The days when camera drones were only affordable for professionals are long gone. Quadcopters are now available in practically all price ranges. Usable entry-level devices only cost a few hundred euros. But what should you pay attention to when buying?
Amateur photographers can use a camera drone to expand their horizons not just literally, but literally. Increasingly sophisticated camera technology ensures buttery-smooth and razor-sharp video recordings, and even HDR is now often standard. When buying a drone, in addition to the camera quality, factors such as weight and flight behavior are also important.
Usable performance from just 500 euros
“Cheap drones up to 200 euros offer integrated cameras. However, the image quality leaves a lot to be desired and the flight behavior is difficult,” says Margit Hofgärtner from the technology portal “Chip.de”. Their low weight makes the aircraft wobbly, and weak image stabilizers cannot completely compensate for the unrest.
Drones in the price range between 500 and 2000 euros, on the other hand, usually offer very good results for photos and videos, says Hofgärtner: “If you take ambitious photographs and have a system camera, you should spend more money and choose a drone from 500 euros,” she advises .
Markus Linden, who works as a specialist journalist for “fotoMagazin” and “DigitalPhoto”, among others, has found that many drone beginners can already work well with small drones weighing less than 250 grams for around 350 euros.
When buying the drone, pay attention to the class
The regulations for drones are harmonized across the EU: There are different classes from C0 to C6. Practically only classes C0, C1 and C2 are of interest to amateur photographers. Class C0 drones weigh less than 250 grams and can be launched without a license. Owners just need to register them and have liability insurance. This doesn’t always have to be extra insurance: drones are already included in many liability insurance policies.
Which drone license is necessary?
For drones with a take-off weight of over 250 grams to 500 grams, users need the small EU drone driving license as EU proof of competence. This can be filed online at the Federal Aviation Office (LBA).
If drone pilots are less than 150 meters away from people, buildings, industrial facilities and recreational areas or if the drone is heavier than 2 kilograms, pilots need the large EU drone driving license (EU remote pilot certificate A2). This can only be taken at external certified testing centers.
“Heavier drones offer better flight behavior and higher-quality photos, but they are more expensive,” says Hofgärtner – but in some cases they can only be flown with a large EU drone license.
Read more: Drone pilots must follow these rules
This is what matters when it comes to camera technology
When buying a photo drone, you should look for a good three-axis image stabilizer (gimbal) that keeps the camera steady. “Some drones starting at around 1000 euros integrate several cameras in order to be able to take better photos in the medium and higher telephoto range,” explains Margit Hofgärtner.
A large image sensor with at least 20 megapixel resolution and 4K video recording is recommended for the drone camera. Devices between 500 and 2000 euros often come from manufacturers such as DJI or Hubsan. Parrot and Yuneec only sell professional devices.
Sensor size is crucial
Markus Linden sees big differences in the sensors. “The more expensive the drone, the higher quality the sensor is,” he says. Most cheap drones have smaller sensors (1/2.3), like those used in many smartphones.
Their image quality is sufficient for many applications. But if you want to take photos with a drone that are more demanding, you should use a higher-quality 1-inch sensor or even a sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format, advises Linden. The large sensors offer higher image quality, especially in poor light.
Additional functions that play a role when purchasing the drone
The ability to save photos as RAW data in DNG format also helps in difficult lighting conditions, such as the high contrasts and often overexposed areas that often occur in aerial photography, says Linden. “They can be edited more precisely in RAW format than in JPEG format,” he explains.
According to Linden, drone buyers should also make sure that the camera has a panorama mode and offers a tracking function, meaning that it can automatically follow people and moving objects when recording videos. Obstacle sensors and a coming home function are also recommended.
A spare battery is part of the equipment
And before you buy, you should know how long the aircraft can stay in the air on one battery charge. The longer the drone is in the air, the more time photographers have “to look for a suitable motif and compose an image,” says Margit Hofgärtner. For most manufacturers, the battery is sufficient for a flight time of between 20 and 35 minutes. It is best for users to factor in a second battery when purchasing.
By the way, the maximum achievable speed can be ignored: “Many drones fly around 50 km/h, which is enough for most tracking shots,” says Hofgärtner. The slow flight mode is more important in order to be able to film and take photos better. The range, on the other hand, does not play a major role, since in Germany drones have to be flown by sight.
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Remote controls can also be upgraded
With most drones, the smartphone can be attached to the remote control to serve as a monitor for video transmission. “The advantage is that users have the data directly on their cell phone and can process it further in an app,” says Markus Linden.
However, they can be flown more accurately and easily with special remote controls, also known as RC controllers. “The systems can often be upgraded,” explains Margit Hofgärtner: “If you start with a cheap remote control, you can later upgrade it to a better one.”
The first flight should take place in an open field without buildings and people. This way you can first familiarize yourself with the drone without any risk. For the first beautiful photos, Markus Linden recommends flying over castle ruins near the forest or industrial monuments. And: “If you take photos with a drone in the early morning or evening hours, you get a warm light and often fascinating images, but don’t disturb people walking.”
With material from dpa