The best drones equipped with cameras can capture incredible, dramatic imagery. Be it for stills, video, or both, modern camera drones are stacked with features that make it easier than ever to capture quality content: sophisticated stabilisation systems, high-resolution sensors, intelligent flight features and more. There’s never been a better time to jump into the exciting world of drone photography and filming.
At Amateur Photographer, we take aerial photography as seriously as other types of photography — camera drones are put through the same kind of rigorous testing procedures as cameras. This list consists of the drones that have truly impressed our review team, and not just the expensive, professional models. With more cheap drones available now than ever, including the impressive new DJI Neo, we put these through their paces just as thoroughly as we do the Mavics of the world.
We’ve included options from market leaders like DJI, as well as from other manufacturers, to give an overview of what’s out there. You can scroll to the bottom of this page for a primer on the key features of camera drones and some key tips regarding what to look for when buying them — one key thing to remember is to familiarise yourself with the laws and weight restrictions for drones in your area, so as not to get caught out.
The best drones with cameras: quick list
If you need to get right to the action, here is a quick rundown of our picks of the best drones with cameras on the market right now, along with links to get the best prices:
- Best camera drone for advanced photographers: DJI Mavic 4 Pro – Buy now
- Best mid-range drone: DJI Air 3S – Buy now
- Best sub-250g drone: DJI Mini 5 Pro – Buy now
- Best first drone: DJI Mini 3 – Buy now
- Best action camera drone: DJI Neo – Buy now
- Best toy drone: Ryze Tello – Buy now
Read on to learn more about each of these drones, with insights from our full tests and reviews. And for other cameras suited to outdoor adventures, check out our rundown of the best action cameras…
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Best for advanced users
Best camera drone for advanced photographers: DJI Mavic 4 Pro – $4107 / £3049
Amateur Photographer verdict
A major update over its predecessor, the Mavic 4 Pro is stable, fast, and easy to fly, while capturing great quality footage.- 100MP Hasselblad main camera
- Unique 360° rotating gimbal
- Up to 51 minutes of flight time
- Pricey Creator Combo
- No ND filters included in the kits
- Regulatory limitations for drones over 250g
| Specifications | DJI Mavic 4 Pro |
|---|---|
| Cameras | Drone with three integrated cameras, 100MP Hasselblad main camera. |
| Video | Max video resolution 6K (6016×3384) at 24/25/30/48/50/60fps |
| Take-off weight | 1063g take-off weight |
| Dimensions | 257.6×124.8×106.6 mm (L×W×H) when folded |
The Mavic 4 Pro delivers a huge update over the previous Mavic 3 Pro and features three cameras, a 100MP Quad Bayer Hasselblad sensor and a 360° rotating Infinity Gimbal. But weighing 1063g, it means you will need to hold an A2 Certificate of Competency to fly it within 10m of areas used for recreational, residential, industrial or commercial purposes.
With its heavier body, it provides a robust and steady platform that tackles windier conditions and flies faster, and with DJI’s omnidirectional obstacle detection does an excellent job keeping it out of harm’s way. To help the more advanced camera system and provide longer flight times, there is a bigger battery on board supporting up to 51 minutes of flight time.
The Infinity Gimbal allows you to capture dynamic videos and true portrait orientation stills or video. The cameras on board are similar to those on the Mavic 3 Pro, but with some tweaks. At default resolution, it captures 25MP stills (up from 20MP) and thanks to the Hasselblad Quad Bayer technology on board, it is able to transform them to 100MP images.
The main camera has a 28mm focal length and a variable f/2.0-f/11 aperture, while the two telephoto cameras at 70mm and 168mm equivalent have fixed f/2.8 apertures. It records video in 6K up to 120fps and supports 10-bit D-Log, D-Log M and HLG recording.
Like all the drones in our list, the Mavic 4 Pro folds for easier transport. It’s also very easy to fly manually but comes with DJI’s suite of automated flying modes to keep things simple.
Read our DJI Mavic 4 Pro review
Best mid-range drone
Best mid-range drone: DJI Air 3S – $1,057 / £859 with RC-N3 Controller
Amateur Photographer verdict
Offers an excellent middle ground between lightweight models and premium offerings. It’s a versatile choice for photographers and videographers alike.- Excellent 4K video
- Great-quality 12 or 48/50MP stills
- Stable footage even in buffeting wind
- An understanding of the drone regulations is essential
- Flare in sunny conditions can be an issue
- The drone isn’t available without a controller, and the better one is only sold in a Fly More Combo
| Specifications | DJI Air 3S |
|---|---|
| Cameras | 50MP, 24mm equivalent camera with 1-inch type sensor and 48MP, 70mm equivalent camera with 1/1.3-inch type sensor |
| lens | 24mm (equivalent) f/1.7 wide-angle, 70mm (equivalent) f/2.8 telephoto with 3x optical zoom |
| Video | 4K video at up to 120fps |
| Flight time | Max stated flight time 45 minutes |
| Waight | 724g |
With the Mavic series sitting at the top of the DJI range, and the Mini drones filling out the entry-level positions, the Air series occupies something of a middle ground. They’re ideal ‘step-up’ drones for anyone who’s got a taste for aerial image-making with a smaller and cheaper drone and is looking for something more advanced, and the DJI Air 3S really leans into that role. It inherits the dual-camera setup from the Mavic series, sporting a 50MP, 24mm-equivalent camera with a 1-inch-type sensor and a 48MP, 70mm-equivalent camera with a 1/1.3-inch-type sensor.
Both cameras are, of course, mounted on a three-axis mechanical gimbal for superlative stabilisation. They have fixed apertures — f/1.8 for the wide-angle, f/2.8 for the telephoto — and together produce images of brilliant quality. For the utmost in detail, you can use the full 48MP resolution, or you can set it to produce a downsampled 12MP image that’s more readily shareable and requires less work in post-processing. Video-wise, you’ve got crisp 4K in 10-bit D-Log M and HDR colour at your disposal as well as up to 14 stops of dynamic range for more natural gradations and better tonal detail in high-contrast scenes.
The DJI Air 3S is a very impressive drone in its own right, and the additional telephoto camera does give you a lot more versatility in terms of the kinds of images you can make.
Read our full DJI Air 3S review
Best sub-250g drone
Best sub-250g drone: DJI Mini 5 Pro – $874/£649
Amateur Photographer verdict
Despite weighing less than 250g, DJI’s latest mini drone camera pushes the boundaries of drone technology.- Superb image and video quality
- Excellent tracking and vertical shooting
- Bayonet-fit propellers for easy replacement
- Pricy with the superior RC2 controller
- Larger capacity battery not sold in the UK
| Specifications | DJI Mini 5 Pro |
|---|---|
| Cameras | 1-inch 12.5/50MP CMOS sensor |
| Video | Up to 4K/60p 10-bit HDR video |
| lens | 24mm equivalent f/1.8 fixed aperture lens |
| Weight | Weighs less than 249g |
Weighing less than 249g means that the Mini 5 Pro is regulation-friendly and can be flown in residential, recreational and industrial areas, and even over people (but not crowds) – provided you have Flyer and Operator IDs from the CAA, and the relevant TRUST certification in the US.
Thanks to its 12.5/50MP 1-inch CMOS sensor, the Mini 5 Pro captures better quality stills and video than the DJI Mini 4. Its sensor also has a quad-Bayer design, which means that each of its 12-million pixels is split into four sections that can report separately to deliver 24MP images, or they can combine to give 12MP images.
The drone’s Intelligent Flight Battery Plus allows up to 52 minutes of flying. It features an omnidirectional obstacle sensing system, which is especially useful when flying under tree branches or bridges. It includes LiDAR and vision sensors for safer night flights. Just like its predecessor, it’s also prone to drifting in the breeze, but the stills and video are impressively good for such a small drone.
Read our DJI Mini 5 Pro review
Best first drone
Best first drone for photographers: DJI Mini 3 – $545 / £405 with RC-N1 controller
Amateur Photographer verdict
A capable, affordable drone for beginners, the Mini 3 makes for a great first-time buy. It produces excellent image quality in both RAW and JPEG, and boasts some useful automated flying features.- Sub-250g weight
- Excellent stabilisation and 4K video
- Affordable
- No object-avoidance sensors
- Drifts in a light breeze
- Screwdriver required to change propellers
| Specifications | DJI Mini 3 |
|---|---|
| Cameras | 12/48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor |
| Lens | 24mm (equivalent) f/1.7 lens |
| Video | 4K video at up to 30p |
| Weight | <248g |
| Flight time | Max flight time 38 minutes (claimed), 30 minutes (tested) |
A refresh of DJI's budget-friendly drone, the Mini 3 ticks plenty of boxes for a first drone. First and foremost, it weighs less than 250g, so there's no need to worry about licensing or certification (assuming you're in the US or the UK, anyway). It's also quite sensibly priced when bought with an RC-N1 controller – it can be bought for less without one, but we're guessing that a lot of people who buy the Mini 3 will need a controller too.
It also uses the same high-end camera system as the pricier Mini 3 Pro, so you get a 48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor sitting behind a 24mm equivalent lens with an f/1.7 maximum aperture. The high resolution gives you a good amount of latitude for cropping into your images, while the large aperture helps with clarity of pictures in low light. Good stuff across the board. It lacks an object-avoidance system, as well as the smart subject-tracking features of the more deluxe models – but ultimately, the cutbacks had to be somewhere, and DJI has done a good job of making this an affordable drone that's well kitted out for beginners.
In testing, we found we were able to consistently capture good-looking images, with JPEG files in particular producing a punchy level of colour and contrast. RAW files take a bit of work to look their best, but this is par for the course, and they're a good option if you want to avoid over-saturation. Video, of course, looks excellent, with 4K 30p footage that's crisp and clear. DJI's 3-axis stabilisation works brilliantly too, giving airborne footage a professional-looking smoothness.
Best action camera drone
Best action camera drone: DJI Neo – $403 / £299 with RC-N3 / RC151 controller
Amateur Photographer verdict
With DJI facing competition in the cheap drone arena, it has fired back with the super-affordable Neo, which offers solid image quality and many (not all) of DJI's intelligent flight features.- Fantastic value
- Effective stabilisation for stills and video
- 90° downward angle for overhead shots
- 22GB built-in storage
- Quality suffers in poor light
- Short battery life
- No card slot to expand storage
| Specifications | DJI Neo |
|---|---|
| Cameras | 12MP 1/2-inch CMOS sensor |
| Lens | 13.9mm equivalent f/2.8 lens |
| Gimbal | 1-axis gimbal |
| Video | 4K video recording at up to 30p |
| Weight | Weighs less than 249g |
Drones are generally expensive, but cheaper options exist, too — even from the major manufacturers. Case in point, the DJI Neo, a miniature drone released to compete with the many aggressively low-priced consumer drones that have flooded the market. At a current price of $403 / £299 without a controller, the Neo is the most wallet-friendly drone the firm has ever produced.
Of course, there is always such a thing as too good to be true when it comes to cheap photo or video gear, but in our testing, the DJI Neo impressed, producing decent-quality images from its 12MP sensor, as well as solid 4K 30p video. Sure, the stills don't hold up to cropping and zooming as well as those from pricier drones, and the video isn't as buttery smooth as the 100p 4K on other models, but for the price, it's impressive stuff. Frankly, we'd consider its price reasonable for a 12MP, 4K-capable camera even if it didn't fly.
But this one does. And what's more, you get lots of DJIs intelligent auto-flight features, including Follow (Tracking), Circle, Rocket (flying directly upwards), Spotlight and more. These give you easy, straightforward ways to introduce dynamic movement into your drone shots, which is ideal for anyone who's just starting out with aerial video.
The inevitable cutbacks and compromises that come with a cheap drone are worth taking into account here. The image quality from the Neo is good in daylight, but is compromised quickly once light levels get low, due to the small sensor. Battery life is quite short — if you're planning a big day, best pack a couple of spares — and while 22GB internal storage is nice, it's annoying that there's no option to expand it by inserting a microSD card.
Best toy drone
Best toy drone: Ryze Tello – $99 / £99
Amateur Photographer verdict
If you are completely new to flying drones and just want to get some practice, the Ryze Tello is a great budget option.- Incredibly cheap
- Very light (meaning it isn't subject to regulations)
- Max 720p video
- Pack an extra battery!
| Specifications | Ryze Tello |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 5MP 1/1.28-inch type sensor |
| Lens | 23mm equivalent |
| Video | 720p video at up to 30p |
| Flight time | Max flight time 13 minutes |
| Weight | 80g |
It may not be the most feature-rich drone but the Ryze Tello uses DJI technology and costs around $100 / £100. This makes for an ideal taster drone for oneself without breaking the bank and/or you want to give the kids a taste of being a pilot.
Ryze doesn’t include a controller in the basic kit, that’s extra, but you can fly it using the Tello app on your phone.
With a 5MP camera on board and video limited to 720p, the Tello isn’t for serious use, but weighs just 80g, so you have the freedom to fly it almost anywhere. As usual, you can extend its 13-minute flight time with extra batteries and it’s ideal for getting aerial shots on holiday and having fun at the park or in your back garden.
How to choose the best drones with cameras
As camera drones tend to be quite similar in terms of specifications, picking the right one tends to be a matter of balancing features and price.
Higher-priced drones will have better battery life, which means longer flight times. They also often can shoot video at higher resolutions and frame rates, and may also have sophisticated features like omnidirectional object avoidance sensors and image stabilisation for getting smooth footage even in choppy, windy conditions.
Another thing to bear in mind though is that all these features don't just make the drone more expensive: they also make it heavier, which as we've seen, can mean you need a licence to fly it.
Brand-wise, DJI is the dominant force in the drone market, and each year it brings out increasingly sophisticated models that promise to enable you to capture better images more easily than before. It’s not the only player, though, so we have included the best non-DJI drone in this guide to allow you to compare. So let’s take a look at our choice of the best drones with cameras this year.
Drone weight and the law: what you need to know
For most people, the simplest way to get up and running, without additional expense or worry, is to look for a drone under 250g / 0.55lbs, as there are stricter rules for drones that weigh more than this. This is not very much in terms of weight – a bag of microwave rice generally weighs about 250g. However, drones are typically constructed from extremely lightweight materials, so you can get quite a sophisticated drone that still comes under this limit.
In the US you'll need certification called TRUST, for recreational flying of drones under 250g. Luckily this is simply an online test that takes around an hour to complete. You can find more information on the FAA website. If your drone weighs over 250g (0.55lb), then you'll need to register your drone with the FAA, on the FAADroneZone site.
In the UK you'll want a a sub-250g drone if you don't have a licence, and you will need to get a Flyer ID and Operator ID from the CAA to fly a drone over 250g.
If you're located elsewhere, or travelling to a different location, make sure you check local restrictions as they may differ!
Once you have your licence / certification, you’re able to fly a drone in most places, apart from in the flight restriction zones around airports, military bases and prisons etc. You can even fly over people as long as there isn’t a crowd.
FAQs
What is a realistic flight time to expect? Most drone manufacturers advertise 25–45 minutes. However, real-world flight times are often 15–25 minutes for smaller drones and 25–35 minutes for larger camera drones. Wind, temperature, speed, and recording settings affect battery life.
Do I need a gimbal? A gimbal mechanically stabilises the camera so that your video remains smooth when the drone turns and during windy weather conditions. Without a gimbal, your footage can appear shaky and jerky.
What happens if I lose my drone signal? Most modern drones have a Return-to-Home (RTH) feature so the drone can land safely (if configured correctly), climb to a safe altitude and return automatically to its take-off point. It's always a good idea to check for this feature before buying.
How we test camera drones
We test camera drones in much the same way we would test any other camera — by using them to take photographs and video in a wide range of real-world situations. We evaluate their control layouts and handling, as well as their automated flight features, to determine how easy they are to control and achieve good-looking results with. We look at flight times and how they measure up to the manufacturers' claims.
We also examine the effectiveness of their image stabilisation systems — critically important when looking at drones. Last but by no means least, we critically evaluate the image quality, in both JPEG and raw, including resolution, high-ISO noise, and dynamic range. We then take all these factors into account, along with such things as portability and lens systems, when giving our final conclusion and score. You’ll find the full breakdown of how each camera has performed in our full reviews.
Related reading:
- How to edit an engaging FPV drone video
- Capture your best aerial photos and videos with a drone
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: new lightweight drone released
Latest updates:
- June 2026: Prices updated to current market availability. FAQ guide added, specifications updated.
If you'd like more help in choosing a great camera or lens, have a look at our latest reviews, and buying guides.
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