Best Drone With A Camera – Reviews Guide for 2016

The evolution of consumer drones continues to this day and will go on for more years as the demand rises. The uses of drones are not limited to the military, film crews or the paparazzi anymore. Even children want their own copter. And with the price going as low as $60, it is easy to get your own online. Hobbyists who enjoy customizing and programming drones also grow the market for consumer drones. Continue reading this review of the best drones with a camera to see our choices for various types of flights and budgets. You’ll find below the top drone reviews we have put together to help you understand drones and to help you pick and purchase the drone you truly want.

Different Types of Drones

Each drone differs from another in more ways than one. Size, technology, features, build, use, and price are the common factors that can set each drone apart. But the best way to identify a drone is by its type. Below is a guide on which types of drones are in the market today.

Toy Drones

The most abundant drones in the market are toy drones because of their small size that are not required to be registered with the FAA. While most toy drones are still akin to their predecessors, few new models are now innovating and adding more features to their toy drones like Mota’s foldable and lightweight toy drone that appears safer than its contenders. There are also toy drones with selfie camera capabilities that can drive the upper end of this segment but low price will still rule supreme in the toy market.

Racing/First Person View (FPV)

These are usually Ready-To-Fly drones that usually sell for an affordable price of $200. These drones fly fast while also having GPS and sensors that make flying a lot easier. A lot of the new models come with headsets for a full experience. This market is growing fast because a lot of hobbyists enjoy FPV piloting than flying other types of camera drones.

Consumer Camera Drones

These drones are designed with cameras that produce the best image and video quality. The focus really is in taking crisp photos and clear videos while in flight. This category is further divided into:

  • Sports Drones mainly boast of GPS systems and action camera capabilities.
  • Phone and Tablet Drones use phones and tablets installed with the manufacturer’s app to control the drone instead of the traditional R/C.
  • Smaller and Safer Camera Drones are lighter drones that are often controlled with a phone or tablet.
  • Consumer camera drones are also abundant in the market along with toy drones because a lot of people want to take photos and videos of their activities from a distance without spending as much as they would for a prosumer drone.

Prosumer Camera Drones

These drones are medium sized quadcopters that are usually for low-end professional use. This segment doesn’t have a lot of items under its belt because not a lot of companies manufacture this type of drone. But with companies like DJI adding camera upgrades, the prosumer line may just crossover to the professional line with its fancier cameras. But a hefty $4000 price tag is a major drawback for hobbyists to consider prosumer camera drones. Buyers of this type of drones are usually indie filmmakers, real estate and construction pros, and public safety organizations.

Top 5 Drones

Features, specifications, ease of use, quality and price are the key factors that put these drones on this list. This numbered list is based on which models users ranked as the best. This does not mean that you should not consider other brands when you buy your first or next drone. There are a lot of brands and models to choose from but some top rated drones are definitely worth your time and money than the rest. Everyone has a variety of reasons for choosing one over the other, so just keep in mind the following quadcopter reviews as you choose the drone you’ll invest on.

1. Syma X5C Explorers 2.4G 4CH 6-Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter with HD Camera

Syma X5C Explorers 2.4G 4CH 6-Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter with HD Camera

Syma X5C Explorers 2.4G 4CH 6-Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter with HD Camera

If you are looking for a beginner’s drone that’s easy to set up for initial use, Syma X5C Explorer is what you’re looking for. It comes almost ready to use right out of the box with only minor tinkering required. Its 6-axis Gyro stabilization enables you to launch it from your hand and ensures a stable flight. It is a good starter drone for tricks as it can do 360-degree flips. The X5C Explorer has an HD camera that can be removed and a 2GB Micro SD card for storing your recorded flights. The X5C explorer can fly for 7 minutes, but it can go down to 5 minutes if you’re taking stills or videos. It only takes 100 minutes to charge its battery. While this quad can be flown both indoors and outdoors, you must be a little careful when using it outdoors when it’s windy because it gets carried away quite easily. It may not have the top of the line features and the controller looks budget but with its price tag of as low as $50, it may just be the best quadcopter for beginners.

2. DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter 4K UHD Video Camera Drone

DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter 4K UHD Video Camera Drone

DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter 4K UHD Video Camera Drone

Possibly the best drone for aerial photography, DJI Phantom 3 Professional enables you to shoot 4K videos at up to 30 frames per second and take crisp 12-megapixel pictures with its camera features of f/2.8 lens with a 94° field of view without lens distortion. It also has manual controls for ISO 100 to 3200 and shutter speed. Long exposure photos and stable videos are possible with its stabilizing 3-axis gimbal. You can live stream your flight by simply connecting your phone or tablet and see a 720p HD view of up 1.2 miles (2km). Photos and videos are easily reviewable via the DJI Pilot app. The Phantom’s improved GPS and GLONASS coupled with the free DJI Pilot app, make it easy for you to track your drone and bring it back with a tap of a finger. It also allows recording of your flight time, duration and location. Flying low indoors is also made easy with its Vision Positioning system that scans the ground beneath allows for safe, accurate and stable flying. This quad comes with an improved Intelligent Flight Battery with built-in sensors so you know your battery status in real time. It also comes in a higher voltage for more power and energy that can last for 23 minutes of flight.

3. Holy Stone F181 RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera RTF 4 Channel 2.4GHz 6-Gyro Headless System

Holy Stone F181 RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera

Holy Stone F181 RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera

This quadcopter has a Key Return and Headless Security System that will make sure you never lose your drone. It also comes with a 4 Channel transmitter. Its 6-axis gyro enables a smooth and stable flight even in slightly windy conditions. The F181 comes with a controller that will enable you to do a 360° 4-way flip and continuous roll for superb action and awesome performance. Any level of player can enjoy this for 7 to 9 minutes with camera usage for 80 minutes of charging time. It can be controlled from a range of 50 to 100 meters. Its HD camera can take decent photos if it stays in a spot with no interference. Its video recording is okay but can get too noisy because of the wind. These are minor setbacks and aren’t enough to keep it from being the best drone under 500, among others.

4. DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter Drone with 2.7K HD Video Camera 

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter Drone with 2.7K HD Video Camera

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter Drone with 2.7K HD Video Camera

Another DJI candidate for the best drone with a camera is the Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter. This comes with an HD camera for crisp 12 megapixels photos and a 3-axis gimbal system for excellent quality 2.7K video recording. You can manually adjust the ISO and shutter speed, and do burst shots and time-lapse videos. With the free DJI Go app, which you can download on your phone or tablet, you can live stream your drone’s view in 720p for up to half a mile’s distance. Stable and safe flying is also possible with its GPS features. It comes with an 8 GB micro SD card so you can save more stills and videos. Enjoy 25 minutes of flight time on a single charge and never worry when you’re running low because its Intelligent Flight Battery will remind you of its power’s status.

5. UDI 818A HD+ RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera, Return Home Function and Headless Mode* 2.4GHz 4 CH 6 Axis Gyro RTF

UDI 818A HD+ RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera

UDI 818A HD+ RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera

If you are looking for the best quadcopter under $100, UDI 818A from USA Toyz is likely your best choice. Priced relatively cheap for its latest technology makes this a great choice for beginners. It sports an Intelligent Orientation Control system that allows for a smooth flight from the start as it eliminates the need to adjust the drone’s position before flight. It also has a Return Home function so it can smoothly and easily return to its starting point. Its 6-axis gyro ensures stronger stability and wind resistance for easy control and flight movement manipulation. You can even switch between Flight Mode 1 for more stability for beginners and Mode 2 for fastest acceleration, maneuvers and tricks for experts. The 818A has a 4-channel function and a roll button for 360-degree flips. The drone comes with 2 megapixels HD video camera for clear photos and smooth videos. It also comes with a 4 GB micro SD card and an SD card reader. Enjoy 7 to 9 minutes of flight in a 90 to 120 minutes charge.

Other Top Rated Drones

Aside from the top 5 drones listed above, here are other highly rated drones you can consider during your purchase. These are also rated by users themselves based on features, specifications, ease of use, quality and price. Some of these items are among the best drones under $100.

  • Holy Stone X400C FPV RC Quadcopter Drone with Wifi Camera Live Video One Key Return Function Headless Mode 2.4GHz 4 Chanel 6 Axis Gyro RTF Left and Right Hand Mode Bundle with Goggles
  • DBPOWER Hawkeye-I Quadcopter 3D Flip 2.4GHz Transformable RC Drone/Car with 2MP HD Camera
  • RC Stunt Drone Quadcopter w/ 360 Flip: Crash Proof, 2.4GHz, 4 CH, 3 Bladed Propellers, Extra Drone Battery for Extended Fly Time w/ Practice Landing Pad, 2 USB Charger & Spare Parts
  • AKASO X5C 4CH 2.4GHz 6-Axis RC Quadcopter with HD Camera, Gyro Headless, 360-degree 3D Rolling Mode 2 RTF RC Drone (Bonus MicroSD card & Blades Propellers included)
  • Cheerwing® Syma X5SW FPV Explorers2 2.4Ghz 4CH 6-Axis Gyro RC Headless Quadcopter Drone UFO with 2MP HD Wifi Camera

Other Brands to Consider

The listed top drones are the especially ranked products by customers, and majority of them are produced by Syma, DJI and Holy Stone. There are other brands that produce good quality drones and a variety of choices like Hubsan and JJRC.

Hubsan

Shenzhen Hubsan Intelligent Co., Ltd. set up in 2010 and has a wide range of products. The Chinese company produces helicopters, autopilot planes, quad copters and First Person View (FPV) drones. Among the famous products Hubsan is known for is their Nano Q4 that weighs 11.5 grams and is the smallest mini quadcopter in the world. It has bagged awards from London and Nuremburg.

JJRC

Another Chinese company in the drone market is JJRC. They offer a wide selection of products for beginners, intermediate users and professionals. They have a wide array of choices in their catalog that are categorized under 5 classes namely Primary R/C Aircraft, Professional R/C Aircraft, 3 CH R/C copter, 4 CH R/C copter, and 6 CH R/C copter. Aside from good quality drones, they also manufacture R/C cars and tanks.

How to Choose the Best Drone for You

Drones’ popularity has increased the past year and everyone wants to get their hands on one. There are different types of drones to choose from and knowing how to pick the right drone for you will save you money, time and effort. It will also guarantee an exciting and fun flying experience. So before making your purchase, consider these common factors first.

Purpose

It is important to determine your purpose for the drone so you can pick the right one for your needs. For instance, if you want a training drone before switching to bigger copters, you could opt for the smaller and more affordable ones that are easier to fly. If you want to do sport flying, then you should tailor your drone’s features for tricks and other maneuvers. If you want crisp photos and HD videos, consider the bigger drones for aerial photography that yield good results. Once you know your drone’s purpose, you can start deciding on the specifications you desire.

User/Skill Level

If you are buying one as a gift for your kid, you’ll definitely benefit from an inexpensive model that is sturdy and with safety features like blade guards to protect siblings, pets, walls and even the adult supervising the kid. If you are a beginner, you’ll want something that’s ready to fly and easy to fly. There are inexpensive ones under $100 that sport great speed, stability and maneuverability. If you are a hobbyist or a filmmaker, you’ll want to invest in a quality quadcopter with long battery life, gimbal-stabilized, easy to control, have long range and GPS features and a great camera. These features will give you great stills and video results, and long hovering time.

Build

RTF is Ready-To-Fly which doesn’t require assembly and you can fly it straight out of the box. BNF is Bind-And-Fly which is assembled but without a controller so you’ll have to use your own controller or buy one separately. ARF is Almost-Ready-to-Fly, which doesn’t come with a receiver or transmitter or with some components left out like controller or batteries or motors. So be sure to check which type of build you want for your drone so you can save on time, effort and money.

Price

When it comes to drones, the easier it is to fly, the more expensive it gets. This is because more expensive drones have upgraded features and added sensors and/or functionality to the controllers that are combined for a smooth and stable flight. Make sure to buy a good controller because it doesn’t get outdated quickly and can last a good number of years. Purchase quality charger because it can last many years without replacement even if you upgrade to larger drones that use bigger batteries.

Conclusion

Purchasing a drone is not something that should be rushed. Do extensive research and assess the factors required in choosing the best drone with a camera that fits your needs. The more you know about the product, the more you’ll understand the different drones and their specifications and features. If you know how each part is better than the other, you’ll have bigger chances of investing in a drone that can last you years and give you maximum value for your money.

All product photos via Amazon.com.

 

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