UAVs are more than ever appreciated by the general public and for many reasons. Between the search for sensations, the pleasure of filming or photographing beautiful landscapes and more, there is a multitude of models to satisfy everyone. Here is a selection of the best drones of the moment, adapted to both the desires and the budget of everyone
A small remotely piloted aircraft, the drone – which means drone drone among our Anglo-Saxon friends – is an idea whose origins go back a century. But it is only in the last few years that its commercial and leisure use has emerged and allows everyone to take advantage of it, notably to photograph landscapes from inaccessible positions or for the pleasure of piloting.
How best to choose a drone?
A heavy or light UAV?
Depending on what you are looking for in terms of flight experience (speed, stability, autonomy, mobility, etc.), the weight of the drone is an important indicator. A heavy model, for example, will be more bulky to transport. On the other hand, a lighter aircraft will have the advantage of being very easy to take with you, but will be much more sensitive to the wind. It is necessary to specify that a model weighing more than 800 grams requires registration.
The importance of the autonomy of a UAV
The majority of models use replaceable batteries made of lithium. Currently, the best UAVs on the market flirt not far from the 40 minutes maximum flight time, which is a clear progress since the first aircraft. However, caution: a high capacity battery (in mAh) is not necessarily the sign of a long autonomy. In addition to the size of the battery, autonomy also depends on the power of the engines and the weight of the drone.
Integrated or interchangeable camera?
Depending on your needs, the choice of the onboard camera can be an important criterion to remember. Some UAVs offer a non-removable camera, which makes it possible to make an optimal all-in-one purchase. But if you want a more beautiful rendering for your images, by equipping the best cameras available, interchangeable models are to be preferred.
The selection of the best drones of the moment
DJI Mavic 2 Pro: the professional quality drone
Heir to the Mavic Pro, the DJI Mavic Pro 2 offers enhanced performance in most areas, reaffirming the Chinese manufacturer’s expertise in the design of leisure drones. With a very safe stabilized flight and optimal image quality thanks to a camera mounted on a nacelle, this UAV is very effective for taking great pictures. Its real autonomy of 25 minutes is very honorable, especially in terms of video and in-flight performance. However, its weight of over 900 grams means that it has to be registered with the civil aviation authorities.
Advantages and disadvantages of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro UAV:
Pros :
- A stable and easy to handle flight.
- Very good image quality.
- Robust and well designed.
- Comfortable autonomy.
Cons :
- Its very high price.
- No optical zoom.
DJI Mavic Air 2: the compact 4K drone
The DJI Mavic Air 2, successor of the first Mavic Air, presents itself as an all-public model with features and functions worthy of high-end aircraft. In particular, it offers 4K video recording at 60 fps, with highly flexible mechanical stabilization. Its piloting is surprisingly easy and its real autonomy of 30 minutes makes it a very enduring model. All these advances, however, hide a real weight gain, going from 430 to 570 grams.
Pros and cons of the DJI Mavic Air 2 :
The plusses:
- Easy to handle.
- A very stable flight.
- Excellent image quality.
- A very comfortable autonomy.
The minus :
- Significant weight gain compared to the Mavic Air.
GoPro Karma: the drone for action-cams
Aware that DJI is the leader in the drone segment with integrated cameras, GoPro offers its GoPro Karma model, designed to integrate the Hero 4 or 5 action-cam of the same brand. This modular system is designed for those who want to enjoy the thrills and sports footage that the GoPro Hero 5 can afford to offer, especially with a 4K camera of satisfactory quality. In addition, the stabilized gondola provides a clear picture of the landscape. However, its range is quite limited, offering only 18 minutes of flight time with the 4K activated under the best conditions.
The pros and cons of the GoPro Karma UAV:
Pros:
- Easy to handle.
- Compatible with the GoPro Hero 4 and 5.
- Stabilization of the nacelle.
- Free editing software included.
Cons :
- Limited autonomy.
- High price of the all-in-one package.
Parrot Anafi: the compact drone made in France
If the French manufacturer Parrot can boast of one thing, it is to face DJI in the mid-range segment with a good model: the Parrot Anafi. Very easy to use and transport, this small drone offers very satisfactory image quality, guaranteed by a mechanically and digitally stabilized sensor. Even more remarkable is its autonomy: almost 25 minutes of flight in the best conditions, which is a very good score if you bear in mind its weight of only 320 grams.
Pros and cons of the Parrot Anafi UAV:
The advantages:
- Very good image quality and stability.
- Stable flight and easy to handle.
- Rechargeable USB-C battery.
- Good autonomy.
The minus :
- Limited flight range.
- No obstacle detection.
DJI Mavic Mini: the quality drone at a low price
If some people are looking for a drone of excellent quality, but at a price below 400 euros, then DJI Mavic Mini is the perfect choice. Although not offering a 4K recording like its big brothers Mavic Pro 2 or Air 2, it can boast an excellent image quality in 2.7K or Full HD. Its handling is quick and easy, and its autonomy can reach 25 minutes in the best possible conditions. And all this in a compact format weighing less than 250 grams.
The advantages and disadvantages of the DJI Mavic Mini:
The plusses:
- Good image quality.
- Easy to handle.
- Very good autonomy.
- Not very bulky and light.
Minus :
- No tracking of people or objects.
- No obstacle detection.
While the leisure drone market is certainly largely dominated by DJI, some manufacturers such as Parrot or GoPro manage to offer models that are just as interesting. From the new generation of DJI drones, the Parrot Anafi, to the Karma drone from GoPro, everyone can enjoy a good-quality model at the best price.
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