The best camera drones have completely revolutionized photography and video for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Aerial photography and video was once an incredibly expensive exercise, requiring a chartered helicopter, but this is now possible by everyone thanks to the best camera drones. Not to mention, drones can be used in many more locations than a helicopter and can be deployed in less than a couple of minutes.
Some camera drones have larger imaging sensors for higher image quality, alongside adjustable apertures. While others have telephoto cameras, often in dual or tri-camera arrangements with other focal lengths available. Some drones, maybe smaller and lighter sub-250 g models, but this regulator-friendly size and weight brings with it many advantages, not least the ability to fly closer to people and built-up areas and image quality can still be excellent.
Drones are available in a range of sizes and weights, and the best camera drones are no exception. But if you're looking for another type of drone, take a look at our best camera drones, best beginner drones and best FPV drones guides where you'll find many more recommendations.
The Quick List
Best camera drone overall
The world's first consumer drone with three cameras - the Mavic 3 Pro offers exceptional image quality. Probably overkill for most users unless you're a pro.
Best value for money
If the only camera you need on a Mavic 3 is the Four Thirds Hasselblad camera with an adjustable aperture, the Mavic 3 Classic is the perfect option.
Best small camera drone
With 4K 30fps video in a small and foldable 249g drone, The Autel EVO Nano+ also offers collision avoidance for safer flights in complex environments.
Best for portability
Thanks to excellent image quality, power and advanced features in this medium-sized drone, the DJI Air 3 is a versatile option for shooting photos and videos.
Best DJI mini drone
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is the best sub-250g drone available offering excellent image quality for photos and videos alongside advanced collision avoidance and subject tracking.
Best cheap mini drone
The DJI Mini 3 may not have all the features of the more expensive DJI Mini 3 Pro, but it shares the same camera and many features for a budget price.
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Best entry-level camera drone
DJI's entry-level Mini 4K delivers up to 4K 30 FPS video and impressive image quality in a sub-250 g model that's the perfect starting point for beginners.
Best professional-use drone
With a full-frame camera offering interchangeable lenses, the DJI Inspire 3 is aimed at professional use cases such as Hollywood movies, television and precision surveying.
Best enterprise drone
The Autel EVO Max 4T is a feature-packed enterprise drone aimed at use by law enforcement, search & rescue and for mapping/surveying.
Best attachable drone camera
If you'd like to be able to create FPV-style videos with a DJI Mavic Air2/2S, the Insta260 Sphere is a 360° camera that will allow you to do exactly that.
James is an award-winning freelance landscape and portrait photographer, as well as a highly experienced photography journalist working with some of the best photography magazines and websites with a worldwide audience. He's also the author of The Digital Darkroom: The Definitive Guide to Photo Editing.
Best camera drones we recommend in 2024
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Best camera drone overall
✅ You're looking for versatility: The three cameras on offer on this drone give you the ability to shoot different perspectives and different focal lengths at the same time, which can help produce more creative content.
✅ You want to shoot high-quality slow-mo: With this drone, you don't have to choose between quality and frame rates. You can shoot 5.1K up to 75fps, 4K up to 120fps and FHD up to 200fps.
❌ You're on a budget: With all the features on offer, this is quite an expensive drone and may be overkill for casual hobbyists.
🔎 DJI Mavic 3 Pro One of the best foldable drones on the market, this allows you to get stunning videos and offers great flexibility with three cameras that can film at the same time. The only real downside is the price, but we think beginners and pros would be pleased with this purchase. ★★★★★
Topping our list is the mighty DJI Mavic 3 Pro, which is hands down one of the best drones available in today's market, as we noted in our full DJI Mavic 3 Pro review. It's the first consumer drone to offer three onboard cameras that can operate simultaneously, opening up a range of new creative possibilities.
The Mavic 3 Pro features the signature Mavic folding design and looks almost identical to previous models. The only significant giveaway, apart from the name badge, is the larger gimbal that’s home to the three cameras with the two telephotos sitting above the main camera.
The main camera is a remarkable 20MP 4/3 Hasselblad camera, featuring an adjustable aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/11, and up to 12.8 stops of dynamic range. It has an equivalent focal length of 24mm. Additionally, there's a 48MP 1/1.3-inch 70mm medium telephoto camera and a 12MP 1/2-inch 166mm telephoto camera. Considering the Mavic 3 Pro's price is comparable to the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine, it's like getting a highly functional 70mm camera thrown in for free. All three cameras support RAW and JPEG formats, delivering outstanding image quality.
In addition to its powerful camera setup, the Mavic 3 Pro comes with a range of advanced features designed to make your flying experience smooth and hassle-free. It offers two smart controller options, each with a 5.5-inch touchscreen, eliminating the need to connect your phone. Both controllers are highly responsive, ensuring a seamless flying experience without lag.
You get three different flight modes and 43 km/27mph wind resistance, as well as an array of safety features such as AirSense ADS-B to detect nearby aircraft and an Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing system that uses multiple sensors to allow the drone to maneuver around obstacles independently. While this is an expensive drone that may be overkill for some people, we think it offers excellent value for money for those who can make use of its three cameras.
While it's not cheap, it launched at a similar price to the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine. This means that you effectively get an additional 70 mm camera for free, and this is easily the best and most useful of the two telephotos.
- Read our full DJI Mavic 3 Pro review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Three cameras and two smart controllers. |
| Functionality | Easy to fly, with obstacle sensing technology. |
| Performance | Excellent image quality and videos up to 5.1K. |
Best value for money
✅ You want excellent image quality at a more affordable price: This drone contains the same impressive Hasselblad 20MP camera as the other DJI Mavic 3 models but keeps the price down by doing away with the additional cameras.
✅ You want something easy to fly: With two different controller options and an Advanced Return to Home feature, you should be able to get the hang of this drone quite quickly.
❌ You're after an affordable beginner drone: While this is more affordable than the other DJI Mavic 3 drones, it's still quite pricey and there are several other cheaper options on the market for beginners.
🔎 DJI Mavic 3 Classic This is a great option for people who want the image quality of the DJI Mavic 3 drones without paying extra for additional cameras that they don't have need for. Although it's still not cheap, it's easy to fly and would make a good investment for keen beginners. ★★★★½
If you're after the very best image quality but your budget can't quite stretch to the first two drones on our list, then the DJI Mavic 3 Classic might be the one for you. The most recent model in the series is the DJI Mavic 3 Classic, launched less than a year after the original two Mavic 3 models, but with two important differences: a lower cost and a single camera. DJI has managed to lower the cost of this drone by removing the additional telephoto lenses that appear on the other drones in the Mavic 3 range, but you'll still get the star of the show — the 20MP 4/3 Hasselblad camera.
This camera features an adjustable aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/11 and has a lens equivalent to 24mm. It delivers outstanding image quality for both photos and videos, offering JPEG and RAW formats, 3x digital zoom and shooting capabilities of up to 5.1K video at 50fps, with a dynamic range of 12.8 stops. While other Mavic 3 models offer multiple camera options that may appeal to professionals, this fantastic camera is more than enough to meet the needs of most users on its own.
There are two controller options with this drone. You can choose between the DJI RC-N1 controller, which features a retractable smartphone holder, or the DJI RC smart controller, which features an integrated 5.5-inch touchscreen. After conducting our full DJI Mavic 3 Classic review, we think the improved user experience offered by the smart controller easily warrants the relatively small difference in price.
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic features the standard folding design associated with all Mavic models, making the drone smaller and more portable when not in use. Folded, the drone is just 221 x 96.3 x 90.3 mm, and 347.5 x 283 x 107.7 mm when unfolded for flight with a weight of 895 g/31.5 oz.
The Mavic 3 Classic is also packed with high-end features, including precise GPS positioning, Advanced Return to Home, three different flight modes, aircraft detection and geofencing. Its multiple vision sensors detect and avoid obstacles in all directions and contribute to improved subject tracking. So, if the single camera is enough for you, you really are getting the complete package with this drone.
- Read our full DJI Mavic 3 Classic review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Single Hasselblad 20MP camera and controller options. |
| Functionality | Easy to fly, with good safety features. |
| Performance | Fantastic image quality with 12.8 stops of dynamic range. |
Best DJI Mini alternative
✅ You want to avoid having to negotiate regulations: Since it weighs under 250g this drone avoids some of the registration requirements set by the FAA in the US or the CAA in the UK.
✅ You want something easily portable: Weighing only 249g and measuring just 142 × 94 × 55mm when folded, this drone is easy to carry around on outdoor adventures.
❌ You want to film 4K slow-mo videos: The 4K setting on this drone's camera is limited to 30fps, so won't be enough for slow-mo filming.
❌ You don't like using an app: The controller doesn't come with a built-in screen and relies on the AutelSky app on your smartphone to work.
🔎 Autel EVO Nano+ This drone packs a lot of big-hitting features into a light and compact package. It's easy to use for beginners, with effective collision avoidance technology, and its light weight means it isn't subject to as many regulations, so it's relatively hassle-free for those new to drone photography. ★★★★
The Autel EVO Nano+ is a regulator-friendly sub-250g drone that still offers many of the advanced features found on bigger and more expensive drones. It's a great option to consider, especially for beginners. Its compact and foldable design makes it extremely easy to transport, and it comes in four different colors: Classic Orange, Deep Space Gray, Blazing Red, and Arctic White.
The drone's controller has a built-in phone holder, and to access all the controls, you'll need to download the AutelSky app. The controller feels comfortable to hold, and we found the AutelSky app easy to understand and use in our Autel EVO Nano+ review. The thumb sticks on the controller strike a good balance, being responsive without being too sensitive.
One notable feature of this drone's size is its advanced collision avoidance system. It relies on three-way binocular vision sensors positioned at the drone's front, bottom and rear. These sensors detect obstacles and can automatically slow down or halt the drone to avoid collisions. Beginners will likely appreciate the added safety assurance provided by this feature. Additionally, the drone includes convenient automated flight patterns to help beginners get started easily.
Regarding camera features, the EVO Nano+ sports a very respectable 12.5MP 1/1.28-inch sensor with an equivalent focal length of 23mm and a fast f/1.9 aperture. This means it excels at shooting in low-light conditions, but you'll need to use ND filters to maintain its shutter speed if you want to shoot smooth-looking video. Video is available up to 4K at 30fps and is clear and crisp. Image quality when shooting stills is good, but there is a small amount of fall off in sharpness towards the edges of the frame. There’s also a small amount of vignetting visible alongside chromatic aberration along subject edges, but these can be easily fixed in Raw editing software such as Adobe Lightroom.
If you're in the market for a sub-250g drone or you're a beginner looking for your first camera drone, the EVO Nano+ is a great feature-packed option. You can get the standard bundle for $899 / £719, which comes with the drone, a controller, one battery, a spare pair of propellors, a USB-C charging cable, spare propeller screws, a mini screwdriver and three phone cables.
- Read our full Autel EVO Nano+ review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Compact and lightweight with advanced features. |
| Functionality | Collision avoidance and automated flight modes. |
| Performance | Fast f/1.9 aperture great for low-light conditions. |