If you click a link on this page and make a purchase we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
In recent years, we have witnessed drones take over the filmmaking industry. This innovation has completely revolutionized the way filmmakers capture their staggering photos and videos.
From amateurs on YouTube to professional filmmakers in Hollywood, it seems like everyone has jumped aboard on the drone train.
While there are certain limitations, such as picking areas where it is legal to fly drones in your country, there is currently a no better way to capture footage from a bird’s-eye view.
Intro
Drones have been around for quite some time, but we have seen some huge improvements in terms of features in the last decade.
Nowadays, they have better cameras, larger sensors, great video resolutions, and upgraded stability systems that make them easy to control.
However, with so many options on the market, it can be hard to pick out the right drone for your filming needs.
In this article, we are going to review some of the best filmmaking drones to help you reach a decision.
The 7 Best Drones for Filmmakers
After considering all the different features and characteristics, we have come up with this list of seven drones that can help you take your filmmaking abilities to the next level.
Without further ado, let’s check them out.
DJI Mavic 3
The DJI Mavic 3 is one of the most powerful drones in terms of lifting. It essentially lifts two cameras, one 24mm EFL (main camera) and a secondary one that has “hybrid zoom” features.
The camera has 20 megapixels, and it comes with features like exposure, aperture, and an adjustable ISO.
You can fly the Mavic 3 for around 46 minutes straight, which makes it suitable for professional filmmakers as well.
The drone comes with a ProRes 422 HQ format video, and it integrates a 1TB SSD card, so you won’t have to worry about having enough memory space.
Feature Overview ✍️
- Weight: 895g
- Video resolution: 5.1K HDR 50 FPS
- Camera resolution: 20 MP, plus 12 MP
- Battery life: 46 minutes
- Max speed: 43mph
Pros ✅
- Dual camera system (secondary has “hybrid zoom”)
- Great live video quality
- Excellent battery life
Cons ❌
- Lacks high-quality firmware
Amazon.com DJI Mavic Air 2
Ever since it was launched in 2018, DJI Mavic Air 2 has been one of the most reliable drone options for filmmakers around the world.
Its main advantage is the state-of-the-art Hasselblad camera. This camera can easily capture 4K resolution footage at around 60 FPS.
Due to the 10-bit DlogM color profile, the quality of your images and videos is guaranteed to be at the highest level.
During your filmmaking process, you should adjust the shutter speed to be twice the speed of the frame rate. You can do this with Mavic Air 2 since it has an adjustable aperture that can provide you with exceptional cinematic videos.
One of the main advantages is the battery life that lasts for approximately 30 minutes, but it’s more than enough time to capture some stunning shots. The max speed is around 45 mph.
Feature overview ✍️
- Weight: 570 g
- Video resolution: 4k 60 FPS
- Camera resolution: 48 megapixels
- Battery life: Appx. 30 minutes
- Max speed: 45 mph
Pros ✅
- Course correction features
- High-quality camera
- Easy to navigate
Cons ❌
- Doesn’t feature side/top sensors
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is an exceptional drone option for filmmaking amateurs.
This drone is very affordable, and it brings lots of great features to the table. With a 20MP 1” image sensor, it is much bigger compared to other drones, making it easier to capture high-quality photos and videos. The Hasselblad lens is an additional advantage.
The Mavic 2 Pro also stands out as one of the best choices for high dynamic range recordings due to the exceptional Dlog-M and HLG HDR implementation. The footage you can acquire can easily be used in editing apps.
Battery life can last up to 30 minutes, and the maximum speed is around 44 mph.
Feature Overview ✍️
- Weight: 905g
- Camera resolution: 20 MP
- Video resolution: 4K HDR 30 FPS
- Battery life: 30 minutes
- Max speed: 44 mph
Pros ✅
- Larger image sensor
- Solid airframe
- Exceptional software features
Cons ❌
- Doesn’t have 60 FPS for 4k filming
DJI Inspire 2
Having upgraded most features of the DJI Inspire 1, the Inspire 2 model has become one of the professional filmmaker’s favorite choices.
The advanced flight modes and obstacle avoidance features are very high-quality, making it also one of the safest options. This model comes with two remote controllers, allowing you to both controls the aircraft and the camera. With this, you will have complete control over your shots.
Image quality is also first-class, and you will be able to record 5k 30 FPS and 4k 60 FPS with a 12-bit RAW color profile.
Feature Overview ✍️
- Weight: 7250g
- Camera resolution: 20 MP
- Video resolution: 5K 30 FPS and 4k 60 FPS
- Battery life: 25 minutes
- Max speed: 65 mph
Pros ✅
- High-quality video
- Interchangeable cameras
- Obstacle avoidance features
Cons ❌
Autel EVO 2
The best feature of the Autel EVO 2 drone is its modular camera system. You get three different models that can capture a wide range of features, suitable for any filmmaker’s needs.
This drone is the first consumer drone ever to provide 8K video, and it uses a 48 MP Quad Bayer Sensor. There is both an optical and thermal camera that you can use to create quality shots, and you can switch them anytime you want.
When comparing the EVO 2 to the DJI folding Mavic series, you can notice a lot of similarities. However, the EVO 2 model is much bigger and heavier, so you won’t be able to carry it as easily as the Mavic 2 per se.
On the other hand, the camera and video resolution are slightly better, which can make you overlook the aesthetic factor.
Feature Overview ✍️
- Weight: 1174g
- Camera resolution: 48 MP
- Video resolution: 8K at 25 FPS
- Battery life: 40 minutes
- Max speed: 45 mph
Pros ✅
- 8K video quality provides stunning shot quality
- Omnidirectional sensors
- Wide range of features
Cons ❌
- Software isn’t very high-quality
DJI Matrice 600
As the team in DJI likes to call it, the Matrice 600 is the “first heavy lifter” drone ever.
This model is probably the best option for filmmakers who shoot cinematic masterpieces on the big screen. It is essentially a hexacopter designed for Hollywood producers.
While you may think the size of the drone could be an issue, it’s actually very simple to set up and launch. You won’t need to follow any extra guidelines than you would with other models.
To establish additional stability, there are six rotors that you can integrate. Also, it comes with six batteries in case you need to extend the flight time to capture additional shots. The flight time can go up to 35 minutes approximately.
One of the biggest advantages of Matrice 600 is that it can carry around 6kg of payload. Another notable upgrade is the A3 Pro Flight Controller, which provides advanced flight control features.
If you work on larger projects and need a powerful system for shooting, there aren’t many drones that can compare to the Matrice 600.
Feature Overview ✍️
- Weight: 9000g
- Camera resolution: 12 MP
- Video resolution: MP4
- Battery life: 35 minutes
- Max speed: 18 mph
Pros ✅
- Suitable for professionals
- Easily carries heavy payload
- Simple to set up
Cons ❌
- Price
Power Vision PowerRay ROV
In case you are going to need a drone for underwater filming, you can consider getting the Power Vision PowerRay ROV.
No matter if it’s for recreational or professional purposes, this powerful drone lets you dive as deep as 98 feet underwater and explore all sorts of beautiful imagery.
The camera is also pretty good, it can capture 12 MP photos and film in 4K.
Some of the advanced technologies featured are a Seeker fish finder Sonar and magnetic bait that you can place in any desired position.
One of the main disadvantages is that it doesn’t have much memory space, it only comes with a 64GB SD Card.
Feature Overview ✍️
- Weight: 6350g
- Camera resolution: 12 MP
- Video resolution: 4K
- Battery life: Up to 3 hours
- Max speed: 3-4 knots (Cruising)
Pros ✅
- Great battery life
- Suitable for underwater filming
- Advanced features
Cons ❌
- Some users reported joystick control malfunctions
Walkera Vitus 320 5.8G FPV Quadcopter
If you are looking for a steady and efficient Quadcopter to use for filmmaking, the Walkera Vitus 320 could be the ideal choice.
This model includes a CMOS sensor camera that can capture 4K UHD resolution and record 4K 30 FPS videos. You can choose to downscale to 1080p and 60 FPS if you want to grab some slow-motion shots. With a 12 MP camera, you are guaranteed superb picture quality.
The Walkera Vitus 320 also has high-end three-direction obstacle detection (left, right, and front). Obstacles can be detected at a 5-meter distance.
Feature Overview ✍️
- Weight: 890g
- Camera resolution: 12 MP
- Video resolution: 4k 30 FPS
- Battery life: 25 minutes
- Max speed: 37 mph
Pros ✅
- Reasonable price
- Compact and portable
- Advanced obstacle detection
Cons ❌
- Auto modes might be a bit unreliable
What to look for in a drone for filmmakers?
There are several factors that you should consider when buying a drone for filmmaking. You want to do a comprehensive research before purchasing any model.
Here are some of the main things you should look out for.
Camera
The drone’s camera should be your primary focus.
To ensure the best video quality, you should pick a drone with a 4K camera. They provide the most high-quality photos and videos.
No matter which type of film you are making, you can’t go wrong with 4K cameras.
Flight Time
Flight time determines for how long the drone will be up in the air, which also affects your recording time.
When purchasing a drone, make sure that it has a battery life of at least 30 minutes. If you need the drone for professional filming purposes, look for ones with longer flight times.
Materials
The way in which a drone is manufactured determines its durability and damage resistance. You don’t want your drone to become useless after hitting the first obstacle.
Carbon fiber is the best material for drones since it makes them both durable and light. Drones made out of carbon fiber can easily withstand crashes.
Flying Capacity
Finding the right flying capacity is also an important factor. This characteristic determines the ability to use the drone even in bad weather.
To be sure, you should pick a drone with collision detection and auto-tracking. This way, you can set a specific target for your drone to follow, and you won’t have to worry about it crashing.
Controller
Many people make the mistake of overlooking the controller of the drone. This feature is important since it will provide you with the ability to easily control the drone in order to make the best possible videos.
Find controllers that are easy to use, complex ones can be overwhelming to get the hang of, especially if you aren’t used to flying drones.
Live Stream
Along with the camera, the live stream is the second most important feature of a drone. You want to make sure that you are recording exactly what you want and change the scenery during the flight if needed.
With a live stream feature, you will have complete control of what you are filming.
FAQs
Quality filming drones can go anywhere from $600 to $5000, depending on the type of film you are making.
A drone license is required only for commercial flying purposes.
While there have been speculations that Apple is buying DJI, they turned out false.
Apple does not own DJI.
There are a lot of quality drones that you can get for recreational filming purposes that don’t cost a fortune.
Our best pick is the DJI Mavic Air 2 – it costs around $799.
