Drone aerial photography is, wait for it, taking off.
Whether you’re using them for recreation, to build an aerial service business, or to integrate UAS into your existing business or organization, the goal of this article is to explore the best RC drones with a camera on the market today.
Hobbyists-FPV Racing ![]() DJI Avata Camera | 4K/60fps Flight Time | 18 Minutes Camera | 4k/60fps Flight Time | 18 Minutes |
Hobbyists-Photographers-Content Creators ![]() DJI Mini 3 Pro Camera | 4K Flight Time | 34 Minutes Camera | 4K Flight Time | 34 Minutes |
Photographers-Hobbyists ![]() Autel Nano+ Camera | 50MP, 4K Video Flight Time | 28 Minutes Camera | 50MP, 4K Video Flight Time | 28 Minutes |
Hobbyists-Filmmaking-Photography ![]() DJI Air 2S Camera | 20MP stills, 5.4K video Flight Time | 31 Minutes Camera | 20MP stills, 5.4K video Flight Time | 31 Minutes |
Construction-Filmmaking-Marketing ![]() Skydio 2 + Camera | 12 MP, 4k HDR Video Flight Time | 27 Minutes Camera | 12 MP, 4k HDR Video Flight Time | 27 Minutes |
Hobbyists ![]() Autel EVO Lite+ Camera | 6K Flight Time | 40 Minutes Camera | 6K Flight Time | 40 Minutes |
Construction-Filmmaking-Marketing ![]() DJI Mavic 3 Camera | 20 MP, 5.1K/50 fps Flight Time | 46 Minutes Camera | 20 MP, 5.1K/50 fps Flight Time | 46 Minutes |
There are a lot of good remote control drones to buy out there, so it’s important to think about what kind of sUAS best fits your intended operation, and then to perform proper research on the best options. This article is an attempt to help you learn the bullet points of each of the most popular camera drones on the market today.
From pricing and different camera specs and handling/responsiveness to flight software and battery life, it’s important to do your research and to make sure you’re buying a drone that’s suited to your needs.
[Want to become a commercial drone pilot? Learn how to get your FAA drone license in this in-depth guide.]
All of the models in this list are ready-to-fly. After charging your LiPo battery and reading through your user manual a few times, you’re ready to power up, calibrate, configure, and then to start racking up those flight hours.
For a quick look at all the models we’ll be discussing in more detail below, here’s the full list:
Click here for a much bigger list of drone companies to check out in the industry.
Enjoy!
Note #1: All specs/features are obtained from the manufacturer or retailer.
Note #2: On this list, we’ve included models available for sale on Amazon, DJI, Skydio, and Autel — as Amazon, Skydio, Autel, and DJI Associate partners, we earn a small commission for qualifying purchases. Please know that we’ve tested many of the models on this list, and we wouldn’t recommend anything we wouldn’t fly ourselves!
4K/60fps
18 Minutes
Hobbyists, FPV Racing
The DJI Avata is a lightweight and compact drone made for a safe and immersive flight experience.
Equipped with a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor, DJI Avata supports 4K ultra-wide-angle recording with an f/2.8 aperture. Most camera drones offer, at best, an 84° FOV. DJI Avata kicks things up a gear with its super-wide 155° FOV.
For an additional price, you can purchase the DJI Motion Controller and DJI Goggles 2 for an incredible flying experience.
4K
34/47 minutes
Hobbyists / Content Creators
The DJI Mini 3 Pro sports a completely new look that is optimized to get more out of every flight. With larger propellers, an aerodynamic body tilt, and a powerful obstacle sensing system, the streamlined design allows for increased flight time and safety.
The reimagined gimbal offers a wider rotation range for low-angle shots and True Vertical Shooting, allowing endless creative opportunities. Every aspect of this facelift has been carefully considered to take Mini to never-before-seen heights.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro has three buying options and the option to add one of two ‘Fly More’ kits. In the Fly More Kit Plus, you’ll receive two Intelligent Flight Batteries Plus which has a 47-minute flight time.
50MP Still Photos, 4K Video
28 Minutes
Photography/Videography
The Nano+ is Autel’s smallest drone weighing in at 249 grams. It’s the first and only aircraft series of its size to offer an advanced obstacle avoidance system.
With the touch of a button, the Nano will rise into the air and snap a photo of you and your friends, automatically adjusting the lens so no one gets left out. Blur the background automatically for additional cinematic effect or dramatically reveal your epic destination — whether it’s the top of a mountain or your own backyard.
Recruit your Nano to automatically follow any person, animal, or vehicle so you can focus on your activities while your Nano handles the cinematic side.
It is the perfect tool for photographers and outdoor adventures!
20MP stills, 5.4K video
31 Minutes
Hobbyist-Filmmaking-Marketing
Capture any moment with the rich clarity and authentic color tones it deserves with the DJI Air 2S. Shoot RAW format photos with a dynamic range of up to 12.6 stops to capture more visual information in every scene, even when lighting conditions are bad or complex. This provides more flexibility in post-processing, giving creators more possibilities to get the look they want.
Features like MasterShots and FocusTrack effortlessly turn any adventure into cinematic footage.
Watch this video on YouTube
12 megapixel stills, 4K HDR video
27 Minutes
Construction-Filmmaking-Public Safety
Featuring a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor, the Skydio 2 + records stunning 4K HDR footage at 60 fps and captures 12-megapixel stills. With autonomous speeds up to 36 mph, it captures dynamic cinematic shots with ease. Fly from the app, hand-held Beacon remote, or with a controller for even more precision. Its portable design makes it a compelling option for travel bloggers, documentary compilers, and commercial drone pilots in any industry.
New to FPV flying? Not to worry, with Emergency Brake and Hover, you can stop on a dime and hover at any moment. Other safety features include:
Watch this video on YouTube
6K
40 Minutes
Hobbyist
The Autel EVO Lite+ is the perfect balance of power and portability. The Lite+ can stay in the air for 40 minutes and features cinematic flight modes and camera settings to further enhance its professional-grade camera.
With up to 40 minutes of flight time, you will have to worry about having enough battery life to get the shot you want. With Dynamic Track 2.1, your Lite+ can automatically follow any person, animal, or vehicle so you can focus on your activities.
The Autel EVO Lite+ premium combo includes:
Watch this video on YouTube
20 MP, 5.1K/50 fps
46 Minutes
Construction Filmmaking Marketing
The DJI Mavic 3 is a lightweight, highly portable prosumer drone that comes with two high-quality cameras. Compared to its predecessor, almost every aspect of it has been upgraded from the Mavic 2 Pro. The dual-camera system features a Hasselblad 4/3” sensor and a ½” Tele camera sensor that has 28x hybrid zoom.
One of the biggest upgrades in the new Mavic is that its flight time has increased by almost 50%—it can fly for 46 minutes, 15 minutes longer than the Mavic 2 Pro’s 31 minutes. The Hasselblad sensor provides a 12.8-stop dynamic range that retains more details in highlights and shadows, upgrading your work to a professional level. Advanced Active Track 5.0 and the new omnidirectional collision avoidance sensors ensure a safe and smooth flight every time.