The Best DJI Drones For Professional Photography And Videography
A drone is your ticket to the skies if you want to be an aerial photographer or cameraman. The best drones on the market today have changed how both professionals and amateurs film and take pictures from above. Earlier you had to hire a helicopter and a pilot to take photos and videos from the air. Now you can do this while keeping both your feet firm on the ground and controlling a pocket-sized drone with a camera that can film landscapes in 4K.
The drones of today are like flying tripods. They are great for filming vacation scenes and travelogues and some drone models can even automatically follow you and record high-resolution video of you skiing down a slope at full speed or riding a mountain bike through rough terrain. If you want to invest in the best drones on the market today you've come to the right place. In this post at The NerdSeries we tell you about the best DJI drones for professional photography and videography.
The popularity of DJI drones is such that we can easily say that drones come in two varieties: DJI drones and non-DJI drones. DJI which is also known as Da-Jiang Innovations is known all over the world for its video equipment such as action cameras gimbals and of course drones. These camera drones are among the finest on the market capable of flying to dizzying heights and capturing stunning high-definition photographs and movies. Yes they are more expensive but happily even the affordable options are outstanding. Here is a full list of the best DJI drones that you can buy right now.
1 Best For Videography: DJI Mavic 3
The Mavic 3 comes in two different styles: normal and Cine. The Mavic 3 Cine is made for filmmakers and has a 1TB SSD and the ability to record in Apple ProRes 422 HQ. However the regular Mavic 3 will be enough for most amateur photographers and probably also for many professional videographers.
It has two cameras. One is a 12MP 1/2-inch camera with a focal length of 162mm and the other is a 20MP 1-inch primary camera with a focal length of 24mm (equivalent). Use the tele camera to check out routes or things that are far away and use the main camera for serious shooting.
All of the drones covered in our list including the Mavic 3 fold up to make them easier to carry. It weighs more than versions like the Mini 3 Pro and its motors are more powerful so it flies more steadily and can handle pretty strong gusts. It's also easy to fly manually but DJI's automatic flying modes make things even easier.
Specifications:
- When unfolded it is 13.68 inches long 11.14 inches wide and 2.24 inches high and it weighs 1.97 pounds.
- The camera is a Hasselblad 4/3 CMOS Photo with 4K-5.1K 120fps video.
- Maximum speed is 42.5 miles per hour.
- The maximum height above sea level is 19685.04 feet.
- The average flight time is about 46 minutes.
Pros:
- Cinematic Hasselblad camera.
- Better safety features.
- Smooth and accurate flight controls.
Cons:
- It's way too expensive
Price: Starting from $2849.
2 Best Value For Money: DJI Mini 3 Pro
A mid-priced option that packs a lot of functions into a small package.
If you have a few more dollars to spend the mid-priced DJI Mini 3 Pro is a nice option to consider a not-too-expensive splurge at least when it comes to drones.
Like the other DJI Mini drones this one can be folded up and carried around easily. You should be easily able to fit it in your pocket. Even though it is small it has a lot of power and can fly for a long time. On a full charge it can fly for 47 minutes in ideal conditions. When it comes to how long it will remain in the sky on a windy day you may receive diminishing returns. Users also said that the range of the Mini 3 Pro is not very accurate.
The drone may not be able to fly well but it is small enough that you might be able to fly it in places where bigger drones aren't allowed. The camera is pretty good and it can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. It can also sense obstacles better than most so you can fly them around with confidence. If you get too impressed with all of its cool features you can also buy extra battery life and control upgrades.
Specifications:
- It's 9.88 inches long 14.25 inches wide and 2.75 inches high when it's open and it weighs 0.55 pounds.
- Camera: 48 MP picture 4K HDR video at 60 frames per second
- The fastest it can go is 35.79 miles per hour and the highest point it can reach above sea level is 13123.36 feet.
- The average length of a flight is 47 minutes
Pros:
- Small enough to fit in most pockets
- Long battery life
- Capture photographs and make videos during the day and night
Cons:
- Limited range
Price:
- DJI Mini 3 Pro: USD $759
- DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI RC): USD $909
- DJI Mini 3 Pro (No RC): USD $669.
3 Best Overall: DJI FPV
The DJI FPV is the company's first drone made for racing with goggles and "first-person view" as well as having good camera capabilities. Launched on March 20 2021.
First Person View (FPV) drones let pilots fly by putting on a headset that shows them what the camera on the drone sees. Even though it might be fun to fly these kinds of drones have usually only been available to real fans of DJI who don’t worry too much about money. It has three flight modes. It flies with a top speed of 97 mph and can shoot stabilized 4K video and 120fps of "slow motion" at 1080p.
The DJI FPV drone may not be as durable as some more expensive DIY "professional drone" kits but if you want to get into FPV drone racing and make amazing aerial videos like the ones that have been going viral on social media this could be the right drone for you. The price setup how it works and how it flies are all great and anyone who has used a DJI device before should find the DJI software/app easy to use and familiar.
Specifications:
- With the propellers it is 10.04 inches long 12.28 inches wide and 5 inches tall. It weighs 1.75 pounds and has a 120 Mbps 4K 60fps camera.
- The fastest it can go is 86.9 miles per hour and the highest point it can reach above sea level is 19685.04 feet.
- The average length of a flight is 20 minutes
Pros:
- The flight experience is very real.
- LED arm lights can be changed.
Cons:
- It's hard to put together.
Price: Starting from $999
Conclusion
So, what is the best DJI drone for you? This guide should have made it easier for you to choose. All of the drones we've talked about here are great options for professional videography and photography. We appreciate your time. We hope that this information helps you choose the best DJI Drone for your needs, and we hope you have a great time with your DJI drone while capturing the best moments of your life.