First used by scientists and the military, drones have gradually entered the home. Today, camera-equipped models are the ultimate in convenience. But you have to be patient and do some research to be sure to find the right one for you. To save you time, we have put together this comparison of the best camera drones.
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Our selection
"Without doubt the best consumer drone today. But it is not without its faults!"
"Despite its lack of autonomy, this drone will be perfect to start at low cost."
"If the price of DJI drones scares you, treat yourself to the Potensic D80."
"Smaller and especially less expensive than the Mavic Pro Combo Platinum, the DJI Mavic Air Fly Combo is intended for photo and video enthusiasts. Beware…"
Without doubt the best consumer drone today. But it is not without its faults!
See priceThe Chinese brand DJI is the world leader in the drone market. For use by amateurs but also by experts, the Mavic Pro Combo Platinum represents a choice piece. It has, of course, disadvantages. Notably the SD port not very accessible, the fragile camera pod and the insufficient instructions. But the apprehensions disappear from the first minutes of flight.
Very stable, even in gusts, the DJI Mavic Pro Combo Platinum is reassuring. Easy to fly, it even has a beginner mode to familiarize the user with its handling. Also note that there are many video tutorials on YouTube to help you learn the intelligent flight modes more quickly. And don't overuse the automatic landing. It happens that the drone refuses it.
Despite its lack of autonomy, this drone will be perfect to start at low cost.
See priceTo close this ranking, we propose the GPS drone Potensic T25 FPV. This quadricopter has a camera that tilts down or up over 70° and adjustable HD 1080p. The grip is fast and intuitive. The manufacturer has even included a remote control, well designed and ergonomic. By itself, it can operate all the features of the drone.
You can also add a smartphone to benefit from photo and video feedback. Beware, however, of compressed video feedback, remember to use an SD card. Another advantage of the smartphone: it allows the use of the Draw the dot function which consists in pressing a point on the GPS map to send the drone! The maximum range reaches 200 m.
If the price of DJI drones scares you, treat yourself to the Potensic D80.
See priceIt's not just DJi in the drone world. Potensic is also a brand that counts. And its GPS drone called D80 does not lack qualities. Easy to use, it also demonstrates great reliability. The wide-angle camera with which it is equipped allows filming in enhanced 2K.
The Potensic D80 is delivered in a nice chrome case with protective foams. All the elements of the drone are there, including the battery, the USB charger, the spare propellers, the tools, the control or the phone holder. The autonomy in flight is really good. Ditto for the accuracy and richness of the GPS and the application to control the drone.
Smaller and especially less expensive than the Mavic Pro Combo Platinum, the DJI Mavic Air Fly Combo is intended for photo and video enthusiasts. Beware of the range.
See pricePhotographers and videographers, this drone is for you. Much lighter and less bulky than the DJI Phantom, the Mavic Air Fly Combo has a 32MP panoramic camera. Among other things, you can shoot HDR photos and 4K video at up to 30fps and 1080p slow motion at 120fps.
Available in black, red and white, this drone stands out for its great maneuverability. From the first uses, it proves to be very responsive. The different modes allow you to adapt the piloting to what you want to film. Moreover, it remains stable in windy conditions. Finally, note that this little bee is equipped with sensors to avoid crashes as much as possible. However, they can affect the maneuverability of the drone.
Any specific needs?
The best entry-level camera drone
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | EXCELLENT | VERY GOOD | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
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| OUR SELECTION |
DJI Mavic Pro Combo Platinum
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Potensic T25 FPV
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Potensic D80
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DJI Mavic Air Fly Combo
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Without doubt the best consumer drone today. But it is not without its faults!
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Despite its lack of autonomy, this drone will be perfect to start at low cost.
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If the price of DJI drones scares you, treat yourself to the Potensic D80.
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Smaller and especially less expensive than the Mavic Pro Combo Platinum, the DJI Mavic Air Fly Combo is intended for photo and video enthusiasts. Beware of the range.
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Suitable for both beginners and experts
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Perfect for beginners
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Good in-flight handling
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Quality images
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Services provided by the manufacturer should evolve
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With 10 to 15 min of autonomy, better buy a second battery
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Smartphone holder flimsy and impractical
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Limited range. Be careful not to put it too far away
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The first criterion to consider when buying a camera drone is to know the battery life. Just like a smartphone, a drone can also discharge and flight times between charges struggle to exceed 30 minutes, even on the best models.
Almost all rechargeable batteries that allow professional drones to fly work with Lipo (Lithium polymer) technology. Although more fragile than NiMh batteries and requiring specific maintenance and storage to maximize their life, they also have the advantage of not having a memory effect, which means that they can be charged even if they have not been completely discharged beforehand. To ensure this autonomy, you can always carry an additional power supply. But if you think you'll need to do so, be sure to include the cost of the spare batteries in the total price.
If you want the best quality images possible, the camera's specifications should be an important consideration. So be sure to check the photo and video resolution. Most decent-sized models, excluding toy drones, now come with a built-in camera, but some allow you to attach your own.
A drone's range tells you how far away from you it can travel before you lose control. Professional-level (more expensive) drones have longer ranges, going beyond the periphery of your living room or garden. However, no matter how far your drone can fly, you should always keep an eye on it to prevent it from damaging property and hitting animals or even people.
This is also a very important factor. As the price of drones increases, you will notice the presence of what is called an integrated gimbal. This mount is used to stabilize the camera as it travels in high winds and at high altitudes. Toy drones, which are smaller, will not have this accessory. Moreover, they don't really need it. These spend most of their time indoors or at lower altitudes. If you want the best video and photo footage, make sure the drone includes a gimbal.
The last criterion not to be overlooked is a feature built into some drones and it is intended to avoid obstacles while flying. A drone with this feature may cost you a lot of money, but it may be the only thing that protects your drone from damage. You should not forget to check if the drone has this capability. Before purchasing, check online reviews to see if it actually works as advertised.
Read your drone's manual carefully.
Every drone is unique and the best way to learn is to read the manual.
Keep your drone in sight.
Don
't lose sight of the drone. By maintaining eye contact, you will be able to better see potential obstacles or hazards and have less opportunity to accidentally fly out of range.
Practice flying without GPS.
New drone users should practice flying their drone without the aid of GPS technology. You'll have less chance of losing your device if the connection goes down, for example.
Be careful when flying with wind.
Windy days are among the most difficult conditions to fly. Indeed, it is very difficult then to have stability and accuracy.
Practice, practice, practice, practice.
Handling a drone takes practice. Learn what each button and function on your drone does and practice using them together and in combination.
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