If you are a photographer or just an enthusiast of technological innovations, then you owe it to yourself to try flying an aerial photography drone. With this modern marvel, you can capture footage from heights previously unattainable.
However, if you are new to the hobby, then it can be tricky figuring out the market. That is what this article aims to help you with.
Our guide will take you through the 10 best aerial photography drones available until you have all the information you need to pick the best one for your needs.
How We Reviewed
The following products were reviewed based on the following parameters: features, pros and cons, price, where to buy, and warranty.
We chose these parameters in order to provide you with the most comprehensive and least biased reviews possible.
We believe that with this information, you should have no trouble finding the best drones for your needs.
Overall Price Range of This Product (and Similar Products)
These drones fall within the range of $100 to $6,000. The main price determinants include battery life, flight range, build quality, camera quality, and durability.
10 Best Aerial Photography Drones
1. DJI Inspire 2
Features
The DJI Inspire 2 is a professional-grade aerial photography drone with a battery life of 27 minutes and a maximum camera resolution of 5.2K/24 megapixels. At top speeds, it flies as fast as 58 mph.
Pros
- Can fly very fast (58-mph top speed)
- Has a dual controller option
- Comes with a fantastic camera system
Cons
- A bit heavy to carry around
- Extremely expensive
WARRANTY
It comes with DJI’s one-year warranty.
2. DJI Mavic Air
Features
The DJI Mavic Air is a light, compact drone with an impressive battery life of 21 minutes, a Wi-Fi range of 80 meters, and a transmitter range of 2.48 miles. Its max camera resolution is 4K/12 megapixels.
Pros
- Stunning 4K video footage
- Produces breathtaking 12-megapixel stills
- Hardy against wind
- Easy to maneuver
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- Makes a slightly annoying high-pitched noise
WARRANTY
It comes with a one-year warranty.
3. DJI Mavic Pro
Features
The DJI Mavic Pro is a higher-end drone designed for portability and easy maneuvering. It has a battery life of 27 minutes and a range of 4.2 miles. Its max camera resolution is 4K/12.35 megapixels.
It features a convenient gesture control function, as well, allowing you to lead the Mavic by simply waving your arms. This drone comes with a shoulder bag, props, a car charger, and 2 extra batteries.
Pros
- Fantastic portable option
- Easy to navigate with
- Durable
- Takes excellent 4K and HD footage
- Very steady flight with an OcuSync transmission
- Comes with two extra batteries
Cons
- None, aside from the steep price tag
WARRANTY
It comes with a one-year warranty.
4. Holy Stone F181W
Features
The Holy Stone F181W is a 6-axis gyro drone that has been designed with steady flight in mind. It has been made to be especially beginner-friendly. The drone comes with a 120-degree HD Wi-Fi camera.
It features real-time transmission, as well as automatic altitude hold. This option comes with two batteries, each of which lasts around 10 minutes.
Pros
- Extremely affordable at just around $100
- Comes with a decent camera for an entry-level drone
- Comes with a spare battery
Cons
- The battery life could be better, but that is only to be expected at this price point.
WARRANTY
You can request the warranty from customer service.
5. Parrot Disco
Features
The Parrot Disco FPV is a fixed-wing drone that tops out at 50 miles per hour. It has an impressive flight range of 1.2 miles, and it comes with Parrot Cockpit Glasses for the most immersive flight experience possible.
The drone’s battery lasts up to 45 minutes per charge. Its camera takes HD 1080P videos and 14-megapixel photos.
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Great flight range
Cons
- Prone to occasional glitches
- Not very durable
WARRANTY
You can request the warranty from customer service.
6. PowerVision PowerRay
Features
The PowerVision PowerRay is an underwater drone, ideal for fishing, exploring, mapping, treasure hunting, studying marine life, and recording.
It takes 4K UHD video and can stream at 1080p. The drone also takes 12-megapixel stills with an impressive 5fps burst mode. It has a 98-foot depth rating, as well as a 210-foot tether.
Pros
- Takes excellent 4K videos
- Produces amazing 12-megapixel stills
- 70-yard tether
- Comes with a wheeled carrying case
Cons
- None
WARRANTY
You can request the warranty from customer service.
7. 3DR Solo Drone Quadcopter
Features
The 3DR Solo Drone Quadcopter comes with an intuitive video game-style controller, making it perfect for beginners. It features pushbutton commands for easy control of flight and photography.
It has a high-quality HDMI port, allowing you to connect it to any screen or monitor. It comes with an app for iOS and Android.
Pros
- Easy to fly
- Intuitive controls
- Affordable
Cons
- Lackluster customer support
WARRANTY
It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
8. Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Elite Edition Quadcopter
Features
The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Elite Edition Quadcopter is a drone controllable by smartphone or tablet. It takes 720p HD video, as well as photos. The drone comes fully stocked with an ARM Cortex A8 processor.
Pros
- Easy to fly
- Self-stabilizing
- Can be modified
Cons
- No “return home” feature
- No on/off switch
WARRANTY
You can request the warranty from customer service.
9. Cheerson CX20 Auto-Pathfinder FPV RC Quadcopter
Features
The Cheerson CX20 Auto-Pathfinder FPV RC Quadcopter comes with a wide variety of features, including a “return home” function, GPS hold, a GPS system, and more.
It has a control distance of around 300 meters and a flight time of 15 minutes. It does not come with a camera.
Pros
- 300m control distance
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- Difficult for beginners
- Does not come with a camera
WARRANTY
You can request the warranty from customer service.
10. GoPro Karma with HERO5 Black
Features
The GoPro Karma with HERO5 Black is a folding drone that comes with a lightweight case. It features the Karma Stabilizer, which produces shake-free videos on the ground and in the air.
You can attach it to the Karma Grip for handheld shots. You can also attach it to GoPro mounts.
Pros
- Extremely versatile
- Can be used for handheld shooting
- Very easy to fly
- Compatible with GoPro accessories
Cons
- None
WARRANTY
It comes with a one-year warranty
The Verdict
After reviewing these 10 products, we decided the best among the best is the DJI Mavic Pro. At $$$, it earned a price rating of $$. This aerial photography drone is excellent in every respect.
It has a long battery life and an excellent range, and it is extremely easy to use. It is a significant investment at the price, but you would be hard pressed to find this quality elsewhere.