Alright, Brett Garamella the Drone Pilot Pro here, so you’re looking for a drone under $1000.
These are what I consider cinematic drones at a reasonable price. Since there are so many drones,
let’s just assume you have at least $500 and you’re looking for a new drone or a backup drone.
If you’re looking for a drone under $500, you can click the link right up there, I made a
video all about that. But now back to under $1000 drones. There are so many drones I could mention,
but for the sake of time and practicality, I have narrowed it down to my favorite 3 drones,
listed from least expense to most expensive. There are many discontinued or refurbished drones
in this price category, but for the sake of staying up to date with the newest technology,
I will only include three drones that are still being manufactured
and you can buy new between $500 to $1000 for the base unit, excluding combos at this price point.
Now keep in mind that there are a few accessories that you will likely need when flying your drone,
so keep that in mind for your overall budget. Also keep in mind that prices of drones are
likely to change over time, so click the links below for the most up to date prices.
Alright, so let’s get into it.
First up is the versatile Parrot ANAFI, which is the only portable drone with a camera that
tilts 180 degrees (including straight up). It also has a 3-axis gimbal that shoots 4K
HDR video with a 100 MB/s bit rate that zooms optically 2.8 times from 26-78mm for video.
The Anafi can fly in winds up to 31 miles per hour and shoots 21 MP photos with an
ability to fly up to 2 miles away. It also gives you up to 25 minutes of flight time
and is portable for travel. It also has 3 different options in this price category,
including the base model or extended which comes with a few extra batteries and carrying bag,
the Parrot Anafi FPV with first person view goggles, and Parrot Anafi Work for $1000, which
allows you to capture 3D models on Capture 4D at no extra cost. So the Parrot Anafi base model is
the most affordable, but you also have options for an FPV experience and working with photogrammetry,
real estate, and many other applications. Next up is the DJI Mavic Air 2, which is
the best bang for the buck. This portable drone shoots 4K up to 60 fps, more range,
up to 6 miles, and flight time, up to 34 minutes, than any of these drones under $1000. With it’s
½-inch camera sensor, it is able to get very good image quality, taking up to 48MP photos
and capturing 8K hyperlapses. Because the controller is almost identical to the DJI Mini 2,
you can use the Mini 2 controller to fly the Air 2 as well. By the time you are watching this video,
I imagine DJI will sell the Mavic Air 2 aircraft by itself, and I imagine the Mini 2, so that you
only need one controller to fly 2 drones. If I had to choose a drone under $1000, I would not
hesitate to get the Mavic Air 2, and I’d recommend the combo because it comes with 3 batteries,
a charging hub, and a carrying bag that you wish you had bought if you only bought the base model.
The last drone in this category is world’s best fully autonomous, self-flying drone,
the Skydio 2, which is great for vloggers and anyone who wants to film themselves
without technical skills. Skydio guarantees that this drone will not crash, and will repair or
replace the drone if this happens during the first year. In this category, the Skydio 2 produces the
best color in its images, and can shoot 4K up to 60 fps and 12 MP photos. It also has a Beacon,
or magic wand that allows the drone to follow you up to 1.5 km away. With the remote controller you
get up to 3.5 km range. This drone is portable, but doesn’t fold up like its peers. It is also
newer on the scene than DJI and it’s an American company with the best artificial intelligence
on the market. It could be the darkhorse in this category, but some might view it as a one-trick
pony. While the artificial intelligence makes this drone difficult to crash, it doesn’t provide quite
as smooth shots as I would hope for while it tracks a person or subject. Thus, I would still
go with the Mavic Air 2 because of its longer flight time, range, portability, and ability
to upgrade to more expensive drones in the DJI lineup while having experience with DJI drones.
I don’t think you can make a bad decision in this price category - you’re going to get a great drone
no matter which drone you choose. Again, links to all these drones in the description below.
And as I always mention, buying the right drone is only half of the battle. Learning how to
technically and creatively use them is the more important half. So if you get the Mavic Air 2,
make sure to check out DJI Drone Pro, the Ultimate DJI Drone Course to help you get setup, become a
better filmmaker and photographer while mastering your Mavic. You can learn more about that
course here or in the link below. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe for content just like this.
If you have any questions, please let me know. And remember, Fly Like a Pro!