Drones have opened up a whole new world for photographers. Before, you’d have to hire a helicopter or plane to take aerial photos and videos - but not anymore.
Now, anyone can send a drone soaring into the sky and end up with epic shots. But how do you know what drone to buy, and where you can fly it? We answer these questions and more in our drone shopping guide.
What is a drone?
Drone popularity is soaring to its highest peak in 2021, with users from all walks of life now reaching for a drone for representing their weekend fun with the family, overseas sightseeing, and of course more professional endeavours.
With this increase in popularity, comes an increase in models flooding the market so you may find yourself asking, what drone should I buy?
Below you will find a top 5 list of what we think the best drones are to take into the sky in 2021.
DJI are the undisputed leaders of the drone camera and quadcopter world, and this Mavic 2 Pro Drone is the company’s flagship model. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro could be seen as the culmination of DJI’s technological advancements up to this point. Incredibly powerful, the Mavic 2 Pro uses a Hasselblad-branded camera with 1-inch sensor to produce stunningly detailed images, which it can transmit at a range of 8km. For this reason, the Mavic 2 Pro is the best aerial photography drone.
Despite being a lightweight drone, the Mavic 2 Pro is not one to be pushed around, using its aerodynamic frame to reach top speeds of up to 72 km/h and the latest omnidirectional obstacle sensing technology to keep it out of trouble.
It also has a maximum flight time of 31-minutes, making it a firm contender for the drone with the longest flight time. With its folding design, the Mavic 2 Pro is portable enough to assure you have it with you more often than not, and makes our list of the best travel drones.
Released alongside the high-achieving Mavic 2 Pro, the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is an impressive drone in its own right. The Mavic 2 Zoom does not feature the same Hasselblad camera with larger than average sensor that its sibling possesses, relying on a ½.3-inch 12MP variant, but this sensor allowed DJI to add an all-important feature to this model that separates it from its competition - zoom!
The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom features a 24-48mm equivalent zoom lens, permitting you to choose between a wide field of view that captures the full scope of an area, or zoom in to capture a cropped portion, thus providing you with more cinematic options for your aerial filming and photography. In the air, this drone is just as capable as the Mavic 2 Pro, so if you want to take advantage of all the tools at your disposal, take a look at our tips on using drones to capture beautiful aerial photography.
The DJI Mavic Air is the most compact drone in the DJI family to include a 3-axis stabilised gimbal, and therefore the best portable drone for photography. It may look unassuming but make no mistake, this drone is capable of some truly astonishing aerial visions. As well as 4K video, the Mavic Air can capture 12MP stills, so you can experiment with your capture type and even try your hand at more advanced techniques, such as hyperlapse videos.
During flight, the Mavic Air comes into its own, with a very respectable top flight speed of 68.4 km/h and a 21-minute max flight time. Through the compatible DJI Go App, you have access to various advanced flight functions under the ActiveTrack section. The DJI Mavic Air is a Drone that follows you! This affordable travel drone is all about portability: The unit itself - and even its remote - folds down to maximise storage space, so you will have plenty of room in your gadget bag for the essential drone accessories.
Weighing in at just 249 grams, the DJI Mavic Mini is ideal for travel and other situations where portability is key. Its compact stature also makes it perfect for flying indoors and in confined spaces, while its 30-minute battery life maximises your air time on every flight.
A great choice for beginners, the Mavic Mini comes with several pre-programmed flight modes and is compatible with the free DJI Fly app, meaning that getting off the ground is easier than ever. With 3-Axis Gimbal stabilisation and an impressive 2.7K resolution camera, this pocket rocket will have you shooting cinematic drone videos and stunning stills in next to time.
The DJI Tello is one of the best drones for beginners taking their first steps into the world of drone photography. With its easy to use controls and budget price, the DJI Tello is the perfect first drone for you and the family. Before taking off, don’t forget to read our beginner’s guide to flying a drone.
Unlike more advanced drones, the DJI Tello can be completely controlled using a smartphone with the free Tello app. This lightweight drone will be soaring above you in a matter of moments, thanks to its auto takeoff and landing abilities, while you’re sure to get a thrill when you first inspect the 5MP stills and 720p video that the built-in camera lands with.
Start 2021 with the best drones on the market
Now that you’re up to speed on the best drones in 2021, explore our range of aerial photography drones.
For more information about any of the above, head into your nearest Ted’s Cameras store. Our friendly team will be more than happy to help you pick a drone and give you tips on cleaning and caring for your drone to ensure it serves you well for as long as possible.