How to Choose the Best Drone for Photography

Drones have transformed photography and made it possible for both hobbyists and professional photographers to take truly breathtaking aerial shots. Because hiring a plane or helicopter is cost prohibitive for most people, camera drones are an affordable method for aerial photography. When researching how to choose a drone for photography, it’s important to consider the camera quality in the options available.

If you’re just starting to learn the basics of flying, find an inexpensive beginner drone that is easier to control. Keep in mind that the features on entry-level drones likely won’t be able to produce the same results as more advanced models. To capture high-quality images and videos, you need a mid-range or premium model with a high-resolution camera and upgraded features that make aerial photography more rewarding. Here are the seven key features to consider when looking for a drone for photography.

The camera is the most important component to focus on if you’re asking, how does drone photography work? Just like digital cameras, the higher the quality, the bigger the difference in picture quality. When comparing photography drones, the key camera features to consider are sensor size, resolution and support for unprocessed, raw data (RAW) and digital negative file (DNG) formats. These file formats store richly detailed images and offer visual editors more creative freedom in post-production. If you’ll be polishing up drone shots with photo and video editing software, look for programs that support RAW or DNG files.

A large camera sensor lets in more light than a smaller one and, therefore, captures more details. This difference makes larger sensors a better fit for nighttime and low-light photography. When you’re researching the cost of a drone for photography, you may find that models with larger image sensors usually cost more. For a professional camera drone, only consider models with 1-inch image sensors or bigger. You can find high-end models with 4/3-inch complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors capable of capturing detailed images that rival those taken with digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.

The best drone for photography is one capable of taking at least 12-megapixel photos or images. Premium resolution is also important if you plan on using your drone to shoot videos. The minimum video resolution to look for in a professional camera drone is 4K. However, a drone capable of shooting 1080p videos is all you need if you only intend to upload captured videos to social media platforms.

Flight range is a key feature to consider when thinking about how to choose a drone for photography because it determines how far the quadcopter can fly away from you and its controller before losing its connection. A long range is important if you intend to shoot places that are inaccessible by foot, like water, and isolated locations.

A drone’s overall flight time depends on its battery capacity. While a bigger drone battery stores more energy, its increased weight results in a heavier drone that requires more power to stay airborne. Therefore, to optimize total flight time, drone manufacturers must achieve a fine balance between battery capacity and drone size. When shopping for a good drone to take photos, look for a quadcopter that can stay airborne for at least 20 minutes. Some higher-end models can manage up to 30 minutes of flight time.

Camera drones are expensive pieces of equipment with delicate construction. To avoid damaging them while learning the flight controls or when operating them in windy conditions, choose a model capable of avoiding obstacles and navigating tight spaces. Camera drones with enhanced mobility features prevent bumping into obstacles by scanning their environments with built-in proximity sensors that identify large objects.

Drones equipped with such sensors are less stressful to fly and allow you to concentrate more on camera controls. The drone needs to be able to sense its environment, independently adjusting its flight path to avoid obstacles in front, behind, above and underneath it.

Autonomous modes on camera drones make it easier to shoot impressive videos and photos. For example, the Follow Me mode allows a drone to track you by establishing a virtual tether with your smartphone. This mode is useful for capturing action shots as it keeps you in focus even as you walk, run or ride your bicycle.

Another autonomous mode to look for is a return-home mode that brings the drone back to you if it loses connection with the controller. There’s also a headless mode to make flying easier by orienting the drone’s flight direction relative to you and not the controller. Pick a camera drone that supports gesture control if you’d like to use hand gestures to take selfies and launch the drone. For sweeping shots, select a model that allows you to set waypoints and flight paths, so the drone automatically follows these pre-planned routes.

Knowing the different controller systems available for drones is important if you’re looking for a drone for photography. Depending on the model, you may control a camera drone using a mobile app, an included controller or both. Generally, a physical controller gives you better control over your drone’s flight. Some drones have controllers with built-in screens or smartphone mounts so users can see what’s being recorded in real-time.

When choosing a photography drone, look for a model with an intuitive control scheme and companion app. The wireless connection between a drone and its controller is also important because it determines the responsiveness of flight controls and smoothness of live video transmissions from the drone. Delayed video transmissions might cause you to miss key moments when filming. The best drones for photography use enhanced Wi-Fi or proprietary wireless systems to maintain connections over long distances.

If you plan to fly your drone commercially, you do need to get a drone pilot license. For recreational drone use, you are not currently required to get a license. However, recent changes to FAA rules will soon require you to pass a knowledge and safety test and carry proof of passing. Check with the FAA for exact requirements.

Whether you’d like to pursue aerial photography for professional purposes, or you want to capture images and video for personal interests, knowing the key features to look for in a camera drone is the first step to take. Camera performance, gimbal, range, flight time, obstacle avoidance and autonomous flying modes are some key factors to consider when choosing a photography drone.