Drone Photography for Beginners: The Best Types of Drones

Drones are now widespread and find application in various fields. They have evolved from military tools to popular devices for hobby photographers. In this tutorial, you will learn about the two main types of drones, their pros and cons, and for whom these are best suited.

Key Insights

There are essentially two main types of drones that are commonly used: the Phantom 3 and the Inspire 1. While the Phantom 3 is a cost-effective entry-level model, the Inspire 1 is designed for professional applications and offers advanced features.

Step-by-step Guide

1. The Phantom 3 – An Ideal Entry-Level Model

The Phantom 3 is a user-friendly drone that offers many possibilities for aerial photography. It is typically available for under €1,000, making it an excellent choice for beginners. The handling is simple: you set up the drone, mount the color-coded propellers, and prepare the drone for flight.

First, you need to ensure that the propellers are securely and correctly mounted to avoid flying issues. After mounting, you insert the SD card for the camera and charge the battery. You are then ready to control the drone via the controller and a suitable app on your smartphone.

2. The Phantom 4 – For Advanced Users

If you want to spend a bit more money, the Phantom 4 might be of interest to you. Priced around €1,400, it offers collision detection, making flying safer. Although this feature is useful, the Phantom 3 is usually sufficient for most beginners to take their first steps in drone photography.

3. The Inspire 1 – Flexibility for Professionals

The Inspire 1 is another model suitable for serious photographers or filmmakers. It allows the use of various cameras and offers impressive video quality. Particularly, the X5R camera stands out as it enables high-quality RAW video recordings. This drone is priced around €13,000 to €15,000 and targets professional users.

Another advantage of the Inspire 1 is the second controller, which allows a cameraman to control the camera separately while another flies the drone. This leads to more dynamic shots.

4. Technical Features of the Inspire 1

The Inspire 1 offers additional features such as 360° flying. It achieves its advantage through a special gimbal technology that can be optimally controlled by a cameraman. This is especially important for creating high-quality film shots.

5. Conclusion – Which Model is Right for You?

If you want to dive into the world of drone photography, decision-making is often the hardest part. The Phantom 3 provides you with everything you need to get started easily. For those who want more quality and work flexibly, the Inspire 1 is a great option – but at a much higher price. The decision depends on how much time and money you want to invest in your drone photography.

Summary – Drone Photography for Beginners: Overview of Drone Types

Two main types of drones are at the forefront of drone photography: the Phantom 3 as an ideal entry-level model and the Inspire 1 for professional applications. Both models have their own advantages tailored to different user needs.