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What Is The Best Camera On A Drone?

September 13, 2019 By Mark Sheehan

Best camera for a drone featured image

[su_box title=”Short Answer” style=”soft” box_color=”#b5c5ff” title_color=”#0069b5″]The best standard camera on a consumer drone is the DJI Inspire 2’s 30 megapixel / 5.2K camera.[/su_box]

Having a good camera is incredibly important for aerial photographers and videographers.

For professional pilots especially, investing in a high quality drone with a camera helps them provide better service to their clients or company.

But which camera is the best? And how do you know which is best for you?

A high quality camera doesn’t necessarily mean a high quality drone. In addition, it doesn’t always necessarily mean it’s the best drone for you.

In this article, we’ll dive into the best cameras available on drones today and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Let’s get started:

Which Drones Come With The Best Cameras?

Mavic in snow

These drones come with the best cameras out of the box:

  • DJI Inspire 2 (30 megapixel / 5.2K video)
  • DJI Mavic 2 Pro (20 megapixel / 4K video)
  • DJI Phantom 4 Pro (20 megapixel / 4K video)
  • Yuneec Typhoon H Pro (12.4 megapixel / 2K video)

These models typically sell for over $1,000 (understandably) and their cameras take sharp photos and shoot crisp aerial video.

They also come with a host of autopilot flight capabilities to dramatically enhance your shots.

Which Cameras Are Best to Attach to Your Drone?

GoPro camera

The best cameras to attach to your drone are:

  • GoPro
  • Mobius Action Cam
  • DSLR (equipment allowing)

GoPros make for excellent drone cameras. They’re small, lightweight, and powerful. The Mobius Action Camera is also a good choice and is similar to GoPros.

Many pilots like to attach their DSLRs to their drone. However, these tend to be heavier so you must make sure the drone your considering has enough power to carry it. Also make sure the drone’s landing gear is tall enough so your camera won’t hit the ground when you land.

How To Decide Which Is Best For You

Drone camera

Ultimately, deciding which camera/drone setup is best for you depends on your purpose for flying and how serious you are about aerial photography and videography.

It is recommended that serious professional pilots consider investing in a high-end rig and camera. This allows you to provide the best possible service to your clients, as your work can be limited or upgraded based on the equipment you’re using.

Recreational pilots must determine what their budget is and what they’re willing to invest in their hobby. Many recreational pilots are more than happy to invest over $1,000 in this technology simply because it’s awesome, fun, and adds a lot of value to their lives.

However, pilots who aren’t sure whether drone flying is right for them yet will want to start off in the sub-$500 range to get the hang of it before considering a more expensive model for the long term.

My Recommendation

DJI mavic 2

My personal recommendation for the broadest range of pilots is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. I love this quadcopter. The camera is excellent, it’s portable, and it comes with a ton of great features both professional and recreational pilots will love.

Have a Question? Ask Away!

Still struggling to figure out what model to buy? Comment below and I’ll do my best to help you out.

Happy flying!

MDA As Seen On

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About MDA

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I’m Mark. I started My Drone Authority to share my knowledge and help people get the most out of this amazing hobby & profession.

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