 its place on the list.

Optical Flow

With the Optical Flow, Inspire 1 revolutionizes recordings indoors. You no longer depend on a human cameraman, but thanks to the stabilizers of the drone it is easier to record in environments of reduced space, even without a GPS signal. This is due to its ultrasonic positioning system that keeps the camera drone positioned, something that is difficult with Phantom models, which sometimes do not work well in small environments.

It is also important to note that the sonar system may not work properly when the drone travels over surfaces that absorb sound. In addition, according to the manufacturer, the Optical Flow is only 100% effective at a minimum of 5 meters.

Four hands control

As we already mentioned, two people can control Inspire 1. This allows a new level of control and precision, which, in the right hands, would mean a better image quality with fewer frights and unwanted movements. Even if you want, you can add a third control that only keeps the image focused. On the other hand, this feature is optional. The Inspire 1 comes with only one control, so if you want another you have to pay extra.

Auto takeoff and auto landing

One of our favorite features is the option of auto-disengagement and self-lander with which the Inspire 1 comes. With just a push of a button, the drone rises to 4 meters, saving its landing gear and raising the profile of the rotors, which allows, in theory, to start recording immediately after doing the auto-disengagement. However, some users on YouTube and forums detected that the camera drone control system had a bug that prevented correct auto-disarming, which ended with the Inspire 1 crashing to the ground, so it’s better or be careful when we try this mode or Always do it in manual mode.

+ PROS

  • Exchangeable camera
  • Self-deskewing and self-lathing
  • Positioning system with sonar
  • Various controls for maximum performance

– CONS

  • It is not an option for casual users
  • The battery lasts less than other models
  • It is one of the heaviest options on the list.
  • Sonar can fail if you fly over water

Discover more and the price here

DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter 4K UHD Video Camera Drone Review

DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter 4K UHD Video Camera Drone Review

The Phantom 3 Pro is on our list because it is one of the models of DJI that attracts more buyers. Of course, the Phantom 3 Pro has many features that position it well against its older brothers. The drone remains one of the most used options for its price, ease of flight, and 4K recording capacity, although, to be honest, we did not see much difference between the 4K and 1080p of the 3 Pro.

The camera drone has lots of advantages with respect to its predecessors but maintains the same Phantom design. Here we leave the three characteristics that we found most interesting of this quad.

DJI Lightbridge

Although the Lightbridge does not improve the flight or recording characteristics of the Phantom 3 Pro, it definitely improves the user experience. The Lightbridge is a device that allows full HD video transmission from the drone to the receiver with a maximum effective range of about 1.7km.

In previous versions of the Phantom, the image transmission was not as good or as continuous, since the transmission of the camera drone could only be viewed at 720p and at a shorter distance. The Lightbridge is protected against external interference by an aluminum case and its battery lasts up to 4 hours.

Improved GPS

Although we cannot complain about DJI’s drone satellite coverage, it is good news to know that they are interested in improving this. The Phantom 3 Pro now has not only the usual GPS technology but also the GLONASS system, a global positioning system of Russian origin that increases the precision and redundancy of the satellites, improving their operation. For example, if the Phantom 3 Pro receives signals from both systems, its coordinate processing capacity, and the accuracy of its location, goes from 80% to 100%.

More efficient rotors

The Phantom 3 Pro has a new rotor system that is not only lighter but also stronger, giving durability to the camera drone, allowing greater resistance against strong winds and longer flight time. Also, in some videos’ we saw users doing tricks with the quad. We do not recommend doing it unless they are experienced pilots, but it is incredible to know that the Phantom 3 Pro has those potentialities within it. Another thing worth mentioning is that you can change the blades for ones with lighter material.

+ PROS

  • Simultaneous use of GPS and GLONASS systems
  • Lighter propellers
  • Easy to use
  • Good value for money

– CONS

  • Chromatic and horizon aberrations in the lens
  • 4K recording is not so good
  • Its battery lasts less than other models
  • It requires an amount of time to turn on and check

Discover more and the price here

DJI Phantom 4 PRO Professional Drone Review

DJI Phantom 4 PRO Professional Drone Review

This is another best camera drone to buy. After only eight months in the market, DJI decided that instead of waiting and developing the DJI Phantom 5 they would dedicate themselves to refining the 4, launching the Phantom 4 Pro to the market. In this sense, it seems that the 4 Pro is nothing more than a slightly more refined version of the 4. At least from the outside, it does not look very different, but it’s inside where the most significant differences are. Let’s see the features that make the Phantom 4 in 4 Pro.

20 MP / 4K camera with a better sensor

Although the Phantom 4 was already recorded at 4K, DJI gave the Pro version not only a camera with more megapixels but with a larger sensor. In the world of digital cameras, megapixels are not everything, since it is actually the sensor that determines the amount of light that reaches the camera. This, of course, determines the quality of the photos.

Multidirectional obstacle sensor

It seems that this time, DJI understood its buyers and improved the capabilities of the Phantom 4 obstacle sensor. Do you remember that we mentioned that as one of its cons? This time, the 4 Pro model comes equipped with a sensor that corrects exactly that, avoiding obstacles above, below, to the left, to the right, and below it.

Draw Mode

Another new feature of the Phantom 4 Pro is the draw mode. With it, you can draw a straight line on your Tablet or Smartphone and the camera drone will fly in a straight line along the route you have drawn. It is a similar function to the Tap to Fly of the Phantom 4, but in the case of the Pro model to activate it, it is necessary that the camera is facing downwards, in such a way that the drone can calculate the route using the ground as a reference.

Once the line is made, we can choose both the direction and the speed with which our quad flies. However, one of the problems of Draw Mode is that, during its use, the multidirectional obstacle sensor is deactivated, so it is advisable to use this mode only in unimpeded routes.

+ PROS

  • Sensor 23% larger than its predecessor
  • Best stabilization gimbal
  • More speed than the Phantom 4
  • Improvements in intelligent flight systems.

– CONS

  • Expensive
  • The drone does not recognize branches without leaves as obstacles
  • Although it is very good at avoiding collisions, it is not good at resisting them
  • To maintain the quality of the image it is better not to exceed ISO 800

Discover more and the price here

DJI Mavic Pro Review

DJI Mavic Pro Review

Although the Phantom models are the favorites of the market, DJI aimed its weapons at a new segment of the market, creating drones more compact and easy to use. From these ideas was born the Mavic Pro, a quad that when it is not in flight position has, surprisingly, the size of a bottle of water and the same benefits as the Phantom 4. With the new design, it is possible to carry the Mavic Pro along with its control and a laptop inside a backpack, giving the user more flexibility and autonomy when flying. Let’s see the three most interesting features of this drone so particular.

Greater flight capacity

The Mavic Pro was born to compete against the Phantom 4, so DJI sought to improve both its data transmission capacity and its flight duration. On the one hand, the Mavic Pro has an effective flight range of up to 7km due to the strength of its signal. Of course, this distance is only in a place where there are no obstructions of any kind. Then, due to this new autonomy, DJI opted to give the drone a battery that, despite having a smaller and lighter body, allowed the Mavic Pro to stay in flight for the same amount of time as its competitor (27 minutes).

OcuSync

Do you remember the Lightbridge system that allowed the drone to have 1.7km of flight autonomy? Well, the Ocusync system is a substantial improvement to this system, allowing the live transmission to a maximum of 7km with a resolution of 1080p. The system recognizes between several frequency bands and selects the one with the least interference, which allows it to fly better. However, if we are abroad or there are obstacles in the way of the Mavic Pro the Ocusync will not have as much power.

First Person View

In the last two years, the use of virtual reality glasses has increased exponentially. For this reason, the Mavic Pro opted to enable the user an immersive experience through virtual reality glasses. The good thing about this device is that the images that the user sees are in 1080p and work with the Ocusync system, which significantly reduces the latency of the drone’s response.

Although the user may appear Robocop when using them, the immersion experience is unbeatable; the screen offers a field of view of 85 °, which while a bit reduced in terms of the human eye, is enough for the drone. So, for those who want to fly without taking much into account the exterior, the Mavic Pro is the right choice.

+ PROS

  • First-person vision
  • Improved video streaming
  • Lighter and smaller than its competitors
  • Good battery life for your size

– CONS

  • The camera has a reduced field of view
  • Control can be strange if you come from a Phantom
  • The user can not repair simple faults
  • The stabilizer only works in front and back

Discover more and the price here

Yuneec Typhoon H Pro 4K Collision Avoidance Hexacopter Drone Review

Top 10 best rated drones with 4k camera review guide amazon

This is another best camera drone to buy. At first glance, we notice two things. It is not a DJI drone and it is not a quad but a hexacopter. The Typhoon H Pro has 6 rotors, not 4 as we had been used to. In principle, the Typhoon is made to compete with models such as the Mavic Pro due to its price and specifications, achieving positioning within the best drones of the medium-high range in the current market. Despite being less known than its competitors the Typhoon H Pro also has its thing. Let’s see it.

Remote control all-in-one

Although almost all people already own a Smartphone or Tablet, the Typhoon H Pro eliminates the need to connect one to the control to achieve the maximum functionality of the drone. The remote control of this drone comes with a 7-inch Android device and 720p built-in resolution that allows you to control everything more easily, significantly reducing the weight on your hands and the fatigue of manipulating a remote control along with a Tablet.

Intel RealSense

This feature is basically the same as the obstacle sensing system of DJI only that Yuneec takes it a step further, installing an Intel processor that is responsible only for making a three-dimensional model of the world, preventing the drone from colliding with things. RealSense technology builds a model of the world, allowing the Typhoon H Pro to choose its own routes if the user means colliding with some object, tree, or natural element. In fact, Yuneec maintains that RealSense technology remembers the environment, so it not only avoids the obstacle but also remembers its location.

Retractable landing gear

If there is one feature that DJI Phantom drones do not have is the retractable landing gear. The Typhoon H Pro can save your landing gear and give the camera a 360 ° view without having to rotate the drone. This is a great advantage because it allows panoramic images with less interference from the ship, resulting in a better photo or video since it is not necessary to move the drone to achieve panoramic vision with up to 10 ° inclination.

+ PROS

  • Does not require a Smartphone to fly
  • Intel RealSense
  • 360 ° camera

– CONS

  • It takes up to two minutes to start
  • Little range of action (1km) compared to the Mavic Pro
  • The white balance is not very efficient
  • Batteries take up to two hours to recharge

Discover more and the price here

Parrot Bebop 2 FPV Compact Drone Review

Parrot Bebop 2 FPV

Many people look for economic options when buying a drone. For this reason, Parrot decided to improve its previous model, the Parrot Bebop, and launch the Bebop 2, which is undoubtedly one of the few drones that would qualify as really good in that price range, particularly if it is something that you really like and you want to have really good videos. In turn, the Bebop 2 is ultra-light and compact, looking almost like a camera with rotors.

However, due to its price compared to other models, it does not have any of the characteristics that we would expect from a drone of a professional level. Here we present the best features of Bebop 2.

Good resistance against the wind

The Bebop 2 weighs approximately 500g, which means that falls within the category of ultralight drones. However, despite being so light, the quad seems to withstand strong winds. In our test, the drone resisted without problems winds of up to 25 km / h. On the other hand, resisting strong winds drains the Bebop 2 battery, so we recommend not using it in very windy places if we want to achieve an optimal flight time.

Good resistance against collisions

One of the good things about Bebop 2 is the fact that it resists collisions quite well; because of its price range, it is very likely that people interested in a drone buy it to start, so being able to resist collisions correctly is always a good idea. In fact, the propellers of the Bebop 2 are made of a flexible material that stops them as soon as they touch the ground, reducing the possibility of breakage if they touch the ground. In turn, the lightweight body of the quad is able to withstand collisions, protecting both the CPU and the camera, the two most crucial components.

You can do pirouettes and agility tests that other drones can not

For enthusiasts of pirouettes and agility tests, this drone is a good option. In addition, it is not required to be an expert to make the Bebop 2 pirouette forward, backward, and sideways. Just give it three or four times to the side where we want our quad to do a spin and it will. When doing pirouettes we proved that the three-axis stabilizing gimbal of the Bebop 2 is quite good and keeps the image centered, although not the horizon line.

+ PROS

  • Indicated for amateur users
  • Resists collisions and moderate winds
  • It is a substantial improvement over the Bebop
  • The propellers stop if they hit something

– CONS

  • Your camera is not very good
  • It has a maximum of 8GB of internal memory
  • Little range of action (600m)
  • Requires buying a remote control to use it without the smartphone

Discover more and the price here

Conclusion and Buyer’s Guide

Clearly, after seeing this Top 10, it is clear why DJI continues to dominate the market. Although expensive, DJI drones continue to be the best choice for professional photographers and filmmakers. Nothing more is enough to see the features offered by Inspire 1 to realize that it is very likely that those cinematic shots of large open spaces filmed from above no longer require helicopters or expensive filming tools.

However, as we can see, although DJI maintains a large part of the market, the Typhoon H Pro from Yuneec seems a pretty good and competitive option. Even Parrot devices that are much more modest have a lot to offer and show to users.

Also, this race is just beginning. In less than two years, technology has advanced a lot and it is likely to continue to do so. It is possible that new competitors appear and challenge DJI as Yuneec is already doing.

Leave a Comment