The Best Photography Drones of 2023

The Holy Stone RC drone is a lower-cost, quality option great for drone-photography beginners. This drone includes a number of features to make flying easier, including a large body and powerful motors for stability, altitude hold, headless mode, and one-key takeoff and landing. The 2K Wi-Fi camera offers a 120-degree field of view, a selfie-and-follow mode, and live video streaming to your phone—in addition to recording and capturing stills. Run the drone from an app on your phone, the included transmitter, or a combination of the two. With an 18-minute flight time, protected by an auto-return feature when the battery gets low, this drone will let you capture stunning aerial photography anywhere you go.

Weighing as much as an average smartphone, the DJI Mavic Mini Combo Quadcopter is the ultimate portable photography drone. The small size doesn’t sacrifice much, however. The camera can take 12-megapixel photos or 4K ultra-HD video, all on a motorized gimbal for footage stability. In addition, it has a 31-minute flight time, resistance to up to 21-mile-per-hour winds, and a max altitude of 4,000 meters. And with a maximum 10-kilometer transmission distance, you don’t need to worry about the drone getting out of range. Finally, the included carrying case fits easily into your backpacks or luggage, so you can take it with you anywhere.

The Ruko F11 Pro Photography Drone delivers professional quality in an easy-to-fly package. The camera features 4K stills and 2.9K high-def video, with a 120-degree field of view and a 90-degree vertical adjustment on the fly. Multiple flight modes enable both beginners and more experienced pilots to get the most out of this drone. The auto return, follow mode, tap to fly, and point-of-interest features give you all the flexibility you need to enjoy the landscape yourself while still capturing every moment. And a 30-minute flight time allows plenty of time to get the footage you need. At just over a pound, this drone is lightweight and portable enough to take with you wherever you go.

For an easy entry into drone photography, the DEERC drone is a low-cost, decent-quality option. The 2K ultra-HD camera shoots stills, video, and transmits real-time images to your phone. The controls are simple and varied—set a flight path with waypoints, control it by tipping your phone with gravity control, and give commands to the drone with voice and hand-gesture control functions. The 12-to-15-minute flight time is fine for most hobbyists, as is the short 327-foot transmission range.

If you're looking for truly professional results, no matter the cost, look no further than the Autel Robotics EVO 2 Pro Drone. The camera offers everything that you might need—6K video at 60 frames per second, 20-megapixel stills, and an adjustable aperture. The flight capabilities are equally advanced. The 40-minute flight time can easily cover the nine-kilometer transmission range. And the 12 optical sensors and two sonar sensors provide omnidirectional obstacle avoidance to protect the drone from crashes. The package includes three batteries, four spare propellers, a landing pad, and a hard carrying case for safe and easy transport to location. For professional results, this drone has everything you need.