Are you looking to invest in a starter drone for adults to be able to take your best drone shots as a beginner?
Whether you’re looking to buy a drone for aerial photography or filming, some of the best quality drones for beginners aren’t as expensive as you would expect.
This guide is intended for those who have never flown a drone before. When shopping for quality drones for beginners for photography or filming, it’s best to look for overall durability, long battery life, appropriate weight distribution, and onboard cameras.
Due to the vast number of drones, which can also be called UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle) on the market, the list below should help to narrow down the best quality drones for beginners to consider based on all these criteria.
The Top 5 Rated Drones for Beginners In 2022
- DJI Mini 2 – Best overall beginner drone
- Parrot Anafi – Best beginner alternative to DJI
- DJI Mini SE – Best micro drone for beginners
- Ryze Tello – Best beginner drone on a tight budget
- DJI FPV Drone – Best FPV (first person view) drone for beginners
Beginner drones offer a unique perspective for photography and filming video footage that is captivating to your audience. Whether you’re a professional content creator or just trying to have a bit of fun, the allure of a drone shot is becoming more tempting.
However, to fly a drone as a beginner, you must first learn a specific set of skills. As a result, having one of the top rated beginner drones that can fly right out of the box is critical for getting the best drone photography shots as soon as possible.
It’s not a good idea to invest in a professional level drone when you’re just getting started because flying them can be confusing for first-time users and, if not managed properly, can leave you injured or trapped in a tree line.
There is, however, some good news. Fortunately, there is a big demand for beginner drones, so there are some excellent choices for the best starter drones for adults if you’re just getting started.
Buying a beginner-friendly drone ensures that you can still get great drone photography shots, as well as some excellent video footage with the top rated beginner drone cameras available!
Head to the Best Places to Visit in Cornwall for Photography for some epic locations for drone photography. Just don’t forget to check the rules first.
So, let’s take a look at the best quality drones for beginners:
1. DJI Mini 2 – Best overall beginner drone
For good reason, DJI is one of the most well-known drone companies. They have been producing high-quality drones for quite some time, and customers have come to rely on the brand’s expertise.
The DJI Mini 2 outperforms its predecessors, earning it the top rank on this list of best drones for beginners.
The palm-sized UAV quadcopter weighs 249 grams, can shoot 4K footage at up to 30 frames per second, has a flight range of 6 miles, and has a top speed of 36 MPH on a single charge.
This is a top drone camera for video shooting.
While the ability to shoot in 4K will impress videographers, photographers will also appreciate the option to shoot in raw and use manual exposure, as well as other features found on a typical digital camera.
The simple flight controls and rapid shot functions on this drone are ideal for inexperienced users.
In addition, the Mini 2’s 3-axis gimbal stabilisation produces smooth video clips, and the camera can zoom up to 4x without distortion.
Another plus is that the DJI Mini 2 drone does not require registration with the CAA (UK) or FAA (US) unless you plan to use it commercially. However, it is always a good idea to check your local rules before purchasing a drone because these rules can change!
Pros
- The DJI Mini 2 is compact and lightweight, making it easy to manage.
- Extensive battery life for longer photography sessions.
- The ease with which live footage can be uploaded on social media.
- Will have you taking your best drone shots in no time!
Cons
- It is vulnerable to abrupt wind gusts, which might cause it to deviate from its course.
- There is no raw video recording option.
2. Parrot Anafi – Best beginner alternative to DJI
Competing with the biggest drone companies like DJI is tough. However, another excellent choice for novices is the Parrot Anafi micro drone.
This model features a unique feature that allows it to record 4K movies of objects above it – for example, when flying beneath a bridge – in addition to its lightweight and robust 320-gram form factor.
The still photography skills of this UAV are also outstanding, with a 21MP sensor proficient for a 3x digital zoom and ten photos per second in burst mode.
The foldable drone can fly for 25 minutes and has a top speed of 34 miles per hour.
Geofencing, Smart RTH, Find My Drone, and GPS tracking are among the other features available for unexpected wind drift safety.
Pros
- The Parrot Anafi is remarkably simple to pack and fly
- A camera attached to a gimbal that can spin.
- A very silent flight and FPV system.
Cons
- The video shooting frame rate is limited.
- There are no collision-avoidance sensors.
3. DJI Mini SE – Best micro drone for beginners
Beginners seeking a cross between the DJI Mavic Mini and DJI Mini 2 drones should consider the DJI Mini SE as their next best option. It’s one of the best starter drones for adults.
This quadcopter is ideal for beginners, with an overall weight of 249 grams, a QuickShots feature to get you started quickly, and the ability to record high-definition films at 30 frames per second.
The DJI Mini SE model incorporates some exciting features from DJI’s best professional-level UAVs, such as the Mavic.
This starter drone has a battery life of up to 30 minutes, a maximum flying range of 2.5 miles, and a top speed of 29 MPH.
A 3-axis gimbal stabilises the HD camera, and there is a micro SD card slot on the back with a maximum capacity of 256GB. It is worth noting that DJI recommends SD cards with a UHS-I speed class 3 or higher rating.
The DJI Mini SE also features useful LED lights that indicate the status of the aircraft and aid in troubleshooting.
Unfortunately, the camera on this model can only capture 12MP images in JPEG format, which may disappoint budding photographers. Therefore, if you are a photographer, the DJI Mini 2 is probably the best option for a beginner drone for photography.
Pros
- Gimbal stabilization on three axes
- Increased wind resistance up to level 5
- A compact, foldable form that may be carried in a backpack
Cons
- Regional availability is limited.
- According to certain consumer accounts, there has been a loss of connection and a frozen video feed in some cases.
4. Ryze Tello – Best beginner drone on a tight budget
This 80g quadcopter is aimed at people looking for a low-cost drone that does not require a slew of concessions.
While the Ryze Tello drone lacks the high-end technology featured in more expensive models, it does tick many boxes, including a flight length of roughly 13 minutes and a Wi-Fi range of 100 metres.
Ryze Tello was created in collaboration with one of the biggest drone companies: DJI. Therefore, you know you are in safe hands and that this drone is well-suited for learning the fundamentals of drone piloting.
The UAV model’s 5MP onboard camera shoots films at 720p/30fps with digital stabilisation. This drone can fly off your palm and perform feats like mid-air flips for added entertainment.
This may not be the best quality beginners drone camera for video shooting, but you can’t beat its price if you’re looking for a great starter drone for adults!
Pros
- Reasonably priced for first-time users
- Controls that are responsive for comfortable flying
- It is easily customizable and activated with a phone or a game controller.
Cons
- It can be unbalanced in harsh winds.
- Some customers have complained about sluggish video recording.
5. DJI FPV Drone – Best FPV (first person view) drone for beginners
FPV (First-Person View) drones are quick, entertaining, and provide the most engaging flying experience possible as a result of video goggles that offer a bird’s-eye view from the sky. The problem is that these UAV are usually tailor made or self-built and are not among the simplest to fly – until now.
The DJI FPV is a thrilling hybrid of a camera drone and a racing drone. . The best of both worlds is obtained, but it is important to note there are some trade-offs.
On the one hand, it is not recommended flying this UAV in a professional drone race because it is too heavy and not agile enough to compete with most racing machines.
The one-axis stabilised camera gimbal with electronic image stabilisation, on the other hand, is far more than expected! However, it still lacks the smooth video skill provided by your higher-end Mavic drones. In addition, the propellers can sometimes get in the way of the shot.
Yet, the DJI FPV is an excellent hybrid drone from one of the biggest and best drone companies.
It combines the best of the racing drone scene and the camera drone experience to create one of the most exciting flying machines available. Therefore, you can have endless fun, whilst still getting great drone shots.
Nevertheless, combining the two types of drones has drawbacks, such as shorter flight times than camera drone pilots prefer and agility that may not keep up in a more difficult race. This is not a drone for everyone, but it will appeal to a specific market, which is why it was created.
Pros
- 4K video camera (a top drone camera for video shooting)
- Exceeding 85 mph!
- A variety of flight modes
- It’s a lot of fun to fly.
- Motion Controller is one-of-a-kind and entertaining.
Cons
- Fewer flight modes than other DJI drones.
- Only forward and downward obstacle avoidance is possible.
- Significantly more expensive than competing drones
Conclusion
Drones are no longer just toys for kids to fly for fun; they can also be an amazing resource for vloggers and social media enthusiasts.
Don’t miss this complete guide to how drones work to make sure you make the most out of your new drone!
The ability to be able to provide an aerial perspective with drone photography has proven to be a popular medium in recent years. Over 9.5 million Instagram posts have been made with the hashtag #dronephotography alone. Therefore, beginner drones for photography are becoming increasingly in demand.
However, individuals should investigate their local rules before purchasing one of these top rated drones for beginners, as many areas have strict drone regulations.
Remember, as a rookie pilot, you should evaluate how smooth a drone is in mid-flight and the capabilities it has onboard to minimise collisions and mishaps when purchasing your first model.
Going with one of the largest drone companies, such as DJI, is a safe bet. Although, if you shop around, you might find a better deal. The Parrot Anafi or the Ryze Tello are the best alternative starter drones for adults!
Purchasing an expensive drone is not advised for first-time users. Instead, once you’ve mastered the fundamentals with one of these top rated drones for beginners, you can gradually progress to a more professional model.
Rest assured that the best quality drones for beginners listed in this article will have you taking impressive drone photography and video footage in no time!
Check out my other photography resources here!
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