Drones are some of the most wanted RC toys right now, and both kids and adults love to fly them around. But, with the new technologies available, some models are so advanced that you can easily use them for professional photography and more.
Since everybody wants one, the market is full of various models, each offering cool features. But do you really need a professional camera on your drone? Or maybe you just want one to fly inside. To help out with choosing the right quad for you, I reviewed 10 of the best camera drones to buy.
Before we began since you are into drones you may also like remote control helicopters or maybe if you are into something much faster I also have reviewed R/C jets.
Below you can see the Pros and Cons, which are important to know before any purchase. So, read the reviews and choose the manufacturer and model that’s best for you!
Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 FPV Explorers (Best Drone on the Market)
Size: 12.4 x 12.4 x 4.13 inches
Weight: 0.26 lbs.
Battery: 3.7V 500 mAh Li-Po
Run time: around 6 to 7 minutes
Range: About 50 meters
Control system: 2.4GHz 4CH Syma remote control
Gyro: 6-axis
Camera: HD 0.3MP
Special features: Headless/IOC function, WiFi FPV, One key 360° roll
This is what it’s considered a small drone so make sure to fly it in low wind conditions (it is lightweight). However, the small size and weight bring the advantages of not having to register it with the FAA.
I honestly like it better for indoor flying, especially if you consider the protective guards around the propellers. These are designed to prevent the drone from hitting walls or other objects in a room and damage the propellers. When you fly outside, the guards can be easily removed.
The design is simple (a standard quadcopter), but the case is durable and protects the inner workings from any damage in the event of crash. Also, spare parts are readily available and cheap. It also comes with landing gears which are great when you fly it outside.
The Syma X5SW-V3 is a great drone for both kids and adults, it is a lot of fun to fly, and it comes completely equipped. You just have to take it out of the box, charge the battery (it takes about 90 to 120 minutes), and make the connection between the drone and the remote control.
The drone connects with the transmitter via WiFi signal (it creates its own) and supports a range of about 50 meters. Still, it doesn’t fly for too long on one charge, so I recommend getting a few spare batteries.
I like the camera, even though it’s not the best quality (HD 0.3 MP WiFi FPV Camera) and the fact that it allows you to see what the drone sees in real time. For this, you only have to connect your phone (Android or iOS) to the remote control and download the Syma FPV or Syma GO app from the Syma website. Once the link is established, you’ll get on your phone screen a live feed from the drone.
Finally, the quad is easy to fly and responds well to commands. It implements a headless mode, which means you don’t have to worry about which way is forward for the drone. It’s also capable of 360-degree rolls, which is quite impressive. However, you should know that there is no return home system- in case the drone remains without battery or loses signal, it will stop and land (instead of returning to the takeoff point).
Pros:
- Small and lightweight (no FAA registration needed)
- Durable case
- Spare parts are readily available
- It is a lot of fun to fly it
- It supports WiFi FPV (first person view)
Cons:
- It is lightweight and doesn’t behave well in wind
- The camera quality mediocre
- Short flight time
- No return home system
Holy Stone F181 RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera (Most Durable)
Size: 12.2 x 12.2 x 3.7 inches
Weight: 14 ounces
Battery: 2 x 3.7V 750mAh LiPo
Run time: 7-9 Minutes
Range: 50-100 Meters
Control system: 2.4GHz, 4 CH Transmitter
Gyro: 6-axis
Camera: 2 MP
Special features: One Key Return & Headless system, Altitude Hold Function, 360° 4-Ways Flip, comes with two batteries
The F181 is one of the best drones from Holy Stone, with a durable body and lots of interesting features for the money. It is a classic quadcopter with a camera, but it also has advanced safety features (One Key Return Home) and is capable of performing fun aerial stunts. The One Key Return features means that the controller has a dedicated key that, when pressed, brings the drone back to the initial takeoff point.
Just like most modern drones for sale on the market today, it has a headless mode so anyone can fly it and can be set to run at 1/4th of its speed. This feature makes it perfect for kids and beginners.
In flight, the drone behaves well, and there is even a feature called Altitude Hold that allows it to hover in one place without directions from you. This is ideal for taking aerial still images or videos since it doesn’t have an image stabilizer. You can also perform a few aerial stunts such as flipping right, left, backward, and forward, or doing 360-degree rolls.
I like the protective guards and the landing skids, and it is big enough to fly it both outdoors and indoors. I also like that it comes with a spare battery which is great at prolonging the fun.
On the downside, the F181 from Holy Stone doesn’t support FPV transmission, so you’ll only be able to see the quality of your images and videos after you download them from drone’s memory. Also, the camera quality is not the best, but it is great for beginners and kids.
Pros:
- Fun to fly
- Durable body
- Available spare parts
- Doesn’t need FAA registration
- Can perform aerial stunts
- One Key Return feature
- Comes with two batteries
- LED lights
Cons:
- Doesn’t support FPV transmission
- Mediocre camera quality
- Batteries are a bit tricky to swap
Autel Robotics X-Star with 4K Camera (Best Drone on the Market)
Weight: 3.13 lbs.
Battery: intelligent 14.8V, 4900 mAh LiPo
Run time: up to 25 minutes
Range: 1.2 miles
Control system: specialized controller on 5.727 GHz ~ 5.8 GHz
Gyro: 3-axis gimbal
Camera: 4K Ultra HD
Special features: HD Live View, autonomous flight modes, Dual GPS/GLONASS outdoor navigation, 64-GB MicroSD card
This is one of the best drones on the market right now, but it is not for everyone. It is specially equipped for astonishing aerial photos and videos, and it implements features most drone enthusiasts dream about. Still, the price tag keeps many beginners away.
But, if you need a professional drone that will help you develop your love for aerial photography or your business, this is it! Of course, you’ll have to register it with the FAA due to its size and weight.
In flight, the X-Star Premium performs exemplary reaching speeds and distances hard to imagine for a drone. It also has a hover function that kicks in when you take your hands off the controls. This is superb for taking shots or for those rare occasions when it loses signal.
In case the battery runs low, the X-Star Premium has a fail-safe that will bring it home before the battery dies.
The orange body is durable, and it comes with a 3-axis gimbal for the high-quality camera. Due to this gimbal, the camera can record amazing images and Ultra HD videos without any interference. Also, the HD Live View function allows you to see in FPV mode everything the drone sees. You just have to hook up your phone or tablet to the controller and download the X-Star Premium app.
Once you install the mobile app, you can also use your mobile device as a screen for displaying real-time telemetry data that help with improving your flight skills. Even more, the mobile app (Starlink) comes with autopilot features that allow you to focus on the video settings.
While the drone has a beginner mode, I wouldn’t recommend buying it just for fun. It is one of the most advanced drones for sale available today, and it deserves to be used accordingly. These drones are great to fly over ocean or lake, and a great addition to drones is an R/C boat. I have reviewed it here.
Pros:
- Smooth flight
- Lots of technical features
- Autopilot features
- High-quality camera
- HD Live View
- Long run time
- Fail-safe features
Cons:
- It is expensive for most beginners and enthusiasts
Rabing Foldable Flight Path FPV VR Wifi (Easy Transportation)
Size: 12.8*12.8*2.4 inches (expanded)
Weight: 113g
Battery: 3.7V 900mAh Li-Po battery
Run time: About 10 to 15 minutes
Range: 50 to 80m
Control system: 2.4GHz standard controller, 4 Channels
Gyro: 2.4GHz 6-Axis
Camera: 720P HD 2MP
Special features: FPV mode, Headless mode, One Key Return, it is foldable
This is a great drone for beginners as it is durable, comes with propeller guards, and the controller is similar to the ones on gaming consoles.
I like the design and overall body shape, but I’m fascinated by the foldable arms! This feature makes it a fantastic camera quadcopter for travels. Most quads require a particular case to protect their arms and blades during transport, but this cute little thing is already prepared.
It flies well outside and it is easy to take off the ground. The controller has a takeoff button that starts the drone and lifts it in the air at a low height. This way, you don’t have to worry about damaging the drone before you even get to fly it.
Another feature I really love is the hovering – the quad will hover in place once you release the height control. As I said before, this is excellent for taking crystal-clear pictures and videos.
You can choose to control the drone with the controller or with your phone. Simply install the SMAO FPV app on your phone, and you can use it to control the drone. If you have a VR headset, you can even use the FPV mode to increase the flying experience.
The camera comes with some exciting features as well. For instance, it allows ISO settings from 100 to 1200, and the wide angle (120 degrees) is perfect for capturing as much as possible.
The quad comes with Home Return function (to make sure you don’t lose it) and, if the battery runs low, it will land itself and wait for you to come and get it.
Now, if you consider the price and the level of quality it delivers, this is a kind of interesting drone, for both beginners and professionals. It is also one of the best for sale right now.
Pros:
- A lot of fun to fly
- Foldable design for easy transportation
- Lots of interesting features
- Exquisite camera quality
- Supports FPV mode
Cons:
- You may need to buy a spare battery
- No SD card included
DJI Phantom P3-STANDARD (Awesome Drone for Beginners)
Weight: 1216 g
Battery: Intelligent 15.2V, 4480 mAh LiPo 4S
Run time: Up to 25 minutes
Range: 120m
Control system: specially designed for the drone
Camera: 2.7K HD
Special features: 8GB micro SD card, GPS Module high-stabilization gimbal
DJI is well-known among drone manufacturers, and the Phantom 3 is a perfect quad for beginners who want a bit more quality from their first experience.
The Phantom series comes with some fascinating models, but I decided to talk about the Phantom 3 Standard because this is one of the basic designs. While it doesn’t come cheap, it does implement a series of fun features.
For example, the drone supports FPV on mobile devices from up to a half mile away. So you can go as high as allowed and as far as possible to explore the surroundings. You just need the DJI Go app installed on your mobile device.
The drone comes with a camera, but the compatible gimbal supports a wide range of cameras. I had a GoPro Hero mounted on mine, and it was a blast! Of course, the stock camera is just as fun as it allows for some incredible perfect images and videos.
The GPS module is one of the reasons why this drone is great for beginners as it gives you the chance to focus on image quality more and less on controls. Due to GPS assistance, you can use modes such as Follow Me, Point of Interest, and Waypoints.
All in all, this is a great quad that will give you hours of fun and lots of gorgeous images and videos.
Pros:
- Great design
- Implements a lot of cool features
- GPS assistance for autopilot modes
- Good run time
- Amazing camera
Cons:
- It is a bit expensive for a beginner
DBPOWER MJX X400W FPV (Editor’s Choice for Kids)
Size: 30 x 30 x 7.5 cm
Weight: 112g
Battery: 3.7V 750 mAh Li-Po
Run time: 8 – 9 minutes
Range: 100 meters
Control system: 2.4G standard controller
Gyro: 6-axis
Camera: fixed, medium quality
Special features: Headless mode, 3D split screen display, one key 3D roll
MJX X400W from DBPower is an entry-level drone, best suited for beginners and children. It is small and lightweight, but it comes with propeller guards and landing skids which are great at cushioning most impacts.
The body is made of ABS plastic, so it is both durable and lightweight, and the design is quite impressive for the money. I like the paint job and the general aspect of this tiny drone.
One feature that makes it quite unique among similar quads is the 3D split screen display. This means that the MJX FPV app (installed on your mobile device) can prepare the live feed received from the drone’s camera for 3D headsets. So, if you have 3D glasses or a headset, you can use this feature to experience everything the drone sees.
Of course, for FPV live transmission, you’ll have to connect your phone or table to the remote control. Still, the camera is not that great, and you can only see in one direction (fixed camera). It takes cool pictures and videos though.
Finally, the 6-axis gyro system and the headless mode make flying a lot of fun. So, if you’re looking for the best drone for the money, the MJX X400W looks like a great option!
Pros:
- Small and lightweight
- Durable body
- Fun to fly
- Exceptional for beginners
- Lots of interesting features
- 3D split screen for VR headset
- LED lights for flying at night
Cons:
- Camera is fixed and of mediocre quality
- Short flight time
- Image quality at night is terrible
Force1 U45W Blue Jay WiFi FPV (Great Starter Drone)
Size: 14.4 (L) x 13.4 (W) x 4 (H) inches
Battery: 2 x 3.7V 500mAh Battery
Run time: 7 – 8 minutes
Range: 100 meters
Control system: 2.4GHz controller w/ 4 channels
Gyro: 6-axis
Camera: HD 2MP, captures 720P PHOTO/VIDEO
Special features: WiFi FPV camera, headless mode, extra battery, Custom Route Mode, Altitude Hold, 1 button takeoff, 4GB MicroSD card
I like the U45W Blue Jay quad because it is a magnificent piece of machinery! It is a good fit for both beginners and advanced users, but it comes with extensive features that would make more sense for a professional drone pilot.
For instance, the app you install on your mobile phone is compatible with VR headsets. So, if you want to experience flying in a safe environment, this drone is the perfect fit. Next, the headless mode and the WiFi FPV system make flying a unique experience.
First of all, the U45W Blue Jay attracts visually; the electrifying combination between the dark, smooth body and the sky blue highlights, make this a beautiful quad. Next, the unit is equipped with all the necessary safety elements (propeller guards and landing skids).
The camera is situated in the center of the drone and can move up and down. It’s not much, but it is an improvement in comparison to fixed camera drones. The 1280 x 720 resolution is not fantastic, but in combination with the 30 FPS video rate, it does all right. You won’t get professional images out of it, but for a beginner, it’s a wonderful choice.
In flight, the quad behaves spectacular and the custom route mode is not a feature you usually find on an entry-level drone. On custom route mode, you can set a pre-determined path, and the drone will follow it without guidance.
I usually recommend the U45W to beginners, but it comes equipped with several impressive professional features as well.
Pros:
- Headless mode – it’s easy to fly
- Great design
- Lots of interesting modes
- Does 3D flips
- It is compatible with 3D VR Headsets
- Good camera
- Altitude Hold Feature
Cons:
- The camera is not the best
- You can’t install a gimbal
- No Return Home feature
EACHINE E10C Mini Quadcopter With 2.0MP Camera (Must Have)
Size: 60 x 60 x 28mm
Weight: 15g
Battery: 3.7V 150mah
Run time: about 5 minutes
Range: about 20m
Control system: 2.4G, 4CH
Gyro: 6-axis
Camera: 2.0 MP
Special features: 3 flight speed modes, 360-degree rolling, LED light
This is what drone enthusiasts call a nano quadcopter. It is tiny, cute, and interesting. Of course, you can’t fly this beauty outside as the first breeze would take it away from your visual field, and it would be lost forever.
However, it is tons of fun to fly it inside, and it’s a great way to help kids and beginners learn how to pilot a drone. But keep in mind: too many crashes may leave deep scars on its tiny body.
I like that it comes with LED lights so you can fly it in a dark room or at night time without hitting too many objects and walls. It also has a camera, but I don’t really see the point for it. Since the quad doesn’t support FPV and there is no SD Card included, the camera is mostly for fun.
The controller looks like any regular gaming controller, and it’s easy to hold if you have small hands. It has controls for the usual moves (up, down, left, right), but the drone is smarter than this and can also perform hover, flip, side flight, launch from the hand, and 360 degrees rolling!
I think the Eachine E10C Mini quad is a perfect gift for both kids and adults. It’s so tiny and cute, you can’t do anything else but love it!
Pros:
- Cute and tiny
- Great for indoors exploration
- Some aerial stunts
- Flies smoothly
- LED lights
Cons:
- Not as durable
- The camera quality is low
- No SD Card included
DJI Phantom 3 with 4K UHD Video Camera (Number 1 for Experts and Professionals)
Weight: 1280g
Battery: 6000 mAh LiPo 2S
Run time: about 23 minutes
Range: 3.5 km
Control system: standard DJI
Gyro: 3-axis gimbal
Camera: 4K UHD
Special features: live viewing in 720p resolution, Beginner Mode, 64G Micro SD
This is the ultimate drone with a camera on sale right now! Designed to satisfy every need a professional photographer may have, Phantom 3 Professional from DJI is equipped with one of the best professional cameras and can shoot 4K videos and can take 12.4MP photos.
The design is standard for this series, and the main difference from the Standard model (see above) is represented by the gold paint used on the body and arms. It also implements a 3-axis gimbal, but similarities stop there.
The software in the Phantom 3 Professional is more advanced than the Standard version, and this time, you can see the live feed in 720p. Even more, the DJI Pilot app that works on iOS and Android is not just for live feed transmission; it’s also great at fine-tuning the camera controls.
Even though I wouldn’t recommend this to a beginner, the drone is equipped with a Beginner mode that keeps the drone is a safe area.
Pros:
- Advanced technology and software
- High-quality camera
- 720p Live View
- Camera control via the application
- Large memory for high-quality images and videos
- High stability
Cons:
- It is expensive
- The customer control at DJI is not the best
Potensic F183DH
Battery: 7.4V 500mAh
Control system: 2.4 GHz Transmitter
Gyro: 6-axis
Camera: 2MP
Special features: Altitude Hold, 5.8GHz wireless LCD screen attached to the transmitter, One key take off and land, 4GB TF Card
This quad doesn’t need to be registered with the FAA (it’s too small for this) and, in my opinion, it is a great toy for kids and beginners.
It is stable in flight and performs a few aerial stunts like 360-degree rolls, flips, and hovering in place. It’s also easy to take off and land due to the one key features integrated into the controller. Still, the one thing I really like about the Potensic F183DH is the packaging!
It comes in a wonderful carry case with all the necessary parts neatly organized inside. The case is padded with foam to keep everything in place and protect the drone from shocks which make it great for transportation.
Other than this, the Potensic F183DH is a regular starter drone with a cool design and interesting accessories.
Pros:
- Small and compact
- Flies well
- Supports FPV
- LCD monitor integrated with the controller
- Some aerial stunts
- Amazing carry case
- Comes with great accessories
Cons:
- Low-quality camera
- Short flight time
- Motors tend to overheat
