The most popular use for quadcopters is aerial photography. This explains why most of them come with built-in cameras. Going by the current trend, it won’t be long before they become vital tools for photography. When compared to other methods of getting aerial photography, they are relatively cheap to run and they usually end up with an acceptable – if not better – footage.
Most high-end quadcopters are sophisticated devices that come with all the modern features that you might need to fly and come up with amazing footage. However, they also come with a hefty price tag. If you want to get decent footage at a good price, you might need to consider getting a stable drone and buying a camera separately. Let’s take a look at some of the cameras that are available for use on these devices.
1. GoPro HERO4
The GoPro HERO4 SILVER is a great choice for your quadcopter. It has a high resolution (12MP) and a great frame rate (up to 30fps), which is guaranteed to satisfy both newbies and experienced shooters. Complete with a built-in touch screen, this camera makes framing shots and reviewing footage simple and easy. The camera also has improved control with a dedicated button which enables quick access and editing the camera settings. And if you’re more of a video kind of person, you should know that this camera produces excellent video for an action cam. It is also extremely durable and waterproof to 40m.
2. Sony HDR-AS100V
Sony HDRAS100V/W Video Camera, unlike many cameras out there, has a shotgun style design. The body of the cam is splash proof, and does not need extra protection or casing. The lens offers a 170 degree view, which is perfect for aerial photography. It also has an advances image stabilization system, which adjusts for vibration, and makes images less blurry when capturing them mid-motion. The camera has a good frame rate of 120/240p and a quality of 12MPs in photo mode, and 2MPs in recordings. You won’t have any problems connecting this beauty with your phones, since it has Wi-Fi, and it also features a handy GPS tracking system.
3. Mobius ActionCam
The Black Box Mobius Pro Mini Action Camera features a great quality 820mAh battery which can last around 2 hours at a time for recordings. It can also serve as a DVR video recorder with WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) and as a car dash camera. It is easily mounted, which makes it perfect for use on quadcopters. It provides clear and vivid photographs with little hassle. Its small size and light weight are its biggest advantages. Despite being compact, it offers the high-quality images which you would expect to find on larger models. It has also received overwhelmingly positive user reviews.
4. Sony AZ1
This is Sony’s smallest action camera with a splashproof design. This excellent camera features a high-quality Zeiss Tessar f2.8 lens, and can shoot at a 170 degree field of view. It also has a system for automatic image stabilization, which makes shooting in motion a lot easier. The photos come out sharp and vivid every time. You can also preview and review shots through a color LCD on your wrist which also gives you remote control. You can also use Live View Remote through compatible phones and tablets. The camera also enables live streaming of video, and has a high-quality built in stereo microphone.
5. Walkera iLook
One look, and iLook has you hooked! This exceptional 5.8ghz camera has a beautiful aluminium case which has a feel of amazing quality. It has a built-in video transmitter which means that it is a great package FPV camera. You will not need an extra transmitter or battery to carry or mount the camera. This means less weight and space taken by the equipment you have to carry. The weight of the camera itself is approximately 125 grams, and it has a video resolution of 1280×720. The photo quality is 1000000 Pixels, and it can support a 32G SD card, which is great if you are planning on making a longer video of many photos.
Summary Chart of The Best Cameras for your Quadcopter
Rank | Model (Click for review & specs) | Price Range | Buy It Now! |
---|---|---|---|
1 | GoPro HERO4 | mid-$$$ | Amazon |
2 | Sony HDR-AS100V | low -$$$ | Amazon |
3 | Mobius ActionCam | mid-$$ | Amazon |
4 | Sony AZ1 | low -$$$ | Amazon |
5 | Walkera iLook | low -$$$ | Amazon |