If you’re a pilot working in aerial videography, then you have more choices than ever when it comes to drone models. From consumer quadcopters to multirotor hexapod drones with DSLR gimbal attachments, the wide variety of models in these drones means that it’s more important than ever to carefully choose which is best for you and your needs. Here are seven RC drone models that may be best for aerial videographers.
DJI Phantom 3 Series
$499-$973
DJI is a recognized staple in the drone industry, and the Phantom series is one of their most popular lines to date.
The DJI Phantom 3 series is no exception to this as it has proven to be extremely popular for consumer and prosumer drone enthusiasts. The Phantom 3 series comes in four different models: Standard, Advanced, 4K, and Professional.
While each model is similar, they each have minor differences that may make each respective model more or less useful to your individual needs – so, it’s important to know the differences.
The Phantom 3 Standard model comes with DJI’s advanced gimbal stabilization technology to provide stable footage and an integrated camera that provides 1080p HD video and 12 Megapixel photos.
The Standard model is also capable of shooting at 2.7K, but only at 30 frames per second. The live video feed provides 720p video streams to your mobile device for clear FPV flying. It also comes with a standard GPS positioning module for outdoor positioning referencing.
The Phantom 3 Advanced model comes with similar features to the Standard model, but with some notable improvements. Whereas the Standard model can shoot 2.7K video footage at 30 frames per second, the Advanced model is able to shoot 2.7K at variable speeds such as 24, 25 and 30 frames per second.
It also can shoot at a wider range of speeds at lower resolutions than the Standard model, with 48, 50, and 60 frames per second options available at 1080p. The Advanced model contains a more advanced positioning system with a GPS + GLONASS Dual Positioning Module and Vision Positioning Module using ultrasonic sensors that enables position holding without GPS; this is invaluable when shooting in areas with weak or non-existent GPS signals.
Another major difference in the Advanced model comes in the increased functionality of the remote controller. With return home, video recording, shutter action, playback, gimbal Dial, and two customizable buttons, the Advanced model controller offers a more controllable experience than the Standard model.
The Phantom 3 Professional model is very similar to the Advanced model, but features a few upgrades in the camera resolution department. The Professional model is able to shoot in 4K (4096x2160p) resolution at 24 and 25 frames per second and at 24, 25, and 30 frames per second at the 3840x2160p resolution. The Professional model also has a significantly higher maximum bitrate for video downlink at 10Mbps versus 2Mbps in the Advanced model.
The Phantom 3 4K model is a mix of features between the various different models. It contains the same GPS positioning system as the Standard model with the addition of the Vision Positioning System found in the Advanced and Professional models. It also contains the same video capabilities in terms of sensor and resolution as the Professional model.
A key difference between the Phantom 3 4K model and other models is in the remote control and video downlink departments. The remote control, itself, is almost the same as the Professional and Advanced models in functionality, except for the feature of a return home switch instead of a button, but its transmission distance is more similar to the Standard model than the Advanced and Professional models.
Whereas the Advanced and Professional models have maximum transmission distances of 3500m for CE compliance and 5000m for FCC compliance, the 4K model is set at a significantly lower 500m for CE and 1200m for FCC. The 4K model also has 2Mbps video bitrate and the lowest FPV preview quality of all of the models at 480p, which is standard definition.
DJI Phantom 4
$1399
Stepping up to DJI’s smarter, faster Phantom brings us to the new Phantom 4. This new addition to the Phantom family adds dual-camera obstacle avoidance, auto-follow flight modes, longer flight times, and insanely fast speeds. This is a guide focusing on aerial videography, but the Phantom 4 is fairly new (it was revealed last week), so let us dive into the most important details and then we’ll do camera talk.
DJI has equipped Phantom 4 with two front-facing cameras that detect objects telling the Phantom 4 to either fly up and around obstacles or halt and hover if it can’t figure out a new flight path.
Auto-follow allows you to fly your drone hands-free. No controller needed. Just tap on a subject in the DJI Go app and Phantom 4 will follow it and record it.
Battery life has been increased just a tad, so you can now fly for 28 minutes at a time. This is the good news (especially since the drone community is used to crappy battery life), but the bad news is that DJI has designed a whole new “intelligent” battery, so your collection of old ones won’t work.
The new Phantom 4 also clocks out at 45 mph if you’re more a sporty drone pilot (or wanting to get a fast action shot).
The camera has remained somewhat the same. You’ll get 4K video recording at 30 frames a second, or you can bump down to 1080p for 120 frames. The option for low frame-rate cinematic shots to slow-mo action shots is available nonetheless. More specs on the camera including ISO, max image size, and supported SD cards can be found on DJI.
This new bad boy drops the famous Phantom stripes, but it’s a smart and speedy drone regardless. It’ll run you $1400 for pre-order.
DJI Inspire 1
$2449
The DJI Inspire 1 features a transforming aircraft design that allows for an impressive amount of power while still being relatively lightweight.
This design uses carbon fiber arms to provide powerful maneuverability, but with a flip of the switch, the propellers move out of the camera’s field of view to provide a 360-degree unobstructed view.
The GPS and GLONASS positioning system allows for better craft tracking and position setting. It also contains the DJI Vision Positioning System to keep the device steady when GPS signals cannot be acquired.
With 4K, 1080p and 720p video capabilities, the Inspire provides an amazing combination of form, functionality and capabilities – an extremely versatile and adaptive drone.
3DR Solo
$799
If you already have your own camera in a GoPro HERO3, 3+ or 4, you may want to consider the 3DR Solo.
3DR is another heavy hitter in the drone industry and the Solo is a great introduction to their products. The Solo does not have its own integrated camera, but comes optimized for the GoPro 3+ and 4 cameras.
The Solo sends 720p live video directly from your GoPro to your mobile device and features an advanced computer-assisted image and video capturing program, called ‘Smart Shots,’ that allows various settings to handle programmed and automated flight paths.
This includes the ability to have the Solo automatically follow you and keep the camera on you as you move or to automatically fly away from you, focus on you, and take a selfie shot of you.
DJI S900/S1000
$1400-$4500
While DJI’s Phantom and Inspire lines are impressive in their own right, they’re still not classified as truly ‘professional’ lines. The professional line designation falls to the S900 and S1000 drones in DJI’s lineup.
The S900 contains foldable carbon fiber arms that save space for transportation and weight reduction that allows for increased stability and strength without sacrificing performance. The S900 and S1000 line are hexapod copters, which means they feature 6 rotator arms and propellers as opposed to the four seen in quadcopters.
The low gimbal mount and retractable landing gear on these drones provides a wide range of shooting angles and camera motions, which allows you to safely achieve shots that your DSLR could never have achieved with a tripod.
As professional drones, they are intended for those who already have a professional or prosumer DSLR and are looking for an option to use their camera and lens configuration for aerial videography and photography shots.
Just make sure your skills are up to par to operate these drones because they’re on the more expensive side on the market (and make sure you’ve got drone insurance to cover you in case of an incident).
Yuneec Typhoon Q500+
$929
Yuneec is another notable manufacturer in the drone industry with various products on the market. The Typhoon Q500+ is a true, open-and-go quadcopter option similar to the DJI Phantom line, in that it features an integrated camera system.
The Typhoon Q500+ captures video in 1080p at 60, 58, and 48 frames per second and photos at 16 megapixels. It contains a 130-degree field of view and stores media via micro SD cards.
It’s an extremely accessible and easy pick-up-and-go drone for aerial videography.
Yuneec Tornado H920
$3500
The Typhoon Tornado H920 is one of Yuneec’s hexapod options for the drone market. This multirotor drone is built for professional aerial photography and videography with folding arms, retractable landing gear, and GPS positioning.
The H920 is compatible with two various camera options in Yuneec’s own CG04 gimbal camera and the industry-standard Panasonic Lumix GH4. The transmitter for the H920 features an Android-based tablet built into the receiver which means you need not separate the real-time video and telemetry data during flight.
Rules and safety of flying:
It’s important to be safe and to know the rules of flying before taking your newly purchased drone to the skies. Be sure to read the rules and register your drone on the FAA’s website.
Article written in partnership with the folks over at UAV Coach.
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