Best DJI Drone for Photography
DJI Mini 3 Pro
High-Quality Drone- Resolution: 4K HD
- Weight: 249 Grams
- Flight Time: 34 min
- Max Speed: 57.6 km/h
- Max Range: 12 km
DJI Mini 2
Best Beginner Drone- Resolution: 4K HD
- Weight: 249 Grams
- Flight Time: 31 min
- Speed: 57.6 km/h
- Max Range: 10 km
DJI Mavic Air 2
Best Photography Drone- Resolution: 4K-8K Hyp
- Weight: 571 Grams
- Flight Time: 34-min
- Speed: 68 km/h
- Max Range: 18.5 km
The world of drones just keeps getting bigger, with more options and features available every year. If you’re a photographer looking to take your aerial photography to the next level in 2023, then it’s time to start shopping for the best DJI drone for photography.
DJI is one of the leading drone manufacturers that offers an impressive range of high-quality drones designed for use in a variety of different applications. From professional filmmakers and photographers to hobbyists and beginners, there is something for everyone when it comes to choosing a quality drone from DJI.
Whether you’re a professional photographer or a casual hobbyist looking to take stunning aerial photos, this article will help you find the perfect drone for your needs.
We will explore the best options on the market today and compare them based on features such as camera quality, flight time, range, battery lifetime, and more.
Furthermore, we’ll provide insights into what kind of drone would be best suited for different types of photography projects.
By taking all these factors into consideration we will determine which DJI drone is the optimal choice for photographers in 2023.
Table of Contents
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1. DJI Mavic 3 Drone
The DJI Mavic 3 is the latest and greatest drone from DJI, and it’s perfect for photographers looking to capture stunning aerial shots.
This powerful drone packs all of the features you need in one small package.
With a top speed of 58 mph, 4K camera resolution, and obstacle avoidance technology, you can shoot professional-quality photos with ease.
The Mavic 3 also offers up to 30 minutes of flight time on a single charge, so you can be sure to get those perfect shots without worry.
Its foldable design makes it easy to transport wherever your next shoot takes you. With its intuitive controls and enhanced image-capturing capabilities, the Mavic 3 is an ideal choice for anyone who wants amazing photos from above in 2023.
Features of DJI Mavic 3 Drone:
- Dimensions (folded): 221 × 96 × 90 mm
- Takeoff Weight: 895 g
- Max Flight Time: 46 minutes
- Max Speed: 75.6 km/h
- Photography: 4/3” CMOS, 20 MP, JPEG/DNG
- Lens: Aperture f/2.8 to f/11
- Video: 5.1K/50fps, 4K/120fps
- Obstacle Sensing: Complete Omnidirectional
- Max Transmission Distance: O3+, 1080p, 15 km
- Wind Resistance: Level 6
- ActiveTrack: ActiveTrack 5.0
- True Vertical Shooting: ✘
- Professional photography drone.
- Long flight time - good battery life.
- Can be stable on high winds - Level 6
- No True Vertical Shooting
- High-priced.
To wrap things up DJI Mavic 3 Drone:
This drone is the best DJI drone for professional photography with tons of advanced features, it can capture up to 5.1K videos and aerial footage.
2. DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone
The DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone is the perfect drone for photographers looking to capture stunning aerial shots. With its lightweight and compact design, it can be easily transported anywhere with minimal effort.
The Mini 3 Pro features a 1/2.3-inch sensor, 48 megapixels of resolution, HDR video support, 4K60 video recording up to 100mbps, 8GB of onboard storage, and more than 30 minutes of flight time.
Its three-axis gimbal ensures smooth footage even in windy conditions and makes it ideal for capturing dynamic motion shots.
It also has advanced obstacle avoidance technology which helps you avoid obstacles when flying around your subject or in tight spaces.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone is an excellent option for photographers who want a durable and reliable drone that will help them take their photography game to the next level.
Features of DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone:
- Dimensions (folded): 145 × 90 × 62 mm
- Takeoff Weight: <249 g
- Max Flight Time: 34 minutes
- Max Speed: 57.6 km/h
- Photography: 1/1.3” CMOS, 48MP JPEG/DNG
- Lens: Aperture f/1.7
- Video: Up to 4K/60fps, 4K/30fps HDR
- Obstacle Sensing: Forward/backward/downward
- Max Transmission Distance: OcuSync 3.0, 1080p/30fps,12km
- Wind Resistance: Level 5
- ActiveTrack: ActiveTrack 4.0
- True Vertical Shooting: ✔
- Very lightweight and pocketable.
- True Vertical Shooting
- Hi-quality 4k video recording.
- Lacks side obstacle sensors.
To wrap things up about DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone:
It is the best drone for vertical video mode which is suitable for TikTok and Instagram stories.
With its lightweight, it is the best drone less than 249g in the market.
3. DJI Air 2S Drone
The DJI Air 2S Drone is an all-in-one drone that is perfect for photographers and professionals alike.
This small but powerful camera and drone combination has the latest technology, making it one of the best drones on the market. It can shoot 5.4K video with a 1-inch sensor, capture 20MP still images, and has up to 31 minutes of flight time.
Plus, the obstacle avoidance system helps you fly safely with confidence.
The DJI Air 2S Drone features SmartPhoto mode which automatically selects from preset options such as scene recognition or hyperlight to help you get the right photo every time.
For more creative freedom, MasterShots allows you to create cinematic images with just a few taps while Spotlight 2.0 tracks your subject while keeping them in focus no matter where they go or how fast they move.
Features of DJI Air 2S Drone:
- Dimensions (folded): 180 × 97 × 77 mm
- Takeoff Weight: 595 g
- Max Flight Time: 31 minutes
- Max Speed: 68.4 km/h
- Photography: 1” CMOS, 20MP, JPEG/RAW
- Lens: Aperture f/2.8
- Video: 5.4K/30fps
- Obstacle Sensing: 4-Directional Obstacle Sensing
- Max Transmission Distance: OcuSync 3.0, 1080p, 12 km
- Wind Resistance: Level 5
- ActiveTrack: ActiveTrack 4.0
- True Vertical Shooting: ✘
- 5.4K Video resolution.
- Acceptable flight time.
- Average size and weight.
- No True Vertical Shooting
- Lacks side obstacle sensors.
To wrap things up about DJI Air 2S Drone:
With its 5.4k and ActiveTrack 4.0, this drone is the best drone for photography under $1000 for professionals.
It is more affordable than the DJI Mavic 3 Drone.
4. DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone
The DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone is one of the best drone for photographers. Its advanced features and capabilities make it the perfect tool for capturing stunning images from unique angles and perspectives.
With its high-performance 4K camera, obstacle detection sensors, and intuitive controls, this drone can help you take your photography to new heights.
The Mavic Air 2 boasts a three-axis gimbal stabilized camera with up to 48MP resolution, four vision sensors for obstacle avoidance, and a maximum flight time of 34 minutes.
It also comes equipped with an intelligent flight battery that allows you to fly longer than most drones without having to worry about running out of power mid-flight. Furthermore, the Mavic Air 2 offers multiple shooting modes such as ActiveTrack 3.
Features of DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone:
- Dimensions (folded): 180 × 79 × 84 mm
- Takeoff Weight: 570 g
- Max Flight Time: 34 minutes
- Max Speed: 68 km/h
- Photography: 1/2” CMOS, 48MP, JPEG/RAW
- Lens: Aperture f/2.8
- Video: 4K/60fps
- Obstacle Sensing: Forward + Backward + Downward
- Max Transmission Distance: OcuSync 2.0, 1080p, 10 km
- Wind Resistance: Level 5
- ActiveTrack: ActiveTrack 3.0
- True Vertical Shooting: ✘
- 4K video recording, Hyperlapse in 8K.
- Long flight time.
- Average price.
- No True Vertical Shooting.
- Has a small sensor.
To wrap things up about DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone:
Mavic Air 2’s Hyperlapse feature allows shooting in 8K resolution, allowing you to warp time and space to present particularly stunning footage.
It is one of the best drone for photography, and it is cheaper than Dji Air 2S.
5. DJI Mini 2 Drone
The DJI Mini 2 Drone is the perfect choice for photographers looking to take their aerial photos and videos to the next level for a good price.
This lightweight drone offers powerful features, such as its 4K camera, 3-axis gimbal stabilization system, and up to 31 minutes of flight time.
In addition, it boasts a maximum transmission range of 10km and a maximum speed of 29 mph – ideal for capturing fast-moving scenes with precision.
With an easy setup process and intuitive controls, this drone is great for beginners who want to start shooting professional quality imagery quickly.
The DJI Mini 2 is also highly portable thanks to its foldable design and weighs just 249 grams – making it perfect for travelling light.
Finally, users can access various automated intelligent flight modes designed specifically for photography enthusiasts such as ActiveTrack 3.0, Point of Interest 3.
Features of DJI Mini 2 Drone:
- Dimensions (folded): 138 × 81 × 58 mm
- Takeoff Weight: <249 g
- Max Flight Time: 31 minutes
- Max Speed: 57.6 km/h
- Photography: 1/2.3″ CMOS, 12MP, JPEG/RAW
- Lens: Aperture f/2.8
- Video: 4K/30 fps
- Obstacle Sensing: Downward
- Max Transmission Distance: OcuSync 2.0, 720p, 10 km
- Wind Resistance: Level 5
- ActiveTrack: ✘
- True Vertical Shooting: ✘
- Very lightweight and pocketable.
- 4K Video resolution.
- Inexpensive
- Only downward obstacle sensors.
- No ActiveTrack.
- No True Vertical Shooting
To wrap things up about DJI Mini 2 Drone:
This drone is the best DJI drone for photography at an affordable price of less than $500, it can capture stunning 4k videos and aerial footage.
6. DJI FPV Combo Drone
The DJI FPV Combo Drone is the latest and greatest in drone technology that has been released for photography enthusiasts, it could be the best DJI drone for photography and racing at the same time.
It comes with a range of features to take your aerial photography to the next level, including 4K video recording capability, auto-follow modes, and up to 40 minutes of flight time.
The FPV Combo Drone also offers an array of features tailored to photographers, such as advanced object tracking capabilities and obstacle avoidance technology.
Plus, it’s compatible with the popular DJI Go app for easily capturing photos and videos from your phone or tablet.
Whether you’re looking for a drone specifically designed for photography or an all-inclusive package that meets all your needs, the DJI FPV Combo Drone is definitely worth checking out.
Features of DJI FPV Combo Drone:
- Dimensions (folded): 178 × 232 × 127 mm
- Takeoff Weight: 795 g
- Max Flight Time: 20 minutes
- Max Speed: 140 km/h
- Photography: 1/2.3” CMOS, 12MP, JPEG
- Lens: Aperture f/2.8
- Video: 4K/60 fps
- Obstacle Sensing: Forward + Downward
- Max Transmission Distance: OcuSync 3.0, 10 km
- Wind Resistance: Level 6
- ActiveTrack: ✘
- True Vertical Shooting: ✘
- Very high speed.
- Excellent FPV footage.
- Can be stable on high winds - Level 6
- Short flight time.
- Easy to crash.
To wrap things up about DJI FPV Combo Drone:
It is the best FPV drone.
You will have lots of fun with the FPV goggles, and you can get stunning 4k video footage.
7. DJI Mini SE Drone
The DJI Mini SE Drone is one of the best drones for photography in 2023.
The DJI Mini SE features advanced technology and features that make it a great choice for photographers looking to capture amazing aerial shots.
It has an ultra-lightweight design, not weighing more than 249 g, making it easy to transport and operate with ease.
Its high-performance camera can shoot 4K videos at 30fps and 12MP photos, giving photographers plenty of options when capturing stunning images from the sky.
Additionally, its 3-axis stabilizer helps ensure smooth footage even in windy conditions.
The DJI Mimi SE also offers up to 30 minutes of flight time on a single charge, allowing photographers plenty of time to get the perfect shot without worrying about battery life.
Features of DJI Mini SE Drone:
- Dimensions (folded): 138 × 81 × 58 mm
- Takeoff Weight: <249 g
- Max Flight Time: 30 minutes
- Max Speed: 46.8 km/h
- Photography: 1/2.3″ CMOS, 12MP, JPEG
- Lens: Aperture f/2.8
- Video: 2.7K/30fps
- Obstacle Sensing: Downward
- Max Transmission Distance: Wifi, 720p, 4 km
- Wind Resistance: Level 5
- ActiveTrack: ✘
- True Vertical Shooting: ✘
- Very lightweight and pocketable.
- Average flight time.
- Cheap price.
- Only downward obstacle sensors.
- No ActiveTrack & True Vertical Shooting.
- Has a short distance and No 4k video.
To wrap things up about DJI Mini SE Drone:
Although it lacks many features, it is the best DJI drone for photography under $300.
Dji Drones Comparison Table:
Foldable
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Weight
895 g
<249 g
595 g
570 g
<249 g
795 g
<249 g
Flight Time
46 min
34 min
31 min
34 min
31 min
20 min
30 min
Max Speed
75.6 km/h
57.6 km/h
68.4 km/h
68 km/h
57.6 km/h
140 km/h
46.8 km/h
Video
5.1K/50fps
4K/120fps
4K/60fps
5.4K/30fps
4K/60fps
4K/30 fps
4K/60 fps
2.7K/30fps
Sensors
Complete
F. +B. +D.
4 D.
F. +B. +D.
Downward
F. + D.
Downward
Distance
15 km
12 km
12 km
10 km
10 km
10 km
4 km
ActiveTrack
A.T. 5.0
A.T. 4.0
A.T. 4.0
A.T. 3.0
✘
✘
✘
True V. S.
✘
✔
✘
✘
✘
✘
✘
Result
13
12
10
9
8
6
5
Table Legend:
🟩 Green = 2 points
🔲 White = 1 point
🟥 Red = 0 point
Conclusion:
The conclusion of the article is that DJI Mavic 3 has earned 13 points, making it the best drone for photography in 2023. The DJI Mini 3 Pro follows in second place with 1 point. This comes after a comprehensive review of all drones available on the market this year, including those from other manufacturers.
When choosing the best drone for photography purposes, the main criteria were considered such as range, battery life, and camera features. As expected, DJI Mavic 3 proved to be superior in terms of all these categories.
Not only does it have an improved flight performance and control system compared to its predecessors but also offers advanced features such as obstacle avoidance sensors and automatic hovering capabilities. To top it off, its 4K camera produces stunning images and video footage at an impressive resolution of 3840×2160 pixels.
