A high-quality drone can add video production value to a film project or help you get a unique view for your travel vlog—plus, they’re just really fun to fly. These are the top drones we’ve tested. Even if you have no good reason to justify buying one, you have to admit that drones are cool. Some are glorified tech toys, but the models we highlight here are fit for imaging and cinematic applications both small and large. If you think you can use a flying camera in your next project, there’s good news—the tech has come a long way in a very short time. Most models on the market now put earlier copters to shame in terms of video content quality and stabilization.To learn about wedding videography with drones look here.
The bad news? You get what you pay for. If you want an aerial video content platform that can capture stunning footage, you need to spend some cash, anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Because drones are such pricey propositions, it pays to do your research before buying one.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
DJI Mini 4 Pro
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is the most capable ultralight drone on the market. It weighs just 249g with its standard battery (good for around 34 minutes of flight time), so you don’t have to register it with the FAA. Creators who don’t mind forms and fees should opt for the extended life battery, however, which pushes flights beyond 45 minutes. Full 360-degree obstacle avoidance, automated flight modes, and a Quad Bayer camera with 4K60 HDR video round out the feature set. We especially like the APAS function, which helps the drone navigate through complex spaces all by itself, even at low altitudes.
Who It’s For
If you’ve looked at the Mini 3 and wanted a bit more, the Mini 4 Pro is a sensible step-up option. Drone enthusiasts, cinematographers looking to add a B-camera for aerials, and creators who don’t mind spending a bit more for smart obstacle avoidance should find the Mini 4 Pro to be a worthwhile upgrade. It’s also a good match for TikTok influencers because it supports vertical 9:16 video.
DJI Mini 2 SE
The DJI Mini 2 SE is the best drone you can get for less than $350. It sports a stabilized 2.7K video camera that snaps 12MP photos, and also includes GPS and Find My Drone functions. Its 249g takeoff weight means you can fly it without dealing with FAA registration—you just need to pass an online knowledge test. We also like the Mini 2 SE’s nearly half-hour flight times, stable performance at its 400-foot altitude limit, and reliable connection to the required smartphone app. We just wish DJI had managed to build in obstacle-detection sensors.
Who It’s For
The Mini 2 SE is the drone to get if you’re just starting out and want to record ultra-smooth 2.7K30 footage from the air. Raw format imaging is also available for photogs who like to post-process.
DJI Air 2S
The DJI Air 2S has a camera with an oversized Type 1 (also called 1-inch) sensor for much better 20MP stills than you can get from the DJI Mini series drones. It supports 5.4K30 and 4K60 video with HDR, flat, or standard profiles, plus it can snap photos in Raw or JPG format. DJI’s strong safety features are here too, including GPS location, obstacle sensors, ADS-B to warn you of nearby manned aircraft, and a 30-minute battery.
Who It’s For
The Air 2S is a compelling drone for stills-first creators. The Type 1 sensor may lag behind Quad Bayer chips in pixel count, but captures a wider dynamic range, so photogs have more leeway for edits to exposure. Video content pros should appreciate the 5.4K resolution and choice of three profiles too, but you may want to step up to a Mavic 3 for more serious cinema work. Keep in mind that you must register this drone with the FAA.
DJI Air 3
The DJI Air 3 puts both a 24mm wide-angle and 70mm mid-telephoto lens on its gimbal-stabilized camera, giving pilots lots of creative options. Its 360-degree obstacle avoidance system is a boost for automated camera moves and follow-me flights, and makes the drone all but crash-proof for manual flight. Long battery life, sharp 4K video content, and good still image quality complete the package.
Who It’s For
If you think the DJI Mini 4 Pro’s single camera is too limiting but don’t want to spend a huge amount on the Mavic 3 Pro, the Air 3 is the in-between drone to get. It matches the Mini 4 Pro’s main camera in picture quality, so the second camera is the main reasons to upgrade.
Cinematic Wedding Videographers Based in Kent
Here at Modus Weddings we offer premium, cinematic wedding videography services to our couples. We film worldwide to capture beautiful wedding videos that capture all the details from your day.
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If you want to work with the best cinematic wedding videographer Kent has to offer then get in touch! Or see our packages here.
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