Best 4K Camera Drones 2024
After an exhaustive research process involving over 40 drones, our verdict for the best 4K camera drone in 2024 is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. In our evaluation, no other drone outshines its performance when it comes to extended battery life, superior 4K resolutions, and exceptional controls. For an in-depth exploration of the details, delve into the realm of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and uncover the top 5 best 4K drones in our comprehensive guide below.
Best 4K Camera Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro
- See the bigger picture: equipped with a...
- Please Update the firmware version of...
- Up to 31 minutes flight time, 44 mph max...
- Functions include active track 2.0,...
- With fly More kit: comes with 2 extra...
There is a reason why DJI is the leader of recreational drones and the Mavic 2 Pro is a prime example. When it comes to 4K camera drones, a lot of drone users will highly recommend the Mavic 2 Pro. It is DJI’s premier drone that is capable of flying beyond 100 m, has an astounding battery life of more than 30 minutes, and uses a high-grade 4K camera that makes any shot look cinematic. If you are looking for one of the best professional 4K camera drones available, let the Mavic 2 Pro be the top of your list.
The Best Value 4K Camera Drone: DJI Mavic Air
- 32.0MP sphere panoramas - In addition to...
- Lightweight and compact foldable design...
- Supports 4K video at 30 fps - The 12.0MP...
- Control your drone from up to 6562' away...
- Dedicated remote controller- Features a...
Considerably smaller than the Mavic 2 Pro, the DJI Mavic Air is a convenient way to capture illustrious 4K images and videos. It makes great use of a 12 MP camera that is arguably even more stable than the Mavic 2 Pro, although it does have limited features. Yet, this is a more affordable method to buy yourself an awesome DJI drone with 4K. It’s not just the camera that’s great here; the active tracking, 21-minute battery life and highly responsive controls make the DJI Mavic Air a must-buy for 4K enthusiasts. It is also considerably easier to maneuver, especially if you are new to drones.
Best Professional 4K Camera Drone: DJI Phantom 4 Pro
- Camera with 1-inch 20MP sensor the...
- Five-directions of obstacle sensing
- Remote controller with built-in screen...
- Mobile App: DJI GO 4. It will not work...
Whether you are a professional photographer or a hobbyist that desires a large-bodied drone, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro is a behemoth beauty. Yes, this drone is quite large and can be utilized for commercial purposes, but if you need one of the crispest and most lavish 4K photos and videos, the Phantom 4 Pro can deliver. It offers multiple filters, shot modes and angles to provide you with lots of personalized perks. Not only does it have an abundance in features, but the long battery life (up to 40 minutes), adequate speed, extremely long distances and a sturdy design make the Phantom 4 Pro such a keeper.
Best GPS 4K Camera Drone: Yuneec Typhoon
- The Typhoon H Pro with Intel RealSense...
If you desire a drone that is capable of shooting at 4K while having a reliable autonomous movement, the Yuneec Typhoon is one such drone that you will need. The best part about the Typhoon is that while it uses premium components like a 12 MP camera, 360-degree anti-vibration gimbal and 8 different flight modes, it costs way lesser than a DJI drone. Sure, it is not as cheap as you hope it could be but hey, it’s a hexacopter; that means higher flights and very long battery life. The camera quality is as good as you’d hope for within a $700 price range and its build is practically solid.
Best Budget 4K Camera Drone: Yuneec Breeze
While it may not be that cheap, the Yuneec Breeze is still one of the cheapest 4K camera drones around that delivers consistent camera quality and long-lasting components. It is a considerably small drone although it does lack folding capabilities. But while it may not be rich in features, it does include multiple flight modes and an infrared positioning sensor so that it does not drift too much on both indoor and outdoor use. The Breeze is also one of the easiest 4K camera drones to fly since it offers very basic controls to get even the most inexperienced user the upper hand (it even includes headless mode so you can fly for fun).
If the drones above are still out of budget I would recommend you check out my review of the best 1080p camera drones for 2024, picking up a high quality lower resolution camera can be a great way to save money if you do not need 4k.
What 4K Drone Would I Buy?
Without a doubt, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro retains as the best 4K camera drone on this list and beyond. It utilizes a high-grade camera that can do the most theatrical photos and videos that can even put Hollywood to shame. But if you prefer a more valuable and cheaper approach yet still retaining the positives of a DJI, buy yourself a DJI Mavic Air. Although, if you prefer a large drone that is challenging to use yet highly rewarding to fly and capture, the DJI Phantom 4 is an excellent choice. However, Yuneec Typhoon is a more affordable option should you ever want to stray out of DJI. And if you like a 4K drone on a budget, get the Yuneec Breeze.
4K Drone Buying Guide:
Stability
A 4K camera drone is nothing without a very good gimbal. Most for 4K drones use 3 to 6-axis functionality in order to make the most out of the area that you are filming or capturing. The stability also depends on the number of megapixels in the camera. You might have noticed that all of the drones in this camera are at least 12 MP - that’s because 12 MP is just the right number to ensure great stability when taking photos, reducing motion blurs and shaky shots.
Responsiveness
The last thing you would ever want in a drone is latency - a lag or delay within milliseconds as you prompt the controls. DJI and Yuneec manage to keep this maintained thanks to their high-grade remote controls. Even if your drone is so far away and it looks like a dot from your line of sight, it should still respond quickly to your controls.
Flight Distance
You should be able to have a grasp on how far a drone should go, especially if you are taking a specific shot from an angle. All the drones on this list can go past 100 m (both altitude and horizontal distance) while maintaining a good WiFi responsiveness.
Controls
Whether you are using your smartphone app, the monitor, VR or just your perspective, controls are correlated to the view of the drone and the pilot. That’s why controls always need to be very simple.
4k Camera Drone FAQ:
At the cheapest, you can afford a 4K camera drone at $399, but if you prefer the more professional types, they will cost you around $1000 to $2000. Yes, they are quite expensive, but that is because the drone offers more than just a 4K camera such as long battery life and added features.
A 4K camera drone performs similarly as any UAV except it uses a camera with 4K resolution capabilities. It is also one of the most expensive types of drones available, whether it is a quadcopter, hexacopter or octocopter. 4K drones are best suited for professionals and seasoned drone pilots.
I highly recommend the DJI Mavic Air as a good beginner UAV. This is because the Mavic Air uses a simpler control scheme compared to the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. It also includes a Headless Mode so you can have a feel of flying the drone without the fear of crashing it.
Much like any drone, you will need some time and practice before you go all out. 4K drones are more suited to experienced droners since there is more risk involved (as well as costing higher than a regular drone). If you want to fly safer, you can always activate headless mode.
