Anyone who is considering buying their first drone will surely appreciate our list of 7 easiest drones to fly with a camera. Drones are currently among the hottest technology toys in the world and for a good reason. They are fun to fly, and TV stations don’t have to rent a helicopter anymore to take some aerial pictures and videos of important invents (think Tour de France for example).
Like many important technological advancements, drones or “unmanned aerial vehicles” were also a military product. It all started at the beginning of 20th century and WWI and WWII. Since the air attacks were the most effective ones, militaries tried to develop aircrafts that didn’t need a pilot and could be guided from the ground. Due to lack of required technology, that wasn’t entirely possible although there was some success with radio frequency guided drones. In the ’80s and ’90s however, technology advanced in such manner that drones became a very real possibility. The U.S. military alongside CIA was the first one to develop and use drones as we know it today. They were first used for surveillance but later they became combat ready.
Peteri / Shutterstock.com
Of course, soon commercial possibilities for drones were discovered, and drones became even more advanced. Now drones are rather affordable and come with many features. They have built-in cameras and remote controllers with monitors so you can track your drone. Some can even be controlled with a smartphone.
When it comes to their complexity, drones can be divided into three groups: RTF or Ready to Fly drones that can be easily controlled even by a beginner, BNF or Bind and Fly drones that require some knowledge and ARF or Almost Ready to Fly drones that are aimed towards advanced users. In this article, we are focusing on RTF drones. If you are interested in technology in general, we recommend looking into our list of 7 most advanced countries in space technology as well.
Back on the main topic for today! To find out the 7 easiest drones to fly with a camera, we researched the internet and looked for expert reviews on Smashing Drones, Pocket Lint, Giz Mag, Tech Crunch, Drone Flyers, My First Drone, Best Drones Review, PC Advisor and Geek Wrapped. The following 7 camera drones were labeled as easiest to fly, and they are listed in alphabetical order.
7. 3DR Solo
Average Price: Around $700
This drone is praised for its simple controls and reliable flight. It can achieve speed of 55mph and it is designed to be durable. The downside is that it takes long to recharge and it requires mobile device to fly.
6. DJI Phantom 3
Average Price: Around $600
This is the drone to have if you want quality camera and good battery life. Drone’s software is one of the best, and you will get a grip of its controls in no time. The downside is that DJI Phantom 3 is mainly aimed for beginners and lacks some advanced features.
5. Hubsan X4 H107C
Average Price: $50
No, we didn’t make a mistake when it comes to price. For $50 or even lower, you can get a great drone that will cover all your basic needs, and that it rightfuly found its place on this list of easiest drones to fly with a camera It is easy to fly of course, stable and it has a great camera for this price. Most drones in this price range have 0.3 MP cameras while Hubsan X4 H107C has a 2 MP. You shouldn’t, however, expect great battery life and durability to crashes.
4. Hubsan X4 H107D
Average Price: Around $100
One more great and easy to fly drone from Hubsan. It is more durable than H107C but has shorter battery life and lower quality camera. The thing that makes Hubsan X4 H107D special is the ability to fly far, and it doesn’t have to be in your sight. This drone comes with First Person View controller that makes all the difference.
3. Parrot AR. Drone 2.0
Average Price: Around $200
Although it isn’t the best drone in its price range, Parrot AR. Drone 2.0 surely deserves your attention. It has a neat design, it is easy to control and more than reliable. You can expect 15 minutes of flight with this drone but it only reaches 50m.
2. Syma X5c
Average Price: Around $40
Syma X5 is often considered the best drone $40 can buy, and it isn’t far from the truth. If you are looking reliable drone with decent video quality but don’t want to spend too much, there might not be better than Syma X5c. It is durable, can go to 50m and its camera has a 2 GB mini SD card. With low price comes some downside like 7 minutes of flight and 90 minutes of recharging
1. UDI U818A
Average Price: Around $80
We conclude our list of 7 easiest drones to fly with a camera with another affordable and fun to fly drone. Controls are nice and easy so that you will master your drone in no time. Unlike some other drones in the similar price range, UDI U818A can take an impressive beating which is a crucial characteristic for beginner drones. Downsides are low battery life and low-quality camera.
