Best 4K Drone
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Would you like to have the best 4K drone to record breathtaking videos in high resolution? In this article, I will review top 10 modern 4K drones for any purposes and for any budget, ranging from $300 to $3000.
What Is the Best 4K Drone?
If you need professional drones for commercial use, traveling, reportages, you should buy a flying drone with 4K camera. It provides a stable video with contrast dynamics and enhanced colors, and without loss of quality.
The majority of drones with 4K camera supports HDR, which improves contrast and color. It will make your video breathtaking and of high-quality. Look though these top 10 best drones on the market for any budget and purpose.
Best 4K Drones in 2024
I tested many drones with a 4k camera designed by famous and unknown brands and have chosen top 10 good and durable 4K drones.
1. DJI Mavic Air
Mavic Air is the best portable drone with a 4K camera I’ve ever used before. Its 3-axis drone camera system shoots professional 4K videos at the speed of 30 frames per second, recording at 100 megabytes per second.
Its 12-megapixel shots look detailed and contrasting thanks to new HDR algorithms for intelligent exposure settings. Four styles of panoramic images are available: the drone shoots a series of images at different angles that will join together for a seamless widescreen image.
The Air can be controlled by gestures or your mobile phone. Flying with the controller lets you fly up to 4 km at a max speed of 42 miles per hour for about 21 minutes. Obstacle avoidance sensors and autonomous tracking modes are definite advantages of this model.
- Read more about the best drone for real estate photography.
2. DJI Phantom 4 Pro Plus
DJI Phantom 4 Pro+, like all professional drones, offers an advanced video processing system and a powerful 3-axis stabilized camera to record DCI 4K video at up to 60 frames per second and 20MP photography.
It has 5 autonomous flight modes and an advanced control system using camera, vision sensors, infrared sensor system, GPS, ultrasonic range finders and compasses. Besides, this model is characterized by powerful computing cores for a reliable flight with accurate obstacle detection in 5 directions.
Excellent detailization is provided thanks to video transfer speeds of up to 60 Mbps and support for JPEG and DNG (RAW) formats. Drone Phantom 4 Pro Plus is the first choice of drones with camera and GPS both for professional aerial photographers and hobbyists due to the camera specifications, a simple and convenient obstacle management, detection system, and a decent flight range of up to 5 km.
- Check out what is the best drone for photography.
3. DJI Inspire 2
This is the best drone for video of premium class that features stabilized suspensions for Zenmuse X5S and X7 cameras with interchangeable lens support. CineCore 2.1 technology supports continuous series, 5.2K video recording and 20 MP images, streaming 4K video at 100 Mbit/s.
It is possible to work with two cameras simultaneously for better interaction between the pilot and the videographer. The speed is increased to 67 mph with fast acceleration and the range is extended to 7000 m.
The device may be used indoors due to the redundancy of sensors and two directions of obstacle avoidance. The full-featured app, stand-alone flight modes and controller make this video drone easy to control.
It is a professional radio controlled drone with camera compatible with FPV goggles. Aluminum-magnesium alloy body makes it weather-and shock-resistant. 2 intelligent batteries provide flight up to 27 minutes, and self-heating technology lets you fly at low temperatures.
- View more about aerial photography drones.
4. Yuneec Typhoon H Pro
The hexacopter system is well implemented due to the fact that it requires 5 out of 6 rotors to work. If a malfunction is detected, the flight will be automatically interrupted and the drone itself will go to the take-off position within a coverage radius of 1600 m. The three-axis anti-vibration camera records ultra-stable 4k UHD video, bright 12.4MP images and can rotate with an unlimited range of motion at 360°.
It lets you stay in the air when the rotor fails, and the intelligent collision detection software provides powerful, stable and safe flight times of up to 22 minutes. The device features GPS, provides 8 autonomous flight modes with automatic return home, takeoff and landing.
Aside from the necessary accessories (charger), Typhoon H Pro comes with a backpack, an additional battery for long flights and an all-in-one controller with a built-in 7-inch touch screen.
- View more about the best beginner drones.
5. Parrot Anafi
Parrot firmly belongs to the top 10 drone manufacturers list thanks to its drones with cameras Anafi. This lightweight drone seems fragile but its frame is fabricated of carbon fiber.
A 4K HDR camera with 3-axis stabilizer vertically tilts 180 degrees for different angles. It impresses users with a 2.8-fold optical zoom lens without loss of image quality. The device folds quickly and almost to pocket size.
A powerful quad-core processor and a special software bring a lot of possibilities to the platform, but several offline flight modes are paid and locked, making your drone kit more expensive. Anafi is capable of accelerating up to 33 miles per hour and provide 25 minutes of flight time.
Basic safety functions are included due to the antenna system. Anafi features GPS and will automatically return to the take-off point, if it loses communication with the foldable remote control. Downward sensors help it stay steady when hovering, but it falls short of obstacle detection. Charging is possible with a USB-C cable, which is convenient for traveling.
- View the best drones under 100 dollars.
6. Autel Robotics X-star Premium
With a bright coating of high-strength plastic, it is the best drone you can buy if you are a beginner. The device can be used as an internal drone, because it is safe both indoors and outdoors thanks to modern flight control functions, dual-satellite navigation system with GPS.
High-quality images without noise are obtained due to a stabilized camera with a 3-axis gimbal and a steady operating system. The video is recorded in 4K up to 40 frames per second using a 12MP camera with 108-degree viewing angle and live HD video.
You may also record slow-motion videos at 720p. This mini drone with camera offers a stunning built-in image transmission so you may control a flight lasting up to 25 minutes at a maximum speed of 36 miles per hour.
The included controller is capable of operating in the range up to 2000 m, and its function keys are intuitive for those who encountered aerial photography for the first time.
- Check out the best drones under 200 dollars.
7. UPair One Plus
This large drone uses brushless motors and you may choose from a variety of camera options. One 4K Plus is notable for a real-time WI-FI transmitter, 16MP panoramic HD camera. It is capable of recording 4K videos and providing live 480p streaming.
The manufacturer guarantees increased accuracy thanks to the GPS+ system. Basic flight modes and features, such as altitude hold, "Return home" or "Follow me", allow amateur users to pilot. The model features an intuitive controller with a large 7-inch screen with FPV function and real-time viewing, as well as a battery for a flight time of 19 minutes and a range of 600m.
In general, it is a decent, inexpensive remote control drone with4K camera and good performance. I highly suggest it to those beginners who are on the lookout for a cheap drone with camera.
- Read more about the best drones with camera.
8. Yuneec Breeze
Breeze series are small, lightweight and cheap drones that inherit the features of the popular Yuneec Typhoon line. These drones are compact and have an excellent folding camera with a digital stabilizer.
The Yuneec Breeze has 4K quality at 30 FPS. However, you can get smooth frames at a lower resolution. The 13MP camera can turn up or down. This is the best drone with camera for close flights.
Breeze offers 5 autonomous flight modes, GPS including indoors. Despite the fact that it looks fragile, it is durable. The manufacturer did not set the best flight time of drones of 12 minutes on the battery and the flight range up to 80 meters to reduce the risk of failure or loss of the drone, as there is no protection against obstacles.
- Read more about drone wedding photography.
9. Walkera Vitus
This lightweight mini-drone with HD camera looks quite aggressive, but its performance is effective. The Walkera Vitus has an excellent Sony 12-megapixel camera, records 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 60 fps.
A wide-angle lens with an 85° viewing angle and ultra-low distortion helps preserve the original details and gives very clear and saturated aerial shots. This 4K drone comes with a miniature 3-axis stabilizer joint for accurate shooting.
It also has a collision avoidance system and 3 high-precision sensors that detect obstacles at a distance of 7 meters, so no wonder experts call it the best drone for filmmaking in challenging shooting conditions. It supports dual-mode global positioning satellite system.
This portable drone has an exceptional design. You can fold the quadcopter arms, landing gear, and propeller blades. It offers a flight time of 22 minutes with a range of up to 1.5 kilometers, which makes it suitable not only for shooting and traveling but also for racing.
10. 3DRobotics Solo
If you have a GoPro Hero 4 and higher, then it will save you from buying a drone with camera as GoPro is a good 4K professional drone camera. 3DRSolo is specifically designed for aerial photography and has a number of autonomous flight modes.
As soon as a new version of GoPro comes out, all you need to do is replace the old version of the camera. The Solo has two 1-GHz Cortex computers in the controller and aboard the drone. They process all high-level flight scenarios, freeing the autopilot to focus on keeping the device in the air.
This configuration makes the drone reliable with less likelihood of freezing the firmware. Impressive range of flight options can satisfy even experienced pilots, who use manual control.
It has a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour with a flight time of 20 minutes. In general, it is a durable, reliable and good drone to buy for everyone: owners of professional cameras and beginners.
Top 10 Best 4K Drones
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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DJI Mavic Air
OUR CHOICE |
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DJI Phantom 4 ProPlus
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DJI Inspire 2
PROFESSIONAL |
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YuneecTyphoon H Pro
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Parrot Anafi
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Autel Robotics X-star Premium
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Check PRICE → | |
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UPair One Plus
AFFORDABLE |
Check PRICE → | |
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YuneecBreeze
FOR BEGINNERS |
Check PRICE → | |
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WalkeraVitus
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Check PRICE → | |
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3D RoboticsSolo
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Check PRICE → |
How to Choose a 4K Drone?
Most of the presented drones have simple control functions. Thanks to this, it is easy to fly and take pictures. But you have to be realistic and understand that if you plan to take simple selfies against the mountains, then you should take something cheaper and smaller.
More serious drones with camera for aerial photography in difficult conditions and at high speed will cost more. So, the choice should be taken reasonably. I have prepared the list of the most important parameters that you must focus on when buying the best 4K drone.
4K Camera
When we talk about the best video drones, we mean the characteristics of their 4K camera which all options in my list have. When choosing a camera, pay attention to:
The number of megapixels: the higher the resolution, the better the detail and the wider possibilities for photo/video processing without losing the original quality. 12MP is enough but if there is more, it will only help.
FPS: for recording dynamic videos, high-speed FPS is important because the resulting footage will be smooth and natural. A speed of 60 to 100 FPS is pleasant to our eyes.
Suspension stabilizer or a prop shaft: for a stable image without vibration. The suspension of the best drone for video may be biaxial or larger. It provides greater image stability during flight.
HDR or high dynamic range: HDR cameras have a wider range of colors and contrast. Additional information is recorded and it will be decoded during playback, for example, on a 4K TV-set.
Digital zoom will zoom in inaccessible objects. It is useful when creating ultra-wide images from multiple combined frames. Professional cameramen and photographers may need interchangeable lenses.
Flight Performance
It is related to the question of what are drones used for. For example, for taking photographs of large landscapes in FPV, a large range is practically and creatively necessary:
Flight time: a good result is about 20 minutes. But it can vary depending on the intensity of use, conditions, and battery capacity.
Distance or flight range: it means how far the camera can be from the pilot without a sudden loss of signal. It depends on transmitter power, controller, global positioning system using GPS satellites, and weather conditions.
Speed: Can the drone follow the fast target? Lots of new drones have a sport or racing mode where speed can reach its maximum. The higher speed is, the more dynamic shooting with the possibility of following is, for example, behind the car.
Build Quality and Design
Since not all people are good pilots, the first thing that can happen after a drone takes off is hitting some obstacles. A flying drone with camera must have a sturdy construction, such as carbon fiber and light alloy instead of plastic, propeller fencing, and reinforced frame elements.
There is always a risk of depending on the environment and its conditions, so the weight and size of the best drone on the market are of great importance. Many quadcopters are folded up, which makes them easy to transport, and some have additional rotors. So if one fails, the drone can continue flying or make an emergency landing.
Autonomous Flight Modes
There are lots of autonomous flight modes available to improve the shooting experience and allow beginners to concentrate on the shooting process more, rather than on piloting:
Obstacle detection/avoiding: thanks to various sensors, the remote control drone with camera can detect obstacles, such as trees, walls. The drone can avoid the obstacle automatically, following the laid algorithm, or it warns a pilot. This is a useful feature that can work independently of the rest, but you should not rely only on it.
Orbit/POI (point of interest): in orbit mode, a drone rotates around a specific object specified by the user.
Route Point: users can assign a trajectory or route for their drone instead of flying a drone manually.
Follow me: with this feature, users can command the best 4K drone to follow the pilot's controller without having to drive.
Auto return home/ to the take-off point: in case of a signal loss or malfunction, when the drone retains its ability to fly, it returns to its taking-off position.
FAQ
- • Are there any limitations or challenges to flying 4K drones?
4K drones have increased power consumption, which can lead to shorter flight times compared to lower-resolution drones. Additionally, the high data rates generated by 4K video can strain both the drone's onboard processing capabilities and the pilot's equipment for live streaming or real-time monitoring.
- • What legal restrictions or regulations for flying 4K drones should I consider?
When flying 4K drones, you should obtain the necessary permits or licenses to operate a drone for commercial purposes, respect no-fly zones near airports or sensitive areas, adhere to altitude limits set by aviation authorities, and ensure compliance with privacy laws when capturing footage in public spaces or near private properties. It's important to research and follow the specific regulations in your country or region to ensure safe and lawful drone operations.
- • What are the advantages of shooting in 4K if the final content will be displayed in lower resolutions?
The higher resolution has more detail, providing room for cropping, zooming, and stabilization in post-production, resulting in a visually sharper and more professional final product even when downscaled. Besides, shooting in 4K future-proofs your content, as it ensures compatibility with higher-resolution displays that may become more common in the future.
