There have been several exciting drone launches in 2021. Starting with the DJI FPV Combo and Air 2S to Parrot’s revolutionary 4G drone. Consumer drones are getting better every year. Although DJI dominates the drone market, some worthy rivals are gradually gaining prominence. Here’s our list of the best camera drones of 2021.
Top 8 Camera Drones of 2021
1. DJI Air 2S
Launched in April 2021, the Air 2S is DJI’s latest camera drone. Since its launch, it has quickly grown in popularity. The Air 2S stands out for its autonomous features and its impressive camera. The drone weighs 595 g and has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes. The Air 2S packs a large 1” image sensor that captures 20MP images and records videos up to 5.4k. In summary, the Air 2S strikes a balance between price and performance. Read more about the DJI Air 2S here.
Highlights:
- Large 1” image sensor
- 5.4K @ 30 fps and 4K Ultra HD @ 60 fps
- Max. Flight Time of 31 minutes
- Advanced obstacle avoidance system
- MasterShots, an active tracking autonomous function
Price: $999.99
2. DJI Mavic Air 2
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is a lightweight and affordable 4K drone. Weighing 570g, it costs just $799. The Mavic Air 2 delivers impressive performance for the price. Additionally, it’s the first drone to feature an ADS-B receiver for added safety and spatial awareness. Equipped with a 1/2″ CMOS sensor, it can capture 48MP high-resolution images. The drone has a high flight time of 34 minutes.
Highlights:
- 4K video at 60fps & 48MP shots
- Max. Flight Time of 34 minutes
- 8K Hyperlapse
- Quickshots
- Active tracking
Price: $799
3. DJI Mavic 2 Pro
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is one of the most popular DJI drones in the world. Known for its flagship performance, it packs one of the most impressive drone cameras in this lineup. Firstly, DJI has collaborated with the leading camera company Hasselblad to develop Mavic 2 Pro’s camera. The drone comes with the Hasselblad L1D-20c camera with a 1” CMOS sensor that captures crisp 20MP shots. The drone also supports a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile that yields a higher dynamic range for more flexibility in the grading room. The drone weighs 907 g and has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes.
Highlights:
- Large 1” CMOS sensor
- Flagship Hasselblad camera
- Max. Flight Time of 31 minutes
- Adjustable aperture
- Omnidirectional obstacle sensing
Price: $2,049 (with DJI Smart Controller)
4. DJI Inspire 2
The DJI Inspire 2 is one of the best DJI drones. Its switchable payload makes it an ideal option for photogrammetry operations as well. The Inspire 2 has state-of-the-art videography tools such as the CineCore 2.1 image processing system and the flagship Zenmuse payloads. Other features include terrain detection and intelligent tracking. The Inspire 2 is a powerhouse when it comes to cinematography.
Highlights:
- Flagship Zenmuse Cameras
- Switchable payloads
- Max. Flight Time of 23 – 27 minutes
- Spotlight Pro Tracking
- Terrain Detection and Advanced Obstacle Avoidance
Price: $3,299
5. Autel EVO II Pro
Autel is another Chinese drone manufacturer that is the next closest rival to DJI. The EVO II Pro is a professional cinematic drone capable of shooting 6K video, 10-bit HDR, and has a 1” image sensor. Additionally, the drone has a massive flight time of 40 minutes. Autel’s image quality and obstacle avoidance are comparable to premium DJI drones like the Mavic Pro 2. The EVO II Pro starts at $1,795.
Highlights:
- Large 1” CMOS sensor
- Shoot 6K video
- Max. Flight Time of 40 minutes
- 360° obstacle avoidance
- 10-bit HDR
Price: $1,795
6. DJI FPV Combo
Launched in March 2021, the DJI FPV Combo is the company’s first hybrid drone. The FPV is not a racing drone. However, it utilizes the benefits of a racing drone while delivering low latency 4K video. This drone is an ideal option for anyone interested in FPV flying. It can go up to extreme speeds of up to 140 kph. Using DJI’s proprietary V2 Goggles (included in the pack) and the massive 10km transmission range, pilots can enjoy epic FPV shots.
Highlights:
- Hybrid functionality with three modes
- Shoot 4K video at 60fps
- Max. Flight Time of 20 minutes at 40kph
- Comes with the DJI V2 Goggles
- Extremely low latency video stream
Price: $1,299
7. Parrot Anafi
The Parrot Anafi is a popular drone worldwide. Due to its low cost and decent image quality, it is a perfect pick for beginners. Capture 4K video or fly FPV; Anafi’s camera stabilizes on 2 mechanical axes and 3 electronic axes. This allows for an upward tilt motion. The Anafi starts at $699 and can fly for 25 minutes.
Highlights:
- Shoot 4K video
- Upward tilt camera
- Max. Flight Time of 25 minutes
- FPV functionality
- Economical pricing
Price: $699
8. Skydio 2
Skydio is an American drone manufacturer. The Skydio 2 drone brings a lot to the table. Especially in terms of autonomy. The Skydio 2 drone is termed the ‘self-flying drone’ due to its unparalleled autonomous features. While its image quality might not compare to the DJI drones, its AI-aided features are worth exploring. The Skydio 2 has a Sony IMX577 1/2.3” CMOS that captures 12.3MP images and 4K video at 60fps.
It has best-in-class object tracking features. The omnidirectional sensors orient the drone very well, and the drone barely loses track of a moving object even when it goes out of sight. Therefore, the Skydio 2 makes for a great self-flying action-capture drone.
Highlights:
- Shoot 4K video
- Brilliant obstacle avoidance
- Max. Flight Time of 23 minutes
- Advanced AI-aided object tracking
- Equipped with a 256-core NVIDIA GPU
Price: $1,349
