Recently, more and more models have appeared that are primarily focused on shooting. In this regard, a rather difficult task arises - how to choose a quadrocopter with a camera that is inexpensive and good, given that drones are very different both in purpose and in price.
Before deciding on the final version, you need to answer a few simple questions: what are you planning to shoot and what budget are you planning to meet?
All drones with a camera can be roughly divided into several types:
- Mini drones with a camera - these drones will fit in the palm of your hand, but the video quality will not be up to par.
- Self-drones are a very popular trend in the development of drones lately. With their help, you can get decent quality photos and videos.
- Cheap mid-sized ones are the most popular segment for newbies.
- Copters with HD or 4K cameras are the more expensive segment, but the video quality is also higher.
- GoPro camera drones are typically action drones capable of carrying a GoPro or other similar camera.
Of course, such a breakdown is rather arbitrary and the characteristics of models from different groups may overlap. Let's take a look at each group and examine the main, most prominent representatives in each. Let's start with the smallest representatives - mini drones.
Mini drones with camera
To begin with, since the dimensions of these models are extremely small, they are more suitable for flying indoors than outdoors. And here's why: firstly, they are very light - it will be difficult for them to fight even with a slight wind, and secondly, if you lose sight of it, you most likely will not find it.
It is worth noting their advantage - they are practically indestructible.
The most famous model with a video camera, perhaps. Its size does not exceed 40 cm, while it is able to shoot video in HD resolution (720 P) and transmit it via Wi-Fi to a mobile phone, and the cost is within 2 thousand rubles.
Of course, you should not demand super-quality shooting from such drones, but the pleasure of flying around the apartment is guaranteed to you.
Another interesting model in this segment is the legendary Hubsan X4 H107С and its further modification Hubsan X4 H107С Plus. Both of these drones are slightly larger than the CX-10W, have a 2MP camera capable of shooting 1280x720 at 30 frames per second, the cost for a modified version is in the region 3 thousand rubles and 2 thousand for the usual... Video recording takes place on a microSD / SDHC card. If we talk about the X4 H107С Plus, then the costs were reduced to get a more stable video, in addition, this modification acquired a new, more interesting design, mode and. 
Recently, drones designed for FPV flights in an apartment have become more and more popular; this segment has even come up with a special name Tiny Whoop. Tiny Whoop is a microcopter with a radio-controlled video camera and a video transmitter, i.e. it is essentially a indoor FPV quadcopter. You can assemble such a quadcopter yourself or purchase a ready-made model.
One of the most popular camera drones in this segment is the Eachine E010C. It has an M7 800TVL camera with a 150 degree angle of view and a built-in video transmitter capable of transmitting signal to FPV goggles or display. Eachine E010C kit price is about 2 thousand rubles.
Selfie drones
Selfie drones are actively developing now, with new models being released almost monthly. Selfie drones have excellent equipment, many of them have GPS sensor, ultrasonic and visual sensors.
In addition, such drones have excellent software equipment, because they are controlled mainly by means of a mobile phone. For example, he can recognize faces, fly around you, while taking pictures, and also follow you. Almost all selfie drones are capable of displaying an image on the phone screen, i.e. equipped with FPV function.
As a rule, selfie drones are very compact, it is assumed that such a drone will always be with you, like a mobile phone. What's a selfie without a good camera? Naturally, none, so these drones are equipped with pretty decent cameras capable of shooting in 1080p resolution, and some, for example, even in full 4K.
The only weak point of selfie drones is a short flight time, on average 5-7 minutes, no more. The leader in this respect is the Hover Camera Passport - 10 minutes of active flight. Naturally, the price of such copters can be quite high - from 200 to 500 USD.
Perhaps the best in this segment is a flying drone with a camera -. Spark is the newest quadcopter ever launched on May 24 in New York, and at the same time the smallest in the entire DJI lineup. Due to its compactness (143 × 143 × 55mm) and light weight, we classified this drone as a selfie drones, although in terms of equipment it is not much inferior to its older brother Mavic Pro. 
Judge for yourself:
- Maximum speed - 50 km / h;
- Maximum flight range - 2 km;
- The maximum flight time is 15 minutes;
- Front camera with the ability to recognize obstacles based on a 3D model;
- Visual positioning system;
- Gesture control;
- Dual-axis gimbal with digital image stabilization;
- Full HD camera;
- Intelligent flight modes (including ActiveTrack, TapFly, horizontal and vertical panoramas, etc.);
- Compatibility c.
Agree, not every radio-controlled drone with a camera can boast of such capabilities, not to mention a selfie drone. The DJI Spark is priced at $ 499. For this money, you will only get a drone without a transmitter. For the Fly More Combo version with a transmitter, case, screw protection and two batteries, you will have to pay 699 USD.
Amateur camera drones
Perhaps the most numerous segment, in which there are quite a few interesting models such as Syma x5, Syma x8, JXD 509W or hubsan H502e. The price of a budget drone with a camera can range from 30 to 100 USD, depending on the configuration. By far the most popular amateur camera drone in terms of value for money is. This drone has a 2MP camera which is powered by a 3.7V 500mAh main battery. The flight time is about 10 minutes and the maximum distance is 150 meters. The Syma x5 has received many different modifications, which include options such as headless mode (Headless mode), FPV and a built-in barometric sensor. 
You can evaluate the quality of shooting by the following video:
If you need a more powerful drone, take a look at. Despite the fact that the camera is identical to the younger version of the x8C, it is capable of lifting a GoPro or any other similar camera.
Syma X8HG is a modification of Syma X8 with a more or less decent stock camera capable of producing 1080p resolution. Of course, the quality of modern action cameras is out of the question, but this is the best budget solution that Syma Toys has previously offered.
Many would agree that the Syma X5C1 and X8C are some of the best cheap camera drones on the market.
We also advise you to pay attention to the JXD 509V. This drone is a little more expensive, but the camera in it has a tilt of 30 degrees, allowing you to get interesting angles. In addition, this drone is richer in equipment, it can return to the pilot at the press of a button, hold altitude, allowing the pilot to focus on the video, and also has a headless mode.
Another interesting option up to 100 USD is the HUBSAN H502e. Here we get a 720P HD camera, the control distance is 200 ± 15 m and the flight time is about 10-12 minutes. In addition, this drone is equipped with a GPS sensor, which allows the drone to maintain altitude and return home using previously memorized coordinates. 
You can evaluate the quality of the video obtained from this drone by this video.
Quadcopters with HD and 4K camera
A copter with an HD camera is already a serious aircraft capable of delivering excellent picture quality in HD or even 4K format. The price for such devices ranges from 500 to 1500 USD, but they are really worth it.
Choosing a model with an HD camcorder, you usually end up with a high-tech drone with a variety of flight modes tailored for shooting. What are these modes?
- Orbit Mode - In this mode, the drone will circle above you, with the camera pointed at you.
- Point of Interest - this mode is designed to take pictures of a subject of interest. You set the drone's flight altitude, speed and tilt of the camera yourself.
- Selfie mode - the drone flies away from you and approaches, taking pictures.
Flight modes may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
There are quite a few interesting models from various manufacturers in this segment. The leader is undoubtedly the Chinese company dJI Innovations. perhaps the most recognizable rc quadcopter with hd and 4K camcorder. And there is a reason for this: for 1,500 USD you get a drone capable of making stunning videos and photos at 4K 60 FPS resolution, shooting burst shooting at 14 frames / sec, staying in the air for almost 30 minutes, flying at 70 km / h and has the flight radius is almost 7 km! With a system of sensors and cameras, the Phantom 4 Pro can detect and fly around obstacles in 5 directions. 
Another unique quadrocopter of a similar modification is. The key to the Mavic Pro is its compactness. With its modest dimensions (length 198 mm, height and width 83 mm), this drone is not inferior to the Phantom 4 Pro in terms of technology. The Mavic is capable of accelerating to 65 km / h and staying in flight for as much as 27 minutes. And all this for 999 USD. As for the camera, the Mavic was equipped with a 4K camera capable of capturing video in 4096x2160 format at 24fps. 
Another interesting option is. As the name implies, this drone is capable of shooting not only in FULLHD but also in 4K.
This drone cannot be called compact, it is 1.7 kg, but this can be a plus - such a drone is more resistant to gusts of wind. The camera has a 115 degree field and a lens system that completely removes barrel distortion. A competitive feature of this drone is a rather rich package, which, in addition to the drone, includes a SteadyGrip hand gimbal, a hard case for transportation, two batteries and a remote control with a screen to which the video from the camera is broadcast. All this will cost 799 USD. This drone implements such flight modes as FOLLOW ME (follow me) and WATCH ME (film me). The drone is capable of staying in flight for up to 25 minutes.
If you want to get a good and inexpensive quadrocopter with an hd (FHD) camera, for a price of about 500 USD, check out. For this money, you will get a great quadcopter with a FULL HD camera and electronic image stabilization.
Various selfie shooting modes will allow you to take unique shots of yourself. The drone is capable of flying up to 25 minutes and accelerating to 55 km / h. The drone is controlled using a mobile phone, but there are configurations with an impressive multi-functional Skycontroller or FPV configuration with a compact controller and Cockpitglasses.
Please note that for the full effect of Skycontroller control, you need an iPad.
Another interesting quadcopter with a camera from a well-known manufacturer of mobile electronics. Depending on the configuration, the drone can be equipped with an FHD or 4K camera. The camera has an unusual circular shape with a 360-degree view that is located at the front of the drone. The drone can be controlled at a distance of up to 4 km, the flight time is about 25 minutes. The cost of the drone is about 500 USD. Mi Drone has ultrasonic sensors for determining the height and a camera that, by processing the light flux, allows the drone to hang at a certain height even without communication with satellites. In addition to the drone, Xiaomi has released the Mi Drone app, which with every update becomes more functional and includes more features.
Quadcopters for GoPro
There are quite a few drones for GoPro on the market, and in some models the integration is so tight that it allows you to literally control the parameters of the camera. Moreover, the Australian manufacturer of the famous camera has launched its own GoPro Karma quadcopter on the market. Let's start with him.
It has folding arms and is compatible with such cameras as Hero4 Silver, Hero4 Black, Hero5 Black. Support for the latest Hero5 Session camera is also announced. The drone turned out to be quite dynamic (maximum speed 54 km / h), capable of flying up to 3 km and staying in the air for up to 20 minutes. Karma comes with a universal gimbal that can be used with the Karma Grip handheld monopod. The controller has a built-in screen so you don't need any mobile device. The kit also includes a case for transporting the drone. It should be borne in mind that the GoPro camera will have to be purchased separately. The cost of the drone is 1000 USD.
If you love active sports and you need a dynamic and compact drone for your GoPro, there is no better one. The drone has adaptation for 3rd, 4th and 5th generation GoPro cameras. All control takes place from the AirLeash wristband and the Air Dog application in which you will set up various flight parameters. The drone has 6 flight modes which you can read about in our article about this drone. The drone is capable of staying in flight for up to 20 minutes and reaching speeds of up to 65 km / h. With all its advantages, perhaps the most significant drawback is the price. For Air Dog without a camera, you will have to pay 1600 USD (and this is without a camera).
Another Go Pro quadcopter cat is of interest - this. This drone has a variety of features. Firstly, this is perhaps the only drone running the Linux operating system. Given that Linux is an open platform, if you have the appropriate knowledge, you can reprogram the drone for yourself. The second feature is GoPro integration. The gimbal is made in such a way that you can control both the flight modes of the drone and the camera parameters through a single 3DR Solo APP. Thirdly, it is one of the most dynamic drones, capable of speeds of about 90 km / h. Fourth, the drone turned out to be incredibly durable, capable of withstanding a fairly hard landing. The price for this drone is around 400 USD.
