10 Best Camera Drones For Adults: Your Options For Consumer and Professional Use

Best Camera Drones For Adults

Flying a drone is an awesome experience, and enthusiasts do so for a lot of reasons. As a multi-rotor construction, a drone is now becoming more popular, with people flying with passion- as an extension of an RC aircraft.

In the same manner, a quadcopter in the air is gaining an ardent following for taking photos up in the sky. Indeed, a camera in the sky is an exhilarating feat.

There is a wide range of best camera drones for adults in the market today, and they are mainly used personally, or for commercial purposes. Basically, you may be flying your drone as a hobby and to enjoy the fun of doing it.

Otherwise, if you are being paid to fly your machine, or do so for commercial reasons, take note that you are required to obtain a Part 107 remote pilot’s license from the US FAA.

Since the list of the best camera drones provided below weighs more than 0.55 lbs, it is entailed that you register with the FAA before piloting any of them.

Don’t forget the best drones for kids for the little ones 🙂

Best Consumer Camera Drones

1. DJI Inspire 2

DJI Inspire 2

The original DJI Inspire camera quadcopter may have attempted to sport a professional look, but the DJI Inspire 2 accomplished this endeavour. Upon its launching, Inspire 2 is designed with the Zenmuse X5 that happens to be a 5.2K camera equipped with exchangeable lenses, and it could face Hollywood tasks head on.

From that time on, a 6K camera, the Zenmuse X7 has been incorporated in the drone, making it a more capable equipment for professional filming.

The base DJI Inspire 2 costs approximately $2999, but if you aim to get a well-resourced flight package that includes extra batteries, cameras, and more, prepare to spend $6200 at the least.

2. DJI Mavic 2 Pro

DJI Mavic 2 Pro

This camera drone was launched in August 2018 when it quickly became the best DJI folding drone in the consumer-class category. The Mavic 2 Pro is a markedly upgraded version of the Mavic Pro, and it rocks with a 1-inch camera sensor for capturing 4K videos at 100 Mbps.

You’re ensured of the safest flight possible with this machine because of its multi-directional sensors that avoid obstacles, among its many other amazing capabilities. The connectivity of the Mavic 2 Pro to the remote control and its other accessories is enhanced by its OcuSync 2.0 feature.

This improved model is now able to send out 1080p live stream video even if it is beyond the permissible line of sight.

The launch price of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro is $1449. Add to that $319 to avail of the Fly More Kit that packs extra batteries. If you have the budget, you aren’t likely to be disappointed with this camera drone.

3. DJI Mavic 2 Zoom

DJI Mavic 2 Zoom

The Mavic 2 Zoom and the Mavic 2 Pro are primarily the same machine when you take a good look at the specs checklist, except for one major component, and that is the camera. As a folding drone, the Mavic 2 Zoom is very portable.

Safe flights can be relished because it is installed with multi-directional obstacle avoidance sensors. Its OcuSync 2.0 feature is quite new, offering better versatility in terms of accessories and control.

These characteristics are similar for the two machines, however, the Mavic 2 Zoom holds an optical zoom lens that is 2x the capability of the Mavic 2 Pro over a 12MP camera. The video it captures are 4K at 100Mbps. Digitally, this zoom can be doubled, producing close-ups that are truly impressive.

The crowd finds the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom as a favourite. Its price upon launching is $1299, added in with $319 to obtain a Fly More Kit.

4. DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

If you’re looking for the best camera drones in the market, you’ll find the DJI Phantom series to be on top of the list. Whatever the iteration, you’ll enjoy the fantastic improvements incorporated by DJI.

In the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, you’ll experience improved motors and propellers that are more efficient. The Pro V2.0 is in fact the first Phantom machine that sports an OcuSync connectivity.

When it was launched, the Phantom 4 Pro series was the best machines offered by DJI when it comes to technology that applies object avoidance. It constantly continues, especially with the V2.0 series wherein it has been improved. More goodness has been combined, particularly by adding radars and obstacle avoidance enhancements.

In the same manner as the previous models, the newer drones are installed with 20MP 4K cameras, gaining the reputation as among the best sky camera machines in the market.

You can buy the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 for about $1499, while the Phantom 4 Pro+ V2.0 costs around $1749 wherein the difference lies in the latter’s installation of a 5.5 inch built-in display on the drone remote. The only distinction between the Pro V2.0 and the Pro+ V2.0 is the bright and Android-powered display on the latter.

5. DJI Mavic Air 2

DJI Mavic Air 2

As a newer version of the original Mavic Air, the DJI  Mavic Air 2 also presented a transition in form, bringing about a true Mavic machine. In the line-up of DJI quadcopters, you would expect the Mavic Air 2 to occupy a mid-tier ranking when it pertains to price, capability and size. You can say that it is flanked by the Mavic Mini and Mavic 2 drone series.

What predominantly happened with Mavic Air is that it boosted the camera capabilities of smaller drones, and Mavic Air 2 is exciting relating to this upgrade in the camera department. What it incorporated is a fresh ½-inch sensor that can capture 12MP stills. However, it does this from a 48MP sensor! You can shoot 48MP stills, too.

Then again, the 12MP captures are better because it uses pixel binning with technology handled by Quad Bayer. Photos captured by the Mavic Air 2 are fantastic, but you’ll be more amazed by the videos it shoots at 60fps, along with a 120Mbps data bit rate.

The starting price of the Mavic Air 2 is approximately $799 if you purchase the base package. If you prefer to buy the Fly More combo, you can do so for about $988.

Best Camera Drones For Industrial and Commercial Uses

If you’re flying a drone for pay in the United States, you will be needing a special license. Not that it is required when you pilot the following machines on the list, but such rule applies for any quadcopter that you fly for hire. What is particularly required is the Part 107 if you’re flying for pay, along with commercially using the footage you shoot.

6. DJI Matrice M600 Pro

DJI Matrice M600 Pro

It’s been a while now that DJI has been rendering service for professional and high-end aerial photography space. For the most part, consumers are not likely to be aware of the pricey offerings of the Spreading Wings and the Matrice.

The M600 Pro is a rather massive drone constructed with six arms and six batteries. The best of all in DJI cameras is handled by this machine that carries more than 13 lbs of RED or some other camera arrangements.

The cost of the DJI Matrice M600 Pro is over $3999, and it is a quadcopter that is serious about video work.

7. FreeFly Alta

FreeFly Alta

There are two sizes of this drone from FreeFly, and they are the Alta 6 and Alta 8. The figures refer to the physical configurations, together with the number of its propellers. It’s all about size concerning the FreeFly Alta.

Whereas the DJI Mavic Pro is installed with a frame measuring 335mm from the middle of one motor in diagonal far distance to the corner motor, and the DJI Inspire 2 is constructed with a size twice as big, the FreeFly Alta 8 is approximately double the size of the Inspire 2. Meaning its frame is 1,325mm in size, albeit foldable, for easy transport.

This monster of a machine contains dual batteries, allowing it 40 minutes of flying time. With a payload of 20 pounds, it can deal with numerous camera and Gimbal rigs.

It’s all well and good, but one thing that might prevent you from using the Alta for soaring your high-end camera up in the sky is its exorbitant price. That’s about $17,495 for the Alta 8, and an approximately $11,995 price tag for the Alta 6.

Old Camera Drones That Are Still Worth It

8. DJI Phantom 4

DJI Phantom 4

The DJI Phantom line became popular in the early to late 2016, and it is when the Phantom 4 gave a customary flight experience to enthusiasts. Pilots enjoyed the solid performance of its camera.

The time of the Phantom 4 in the lime light may have been short after it took over the Phantom 3 and substituted by the more proficient Phantom 4 Pro, however, it gained a well-respected status in the DJI Phantom series.

The Phantom 4 is the last Phantom drone that shipped with a ½.3 camera sensor while all the rest in the series are installed with a 1 inch in full sensor. Nonetheless, its video capture remained at 4K, and its photos 12MP.

Its flight time runs at 28 minutes, and its range is around 3 miles at 45mph. With these features, the Phantom 4 can still keep up with the popular drones currently sold in the market.

The Phantom 4 costs about $999, but the prices are apt to fluctuate according to availability because the quadcopter has been discontinued.

9. DJI Phantom 3 Pro

DJI Phantom 3 Pro

Quite an icon of a drone, the original DJI Phantom 3 has been, and its design has remained to be mimicked and celebrated to this day. The versions of the Phantom 3 have particularly been few, wherein the DJI Phantom 3 Pro was a top selection, especially with its 4K camera and lengthened flight range.

Its GPS and positioning tools are better as well. From the inception of the Phantom 3 Pro in 2015, the industry has already had a long way to go, but it keeps on being an excellent drone to fly and play with.

Although the Phantom 3 Pro is generally sold for $770, its price may fluctuate in accordance to the availability of this discontinued drone.

10. DJI Inspire

DJI Inspire

When it comes to reputation, no other machine can compare to DJI Inspire in terms of its enormous size. It is now called as the Inspire 1 to make a distinction from the more current Inspire 2, but the former remains to be known as the killer drone that had many buffs excited.

Imaginations have been captured by this quadcopter what with its retractable landing gear and a camera gimbal and design with 360° articulation. Unfortunately, though, the DJI Inspire has also gained massive popularity because of a bunch of videos showing drone crashes.

Nevertheless, this machine introduced enthusiasts to an era when a superb drone can be accessed at a price that is easier for consumers.

Considering the high speed, unique design and excellent camera of the Inspire, you can reckon that it is quite a catch. You’ll basically pay double for what you can avail of it for today. The DJI Inspire 1 is priced at $1229, however, being discontinued, that figure may fluctuate.

To Wrap It Up

These, by far, are some of the best camera drones for adults on the market today. There are plenty of more to consider, but the list above has indicated those that are top-notch.

Note that what sets consumer drones from professional machines is the camera. The former tends to have a built-in camera, whereas the latter is usually designed with a mount to be able to haul a more sophisticated camera.

Generally, the same sensors as those installed in smart phones are found in built-in cameras, and they are, on their own, good. However, they are a far-cry from those used in Hollywood filming tasks. Professional drones are inclined to be larger at the same time, because the cameras they hold are larger, which is but apt.