Investing in a drone can enhance your cinematic footage in filmmaking and provide different perspectives. Purchasing a drone with a camera gives you a number of new shooting options, allowing you to capture stunning images from fresh perspectives.
In our guide, we run you through our expert picks of the best drones for filmmakers to get sublime ariel shots every time.
Understand the Rule of Flying
In Australia, if your drone weighs more than 250 grammes, including any additions like cameras or sensors, you must register it with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Penalties and fines may apply if this is not done. Learn more on the Camera House blog with our guides, Drone Education Rules of Flying and Tips to Better Drone Photography.
Tips to Choose a Drone for Filmmaking
Choosing the right drone will help you effortlessly capture cinematic footage. It’s important to consider your skillset when choosing a drone and how easy it will be to operate based on your experience. Consider the budget, battery life, in-built OBS, size and weight, to ensure the model matches your needs and what you’ll be filming with it.
For those starting out with drones, read our article Best Drone Cameras for Beginners for a complete guide on which drones to start with.
The Best Drones for Filming
DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone - With RC Controller
With the DJI Mavic 3 Vintage Drone and RC Controller, you can fly with more precision. The Hasselblad camera on this drone has a 4/3 CMOS sensor and an effective resolution of 20MP. This camera has an f/2.8-f/11 aperture range, an 84-degree field of view, and a focus range of one metre to infinity. It has a stills and moving ISO range of 100-6400. It also has a video resolution of up to 5.1K at 50 frames per second with an electronic shutter speed of 8-1/8000 s.
DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo Plus
The DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo Plus drone has a camera with an effective 12MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor. Moreover, it offers a dual native ISO with a 100–3200 range for still and moving images. This camera offers consumers an f/1.7 aperture, an 82.1-degree field of view, up to 4x magnification, and a focus range of one metre to infinity. It also has a video resolution of up to 4K at 30 frames per second and an electronic shutter speed of 2-1/8000 s.
DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone w/ DJI RC Controller
Use the DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro Drone to take stunning aerial pictures. The compact and highly capable DJI Mini 3 Pro is as powerful as it is small. It is the safest in its series and meets regulations thanks to its reduced weight of under 249 g and updated safety measures. It redefines what it means to fly a Mini with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and premium functionality.
How to Create Professional-Quality Drone Videos
To create a truly professional drone video, the filming needs to be done smoothly, without jarring movements. This takes a lot of practice to master this talent to create cinematic shots.
A way to help shoot smooth footage is by ensuring your shutter speed is twice as fast as your frame rate by applying the 180 Shutter Rule. Set your camera to 1/50 sec when shooting at 25 frames per second. Set it to 1/60 if filming at 30 frames per second. The correct amount of motion blur between frames will be possible at this pace, giving the footage a realistic appearance.
There are also a number of drone accessories that can assist capture clear and smooth drone videos. To learn more, check out our Essential Drone Accessories guide on the Camera House blog.
Shop The Best Drones for Filmmaking at Camera House
Take advantage of Camera House’s knowledgeable staff in-store and online and ask them what drones for filmmaking are right for you! Check out our shipping information online and enjoy flat-rate delivery Australia-wide, or check out our store locator to visit a Camera House store near you.
