The most popular use case for drones is — you guessed it — photography. Luckily, there’s a drone out there for every type of photographer, and for every type of budget. DJI makes most of the popular camera drones, but there are also worthy competitors made by other brands.
Whether you’re looking to spend $200 or $2,000 on a drone, know that you can get an incredibly high quality flying robot (WITH a camera attached to it!), for often not much more than just a standard digital camera on its own.
The best camera drones of 2024, in a nutshell
- What to expect from a camera drone, by budget and goals
- The best camera drone for most people: DJI Mini 4 Pro
- The best drone for professional photography: DJI Mavic 3 Pro
- The best drone for photographers on a budget: DJI Air 3
- The best drone on a budget (it’s under $300, including controller): DJI Mini 4K
- The best indoor drone (and the best racing drone): Avata 2
- The best drone for selfies: DJI Neo
- The best drone for live broadcasts: DJI Inspire 3
- The best follow-me drone: DJI Mavic 3 Pro
- The best camera drone made in America: Skydio 2+
- The best non-DJI camera drone: Autel Evo Lite+
- Drone photography FAQs
- What is a gimbal?
- What’s considered “good” flight time or long battery life?
- Do I need to register my drone?
- Do I need a license to fly?
What to expect from a camera drone, by budget and goals
You can get a decent camera drone for under $500. If you’re looking for professional image quality (maybe you need to shoot weddings or real estate), expect to spend $2,000 and up.
When it comes to our picks for the best drones for photographers in 2023, DJI dominates the landscape. But consumers must know DJI is the best and have validated our findings with their dollars. Here’s proof: Across the entire drone industry, DJI has a 54% market share, according to the DroneAnalyst Drone Market Sector Report. That accounts for commercial drones too. As far as the hobby side, DJI has a whopping 94% market share.
But while this list is dominated by DJI, there’s actually tons of variety for all types of photographers. Find the best drones of 2023 for you, on any budget:
The best camera drone for most people: DJI Mini 4 Pro
The DJI Mini 4 Pro encompasses all desired drone features: top-notch image quality, remarkable compactness and lightness, easy setup and take off, and an incredibly safe and stress-free flying experience.
Previously, the DJI Mini 3 Pro topped the list of best camera drones for most people. But with the upgrades DJI made to the Mini line in September 2023, the DJI Mini 4 Pro now tops the list.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro essentially compiles a comprehensive list of the best features found in drones. While it may not excel in every single aspect compared to more powerful DJI drones like the Mavic 3, the Mini 3 Pro stands as the best drone considering its overall performance, compact design, and price point.
By fusing the petite dimensions of the Mini 2 and Mini 3 drones with the robust specification of DJI’s Air and Mavic series, the Mini 4 drone triumphs in every aspect: camera capabilities, battery longevity, safety, and smart functionalities.
The Mini 4 Pro has omnidirectional sensing direction, making it one of DJI’s safest drones. Another standout feature of the Mini 4 Pro is O4 Transmission, offering video transmission up to 20 km. It’s an incredible feature to see implemented in DJI’s more entry-level drone.
The Mini 4 Pro (like the Mini 3) weighs just 249 grams, meaning it doesn’t fall under the purview of the Federal Aviation Administration if you’re flying for hobby purposes. That means no need to register your drone, and no need to comply with Remote ID rules. Learn more about why drones under 250 grams are such a big deal right here.
Price: $759
Flight time: 34 minutes
Buy it from:
Read my full review of the DJI Mini 4 Pro here.
The best drone for professional photography: DJI Mavic 3 Pro
If you’re a serious photographer — and are willing to plunk down some serious cash — then DJI has another drone that is far more advanced. However, the price tag is bigger too. The wow-worthy DJI Mavic 3 Pro is easily the best drone for professional photographers, but it starts at $2,199. The even more advanced Cine Premium Combo will run you $4,799.
So why is the DJI Mavic 3 Pro so great?
While it’s tough to narrow down the best features on the Mavic 3 Pro, most pilots agree the top three specs are:
- A dual-camera system featuring Hasselblad
- An incredible 46-minute battery life
- Improved sense and avoid tech that makes this drone nearly crash-proof.
The Mavic 3 Pro has a three-axis gimbal with not one, not two but THREE cameras, which are:
- A custom Hasselblad wide-angle camera (24mm).
- Medium tele camera (70mm).
- Tele camera (166mm).
Upgrade option: Even more serious photographers or videographers who demand the highest-quality video might consider the Mavic 3 Cine Combo. The $4,999 drone comes with a few extra accessories, including the improved DJI RC Pro. But the real reason to spring for it is the higher-quality video, which offers Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding for richer video processing, with an internal 1TB SSD onboard for high-speed data storage.
Price: $2,199 (or $4,999 for the Cine Combo)
Flight time: 43 minutes
Read more about the DJI Mavic 3 Pro here.
The best drone for photographers on a budget: DJI Air 3
While not as good as the DJI Mavic 3 drone, it’s also far cheaper. Enter, the Air 3 drone.
Where the DJI Mavic 3 Pro costs $2,199, the DJI Air 3 is about half that at $1,099.
The DJI Air 3 drone sits as a bit of a Goldilocks option between my top pick for most people, the DJI Mini 4 Pro, and the best drone for photographers, the DJI Mavic 3. It’s larger, more robust, and more expensive than the Mini 4 Pro. But it strips out some Mavic 3 features that you might not necessarily need, allowing you to save money.
The DJI Air 3 drone, like the Mavic 3, has two cameras: a wide-angle camera and a 3x medium tele camera. Both are capable of delivering 48MP photos and 4K/60fps HDR videos. Other standout specs include:
- Up to 46 minutes of flight time
- Omnidirectional obstacle sensing
- O4 HD Video Transmission System
The DJI Air 3 is the latest in the DJI Air line (following the beloved DJI Air 2S). It marks a series of firsts, including:
- First within the Air Series with a dual-primary camera system (wide angle and tele)
- First within the Air Series to include omnidirectional obstacle sensing
- First drone of the Air Series to support 2.7K vertical video shooting (9:16)
It mostly stands out for its 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor offering 48-megapixel photos and 4K video.
As far as deciding between the Air 3 vs. the Air 2s, the decision is tough. The Air 3 is bigger than the Mini 4 Pro, which means you’ll have to comply with FAA rules when flying in the U.S. If you frequently travel, it’s still bulkier than the Mini 4 Pro. Compared to the old days of the Phantom, this drone is super small, but it still will likely require you to check a bag, the way a Mini 4 Pro could easily stow away in an oversized pocket.
If you value camera quality, go for the Air 3. If you value portability (like you’re a frequent traveler) go for the Mini 4 Pro.
Price: $1,099
- Order the DJI Air 3 drone from B&H Photo now, starting at $1,099.
- Order the DJI Air 3 drone from Amazon now, starting at $1,099.
For you comparison shoppers, I’ve put together a couple of comparison guides to help you make the best buying decision. They are:
- DJI Air 3 vs. Mini 3 Pro: which drone is better for you?
- DJI Air 3 vs DJI Air 2S: is it worth the upgrade?
The best drone on a budget (it’s under $300, including controller): DJI Mini 4K
This drone is a very stripped down version of one of my other picks, the DJI Mini 4 Pro. If you’re looking for a cheap DJI drone, this is one of the best for your money.
That said, realize that the image quality is certainly far inferior. While both technically shoot 4K video, this drone has a smaller sensor. That translates to less detail and poorer low-light performance. If you’re primarily posting on social media, the video quality differences shouldn’t matter, but someone sharing videos on a bigger screen should consider an upgrade.
I’d definitely consider it DJI’s best overall drone under $600 when you factor in the price. And the price point is incredible, at just $299 including the controller.
That said — if you have wiggle room in your budget — you might consider the DJI Mini 3. That drone has a more powerful sensor and longer flight times (38 minutes, versus 31 on the DJI Mini 4K). Though because the Mini 4K is much cheaper, it wins in the “budget” category.
Like the Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro, this drone only weighs 249 grams. That’s great for casual pilots who don’t want to worry about registering or Remote ID rules. The FAA currently only requires drones flying for hobby purposes to be registered and comply with the Remote ID requirements if they weigh 250 grams or more.
Price: $299
Flight time: 31 minutes
Read my full review of the DJI Mini 4K.
The best indoor drone (and the best racing drone): Avata 2
Perhaps you’re a real estate agent seeking a great indoor drone. Maybe you want to get into drone racing without having to build your own drone.
If so, there’s no better bet than the DJI Avata 2 drone. It’s a new-and-improved version of the originalDJI Avata which launched in August 2022, and it offers Cinewhoop-style drone racing in a ready-to-fly (and easy-to-fly) package.
But you came here specifically seeking a great camera drone. And yes, of basically any FPV drone out there, the Avata 2 offers the best camera quality you’ll find. It’s a 1/1.3-inch CMOS Super-Wide-Angle 12MP camera, offering greater dynamic range available and better image quality in low-light conditions than before. Here are some other key camera specs:
- The lens:This ultra-wide-angle lens offers a viewing angle of up to 155°
- Image quality:4k/60fps, as well as slow-motion footage at 2.7K/120fps.
- Color quality:10-bit D-Log M Color Mode offers richer detail in highlights and shadows, which can be brought out in post-production and streamlined color grading
It’s all incredibly stable too. Check out how sleek this shot of my back patio looks:
Price:$999
Flight time:23 minutes
- Buy the Avata 2 drone now from Adorama.
- Buy the Avata 2 drone now from Amazon.
- Buy the Avata 2 drone now from B&H Photo.
- Buy the Avata 2 drone now from GetFPV.
Curious how this drone compares against one of my other top picks? Don’t miss this guide to the DJI Avata 2 versus Air 3.
The best drone for selfies: DJI Neo
The DJI Neo is great for selfies — but that’s about it. Designed for vloggers and other content creators, DJI Neo is a swift departure from other drones in the DJI fleet in that it’s a hand-launch drone. It doesn’t even come with an RC transmitter (though you can buy one at an extra cost).
The intended use case is allowing it to fly fully-automatic, pre-programmed flight paths. DJI intends for you to launch it from the palm of your hand. From there, you select your selfie mode of choice (say, the drone flying a circle around you). Upon getting up in the air, Neo flies in the pattern needed to film the video. Then it flies right back to the palm of your hands.
Now note that DJI Neo is not really the drone for you if you want to fly big, sweeping landscapes. DJI itself recommends operating in windless environments, while also keeping it relatively close to you. If you’re trying to send a drone more than a few stories high, or to send it far away, this is not the drone for you.
Selfie takers though, this is an incredible bet at an ultra-affordable price tag. At just $199, it’s the cheapest DJI drone in this guide.
- Buy DJI Neo now from Adorama for $199.
- Buy DJI Neo now from Amazon for $199.
- Buy DJI Neo now from B&H Photo for $199.
- Buy DJI Neo now from Drone Nerds for $199.
The best drone for live broadcasts: DJI Inspire 3
The DJI Inspire 3 is DJI’s most powerful, cinematography drone yet, with all sorts of features including a full-frame 8K imaging system, Tilt Boost and 360° Pan dual configurations, and dual-controlfor operators. This drone can detect obstacles in all directions.
There’s the option to display a live feed of up to 1080p/60fps, with an ultra-low latency of 90 ms. But with this new Pro version, the 4K/30fps live feeds are also supported with a reduced 5km transmission range, which unlocks the ability for ultra-HD output and live streaming on set.
Given that, I’ve specifically called it as your best option for live broadcasts. You might also consider this the Upgrade pick in the “best drones for professional photography” department.
If you’re more of a casual photographer, then this drone probably isn’t for you. It’s priced at $16,499, and that’s before you add on all the additional accessories.
Price: $16,499
Flight time:28 minutes with dual-battery system
The best follow-me drone: DJI Mavic 3 Pro
If this pick has you feeling a bit of deja vu, don’t worry. Besides being the best follow-me drone, it’s also our pick for the top drone for serious photographers. Not coincidentally, its smart features and follow-me skills are a big contributing factor to its winning that title. That includes multiple vision sensors (six fish-eye vision sensors and two wide-angle sensors). Together, they offer an extended sensing range to precisely sense obstacles in all directions.
Price:$2,199 (or $4,999 for theCine Combo)
Flight time:43 minutes
If you’re seeking a follow-me drone at a lower price point, turn to the DJI Mini 4 Pro, which also happens to be my top-recommend drone overall for most people. The Mini 4 Pro is the first drone in the Mini Series to include omnidirectional obstacle sensing. That’s executed via a pair of fisheye lenses on the front and the back to detect obstacles in all directions, offering up that standard forward, backward, left, right, and upward sensing.
The best camera drone made in America: Skydio 2+
This recommendation only comes to you as a “kind of.” Unfortunately, in August 2023, Skydio called it quits on its consumer drone arm. So, the Skydio 2+ is no longer in production. I’m still recommending it, largely because there just really aren’t any other good options for camera drones made in America.
Most American drone companies today focus on the military or high-end industrial markets. Many companies, including California-based GoPro, have tried to make camera drones yet failed. Most of the other top American drone companies, like Skydio or Teal, now only produce enterprise or military drones.
To get your hands on a Skydio 2+ drone these days, you’ll likely need to buy a used Skydio drone. Of course, weigh this option carefully given the risks of buying used drones.
So why do I love the Skydio 2+? This freakishly smart drone has six, 200-degree color cameras. That means Skydio 2+ can see everything in every direction so it theoretically never crashes. Whether you’re flying down a pine tree-covered mountain tracking a snowboarder, or you’re navigating down a trail following a mountain biker, this drone is a dream for pilots who fly in complicated environments.
Skydio 2+ shoots 4K video and captures images at 12MP.Also, the Skydio 2+’s omnidirectional obstacle avoidance capabilities are matched only by one other consumer drone on the market, the DJI Mavic 3.
Price: $1,099 (If you can get your hands on one). Variable pricing (assuming you even have luck) when youbuy a used Skydio drone)
Flight time: 27 minutes
Read my full review of the Skydio 2 (the older model) here and my guide to the Skydio 2+ here.
The best non-DJI camera drone: Autel Evo Lite+
You don’t need to be Nancy Drew to realize that nearly every drone in this guide is from DJI. The reality is that DJI drones are of incredible quality for their price tag. They are more reliable than most. They’re simple to set up and get off the ground. But there is a myriad of reasons why you might want to consider a non-DJI drone. For camera quality, Autel is best.
The Autel Evo Lite+ drone bridges the gap between the expensive and high-quality DJI Mavic 3 camera drone. Yet, it sticks a bit closer in cost to the DJI Mini 3 Pro, which has a relatively low, $759 price tag.
It’s great for photographers, given its large, 1-inch CMOS sensor and the ability to capture 6K video. Also, the adjustable aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/11.
You can’t fly it in dense areas, as its sense and avoid tech is not up to par versus what you’ll find with the Skydio 2+. However, it’s a decent follow-me drone (as long as you’re flying in open areas) thanks to Dynamic Track 2.1. This feature lets you select someone to track and follow, and the drone automatically keeps the subject in the frame.
Price: $1,259
Flight time: 40 minutes
Get the Autel Evo Lite+ now. It’s available for purchase from retailers including:
Read my full review of the Autel Evo Lite+ here.
Drone photography FAQs
Even if you’re a photo pro, there are terms and concepts specific to drone photography that you should know.
What is a gimbal?
A gimbal is crucial to keeping your aerial footage silky and steady. Without a gimbal, your videos will look shaky and every tiny movement will appear jarring to the viewer. So, if your drone doesn’t have a gimbal, don’t buy it.
What’s considered “good” flight time or long battery life?
This might not be the answer you want to read, but here it is: “It doesn’t matter.” Given LiPo battery technology and how far it can be pushed (ahem, Samsung exploding phones) don’t expect a photography drone to fly much more than 30 minutes. Though, one drone in this guide, theMavic 2 does have an impressive max flight time of 31 minutes. Instead, just buy some spare batteries!
Do I need to register my drone?
Usually yes! You do not need to register recreational drones under 250 grams. Otherwise, you need to register with the FAA when flying drones in the U.S. Our Getting Started Guide offers more information on drone registration.
Do I need a license to fly?
Maybe. If you’re flying commercially, you do. If you’re just flying for fun, you probably don’t need a full Part 107 certificate. Find out more about how you can get your drone pilot’s license from the FAA here. However, all pilots flying drones that weigh 250 grams or more and are flying for commercial purposes must fly under Part 107 (and have said license). Otherwise, they must pass the FAA recreational drone test (referred to as TRUST).
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