This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Drone is a buzzword term in both amateur and pro photography right now. That’s because drones are opening up a world of aerial possibilities. Camera drones don’t just take nice snaps from on high, they’re also packed with features to literally raise your photography game. It’s no wonder that professional photographers and filmmakers are deploying drones as standard these days.
Aerial shots were a headache when drones first flew onto the scene, with users needing to combine photography prowess with the thumb dexterity of video gamers. Now, manufacturers have released camera drones that everyone can master. The photography features and flight modes make pro level aerial photography a breeze. And some of the cameras you’ll find on drones are seriously impressive.
The real difficulty is knowing which drone is best for you. It all depends on your skill level — are you a drone newbie? Or a frequent flier? — as well as your grasp of the spec. As with any tech, it can be hard to navigate the jargon and find a device that delivers what you want and need. In this case, flight features and camera capabilities. To help get you started, we’ve done some all important research and put together a list of the best camera drones around right now. Read on and prepare for takeoff.
What are the benefits of drone photography?
First and foremost, drone photography is about getting the shots that you wouldn’t normally be able to get. You can get an aerial perspective and great long-range shots (assuming the camera is up to the job). Drone camera tech will also let you zoom in and get into unique angles. You can fly a drone into areas that would be otherwise hard to reach by foot and capture awesome action shots.
What features to camera drones offer?
Drones can be as advanced or as basic as you want. As always, it comes down to how much money you’re willing to spend. It’s worth knowing what they can do, though. Here’s some spec to look out for when choosing a camera drone:
App — Some drone manufacturers will provide a specialist app that helps you control both the drone and your images. It may come equipped with GPS from mapping out routes and getting images from precise locations. You might also have the capability to upload images directly to social media.
Flight Modes — These aren’t necessarily specific to camera drones but intelligent flight features are a bonus. These might include return to home (RTH), which means it automatically flies back to you, or altitude hold for hovering mid-air. Another useful feature is object avoidance, which prevent mid-air collisions.
Gimbal — You want pictures and footage that are reliable and well stabilised. The best drones will use a two or three-axis motorised gimbal to keep the camera steady.
Picture Quality — Naturally you want the best possible HD quality if you’re spending big bucks. 1080p is a decent resolution for casual use, though 4K is standard these days. Some camera drones are capable of the even sharper 8K.
Range — The kind of range you need will depend on how you intend to use the drone. But it’s safe to assume that more advanced drones will fly and transmit images back much farther. Powerful drones can transmit from several miles away.
Zoom — It’s a standard camera feature, but zoom on drones can be controlled via smart devices or even automatically. Look out for other features such as object identification, motion tracking, and “dronie” (a selfie with added drone panache).
How do you fly a drone?
If you know your way around a games controller, it’s a breeze to learn. Drones are controlled by either a handheld controller or a smart device app. You can also fly drones using FPV (first person view). FPV drones put you in the figurative cockpit by transmitting the drone’s point-of-view to your device or a special set of FPV goggles (a bit like a VR headset). They’re most commonly used for drone racing but can also be used for photography, as you’ll see from some of our selections below.
Do you need to register a drone?
If your drone weighs over 250 grams, you have to register it with the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) for a small fee. Piloting an unregistered drone is illegal. Go to CAA.co.uk for the rules and regulations and CAA Consultations for registration. Check it out even if your drone weighs under 250g, just to be sure.
What’s the best drone for photography?
We have searched high and low for the very best drones with cameras, and highlighted a small selection of devices to consider. We always recommend doing plenty of your own research before investing in a drone, but this is a great liftoff point.
These are the best drones with cameras in 2025.
