Introduction
In this ranking, we have collected the best 4K machines, each equipped with at least a 12-megapixel 4K camera suspended on a 3-axis mechanical gimbal. Despite the fact that camera manufacturability plays a key role in the cinematic arsenal of any drone, in order to realize its full potential, an equally technologically advanced high-precision multi-axis gimbal is required. Accordingly, when selecting models for this top, we relied primarily on the manufacturability of the 4K camera + Gimbal tandem, which predictably predetermined the high cost of the presented products.
Choose your budget and go through the key features of the contenders to make your final choice, and since the best of the best are here, rest assured that each of these solutions will at least serve you well in standard aerial photography. Let’s start with the last – 14th place. For those who do not have time to fully familiarize themselves with the rating, we have prepared a table below.
comparison table
14. DJI Mini 2
Today’s best lightweight solution with the potential of full size UAVs. It replaced the no less interesting and popular predecessor Mavic Mini. Thanks to, without exaggeration, an unexpected and powerful package of improvements, since the release, the novelty has received increased attention not only from beginners, but also from an advanced audience professionally involved in photo / video shooting.
The list of key features of the drone includes a flight weight of 238 grams, a foldable design, satellite and sensor positioning, top DJI OcuSync video transmission system with a flight range of up to 10 km, a powerful wind-resistant power plant, a 12MP 4K camera with 4x optical zoom and video recording at speed 100 Mbps, automatic flight and QuickShot modes, max. flight time 31 minutes. Release date: November 2020. Price: from $449. As much detail as possible about the Mini 2 in our review.
DJI Mini 2 from $449
pros
- Flight weight 249 g
- Quality of performance and work
- More durable than its predecessor
- Foldable design
- More powerful and at the same time less noisy power plant
- Exemplary wind resistance
- 4K zoom/JPG/RAW/AEB/Panorama camera
- New More Comfortable Remote/OcuSync Technology/Max. flight distance 10 km/Support DJI Smart Controller
- Max. flight time 31 min
- Direct upload and instant photo/video editing functions
Minuses
- Doesn’t fly around obstacles
- The charging hub cannot charge the batteries and the remote control at the same time
- Propeller guards are not included in the combo
- No Tripod Mode
13. PowerVision PowerEgg X
Developers PowerVision first gained attention with the announcement of the Dolphin underwater drone and the PowerEgg aerial drone, which essentially had a cool design and nothing more. PowerVision PowerEgg X is a versatile 3-in-1 video system that includes a wide range of advanced features powered by AI algorithms. In addition to a special shell that allows the drone to fly in the rain, as well as float landing legs that allow it to land and take off from the water, PowerEgg X has a compact convertible form factor and can, among other things, act as a portable handheld and webcam.
With a simple movement, separate the drone arms from the body, attach the hand strap and realize ground shooting with your once-powered PowerEgg X drone. Equipped with a 3-axis mechanical gimbal, 4K camera up to 60 fps with object tracking features to automate your cinematic work and Not only. Release date: January 2020. Price: from $899. Read more about PowerEgg X in our review.
PowerVision PowerEgg X from $899
pros
- Execution quality
- Video system portability
- Transformation (drone/camera/webcam)
- 4K camera + 3-axis gimbal
- Automatic flight and shooting modes
- Intelligent Features
- Software (everything just filmed, processed, uploaded)
- Online streaming
- All weather operation
Minuses
- General case dimensions
- The waterproof case reduces the quality of shooting
- Flight range is far from declared (Max. in FCC mode: 2.5 km)
12. DJI Mavic Pro (Platinum)
The DJI Mavic Pro is a compact foldable drone that has pioneered portability and has the potential to compete with more modern drones. It folds down to a size that allows it to easily fit into a backpack or even a large pocket, while still being able to shoot in 4K at a level flight speed of up to 65 km/h. The 3-axis mechanical gimbal delivers exhilaratingly smooth footage, while OcuSync technology delivers high-definition video streaming up to 7 kilometers away. The Phantom line of drones may have made DJI the market leader in consumer drones, but the Mavic Pro has made high-quality aerial photography fun and very affordable. Release date: November 2016. Price: from $999. Learn more about the Mavic Pro in our review, as well as what’s new in the redesigned Mavic Pro Platinum.
DJI Mavic Pro (Platinum) from $999
pros
- Compact when folded
- Portable control panel
- OcuSync
- Range of flight
- Camera/Gimbal (image quality)
- Autonomous qualities
- Gesture control
- Object following mode
- Compatible with DJI Goggles
- Ready to fly out of the box
Minuses
- When flying with a protective cap, glare appears on the recorded video / photo
- Narrow camera angle
- No mechanism or system warning when the gimbal lock is not removed
- The obstacle detection system is not perfect. Caution is required when piloting.
11. Skydio 2 (+)
Skydio 2 is the sequel to the unique Skydio R1, a powerful drone with an autonomy unheard of at the time. The power of both Skydios lies in the Nvidia Jetson on-board computer and a set of environmental imaging sensors, which together form an intelligent obstacle detection and avoidance system. Skydio 2 uses six cameras with a total resolution of 48MP to detect obstacles, making it one of the safest drones in the world in terms of collision avoidance. The developer is so confident in their technology that they offer free repairs or replacements if your drone breaks down.
Skydio isn’t the only company to have drones running on the Nvidia Jetson computing system, but at launch, we didn’t know of any other Jetson computing platform-based drone being deployed for consumer use for less than a thousand dollars. Of course, Skydio 2 integrates with DroneDeploy for those who work with inspection or mapping.
As for the average consumer, the Skydio 2 offers a fairly standard 4K HDR camera that shoots at up to 60 frames per second. The model is a class leader in follow me modes, but additional accessories are also available for manual control. You can control the Skydio 2 with your smartphone like the previous model, or you can opt for a remote control or Skydio Beacon handheld, which gives you some control over the drone, but generally acts as a wireless tether to ensure control even if it lost sight of you. Release date: November 2019. Price: from $1349. Details about the smartest drone Skydio 2 in our review.
Skydio 2 from $1349
pros
- Portable Design/Quality
- Developer Warranty
- A unique system for detecting and flying around obstacles implemented on AI algorithms
- Dynamic (up to 58 km/h in auto mode)
- Powerful 4K photo/video system
- 3-axis mech. suspension
- Automatic flight and shooting modes
- Control: Smartphone/Beacon/Remote+Smartphone/Apple Whatch
- Max. removal distance 3.5 km
- Compatible with DroneDeploy
Minuses
- Non-foldable design
- No landing legs
- Officially not delivered to the World
10. DJI Mavic Air 2
The Mavic Air 2 drone is more than just a successor to the original Mavic Air, it is more of a transition from its own form factor to a full size Mavic series drone. It still retains its place of honor among the mid-range drones in the DJI lineup. And in terms of size, price, and features, it almost perfectly occupies an intermediate position between the Mavic Mini and the premium Mavic 2 drones.
It is impossible not to recall how at one time the Mavic Air added fire to the niche it occupied due to its miniature and at the same time indicatively productive camera. The Mavic Air 2 lit up similarly, providing an equally bright upgrade in this area. The drone’s camera is built on the latest 1/2-inch sensor, which is capable of capturing stunning images at both 12MP and 48MP resolutions thanks to Quad Bayer pixel binning technology. However, the calling card for the camera system of this drone was the ability to capture 4K video at a speed of 60 frames per second with a data transfer of 120 Mbps, which was previously unattainable for all medium-sized UAVs, which in general made Mavic Air 2 attract the attention of the vast majority of the unmanned community. Release date: May 2020. Price: from $799. Learn more about the new Mavic Air 2 in our review.
DJI Mavic Air 2 from $559
pros
- Portable Design/Foldable Design
- Anterior/posterior and inferior environmental imaging system
- OcuSync 2.0 Digital Video Transmission (Max FPV Distance 10km) / Support DJI Smart Controller
- Max. flight time 34 min
- 48MP 4K camera (best image quality among competitors)/4K@60fps
- The best potential in photo / video shooting (due to various modes and functions that improve the quality of the footage)
- D-Cinelike color profile (more freedom in post-processing)
- FocusTrack Intelligent Follower Suite
- APAS 3.0 (Secure Management)
- Price
Minuses
- No Tripod Mode
9. DJI Mini 3 Pro
A rare combination of compactness and manufacturability. Weighing only 245 grams, the developer managed to put the potential of a full-sized 4K drone from the premium niche into the model, which made it the most desired UAV among both beginners and advanced users.
Mini 3 Pro’s key features include: portable size and foldable design, satellite and sensor positioning, advanced 3-way obstacle detection and avoidance system, advanced APAS 4.0 pilot assistance system, top digital video transmission technology OcuSync 3.0, 48MP 4K camera built on 1 / 1.3-inch CMOS sensor with a pixel size of 2.4 microns, a set of intelligent FocusTrack following modes, intelligent auto-flight and MasterShots, intelligent auto-flight and QuickShots, color. 10-bit D-Cinelike profile, True Vertical Shooting or vertical shooting mode, advanced QuickTransfer file sharing.
The flight parameters of the drone are no less impressive: Max. FPV flight range: 12 km. Max. flight time (battery/battery Plus): 34/47 min. Max. horizontal speed flight: 57.6 km / h. Release date: May 2022. Learn more about the DJI Mini 3 Pro in our review.
DJI Mini 3 Pro from $759
pros
- Completely redesigned and foldable. Still in the weight category up to 250 grams
- 3-Way (Front/Aft/Bottom) Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Sensor System with New Sensor Layout
- DJI O3 Top Digital Video Streaming Technology (OcuSync 3.0)
- Max. FPV removal distance: 12km
- Max. flight time (batteries/batteries Plus): 34/47 min
- 48MP 4K camera built on 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with 2.4µm pixel size; with built-in Bayer color filter array; FOV: 82.1°; aperture: f/1.7; equiv. focal length: 24mm
- 10-bit D-Cinelike color profile
- Intelligent flight and shooting modes: FocusTrack/MasterShots/QuickShots
- Advanced Pilot Assistance System APAS 4.0
- Price
Minuses
- Lack of declared HDR video mode (actually it is 8-bit SDR REC 709; May be corrected with the next firmware update)
- Incorrect operation of the noise reduction system at ISO 800 and higher in 4K up to 30 fps (Possibly corrected by the next firmware update)
- Lack of manual adjustment of sharpness, contrast and saturation (Possibly corrected by the next firmware update)
- Lack of flight mode Tripod mode (Perhaps they will add the next firmware update)
- Inability to connect and control the drone with a single smartphone
- Battery Plus is not available for sale in all countries
- Image quality when using DJI ND filters
- Built-in memory: 1.2 GB
8. Yuneec Typhoon H Plus RS
The six-engine configuration of the Yuneec Typhoon is, if not the most successful, then quite popular. The design has become an icon in the industry, and the safety of the extra propellers has been recognized in the commercial market. Yuneec Typhoon H Plus is a second generation model aimed at the average consumer. In terms of performance and price, the Typhoon H Plus occupies an intermediate position between the DJI Inspire and DJI Phantom drone lines.
With a 20-megapixel 4K camera built on a 1-inch sensor from Sony, installed in a time-tested ultra-precise 3-axis 360-degree gimbal, a foldable design and an average market time and speed of flight, the Intel RealSense 3D collision avoidance system can be the main reason for choosing this drone among others. Release date: July 2018. Price in USA: from $2192. As much as possible about the Yuneec Typhoon H Plus hexacopter in our review.
Yuneec Typhoon H Plus RS from $2192
pros
- Workmanship/Design
- 6-motors/Foldable design
- Flight qualities
- Automatic flight and shooting modes
- Intel RealSense/IPS (Optical Flow Sensor) flies around obstacles of any size even at night
- Range of versions with cameras/The quality of shooting each/Ability to shoot 360º
- Emergency landing mode for 5 motors
- Portable Wizard remote/SkyView FPV goggles
- Does not require UAV control skills
- Price
Minuses
- Luggage dimensions
- Noisy
- The current battery charge of the drone can only be found on the display of the personal station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ1ZAjSl3OQ
7. DJI AIR 2S
A revolutionary solution that has no competitors in the mid-budget niche, which prompted many owners of the Mavic 2 Pro to consider selling it. With the advent of the novelty, the level of manufacturability for all models without exception has been raised, which in general predetermines big changes for the whole hobby.
The key arsenal of the best all-around drone includes: 20MP 5K camera built on a 1-inch CMOS sensor with a pixel size of 2.4 microns, 8x digital zoom, HDR photo/video/panoramas, 10-bit Dlog-M color profile, RAW format with dynamic up to 12.6 stops, H.265/H.264 video codecs, innovative MasterShots smart function, top-of-the-line and more advanced FocusTrack intelligent object following modes, QuickShots automatic modes, powerful 4-way visualization system of the surrounding world, advanced pilot assistance system of the latest generation APAS 4.0, DJI AirSense security system, OcuSync 3.0 top digital video transmission technology, and support for DJI Smart Controller. Release date: April 2021. Price: from $999. Get the most out of the latest AIR 2S in our review.
DJI AIR 2S from $999
pros
- Portable Design/Foldable Design
- 4-Way Environment Visualization System
- OcuSync 3.0 Digital Video Transmission (Max FPV Distance 12km) / Support DJI Smart Controller
- Max. flight time 31 min
- 20MP 5K camera built on a 1-inch CMOS sensor with a pixel size of 2.4 microns
- 10-bit Dlog-M/RAW color profile with dynamic range up to 12.6 stops
- Active Track 4.0
- DJI AirSense/APAS 4.0 Security Systems
- Innovative intelligent flight and shooting function MasterShots
- Price
Minuses
- 8 GB built-in memory
- There is no EV control scroll on the remote
- Editing with the app is limited to 1080p
- HDR HLG workflow for professionals only
- Raw images are not automatically transferred to smartphones and tablets
- No Tripod Mode
6. DJI Mavic 2
Announced in August 2018 in two versions, the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom instantly became the best consumer-grade foldable drone DJI has to offer. A bright upgrade over its Mavic Pro predecessor. If you look at the specs, the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom and Mavic 2 Pro are the same device, with one major exception: the camera. The Pro Camera is the joint result of two years of hard work by the DJI and Hasselblad development team. Built with a 1-inch 20MP Hasselblad L1D-20C CMOS sensor, capable of recording 4K video at 100Mbps.
The Zoom version is based on a 12-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, a 4x zoom lens (including 2x optical), 4K video recording at a bit rate of 100 Mbps. Otherwise, both drones feature a foldable design for hobby-leading portability, an omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system for safer flight, and new OcuSync 2.0 capabilities for even more reliable long-range control. Price: Pro version – from $1599; Zoom version – from $1349. Learn more about the advantages of Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom in our review.
DJI Mavic 2 Pro from $1599
pros
- Portable
- crash resistant
- Zoom/Pro cameras (features and quality)
- dynamic
- Guided/Flight Modes
- Offline modes and features
- Active Track 2.0
- OcuSync 2.0/FHD FPV
- FPV removal distance up to 10 km
- APAS
Minuses
- Does not shoot in 4K at 60 fps
- No protection against water and dust
- The ability to change cameras only through a service center
- Unlike its predecessor, it does not have a Wi-Fi connection (the ability to launch the drone from a smartphone is excluded, which, for example, is very important during a bike ride when the drone is in the ActiveTrack object automatic following mode). As a result, you have to constantly bother with fixing the tandem (remote control + smartphone) on the steering wheel.
5. Autel EVO 2 Pro
The second generation of the popular Autel Robotics EVO drone comes in three versions (8K/PRO/Dual), the main difference being the camera. The EVO 2 Pro version has the best cinematic potential built on a 20MP 1-inch CMOS sensor from Sony. The camera is installed in a 3-axis high-precision mechanical gimbal with the ability to be quickly replaced, which allows the user with one drone to switch from version to version by simply replacing the gimbal with the camera, which can be purchased separately without any problems.
The hallmark of the Autel EVO 2 Pro is the ability to record 6K video at 120 Mbps, as well as 10-bit 4K HDR video mode and 10-bit A-LOG Color mode. All three versions have a foldable design, portable size, one of the best all-round obstacle avoidance systems (12 computer vision optical sensors + 2 ultrasonic sensors + LED landing lights), patented Dynamic Track 2.0 ™ system (allows AI to autonomously track obstacles even at high speeds and create flight paths in advance in real time). Release date: January 2020. Pro version price: from $1796. Learn more about Autel EVO 2 PRO/8K/Dual in our review.
Autel Evo II Pro from $1795
pros
- Portable (Dimensions when folded)
- 3 quick change chamber options
- 6K camera quality
- 10-bit A-LOG Color mode (more freedom in post-processing)
- 10-bit 4K HDR video mode
- Dynamic (up to 72 km/h)
- Managed
- Comprehensive obstacle detection and avoidance system operation/Dynamic Track 2.0 system operation
- Max. flight time 40 min
- Max. FPV removal distance
Minuses
- Not officially supplied in the World / No service support in the World
- No protection against water and dust
- Questionable quality of shooting 8K camera (possibly corrected with the next firmware updates)
4. DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
The DJI Phantom series of drones are some of the best on the market, with each iteration bringing significant improvements over the last, and in the case of the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, we’re talking about improved motors, more efficient propellers, and it’s the first Phantom drone to feature unique transmission technology. OcuSync video stream.
At the time of its release, the Phantom 4 Pro version was DJI’s best drone in terms of obstacle detection and avoidance technology, a trend that continued and improved until the top version V2.0. The new drone features the same 20-megapixel 4K mechanical shutter camera suspended in an ultra-precise 3-axis mechanical gimbal as its predecessor. It remains one of the best camera drones on the market today.
The difference between the $1,599 Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 and the $2,049 Phantom 4 Pro + V2.0 is the ultra-bright 5.5-inch built-in display on the Pro+ remote control pre-loaded with Android, which provides a better visual experience even when overexposed. sunlight and saves the owner from the constant procedure of pairing the remote control with a mobile device before each launch. Release date: May 2018. As much as possible about DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 and its differences with its predecessor in our review.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 from $1599
pros
- Quality
- Design
- Modified low-noise power plant
- Flight characteristics
- Autonomous qualities
- OcuSync video transmission system
- Camera/Mech. Shutter/Gimbal (Best in niche image quality)
- Removal distance up to 7km
- Price
Minuses
- Side obstacle detection sensors are not active for all flight modes
- Bulky luggage in transit
3. Yuneec Typhoon H3
The developer decided that the result achieved by Typhoon H Plus was not enough and went further. As a result of a key strategic technology partnership with digital and analog camera gurus for home and professional use, Leica Camera AG, for the best hexacopter, a new 20MP 4K Leica ION L1 Pro camera built on a 1-inch CMOS sensor and mounted in a 3-axis mechanical 360-degree high-precision gimbal.
Max. 4K video quality at 60 fps with bitrate up to 100Mbps, digital zoom, Leica optimized and calibrated image modes (AWB, color reproduction, sharpening, noise reduction, etc.), Leica DNG format calibration with corresponding ADOBE profile, 10- bit YLog video mode based on Leica specifications and much more. Thanks to this tandem, the “six-engine king” has become a professional tool for realizing high-quality aerial photography, which once again indicates the high level of manufacturability of the Typhoon H platform from Yuneec International. Release date: September 2019. Price in USA: $3292. Read more about the unique version of the Typhoon H3 hexacopter in our review.
Yuneec Typhoon H3 $3292
pros
- Workmanship/Design
- 6-motor configuration/Foldable design
- Flight qualities
- 360 degree suspension
- Cinematic potential with the new Leica ION L1 Pro
- Automatic flight and shooting modes
- Intel RealSense/IPS (Optical Flow Sensor) flies around obstacles of any size even at night
- Emergency landing mode for 5 motors
- Portable Wizard remote/SkyView FPV goggles
Minuses
- Luggage dimensions
- Noisy
- The current battery charge of the drone can only be found on the display of the personal station
2. DJI Mavic 3 (Cine)
Unparalleled, fully redesigned solution of the popular Mavic Pro-series, the potential of which is able to realize a creative idea of any level. The developer traditionally offered the drone in two versions (Mavic 3/Mavic 3 Cine), so that the amateur and the professional would get the necessary functionality based on their goals. The list of key features of the drone includes a foldable design, Hasselblad’s unique cinematic dual camera built on two sensors (Lower Hasselblad L2D-20c: 20MP 5.1K, 4/3 CMOS / Upper Tele Camera: 12MP 4K, 1/2 CMOS), 360- degree obstacle detection and avoidance system, advanced fifth-generation APAS pilot assistance system, DJI O3+ top video streaming technology (the best flight range in the hobby up to 15 km), 16-bit Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS) automatic color correction system, support for Apple ProRes codec 422 HQ and 10-bit D-Log color profile, as well as built-in memory up to 1TB. Max. flight speed: 68.4 km / h. Max. flight time: 46 minutes. Release date: November 2021. Price: from $2,049. As much as possible about DJI Mavic 3 (Cine) in our review.
DJI Mavic 3 from $2049
pros
- Portable
- Availability of security systems (APAS 5.0/AirSense)
- Automatic flight and shooting modes
- 5.1K video system from Victor Hasselblad AB built on a Micro 4/3 matrix
- Video stream quality (1080p at 60 fps)
- Flight range up to 15 km
- Support connect to 4G connection
- Flight duration up to 46 min
- Built-in 1TB SSD (Cine version)
- Wi-Fi 6 QuickTransfer function
Minuses
- No support for the first version of DJI Smart Controller
- DJI RC Pro does not support other drone models (but this may be temporary)
- Given the potential of the drone, buttons like 5D / C1 and C2 are missing on standard equipment
- No dual-equipment control mode (pilot/camera operator)
- Max. 15km range only available with DJI RC Pro
- When recording in ProRes format, video is recorded only on the built-in SSD
- No possibility to change SSD
- Given the cinematic potential of the drone, 8GB of internal memory is very small (for the Mavic 3 version)
- No Tripod Mode
1. DJI Inspire 2
The first version of the DJI Inspire may have set the tone for what a professional drone should look like, but the new DJI Inspire 2 sets the tone for what it should do. At the time of the announcement, the Inspire 2 featured the top-of-the-line Zenmuse X5 camera, a Hollywood-ready 5.2K interchangeable lens camera. A year later, DJI added the Zenmuse X7 camera to the drone’s arsenal, a 6K cinematic shooter that is even more capable of performing professional filming tasks. Release date: November 2016. Price: from $3299. Learn more about the best tool for cinematic aerial photography Inspire 2 in our review.
DJI Inspire 2 from $3299
pros
- Quality
- Design
- Reliable (complex of redundant sensors + 2 batteries)
- Flight qualities (handling / dynamism)
- Cinematic potential of a professional level
- Supported cameras
- Possibility of separate control (Drone/Shooting)
- Automatic flight and shooting modes
- Flight time
- Price
Minuses
- Dimensions
- Noisy