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Luxury destination drone marketing
Travelling without a drone is a rare occurrence when you are an avid photographer. With the help of drones, you will be able to capture all the stunning places you visit in a way that amazes the viewers. Your travel photography goals are not achieved without having visuals that pull the audience into the mesmerizing beauty of the landscape.

Luckily, drones are just the perfect tool to make that happen. But the challenge arises when you have to decide on the type of drone that will be a perfect travel companion. This is because the weight and size of your equipment matter significantly in this regard.

Drone destination photography
Drone destination photography
However, before buying the right drone for your travel photography ideas, you must first:

Check the Destination Country’s Rules for Bringing UAV’s

While drones are pretty popular across the globe, it’s better to review the local laws of the country you are about to visit. The drone laws differ greatly from one country to the other. Therefore, as a responsible travel photographer, it is your responsibility to read up on all the rules before you plan your adventure.

Bringing Your Drone Through Customs

Along with the laws that will apply once you are in the country, you must also learn the custom regulations. There are some places that will require you to have a registration certificate for your drone which you must show at the airport.

It should come as no surprise that there are some places that do not let travelers carry drones. Thus, if you do not want your drone to get seized, you should make sure that you are aware of all the rules and requirements that are applicable in your case.
Aerial travel photography
Aerial travel photography

Determine the Airline’s Limit

You will need to put the batteries in your carry-on bag since the checked baggage is generally placed in a battery-friendly environment. But even as you get ready to board the batteries onto the plane, you must be sure about what the airline’s limit is.

If your drone uses a battery that falls in the high-capacity category, you might not be able to carry more than two of them.
LA Surfers drone photo
LA Surfers Drone Photo

Choose the Locations Wisely

Once you have finally entered the country and passed customs, you should pay attention to the kind of places you cover. Staying away from places with massive crowds is always recommended. Moreover, make sure that the weather in the country you’re covering is drone-friendly.

Protect Your Gear

You cannot just travel with your drone in any bag. You must invest in a case that keeps your drone safe and secure. There are also special bags that lower the risk of damage due to the presence of batteries.

Bottom Line

Before you start your adventure of becoming a travel photographer, it is important that you learn all the important rules and regulations in place regarding drone travel. Once you have done your research, you can begin capturing breathtaking views with one of the greatest inventions in the world of photography.
How to Become an FAA part 107 Certified Drone Pilot
As drone footage becomes more and more popular, the United States Federal Aviation Administration is implementing new regulations to make this technology safer to use in an open environment. By lay you must be FAA part 107 Certified in order to fly commercially and charge money for your work. Getting caught without your certification can get you permanently banned, fined, and other nasty things you’d be better to avoid.

This article will help you understand what you need to do in order to get certified by the FAA and become a drone or remote pilot.

Requirements for becoming a remote pilot

To become a remote pilot, you need to identify your self either as a first-time remote applicant or someone who already has a part 61 certificate. For first-time pilots the process to acquire an FAA certificate is mentioned below:
  • According to the FAA’s UAS rule number 107, a person who is willing to fly a drone should be at least 16 years of age.
  • The first thing that you should do to become an FAA-approved pilot is to schedule an appointment with Knowledge Testing Center.
  • Once the test is scheduled, you should bring a valid ID to the center to take the exam.
  • The exam can include questions relating to regulatory requirements of an unmanned aircraft, flight restrictions, weather effects on a drone, emergency and radio communication procedures, and airport operations.
  • FAA asks you to take this test every two years in order to ensure that you are updated with the changing requirements in this field.
  • They should be able to read, write, and understand the English language. This regulation is introduced keeping in mind that most of the drones being used in the United States have instructions written on them in English. These are some of the basic requirements to fly a drone in the country.
Los Angeles FAA Certified Drone Operator
FAA Certified Drone Operator
Once you have passed the exam, all you need to do is log in to FAA’s online certificate system and start a new application. Once you have put in all your credentials, you will be prompted to enter the 17-digit knowledge test code. After that, you can e-sign the application for the authorities to process your application.

FAA suggests that you wait for 10 business days to get an electronic copy of your certificate. An original hard copy is received after 7-8 weeks on average.

Some useful quick tips for flying your drone

  • You should always fly your drone below 400 feet, in order to avoid collision with any other flying object.
  • Always ensure that your drone is in your line of sight, otherwise, you never know when it enters an unknown territory or collides with a tall structure or building.
  • Avoid flying near emergency situations including hurricane or fire rescue operations.
  • Always check if you need a permit to film in your project location
  • You should also avoid flying over public events or over groups of people. They might think they are being surveyed.
Flying drone is always fun; however, regulations are being enforced by the government to ensure that drones do not invade the privacy of local occupants. These rules and tests prepare a remote flying object’s handler to keep their technology safe and make the best out of their flying robot.

Follow these Aerial Video Techniques for Mastering Drone Photography

Without a doubt, drones are an incredible tool for any aerial filmmaker. When you visualize and pre-plan as many of your aerial shots as you can, you are able to create stunning drone footage. But how do you master drone photography techniques?

There are several drone videography techniques you can follow to maximize the use of your drone. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can take your drone footage expertise to the next level.
City drone photo
City drone photo

Start out Slow

If you are wondering, slow is more cinematic. This tip works because a slower view gives your audience an impression that you are shooting for a bigger platform, such as a helicopter. Your shots look more crafted and controlled.

It also pays off to go easy on the remote’s RC control stick. When you are shooting using gradual movements, don’t forget to decelerate and accelerate slowly. Otherwise, the drone camera will shake, and cause ‘jello effect’s on the resulting footage.

Shoot at 24 fps. Such a frame rate is the cinema standard. Most drone cameras are capable of performing at 60 or 120 fps.

Be Careful of the Wind

Your biggest enemy to stunning drone footage is the wind. Don’t expect the best footage when winds are over 20 mph. In case of heavy gusts, your drone camera may give up. Although the latest models are engineered to perform well against winds of 25–35 mph, the footage you shoot at such higher speeds will not be worth your effort.

Benefit from a Flat Image Profile

Another factor that plays a crucial role in capturing cinematic footage is your camera setting. Remember to shoot in the flattest camera profile to have the most dynamic range from your drone camera. This way you will prevent clouds and the sky from blowing out. This setting also retains detail of the ground’s darkest points.
Los Angeles Certified Drone Services
Drone shot of busy highway interchange

Lower Shutter Speed

This technique is especially beneficial for taking shots close to the ground to avoid the strobing effect. We recommend a speed of under 100th to 250th of a second. Moreover, use an ND filter to keep the shutter speed down. Although, drone videographers can achieve sharper frames at 500th or 1000th of a second, the speed can result in some heavy strobing.

ND filters are crucial for shooting outdoors in the bright sun. If you don’t have one, you would need to change your shutter speed to avoid overexposing the image which gives an unnatural motion blur.

Know your Camera Inside Out

Start by selecting the right Drone for your goals and needs. You can’t master drone footage if you don’t know your tools well. Get to know as much as you can about your drone camera and experiment with different settings. Read about aerial filming techniques and watch tutorials to know how you can improve and learn drone shooting techniques. Study the techniques of traditional ground photography composition and framing for better drone photographs. Always pay attention to the weather and lighting of your location. This is particularly important when shooting real estate.
FAA certified drone services
Drone sunset skyline photo

Consider Insurance

Always protect your investment and yourself from liability. When flying your drone commercially, you will be held legally liable for any damages caused by your drone and for this reason we highly recommend getting drone insurance. Even the insurance companies themselves have started using drones to minimize risk and analyze claims from above. Whether you’re doing weddings, or agriculture inspections, make sure you are covered.

The Bottom Line

Always follow the law and get your FAA certification taken care of. It’s not worth the risk of permanently damaging your business or reputation by trying to skip the legal requirements.
How to master drone photography
Drones are now more accessible and convenient to operate than ever. But shooting cinematic drone videography is not as easy as getting your drone camera up in the air. Drones come with some all types of autonomous flight modes that affect your shooting experience.

Drones manufactures incorporate numerous settings that deal with camera operation. Experimenting with different settings is essential before a shooting professional footage. Drone pilots must have confidence in their flying abilities before they can embark on professional drone videography. Don’t rely on cheap or small indoor drones to produce results that you can only get out of GPS stabilized and updated outdoor drone cameras. Also, don’t forget to check your local regulations as these devices are completely banned in some areas and national parks.

With the soaring popularity of video to create marketing content, the demand for drone photography and videography is increasing. Drone videography is completely different from ground photography as it follows its own rules and uses special equipment.

For those of you who have just started to explore the basics of aerial videography, the best thing to learn first is how to pilot your craft effectively. The skill takes considerable amount of practice and countless hours. But once you know how to fly your drone, you can focus on capturing stunning imagery.

Most amateur drone photographers start out with an affordable UAV or a trainer drone before investing in an expensive drone camera that’s built for professional use. Big brands, like 3DR and DJI, allow their customers to groom their flying skills on virtual flight simulators.
Overlooking Los Angeles, CA
Overlooking Los Angeles, CA

Here are 10 different tips to make you a better drone videographer.

Don’t Overlook Photographic Considerations

Flying a drone camera is fun. While it’s ok to go creative with your flying skills, don’t overlook some of the most basic photography principles and the importance of planning. Find promising new areas using Google Earth and choose the best time of the day to shoot under the best light. Creating the highest quality content possible is the difference between professional and amateur photographer. Your clients will be able to tell quality from not regardless of their personal skills.

Pay attention to the wind

According to FAA regulations, it is against the law to fly a camera drone above 400 feet. However, you shouldn’t fly your drone this high, anyway. That’s because the higher you go, stronger winds make your footage shaky. Make sure to fly under appropriate wind conditions and keep the height up to 300 feet.

Study your Shooting Environment

Before filming, map out your location. It is important to know about any buildings, electric wires and other obstacles to save your expensive product from crashing. Your video will be less shaky and you can shoot with confidence. This is especially important when shooting an event like a wedding.
Sunset Drone shot in Los Angeles
Sunset Drone shot in Los Angeles

Capture longer shots

Another tip for spectacular filmmaking is to begin filming a few seconds before and after you capture the shot you desire. Allowing the camera film a little longer, you have the flexibility to make the necessary edits and capture the best parts of your footage.

Adding Parallax Panning

You can add more depth to your aerial scenes by benefitting from extreme parallax effects, typically with structures or trees closer to the drone. This technique serves as a visual aid to the viewer to let him or her see how the surround landscape is for better viewing. This can be especially dramatic when filming crowds of people at festivals and large scale concerts.

Make the Most out of the Magic Hour

All amateur and professional videographers know about the ‘Golden hour’ which signifies the soft yellow tinted light, filling up the sky when the sun begins and ends its journey. However, there’s another crucial part of the day when vivid blue hues are scattered all through the sky. Even when filming industrial or construction sites, you should aways select the best possible time for the subject matter.

This special moment is referred to as the ‘Blue hour’ which occurs after sunset in the evening and before sunrise in the morning. At this time, the sun dips below the horizon, to a certain amount.

Since light is a crucial element that makes or breaks your aerial photos and videos, it is important that you capture your most stunning shots during these hours, both on the ground and in the air.
Dodger Stadium Drone Photo
Dodger Stadium Drone Photo

Combine Various Axis Movements

No aerial footage can stand out if you only move your drone backwards or forward. As a skilled drone pilot and a professional aerial videographer, you need to try out different axis movements to add more depth to your footage.

Fly up and backwards simultaneously or go sideways while flying up. The secret to stunning aerial footage lies in your ability to make the most out of the hi-tech features of the drone camera for more cinematic footage. Circling an object in an orbit also adds a tremendous touch to your videos.

Stay at Low Altitudes

Don’t assume that aerial videography is all about higher altitudes. While a higher altitude gives you an ample shooting space, shooting at low altitudes goes a long way to create a more immersive experience. Not only it allows you to capture all the objects in detail, such an altitude also helps you make easy adjustments when you are about to speed up.

Don’t make Sudden Movements

Unless it’s for safety reasons, never make any sudden adjustments. A few wrong pushes of the remote controller can ruin a good shot or make you overlook the perfect angle. Always tap the record button a few seconds in advance to avoid missing the perfect moment. Smooth and steady video are the way to go when marketing anything.
Drone Portrait Photography
Drone Portrait Photography

Buy Professional Equipment

Your images and videos are only as good as your memory card. Since it takes significant time, energy and effort to get your drone in the air, the last thing you want to experience is bad camera performance because of a mediocre memory card. Since this card is responsible for storing and rendering your images, make sure you choose your memory card wisely.

There are other important things such as keeping your model’s gimbal calibrated correctly to ensure that the camera is stabilized and level.

Final Thoughts

To master drone videography, you need to practice both flying and shooting for producing professional-grade results. Get to know your equipment well before you can shoot like a professional. Always consider if you are going to need insurance for your shoot.

Aerial videography is a revolutionary photography niche that is especially beneficial for adventurous shooters. If you want to make it big in the world of aerial photography and videography, remember to make use of our tips for shooting visually-stunning footage. Always make sure and check your local regulations and permit restrictions before filming.
Drones have taken the world of photography by storm! They have revolutionized how we capture emotions and natural beauty in our daily lives. If a farmer wants to capture how their crops look from the sky, they can use these flying objects to take a snap from hundreds of meters above the ground.

If building contractors want to create a blueprint of their construction site, they can use drones to capture high-definition images through these unmanned aerial vehicles. For these significant reasons, businesses who want to provide best-in-class service to their clients, make efficient use of drones all the time.

This article would help you understand how you can insure your drone so that a provider can cover your expenses in case this cutting-edge flying technology gets damaged.
Large scale event and festival commercial photography insurance
Large scale event and festival

Insurance Options for Drone Owners

Like any other insurance plan, drone owners whether they are corporate entities or individual users can acquire either a basic policy or comprehensive coverage for their drones.

Basic insurance coverage

Losing or breaking gear sucks. Having to replace gear at full price is even worse and in some cases can bankrupt a small business. As per the Professional Photographers Association of America, basic coverage for drones can cover losses of up to $100,000. The coverage also includes theft and disappearance under mysterious circumstances. If you are not satisfied with a basic insurance policy, then there is always a comprehensive coverage plan that you can sign up for. Even if you’re just getting started and are still wondering what drone to choose from, always consider the worst case scenario and plan ahead.

It is a good rule of thumb that any time you can damage someone else’s property or be personally charged for damages, you should be insured. This is especially critical when dealing with real estate, construction projects, or large scale events and festivals.
Drone video insurance
Insurance is important, especially near water

Comprehensive insurance coverage

This type of insurance policy can include damage caused to other party’s property or body from your drone. It is important that you do not change any part of the evidence and wait for your insurance provider to evaluate and take pictures of the place where the incident happened.

Some companies might ask you for your remote flying license issued by the Federal Aviation Authority before they provide you with a comprehensive coverage plan.

How to select your drone insurance provider?

Your best bet for getting a suitable policy for your drone is to go online and search for different insurance providers and get a free quote for your drone.

The basic information that you will need to provide a potential drone insurer would include:
  • Type of coverage you are looking for.
  • Your contact information including name and email address.
  • The type and model of your UAV or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
  • Where and how you are planning to use your drone.
Real estate photographer insurance
Real estate drone photography

How Much will commercial drone insurance cost you?

While each company has its own fee structure and terms and conditions to insure your drone, you should be ready to pay at least $750 per year to ensure your remote flying object. However, there are certain items that your insurance provider would need you to keep track of.

These often include:
  • Flight time
  • FAA license
  • Maintenance log for your drone
  • Where do you usually fly your remote controlled flying object

Concluding Thoughts

Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles are a great way to capture images that you can cherish for a lifetime. However, it is important that you insure this equipment because you never know what it can collide with when it’s flying hundreds of feet above the ground. Protect yourself and your business physically and financially by carrying the proper insurance and always studying the local laws.
aerial footage drone permit
Drone videography and photography is a growing segment in the commercial drone market. Although federal drone regulations rely on getting commercial authorization, the passing of state and local regulations makes it virtually impossible for drone pilots to guarantee that they are filming legally.

Do I need a permit for drone photography?

The short answer is, it depends. Apart from the usual ‘know before you fly’ rule about not flying near airports and over prohibited areas, there are other state regulations that prohibit people from taking pictures of people without permission. Moreover, there are also altitude limits you need to follow to obtain a permit.
Southern California beach aerial photography
Southern California beach aerial photography

Check your local laws

Some states have special regulation against flights that might be considered “peeping tom” activity. To know exactly what rules apply to your drone, you must determine how you intend to use your drone. In case you plan on making using money with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), you will need to pass an FAA test to obtain Part 107 certification. This certification will enable you to capture aerial videos and stunning images.

From film productions to real estate and weddings, there are endless ways to use drone cameras professionally. But for some of us, flying is only for fun and sharing videos.
Venice Beach, California
Venice Beach, California
Obligatory drone registration for recreational pilots was a prerequisite in the past. However there was later a court challenge and after legal proceedings, all recreational pilots in America need to spend $5 to register with the FAA before they can fly outdoors. You need to register an aircraft that weighs between 0.55 pounds and 55 pounds. This weight also includes added payloads, for instance an onboard camera.

While flying a drone is a lot of fun as it gives you the freedom to capture unique images and video, it is crucial that you follow the FAA rules to make your aerial videography more pleasurable. Moreover, common sense also dictates that drone pilots should avoid flying their expensive machines near crowded and unknown places.

But make sure that you are aware of all local and state regulations as failure to do so can result in fines from the local or FAA authorities. Always consider if you are going to need drone insurance for your shoot to protect your equipment and shelter you from the risk of damaging someone else’s property.

The U.S. military first began flying and developing unmanned drones in Afghanistan in 2000. We all know that drones were primarily used by the military. However, in 2006, the FAA issued the first commercial permit. Drones are now widely utilized for rescue operations, farming, construction, real estate and a variety of other uses.
Hollywood sign aerial photo
Hollywood sign aerial photo

Security and Privacy

Despite the widespread use of commercial drones, critics are raising a number of security and privacy concerns. Some people still use drones to illegally capture recordings or photos of citizens. Drones are also vulnerable to outside control and hacking, which worsens security concerns.

FAA offers detailed instructions concerning the flight and registration of unmanned aerial vehicles. But currently there are no rules for drone use on private property.

In recent years, thousands of small drones have been sold in the United States. However, most of these are flown as toys. But since drones are cheaper than most forms of aerial technology, leading experts believe that these updated videography equipment are going to transform all major industries.

Applying for a permit

If your project is in the state of California, you can apply for a permit directly with the California Film Commission if your project requires.
When it comes to film making, everyone can agree that amazing cinematography is one of the strategies that can make a movie successful. Whether it’s an action movie or a documentary film, every video can take viewers into its world when produced using the right techniques. Specifically, every film that contains various shots in each sequence is undoubtedly more engaging to viewers. In other words, video shots play a crucial role to make your film a blockbuster hit. When it’s about video shots, many filmmakers are incorporating aerial shots in movies, which certainly make a film more captivating. Wondering how? Well, when you shoot from sky height, it captures every bit of detail that a place entails and lets a viewer see the scene from a clear perspective.
Manhattan Beach California Drone Photo
Manhattan Beach, California drone photograph

Using Drones for Aerial Shots

As a filmmaker, you probably have some clue as to how drone technology is drastically influencing various industries, including the film industry. This cutting-edge technology provides versatile options to create intense and high-level scenes in a movie. Considering the way films engage an audience, a bird’s eye view filmed with drones sets a higher bar for quality of the entire movie, and captivates the viewers. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how it makes your film more impactful.

Compact Space Filming

Oftentimes, while filming, there will be some new, yet unreachable locations that will be a part of your movie. Especially when you’re shooting with a regular ground camera, it will be a great hassle to film at the heightened place and tight areas. But that’s not a case with a drone; using the device, you can film in small and compact spaces without going through too much of a hassle.
Venice Beach California drone photo of man skateboarding
Venice Beach, CA
As drones come in a variety of dimensions, it allows you to shoot at any space or level. This way, you will be able to add more depth to your movie and engage a wider audience.

Wider Reach

Deploying drones for aerial filming provides you with a wider view and angle, whereas on the ground you’re restricted to shooting in specific locations. As a filmmaker, you probably have some idea as to how difficult it to shoot from locations, like rivers, lakes, and sea from above ground level. This is especially true when you are using a normal ground camera, it limits you in terms of reach and you have to complete your shoot with great difficulty. Of course, you can hire a boat for filming in such areas, but drones let you film over the water in the easiest and simplest way, without causing any trouble for you. Before the technology became viable for the entertainment industry, filmmakers were restricted to ground shootings and limited aerial shots, as they had to hire expensive helicopters. Now that drones are regulated for filmmaking by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), you can captivate audiences with amazing cinematography.

The Bottom Line

Deploying drones in your filmmaking process can provide you with a number of benefits. From saving your time and cost to creating dynamic intense sequences, drones have become instrumental in filmmaking. Although there are various brands that offer UAVs, make sure to get help from credible and reliable service-providers.
Downtown Los Angeles skyline drone photo
Los Angeles, CA
Drone flying over Los Angeles
If shooting high quality aerial footage is your number one priority, you obviously want to learn the basics and the secrets to professional aerial photography. Unmanned aerial systems are now the fastest emerging technologies in the world of photography. As manufacturing companies continue to deliver upgraded models, both amateur and professional videographers can capture stunning footage with drone cameras.

Every year, thousands of consumers purchase drones with camera mounts or on-board cameras. This implies that drones either come with a professional camera or a ‘gimbal’ which is rotating mount built to carry a small DSLR.
Downtown Aerial city landscape Shot at sunrise
Downtown Aerial Shot
It is also crucial that you buy a model that features a real-time video feed on its controller or through a smartphone. This feature allows you to view exactly what your drone captures, so you modify your angles and settings to create stunning shots with greater ease.

Getting started with Aerial Videography

Before you dip your toes in the world of aerial videography, you should also know that you need to register any UAV that weighs from 0.55 lbs. to 55 lbs. with the FAA.
Aerial photo of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
Aerial photo of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
Most amateur drone pilots invest in a training drone that can come for just under $60. However, the drone should come with a proper transmitter and not feature a toy-like transmitter that is found in cheap replica products. You can use this drone indoors if you have enough room and outdoors in light winds. While this camera fails to deliver the best footage and stills, it is the cheapest way of learning the basics of drone videography.

Are there no-fly zones for drones?

Yes, first-time drone pilots must also know that strict no-fly zones exist. Don’t break the law and avoid flying near any restricted areas. FAA takes safety and drone laws seriously and you can incur fines of up to $20,000. Renowned manufacturing brands like, DJI, offers a no-fly database to their users, which automatically prevents all pilots from entering a no-fly zone.

Experiment with different altitudes, camera angles and maneuverability to know how to capture stills and shoot videos using a drone. Once you know how to shoot well, you need to learn the basics of post-production which is a crucial part of the process. From splicing frames to correcting colors of a batch of photos, how you treat your footage after the shooting phase decides how your final photographs and videos appear.

While editing can make your footage look better, nothing can replace skills and expertise. Be it Photoshop or Final Cut Pro, every software has its own learning curve. Brush up on your editing skills to churn out professional content.
Drone photo of coastal California highway
Drone photo of coastal California

Bottom Line

There are many training courses online which can help you shoot better. Drone photographers and videographers can also watch tutorials to learn a great deal about the entire aerial photography process.

If you are interested in knowing the basics of aerial photography and videography, you can also follow professional drone pilots to benefit from their advice. Follow them on their social media accounts or enroll into a training course to fly your drone like a professional. Always consider if you will need drone insurance for your hobby or business.

Do you have what it takes to fly for us? Apply to become a Partner Pilot
City drone photography
City drone photography
Getting started with aerial videography can seem like an enormous task at first but this article should help you get started in your journey to becoming a drone pilot. When we talk about a drone, we almost certainly think of a multicopter or a quadcopter. Featuring four or more propellers, drones now serve as flying cameras for all your aerial photography and videography needs.

However, the market is filled with a wide range of models with different specs, designs and features.

What are the best drones for getting started with drone photography and video?

DJI Phantom 4

Starting off with more of an advanced level drone, the Phantom 4 brings with it a more sturdy construction, updated object-avoidance technology and – like so many of DJI’s offerings – an excellent dedicated remote control which connects to an equally feature-rich smartphone app. 4K video recording is supported, and the gimbal design means you get the steadiest footage even when the drone is moving at full speed and changing direction. The biggest downside is battery life, which is only around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how hard you’re pushing the drone. You can capture professional level footage with this drone.

DJI Mavic 2 Zoom

DJI’s Mavic Pro revolutionized the way we see camera drones. Did you think it was possible to carry and fold a good-quality lens without putting a dent in either the weight or volume of your carry-on? The drone camera became so popular that many other brands copied the functionality and features of this amazing product. The drone camera is also available in a Pro version.

Some of the most exciting features of this model include the hyperlapse mode and a quick shot dolly zoom emulator, which give this camera an edge over its rivals. The Zoom features a zoom lens (24-48mm efl) which is great for cinematic effects. The drone camera offers a flight time of around 31 minutes and an impressive 8 GB internal storage. With a max speed of 44 mph, the camera guarantees superior performance.

DJI Spark

Spark offers great value for money. Although it doesn’t fold, the propellers do! Thanks to its rugged body and high definition 1080p resolution, the drone camera offers superior performance and tracks subjects well. DJI is known for making spectacular products and this drone camera is worth every penny. This is the perfect drone to learn on.

With its intelligent flight mode, you get flawless footage and intuitive Quick Shot Videos with just a tap. The camera is built to detect clearly patterned surfaces and guarantees precision control. Spark recognizes your face to lift off from your hands and you can capture incredible aerial shots without having to use a mobile phone or remote control.

DJI Mavic Air

The Mavic Air is a ground-breaking technical achievement, a powerful drone that features rear, downward and front-facing distance sensors. This product is capable of identifying obstacles and efficiently plots a course to avoid a tree or wall.

Another great feature of the product is the controller which folds away beautifully. DJI’s app also offers some really cool effects. With 3-dimensional environment sensing capabilities, the drone camera offers a maximum flight time of 21 minutes. Foldable and portable, the model’s gimbal dampeners ensure steadier shots for superior aerial videography.

Parrot Anafi

Europe’s biggest drone manufacturer, the French company Parrot, launched Anafi in mid 2018. While some users don’t like the carbon-fiber elements of the drone’s body, the model is one of the best built products on the market. Thanks to its automatic take-off and landing along with GPS-based features, the drone camera is easy to operate.

The only drawback might be the gimbal which is only powered on two axes and depends on the software to manage sharp turns. For that reason, the manufacturers charge extra for in-app features including follow-me modes.

On the plus side, the gimbal can be turned for an unobstructed angle which is something most drones fail to manage. There is also a zoom feature which is great.

ZeroTech Dobby

Dobby is an easy-to-fly drone camera which is capable of flying up to 100 meters away from any Android or iOS device. Simply unfold the prop arms and sync your device and have a blast with the DoFun app. Featuring intelligent flight modes, Dobby is great at target/face tracking, somersault and video selfie.

Did you know you could even control this model with your voice? The drone camera can shoot in 4K when you switch off EIS or the digital stabilization. You get fairly decent 13 megapixel stills, but performance can vary while shooting videos. Dobby works best in environments with no wind. However, it’s a brilliant device for taking short video bites and taking selfies.

Bottom Line

Always make sure to check your local laws and regulations to avoid fines. In some cases you may be required to apply for a filming permit. Drone cameras are great for capturing aerial shots and covering events. When buying the best drone camera make sure you choose a model from our top list to get the best one for your aerial videography needs.

After making your big purchase you may want to start thinking about getting your drone insured. Make sure and consider if this is something you’ll need when starting your drone career as a professional or just a hobbyist. If you plan to fly commercially you’ll need to get your Part 107 Drone Certification with the FAA.
Learning to fly a drone
Learning how to fly a drone