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A drone hovers in the skies above Liverpool. Credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

The Best Photography Drones of 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

A drone hovers in the skies above Liverpool. Credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

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Product image of Holy Stone HS100

Holy Stone HS100

This is a lower-cost photography drone with a quality camera and a number of features to support beginner pilots. Read More

Pros

  • In-flight stability
  • Auto-return feature

Cons

  • Short flight time
  • Occasional quality issues
Product image of DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo

DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo

This is a lightweight, ultra-portable photography drone with a camera quality that’s far better than its size might suggest. Read More

Pros

  • Lightweight and portable
  • 4K camera
  • 31-minute flight time

Cons

  • Poor customer service
  • Issues with pairing
Product image of Ruko F11 Pro

Ruko F11 Pro

This 4K-equipped photography drone flies easily, with a long runtime and numerous functions to make piloting easier. Read More

Pros

  • High-quality 4K camera
  • Numerous flight modes
  • 30-minute flight time

Cons

  • Occasional controller issues
Product image of Deerc D50

Deerc D50

This low-cost, yet effective, photography drone features a 2K high-def camera and numerous automated flight modes for easy flying. Read More

Pros

  • Simple, user-friendly flight modes

Cons

  • Short flight time
  • Short-range transmitter
Product image of Autel EVO II Pro 6K Rugged Bundle

Autel EVO II Pro 6K Rugged Bundle

This high-quality photography drone has everything you need to create top-tier, professional footage. Read More

Pros

  • Obstacle-avoidance system
  • 6K ultra-high-def camera
  • Pro accessories package

Cons

  • Pricier than other models

Have you ever been out on a hike and wondered what the beauty around you looks like from above? Photography drones let you capture a bird’s-eye view, giving you a new perspective on your surroundings and your place within them.

Depending on what you’re looking to do, photography drones have a number of useful features. Some can be programmed to follow you from a set distance, capturing everything that you do and see—perfect for bikers, boarders, boaters, or anyone on the move. Others take super-high-quality footage that can be slotted right into any movie project you might be working on. Some basically fly themselves, while others give you total control.

Through hours of product research, we’ve found five of the best, most versatile drones available on Amazon to get you started.

Editor's Note:
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.
Product image of Holy Stone HS100
Holy Stone HS100

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.

Pros

  • In-flight stability

  • Auto-return feature

Cons

  • Short flight time

  • Occasional quality issues

Product image of DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo
DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo

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.

Pros

  • Lightweight and portable

  • 4K camera

  • 31-minute flight time

Cons

  • Poor customer service

  • Issues with pairing

Product image of Ruko F11 Pro
Ruko F11 Pro

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.

Pros

  • High-quality 4K camera

  • Numerous flight modes

  • 30-minute flight time

Cons

  • Occasional controller issues

Product image of Deerc D50
Deerc D50

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.

Pros

  • Simple, user-friendly flight modes

Cons

  • Short flight time

  • Short-range transmitter

Product image of Autel EVO II Pro 6K Rugged Bundle
Autel EVO II Pro 6K Rugged Bundle

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.

Pros

  • Obstacle-avoidance system

  • 6K ultra-high-def camera

  • Pro accessories package

Cons

  • Pricier than other models

Meet the tester

Jean Levasseur

Jean Levasseur

Contributor

Jean Levasseur became a professional writer over a decade-long career in marketing, public relations, and technical writing. After leaving that career to stay home to care for his twin boys, Jean has continued to write in a variety of freelance roles, as well as teaching academic writing at a local university. When he's not reviewing tools or chasing toddlers around the house, he's also an avid fiction writer and a growing woodworker.

See all of Jean Levasseur's reviews

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