Best Camera Drones For Sale 2017

Image

Best Camera Drones For Sale 2017

Aerial photography and videography have become very sought after professions and a lot of people are interested in learning them. Whether you are a professional photographer who wants to broaden their horizon and start aerial filming or a flier who wants to record some amazing footage, there are now drones for every need.

Taking videos and pictures with drones provides new and different angles, also allowing you to encompass the whole scene from an aerial view. The footage recorded from drones allows for a hands-free recording experience, which is convenient and simple.

Many drones these days incorporate advanced cameras with amazing recording features for this very purpose. Take scenic pictures or thrilling recordings of yourself, or an adventure you want to record!

With the wide variety of drones and quadcopters available in the market, you have the option to buy a drone with an inbuilt camera or a drone that comes with the camera mount only. In this article, we will feature a list of the best drones that come with an inbuilt camera. The below tips can help you decide which kind of drone is best for you.

Should you buy a drone with an inbuilt camera or one with just a camera mount?

When it comes to drones that already have a camera incorporated into their design, it also comes along with some much-needed camera modes that make recording an easy and smooth process.

On the other hand, drones that don’t come with a camera included come with a mount or a gimbal on which you can attach an action camera such as a GoPro to start filming. A reason such drones are good is that you have the option to switch up your camera every once in a while. Adding to the versatility of use, you can also use the drone and the camera separately since you have the option to detach them.

It is a good idea to pick a drone without a built-in camera in case you already own an action camera before hand. That way you can simply attach it and start filming, this is also the cheaper option, as drones with cameras are considerably more expensive, especially if you are aiming to buy one that is aimed at professional filming.

Using a drone with an integrated camera, however, can reduce the headache of finding the right camera that is compatible, and if you end up investing in a GoPro, the price will be almost as much as the above option. Keep in mind that above all the camera features matter a lot when it comes to aerial filming.

What to look for when buying a drone with a camera?

When choosing a camera drone, ensure to check its features and see which best fits your needs. Apart from price, also look at features such as flight time, recording resolution, obstacle avoidance, flight and camera modes, etc.

Camera resolution

This is an obvious selection to make since you are buying a camera drone and the use of the drone should determine this. Professional recording would require cameras with 4k resolution, but if you’re just making home videos 720p is also a good option, as most 4k recording cameras can be expensive.

Flight and camera modes

To get the right footage and pictures with your drone’s camera, it is necessary to have some well-integrated flight and camera modes. Flight modes such as Follow Me or Active Track help in recording an object of focus without the fliers having to keep positioning it. This is a great way of filming smoothly and easily.

Camera modes are also helpful because you have the option to take time lapse shots, use the camera in burst mode even record footage in different formats and fps.

Flight time

Consider the number of minutes the drone can fly, as different drones’ average flight time varies from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Depending on the use of the camera of the drone, make the decision for the flight time you need. For recording professional footage, longer flight times are recommended so that you can record for more time.

Obstacle avoidance

When trying to record footage in different areas, there are some cases that the spaces are too narrow, making it difficult to manually maneuver the drone away from every obstacle in the way. At this time obstacle avoidance systems help in recording without the worry of you crashing or scraping your drone.

Price

Price is a big criterion, especially when choosing a drone for a beginner versus an advanced flier. With the wide variety available in the market, there is an option for every price range. If you’ve just started flying a camera drone, looking at the cheaper option may be a better idea because the more expensive drones can be damaged if crashed, and you can surely expect to crash a couple of times on the first try!

Once you run over these points when considering a drone, it will make the job easier to determine which drone will best suit you. Here are some of the best drones with built-in cameras for sale 2017!

Need something more specific? check out other articles in the series:

DJI Mavic Pro Drone

Image

DJI Mavic Pro Drone

Max Video Resolution

4K 30 fps

Megapixels

12.00

The DJI Mavic Pro is the newest release by the leading drone manufacturers, and is a compact yet powerful drone, created to meet the consumers’ needs. Even though it has a small size, it possesses features as powerful as the DJI Phantom 4, if not better.

Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4K Quadcopter

Image

Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4K Quadcopter

Megapixels

12.00

Remote Frequency

2.4GHz + 5.8GHz Video

Weight (KG)

1.10

Accessories In Box

CGO3-GB,
ST10+ Ground Station for Q500/Q500+ Quadcopter,
2 x 5400mAh 3S LiPo Flight Battery for Q500 Quadcopter,
Balancing Connector Lead,
SC 3500-3 DC LiPo Balancing Charger,
AC Adapter for Charger,
Car Adapter for Charger,
USB Interface / Programmer for Q500 Quadcopter,
8GB microSD Card with SD Adapter,
Motor Holder / Prop Installation Tool,
4 x CW and CCW Propeller Pairs,
CGO Steady Grip for CGO2-GB Camera / Gimbal,
Aluminum Hardshell Carrying Case for Q500 / Q500+ (No Foam),
Limited 6-Month Warranty

The Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4K is a ready-to-fly (RTF) drone that comes factory-assembled along with a transmitter or radio controller included. It’s a lot more than just a flying machine, and is made for advanced aerial photography and videography with its integrated CGO3-GB camera and gimbal.  

The drone comes with two 5400mAh batteries, which can provide up to 25 minutes of flying time each, on a complete charge. The drone also comes with an aluminum case that can safely store it and makes transportation easy.

DJI Inspire 2 Drone

Image

DJI Inspire 2 Drone

DJI has been a leader in drone production for a while and they have recently released the upgraded version of their previous DJI Inspire 1 with a high-end model aimed for professional filmmaking, called the DJI Inspire 2.

The Inspire 2 has been made using magnesium-aluminum that makes the drone sturdier than the previous. Other upgrades include an increased speed from 50 miles per hour to 67 mph, and a battery life that is now 25 minutes instead of 18 minutes.

Parrot AR.Drone 2.0

Image

Parrot AR.Drone 2.0

Max Video Resolution

720P 30 fps

Weight (KG)

1.80

The Parrt AR.Drone 2.0 is a 4-rotor, fixed-size and unmanned flying device that is also fitted with an aerial camera. It is RTF or Ready To Fly as soon as you download the application to control it on your smartphone or tablet (Apple or Android).

Its 3-axis stabilization system makes the quadcopter steady and makes flying for beginners easier. The drone weighs around 13 to 15 ounces and measures from 18 inches to 20 inches across. It also comes with inside and outside hulls.

3D Robotics Iris+ Quadcopter

Image

3D Robotics Iris+ Quadcopter

Remote Frequency

915 MHz and 433 MHz

Weight (KG)

1.30

Accessories In Box

Transmitter (Radio Controller)
3DR Telemetry Radio
Micro USB Cable
Android OTG Cable
Set of Tall Legs for IRIS+
5100mAh 3S Battery
LiPo Charger

The 3D Robotics Iris+ Quadcopter is a great new drone for all flying enthusiasts and especially for filmmakers. It features a 2-axis gimbal, integrated LEDs and a flexible payload capacity (up to 8 pounds) that provides hassle-free directional alertness.

It can be programmed to fly manually by using its included controller, or even use its 3PV Follow Me mode that lets the drone take pictures and footage of you. All you have to do is plan your flight route and the iris+ will follow the orders!

DJI Phantom 4 Pro Drone

Image

DJI Phantom 4 Pro Drone

Max Video Resolution

4K 60/30 fps

Remote Frequency

2.4GHz and 5.8GHz

UPDATE 31/08/2017: DJI has upgraded its Phantom 4 Pro drone at the IFA convention held in Berlin. The new DJI Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian isn't an upgrade in features but in the color and material of the drone. The Obsidian version comes in a matte-gray color and has a magnesium shell that features anti-fingerprint coating.

UDI U818A WiFi FPV RC Quadcopter Drone

Image

UDI U818A WiFi FPV RC Quadcopter Drone

Max Video Resolution

720P 30 fps

Megapixels

2.00

Remote Frequency

2.4 GHz

Accessories In Box

2.4Ghz Controller - 2 x 350mAh LiPo Batteries - USB Battery Charger - 4GB Micro-SD Card - 4 Spare Propellers - Power Bank - User Manual

The UDI U818A WiFi FPV RC Quadcopter Drone is great for adding some fun and adventure to your next outdoor trip, with its easy flight and beautiful aerial footage and photography.

This drone is easy to pair with any smartphone or tablet that uses iOS and Android systems, and fliers can watch live video and photo feed while the drone is flying on their screen to keep track.