5 of The BEST Mini-Drones
Drones quickly became a videographers favorite tool when they were first introduced, and now they are still a favored pastime. They have become a sought out piece of gear for taking stunning images and videos. These flying machines range in size, weight, and functionality but bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to drone flying. Whether you are looking for a new drone to have fun flying around the backyard, want something to learn how to fly on, or need something that will take your photography and videos to a new level you will find something appealing on this list. We’ve compiled 5 of the Best mini-drones, specifically catered to POV drone videographers and those that need a small, quick camera that can fly to get the job done!
Best POV Mini Drones
1. DJI Mavic Mini Deluxe Kit
The DJI Mavic Mini is a lightweight, compact, drone that could easily fit in your pocket. Even with its small size, you won’t notice a compromise in design or capabilities. This mini drone can capture 2.7K video and is equipped with a 24mm lens at a fixed f2.8 aperture.
It can fly steady and stable in breezy conditions which is a huge accomplishment for a drone of this size and weighing under a half-pound. Each flight lasts for a little over 25 minutes at a time, but keep in mind that wind and the temperature can hinder or lengthen flight time. It can reach a height of 1600 feet and be controlled in over a 2 ½ mile span. The only disadvantage to this high altitude and long-range of flight, you can quickly lose track of where this tiny device is in the sky if you take your eyes off of it for even a brief moment.
You can buy the drone alone but for a little extra you can get a complete kit that is packed with everything you need to take flight and more. Check it out here.
2. Hubsan H107C X4 Mini Quadcopter
This drone is for beginners and enthusiasts alike. It offers beginners a stable flying machine that is easy to handle and control. Its body is durable so it can handle all-of-the-sudden landings that tend to occur while you are just getting the hang of drone flying. Those who are more experienced with drone flying will love the high speed and aerodynamic design.
This little drone also makes it possible for you to record video at 25 frames per second and features a 2mp camera.
The biggest downfall of this drone is that it only averages about 10 minutes of flight time. While you may not get that long of air time it is still one of the top picks if you are looking for something to have some fun with.
3. Syma X22 FPV Mini LED Wi-Fi Camera Quadcopter
This pocket-sized drone is great for those wanting to learn how to fly a drone and have more fun doing so. Its durable ABS plastic allows it to handle minor bumps and crashes with no problem. It has a flight time of about 8 minutes, but when paired with its bonus battery you can enjoy twice as long of flight time.
This little drone is equipped with a 720 D camera that captures clear images and stable videos. Footage captured is sent directly to your smartphone for easy instant sharing abilities. While you won’t find controls to adjust your footage capture it still is able to deliver high-quality images and video that is unmatched when compared to other drones in this price range.
One of the impressive features of this drone is its performance. Smaller drones can be tricky to keep at higher altitudes but this drone is designed with a built-in barometer. When there is a change in air pressure it will automatically adjust to better stabilize its eight. This combined with its 6-axis gyroscope helps you operate the drone with more precision.
Overall, this drone doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that some of the others on this list offer. But, for first-time flyers, this is one of the best drones to learn while still being able to do some cool tricks.
4. DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone
For video enthusiasts and photographers, this is the best drone for capturing footage. It offers plenty of shooting modes along with an intelligent flight mode so you can get specific shots with ease.
This drone allows you to take timelapse, quick shots, point of interest shots, HDR, night mode, Panos and so much more. It’s larger sensor results in some of the best quality footage that you will find with drone images and videos. It also shoots in RAW footage so it is much easier to go in and edit some of the unwanted camera flares and discoloration.
Overall this drone can be easily used by beginner and novelist alike and is one of the best drones for those wanting to capture stunning landscapes or city scenes. It is a powerful drone that is geared towards professionals but those who are just getting their feet wet in drone flying will find this one a suitable drone to learn and grow with.
5. Parrot ANAFI Portable Drone
This drone has some unique features that you won’t find on many other drones. First, it features a gimbal that can tilt a full 180 degrees. You not only are able to shoot fantastic birds-eye view shots from straight down but even more unique shots from straight up. It also features a zoom lens, which allows you to zoom in 1.4X while shooting 4K video or 2.4x while shooting in 1080p mode.
Aside from these features, it is also packed with various camera shots such as drones, orbit reveal, and others. These can also be combined with the lossless zoom feature that gives you an opportunity to capture some stunning perspective. You can shoot 4K HDR with its camera but the footage tends to be blown out and noisy. This seems to only worsen as you use the zoom feature.
One major downfall of this drone is there is no obstacle avoidance sensor built-in. This is usually a must-have feature that keeps the drone from crashing into things while in flight.
Overall this is a lightweight drone that will give you something to play around with. It can take some unique images that you won’t be able to recreate with any other drone imaging device.
