The best camera drones for the outdoors

Drones have revolutionised the world of technology in recent years. These seemingly simple flying devices have rapidly evolved into highly sophisticated, high-performance devices. This has meant that there are drones for amateurs and professionals alike. Many audiovisual projects have opted to use drones instead of helicopters. This means that the financial investment is much lower. In addition, because drone cameras are of the highest quality, the results are spectacular. Images are obtained from unthinkable angles. Nowadays, videos of vertiginous ski descents, Kilian Jornet's madness on the narrow steep slopes of the Alps, are filmed with drones. The result is enviable.

The most successful models

You can enjoy these privileges, as drones are not very exclusive, and there are affordable models for amateur amateurs. Before buying a drone, it is essential that you look at these three features: battery life, camera quality, and maximum speed. Some of the best models currently on the market are described below:

DJI Panthom 3 Pro

This professional drone can be purchased for 502,99 euros (Click to buy on Amazon). It is a very complete device, ideal for outdoor recording. It is equipped with a camera that records in 4K quality, and it is estimated that it can do so for about 22 minutes. The battery life always depends on the speed at which the drone is used, and the weather situation. Incredibly, the drone can still be operated from a distance of around 3 kilometres.

DJI Panthom 4

It is the younger brother of the model described above. Aesthetically there is not much difference between the two models, but the new one outperforms the old one. The Panthom 4 (Click to view) has a battery life of about 28 minutes. Its camera has a high resolution, and records 4K video. It can also reach up to 72 kilometres per hour. This drone can be operated at a maximum distance of 7 kilometres, and works thanks to the connectivity of a mobile phone. The basic model costs around a thousand euros, although if you opt for the model AdvancedThe cost will rise. The latter model offers the remote control with the display included.

DJI Mavic Pro

It's a compact drone designed for easy transport, taking up no more than a bottle of water when stowed. However, its performance is second to none. It can reach a maximum speed of 65 kilometres per hour, and battery life is 27 minutes. The recording quality is 4K, and you can receive the live feed on the remote control. To get your hands on this quality device you'll need to shell out 799 euros (Click to view).

DJI Inspire 1

It is a drone that is not designed for casual use, and is aimed at professionals. The main feature of this device is that it can be operated by two people. One of them is in charge of steering the drone and the other of recording. It is a heavy drone, so the battery life suffers. It can last about 20 minutes. However, it can be very fast, reaching 79 kilometres per hour. This professional drone costs more than 2,200 euros. (see on Amazon for 2.284,87 euros).

DJI Spark

To finish with the models of the DJI brand, we present the Spark (Click to view). The main advantage of this model is that it is very small, light and very easy to carry. It weighs just over 300 grams. However, the recording quality is not as high as in the previous models. Nevertheless, it is suitable for casual use. The battery life is just over a quarter of an hour. It is the cheapest model presented so far: 540 euros.

Parrot Anafi

It is a device specially designed for photography or video recording. Its camera is of very high quality, and does not lose resolution even if you zoom in wide. The camera is equipped with HDR, which can capture a wide range of colours and high contrasts. In addition, it is a very portable drone and takes up no more than a large water bottle. The battery life is good, and can last up to 25 minutes. It is a drone with high quality features, and its price is not so excessive. On Amazon you can find it from 782.88 euros.

Parrot Bebop 2

It is worth mentioning from the outset that it is not a professional drone, and is intended to be fun. It is very manoeuvrable, and you will be able to perform nice pirouettes with it. However, the image quality is quite good. And with the smart glasses that come with the drone, you can get right into the picture. The battery can last for about 25 minutes, although its light weight means that it will run out of power more quickly when fighting the wind. You can find it for around 400 euros (see on Amazon from 269,90 euros).

Yuneec Breeze

It's one of the most affordable drones you'll find on the market: you can find it on Amazon. from 316,99 euros. As a result, its performance is not very sophisticated. This drone does not have a remote control, so you will have to use your mobile phone to operate it. On the other hand, its camera can only record forward and downward.

Yuneec G500

It is a more professional model than the previous one. Consequently, its price is also higher, since it costs almost 750 euros (on Amazon from 746.79 euros). For a professional drone, it is quite affordable. However, its camera is capable of recording high quality images. On the other hand, the battery life is adequate, as it can last about 25 minutes of operation.

Yuneec Typhoon H

This drone you can find it from 727.95 euros onlineis a good value for money option. Its 4K camera is capable of recording in 360 degrees. In addition, it has several stability sensors, so that the images taken are better. One downside to this model is that the charging time is quite long: more than two hours.

Zero Thech Dobby

The main feature of this drone is that it is very small, light and compact. This lightness is appreciated in its transport, but it forces the battery to be small. This drone lasts less than 10 minutes in operation. However, the camera performance is very good, and it can record in 4K. Another point in its favour is the price, as it is very affordable. Some of the biggest electronics portals on the internet offer the drone for less than 240 euros.

GoPro Karma

The strong point of this device is its controllability. It makes the drone very comfortable to handle. The battery life is also respectable, lasting about 20 minutes. The main drawback of this model is that you have to buy the camera separately, and it has to be a GoPro Hero camera. This drone without the camera included costs more than 400 euros. Drone plus camera on Amazon from 955,97 euros.

3DR Solo

It may not be the most popular drone, but it's worth a look. For a price from 867,39 eurosyou can get a device with professional features. You can buy it with a Hero 3 or 4 camera, and thanks to GoPro technology, you can receive the live feed of the images on your mobile phone.

*All purchase prices included in this article are current as of 18/09/2019.