2019 BUYING GUIDES: THE BEST PHOTO AND VIDEO DRONES
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Also, drones represent a paradigm shift: photographing the earth from the air has become both simpler, more accessible ... But also much less expensive. However, not all drones are created equal in photography. For each price range, some machines are better than others.
This guide aims to help you determine more precisely your needs and find the ideal drone according to your budget. It will also be an opportunity for us to give you some advice on piloting ... And on the rules in force. Finally, you will find a list (not exhaustive) of essential accessories to improve your practice of photography by drone.
THE VIRTUAL MONOPOLY OF DJI
Unlike the smartphone market, which is characterized by a large number of players and fierce competition, the drone sector is represented by a few brands ... And one of them in a quasi-hegemonic position.
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Totally unknown only 10 years ago, the Chinese brand DJI has become world number 1 in drones, and now holds more than half of the market share in the sector. Founded in 2006, it stood out with the phantom, the first “ready to fly” drone intended for the general public, and more recently with its Mavic range, whose arms can be folded up. Finally, let us mention the inspiring range, more intended for professionals.
However, DJI is not the only player to offer consumer drones of good quality. If GoPro has stopped production of its Karma drone camera in Pakistan, the french parrot continues to offer several devices, including the recent Anafi (whose camera can be oriented upwards). We will also note the presence of another Chinese brand, yuneec, which is trying to compete with DJI with more affordable devices.
To make our selection, we looked for the models making the least concessions possible, both on the photo/video part and on the quality of the mobile application allowing us to control the machine. For each price range, we, therefore, selected a flagship model as well as one or two other alternative models, the characteristics of which seemed to us interesting.
Photo trend DJI Mavic pro
The Mavic Pro, the first drone with foldable arms from DJI
We were particularly attentive to the form factor of the various machines: some are particularly compact, while others prove to be less easily transportable… finally, we paid attention to the functionalities offered by the different models.
SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE BUYING A DRONE
Where can I fly my drone? What are the main rules in force? How can I train in drone practice? In terms of drones, the legislation is fairly strict.
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It is based in particular on the law of October 24, 2016 “relating to the reinforcement of the security of the use of the civil drones”. To find out all the rules governing the practice of recreational drones, we advise you to refer to our practical Wednesday "Advice and rules to respect in order to fly your drone safely".
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRONES?
If most drones adopt the same form factor (a central part with sensors and several arms each supporting a motor), there are several large families of drones.
First, let’s mention the inexpensive small drones, sold for less than a hundred euros. Most do not have a stabilization mechanism, unlike the models in this buying guide: if you let go of the throttle, the device falls to the ground. If they can be interesting to learn the main commands, they can in no way be compared to more complete models ... And more expensive.
Let us also mention the racer drones: small, extremely light and equipped with very powerful engines, they are primarily intended for practicing drone racing. Their performances are impressive, and they are often piloted via a first-person view, thanks to a virtual reality headset. Increasingly known, this very specific practice gives rise to large-scale competitions.
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Finally, let's take a look at drones for photographers/videographers, the best models of which will be mentioned in this buying guide. In principle, all carry a nacelle equipped with a camera/video with a performance at least comparable to that of a recent smartphone. The drones that we have mentioned are all of the quadricopter type: four motors support the device and allow it to be steered. Finally, for the past few years, consumer drones have had automated shooting modes, aimed at making it easier to obtain spectacular aerial images. However, some devices are better than others, as we will see in this comparison.
A STABILIZED DRONE OR NOT?
All drones in our selection are equipped with a device stabilization mechanism (not to be confused with the stabilization of the optical unit). This takes place on 3 axes: yaw, roll, and pitch. Concretely, stabilization allows you to completely let go of the controls without the device falling like a stone.
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You will be able to focus on the framing, the composition, as well as the shooting parameters. The drone remains stable at the specified altitude and is not supposed to drift (even in gusts of wind). In practice, some drones are able to withstand gusts of around 50 km / h. However, if the wind turns out to be too strong and obstacles are nearby (trees, for example), we advise you to postpone your flight.
A DRONE WITH FOLDABLE ARMS OR NOT?
In recent years, more and more consumer drones have been fitted with folding arms. The first model with this specificity is the DJI Mavic pro. Much lighter than the devices in the phantom range at DJI, this marked a real turning point, because they can be very easily taken with you, without having to choose between your usual camera equipment and your drone.
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Thanks to advances in onboard electronics, these drone camera in Pakistan have proven to be as stable as their counterparts with non-folding arms, despite their much-reduced weight.
STILL MORE PIXELS?
Yes and no. We have been saying for a long time that the blind pixel race does nothing and the best devices are not necessarily those with the most pixels. Some manufacturers have, however, made the bet to integrate a sensor with a very high definition, but it must necessarily be accompanied by significant work on the software part to cause a real increase in quality.
4K DRONE OR NOT 4K?
The absence of a video mode in 4k is not a real break in our eyes, on the other hand, it is an evolution that is very practical to obtain a film in 1080p perfectly stable. The additional pixels are used to smooth the video and to remove any possible movements of the nacelle.
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WHAT STABILIZATION OF THE NACELLE?
All of the models in this selection (except one) have an external nacelle supporting the optical unit. This nacelle is therefore independent of the drone's body and, thanks to its stabilization, remains horizontal even when the drone is flying at an angle. The motors of this stabilization mechanism also make it possible to orient the camera downwards (and upwards on certain models), which makes it possible to obtain a particularly interesting effect.
WHICH SMARTPHONE TO FLY MY DRONE?
With the exception of one model in this buying guide, all drones are controlled by remote control to which the pilot plugs in his smartphone. A recent smartphone model is, therefore, necessary to make the application intended for piloting the device run smoothly. On the ios side, all models from the iPhone 6s (as well as the iPhone SE) are capable of ensuring proper control of your drone.
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On the Android side, absolutely avoid entry-level models and/or a little old, because the video return of the drone may be fairly hatched. For example, using a nexus 5 (released in late 2013) is almost impossible, as the video feedback is choppy. To find out more, we also recommend reading our smartphone buying guide.
Before discovering the models presented in our guide, a note also on the gray market. You will surely see very attractive prices on the internet for certain models, but we have decided to only share with you stores that do not use the gray market. To find out more about this commercial policy, we have published a complete dossier on the gray market.
DJI SPARK: AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
Launched in 2017, the DJI Spark is the smallest of DJI's photo drones but is not the least efficient, far from it. Adopting a particularly reduced form factor, this quadrotor is very easily transportable and will easily complement the "Usual" equipment of photographers. Measuring only 17 cm diagonally, the DJI spark weighs only 300 grams on the scale, making it the smallest photographic drone on the market.
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It is equipped with a 1 / 2.3 inch 12 million pixel CMOS sensor, stabilized on 2 axes and surmounted by a lens equivalent to 25 mm. The quality of the images generated is excellent (particularly for a drone of this size): the drone automatically applies image processing intended to boost colors and sharpness. The result is very clean, and the images can be shared immediately. We will also note the presence of numerous flight modes allowing to highlight the remote pilot and its environment, as well as the possibility of controlling the drone thanks to gestural commands (gesture control).
The most demanding users may regret the impossibility of shooting in raw, the absence of 4k and the autonomy of "Only" 15 minutes but given its size and price, the DJI spark presents a quality report - almost unbeatable price. Offered from, the pack including the remote control of the device is much more interesting than the basic version because the latter increases the maximum altitude from 50 m to 150 m. In the same way, the range of action of the drone increases from 100 m to 500 m. A "Fly more" pack is also available, including several batteries and spare propellers.
DJI RYSE TELLO: THE CHEAP AND EFFICIENT DRONE ... BUT WITH SOME LIMITS
From a partnership between the Chinese startup rise, intel, and the manufacturer DJI, the small DJI Tello is a great way to start practicing drones without breaking the bank. Sold at an unbeatable price ( barely € 100 ), the Tello weighs only 89 grams, is equipped with a 5 million pixel sensor and can climb to a maximum altitude of 30 meters. The control is carried out from a smartphone (ios or android), but the device is compatible with certain Bluetooth controllers.
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In-flight, the images are relatively stable thanks to digital stabilization ... But this tends to show its limits in the event of too fast flight or too strong wind. Notable point: the images generated by the drone is not saved on a micro-sd card, but are stored directly on the smartphone's memory. In the event of interference during the retransmission, these will therefore also be included in the video file. The image quality is correct, but will not be able to compete with that of more expensive drones. However, the Tello is primarily intended for novice users, who want to have a small drone that is easy to fly. And remember its price of which makes it almost irresistible to start.
If DJI devices are particularly well established on the leisure drone market, competing devices can also be interesting. Thus, let us mention the yuneec mantis q, which weighs less than 500 grams, has foldable arms (like the DJI Mavic Air or Mavic Pro) and an autonomy of about 18 minutes. The mantis q has a small 1 / 3.06 inch 13 million pixel sensor and is capable of filming in 4k.
However, the digital stabilization of the sensor is only available in 1080p and 720p ... Note also the presence of a mode to control your drone by voice, as well as gesture control. Able to fly up to 800 meters away, the machine is equipped with several automatic flight modes (journey, point of interest, etc.), which make piloting easier.
Sold from, the yuneec mantis q is a fairly interesting alternative to DJI drones and will allow beginner users to capture their first sequences airline.
MID-RANGE DRONES: IMAGE QUALITY AT A REDUCED PRICE
The DJI Mavic air embodies the mid-range of the Chinese manufacturer. Located between the Mavic Pro and the spark, it aims to offer the same qualities as its big brother (including the foldable arms and the highly ergonomic remote control) ... While displaying a softer price. In practice, the DJI Mavic Air is an excellent drone camera in Pakistan.
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Its 1 / 2.3-inch CMOS sensor of 12 million pixels, surmounted by a lens equivalent to 24 mm, allows it to generate very good shots and is capable of filming in 4k UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) in 24, 25 and 30 fps. To obtain smoother slow motion, remote pilots will be able to rely on capture in 60 fps in 2.7k (2720 x 1530 pixels) or even in 120 fps in 1080p.
Note also the possibility of capturing raw images. The stability of the device is remarkable, and the stabilization on 3 axes is particularly effective. Equipped with 7 obstacle detectors, the Mavic air is easy to control, and is equipped with a large number of so-called “intelligent” flight modes. A real success, especially since it's very compact form factor allows it to be taken everywhere. Finally, note that the device is compatible with DJI goggles, which allow immersive piloting thanks to virtual reality.
As usual, DJI offers two packs of this little drone: a "Standard" version, sold € 849 on its manufacturer's site, and a "Fly more" pack, which incorporates a total of 3 batteries, protections for propellers and a protective bag.
If the drones of DJI are remarkable, the latest addition to the french manufacturer offers serious arguments in its favor. The parrot Anafi, too, with folding arms, is very easy to transport: barely 320 grams on the scale. Able to fly within a range of 4 km, it can remain operational for up to 25 minutes.
Its 1 / 2.4-inch CMOS sensor has 21 million pixels, and is able to shoot in 4k cinema (4096 × 2160) at 24 frames per second, in 4k UHD up to 30 fps and can go up to 60 fps in full HD (1920 × 1080). It also stands out for its ability to film in hdr (high dynamic range). In addition, the device offers the capture of images in jpeg or png raw in “wide” format 4: 3 in 21 mpx (5344 × 4016), as well as in a narrower format in 12 mpx (4000 × 3000).
Parrot Anafi arms foldedfinally, the Anafi differs from the competition thanks to its multi-directional nacelle. Where most other drones are only able to tilt their camera down, the parrot model is able to orient its gimbal up 90 degrees. Ideal for filming low-angle footage.
The parrot Anafi is also distinguished by its very competitive price: count for the "Standard" version, and for the "Extended" version, which includes 3 batteries, a travel bag and 2 months of subscription to the creative cloud for photo or premiere pro cc.
HIGH-END DRONES: UNCOMPROMISING DRONES
Unveiled last fall, the Mavic 2 Zoom, and Mavic 2 pro embody the high-end consumer drones with folding arms from DJI. They succeed the excellent Mavic pro which, despite its age, remains a very good deal (notably at in platinum version, much quieter than the "Classic" version).
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However, the Mavic 2 pro differs from its predecessor by its optical module designed in partnership with Hasselblad (which DJI has also bought ). It thus has a large 1-inch CMOS sensor displaying 20 million pixels. Its lens has a variable aperture, between f / 2.8 and f / 11. The machine is capable of filming in 4k (24, 25 or 30 fps), and can also capture sequences in 60 or 120 fps in 2.7k and 1080p. DJI also highlights compatibility with the hdr 10 standards. Its battery allows it to stay in flight for 31 minutes (in perfectly ideal conditions), and the machine is capable of reaching the72 km / h in the sport mode.
WITH FOLDING ARMS: MAVIC 2 ZOOM AND MAVIC 2 PRO
For its part, the DJI Mavic 2 zoom differs from its twin brother by the integration of an optical zoom 24-48 mm (x2), a first in the drone camera in Pakistan. With a more conventional 1 / 2.3 inch sensor, this optical zoom is complemented by a digital zoom x2, allowing remote pilots to obtain a large zoom range. The DJI Mavic 2 zoom also highlights the super-resolution, which is based on capturing 9 shots with the 48 mm telephoto lens. The goal: to generate an image of 48 million pixels, while maintaining an amplitude of view similar to that produced by the 24 mm lens.
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Notable point: unlike their predecessor, the Mavic Pro, the new Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 zoom exceed the bar of 800 grams (displaying respectively 907 and 905 grams on the scale). To comply with French law, you will, therefore, need to register your machine and follow the online training attesting to your mastery of the regulations in force.
THE ROLLS-ROYCE OF CONSUMER DRONES: DJI PHANTOM 4 PRO V2.0
Launched on the sly in May 2018, the Phantom 4 Pro v2.0 is the most advanced version of the family of DJI consumer quadcopters. Compared to the first iteration of the machine, this v2.0 aims above all to be quieter, with new engines and redesigned propellers. In terms of autonomy, the machine boasts of being able to fly for 30 minutes. Equipped with multiple sensors, the device is able to avoid obstacles in (almost) all circumstances.
In terms of image quality, the Phantom 4 Pro (v1 or 2.0) is the drone offering the best image quality on a consumer drone camera in Pakistan (with the exception of the DJI Mavic 2 pros). To do this, it is based on a large 1-inch sensor with 20 million pixels, surmounted by optics equivalent to 24 mm with an aperture at f / 2.8. The set is capable of filming at 4k in 60 fps, and displays recording rates of 100 MB / s for greater fluidity of the images. On the photo side, it is obviously capable of capturing raw images. In burst mode, its manufacturer advances a burst mode at 14 frames per second.
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Naturally, the phantom 4 pro v2.0 is clearly less transportable than its companions with folding arms. Measuring no less than 35 centimeters diagonal, the craft weighs a whopping 1375 grams, thus requiring you to register it online and follow the appropriate training.
Its price may, however, be somewhat dissuasive. The “standard” version (whose remote control has no screen) is displayed on the DJI website, while the “plus” version (whose remote control has a built-in screen) is offered…. But at this price level, you have an extremely versatile solution that delivers photos of exceptional quality.
PROFESSIONAL DRONES
Finally, let us mention a “separate” category: that of drones intended for image professionals. Mainly used when shooting video clips, advertisements or even films, they above all rely on exceptional image quality. With a very large carrying capacity (several kilos), they can be equipped with a small camera or an SLR. On the other hand, their dimensions prove to be much larger than the consumer models.
As such, let us quote the DJI inspire 2, one of the most powerful devices currently in the catalog of the Chinese manufacturer. Capable of filming in 5.2k in cinemadng raw, it has a range of 27 minutes and can fly at a maximum speed of 94 km / h. This professional drone camera in Pakistan is available with the DJI zen muse x7, x4s, x5s cameras, the latter being equipped with a micro-4/3 sensor of 20.8 mpx, and can be used with one of the 10 compatible lenses.
This performance turns out to be particularly expensive: count for the “standard” version, equipped with the zen muse x4s camera. For the “pro” version, equipped with a zen muse x5s camera, the bill reaches heights and can climb up to for the most complete pack.
THE ESSENTIAL "DRONE" ACCESSORIES
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If the machines are becoming more and more powerful and always include more shooting modes, some accessories are real musts.
A base for taking off / landing the drone on “complicated” terrain (grass, pebbles, etc.)
Before even taking off your drone, it should have a sufficiently flat and stable surface so as not to risk damaging your craft or its propellers. Also, it is possible to acquire a take-off/landing base (generally circular) in polyester. Once placed on the ground, it allows you to "Erase" any roughness on the ground to allow safe maneuvering for you and your drone. In addition, it allows you to locate your departure/arrival point more easily from the screen of your smartphone.
ONE OR MORE ADDITIONAL BATTERIES
Although the autonomy of drone prices in Pakistan, one or more additional batteries will be essential to extend the duration of your flight sessions ... Especially if you want to fly your craft at low temperatures (in the mountain, in particular, the cold decreasing battery life of around.
As such, the packs of some manufacturers are appreciable, because they immediately integrate one or two more batteries. Finally, note a small peculiarity of some drone batteries (those of Mavic pro in particular): thanks to a small adapter, you can use it as an external battery and connect your smartphone to recharge it.
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