According to Matt Davies Stockton, as drones have become lighter, more powerful, and more advanced, they have become more useful and accessible to more people. You can shoot incredible footage for your travel blog or scenes from angles and perspectives that would be impossible with a traditional setup. Let’s check out some of the best drones to have in 2023.
The Drones
- DJI Mavic 3 – The Mavic 3 is the big daddy of drones both in terms of price and capabilities. It features the best drone camera available on a foldable drone. The Four-Thirds format sensor with Hasselblad color profile offers excellent footage and can also click amazing stills to rival some of the best mirrorless cameras out there. The drone has obstacle sensors all around it that allow it to fly safely in all environments.
Combine that with the integrated GPS and you get incredibly stable footage even without the image stabilization capabilities of the camera. Depending on the version you buy, it can cost anywhere from $1500 to over $5000. With a long 40-minute flight time, a requirement for FAA registration, and 28x digital zoom, it is designed for professionals.
- DJI Mini 3 – If the Mavic 3 is designed for professionals, the Mini 3 is designed for hobbyists and those who just want to buy their first drone. It’s affordable and offers a lot of bang for your buck with a 50-minute flight time on the extended battery. Moreover, DJI designed this drone with the FAA registration requirements in mind.
That’s why it weighs just under 0.55 pounds. You can just pack it in your bag and get on an aircraft without going through the hassle of registration. With integrated GPS and other FlySafe features, the drone stays stable even when you fly it at the 400 feet altitude limit. However, you need to be careful with this drone since it doesn’t have obstacle detection.
- Ryze Tello – While the DJI Mini 3 is affordable for most people and a great option for vloggers and travelers, it is still capable of recording some serious footage. On the other hand, the Ryze Tello is more of a learning toy. With its double-digit price tag, it is meant to teach you how to fly a drone. You can afford to lose or damage it before you buy something more substantial like the DJI Mini 3.
You can fly this drone with even your phone, and it also enjoys support from MIT’s Scratch coding platform. That allows you to code macros and execute complicated commands with Scratch installed on your Tello-connected computer. While its 720p camera wouldn’t produce any decent footage, it is easy to fly, inexpensive, and can be a great option for kids and teens to learn both coding and flying drones.
Conclusion
Matt Davies Stockton suggests you check out the above-mentioned drones and choose one that suits your budget and your needs. Apart from giving you a unique view, they are really fun to fly. Apart from travel vlogging or filmmaking, they can also be used for surveys, landscaping, and more.
