Looking for the best drone with camera that is inexpensive and easy to fly? Check out these 10 drones that take pictures and record 4k videos.
What Is the Best Drone with Camera?
The market of drones is so huge today, so you should carefully study it. There are 2 main segments: professional drones with camera for long flight and professional photos or 4k videos and budget quadcopters for learning how to fly or using as a toy.
There are many things to keep in mind while selecting a drone. Ask about camera specs and battery life. Read the characteristics to understand how responsive your drone is promised to be if you control it via the flight software.
Do your research and mind the pricing aspect, as you can find a decent quadrocopter at a moderate price. All the models on this list are ready-to-fly.
You just need to charge the battery, read the manual several times, configure the drone and you are ready to scale new aerial shooting heights.
The drones reviewed in this post cover both types based on their specifications in order to satisfy the needs of professionals and hobbyists.
Best Drone with Camera in 2024
Whether you’re going to use it for your trips, aerial photography business or other purposes, you’ll find a good drone for you.
1. DJI Mavic 2 Pro
This model is one of the latest products from DJI and comes with the camera manufactured by the Swedish brand – Hasselblad. It has a 1-inch CMOS-sensor that offers a 20MP picture with improved HDR and color sensitivity.
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro has a new function – omnidirectional barrier detection: it recognizes obstacles in five directions. In addition, it’s equipped with modernized versions of smart object-tracking, automatic relocation, and route-following modes, that is why it’s used by professional photographers and videographers.
DJI Mavic 2 Pro is the best camera drone on the market due to its amazing image and video quality, good flight speed (45–72 km/h), an obstacle sensor, and terrific battery life (31 minutes).
- Check out what is the best drone for photography.
2. GoPro Karma
Speaking about the experience they have in the action camera industry, GoPro decided to venture into the drone market as well. GoPro Karma is the best 4K drone with incredibly portable dimensions. You can fold its wings into the body, which simplifies transportation.
Using the drone is very easy regardless if you’re an experienced pilot or a beginner thanks to the straightforward controls and intuitive UI.
The drone is supplied with the GoPro Passenger app (Android and iOS). This software allows your friends to view your flight and even control the GoPro if they want. Except the built-in camera, this drone supports several other GoPro cameras as Hero 4, Hero 5 Black, Hero 6 and Hero Session. The drone comes with a GoPro Karma grip that ensures high quality and smooth video recording.
- Read more about the best aerial photography drone.
3. Parrot Anafi
Anafi has a GPS and downward sensors that help it remain steady when floating, but it lacks an obstacle-detection system. In exchange, it managed to save its mobility and maneuverability thanks to the automatic takeoff, landing, and return.
The foldable controller is simple and intuitive in use. The drone’s disadvantage is the 2-axis gimbal that relies on the software for getting sharp turns, which it manages to do quite well, but you have to pay an additional fee for this function in the app.
This gimbal can be faced completely upward for an unobstructed angle that most drones can’t handle and the system even has a digital zoom. This drone has gimbal stabilization, 4K video support and innovational additions such as HDR video capture, a camera that can be rotated upward, and Hyperlapse (slow-motion recording).
Parrot Anafi is proud of its size – this small drone with camera is perfectly suited for traveling thanks to 4K video capture, its small frame, and USB charging.
- Read more about the best beginner drone.
4. DJI Inspire 2
Inspire 2 has two new camera slots, possesses improved speed and flight duration (27 minutes), and has an enormous working range of 7000m. One of the cameras is located under the drone and provides 360o rotation, while another one is installed at the front to improve the first person POV.
You can record videos in 5.2K RAW resolution with a data transfer speed of 4.2Gbit/s. The Inspire 2 has a built-in SSD drive to process that data. You can purchase this drone with the new DJI drone camera Zenmuse X4S or X5S, which is equipped with a sensor and supports 10 different lenses, including zoom models.
It is the best drone for aerial photography for professionals, moviemakers, and local news stations since it has such functions as dual pilot controls, professional video compression, and a complex object tracking system. If the drone camera price isn’t a problem, then DJI Inspire 2 is probably the best video drone with 5.2K RAW video support, amazing build quality.
- Read more about the best drone for real estate photography.
5. Yuneec Q500 Typhoon
Yuneec Q500 Typhoon is capable of smooth and completely stable 4K video recording that produces clear, vibrant, and highly detailed footage. The 12-megapixel camera takes photographs very well and doesn’t create any distortions.
You can use the camera separately by attaching it to the included grip for taking ground-level photos. The Yuneec controller is the embodiment of the “all-in-one” concept.
It has a screen that shows the drone’s first-person view and gives you total control over everything. The drone comes with a large carrier bag and 2 spare batteries.
Other than using the built-in remote controller, you can also operate the drone using the extra-compact Wizard remote.
- Read more about drone wedding photography.
6. Autel Robotics EVO
If you prioritize capturing videos with a high framerate, EVO is a very attractive option for aerial videography. This drone possesses expected safety characteristics. The battery life is reasonably good, with an average of 26 minutes.
EVO has a single microSD slot and comes with a 32GB card. You can transfer videos to your computer via micro-USB or you can take out the card and use a card reader.
EVO is equipped with a 4K video camera that has a 12MP sensor for a smartphone. You can record in 2.7K with all available framerates, in 1080p with up to 120fps, and in 720p with up to 240fps. Photographers can shoot in RAW or JPG with a 12MP resolution. Autel Robotics EVO – is one of the best drones for photography and videography with a sturdy body, long flight duration, a stabilized 4K camera, and an obstacle detection system.
- Look more best drones under 100 dollars.
7. Force1 F200 Shadow Hex
The new “Follow Me” and “Point of Interest” modes allow you to record the movement of a marked object or a precise location on the phone’s GPS-map. Despite its price, F200 is a drone with HD camera and you can connect to Shadow Hex via Wi-Fi by using your iPhone or Android.
Simply attach your phone to the remote controller. This drone can return to the launch point on autopilot from a distance of up to 500 meters and follow the routes you’ve set on your phone’s GPS-map. This is the best beginner drone with camera and GPS for teens who like to take selfies and racing fans.
It has a single-button launch/landing function, altitude retention, and a smart flight stabilization mode.
- Read more about the best drones under 200 dollars.
8. DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
Mavic 2 Zoom introduces new scaling functions to the best photography drones. It has a 24-48mm zoom lens with 2x optical and 2x digital zoom, offering more flexibility to photographers and moviemakers when it comes to cropping.
It also has a modern QuickShot feature with creative flight modes. The drone comes with expanded tracking capabilities, a hybrid Zoom AF that boosts the autofocus speed by 40% with more accuracy.
This DJI drone is equipped with a professional level Zoom camera system with a 1/2.3-inch 12MP CMOS sensor. You can stitch several enlarged shots together to receive a single 48-megapixel wide-angle image.
The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is a great drone with long flight duration, smooth 4K video, and plenty of automatic shooting modes paired with 12-megapixel RAW and JPG visualization. Obstacle detection, reliable GPS, and automatic redeployment make it one of the safest choices for pilot-enthusiasts and a candidate for the best drone for photography title.
- View more about real estate aerial photography.
9. Skydio R1
The object tracking and collision avoidance systems are the key features of this drone. R1 is supplied with two cameras on each angle, two facing upwards, two facing downwards, and the main frontal 4K camera, which put together give the 256-core NVIDIA TX1 processor a complete view of the surroundings.
The processor that powers the drone works on the same principle as those included in cars with automatic controls. This drone uses data to build a detailed 3D map of its surroundings and even predict the object’s movement to take the best possible shot while avoiding all possible obstacles.
The tracking is done using a self-teaching AI – the camera recognizes shapes and colors of certain objects and is supported by your phone’s GPS along with its own.
The videos are recorded onto a 64GB disc and you can receive them straight from the app. This is the best automatic drone that takes pictures with an autonomous tracking system.
- Read more about the birds eye view photography.
10. Yuneec Mantis Q
Mantis Q is a small, unmanned aerial vehicle with voice controls. The camera has several modes: 4:3 (4160x3120) and 16:9 (4800x2700). Thanks to the new voice control function, users can operate Mantis Q hands-free.
Voice controls allow you to take photos or start recording videos without taking your hands off the controls, which makes taking the perfect shot a lot easier. You can also control the drone remotely using your smartphone or gestures, and the system is capable of detecting faces.
Thanks to its portability, ease of use, and amazing flight duration, Mantis Q is one of the best drones for beginners and travelers.
How to Choose the Best Drone with a Camera?
Purpose. Determine the primary purpose for which you'll be using the drone. Are you a professional photographer or videographer, or do you plan to use it for recreational purposes? Different drones cater to various skill levels and specific applications.
Camera Quality. Assess the camera specifications, including resolution, sensor size, image stabilization, and video capabilities. Look for drones with at least 4K video resolution and a stabilized camera for smoother footage.
Flight Time. Consider the drone's flight time, which refers to how long it can stay airborne on a single battery charge. Longer flight times are beneficial for capturing more footage and covering larger areas without interruptions.
Battery Life and Recharge Time. Look for a drone with a decent battery life that aligns with your needs. Moreover, consider the time it takes to recharge the batteries, as longer recharge times may limit your ability to fly the drone frequently.
Range and Control. Evaluate the drone's range, which refers to the maximum distance between the controller and the drone. Ensure that the range is sufficient for your desired applications. Also, check the responsiveness and ease of use of the controller.
Flight Stability and GPS. Look for drones equipped with GPS technology, as it enables better stability, precise hovering, and intelligent flight modes. GPS also helps with return-to-home functionality, ensuring the drone comes back safely.
Top 10 Best Drones with Camera
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
OUR CHOICE |
Check PRICE → | |
 |
GoPro Karma
|
Check PRICE → | |
 |
Parrot Anafi
|
Check PRICE → | |
 |
DJI Inspire 2
PROFESSIONAL |
Check PRICE → | |
 |
Yuneec Q500 Typhoon
|
Check PRICE → | |
 |
Autel Robotics EVO
|
Check PRICE → | |
 |
Force1 F200 Shadow Hex
AFFORDABLE |
Check PRICE → | |
 |
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
|
Check PRICE → | |
 |
Skydio R1
|
Check PRICE → | |
 |
Yuneec Mantis Q
FOR BEGINNERS |
Check PRICE → |
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more
