12 Best Professional Camera Drones of 2019

1. DJI Phantom 4 (Best Budget)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5.0

One of the more affordable professional camera drones is the DJI Phantom 4. It comes equipped with an excellent camera, and a myriad of clever flight features. Exactly what the creative video capture professional needs.

Content creators will appreciate the 3-axis gyro stabilization of the camera. When you’re flying fast the stabilization ensures the camera is kept securely in place. This greatly reduces or eliminates stuttering during filming.

The camera has a 94 degree field of view with an f/2.8 lens and 1/2.3-inch sensor. For video recording it works at 1080 with 120fps, and for 4k the camera works at 30fps. The 4K has two resolution settings: 3840 x 2160 and 4096 x 2160. Finally, there is also a 2704 x 1520 (2.7K) option. Overall, the camera allows for clear video recording that’s suitable for commercial applications.

For photos the 12MP (4000 x 3000) resolution allows crisp images to be taken. Even when the drone is flying at the top speed of 45mph the camera takes non-blurry professional-grade images.

The obstacle avoidance allows professionals to capture images/video without worrying about a collision. When an obstacle is 0.7 to 15 meters away the feature kicks in. The drone will stop and wait for you to fly away from the obstacle, or it will navigate around obstacles automatically.

The flight support systems use GPS and vision position systems to figure out what the landscape around them looks like. This combines with the object recognition feature to allow active tracking to take place. Let’s say you want the drone to film a moving car. The drone can fixate on the car and follow it while recording video.

To summarize, the camera of the DJI Phantom 4 is good enough to capture professional video and images. However, you won’t be spending the premium price of some of the more expensive commercial camera drones on the market.

2. Yuneec Q500

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

If you’re looking for a professional camera drone that’s affordable for the average consumer, then the Yuneec Q500 is a solid choice. At the price point of around $600 it provides a bargain considering the 4K video and 12MP no-distortion lens. The flight features are also excellent, which means you won’t be limited in executing your creative vision.

The camera allows for 4K at 30fps, which is a must nowadays as more media channels are supporting this resolution. Also 4K TV’s are dropping in price, which means the popularity of this resolution will rise even further. Alternatively, you can capture video at 1080p using the 60fps or slow-motion.

120fps formats. This gives you a lot of freedom to get the type of video that meets your requirements.

Furthermore, the CGO3 camera has a 115 degree field of view. The camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal. The result is distortion-free footage that allows professional grade content to be recorded. Altering between the different video and camera modes is a straightforward process.

One of the standout features of the Yuneec Q500 is the ability to fly well past the 400ft height. However, it might be illegal to do so depending on where you’re located. The smart circle has a 26ft radius. Within this distance the camera of the unit can recognize faces and objects. This allows it to follow a target for smooth video capture.

Additionally, the controller comes with a 5.5 inch touchscreen. There are a number of buttons to allow the operator to navigate the drone with a high degree of control. The screen provides important information as the drone is travelling to inform the pilot of what’s going on.

To summarize, the Yuneec Q500 is an excellent drone for professionals looking to film on a budget. Some of the features here are mostly found on drones at significantly higher price points. The 4K video capture and 12MP stills allow content creators to capture high quality content.

3. DJI Mavic Pro

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

Another excellent DJI camera drone for professionals is the DJI Mavic Pro. It comes equipped with a number of useful features, and a competitive camera. It’s known as an affordable and easy to fly drone that’s suited for the more serious user. Weighing at just 743g it’s highly portable, which is useful for those who are interested shooting footage while traveling.

The camera of the drone is capable of recording video at 4K with 30FPS and 1080p at 60fps. For the price these specifications are excellent, but if you want 1080p at 120fps then higher priced models such as the DJI Phantom 4 must be purchased. There is also a middle ground 2.7K resolution format to select. The field of view is at 79 degrees, which is one of the smaller ones on this list. For instance, the Phantom 4 has a 94 degree field of view.

However, this drone has adjustable focusing and facial recognition abilities, something the Phantom 4 is lacking. For photos a 12MP resolution is available that has a 2x zoom. The remote control has dedicated buttons for video and photos capture, which means you can quickly switch between the two modes.

The battery will last you 27 minutes if you fly with optimal battery consumption, but in practice you’ll typically get 24 minutes of battery. The recharge time is roughly 60 minutes, which is competitive.

The motors here are not powerful compared to the average professional camera drone, because portability is more of a focus here. The DJI Mavic Pro can be set up to use a number of automated fight features. For example, the Downward Vision System allows a specific distance to be maintained while in Terrain Follow mode.

The range of this unit is amazing as you’ll get 7,000 meters worth on a consistent basis. Once you’re done exploring the area the return home feature can be activated to order the drone to fly to the starting location. The top speed of 40mph is good enough to get the job done in a timely manner.

To summarize, the DJI Mavic Pro is a portable camera drone for professional content creators. The 4K camera and variety of automated flight modes means you’ll explore a number of different video capture methods. Best of all the price is competitive with the higher priced professional drones on the market.

4. DJI Phantom 3 Professional

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5.0

Another budget option for the professional is the DJI Phantom 3 Pro. The combination of various features, high quality camera, and customizable options means it’s a great choice for hobbyists and professionals alike.

The camera can record video at a resolution of 4K-30fps or 1080p-60fps. It’s at a slight disadvantage here, because most other professional camera drones allow for 120fps at the 1080p resolution. The sensor is 1/2.3-inch and the lens allows for a 90 degree field of vision. The narrow angle distorts the video a lot less, which means a lower amount of digital correction is needed.

When shooting still objects the 4K resolution is preferable, but the 30fps doesn’t perform well for moving objects. In such instances the 1080p resolution should be used. The camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal. This setup allows for corrections to be made during fast movement. During jerks and bumps the camera will remain in position allowing for smooth video footage.

You can even use the camera for live streaming. If you’re a YouTube professional, then this feature is of particular use to you. However, the quality and frame rate on the 4G network connection isn’t as impressive as regular recording.

The comprehensive mobile app can be used to control the DJI Phantom 3 Professional. Camera and flight controls are provided, but the standard controller works great too. A number of automated flight options are available like the return home and object tracking features.

In conclusion, the DJI Phantom 3 Pro is a relatively budget option for the professional. At under $1,000 you’re getting a great camera and variety of flight modes that are usually found in models above the $1,000 price point.

5. Parrot Bebop 2 Drone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5.0

A budget option for the professional that doesn’t need anything beyond the 1080p resolution is the Parrot Bebop 2 drone. It’s a unique looking drone that differs from the other designs on this list. The Parrot Bebop 2 is great for beginners looking for something more or professionals in need of a solution without putting a big dent in the wallet.

For YouTube professionals, this unit is great as real time streaming is possible. You can setup a live stream with this drone to let your audience watch the action as it unfolds. The camera is at a resolution of 1080p, which is a downside because 4K is expected. However, at this low price point you really can’t complain.

The lens has a 180 degree field of vision allowing a wide range to be captured in one shot. The fish-eye design of this drone offers something different. The camera can take photos at a resolution of 14MP. For a budget pro drone that’s a big plus as most other drones in this price range are capped at 12MP.

A 8GB internal flash drive is used to store captured data, and there is no Micro SD card slot to increase data storage. This a bit disappointing as for some applications 8GB might not be enough. To transfer the data from the drone you can use a micro-USB cable or use slow wireless transfer.

The 2,700 mAh battery can provide a flight time of 20-25 minutes. This depends on the type of movements you’re executing. The range is another limiting factor as it’s only 300 meters. This might be enough and depends on what the application of your video capture is.

Overall, the Parrot Bebop 2 Drone comes with a few limitations for the professional such as the 8GB storage limit and 300 meter range. However, the low price point 14MP photo capture and 1080p resolution might be all you need.

6. DJI Phantom 4 Pro (Best Value)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0

The best professional camera drone that you can buy in the under $2,000 category is the DJI Phantom 4 Pro. The camera is highly competitive and the variety of intelligent features provides a great tool for high-end content creation. The price to performance ratio of this product is one of the best on this list.

The camera has a 1-inch CMOS sensor, about 4 times the size of the commonly found the 1/2.3-inch class. The increased surface area allows the camera to capture more detail. Additionally, aperture control and mechanical shutter is equipped. Therefore, the rolling shutter effect will not mess up the quality of your images. The resolution of the images is 20MP, an impressive number.

There are a variety of options for those interested in shooting video. The 4K DCI at 24, 25, or 30 fps, whereas 4K UHD at 24, 25, 30, or 60 frames per second. You can reduce the resolution to 2.7K, 1080p, and 720p. The 720p resolution can be used for slow motion video capture at 120fps.

The controller of the DJI Phantom 4 Pro allows the drone to be navigated through the sky with a high degree of control. You can also add a touchscreen to the mix, but that will cost you an extra $300.

The drone has a top speed of 45mph and a 5km range, which is more than enough for the majority of users. Also the flight time is 30 minutes, which is competitive when you look at the other options on this list.

The 4 directions of obstacle avoidance with the stereo vision and infrared sensors means the drone is unlikely to crash. The feature kicks in when it is 30 meters away from an object, and can save you a lot of money in damage repair costs.

To summarize, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro has an impressive camera drone that comes with great features. This includes a range of 5km, 30 minute flight time, advanced obstacle avoidance. For a professional this drone represents a sweet spot in terms of price and performance. You will not feel creatively restricted because the versatility and quality is excellent here.

7. Autel Robotics X-Star Premium Drone with 4K Camera

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5.0

Another excellent option for professionals that want 4K video capture from an agile drone should consider the Autel Robotics X-Star Premium. The orange color is unique, and makes it standout in the sky. The array of features allows you to get the shots you need without compromise.

The camera is capable of 4K Ultra HD video capture with a 108 degree FOV. The following resolutions are supported: 4K at 30fps, 2.7K at 60fps, 1080p at 120fps, and 720p at 240fps. This allows the content creator to use the setting that perfectly matches their requirements. For instance, if you only need a high fps rate at the sacrifice of resolution, then that’s available.

For photos the resolution is 12MP, which is standard for the drone marketplace at this end of the price scale. Unwanted camera movement is prevented by the 3-axis gimbal system. This ensures the camera is fixed in place during high-speed movement, and when the drone quickly changes direction.

The remote controller has a clamp that can securely hold your tablet or smartphone. This enables you to use an LCD screen to receive important flight information. The command sticks are well-designed and allow the pilot to have confidence in the flight movements. The Starlink app is required to integrate a smartphone or tablet with the controller.

The 14.8V LiPo battery allows for 25 minutes of flight time and 90 minutes charging is required. Dual GPS and GLONASS navigation ensures you can navigate this drone using automated features. For professionals that want to concentrate on video capture rather piloting it’s ideal.

To summarize, the Autel Robotics X-Star Premium is a professional camera drone that’s packed with features at a reasonable price point. The ability to select between 4 different resolutions and automated flight features means footage will be creative. Also the controller is well-designed for beginners and advanced users.

8. DJI Inspire 1 v2.0

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0

When price is not an issue and you want a high performance obstacle avoidance drone then the DJI Inspire 1 is worthy of your attention. It’s capable of capturing 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. The photo capture ability is at 12MP, which is what’s expected in the drone marketplace. The camera can be quickly taken off the drone to reduce the chances of damage during travel.

During flight a variety of camera settings can be altered, which includes exposure, ISO, and white balance. Manual changing of settings is required, because the DJI Inspire 1 doesn’t always choose the optimal setting for the conditions. The lens has a 94 degree field of view – this is comparable to a regular 20mmm full-frame camera. Finally, the aperture is fixed at f/2.8.

The gimbal allows the camera to rotate 360 degrees and tilt at 125 degree. The carbon fibre landing gear and powerful brushless motor are just some of the features that indicate the DJI Inspire 1 is built for high performance.

The 1.2 mile control range combined with the GPS navigation means you can cover a wide area. Simply enter the coordinates you wish the drone to travel to and it will go there with a high degree of accuracy. Once you’ve finished the drone can be called back to the starting position via the “return home” functionality.

The mobile app that comes with this drone is feature rich. You can control the drone using the app, and execute as many functions as with the controller. There is an attachment that can be used to house a smartphone. This allows the screen of the smartphone to be used for navigating the drone.

To conclude, the DJI Inspire 1 v2.0 is an excellent obstacle avoidance drone for those in need of a professional solution. The attention to detail here allows it to perform well regardless of where you might be taking it for a spin. The new propellers and thrust enabled brushless motor contribute to a powerful performance. You can rely on the DJI Inspire 1 v2.0 to cover the surrounding area fast while shooting industry leading level video/photos.

9. DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ Quadcopter with FPV HD Video Camera

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5.0

The DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ is a refined product that offers excellent features for the modern day professional. The camera allows excellent content creation and the flight features give you a lot of flexibility. It’s an ideal purchase for filmmakers and someone starting a YouTube channel.

The camera can take pictures at a whopping 14MP resolution – 4384×3288 pixels. This is more competitive than the 12MP resolution of a lot of models on this list. Also the videos can be recorded at a resolution of 1080p. In the modern camera drone marketplace this is somewhat of a disadvantage because 4K video recording is expected.

The camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal to ensure stabilization during flight. This results in super smooth videos that might otherwise be prone to stuttering effects. Also the camera allows for FPV support. Ensure you do not use the camera outside of the 0-40 degree Celsius range because of the delicate components.

The battery used is a 5,200 mAh, and provides a flight time of around 25 minutes. This is competitive when compared to other drones. During windy conditions the battery life is somewhat reduced as the drone has to fight through extra force to fly or remain stable in the air.

The GPS based navigation allows a number of automated flight features to be activated. For example, you can order the drone to return to the starting location, or you can enter coordinates and allow the drone to fly to a location.

One the other hand, the controls for manual flight are intuitive. The DJI Naza-M flight control system allows a number system components to be touched: LED flight indicators, inertial sensors, barometric altimeter, 3-axis gimbal, anti-static compass and GPS system.

To summarize, the DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ is a reliable piece of kit for the modern professional. The mix of a HD camera, and advanced flight features means the desired shot can be captured. Also the 12MP camera is competitive when compared with other models.

10. WALKERA VOYAGER 4 (Top Pick)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5.0

For an industry leading features on a professional grade drone the WALKERA VOYAGER 4 is an excellent purchase. If you can handle the budget of around $4,000 then the content creation possibilities of this drone unit is comprehensive.

The camera comes equipped with a staggering 18x optical lens, which beats the competition hands down. In comparison the Zenmuse Z3 camera used on the flagship DJI drones has a 7x zoom. Cinematographers can take advantage of this drone to get truly stunning shots.

Furthermore, 4K video capture at 30fps is possible in real time. As soon as video is captured the data is sent over the network. The maximum focal length is 1500mm, and the file formats of the data capture are JPG or MP4. The camera sensor is 1/2.3 SONY IMX117 CMOS.

A mind boggling feature of the WALKERA VOYAGER 4 is that it has unlimited range. That’s because the piloting can be executed over the 4G network. However, this comes with a few problems, because if you travel to a 4G blind spot then signal quality will be poor. Also the range will still be limited by the flight time provided by the battery. It’s 20 minutes for positioning flight and 25 minutes for the ultimate flight mode.

The DEVO F18 remote control has a high speed transmission of up to 1km, but it needs to connect via the built-in WiFi network. It also has a housing section for a smartphone that can be used to output the video live.

To conclude, the WALKERA VOYAGER 4 is an excellent choice for those who want an industry leading camera on a well-built drone. The limitless range via 4G and excellent control means flying this unit around is a pleasure. For professionals that want the best camera possible and have the budget should seriously consider the WALKERA VOYAGER 4.

11. DJI INSPIRE 2

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Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5.0

The DJI INSPIRE 2 a professional camera drone that should be on the radar of any content creation professional. The combination of a high-grade camera and excellent flight features means you’re getting a comprehensive solution.

The camera is one of the highlights of this drone. It comes with the X5S, which was specifically designed for this drone. This drone can record at an impressive 5.2k at 30fps, which is a first in the drone marketplace. Furthermore, you can record using 4K resolution at an impressive 60fps. Mostly the competitors can only manage 30fps at this resolution. 1080p and 720p is also offered if that’s what your requirements are.

For photos the pixel size of 3.4 microns and 20.8MP is very impressive. It allows you to capture images at much greater detail than drones of previous generations. Furthermore, the higher signal to noise ratio and improved color sensitivity means you’re covered from all angles.

There are 8 lenses that can be swapped between and the sizes are from 18mm all the way to 90mm. This is great for creator that knows exactly what they want. It provides a greater degree of freedom for getting the perfect shot.

Also the camera comes with an impressive 480GB solid state drive. Therefore, you can store a lot of data before you need to transfer files. The speed of the SSD allows file transfer to be fast.

The DJI INSPIRE 2 has excellent range at 7km and the controller can switch between 2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz. This ensures that over long distances communication remains stable by using the DJI Lightbridge technology. The top speed of 67mph is another element of the drone that allows for fast-paced content capture.

12. DJI Inspire 1 Pro Drone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5.0

The DJI Inspire 1 Pro provides some upgrades over the standard model, and they are superb for content creation professionals. Unlike the DJI Inspire 2, this unit comes with a camera included. This will be of benefit to those who are not interested in going through the hassle of purchasing a compatible camera separately.

The camera included is the Zenmuse X5 and is capable of recording 4K video. It allows for 60Mbps of recording quality. However, this isn’t broadcast quality, as for that a minimum of 145Mbps is required. The camera also supports 8 lenses at the format of 15mm f/1.7, which can be bought separately. You’ll need a high capacity Micro SD card to capture all the footage without running out of space soon.

For stills the camera is capable of capturing 16MP resolution photos, which is very competitive. The crystal clear images are a dream for a content creator that doesn’t want to sacrifice on the quality of the content. To keep the camera dead in the center with no unwanted movement a 3-axis gimbal system is used.

The GPS horizontal hovering accuracy is at 2.5 meters, which is good enough for most applications. The GPS allows a number of automated functions to be used such as the return home feature. You can also use an automated feature to track an object.

However, for the manual approach the controller works well too. The joysticks are intuitive to use and the learning curve isn’t high – even for beginner drone pilots. There is also an LCD screen to give you a FPV display, which allows the drone to be controlled without looking at it.

To conclude, the DJI Inspire 1 Pro Drone is an ideal purchase for those professionals that can afford the price tag. Due to the bulkiness of the design it’s not a drone you’ll take on vacation. However, if you need some serious content creation to be completed, then the combination of the high quality camera and stable flight features is a huge plus.