Even if you have no good reason to justify buying one, you have to admit that drones are cool. Some are glorified tech toys, but the models we highlight here are fit for use in imaging and cinematic applications both small and large. If you think you can use a flying camera in your next project, there’s some good news—the tech has come a long way in a very short time. Some models on the market now put earlier copters to shame in terms of video quality and stabilization.
And, now the bad news: You get what you pay for. If you want an aerial video platform that can capture stunning footage, you need to be ready to spend some cash, anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Because drones are such pricey propositions, it pays to do your research before buying one.
We don’t focus on racing, industrial, or agricultural aircraft here—our coverage is squarely centered on imaging and video. The drones we review are ready-to-fly models, so you can use them right out of the box.
Read on for the top drones we’ve tested, followed by everything you need to know about choosing the right model for your needs and budget.
DJI Mini 2
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Stabilized 4K camera | – Still no color profiles for JPGs and video |
| + Raw and JPG photo modes | – Omits obstacle avoidance and HDR |
| + Automated Quickshots | – Doesn’t include ActiveTrack or Hyperlapse |
| + Stronger motors and connections than Mavic Mini | |
| + GPS and other safety features | |
| + No FAA registration required | |
| + Long flight time |
DJI Mini 2
With long battery life, a robust wireless connection, and 4K video, the DJI Mini 2 is the best drone you’ll find for less than $500.
د.إ 1,680.00
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Why We Picked It
The DJI Mini 2 is the best drone you can get for less than $500. It sports a stabilized, three-axis gimbal 4K video camera that also snaps 12MP photos, plus it includes GPS and Find My Drone functions. Its 249g takeoff weight means you can fly it without dealing with FAA registration—you just need to pass an online knowledge test. We also like the nearly half-hour flight times, though we wish DJI had worked obstacle detection into this model.
Who It’s For
The Mini 2 is the drone to get if you’re just starting out and want to record ultra-smooth 4K30 footage from the air or take aerial photos—Raw format is available for photogs who like to post-process. It’s very stable, even when flying near the 400-foot altitude limit, and streams live video from the camera to a smartphone app. Budget-minded shoppers can look to the DJI Mini SE, a near clone with a 2.7K video camera and JPG-only stills, as a $300 alternative.
DJI Mini 3 Pro
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Portable design | – Extended battery should be standard |
| + 4K60 with digital zoom | – GPS lock-on takes some time |
| + Vertical video and photo support | – Omits AirSense ADS-B system |
| + Upward-tilting camera | |
| + Three-way obstacle sensors | |
| + Strong safety features | |
| + Two remote control options |
DJI Mini 3 Pro
The palm-sized DJI Mini 3 Pro’s Quad Bayer camera snaps pleasing photos and records stabilized 4K60 footage, while its video toolkit makes you rethink what a tiny drone can do.
د.إ 3,400.00
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Why We Picked It
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is the most capable ultralight drone on the market. Its 249g takeoff weight (with a 34-minute battery) means you can get around FAA registration, though creators who don’t mind forms and fees can add in an extended life battery to push flights beyond 45 minutes. Three-way obstacle sensors, automated flight modes, and 4K60 video round out the feature set. We especially like the APAS function, an autopilot that can navigate through complex spaces all by itself, for low-to-the-ground use.
Who It’s For
If you’ve looked at the Mini 2 and wanted a bit more, the Mini 3 Pro is a sensible step-up. Drone enthusiasts, cinematographers looking to add a B-camera for aerials, and creators who don’t mind spending a bit more for smart obstacle avoidance should find the Mini 3 Pro to be a worthwhile upgrade. It’s also a good match for TikTok influencers because it supports vertical 9:16 video.
DJI Air 2S
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + 1-inch sensor camera | – Doesn’t offer in-camera filtered looks |
| + Video at up to 5.4K quality | – 8GB internal storage isn’t much |
| + Robust safety features | – Remote doesn’t include EV control wheel |
| + Obstacle detection and avoidance | – App-based editing limited to 1080p output |
| + HDR, Log, and Standard video profiles | – HDR HLG workflow for pros only |
| + AirSense transponder | – Raw images don’t transfer to smartphones and tablets automatically |
| + Half-hour flight time | |
| + Automated camera shots |
DJI Air 2S
The DJI Air 2S is a small folding drone with a premium 1-inch sensor camera, 5.4K video, and a number of automated flight and safety features, making it a pro-minded alternative to the more affordable Mavic Air 2.
د.إ 3,700.00
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Why We Picked It
The DJI Air 2S has a camera with an oversized Type 1 (also called 1-inch) sensor for much better 20MP stills than you can get from the DJI Mini series drones. It supports 5.4K30 and 4K60 video with HDR, flat, or standard profiles, plus it can snap photos in Raw or JPG format. DJI’s strong safety features are here too, including GPS location, obstacle sensors, ADS-B to warn you of nearby manned aircraft, and a 30-minute battery.
Who It’s For
The Air 2S is a compelling drone for stills-first creators. The Type 1 sensor may lag behind Quad Bayer chips in pixel count, but captures a wider dynamic range, so photogs have more leeway for edits to exposure. Video pros should appreciate the 5.4K resolution and choice of three profiles too, but you may want to step up to a Mavic 3 for more serious cinema work. Keep in mind that you must register this drone with the FAA.
DJI Mavic 3
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Four Thirds camera with Hasselblad color | – Expensive |
| + Lens offers 7x optical and 28x digital zoom | – Base model offers only 8GB of storage |
| + 5.1K50 and 4K120 video | – Automatic APAS navigation not as good as Skydio |
| + 20MP RAW or JPG stills | – Telephoto camera underwhelms |
| + All-around obstacle avoidance | – Falls shy of 46-minute battery estimate |
| + Long flight times | |
| + Strong safety features |
DJI Mavic 3
The DJI Mavic 3 is a small folding drone with a Hasselblad camera that captures stunning video and stills, but you need to step up to the Cine version for ProRes recording.
د.إ 7,680.00
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Why We Picked It
The DJI Mavic 3 sports the best drone camera of any foldable model. A big Four Thirds format sensor with a Hasselblad color profile delivers excellent footage and stills straight-out-of-camera. All-around obstacle sensors allow the drone to fly around obstructions, an integrated GPS keeps it steady in the air, and forty-plus-minute flying times make for safer flights. Dedicated pros can step up to the Cine version ($4,999), which adds 1TB SSD storage and ProRes 422 video.
Who It’s For
The Mavic 3 is ideal for cinematographers, indie filmmakers, vloggers, and other creative professionals. The drone is heavy enough to require FAA registration and you need an operator’s license to use it for paid work, but it’s still small enough to carry in a shoulder bag. If you work on location or travel to beautiful places, the Mavic 3 is a worthwhile splurge, and the Cine version is available for creators with ProRes workflows.
Parrot Anafi
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Very small | – No obstacle detection |
| + Charges via USB-C | – Digital zoom cuts into 4K quality |
| + 4K video with HDR | – Requires smartphone |
| + 3x digital zoom lens | – Construction feels a little flimsy |
| + Updward gimbal tilt | |
| + Big battery for 25-min flights |
Parrot Anafi
The Parrot Anafi puts all emphasis on size—the small, folding drone is ideal for travel, thanks to 4K video capture, a small airframe, and USB charging.
د.إ 1,380.00
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Why We Picked It
The Parrot Anafi debuted before ultralight drones took over the market, but despite its need for FAA registration, we like it quite a bit for drone pilots who want to pack light. The long, skinny form factor is a winner here—it’s easy to squeeze the Anafi into a rucksack and you can charge it with the same USB-C adapter you use for a smartphone. The camera is capable too, with 4K HDR video support and a gimbal that enables some upward tilt.
Who It’s For
Creators looking for a small drone with capable 4K video and stills should find a lot to like about the Anafi. It slides into small bags and luggage easily, and comes with a zippered protective case for travel. Customers looking to avoid DJI due to ethical concerns might also prefer this model; Parrot operates out of France.
Autel Evo Lite+
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Stabilized 6K30 and 4K60 video | – Color video profile isn’t configrable |
| + 20MP stills in RAW DNG or JPG | – 8-bit flat video profile |
| + 1-inch camera with variable aperture | – Screenless remote is a step backward from previous generation |
| + Beefy battery for up to 40min of flight | – Doesn’t support autonomous navigation around obstructions |
| + Automnated camera movies and Hyperlapse | |
| + GPS and automated return-to-home | |
| + Three-way obstacle sensors |
Autel Evo Lite+
The Autel Robotics Evo Lite+ folding drone has strong battery life, obstacle detection, and support for 6K recording, though some rivals offer a more polished experience for less money.
د.إ 4,950.00
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Why We Picked It
The Autel Evo Lite+ uses a Type 1 sensor camera for picture quality that’s competitive with the DJI Air 2S, with the additional benefit of a variable aperture to cut incoming light without the need for ND filters. The folding drone can fly for around 40 minutes on a full battery and supports three-way obstacle sensors to prevent midair accidents.
Who It’s For
The Autel Evo Lite+ is a capable camera drone for creators who don’t want to support DJI. Its 6K camera is capable and, although we wish we could fine-tune the video profile, a flat look is available if you want to edit for color. Its price is a knock against it, though, considering the Air 2S costs around $1,000, but you might find the Lite+ to be worth it for extended flight times and to sidestep DJI’s sometimes restrictive Fly Safe(Opens in a new window) geofence.
DJI Avata
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Incredibly easy (and fun) to fly | – Expensive |
| + Sharp FPV goggles with diopter adjustment | – Potentially dangerous |
| + One-handed controller works well | – Requires FAA registration for outdoor flight |
| + Great for POV shots | + Slow to react to shifts in white balance |
| + Wide-angle lens and 4K60 video convery sense of motion |
DJI Avata
DJI’s fast, sleek Avata drone is ideal for ground-hugging first-person and Cinewhoop video, though we have some concerns about its safety.
د.إ 5,200.00
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Why We Picked It
The DJI Avata is an FPV drone, one in which you see the camera view through a set of VR goggles, not on a smartphone screen. A nose-mounted camera, motion-sensitive remote, and 30mph Sport mode are there for thrill seekers. Meanwhile, built-in prop guards keep it flying after minor bumps and downward-facing sensors make low-to-the-ground flights possible. You can slow down and take your time too, if you like, for Cinewhoop-style long takes to channel your inner Scorsese and Welles.
Who It’s For
The Avata is a drone for those who want fast-paced, close-to-the-ground, and elaborately choreographed footage. Take the Avata up high and you might see some wobble in the camera that you don’t get with cinema drones, but you can also bank and turn to convey a sense of motion. We like that it’s easy enough for anyone to pick up and fly, though pros can swap a dual-stick remote for fully manual flight at 60mph. On the other hand, we’re a bit put off by just how easy it is to crash; make sure you have a safe place to fly it.
Ryze Tello
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Inexpensive | – Pixelated, low-quality video |
| + Easy to fly | – Limited control range |
| + Programmable via Scratch | – No GPS or return-to-home capability |
| + Bluetooth remote control compatibility | |
| + Automated flight modes |
Ryze Tello
The Ryze Tello is a toy quadcopter flyable via smartphone or laptop (using Scratch). Its video quality isn’t anything to write home about, but it’s a fun tech toy and learning tool.
د.إ 408.00
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Why We Picked It
The DJI Mini 2 is the best drone you can get for less than $500. It sports a stabilized, three-axis gimbal 4K video camera that also snaps 12MP photos, plus it includes GPS and Find My Drone functions. Its 249g takeoff weight means you can fly it without dealing with FAA registration—you just need to pass an online knowledge test. We also like the nearly half-hour flight times, though we wish DJI had worked obstacle detection into this model.
Who It’s For
The Mini 2 is the drone to get if you’re just starting out and want to record ultra-smooth 4K30 footage from the air or take aerial photos—Raw format is available for photogs who like to post-process. It’s very stable, even when flying near the 400-foot altitude limit, and streams live video from the camera to a smartphone app. Budget-minded shoppers can look to the DJI Mini SE, a near clone with a 2.7K video camera and JPG-only stills, as a $300 alternative.
Source: https://me.pcmag.com/en/robotics-1/3556/the-best-drones-of-2022-uae-saudi-arabia