What drone should I get

[JohnHarlin]

I want to get into drone photography and would like to have advice on what type of drone with camera for photos and video I should get.

 

[Len-O]

I want to get into drone photography and would like to have advice on what type of drone with camera for photos and video I should get.

There are several questions that need answers before you are going to get a sensible answer:

!: Where do you live, and where do you intend to do your aerial photography/videography?

This is important as there are different national rules/laws/restrictions which apply to all drone/UAS flying. Some are in place, some are developing.

2: What sort of budget are you working with, and what are you prepared to pay?

3: What are your image quality demands?

Without knowing those answers here are some of my suggestions, given that there are several new models about to be released:

1: In the sub-249g range (the least legally/regulation restricted drones in most countries) I would look to drones which have good flight characteristics, and acceptable camera qualities, the DJI Mini 2, or the soon to be released Autel Nano+.

2: In the $1,000-$1,600 range look at the DJI Air 2S, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, and the Autel Evo II. Then in the next few weeks there is the anticipated release of the DJI Mavic 3, and the Autel Evo Lite, and Lite+. These are going to be priced between $1,600 and $3,000+.

If you are just testing the waters I recommend the DJI Mini 2. Otherwise I highly recommend the DJI Air 2S, or a used, or discounted DJI Mavic 2 Pro.

I am a hobbyist drone enthusiast, and I started out with the DJI Air 2 in April 2020, and updated to the Air 2S in April 2021. I find that the Air 2S even with its limitations, more than fills my non-professional needs.

This can give you an idea of what I have been able to do with the DJI Air 2S:

https://photos.smugmug.com/Air-2-Work-2021/i-ZRQnpdV/0/90e61857/1920/Windy at Morro Bay-1920.mp4

 

[LesDMess]

Cool Morro Bay vid as I was also just there!

Have you found that seagulls seem to be attracted to drones and prone to attack them? I thought it may have been my noisy Phantom 4 that attracted them but they also attack my Mini 2 which is whisper quiet by comparison.

 

[Len-O]

Cool Morro Bay vid as I was also just there!

Have you found that seagulls seem to be attracted to drones and prone to attack them? I thought it may have been my noisy Phantom 4 that attracted them but they also attack my Mini 2 which is whisper quiet by comparison.

I fly down at Morro Bay regularly, and even with gulls, pelicans, cormorants, and herons aplenty, I have been fortunate to not have any bird incidents. I have yet to encounter any aggressive territorial birds, but then I might just be lucky.

 

[HappyMartin]

I want to get into drone photography and would like to have advice on what type of drone with camera for photos and video I should get.

I had the same problem after saying for years I would never buy a drone. Bought the mini 2 last week. Have nothing to compare to since I have never flown a drone.

Went the mini 2 route because it’s not too expensive and If I decide I hate flying drones not too much of a loss. Strong possibility I won’t have the coordination to fly it and will crash it and again the lower cost makes the 2 a better option than something more expensive.

Anyway I really like the little thing. I have become weirdly attached to it. Fly it every day for about an hour trying to build up skills.

As I said I have nothing to compare it to but this thing is fun and the images are reasonable. The camera reminds me a bit of trying to get the most out of a GoPro. A bit of a learning curve and I really miss variable apertures but I have used worse cameras that’s for sure. Hope I don’t crash it but I suspect I will.

 

[JohnHarlin]

Thank you Len. Budget for this is $100-500. I live in California. First priority is for aerial landscape photography of wild lands. Then I am sure I will find other important uses.

The mini size is excellent since I will need to be carrying it out to wildlands that can't be accessed by vehicles.

There are already aerials and even 3d aerials like Fatmap.com but they miss a great amount of details. After looking at the aerials and 3d and then actuality going to the sights, it is plain and clear how much is missed.

I checked around a little and there are some people who say that the DJI Mini3 is coming out in November before Thanksgiving. Don't know the price yet but don't want to go over $500 since I have many other expenses, things I need to get plus holiday gifts. Hoping they would keep the price the same and lower the Mini2.

Nice work with Morro Bay. Makes me want to get a boat and harbor hop through the coastline touring every city and droning for several days then moving on.

 

[Len-O]

Thank you Len. Budget for this is $100-500. I live in California. First priority is for aerial landscape photography of wild lands. Then I am sure I will find other important uses.

The mini size is excellent since I will need to be carrying it out to wildlands that can't be accessed by vehicles.

There is your answer, the DJI Mini 2. The size is perfect for travel, and backpacking. I just hope that your "wildlands" do not include and National Parks as drones are not allowed, and those fines would ruin your budget.

The Mini 2 is going to give you great flight characteristics, and image quality even at its current price point. Buying any of the drones advertised with tempting lower prices would just be false economy.

There are already aerials and even 3d aerials like Fatmap.com but they miss a great amount of details. After looking at the aerials and 3d and then actuality going to the sights, it is plain and clear how much is missed.

I checked around a little and there are some people who say that the DJI Mini3 is coming out in November before Thanksgiving. Don't know the price yet but don't want to go over $500 since I have many other expenses, things I need to get plus holiday gifts. Hoping they would keep the price the same and lower the Mini2.

While the rumor mill regarding the possibility of a new DJI Mini 3 sometime in the next few weeks is quite active. However, at the moment that is pure speculation. I would say that the Mini 2 at $449 could very well be discounted with various "Black Friday" etc. sales in the coming weeks. BestBuy might be a good source for that type of sale.

I hope that your $500 cap isn't a hard limit, as the best value is to buy the Fly More Combo which adds two extra batteries, extra spare props, a battery charging hub, and a bag for $600. Also another consideration is to regularly check on the DJI online store for refurbished DJI stuff. I checked, and unfortunately they are out of stock of both the Mini 2 and Mini 2 Fly More Combo which would have been perfect for you at $479.

Then there is always the option to look for used.

Nice work with Morro Bay. Makes me want to get a boat and harbor hop through the coastline touring every city and droning for several days then moving on.

Morro Bay is one of my regular places to fly.

 

[PHXAZCRAIG]

Thank you Len. Budget for this is $100-500. I live in California. First priority is for aerial landscape photography of wild lands. Then I am sure I will find other important uses.

$500 will get you the minimum of what you want/need. That is the Mini2 with Fly More combo.

The mini size is excellent since I will need to be carrying it out to wildlands that can't be accessed by vehicles.

A concern with the Mini and similar (<250g) models - they are more sensitive to wind. And the wind tends to increase above ground.

There are already aerials and even 3d aerials like Fatmap.com but they miss a great amount of details. After looking at the aerials and 3d and then actuality going to the sights, it is plain and clear how much is missed.

Good you have a plan here for a specific use.

I checked around a little and there are some people who say that the DJI Mini3 is coming out in November before Thanksgiving. Don't know the price yet but don't want to go over $500 since I have many other expenses, things I need to get plus holiday gifts. Hoping they would keep the price the same and lower the Mini2.

I was in your shoes 6 months ago. I felt the choice was between a beginner's drone (Mini2) and a bigger drone with a much better camera, whatever that would be. I considered the Mavic 2s also (as a beginner drone) and the Mavic Pro as a high-end, based on the camera.

Ultimately I opted for the Mini2 as a beginner drone. I've been pretty happy, but I've quickly become jaded to the quality of the stills I get from this model. (I shoot a 45mp DSLR normally). The Mini2 does have 4K video, and this is where I think the camera is pretty much ok, other than the fact it has a fixed aperture and you're having to use filters to keep the shutter speed down.

An unexpected 'problem' for me - as a beginner - is how wide angle the camera is. With relatively low resolution, you need to be closer to the subject than I often feel like flying, at least with obstacles around like trees. And powerlines.

Also, I find it incredibly easy to lose sight of this drone as it gains altitude. I very often can hear it fine, but can't quite spot it when it is over 200 feet up. I'm thinking of adding a very bright strobe to it.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Hi!
I was in the same shituation as you… ;-) Searched for a drone with good image quality (mostly for still shots), but super small and light, to take it with me on my mtb-rides in the mountains, or when backcountry-skiing. Active track and obstacle avoidance was on my wishlist, too. So I dived into this topic… Soon I found out, that the DJI Air2S would be NEARLY the perfect companion regarding IQ and all that follow me stuff - BUT (although still small and light) a bit too much to carry all day in may backpack. So my eyes went to the Mini-Series. Mini 1 was attracting by its prize-point - but I soon recognized, that its range is not soooo good, and (more important) that there is no RAW!! So Mini2 was the answer! Reviews stated, that it’s flight performance is great, and the IQ with RAW is really more than just OK… BUT: there is maybe a Mini3 coming this winter - most probably with sensors and tracking!! So I desided to wait a bit, and buy just a „fun-drone“ first, to satisfy my wish to have a drone. Went for a JJRC X9 PS… what should I say: I was massively DISAPOINTED! IQ was horrible, and Connection was lost within 150m, and GPS-fix took 5-10min before start…

SO FINALLY: I pulled my trigger on a slightly used Mini 2 FlyMore Combo!!! Super happy, that I did it!! Image quality is VERY GOOD!! Use RAW, and use AE-Bracketing - than make HDRs from the 3 RAWs you‘ll get in LR… Results are superb in my eyes!! Also Panos are astonishing!! Flight performance is great, too - even in really strong winds! And the drone is super tiny - perfect for all-day in the backpack, beeing ready to start within seconds!

YES, I will surely buy a Mini3 later, if it will offer the obstacle avoidance sensors and tracking! BUT meanwhile, I am really really happy with my used Mini2 FlyMore Combo!!

 

[Greg Ohio]

Costco has the Mini 2 with a second battery for $439. That's the one accessory that's truly essential.

I have one. It's fantastic. Do note that it enforces some of the airspace restrictions with its software. I think that's a good thing to reduce the likelihood of accidentally flying somewhere illegal or dangerous.

 

[offtheback]

Firehouse Technology 5 strobe unit is very good.Tiny.It hurts your eyes in the daytime!