The best DJI drones 2024: the winning trio for photography (and more)

In this guide we propose a trio of drones, all with excellent features for aerial photography, but with different quality, prices and destinations. They deserve to be at the top of the list, each in their own category: best drone with camera at a convenient price, best versatile drone for photographers, best FPV drone.
Below you will find the three winners explained in a few lines, and if you want to continue reading you can consult the in-depth reviews, and discover the criteria and tests with which to evaluate a good drone, in the photo and video category.

The best camera for price/quality ratio

The Classic Edition of the Mavic 3 It comes in at a lower price point by forgoing the telephoto camera of its more expensive sibling, but retains the class-leading 4/3 primary sensor.

The best all-rounder

The DJI Air 3 The dual-camera model offers excellent value for money: it is relatively inexpensive but still boasts top-notch performance, great image quality and a comprehensive feature set.

The best FPV drone

Updated visors and controls, sharper video, and longer battery life make for Avata 2 the best FPV drone you can fly right out of the box.

The best all-purpose drone for aerial photography

DJI Air 3

• Weight : 720 g
• Radio control : Yes
• Camera Resolution : 12/48 MP
• Flight duration : 46 minutes
• Range : 10-20 km

Reasons to buy it:

• Dual camera
• Excellent wind resistance
• Generous flight times

Reasons to avoid it:

• C1 weight classification in Europe
• Fixed aperture lenses
• Bulky and protruding camera

Buy it if:

• Want to keep your distance with the 3x telephoto lens?
• You need a rugged drone for windy conditions

Do not purchase if:

• It's your first drone.
• You record a lot of video: Fixed aperture lenses are limiting for shooting video with ND filters.

Clearly positioned between the Mini and Mavic Pro series of DJI drones is the Air series, and the latest model is the Air 3. For beginners, a sub-250g model like the Mini 3 might be more manageable than the Air 3, but the latter has better wind resistance, as well as a generous 46-minute flight time. Even first-timers will quickly get used to the Air 3’s simple interface and safety features, including obstacle avoidance.

As a drone with a takeoff weight of 720g, the Air 3 is classified in the European C1 category, which means some flight restrictions and a greater distance from people, animals and events to ensure safety and compliance. However, you can still get closer to the action thanks to the Air 3's new 3x telephoto lens. The Air 3's dual cameras are versatile and offer superior image quality. Its fixed aperture lenses can be difficult to shoot with ND filters in variable lighting conditions, but the 3x zoom lens makes the Air 3 a much more versatile aerial camera than the Air 2S.

The best drone for photography enthusiasts

DJI Mavic 3 Classic

• Weight : 895 g
• Radio control : Yes
• Camera Resolution : 20 MP
• Flight duration : 46 minutes
• Range : 15 Km

Reasons to buy it:

• Excellent Hasselblad camera
• Impressive safety features

Reasons to avoid it:

• A bit expensive option
• Flight duration shorter than stated

Buy it if:

• You need a quality foldable drone.
• You want lots of security features.

Do not purchase if:

• You are on a limited budget.
• You need a small drone.

Technically a step down from the Mavic 3, the Classic edition allows for a lower price by losing the telephoto camera found on its more expensive sibling. While it’s not a budget pick, this simplified setup makes the Classic a more affordable option for videographers. It retains the excellent 4/3 main sensor, which we believe is the best camera available on a folding drone. While it’s not a beginner’s drone, we found in testing that the obstacle avoidance tools, subject tracking, and automated Quickshots make the Classic easy to fly with confidence, though actual battery life can sometimes be less than the claimed 46 minutes.

You won't get the Cine Edition's 1TB SSD storage or Apple ProRes recording, but we think its ability to capture 5.1K video in Normal, HLG, and 10-bit profiles will be enough for most filmmakers. And thanks to the larger sensor, low-light noise handling is fantastic across the entire ISO range. It also has all the flight and safety features of the original Mavic 3 models. If you're happy with a 1-inch sensor, the DJI Air 2S is a more affordable option. But if you want the best image quality from a foldable drone, the Mavic 3 Classic is a better choice.

The best FPV drone

DJI Avata 2

• Weight : 377 g
• Remote control : Optional
• Camera Resolution : 12 MP
• Battery capacity : 2,150 mAh
• Range : 13km (FCC), 2km (CE), 10km (SRRC)

Reasons to buy it:

• Amazing image quality
• Reliable flight times
• Stable and easy flight

Reasons to avoid it:

• Uncomfortable handling
• Imperfect remote control ergonomics

Buy it if:

• Want a safe start into FPV flying?
• You need high quality videos.

Do not purchase if:

• You are an experienced pilot.
• You are on a limited budget.

The DJI Avata was already our favorite drone for first-person perspective, and its successor is even better. We found the controls for flying the Avata 2 very intuitive, with the addition of Easy ACRO mode that makes aerial maneuvers more accessible to beginners. The updated Motion Remote Controller 3 is simple to use, yet precise enough for indoor flying. The only thing missing is a left-handed option. Advanced users may prefer the optional DJI Remote Controller 3 for fully manual flight.

The Avata 2 is longer, flatter, and more aerodynamic than its predecessor. This helps it achieve longer flight times of up to 23 minutes, and also makes it quieter than the original Avata. Thanks to an improved 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and support for 10-bit D-Log M, it can shoot high-quality 4K/60p footage, with a richer dynamic range that reveals more detail in shadows. Footage transmitted to the updated DJI Goggles 3 looks crisp, thanks to a new video transmission system that makes it easier to spot potential obstacles. If you’re looking for an indulgent way to enter the immersive world of FPV flight, we think the Avata 2 is an excellent choice.

How to Test Drones to Uncover Their Secrets

Cameras have been the main focus of the drones reviewed here, but it’s always important to test their flight performance to see how easy they are to fly. Evaluate safety features, including the effectiveness of obstacle avoidance, flight stability, especially in windy conditions, maximum real-world speed, subject tracking capabilities, and whether there is latency—all key considerations for high-performance drones.

Once you’ve tested the drone’s battery life claims with some real-world flights, you can turn your attention to the cameras. Flying during daylight hours and in low-light conditions will give you a good test of image quality, along with comparable video footage using the drone’s range of color profiles, maximum resolution (be it Full HD, 4K, 5.3K, or in some cases 8K), and various frame rates. Ideally, you’ll want to evaluate the resulting video on a calibrated monitor, along with the drone’s still photos (taken at full resolution in JPEG and raw, at a range of ISOs). What makes a good image? The lens should ideally provide sharp detail from edge to edge with minimal falloff in the corners, while at the other end of the spectrum, the camera sensor should handle noise well at the high ISOs needed for low-light shooting. These tests tell us the reasonable limits of the drone’s camera. We then combine these results with our overall impression of the drone’s design, features, and value to produce our final verdict. Finally, it is always interesting to understand when the automatic flight modes are really useful and when they are simply gimmicks that increase the fun of flying.