We Reviewed Popular Dones For 2024 & Here Are The Best Ones

We have finally entered 2024 and the technology has been evolving on a rapid pace like never before. In this post I have analysis various aspects of different new drones right from the 2023 to 2024. You must have been seeing so many new drones every now and then but still some of the brands have put out the best of the best drones recently, which we have discussed deeply in this post I have given a shot to the various aspects of popular drones released recently and that would pretty much define everything ranging from DJI, Exo Drones and others.

#1 Top Of The Line Drones Released Recently

There are many new drones that have been released recently, but here are some of the most notable ones:

Drone	Weight	Camera	Range	Flight Time	Speed	Features
DJI Mini 4 Pro	249g	20MP, 4K/60fps	10km	46 min	57.6 km/h	4-axis gimbal, obstacle avoidance, panorama, hyperlapse
Sony Airpeak S1	2.53kg	Depends on camera	5km	22 min	90 km/h	5-axis gimbal, wind resistance, remote controller, SDK
DJI Air 2S	595g	20MP, 5.4K/30fps	18.5km	31 min	68.4 km/h	1-inch sensor, 4-direction obstacle avoidance, master shots, ADS-B
Autel Robotics Evo Lite+	862g	50MP, 6K/30fps	16km	50 min	72 km/h	1/1.3-inch sensor, 3-axis gimbal, 360° obstacle avoidance, live deck
Autel Robotics Evo Nano+	249g	48MP, 4K/60fps	9km	40 min	57.6 km/h	1/2-inch sensor, 3-axis gimbal, no geofence, live deck

 

I) DJI Mini 4 Pro

This is a lightweight drone that weighs less than 250g and has two high-quality cameras, a 4-axis gimbal, and a 46-minute flight time.

II) EXO X7 Ranger Plus

Exo Drones is a popular drone brand which has recently gained the popularity, their Exo X7 Ranger Plus is top of the line high quality camera drone for the enthusiasts and the Pros alike.  It has a very solid battery that lasts quite long, 4K Camera, 3 Axis Gimbal, smart obstacle avoidance, 27MPH Speed and tons of other features.

III) Sony Airpeak S1

Sony’s first drone ever drone is this one, and it is made for high-end cinematography. It can carry several different Sony Alpha cameras and has a speed of 55mph and a wind resistance of 44.7 mph.

IV) Autel Robotics Evo Lite+

This drone has a 50MP camera that can shoot 6K video at 30fps, with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and a 3-axis gimbal. It also has 360° obstacle avoidance and a 50-minute flight time. There are tons of 2023 popular drones that you can check here and also other Autel robotics drones here.

V) DJI Mavic 3 Pro

This drone DJI Mavic 3 Pro has a triple-camera system that includes a 20MP Hasselblad camera with a 1-inch sensor and a 28x hybrid zoom, a 12MP wide-angle camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera. It can record 5.1K video at 50fps, with a 3-axis gimbal and a 46-minute flight time.

VI) Parrot Anafi

This Parrot drone has a 21MP camera that can shoot 4K HDR video at 30fps, with a 1/2.4-inch sensor and a 3-axis gimbal. It also has a 180° tilt camera, a 2.8x lossless zoom, and a 25-minute flight time13. Of course, these are not the only options, and you may find other drones that suit your needs better. You can check out the web search results that I have provided for more information and comparisons.

#2 Camera Specifications

Different drones have different camera specifications and features, and the best camera for you may depend on your needs and preferences. For example, do you care more about resolution, sensor size, zoom, or video quality?

The quality of the footage recorded by a drone depends on several factors, such as the resolution, frame rate, dynamic range, color accuracy, stabilization, and zoom of the camera, as well as the speed, maneuverability, and obstacle avoidance of the drone itself. Different drones may excel in different aspects, so the best footage drone for you may vary depending on your needs and preferences.

Here are some of the popular drones that record the best footage in 2024, along with their strengths and weaknesses:

I) DJI Mini 4 Pro

This drone has a 20MP camera that can shoot 4K video at 60fps, with a 4-axis gimbal and a 10x digital zoom. It also has 360° obstacle avoidance and a 46-minute flight time. This drone is ideal for beginners and hobbyists who want a lightweight and easy-to-fly drone that can capture stunning footage in various scenarios. However, it may not have the best low-light performance or the most cinematic effects compared to other drones.

II) Sony Airpeak S1

This drone has a modular design that can carry different Sony Alpha cameras, such as the A7S III or the FX3, which have large sensors and can shoot up to 8K video at 30fps or 4K video at 120fps. It also has a 5-axis gimbal, a 55mph speed, and a 44.7mph wind resistance. This drone is perfect for professional filmmakers and cinematographers who want the best image quality and creative control over their footage. However, it is very expensive, heavy, and requires a separate camera and lens.

II) Exo EX7 Ranger Plus

Exo EX7 Ranger Plus comes with amazing camera as we can elevate our visual experience with this drone’s Crisp camera. Immerse yourself in 4K Photography and 2K Video capturing capabilities. The 3-axis gimbal ensures steady shots while the 1/3 in Sony Sensor guarantees vivid detail. We can also unlock a full 110-degree camera tilt, providing mesmerizing bird’s eye perspectives.

III) DJI Air 2S

This DJI drone Air 2S has a 20MP camera that can shoot 5.4K video at 30fps or 4K video at 60fps, with a 1-inch sensor and a 3-axis gimbal. It also has 4-direction obstacle avoidance, master shots, and ADS-B. This drone is a great option for photographers and videographers who want a balance between performance and portability, as it can deliver high-quality footage with smart features and a long range. However, it may not have the best zoom or the most advanced obstacle avoidance system compared to other drones.

IV) Autel Robotics Evo Lite+

Autel’s Evo Lite Plus has a 50MP camera that can shoot 6K video at 30fps, with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and a 3-axis gimbal. It also has 360° obstacle avoidance, a 50-minute flight time, and a live deck. This drone is a good alternative for enthusiasts and professionals who want a long-lasting and reliable drone that can record detailed and smooth footage in various conditions. However, it may not have the best low-light performance or the most user-friendly interface compared to other drones.

V) Autel Robotics Evo Nano+

This drone has a 48MP camera that can shoot 4K video at 60fps, with a 1/2-inch sensor and a 3-axis gimbal. It also has no geofence, a 40-minute flight time, and a live deck. This drone is a nice choice for travelers and adventurers who want a compact and powerful drone that can capture stunning footage without any restrictions. However, it may not have the best obstacle avoidance or the most advanced features compared to other drones.

#3 How Zoom Works on Popular Drones in 2024

Drone zoom functionality varies depending on the model and camera system. Here are the two main methods:

I)  Optical Zoom

• Utilizes physical lens movement to magnify the image
• Offers the highest quality zoom with no detail loss
• Typically found on high-end drones due to complexity and cost

II) Digital Zoom

• Enlarges the image electronically using software.
• Less expensive and more common than optical zoom.
• Can result in quality loss like pixelation or blurring.
• Some drones use a hybrid approach combining both methods for a balance.

#4 Examples of Zoom Functionality in Popular 2024 Drones

I) DJI Mavic 3

High-end drone with a Hasselblad camera featuring a 4/3 CMOS sensor, 2x optical zoom lens, and 4x lossless digital zoom.

II) Autel Robotics EVO II Pro

Features a 1-inch Sony CMOS sensor and a variable focal length lens offering 3x optical zoom and 10x lossless digital zoom.

II) DJI Mini 3 Pro

• Compact drone with a 1/3 CMOS sensor and fixed-focus lens offering 2x digital zoom like its Exo competitors
• Features Enhancing Zoom Experience

a) Gimbal stabilization – Keeps the camera level and smooths out bumps for better zoomed-in footage
b) Object tracking – Automatically tracks a moving subject while zoomed in, maintaining it in the frame without manual adjustments

There are some possible candidates for the best camera drone in 2024

As you can see, each drone has its own strengths and weaknesses, depending on your needs and preferences. For example, if you want a lightweight drone that can fly for a long time and has a good camera, you might consider the DJI Mini 4 Pro. If you want a professional drone that can carry different Sony Alpha cameras and has a high speed and wind resistance, you might opt for the Sony Airpeak S1. If you want a drone that can take off and land vertically and has a high-resolution oblique camera for mapping, you might choose the Exo EX7 Ranger. And so on. That was all for now, we, really, hope this comparison help you understand the difference between popular drones specs in 2024.