Drones with Cameras for All Budgets 2020
Updated:
Drones with cameras have revolutionized the field of aerial photography. We list here the best drone sellers on the market with a particular emphasis on trusted, USA based sellers.
Want to keep your budget below $300, we suggest you choose one of the Altair drones we recommend. Altair is a great company out of Nebraska and they provide top notch customer service!
Check This List for Budget Choices
- Camera:720P
- Range:150 Meters
- Time:15 Minutes
- Camera:720P
- Range:100 Meters
- Time:10 Minutes
- Camera:Full HD
- Range:600+ Meters
- Time:18 Minutes
- Camera:1080P Realtime FPV
- Range:150 Meters
- Time:12 Minutes
Check This List for Pro – $$$ Choices
Altair 818 Hornet Quadcopter – #1 Ranked Hobby Drone With Camera
Click here to See it On Amazon! or you can get fast and free shipping from the manufacturer’s website at AltairAerial.com.
The 818 Hornet is a new drone on the market that has some fantastic specifications backed up by a US Based company in Nebraska. I spoke to the founder Matt Cookson when reviewing another one of their terrific drones (more on that later) and he told me that customer service is ther #1 priority!
Additionally, the 818 Hornet comes with a wide-angle 720p HD camera that works for both drone photography and videography. We’ve used the camera ourselves and it looks very good. Not good enough to compete with the DJI line, sure, but much better than the vast majority of middle-of-the-road hobby drones.
It also can get 15 minutes of flight time off a single battery – and it comes with two! That amount of flight time is almost unheard of at the hobbyist level, especially in a drone that also has a lot of technical features and a camera. It also has a 150 meter flight range and can hold real-time FPV for up to 60 meters.
If you’re looking for the perfect drone at the hobbyist level, you really can’t go wrong with any Altair offering. The U818 Plus is, as the “Plus” implies, a technical step up perfect for those with more of an interest in aerial photography.
The following is a list of the specifications:
- 3 Flight Skill Levels – for starter up to advanced users.
- 150 meter range
- 60 meter real-time FPV range when using the included app
- 15 minute flight time
- Headless Mode for easy flight.
- Altitude Hold Function – the drone holds its position in the air even if you let off the controls.
- 720P Wide-angle HD Camera
Pros:
- The Custom Route Mode, Altitude Hold, Headless Mode, and 1-Key Takeoff/Landing make this drone very easy for rookies to fly.
- 15 minutes of flight time off of a single battery
- FPV camera and app lets you attach a VR headset to feel like you’re actually flying.
Cons:
- Slightly unweildy and doesn’t come with a carrying case
- You have to buy extra batteries.
Altair Aerial Falcon Drone
Click here to See it On Amazon! or you can get fast and free shipping from the manufacturer’s website at AltairAerial.com.
The Falcon with AHP can be easily compared to any of the drones on this list and for a fraction of the price and you won’t be missing out on any features.
The Altair Falcon comes equipped with an HD 720p camera that captures both stunning photos and videos. Plus, you get an incredible autonomous hovering & positioning system which keeps your drone hovering in place, even if your hands were to come off the controller. This allows for you to get the most stable of footage and you don’t have to worry about losing control of the drone.
Another thing that the Falcon comes with that you don’t see with very many drones is that you get an extra battery, for free. This allows you to fly for double the amount of time for a total of about 20 minutes. This extra time is great for practicing your flying skills and getting even more great footage with your drone.
Pilots will also enjoy the custom route mapping where they can set waypoints and the drone will follow them. Allow your creativity to take flight with this feature and see what cool images you can get using this feature!
Listed below are the specs:
– Autonomous Hover & Positioning System
– 720p live video and still photography camera
– 120-degree viewing angle
– Free extra battery
– Custom flight routing
– Headless mode
– Altitude hold
– One-key takeoff
Overall you can’t go wrong if you’re looking for in the toy drone section with something for a camera to play with. The HD 720p camera takes great video and pictures. The price is right at under $130.00 amazon, and really the customer service is the kicker. No other drone company we’ve spoken to has displayed such dedication to making sure their customers are happy.
Email Altair Inc at help@altairaerial.com
The Outlaw SE Drone
Click here to See it On Amazon! or you can get fast and free shipping from the manufacturer’s website at AltairAerial.com.
The Altair Aerial Outlaw SE Drone is one of the best GPS drones around and the absolute best that you can find for under $300. Thanks to the stabilization features in GPS flight mode, this drone will keep itself hovering in midair at whatever place you choose for it to go, making it easy to line up the perfect shot for your photo or video camera. Another awesome GPS feature of the Outlaw Se is that it allows you to set waypoints in your drone app andt he drone will then fly to those waypoints. Plus, you won’t want to miss trying out the follow-me mode. This mode tells your drone to follow you and your path during flight. It also has a 600 meter flight range and a flight time of nearly 20 minutes, which is great for aerial photographers who need time for a longer shoot. If you want high definition, pro-quality photography at a price that won’t break the bank, the Outlaw is the choice for you!
The following is a list of features for the Altair Aerial Outlaw SE Drone:
- Built-in 1080p wide-angle camera
- Brushless motors for quiet operation (ideal for video)
- 18 minute flight time
- 600 meter range
- 500+ meter FPV video range
- 6-axis gyro
- Follow-me mode
- GPS flight hold mode for ultimate stabilization
The Best Rated Professional Drones with Cameras of 2019
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Read Reviews About DJI Mavic 2 Pro
The Mavic 2 Pro by DJI has finally been released, and boy, are we excited about it. With up to 31 minutes of flight time, there’s a ton of stuff you do can, especially when you think about the fact that it has a maximum transmission range of up to 8 miles. You can also use both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz transmission frequencies, as well.
Not only that, but you’re also getting the 4K UHD camera that uses HNCS technology, has a 1” CMOS sensor, and is stabilized with the new, ultra precise 3-axis gimbal. To tie it all together, you’re able to reach speeds of up to 44 mph.
The following is a list of the specifications:
- Uses a powerful LiPo battery
- Weighs 907 grams
- 3-axis gyro
Pros:
- Has 8 GB of internal, onboard storage for your footage in case you forget a MicroSD card
- Uses a total of 10 sensors on all sides of the drone for the purpose of automatically detecting obstacles
- Comes equipped with the new propulsion system that uses propellers that have a significant reduction in noise compared to the previous version, perfect for videos
Cons:
- The battery, at this time of writing, is sort of unclear
DJI Phantom 4
Read Reviews About DJI Phantom 4
This quadcopter for sale packs quite a punch. The battery allows for up to 28 minutes of flying with a very reasonable recharge time. In fact, this top rated drone can last for up to 5 kilometers, which is pretty decent. The outdoors positioning module consists of both GPS and GLONASS for better accuracy and stability when in the air, with a top speed of 45mph.
The onboard camera captures videos in 4K resolution at 30fps, as well as slow motion at 1080p for 120fps. It also has some incredible features, such as the Vision Positioning System, for example, which provides a reliable, safer flight both indoors and outside.
The following is a list of the specifications:
-
- 5350mAh battery
- hour charge time
- Weighs 8.8 pounds
- 12.8”x8.66”x14.96”
- 6-axis gyro
- 4 channels
Pros:
- One-touch controls
- Multiple modes for different areas of flying
- Features that make flight easier and more accurate
Cons:
- Issues with it being crash-proof as advertised
- Longer setup time that requires additional tigqhtening when compared to other models, such as the Phantom 3
DJI Phantom 3 Professional Review
Read Reviews About DJI Phantom 3 Professional
The Phantom 3 Pro boasts approximately 23 minutes of flight time, comes with 4K video resolution and 12MP still photos, both at 30fps. The operating range is 2,000 meters, which is very decent for a drone of this type, being one that is made for aerial photography.
This one sports multiple features that aid with getting the best shots, including GPS-assisted hovering through GPS and GLONASS. You also get Return to Home, Point of Interest, Ground Station, Follow Me, and more.
The following is a list of the specifications:
- 4480mAh battery
- 1 hour charge time
- Weighs 9.2 pounds
- 18”x13”x8”
- 6-axis gyro
- 8 channels
Pros:
- An affordable drone considering what it brings to the table
- Easily controlled
- Has a very stable system that makes flying easier
Cons:
- With videos, you will sometimes see the wings of the craft, which can be problematic for some
- Can be very stubborn in cold temperatures, so the batteries may need to be warmed up beforehand
DJI Inspire 2 Review
Read Reviews About DJI Inspire 2
The DJI Inspire 2 is leaps and bounds better than it’s brother, the first Inspire, and includes revamped features. The flight time is approximately 27 minutes, which is quite impressive. The operating range is approximately 7,000 meters, which is something rarely seen in other drones.
The video resolution is an extraordinary 5.2K RAW, which can later be converted to 4K if need be, with 30MP still photos. Spotlight Pro, Quick mode, Composition mode, Point of Interest, Waypoint, and QuickSpin are just a few of the many features available.
The following is a list of the specifications:
- 4280mAh battery
- 1 hour and 30 minute charge time
- Weighs 7.2 pounds
- 48cmx47cmx32cm
- 6-axis gyro
- 8 channels
Pros:
- Handy Apple ProRes Codec integration
- A very improved drone when compared to the first
- Comes with multiple safety features
Cons:
- Can ruin “flyby” shots because of the obstacle avoidance system
- Focusing has yet to be improved
- Very high price, close to $3k
DJI Mavic Air Review
Read Reviews About DJI Mavic Air
Is the Mavic Air better than the Mavic 2? Not really, but you’re asking the wrong question. The Mavic 2 is an extremely expensive, feature-packed professional camera drone catering to the discerning working photographer. The Mavic Air is a wonderful 700 dollar camera drone that anyone – from first-time fliers to experienced pilots – can enjoy.
With a 21 minute flight time, a foldable compact design, and a 10 kilometer flight range, this drone has all the stats a serious pilot needs. The 4K Ultra HD camera with HDR photography, an 85 degree field of view, and 32 Megapixel still images is nothing to sneeze at either.
At that point, the advanced obstacle avoidance systems and SmartCapture features are just icing on the cake. But these high-tech features also make the drone extremely accessible to newer pilots who may not know how best to handle their first photography drone. So if you want the power of a Mavic 2 with a less frightening price and intimidating feature set, the Mavic Air is an excellent choice.
The following is a list of the specifications:
- 2375 mAh
- 55 minute charge time
- Weighs 430 grams
- 168mm × 184mm × 64mm folded dimensions (168mm × 83mm × 49mm unfolded)
- 3-axis gimbal
Pros:
- Scads of high-tech features including advanced obstacle avoidance
- Great camera capabilities and quality
- Extremely compact and portable
- One of the best-selling and most popular pro camera drones of this year
Cons:
- Camera is not quite as good as the Mavic Pro or Mavic 2
- Somewhat disappointing video transmission range
Yuneec Typhoon H – Drone with HD Camera
Read Drone Reviews About Yuneec Typhoon H
The Yuneec Typhoon H presents a next generation step forward in terms of aerial photography. It comes with a 360-degree anti-vibration gimbal and landing gear that retracts for the purpose of taking 360-degree filming and photography. Paired with 12MP stills and 4K ultra HD resolution recording, it’s one heck of a HD camera drone.
It features 8 smart flight modes, auto takeoff, auto landing, and an automatic return to home feature when the battery gets too low. The 5-rotor fail-safe and 6-rotor safety measures ensure that crashes are avoided as much as possible, especially with the ultrasonic collision prevention system.
The following is a list of the specifications:
- 5400mAh battery
- 2 hour charge time
- Weighs 12 pounds
- 21.2”x17”x12.5”
- 3-axis gimbal
- 16 channels
Pros:
- Propellers fold down for easy storage and compact needs
- One-touch controls for ease of use
- Obstacle avoidance system
- Robust landing system that’s practically fool proof
Cons:
- It’s made of plastic, so cannot withstand a large or multiple small crashes
- Very large landing gear
Yuneec Q500+ Typhoon
Read Drone Reviews About Yuneec Q500+ Typhoon
Though there are quite a few cons to this drone, which you will see in a minute, the Yuneec Q500+ makes up for it with the camera specs. This is the perfect drone for someone who cares more about the camera than the drone itself. You get 16MP stills and 1080p full HD video resolution that can be adjusted to 48, 50, or 60fps.
This drone with a HD camera includes a custom case, a 5.5” tablet display, and an onboard microphone. You also get a 5.8GHz integrated download link for the purpose of streaming and viewing your flight on the Personal Ground Station, your transmitter, which pairs well with the ProAction SteadyGrip capability.
You also get 25 minutes of flying, which is pretty decent when you look at the amount of time it takes to charge for a full battery. While there are limited features, the ones you do get are pretty useful where aerial photography is concerned. You get Smart mode, Angle mode, Home mode, Follow Me and Return to Home.
The following is a list of the specifications:
- 5400mAh battery
- 1 hour and 20 minute charge time
- Weighs 2.5 pounds
- 22.2”x16.5”x9.4”
- 3-axis gimbal
- 10 channels
Pros:
- The streaming quality to a phone or tablet is pretty decent and doesn’t lag too badly
- Does not require a separate smart device, although you can use one if you wish
- The camera is pretty impressive compared to everything else, considering it’s the main focus
- There is a Personal Ground Station capability that’s basically all-in-one
Cons:
- It’s a large drone, so the speed is affected
- The transmitter is a bulky size, bad for smaller hands
- Setting up Follow Me usually takes more than one try
- Waypoint navigation is not supported
- Changing positions in the air is not possible, meaning getting a response from the air is not supported and must be done while the drone is on the ground
Choosing the Best Drone for Photography
If you have the money to spend on the biggest and baddest camera drone out there, feel free to do so. First, however, you should take into consideration what specifications of drone photography have to offer. Understanding the specs of what makes a drone good for aerial photography is the first step to understanding which drone is best for you.
For beginners, starting with a drone that is less expensive than others does not necessarily mean they won’t shoot quality videos and pictures. Instead of looking solely at the price, looking into multiple drone aspects that make personal drones with cameras what they are, start at the specs.
Drones with HD Cameras: Understanding Drone Photography Specifications
Camera and video resolution is a great area to start with. The frame rate is related to the total number of frames placed in a sequence in order to produce a moving image. The higher the frame rate, the more pictures you’ll get.
A standard drone will have 24 fps, 30 fps, 48 fps, 60 fps, and even as high as 120 fps. For example, if a drone has a frame rate of 30, that totals to 30 still, single pictures. It’s measured as FPS, also known as ‘Frames Per Second’. The more frames per second a drone boasts, the better your footage will be.
Where resolution is concerned, you will have a number of options. Here are some of the most common options available, listed in order from highest to lowest quality, for aerial photography drones:
- 4K UHD
- 4K
- 1080p HD
- 1080p
- 720p HD
- 720p
- 480p
Megapixels, or ‘MP’, play a large role in how your photos are going to turn out. A megapixel is comprised of 1 million pixels, which act as a mosaic that create your photographs.
The amount of megapixels that photography drones have gives you an idea of what your photographs will be like image-wise. Some drones have as little as 2 MP, while others have as many as 100 MP.
In short, the higher the megapixel count a drone camera has, the better your still photographs are going to come out.
Stabilization plays a major role in how a drone flies, how well photos and videos turn out, etc. For starters, certain features, such as Altitude Hold, give you the edge you need for the best aerial photography outcome.
Altitude Hold allows a drone to maintain a consistent altitude by analyzing the pressure data further provided by a drone’s barometric pressure sensor. If a drone has an ultrasonic sensor, this is also used with Altitude Hold. This feature ensures even a small drone with camera will be able to hold itself in place while you snap some shots or record a video.
Your chances of getting the best footage is drastically increased with a gimbal, too. A drone gimbal is made of rings pivoted at the proper angles surrounding a drone’s camera to keep it steady during flight. They make it possible to achieve crystal clear images and videos. The most common gimbal systems are 2-axis and 3-axis gimbals.
FPV, or ‘First Person View’, drones give you the best possible experience imaginable, giving you a front seat to the action. FPV works by having a camera mounted on the drone, broadcasting a live video stream to the drone’s transmitter, FPV goggles, or a smart device. You’re able to fly more precisely and gain better shots with an eye in the sky than you normally would from your view from just the ground.
This is where video transmission frequency comes into play. The higher your frequency, the higher quality of images you’ll get but with a lower range or distance. The lower your frequency, the lower quality of imagines you’ll get but with a high range.
The most common video transmission frequency you’ll see is 2.4GHz. The others are 900MHz, 1.3GHz and 5.8GHz. 900MHz is a low quality with a high range, while 5.8GHz is higher quality but with a lower amount of range.
Customizing Your Drone
There are ways you can further customize your drone in order to enhance it as much as possible. Though the best drones for the money are aplenty, there is much you can do to boost your quality photography outcome.
Adding an action camera, such as a GoPro, for example, boosts your chances of higher quality aerial photography. These types of cameras are compatible with drones that allow for an action camera to be mounted, check to make sure you can do so before moving forward. Take a look at what we think are the Best Drones for GoPro.
If a drone doesn’t come with a gimbal and that’s the one you want the most, do some basic research to see whether or not you can purchase a separate gimbal and mount it. Aerial photography is much more difficult without a gimbal. It will ruin your chances of coming out with decent footage, so always opt for a drone with a gimbal or one you can purchase one for separately.
For FPV drones, adding a set of goggles will take your footage a long way in the right direction. Using your smart device or the transmitter’s screen work well, but adding a pair of FPV goggles or a headset into the mix makes it better. It’s an extremely immersive experience that gives you the edge you need to get the highest quality of footage.
The Future of Drone Photography
Drone photography has exploded over a very short time period. The use of helicopters, planes, and blimps are quickly being replaced by the use of drones. After all, why go to all the trouble of using a helicopter for aerial photography, when a drone offers so much more quality wise?
Because drones continue to get smaller and faster, are able to fly longer than ever before, and capture higher quality images than any other method seen previously, one thing is for certain – aerial photography will never be the same again.
FAQ About Our Top Rated Camera Drones
Now we move onto some of the questions that are frequently asked about these drones.
Does every drone with a camera take pictures and film?
No, not exactly. If a camera has a drone then, yes, it takes pictures, but some do not always have video capabilities. If you are looking for one that has both then ensure you find the answer before you make your purchase.
How do I get and save pictures and video from the drone?
There are two answers to this question. First, a lot of drones either come with or a require an SD card for the purpose of saving and storing pictures and footage from all flights, which will be uploaded onto a laptop or PC. Second, some use applications that save and store both photos and videos, which can be watched and shared directly from it.
How can I protect my camera?
Because the cameras on drones can be tricky to protect, a lot of products have been created for this very purpose. For example, there are lens hoods available, as well as protectors that slip directly onto the lens.
How much does a drone camera weigh?
The weight of the camera on your drone of choice depends on the drone you have chosen. Some weigh very little, and some weigh quite a bit. Again, it all depends on the drone you’re looking at, you can usually find out easily by reading drone reviews.
What’s the highest quality a drone with a camera can film?
The highest quality resolution you can find in a drone would obviously have to be 4K.
Conclusion About The Best Rated Drones with Cameras
There are literally hundreds of camera drones out there currently on the market, but we’ve managed to track down the top ones that offer the most to drone enthusiasts like us.
Kennedy Martinez
kennedy@dronethusiast.comKennedy Martinez is a resident writer who joined Dronethusiast at the beginning of 2019. She has years of experience reviewing drones and other tech products. When it comes to flying drones, Kennedy loves the ability to create artistic videos from a unique point of view. Kennedy enjoys researching new drones and other exciting products that are available to consumers which is why she is committed to creating the best buyer's guides for our readers.
