Drones are used in many fields of work; one example is aerial photography. Aerial photography is used to obtain a perspective that can't be seen from the ground. Drones are also used by farmers to monitor livestock and crops and are useful in search-and-rescue missions or disaster recovery efforts. The list goes on, but it's worth mentioning that drones have been proven beneficial across a wide variety of industries. That’s before going into the personal reasons that people enjoy drones and the cameras they possess. Many are the people who have instagrammed some incredible experiences and moments through the use of drone cameras and drone video. The versatility of these devices continues to expand. So what about you? What could your drone do for you?
Using a Drone Camera For Photos
If you're not interested in the nitty-gritty of building your own drone and would prefer to use a ready-made solution, there's plenty on the market. Thanks to new technology making drones more affordable than ever, we can expect drones specifically designed for photography to be available soon (if they aren't already). The DJI Phantom 3 is already a capable drone camera, and it's had significant updates since its initial release.
Drones are beneficial for landscape photography because they can provide greater perspective than you'd get with any lens on a regular camera. But that's not the only thing drones have going for them! Drones are also able to capture images from angles that a regular camera can't reach. For example, if you were to take a photograph from an altitude of approximately 400 feet (120m), it would allow you to capture larger areas than what is visible when standing on the ground - both vertically and horizontally.
Using a Drone Camera To Capture Video
Some consumer drones are capable of capturing video in full 1080p HD. These drones come with an integrated camera, but if you're looking for a more professional solution, there are plenty to choose from. Most camera kits will include the drone itself, a flight controller, and other accessories that may be helpful during flight.
As with photography, drones can also capture video from angles that a regular camera can't reach. Shooting footage from the air when you're filming has incredible advantages, and these advantages will be most noticeable if your subject is moving at high speed or in places where it's hard to get a good vantage point. Drones are also more stable than regular cameras, reducing the risk of jittery footage.
Popular Drone Cameras:
There are a few popular brands for drone cameras, and they include the likes of DJI and Walkera. Walkera recently released their latest product- the QRX350 Pro - a drone camera equipped with a 360-degree gimbal.
- DJI Phantom 3 Professional - DJI is one of the best of the best. Their Phantom series of drones are popular with consumers and professional users alike. The latest model, the Phantom 3 Professional, is compatible with a variety of accessories for greater functionality - including an optical flow sensor (for obstacle avoidance) as well as a gimbal-mounted FPV (first-person view) video transmitter and receiver.
- Yuneec Q500 Typhoon - The Typhoon Q500 from Yuneec is a drone that's packed with features including a 1080p HD camera, GPS, digital compass, and advanced flight control - all built into an attractive package. It even has its own autopilot system that will automatically adjust your camera settings for improved results.
- Walkera QRX350 Pro - The QRX350 Pro from Walkera is a new quadcopter providing an alternative to the DJI Phantom 3. It's equipped with a 360-degree gimbal, and it features easy sharing of files between devices via WiFi.
- Hubsan X4 H107C+ Quadcopter - A drone camera from a lesser-known brand may not provide all the features you might be used to, but it can provide that same great sense of freedom and fun without breaking the bank - like this quadcopter from Hubsan. It's made of plastic, which is both durable and lightweight enough for beginners. The camera has a 0.3MP CMOS sensor capable of taking still or video files at 640 x 480 (VGA) - not exactly HD, but still good enough for most uses. If you're looking to take high-quality videos, you can always upgrade the camera module using an accessory kit.
- Parrot Bebop Drone - The Parrot Bebop is a consumer-grade quadcopter that offers good value for the price. It has all the basic features you'll need if you're not looking to do professional work. Its most notable feature is its 14MP fisheye camera, which can be used with your smartphone via an app. Using the app, you can control where the Bebop is flying and see a live video feed from the camera - it'll even capture stereoscopic images for your 3D content! You can also use it with its included Skycontroller, which has a built-in 1080p HD WiFi FPV (first-person view) monitor for easier flight.
