Drones are not just toys for gadget enthusiasts anymore. They are powerful tools for capturing amazing aerial photos and videos that can rival professional cameras. Whether you are a hobbyist, a filmmaker, or a photographer, there is a drone with camera that suits your needs and budget.

But how do you choose the best drone with camera from the many options available in the market? What features should you look for and what factors should you consider? In this article, we will help you answer these questions and guide you to find the best drone with camera for your specific purpose.

What to look for in a drone with camera

There are several aspects that you need to pay attention to when buying a drone with camera. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Camera quality: The quality of the camera is determined by the resolution, frame rate, sensor size, and lens type. Higher resolution and frame rate allow you to capture more details and smoother motion. Larger sensor size and better lens type improve the low-light performance and dynamic range of the camera. You should also check if the camera has a gimbal, which is a stabilizing device that keeps the camera steady and smooth during flight.
• Flight performance: The flight performance of a drone depends on the battery life, flight speed, range, and obstacle avoidance. Longer battery life means longer flight time and more shooting opportunities. Faster flight speed and longer range enable you to cover more ground and reach farther places. Obstacle avoidance is a safety feature that helps the drone avoid collisions with objects in its path.
• Flight modes: Flight modes are pre-programmed settings that allow you to control the drone in different ways. Some common flight modes are GPS mode, which uses satellite signals to maintain a stable position; Sport mode, which boosts the speed and agility of the drone; Follow me mode, which makes the drone follow you or another subject automatically; and Point of interest mode, which makes the drone circle around a specific point while keeping the camera focused on it.
• AI features: AI features are advanced functions that use artificial intelligence to enhance the capabilities of the drone. Some examples of AI features are subject tracking, which locks the camera on a moving subject and keeps it in frame; gesture control, which lets you control the drone with hand gestures; and smart return home, which makes the drone return to its takeoff point automatically when the battery is low or the signal is lost.

The best drones with camera in 2023

Based on our extensive research and testing, we have selected the following drones as the best drones with camera in 2023. We have considered their camera quality, flight performance, flight modes, AI features, and price to make our recommendations.

Best overall camera drone: DJI Mini 4 Pro

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is our top pick for the best overall camera drone in 2023. It is a small and lightweight drone that weighs only 249 grams, which means it does not require registration in most countries. Despite its size, it has a powerful camera that can shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second and 12-megapixel photos with a 1/1.7-inch sensor. It also has a three-axis gimbal that ensures smooth and stable footage.

The DJI Mini 4 Pro has an impressive flight performance as well. It can fly up to 31 minutes on a single charge, reach speeds of up to 57 km/h, and transmit video up to 10 km away. It also has three-directional obstacle avoidance sensors that help it avoid obstacles in front, behind, and below. It supports various flight modes such as QuickShots, Panorama, Timelapse, Hyperlapse, and CineSmooth. It also has AI features such as ActiveTrack 4.0, which can track subjects even when they are occluded or fast-moving; Smart Return Home, which can avoid obstacles on its way back; and Find My Drone, which can locate your drone if it gets lost.

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is an ideal drone for beginners and enthusiasts who want a high-quality camera in a compact and easy-to-use package. It costs $699 USD, which is very reasonable for its features.

Best camera drone for photography: DJI Mavic 2 Pro

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is our choice for the best camera drone for photography in 2023. It is a foldable and portable drone that has a professional-grade camera co-engineered with Hasselblad. The camera has a 1-inch sensor that can capture 20-megapixel photos with stunning detail and color accuracy. It also has an adjustable aperture from f/2.8 to f/11 that allows you to control the depth of field and exposure. It can shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second and HDR video at 10-bit color depth.

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro has an excellent flight performance as well. It can fly up to 31 minutes on a single charge, reach speeds of up to 72 km/h, and transmit video up to 8 km away. It also has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors that help it avoid obstacles in all directions. It supports various flight modes such as Hyperlapse, Point of Interest, Waypoint, and Asteroid. It also has AI features such as ActiveTrack 2.0, which can track subjects with precision and reliability; AEB, which can take multiple photos at different exposures and merge them into one HDR photo; and HyperLight, which can reduce noise and enhance details in low-light situations.

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is a perfect drone for photographers who want a professional-level camera in a portable and versatile package. It costs $1,599 USD, which is expensive but worth it for its quality.

Best camera drone for videography: DJI Mavic 2 Zoom

The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is our pick for the best camera drone for videography in 2023. It is a foldable and portable drone that has a unique camera with a 2x optical zoom lens. The camera has a 1/2.3-inch sensor that can shoot 12-megapixel photos and 4K video at 30 frames per second. The zoom lens allows you to get closer to your subject without losing quality or disturbing it. It also enables creative effects such as Dolly Zoom, which creates a dramatic perspective change by zooming in or out while flying.

The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom has a great flight performance as well. It can fly up to 31 minutes on a single charge, reach speeds of up to 72 km/h, and transmit video up to 8 km away. It also has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors that help it avoid obstacles in all directions. It supports various flight modes such as Hyperlapse, Point of Interest, Waypoint, and Asteroid. It also has AI features such as ActiveTrack 2.0, which can track subjects with precision and reliability; Super Resolution, which can stitch nine photos into one 48-megapixel photo; and Enhanced HDR, which can combine seven photos into one HDR video.

The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is an ideal drone for videographers who want a creative and flexible camera in a portable and versatile package. It costs $1,349 USD, which is cheaper than the Mavic 2 Pro but still offers great value.

Best 8K camera drone: Autel EVO II 8K

The Autel EVO II 8K is our selection for the best 8K camera drone in 2023. It is a foldable and durable drone that has an incredible camera that can shoot 8K video at 25 frames per second and 48-megapixel photos with a 1/2-inch sensor. The camera also has a fixed aperture of f/1.8 that allows more light to enter and improves the low-light performance. The 8K resolution gives you four times more detail than 4K and allows you to crop and zoom without losing quality.

The Autel EVO II 8K has an amazing flight performance as well. It can fly up to 40 minutes on a single charge, reach speeds of up to 72 km/h, and transmit video up to 9 km away. It also has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors that help it avoid obstacles in all directions. It supports various flight modes such as Orbit, Dynamic Track, Parallel Track, Tripod Track, Viewpoint, Gesture Control, and Precision Flight. It also has AI features such as Smart Return Home, which can avoid obstacles on its way back; Dual IMU & GPS/GLONASS System, which can ensure stability and accuracy; and Dynamic Track 2.0, which can track subjects even when they are occluded or fast-moving.

The Autel EVO II 8K is a perfect drone for filmmakers who want an ultra-high-resolution camera in a foldable and robust package. It costs $1,495 USD, which is competitive for its features.

Conclusion

Drones with cameras are amazing devices that can help you capture stunning aerial shots that would otherwise be impossible or very expensive to achieve. They are also fun and easy to fly, thanks to their advanced technology and intelligent features.

However, not all drones with cameras are created equal. You need to consider your purpose, budget, and preferences when choosing the best drone with camera for you. We hope that this article has helped you narrow down your options and find the best drone with camera that meets your needs.

Happy flying!