Best Drones for Photography
The hobby of drone flying is still relatively young, but constantly on the rise. Indeed, the drones have provided us with entertainment, but they also prove they are excellent tools, especially for photography. These drones now carry powerful cameras that allow you to capture superb shots and make great videos for perspectives previously unobtainable.
But, with newer and newer models coming out all the time, it gets harder and harder to take your pick. Luckily, you have us, and we’ve already taken a liberty of selecting the top three drone models for photography. So be sure to check them out!
Name | Photo | Price | Flight Time | Flight Range | Camera Quality |
DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter | $700 – $800
|
23 minutes
|
Over 5 km | 12 Mp | |
DJI Inspire 1 Pro Drone | $3,000 – $3,350 | 18 minutes | 2 km | 16 MP | |
Blade Chroma | $350 | 30 minutes | 600 metes |
DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter
Our first pick is the DJI Phantom 3 Professional quadcopter. DJI is a powerhouse manufacturer and they are getting more popular by the day. That is no wonder since every next model they create is a top of the line machine with excellent characteristics, able to allure even the starkest and nit-pickiest expert out there. All in all, DJI is manufacturer you can trust, as their drones are truly top of the line products in any way.
The Phantom 3 is a professional drone, and thus, it is more suited toward experienced pilots. The drone itself possesses many features that really set it apart from its competition, and the video quality of this drone’s camera is any cameraman’s dream. Because, when it comes to creating high-quality shots and crispy clear video footage, this drone is nearly unparalleled.
The drone’s stellar camera shoots video in 4k and 720p, and it shoots at 6 fps. The stills are shot in 12 MP quality, and you can shoot a single picture, in bursts, and even use the Time Lapse.
When it comes to the features, Phantom 3 has incredible things to offer. Indeed, the many automated flight options the drone has makes it very popular among users. It features a Follow Me function that enables the drone to automatically tag your position and put a tail on you. This is very favorable of you’re shooting from a moving car, and it allows you to maneuver the camera without having to worry about controlling the craft.
The aircraft is made to be extremely maneuverable. In fact, the accuracy of controls and responsiveness of the craft enables you to comfortably fly the drone indoors.
Phantom 3 also possesses a function with which you can tag waypoints on your GPS, and the craft will fly according to the flight plan on its own. The drone’s camera has a 3-axis gimbal that you can adjust and move around mid-flight and can hold a GoPro camera.
The aircraft also has a fair battery that offers up to 23 minutes of flight time. But, a truly extraordinary fact about this drone is its flight range. The drone is rated to be able to fly at a distance of over 5 kilometers without any impediment to the connection between it and the controller.
- Extraordinary camera, supports 4K, 720p footage
- Automatized flight functions, like Follow Me and Waypoint.
- Fair flight time, 23 minutes.
- Superb flight range, over 5 kilometers.
- In all, this is a true photographer’s dream. For anyone looking for a superb drone with a superb camera attached, you can hardly find a better machine.
DJI Inspire 1 Pro Drone
Except if that machine isn’t FJI Inspire 1 Pro Drone. The DJI Inspire 1 is the absolute best drone you can get when it comes to taking photos and making videos. This is a drone of superb quality and amazing capabilities that will truly blow your mind.
For starters, this drone’s arms can move up and down. Why is this important? Because of the moving arms, you can clear them out of your way, and provide yourself with a full 360 degree, unobstructed view. Just like in the previous model, the gimbal can move around and you can adjust the camera mid-flight. The gimbal has the same 3-axis system for the gimbal
Camera quality-wise, this is the top dog on the market. The drone features a 16 MP camera that captures photos of incredible quality and vivacity. Naturally, the camera shoots in 4k and is rated for 1080p.
The craft features plenty of modes designed to facilitate automated flight. These include Point of Interest Mode, in which you’ll be able to focus the camera on a certain object, Waypoints, which allows you to map out a flight route for the drone, Course lock, and others.
The drone’s battery offers 18 minutes of flight time. This, however, is not in the least bad, as all the features and the superb quality camera put a lot of strain on the battery, and drain it quickly. But, if you want to increase the flight time, you can always add an extra battery.
The craft also has a great flight range, and it can comfortably fly 2 km away from the controller, and the connection will never snap
- Outstanding drone, packed with features and designed for expert pilots and photographers.
- A superb camera shoots 1080, 4k video, and captures 16 MP stills.
- A vast array of automatized flight modes (Waypoint, Point of Interest, Course Lock) that improve shots by allowing you to set up properly and improve overall flight experience.
- The arms lift in order to allow an unobstructed view for the pilot
- Battery allows for 18 minutes of flight time.
- 2 km flight range.
In conclusion, this drone is the cream of the crop, a top-of-the-line product. For anyone looking to get into photography with an exceedingly powerful machine, the DJI Inspire 1 Pro Drone is your choice of a weapon.
Blade Chroma
And our final product for today is the Blade Chroma quadcopter drone. The blade is a slightly obscure brand, one more commonly associated with mini-drones, but with Chroma, they made it to the big leagues. Chroma is their first regular quadcopter, and, boy, did they do a superb job. The drone quickly gained popularity among both experts and beginners, all thanks to its superb features and excellent camera.
Chroma has a 12 MP camera, which effectively rivals DJI Phantom 3. It also films in HD, 1080p, whereas Phantom 3 shoots at 720p. Combined with a 4 times lower price, and Chroma is more than an avid opponent for its competition. On top of that, the drone also features automatized flight modes, like Follow Me and Tracking, a mode much like Waypoint.
But the most impressive features about Chrome is its efficiency. In the drone world, there is little doubt that Chroma is a machine with the longest flight time. On a single charge, this craft can cruise for a full half an hour, even with all the functions running and with the camera shooting video.
However, the drone falls short when it comes to flight range, as it comes nowhere near the DJI drones. The craft has a 600-meter flight range, but, considering its price, this is a very decent range, as most drones in its class have a range of approximately 100 meters.
- An extraordinary drone at an extraordinarily reasonable price.
- Stellar 12 MP camera captures superb photos and shoots amazing 1080p quality videos.
- The drone possesses the best flight time, rivaling professional drones. It can fly comfortably for full 30 minutes on a single charge.
- The craft has a fair flight range, 600 meters.
In conclusion, this is a superb aircraft. It’s got all you need to make excellent shots, complete with a 12 MP camera and automatized flight function, and at a very affordable price. Truly, for someone looking a place to start in aerial photography, Blade’s Chroma is the way to go.
Final Words
And there you have it, folks, our top three picks. As you see, these are stellar machines, dedicated to superb aerial photography and videography. And as a bonus, we included one starter drone for those relatively new to the hobby, and looking for a good camera that won’t break their wallet in half. In conclusion, look at the drones, assess your budget and your needs and have fun playing with your new toy.