Buying a drone can be an intimidating prospect. There are so many factors to consider, ranging from the specs of the camera to flight time to automated flight modes. A drone is a big investment, so getting it right the first time is definitely top on your list.
It’s of course best to practice with a cheaper drone if you’ve never flown one before. However, practice is all those are going to be good for – if you’re buying a drone for even the most casual of photography applications, you’re going to have to start relatively high, eliminating toy drones with limited imaging capabilities.
Here’s what you need to know when purchasing your drone for photography.
Professional or amateur?
The first question you should ask yourself is whether you’re going to be flying a drone as a hobby or for professional purposes. There’s a wide range of drones out there with different camera capabilities, and you’ll want to pick the best quality for the price and purpose.
Many smaller and cheaper drones, like the DJI Spark and the first-generation Mavic Pro, pack 1/2.3” CMOS sensors, very similar to those that you’d find in a smartphone. While these are great for capturing photos during the day, they usually suffer from a limited dynamic range, weak low-light performance, and relatively low resolution. Of course, even with this tiny sensor, more expensive drones will have better image quality.
Bigger and more advanced drones, such as the DJI Phantom 4 Professional and the all-new Mavic 2 Pro, carry 1” sensors that more resemble those you’d find in compact and mirrorless cameras. This brings great night photography, better colors and dynamic range, and higher resolutions. The new Mavic 2 Zoom even has a 2x optical zoom feature, which may make up for the smaller sensor if your work calls for some unique shots.
Portability or power?
Whether you’re a professional or amateur, portability will always be a factor to consider. The Phantom 4 Professional, a full-size drone with the iconic white design, needs its own backpack to carry around, while the Mavic series fold up into a form factor that can fit into a backpack.
Range
Most people aren’t flying their drones out 23,000 feet high, or the maximum range of the most advanced drones out there. However, improved wireless technology doesn’t just translate to raw increased range, but also better performance in areas like cities and mountainous regions. Consider getting a drone with longer range if you’re flying in such areas.
Automated features
Newer, more advanced drones often have intelligent flight modes that allow them to track subjects or fly from waypoint to waypoint while taking a shot. If you plan to use these modes, especially in video, then consider a drone that has the latest technologies included. If you’re more of a still image photographer, you may disregard them, although you’ll also want to look at obstacle avoidance if you’re not too confident in your flight skills.
Original post found at https://masonseifertphotography.wordpress.com/2018/09/12/buying-a-drone-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
