Drones are now the go-to tool when it comes to taking aerial photography, and they are one of those things that every modern photographer, whether by profession or hobby, must have. And as their popularity continues to grow, more and more models are always coming into the market.
But, contrary to what many tend to assume, you do not need to use a lot of cash to get a good one. There are plenty of affordable models out there. Drone manufacturers make drones to cater to all market segments, but if you are shopping for one on a tight budget, you need to be even more careful to ensure you make an informed choice.
And to help you with this, here we review some of the best cheap drones for photography to help get you started on your search.
Contents
- List of The Best Cheap Drone for Photography in 2021 on Amazon.com
- 1. Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 WiFi Drone
- 2. Force1 U45W Drone
- 3. DROCON Bugs 3
- 4. JJRC Foldable Drone
- 5. EACHINE E520S GPS Drone
- 6. Contixo F18 FPV RC Drone
- 7. Potensic D80 Drone
- 8. Force1 F100GP Drone
- 9. VISUO XS816 4k Drone
- 10. 4DRC F3 GPS Drone
List of The Best Cheap Drone for Photography in 2021 on Amazon.com
1. Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 WiFi Drone
X5SW V3 WiFi Fpv drone by Cheerwin Syma is equipped with the latest 6 Axis flight control system that ensures a stable and fast flight. It is capable of 360 degrees 3D rolling and more scheduled flight that operates with more force.
This device has a headless mode that makes it easy to take off and operate even for kids. The drone supports cellphone control from both Android and iPhones via WiFi connectivity.
The WiFi FPV allows you to view videos and photos in real-time without buffer. And it is equipped with an HD camera to record your experience better while bringing a new perspective to your photos and videos from the air.
Pros
- Easy to control
- Very durable construction
- Rotates 360 degrees
- Easy to get and cheap spare parts
- Takes up and lands easily
Cons
- Videos not that great
- No return home function
2. Force1 U45W Drone
With a 720HD camera, the Force1 U45W drone will allow you to capture crisp photos and gives you the best video footage. The Flying See app that comes with the device enables you to watch live FPV footage from your phone.
The WiFi connectivity is fast; therefore, the footage is quick, and you will not experience any delay. Using a remote control or the phone app allows it to perform 360 stunt flip with only one press.
Better still, you can create a custom flight path or fly gravity mode with your Android or iPhone. It comes with two rechargeable batteries, which, when full, can last up to 18 minutes. There are additional propellers, guards, a 4GB micro SD card, and a 2.4 GHz remote transmitter.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Stable WiFi connectivity
- Has altitude hold
- Comes with extra propellers
- Maks impressive 360-degree flips
Cons
- Weaker battery
- Could be a little more stable
3. DROCON Bugs 3
DROCON Bugs 3 is well suited to have a longer service life since the brushless motor cannot overheat and melt like plastic. This also enables them to last up to 15 minutes at minimum to high throttle and 20 minutes with conservative use.
Also, the drone flies faster for experts and stable and smooth enough for beginners. You can achieve incredible shots and videos, at any distance as it has a fantastic camera quality.
Also, durability is ensured as it is made of durable nylon fiber material and weighs just 1.4kg. Also, the drone can perform cool flips at the press of a button capturing classic images for you.
Pros
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- Great speed and control
- Woks well fro both experts and beginners
- Comes with a camera mount
- Warns when the battery is low
- Easy to modify
- Makes some amazing flips
Cons
- No headless mode
- Does not have altitude hold
4. JJRC Foldable Drone
The JJRC is a foldable drone with a built-in adjustable HD camera, which ensures that you capture high-quality aerial photos and videos. The WiFi FPV real-time offers a fantastic experience since it transmits live images and videos to your mobile phone in real-time.
Better still, it comes with two pieces of modular batteries, which are easy to install and use. These batteries can fly for a total of 22 minutes when fully charged. The optical flow function allows the drone to hold position without the user controlling it too much.
This makes it stable, ensuring that the photographs are top quality. The drone can go up to a maximum height of 50m, making it great for beginners and pro photographers. The fact that it can be folded to a small size makes it easy to move around to use it whenever you want.
Pros
- Great battery life
- Beginner-friendly
- Good quality camera
- Compact and sturdy
- Very portable design
- Hod position well
Cons
- The phone holder is weak
- Slow transmission
5. EACHINE E520S GPS Drone
EACHINE E520S offers the best real-time transmission. With 5G WiFi FPV live synchronous communication, you do not need to worry about any interruption. It can fly up to 250 meters and still capture great photos and videos. The GPS Position Mode gives you the freedom to command the drone to follow you wherever you are as long as it is configured with your phone.
There is also a built-in map that allows you to draw a map that the drone can follow when fling. The best part is, once the battery is low, there is a button you can press, and it automatically returns to you without tumbling down.
Also, it has an orbit mode icon where you can fly the drone around a specific area. And it has a built-in altitude hold that allows it to maintain a particular altitude. Additionally, it comes with a 1200mAh high-performance battery, which provides 16-minute fly time.
Pros
- Extremely stable
- Includes GPS position mode
- Easy to fly for newbies
- Bult-in mapping function
- Smartphone app warns when the battery is low
- Folds nicely for portability
Cons
- Does not come with a carrying case
- Poor controls
- Very small and lightweight
6. Contixo F18 FPV RC Drone
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The Contixo F18 drone has a 2K WiFi camera with a resolution of 2048×1152, enabling it to capture images in more detail. With a 5G frequency, it ensures you are uninterrupted, achieving a more precise and faster image capture.
Additionally, it can fly up to an impressive 1500 feet. The drone has a GPS location system making it easy to know its location without hassle at any given time.
Its battery can last up to 20 minutes; therefore, you have enough time to train with it if you are a beginner. Also, it has essential functions like altitude hold, headless mode, and one key start.
Pros
- Has a built-in GPS
- Easy setup
- Sturdy build
- Great for taking selfies
- Many amazing functions
Cons
- WiFi is not reliable
- Video can be a little shaky
- Battery takes time long to charge
7. Potensic D80 Drone
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Compared to other drones, the D80 GPS adopts the innovative four brushless motors to guarantee stable flight at high speed and long-distance with low consumption. It is designed to capture smoother cinematic HD video with fast transmission since it is upgraded with 2K and 5G WiFi.
If there is no signal interference, it can go up to 1000 meters at a speed of 40km/h making it the perfect drone to capture your surfing, skating, or other high-speed experiences. It comes with 1800mAh batteries and an elegant aluminum case to extend playtime up to 20 minutes.
Pros
- Easy to use even for newbies
- Powerful and reliable motor
- GPS responsive
- Good camera quality
- Fast and sleek
Cons
- Takes long to recharge
8. Force1 F100GP Drone
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If you need a GoPro compatible but cheap drone for photography, Force1 F100Gp is the one to choose since you can mount your GoPro camera easily. It is compatible with GoPro Heroes 3 and 4.
This gives you a chance to capture high-quality videos and photos with these professional cameras. Some of its best function include the super-quiet flight (due to the brushless motors), long flight time, and a lightweight body.
You can fly the drone for up to 15 minutes, allowing you to take lots of pictures. Additionally, the intuitive control interface makes operation easy and allows for 360 degrees flips. Also, the drone is built with high landing gears to ensure that it lands safely.
Pros
- Good value for the price
- Decent battery life
- Improved landing gear
- Well-built and durable
- Easy to set up
- Quick to elevate and maneuver
Cons
- Does not have altitude hold
- No built-in GPS
9. VISUO XS816 4k Drone
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Besides the cool shark shape, the VISUO XS816 is designed to be portable as it has a foldable armed design. You can pack and carry the drone with no trouble. It comes equipped with 4K + 0.3MP dual cameras and a high-performance rechargeable battery.
The maximum flight is 20 minutes; therefore, you can enjoy the aerial view to capture the best photos and videos.
This drone has an inbuilt barometer that provides stable flight, an altitude hold function, and six Axis flight control system. You need not worry about getting your drone back if you fly it out of range since it has a one key return button that brings the drone home.
Pros
- Easy to fly
- Amazing pictures
- App works well
- Long-lasting battery
- Well illustrated user manual
Cons
- A little shaky in the air
10. 4DRC F3 GPS Drone
This impressively built foldable drone with a 4K camera, and 5GHz image transmission provides incredible clarity for the photos. 5GHz transmission guarantees that beautiful scenes are sent back to your phone frequently, and they are clear enough. You also get a broader view since it can adjust up to 90 degrees.
It has a GPS auto-return feature as well as Follow Me mode waypoints and object tracking. This will make your experience great since it allows you to create better video content. And you can add a narration while shooting videos since your hands are free. In case the drone loses signal or power, you only press one key, and it comes back.
Besides, you will not get any difficulty flying since there are handy functions like altitude hold and headless mode. The two modular batteries that come with the drone lasts up to 60 minutes, the FPV transmission range goes up to 1300ft, and the control range is up to 1968ft.
Pros
- Plenty of amazing function
- Amazing overall build
- Great battery life
- Highly portable
- Good remote control
Cons
- Bad GPS connection
- Cheap plastic feel
Conclusion
You cannot go wrong with any of the drones on our list as they are all top quality. However, you have to know what features you need and the kind of experience you want to ensure you make the right choice.
If you want a drone for your child, you do not go for a high budget one; Cheerwing Syma X5SW-V3 WiFi FPV Drone is more suitable since it is easy to fly and weighs only 4.2 ounces; therefore, you do not need a license for it.
However, for professional purposes, the 4DRC F3 GPS Drone is convenient due to the superior battery life and other great features.
