Are you a frequent traveller (maybe not so much right now!!) and looking to purchase the best drone for travel photography? Whether you are a professional travel photographer or just looking to capture some amazing photos and videos from your travel adventures, in the age of high-end consumer drones, you have a lot of options.
Now, just before I get to my list of the best drones for travel photography, I want to mention a few things related to the rules and regulations regarding travelling with drones.
As drone technology gets more advanced, rules and regulations regarding flying drones will be updated frequently.
So, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations regarding flying drones for whichever country you are planning on travelling to.
For example, if you are travelling to the UK and want to fly your drone for recreational purposes, you will need to register the drone with the CAA and take and a free online test to obtain a flyer ID. You will also need to obtain an operator ID, this is to ensure that you only let people who have a flyer ID operate your drone. It costs £9 per year and you must label your drone with the ID clearly visible.
If you want to use your drone for commercial reasons, you will need to get permission from the CAA. Once permission is granted, it usually lasts for 12 months, to find out more about what you will need to acquire a permit, click here.
These laws are just for the UK, the rules will be different for other countries, so it is best that you thoroughly familiarise yourself with the rules to whichever country you will be travelling to.
So, I have listed 10 of the best drones that are suitable to travel with, it’s not an exhaustive list but they are all suitable for travel photography, which means they are quite expensive.
According to the popular photography site, digital photography school, One of the most important features of a camera is its image sensor size.
A larger image sensor results in better image quality, for this reason, I have ordered the list below according to the sensor size for each camera.
Of course, sensor size is not everything and the quality of your output will depend on many other factors, including things like aperture, ISO range, shutter speed, post-processing skills and your level of experience as a photographer.
Best Drones for Travel Photography
1. DJI Mavic Pro 2
An exceptional drone that comes with some truly amazing features, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro is perfect for drone photography and the best drone on this list. It’s a medium-sized foldable drone that comes with most of DJI’s innovative features such as an excellent camera that has a 1-inch sensor that can capture images in RAW and JPEG and records 4k video footage at 30fps. Videos can be shot in 10-bit HDR in both MOV/MP4 and the drone comes with DJI’s Ocusync 2.0 transmission technology that allows for HD live video streaming. It is the most expensive drone on this list but if you are a professional photographer and looking to expand your services to drone photography, the Mavic 2 Pro is an excellent choice.
Key Features
- 1-inch CMOS sensor with 28mm lens & 77° FOV
- f/2.8-f/11 Adjustable aperture
- Records videos in 4k at 30fps, 2.7k at 60fps
- 20MP images (RAW & JPEG)
- 10-bit Dlog HDR support for videos
- The camera uses Hasselblad natural colour technology
- 3-axis mechanical gimbal
- Omni-directional obstacle avoidance system
- Intelligent flight modes
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 10km image transmission range
2. Autel Evo 2 Pro
One of the best camera drones on the market, the Autel Evo 2 Pro, is quite big for a foldable drone and heavier than most other drones on this list. The drone comes with an amazing camera that has a Sony 1-inch CMOS sensor and records video footage in HD 6k at 30fps and has a recording speed of 120Mbps. The camera has a big sensor that can capture 20MP images and with HDR support, the photos will be amazingly detailed with little loss in colour. Other features include videos with 10-bit colour, lossless zoom technology, interchangeable gimbal and adjustable aperture. The drone also comes with intelligent flight modes and an industry-leading 40 minutes of flight time.
Key Features
- 1-inch CMOS sensor with 28.6mm lens & 82° FOV
- Records videos in 6k at 30fps and 4k at 30fps
- 120Mbps recording speed
- f/2.8-f/11 adjustable aperture
- 20MP images
- Multiple photography shooting modes
- 3-axis mechanical gimbal
- 10-bit colour profile HDR videos
- Intelligent flight modes
- 360° obstacle avoidance system
- 40 minutes of flight time
- 9km transmission range
3. DJI Air 2S
The DJI Mavic Air 2S is one of the best drones for photography, it comes equipped with a large 1-inch sensor that can capture amazing 20MP stills and record videos in 5.4k at 30fps and 4k at 40fps and has a video bitrate of 150 Mbps. Videos and images come with HDR support, and the camera can capture different types of panorama photography. The drone has a 4-way obstacle avoidance system and comes with an ADS-B receiver for extra safety. It comes with Mastershots and Quickshots, both features allow you to capture cinematic videos at the push of a button. The drone has a flight time of 30 minutes and a video transmission range of over 12km thanks to DJI’s OcuSync 3.0 technology.
Key Features
- 1-inch CMOS sensor with 22mm lens & 88° FOV
- Fixed f/2.8 aperture
- 20MP images (JPEG & RAW)
- Records 5.4k videos at 30fps and 4k at60fps
- 10-bit Dlog-M colour profile for HDR videos
- Multiple panorama photography
- 150 Mbps
- Matershots & Quickshots for hands-free cinematic videos
- 4-way obstacle avoidance
- ADB-S receiver
- 30 minutes of flight time
- Intelligent flight modes
- 12km transmission range
4. Autel Evo 2
The worlds first 8k consumer drone, the Autel Evo 2 has near-identical features to the Pro version but comes with an inferior camera. However, it’s still a professional-grade camera that can record stunning video footage in 8k resolution and capture still images in 48MP. The camera also has lossless digital zoom technology that will allow you to get up and close to your subject matter with little loss in quality. The drone also comes with an automatic return to home feature and has several autonomous flight modes. Other features include obstacle avoidance technology, 40 minutes of flight time and 1080p live video streaming capability.
Key Features
- 1/2-inch sensor with 25.6 mm lens & 79° FOV
- Fixed f/2.8 aperture
- Records vidoes in 8k/25fps, 6k/30fps, 4k/60fps
- 120Mbps
- 48MP images
- HDR support for videos
- 1080p live video feed
- 3-axis mechanical gimbal
- Panorama photography
- Intelligent flight modes
- 40 minutes of flight time
- 9km transmission range
5. DJI Mavic Air 2
A powerful lightweight drone, the Mavic Air 2 is perfect for travel photographers as its compact foldable design makes it easy to carry around. It’s a well-engineered drone that comes with lots of advanced features including powerful motors that are very quiet (great for wedding photographers) and allow the drone to fly smoothly even in windy conditions. Other features include an excellent HD camera that can record 4k video footage and capture images in 12MP. The camera also comes with HDR support for both videos and photos and allows you to take 3 types of panorama photography. One of the best drones in its price range and great for travel photography.
Key Features
- 1/2- CMOS sensor with 24mm lens & 84° FOV
- Fixed f/2.8 aperture
- Records videos in 4k at 30fps, 2.7k at 60 fps and 1080p at 240fps
- 12MP & 48MMP images
- 3-axis mechanical gimbal
- D-Cinelike colour profile for HDR video
- Intelligent flight modes
- 3-way obstacle avoidance technology
- 3-types of Panorama photography
- 34 minutes of flight time
- 10km transmission range
6. DJI Mavic Air
The original Mavic Air is still an excellent drone despite being released a few years, it is small and lightweight and has a smooth foldable structure. It’s a great choice for people looking for a cheaper alternative to the more expensive Mavic drones and it comes with most of DJI’s signature features. The main feature is its camera that can record in 4k and capture images in 12MP in both RAW and JPEG. It comes with a back and rear obstacle avoidance system and has sensors on the bottom that will allow you to fly the drone indoors. Other features include a 21 minute flight time, intelligent flight modes and a feature called quickshots that will allow you to take hands-free short cinematic videos.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with 24mm lens & 85° FOV
- Fixed f/2.8 aperture
- Records videos in 4k at 30fps and 2.7k at 60fps
- AEB photo mode for HDR images
- 12MP still images (RAW & JPEG)
- 32MP panorama photography
- 100Mbps recording speed
- Intelligent flight modes
- 21 minutes of flight time
- 4km transmission range
7. DJI Mavic Pro Platinum
The original Mavic was a pioneer in the world of drones and the reason why the foldable design is so popular. It was one of the world’s first 4k camera drones as well as one of the first drones to come with smart technology. Despite being a few years old, the features are still amazing and remain very popular with drone photographers. The camera records cinematic videos in 4k and can capture images in both RAW and JPEG. It comes with a 3-axis gimbal (one of the first consumer drones with this feature) and also has a 3-way obstacle avoidance system. Although DJI has stopped production of this drone, its still available from 3rd party sellers on Amazon and other authorised resellers.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch sensor with 26mm lens & 78.8° FOV
- Fixed f/2.2 aperture
- Records videos in 4k/30fps, 2.7k at 30fps
- 12MP images
- AEB photo mode for HDR images
- 60Mbps
- 3-axis gimbal
- 27 minutes of flight time
- Intelligent flight modes
- Obstacle avoidance system
- 7km image transmission range
8. Parrot Anafi
This is a uniquely designed foldable drone, it’s slimmer than most other drones on this list and its arms fold outwards when folded up, giving it an elongated look. It’s also one of the lightest drones weighing just over 300g, which makes it a good choice to travel with. The drone comes with a 4k camera that is stabilised by a 3-axis hybrid gimbal. It can capture images in both RAW&JPEG and has a recording speed of 100Mbps. The camera also has a lossless zoom feature and comes with HDR support for videos. Other features include dolly zoom, 25 minutes of flight time and intelligent flight modes.
Key Features
- 1/2.4-inch CMO sensor with 23mm lens & 69° FOV
- Fixed f/2.4 aperture
- Records videos in 4k at 30fps & 1080p at 60fps
- 100Mbps
- 21MP still images
- 3-axis hybrid gimbal
- HDR support for videos and images
- 3× lossless zoom
- Intelligent flight modes
- 25 minutes of flight time
- 4km transmission range
9. DJI Mini 2
One of the latest models from DJI, the Mini 2 is the most powerful mini drone on the market right now. The Mini 2 weighs less than 250g, which means that you will not need to register the drone with the CAA (UK) or the FAA (USA) if you just want to fly for recreational purposes. For such a small drone, it comes with some amazing features that include a 4k camera, 3-axis gimbal and a triple GPS module. It can capture images in RAW format and record 4k videos at 30fps and the camera is stabilised by a 3-axis motorised gimbal. The drone also comes with DJI’s advanced transmission technology and has a flight time of 31 minutes.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch sensor with 24mm lens & 83° FOV
- Fixed f/2.8 aperture
- Records videos in 4k/30fps & 2.7k/60 fps camera
- 12MP images
- AEB photo mode for HDR images
- 100Mbps
- Can shoot 3 types of panorama photography
- 31 minutes of flight time
- 5 Quickshot modes
- OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology
- 10km range
10. DJI Mini SE
This is DJI’s cheapest drone for photography, it comes with a lot of advanced features and a really good camera. It’s small and weighs less than 250g, so no need to register this drone if you just want to fly for fun. The camera can record HD video footage in 2.7k at 30fps and has a recording speed of 40Mpbs. Still, images are captured in 12MP, although only in JPEG. It uses enhanced WiFi to transmit live video in 720p resolution and has a transmission range of 4km. Not the most powerful drone on this list but still very good for its price.
Key Features
- 1/2.3-inch sensor with 24mm lens & 83° FOV
- Fixed f/2.8 aperture
- Records videos in 2.7k/30fps camera
- 40Mbps
- 12MP still images
- 3-axis motorised gimbal
- 4 Quickshots
- 30 minutes of flight time
- 4km range
