Welcome to my guide to the best long range drones on the market.
One of the best features of a drone is its camera, especially the ones with a 4K camera stabilised by an advanced gimbal system. These allow you to take record stunning video footage of places that you may not have otherwise seen with your own eyes.
Drones with a long range give you the best opportunity to record videos or shoot images of natures most beautiful landscapes.
These drones are useful for recreational purposes and for professional reasons, if you are a nature lover, you can take some amazing aerial video footage of some of the most spectacular places on Earth.
All of the drones on this list are equipped with professional cameras, GPS system and intelligent flight modes. They may come with sophisticated technology but this actually makes them easier and safer to fly.
Something you have to keep in mind is that drone technology is moving at an accelerated rate and by the time some of you have read this article, there will be a few drones that deserve to be on this list but are not.
The long range drones that I have listed below are also some of the best drones for photography and come with amazing cameras.
10 Best Long Range Drones
#1. DJI Mavic Air 2 – 10km
DJI are known for their highly sophisticated and well-designed drones, the Mavic Air 2 is no different. This is a beautifully crafted drone that looks like a work of art, its small and lightweight and its foldable design makes it a very compact drone. The drone is equipped with some amazing technology, the HD camera can record incredible 4k video footage at 60fps with a recording speed of 100mbps. With its advanced stabilising gimbal system, the videos produced by this camera are crystal clear and free from any kind of distortion. The Mavic Air 2 comes installed with DJI’s innovative video transmission system that allows it to live stream video footage in 1080p from a distance of 10km (in perfect conditions). The camera also has a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor that will allow you to shoot still images at an amazing 48mp with HDR that will bring out the true colours of an image. Some of the other advanced features the drone comes with include an updated obstacle avoidance system that that recreates a real-time map of its surrounding which allows it to see and sense obstacles from all directions. This allows for a safer flying experience and it enhances the drones intelligent flight modes especially its tracking mode. The Mavic Air 2 comes with a newly designed controller, its very different from the other DJI controllers but still retains the minimalist design and comfortable grip. It really is amazing how advanced this drone is especially considering its size and weight.
Key Features
- 4k/60fps camera
- 1/2″ CMOS sensor
- Shoots 12mp and 48mp still images in RAW and JPEG
- 8k Hyperlapse videos
- Cinematic quick shots
- Live stream videos from 10km
- ASPAS 3.0 (Advanced obstacle avoidance system)
- A maximum speed of 64 kph
- 34 minutes of flight time
#2. Autel Evo 2 – 9km
The Evo 2 is the worlds first 8k camera drone, it’s a well-built drone that can be flown in windy conditions and is suitable for professional drone pilots. It comes with a wide range of features that allows it to be used for a variety of tasks. In my opinion, it is not as elegantly designed as the Mavic drones but does comes with many of the same features. The drone comes in three editions, they all have the same features but come with different cameras. There is the 8k camera, the 6k camera and the one comes with an infrared camera along with the 8k camera. You will be able to shoot some amazing aerial videos and photos with any of these cameras, the 8k camera records video footage at 25fps while the 6k camera can record video footage at 60fps. The 6k camera has a 1-inch sensor that is capable of shooting 20mp still images and allows you to take stunning panoramas with HDR support. The drone also has an omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system that can detect a hazard from up to 30 meters away and allow it to automatically adjust its speed and correct its flight path through the help of AI. The drone comes with a 40 minute flight time, which is the best on this list thanks to its intelligent battery system and comes with a remote controller that has an integrated OLED screen for FPV purposes so that you do not need to attach your smartphone.
Key Features
- 8k/25fps or 6k/60fps camera
- 1-inch CMOS sensor
- 20mp still images with HDR support
- 4*lossless zoom
- Advanced 3-axis mechanical gimbal
- Omni-directional obstacle avoidance system
- 9km transmission range
- 40 minutes of flight time
#3. DJI Mavic 2 (Pro & Zoom) – 8km
There are two versions of this drone, the Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom, they are more or less the same drone except that they each come with a different kind of camera. The Mavic 2 is the successor to the hugely popular Mavic Pro and comes with similar design elements. It’s a beautifully designed drone that retains the distinguished foldable architecture that has made the Mavic series of drones so popular. Both the Pro and Zoom version weighs just under 1kg and their compact design makes them excellent drones to travel with and are especially suitable for travel photographers. The Mavic Pro comes with a camera that has been engineered by Swiss camera makers Hasselblad. This is a stunning camera that has a 1-inch sensor capable of shooting still images in 20mp with high dynamic colour range. It has an adjustable aperture that will allow you to capture stunning images in both low light and well-lit environments and the camera utilises Hasselblad’s unique natural colour selection technology for superior colour quality. The Mavic 2 Zoom comes with a 1/2.3-inch sensor, so slightly inferior to the one on the Mavic Pro but still a high-quality camera that comes with a telephoto lens and optical zoom technology. This camera can shoot 12mp images in both RAW and JPEG and with its long focal lens, you can capture in high-detail the core subject of your photo and appear it to be much closer to you than it really is. It also has a new feature that will allow you to capture better quality panorama images by stitching together 9 images which will result in a 48mp super resolution photo. Both cameras can record video footage in 4k and have an advanced 3-axis gimbal for image and video stabilisation.
Key Features
- 4k/30fps camera
- 1/2.3-inch sensor captures 12mp and48mp super-resolution images (Zoom)
- 4*lossless zoom & 2* optical Zoom
- 1-inch Hasselblad camera (Mavic Pro 2)
- 20mp image resolution
- Adjustable aperture
- Obstacle avoidance system
- Stream live video footage in 1080p from 8km
- 31 minutes of flight time
#4. Hubsan Zino 2 – 8km
Hubsan are well-known for their low-cost drones but a couple of years ago they decided to compete in the mid-level tier of the drone market with the Zino drone. The Hubsan Zino 2 is their most advanced drone to date and it comes with many of the features that have made the DJI Mavic such a huge success but without the huge price tag. The Hubsan Zino 2 comes with some amazing features the best being its 4k camera that is stabilised by an advanced gimbal system. The camera has a video chip processor from Ambarella that allows it to record 4k videos at 60fps with a recording speed of 100 Mbps. This results in professional quality videos that has stunning clarity and is free from any kind of distortion thanks to its gimbal system. You can live stream video in 720p from a range of 8km and it has a Sony image sensor that can take 12mp still photos. The drone is also installed with a dual GPS system and comes with several intelligent flight modes including follow me mode which uses image tracking technology.
Key Features
- 4k/60fps camera
- 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor from Sony
- 12mp still images
- Ambarella Video Processor
- 3-axis gimbal for distortion-free videos and photos
- Intelligent flight modes
- 8km transmission range
- 33 minutes of flight time
#5. DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2 – 8km
The best drone from the Phantom range and the only one still in production, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro is a work of engineering genius. It is a stunning drone that has been built for professional photographers and filmmakers. It is a beautiful drone that has had many copycats over the years but none reaching the technological sophistication this drone comes with. It’s a big drone and weighs just under 1.5kg and this along with its powerful brushless motors makes it suitable to fly in windy conditions. It’s a few years old but the Phantom 4 Pro remains one of the best camera drones on the market. It features a 4k camera that records at 60fps and can shoot 20mp still images with its 1-inch CMOS sensor. It also has a mechanical shutter that will allow you to capture clearer photos of fast-moving objects. It comes with DJI’s OcuSync 2.0 video transmission technology that allows for clearer streaming of live video footage to your smartphone in 1080p HD quality. The drone also comes with a 5-way obstacle sensing system for safer flying and has several autonomous flight modes including ActiveTrack and Gesture control mode.
Key Features
- 4k/60fps camera
- 1-inch CMOS sensor
- 20mp still Images with HDR support
- Stream video footage in 1080p/30fps
- Mechanical shutter
- Intelligent flight modes
- Automatic return home feature
- 8km transmission range
- 30 minutes of flight time
#6. DJI Mavic Pro – 7km
This is the drone that made the foldable design so popular with its beautiful aerodynamic body and metallic grey colour scheme, the Mavic Pro raised the bar for consumer drones and many companies just could not follow (GoPro, 3D Robotics). Despite being a few years old and DJI having stopped production of the drone, it still remains very popular because it comes with many of the signature features that have made DJI so dominant in the world of drones. This was the world’s first foldable drone that came with a 4k camera and an advanced 3-axis gimbal, you can shoot professional-quality videos and images and view the world from above in live HD video on your smartphone. You can create time-lapse videos and slow-motion videos and shoot stunning panorama photos. The drone also comes with several intelligent flight modes and has a good obstacle avoidance system (one of the first on consumer drones) for safer flying.
Key Features
- 4k/24fps camera
- 12mp still images
- 1080p live video feed
- 3-axis gimbal system
- GPS/GLONASS
- Automatic return home
- 30 minutes of flight time
#7. Autel Evo – 7km
The Autel Evo was one of the first major challenges to the DJI Mavic Pro, the Autel Evo never reached the popularity of its competitors but that doesn’t mean it is not a good drone. I actually like the design of this drone more than its successor, it’s more streamlined and not as bulky. The drone comes with a 4k camera that can record at 60fps with a recording speed of 100 Mbps and shoot still photos in 12mp with wide dynamic colour range. It has an Ambarella H2 processor that allows the camera to shoot smoother and crystal clear videos for fast-moving objects and with its 3-axis gimbal, the video and images will be free from any kind of distortion. One of the best parts of this drone is its remote controller which features an OLED screen for FPV and has a range of 7km. The drone also comes with intelligent flight modes, dual GPS and has a flight time of 30 minutes.
Key Features
- 4k/60fps camera
- 100 Mbps recording speed
- 12mp still images with HDR support
- Ambarella H2 image processor
- 3-axis gimbal
- Intelligent flight modes
- 7km transmission range
- 30 minutes of flight time
#8. DJI Mavic Mini – 4km
This is one of the coolest drones on this list, it is DJI’s lowest-priced high-end drone and comes with many of DJI’s signature features. It’s quite amazing how advanced this mini drone is when you see how small it is and how much it weighs. It’s definitely the most advanced drone that fits in the palm of your hands and weighs less than 250g. The DJI Mavic Mini comes with powerful brushless motors that allow it to reach a top speed of 46 km/h and with its dual GPS system, the drone will hover accurately and fly more smoothly. It has an amazing 2.7k camera with which you can record stunning aerial videos and as it is supported by a 3-axis gimbal, the footage will be free from any kind of distortion. The drone comes with a pre-programmed flight mode called quick shots that will allow you to take short videos on complete autopilot. DJI have also developed a completely new app for this drone that will allow you to edit and share your videos and photos with family and friends. It’s a great drone and the best value for money on this list.
Key Features
- 2.7k/30fps camera
- 1/2.3-inch sensor
- 12mp still images
- GPS/GLONASS
- 3-axis gimbal
- 4k transmission range
- Compatible with VR headsets
- 30 minutes of flight time
#9. Hubsan Zino Pro – 4km
The Hubsan Zino Pro is one of the cheapest long range drones on the market and is suitable for those on a tight budget. It’s a fantastic drone that looks gorgeous with its cool foldable design, all-black colour scheme and green coloured logo on the top. The drone comes with several advanced features that you would normally find on more expensive drones and its best feature is the 4k camera. This camera comes with a Sony image sensor and a video processor from Ambarella, these features allow the drone to record and shoot stunning videos and photos that can be used in a professional capacity. The also comes with dual GPS, 23 minutes of flight time and has several autonomous flight modes including an automatic return to home feature.
Key Features
- 4k/30fps camera
- Sony image sensor
- Compatible with ND filters
- Ambarella video processor
- 3-axis gimbal
- Automatic return to home
- Image tracking capability
- 23 minutes of flight time
#10. Parrot Anafi – 4km
A uniquely designed foldable drone, the Parrot Anafi is one of the lightest drones on this list and is an excellent choice for those looking for a high-end and very compact drone to travel with. I really like the look of this drone, especially in its folded form which makes it look very slim. It comes with an FHD camera that is capable of recording in 4k and is supported by a unique hybrid gimbal system that allows the camera to be tilted 180° for better viewing angles. The camera can take stunning photos in 21mp and comes with HDR support that will enhance the true colours of an image. The camera also comes with lossless zoom that will allow you to get closer to the subject without having to move your drone and still retain the same quality. The drone also comes with autonomous flight modes for a hands-free flying experience, lets you take automatic selfies with pre-programmed short flight modes and allows you to shoot slow motion and hyperlapse videos.
Key Features
- 4k/30fps camera
- 1/2.4-inch CMOS sensor
- 21mp still images
- 3-axis hybrid gimbal for image and video stabilisation
- HDR support
- 25 minutes of flight time
- 720p live video footage
- Intelligent flight modes
