Drones have definitely changed the world for the better by transforming into a multi-purpose gadget used in different industries today. From photography, real estate, construction, movie-making, and security, drones' purpose has dramatically reduced the trouble of getting aerial snapshots of your subject.
If you’re looking to take your event to the next level, or simply want to improve your videography skills, we’ve listed the best drone cameras you can find in the market as well as their prices. You can also read on to find out how to choose the best one for you with our buying guide reviewed by photographer Kenneth Aballa.
Quick List - Top Drone Cameras
An art director and a freelance photographer who shoots portraits, food, events, and products. Loves taking photos be it digital or film.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
For more detailed information, read through our buying below
Know how do you intend to use the data collected by the drone. Having a purpose for the use of data collected will help you determine the right software to use and which drone to purchase. You'll have to consider which features are most important, such as the video quality, extra stability, and such.
A fixed-wing drone is designed for collecting data and serves commercial purposes such as aerial mapping, inspection, agriculture, construction, security, and surveillance. The drone consists of one rigid wing, taking the shape and design of an airplane. They typically cannot stay in one path and instead glide on a set path.
Single rotor drones are built to be strong and durable and take after the design of actual helicopters wherein they have one big rotor and a small-sized rotor on the tail. They have long flight times and are able to carry heavy payloads, and are mostly used by surveyors and construction professionals who want to lift payloads of up to 40kg.
Multi-rotor drones are the most popular and affordable type of drone. It can be best described as the "eye in the sky" since it is most often used for photography, videography, and surveillance. Both hobbyists and professionals use this type of drone wherein its small size and ready-to-fly features make it user-friendly.
Recognizing your video and image demands will simplify your hardware requirements. Your drone camera will dictate the quality and characteristics of the data collected. A good camera should be supported by powered gimbals that counteract the vibration coming from the propellers.
An exceptional camera should have a 1080 resolution with at least 2 megapixels to yield a decent image or footage. Of course, the sensor size should be considered, but more options are available depending on your needs.
Communication loss happens more often than not while controlling a drone, especially when the user doesn't properly gauge the distance between the drone and the controller. We sometimes see wayward drones crashing on roofs and trees because of inefficient signal transmission between the controller and drone.
In cases like this, an excellently designed drone automatically finds its way to land safely without losing collision detection. Collision avoidance is possible through radio cameras. It enables the drone to maintain obstacle avoidance every time it is airborne, and it's the most reliable system nowadays.
The frequency of use affects the battery life and mechanisms of the drone. You must know how often and how long you will be operating the unit. All rechargeable batteries have a specific charging life cycle, so it's important to know the properties of the built-in battery of the unit.
Your flying climate condition must also be taken into account. Wind and rain are your biggest detractors when trying to fly. Stabilizing your drone in these weather situations can eat up a lot of battery juice. Also, rainwater can seep through the gaps and get into the circuits, which can gradually reduce the drone's efficiency.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | DJI Mini 2 | ![]() | The Best and Most Lightweight Drone for Beginners and Travelers | |
2 | DJI Air 2S | ![]() | A Powerful Drone for Aerial Photography | |
3 | Eachine Quadcopter Drone |E58 | ![]() | Connects to a Mobile App for Easy Viewing and Tracking | |
4 | DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium | ![]() | The Best Luxury Drone for Professional Use | |
5 | Ryze Tech Tello Drone | ![]() | A Great Drone to Introduce Newbies Into the Hobby | |
6 | DJI FPV Combo | ![]() | Designed for Immersive and Dynamic Flying and Racing | |
7 | SYMA Remote Control Quadcopter |X8HG | ![]() | A Budget-Friendly Choice With Great Stability and Decent Camera Resolution | |
8 | KXH Pro Mini Drone 2021 |E99 | ![]() | Equipped With Intelligent Features at an Affordable Price | |
9 | SYMA Foldable Drone with Camera and Video|X56W | ![]() | An Entry-Level Drone With Mobile Phone Cont | |
10 | DJI Mini SE Drone | ![]() | Less Charging and More Flying With This Lightweight Drone |
The compactness and high-quality camera of the Mini 2 are what enthusiasts love about it. It is stunningly light at 249 grams and comes with an equally compact controller that folds so you can easily put it away.
On a single charge, the Mini 2 can fly for 30 minutes and has an extended range of 10 kilometers. Its updated camera cam record 4K videos at 30 frames per second with a useful 2x digital zoom and 12MP images.
You can take smoother shots with its equipped 3-axis motorized gimbal. The Mini 2 is more stable, nimbler, and quieter compared to other models when you finally get the hang of it. For people looking for the best drone for beginners that also want 4K capability, the Mini 2 will be an attractive prospect.
Combining the best qualities of the Mavic Air 2 and Mavic 2 Pro, DJI came up with the Air 2S. This is another compact drone that strikes a balance between size, weight, image quality, and features. The Air 2S is light enough to be carried anywhere and is powerful enough to withstand light winds.
You get the best of both worlds in this product with the folding design of the Mavic Air 2 and the 20MP sensor found on the Mavic 2 Pro. Its ability to shoot 5.4K videos at 30 frames per second is an awesome upgrade that lets you get extra creative, plus a digital zoom option to upscale it further.
The newly improved obstacle-avoidance system should keep the drone from colliding, and its powerful battery can allow it to stay airborne for up to half an hour. In Air 2S, you will have a superb all-purpose flying machine that soars over the mid-range category.
The Eachine E58 Drone has three cameras to offer you, ranging from a resolution of 489p, 720p, and 1080p. It can easily connect to your phone via Wi-Fi, where you can see the world through the drone's 120-degree wide-angle lens perspective.
You're sure not to miss out on any of the good scenery with this drone's flight stability, map function, and high hover ability. Its small fuselage allows for it to have a clever folding body design for easy storage.
Your Eachine Drone will be able to stand the high atmospheric pressure, allowing you to lock its height and position to maintain stable hovering. Shooting from any angle has never been more convenient and easy!
Set a higher standard for aerial photography with the Mavic 3 Cine Premium. It takes professional and stunning shots with its legendary Hasselblad camera that offers 5.1K video resolution and lets you experience the smoothest flight with its omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
The Mavic 3 is a culmination of decades of improvement in aerial photography. It features the Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution, which delivers vivid and natural imagery like no other and keeps it clean in low light with its large sensor size.
This drone is able to sense objects in all directions and lets you enjoy a collision-free flight to help you enjoy your flying time for longer. With the Mavic 3, you are taking your flight experience to a new level with its outstanding image quality and impressive design.
First-time flyers will enjoy handling the Ryze Tello because it is simple and lightweight. Any user will be amazed by its ability to hover in place and perform some automated tricks courtesy of its programming. It has downward-facing light sensors and a decent battery life that could last up to 13 minutes.
If you're wondering about the image quality it creates, the 5MP camera has a limited dynamic range and compression when streaming 720p videos. It sends a live feed into your mobile device, where a connection issue might occur without warning.
Piloting the Tello is a delight because of its straightforward app that has an on-screen stick controller, which is surprisingly responsive. All in all, the Tello is a fun drone to play around with on a calm sunny day and a great way to introduce yourself to this hobby.
This drone is the best there is when it comes to first-person view flying, especially with its unique combination of a speed racing drone and the features of the Mavic series. If you are an adventurous flier, you will definitely enjoy the three flight modes with speeds topping at 140kph.
Shooting impressive 4K videos or 1080p quality in a slow-mo 120 frames per second is possible because of its electronic image stabilization. Like any other drone, there is a learning curve when controlling the device, but you are guaranteed to experience the best FPV flying there is.
Now, you can feel the thrill and the sensation of soaring through the air with the inclusion of a headset. You can easily share this experience with your friends by pairing other DJI FV Goggles to your aircraft channel.
The SYMA Remote Control Quadcopter is an affordable choice that features the latest 6-axis flight control system as well as a 3D lock, allowing you to have a more stabilized flight while capturing images with its X8HG HD camera.
This drone features a Headless Mode wherein you don’t need to recognize the position of the aircraft’s headpiece, you can just easily control the direction of the aircraft with the remote control’s operating rod.
Its 360-degree eversion performs perfectly as you access continuous roll shots for your videos and full circle images. Overall, this SYMA drone is a great choice with decent features that won’t break the bank.
The E99 Pro Mini Drone features dual camera options with wide angles and a range of resolutions from 720P to 4K so that you get the high-definition images you want without breaking the bank.
For such an affordable price, you wouldn’t expect this drone to come with a wireless function, but it can easily connect to the APK system to transmit photos and videos in real-time to your phone.
This drone offers a hassle-free take-off with its a headless mode, where you don’t need to adjust the position of the plane before flying. You can also easily automate your drone to find its way home with just one click of the button.
The Syma X56W is equipped with a 6-axis gyro as well as an altitude hold function which makes it the perfect drone for beginners. Furnished with a lot of user-friendly features such as one key take-off and landing, headless mode, and G-sensor mode, it guarantees a safe flight for newcomers.
Easily connect this droid with your phone so you can make use of its track-controlled function where you can draw its flight destination with your smartphone. You can also experience real-time transmission to your phone when you take pictures and videos with its HD camera.
The lightweight build and foldable arm allow for portability, so it’s hassle-free to bring to places as well as to store. If you’re looking for a great entry-level drone with great features that come at an affordable price, the Syma X56W is definitely for you.
If you hate carrying around a heavy drone, you might take a liking to this lightweight unit that weighs as much as your smartphone. Weighing under 249 grams, this mini drone can maintain an amazing HD video feed at a control range of 4 kilometers.
This unit supports 2.7K Quad HD videos to deliver ultra-smooth and super camera footage and also features a 3-axis motorized gimbal that provides great stability for clear photoshoots.
You know you can always rely on DJI products to do a great job, especially because the app offers a simple and intuitive user interface for you to get good fast. With 30 minutes of flying time, you will definitely always have something to look forward to when planning your next aerial shoot.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Many drone cameras offer digital zoom features wherein the image quality is affected whenever it is sized down. Only a few drones offer an optical zoom option wherein a good zoom lens can give up to 2x optical zoom.
It is best to secure an open area for you to practice. If there is a backyard available to you, this is one of the first places that is best to practice your drone. Once you're comfortable flying your drone, you can practice it in an open area ranging up to 50 feet.
If you're trying to get serious on your hobby as a photographer, you might need a few items from your checklist. Why don't you click on links below to find the best products to tick out from your list.
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Author: Chafi Lacson
Re-Editor: Andi Sanchez
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: DJI|Mini 2
No. 2: DJI|Air 2S
No. 3: Eachine|Quadcopter Drone |E58
No. 4: DJI|Mavic 3 Cine Premium
No. 5: Ryze Tech|Tello Drone
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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