Over the last few years, the best drones with camera options have shaped the way we take photos and videos. With the ability to take jaw-dropping aerial shots and clips, drones have become a useful tool for professional and personal purposes.
But if you’ve spent any time shopping for drones, you know that price and quality can vary drastically. To help, we’ve created a list of the best drones with cameras – from entry-level models to top-tier devices.
Best Drones with Camera options
DJI Mini 2
The DJI Mini 2 is easily considered one of the best mid-level drones with cameras on the market today. It can usually be flown without a permit, so it’s ideal for photographers who want to step up their drone game. Plus, it’s incredibly lightweight (just over half a pound) and can fit in the palm of your hand. For that reason, it’s also a good choice for traveling and vacation.
The photo and video quality is outstanding for the price. The built-in ½.3-inch CMOS camera delivers 12MP photos and up to 2.7k videos. You can also choose to shoot distance with a 4x zoom or videos up to 6.2 miles away.
When charged, the DJI Mini 2 has a 31-minute max flight time. It also has decent weather protection and can withstand level 5 winds up to 23mph.
DJI Mavic 3 Classic
If you love the DJI Mini 2 but want something more robust, look no further than the DJI Mavic 3 Classic. It has a custom-designed 4/3 CMOS camera built by legendary Swedish brand, Hasselblad. For the drone’s size, it’s one of the best professional cameras you can get. And yes, it also does video, shooting 5.1K HD at 4K/60FPS.
The 46-minute flying time is relatively long. It can also avoid objects in flight and return home with advanced smart return.
DJI also came out with the Mavic 3 Pro, which we can also recommend as it has three cameras. In addition to the one the Classic has, it also has a 16mm telephoto lens and a 70mm telephoto lens. That way, you’ll be able to zoom in without reducing image quality.
Sharper Mach X Video Drone
As one of the cheapest drones with cameras, Shaper Image’s Mach X Video Drone is the best option for beginners (or kids). It’s quite sturdy and can survive light crashes if you’re still getting the hang of flying.
On the downside, the flying radius is only 150 feet, so it’s not the best for capturing objects that are very far away. But it does take relatively decent panoramic videos and photos. It also comes with glowing built-in LED lights to help you during your night flights.
Syma Z6pro
For a budget drone, the Syma Z6pro is surprisingly well-equipped. There’s a 4K HD camera that can shoot photos and videos at a 1080P resolution. It also has advanced stabilization, a smart follow-me mode, and one-key take off and landing.
It also has something we haven’t seen on any other drone model. The smart gesture feature allows you to trigger the camera by using a hand gesture, which is great for selfies and group photos! All in all, it’s a nifty gadget for most hobbyists!
When shopping for drones with cameras, you’ll first want to determine what you’re using them for. Amateur photographers or hobbyists can usually get away with a budget or mid-range model. But those shooting professionally might want to invest in a higher-end drone with more features and better-quality images. And who knows – maybe you’ll one day be able to turn your photography hobby into real income!