Yes, drones can take pictures if they are equipped with a mounted camera. Most recreational and professional drones now come with a camera that is capable of taking photos and videos.
Hello folks! My name is Lavelle and I am a professional drone pilot, photographer/videographer, and a long-time drone enthusiast. Over the past decade, I have used my drones for professional photo and video projects and for some amazing nature photography shots.
In this article, I will cover information on both recreational and commercial drones and their ability to take pictures. I will also provide information on some of the best drones to use for professional-looking photos.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Camera quality and camera range vary by model.
- There are plenty of great low-budget hobby drone options on the market.
- Many recreational drones come equipped with cameras, ranging in resolution from 12 MP to as high as 4k.
Can Drones Take Pictures
Yes, drones can take amazing pictures. Whether you are a recreational drone user or a professional drone pilot, there are drone models that produce high-quality photos.
Hobby or recreational drones are flooding the market with affordable options to take aerial photography. Most drones in the hobby category are limited in the range to which the camera can take quality photos.
However, some models do offer an excellent range of photography and offer cameras that range from 12 MP quality to upwards of 4k quality.
Commercial drones have exceptional picture-taking capabilities. Some drones such as the Matrice 300 RTX and the EVO II 640T, offer thermal cameras with weather-resistant technology and infrared options.
Depending on the type of drone you have, lower-end drone cameras can take pictures for up to a 1,000 feet range while the higher-end ones can take pictures up to 2,500 feet or more away.
The Best Drones for Taking Pictures
Here is a table of some of the best drones I’ve come across for taking pictures.
| Model | Camera Specs | Weight | Battery Capacity | Estimated Price |
| DJI Mavic Air 2 | 12 MP/48 MP | 1.25 lbs | 3500 mAh | $799 |
| DJI Mavic Pro 2 | 1080P/2160P | 1.99 lbs | 3850 mAh | $1499 |
| DJI Mini | 12 MP | 0.54 lbs | 2400 mAh | $399 |
| DJI Phantom IV Pro | 12.4 MP | 3.04 lbs | 5350 mAh | $3329 |
| Holy Stone HS720 | 4K UHD | 1.01 lbs | 2800 mAh | $300 |
| Black Bird 4K | 4K 120fps | 0.26 lbs | 500 mAh | $199 |
As you can tell from the table, I am a strong proponent of the quality that DJI puts out with its drones.
However, the lower-end Holy Stone and Black Bird drones are great low-budget options for beginners and recreational enthusiasts, and these drones do take some good-quality photos.
You are also welcome to find our list of the best mini drones with cameras.
FAQs
Here are some answers to a few of the frequently asked questions that I’ve come across.
Can Drones Take Still Pictures?
Yes, drones can take still photos and most recreational drones offer good-quality images.
How Far Can a Drone Take a Picture?
Depending on the model of the drone, quality pictures can be taken from as far as 2,500 feet away. Higher-end drones do offer a farther distance for taking pictures.
Can You Take Photos of Yourself With a Drone?
Yes, by maneuvering the drone and rotating it toward yourself, you can take photos of yourself with the drone. Some drones offer a follow me feature that allows the drone to follow you and you can set the timer to take motion pictures.
Final Thoughts
Drone photography is a fast-growing phenomenon and many hobby/recreational drones offer good-quality pictures. Technology is ever-advancing and you can get a good camera drone for a reasonable price. Most drone cameras offer at least a 12MP camera and many offer much higher quality options.
Do you take pictures from your drone? Are you happy with the quality of the images you have? Share your experience in the comments section below.
