Best Drones with Live Camera – quadcopters with video feed

Samuel J Tan Cameras 0

For newbies to professionals, there is a drone out there for you. Here are some of the best drones for recreational to professional applications. While some drones may cost close to $1000, majority of these hovers around the $100 mark or less which is great news for everyone shopping for one.

We consider quadcopters with camera attachment and First Person View (FPV) offering users with live video feed on their smartphone or tablet which they can conveniently mount on the remote on some models. This is the best experience when flying a drone. There are also drones with companion apps that let you fly the drone using the app on your smartphone instead of the remote. For each of these apps that we look at, we list the relevant features that appeal to us.

Table of Contents

Best Drones: 12 of the Best Quadcopters with Camera

Here is what we found, highly rated quadcopters with live HD cameras. A couple of these even have professional 4K Ultra HD high resolution cameras.

U45 Blue Jay WiFi FPV Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera
U818A Wifi FPV Drone with HD Camera
Holy Stone HS110 FPV Drone with 720P HD Live Video Wifi Camera
Holy Stone HS200 FPV Drone with HD Wifi Camera
DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Quadcopter Drone with 2.7K HD Video Camera – GOOD BATTERY LIFE
Holy Stone F181 RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera
Autel Robotics XSTAR-PREM-OR X-Star Premium Drone with 4K Camera – 4K CAMERA, BEST BATTERY LIFE
Holy Stone X400C FPV RC Quadcopter Drone with Wifi Camera
DBPOWER MJX X400W FPV Drone with Wifi Camera
DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter 4K UHD Video Camera Drone – 4K CAMERA, GOOD BATTERY LIFE
DBPOWER UDI U842 Predator WiFi FPV Drone with HD Camera
QCopter QC1 Drone Quadcopter with HD Camera

BONUS:

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter Drone with 2.7K HD Video Camera – BEST BATTERY LIFE
Parrot Bebop 2 Quadcopter Drone with Skycontroller 2 & Cockpit FPV Glasses, 14 MP lens with Full HD Video – BEST BATTERY LIFE
DJI Phantom 4 and DJI Phantom 4 Pro

U45 Blue Jay WiFi FPV Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera

The Blue Jay offers Live Video Plus Remote Control app. The first person view function over WiFi is also compatible with VR headset so you can control the drone with the remote and have a complete and non-distracted view of what the drone sees. It features altitude hold function making it easy for beginners and great for taking aerial shots minus the shakes and motion blurs. With the mobile app, you can also create custom routes allowing the drone to take a flight path unassisted. The mounted 2 megapixel camera captures photos and 720p HD videos and saves this to the included MicroSD card. Other features include headless mode, one button take off, one button landing and perform 360° flips and rolls once you mastered the controls.

Flight time: 7-8 minutes
Charging time: 70 minutes
3.7V 500mAh Battery x 2
2.4GHz remote controller
Micro SD card reader and 4GB Micro SD card included

U818A Wifi FPV Drone with HD Camera

The U818A is sold by different vendors uses the same remote and app seen in the U45 above. The drone also has a 2 megapixel camera mounted allowing for capturing of photos and HD videos at 1280 x 720 at 30 FPS, great for aerial photography and video. It features altitude hold where with a push of a button, sets the drone to hover, stabilising the camera and lets you take optimal aerial photos and videos. It also features headless mode, allowing you to pilot the drone to any location without worrying about the direction the drone is facing. Other features include; one button take off and landing and charting your flight path using the app in flight route mode. User claims flight time to be around 10 minutes.

Flight Time: approx. 10 minutes
Battery: 3.7V 500mAh Battery x 2
2.4GHz remote controller
Micro SD card reader and 4GB Micro SD card included

Holy Stone HS110 FPV Drone with 720P HD Live Video Wifi Camera

The Holy Stone HS110 features a 2.4GHz controller with 4 channels, 6-Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter with video camera offering 720p real time video first person view and for capturing photos and videos with a smartphone. It features altitude hold, so you can keep the drone hovering in one place and take that great photo or video. The companion app lets you access different functions like gravity sensor mode to control the drone, use the on screen controller and operate the camera. It also features headless mode and one key return home function. Available in Black or Green.

Flight Time: 7-9 minutes
Charging Time: 60 minutes
Battery: 3.7V 650mAh LiPo Battery x 1
Dimensions and Weight: 12.6 x 12.6 x 2.6 Inches, 108 grams
2.4GHz controller with phone holder, 4GB microSD card included.

Holy Stone HS200 FPV Drone with HD Wifi Camera

Camera: 2megapixel with 720p real time live first person video feed (1280 x 720 pixel)
Flight Time: 7-9 mins
Charging Time: 60 mins with 3.7V 650mAh LiPo Battery
Remote: 2.4GHz 4CH controller with 6-Axis Gyro Quadcopter with 100-120 meter range. Video transmission range: 50 meter.
Features: Altitude hold, mobile app remote control, headless mode, one key return home function
SD card slot with 4GB Micro-SD card

DJI Phantom 3 Advanced Quadcopter Drone with 2.7K HD Video Camera

The DJI Phantom differentiates itself from the rest in that the camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal and captures up to 2.7K HD video. It stream 720p video for live viewing while simultaneously record video on the internal micro SD card with DJI Lightbridge Video Downlink. The DJI Pilo app for iOS and Android lets you access the live view and control the camera. Use the Phantom 3 remote control together with a tablet or smartphone (not included) to take full control of your drone and access the drones functions. There is also a unique Beginner Mode that lets you learn to fly safely in a limited area. It also features an extended 5km range (outdoor and unobstructed) and outdoor global positioning module.

Flight time: 23 minutes – BETTER FLIGHT TIME
Range: FCC：5 km (outdoors and unobstructed) CE：3.5 km
Positioning: GPS+GLOMAsS Dual Module

Holy Stone F181 RC Quadcopter Drone with HD Camera – NO LIVE FEED, VIDEO CAPTURE ONLY

The Holy Stone F181 feature a more familiar game console like remote. The drone is equipped with a single key return function, headless mode, altitude hold function and is able to execute 360° four way flip and continuous roll. Use the onboard 2 megapixel camera to capture 1280 X 720 Picture and Video at 30 frames. The drone has no app function or live camera feed with this one unfortunately, you can watch the recorded video on the micro SD card on the computer, smartphone or tablet.

Flight Time: 7-9 mins (user reported 5-7 minutes)
Charging Time: 80 mins
Battery: 2 x 3.7V 750mAh LiPO Batteries
RTF 4 Channel 2.4GHz remote. Drone with 6-Gyro Headless System

Autel Robotics XSTAR-PREM-OR X-Star Premium Drone with 4K Camera – 4K CAMERA, BEST BATTERY LIFE

The X-STAR Premium from Autel Robotics offers HD Live View with an extended range up to 1.2 miles. It also comes with a large 64GB memory card for 4K video footage. The camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal for smooth video and aside from 4K video, takes 12 megapixel photos. The Starlink mobile app offers additional features. The onboard intelligent flight control system together with dual GPS and GLONASS satellite navigation and aided by Starpoint Positioning System allows the drone to stay safe and stable. SecureFly technology lets your drone come back safely. The mobile app features follow, orbit, waypoints controls and lets remotely adjust the camera settings and record in flight images.

Flight Time: 25 minutes – BEST FLIGHT TIME
Charging Time: 90 minutes
Battery: 14.8 V LiPo battery
Starlink App for live view, flight control and camera settings

Holy Stone X400C FPV RC Quadcopter Drone with Wifi Camera

The Holy Stone X400C Quadcopter has powerful, responsive motors. There are a couple of warnings from the manufacturer to keep the drone safe, mostly common sense stuff like adjusting the throttle slowly to avoid damage caused by loss of control and allow the motor and circuit board to cool down between flight or after extended use. The onboard camera offers first person real time view and lets you capture aerial photos as well as high definition video. The 6 axis gyro system on the drone offers super stable flight. Use the 3D flips function on the 2.4G radio control transmitter for stunts including other 3D action moves. The remote can be Left/right throttle control switch mode,can be switched between Left Hand Throttle and Right Hand Throttle Throttle limit mode designed for protecting the safety of the beginners

Flight Time: 8 minutes
Charging Time: 80 minutes
Battery: 3.7V 750mAh Li-Polymer

DBPOWER MJX X400W FPV Drone with Wifi Camera – NO SD FLASH

The DBPOWER MJX X400W offers headless mode for easy control. The Live Video feed on the MJX FPV Companion App can also be split for use on a compatible VR headset. It also features a single button 3D roll function using its 6-Axis gyro assisted flying control system. Photos and video are stored both on the mobile App but no SD card.

Flight Time: 8-9 minutes
Range: 100 meter
Battery: 3.7V 750 mAh Li-po battery
Dimensions and Weight: 30 x 30 x 7.5 cm, 112 grams
2.4GHz 4 Chanel controller, 6 Axis Gyro RTF RC Quadcopter

DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter 4K UHD Video Camera Drone – 4K CAMERA, GOOD BATTERY LIFE

The flagship drone from DJI, Phantom 3 Professional offers aerial videographers the best high quality Ultra HD 4K video at 30 frames per second, a professional grade equipment designed for stable and smooth shots. The camera also captures 12 megapixel stills and is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal. Like the Phantom 3 Advanced, it also has a 23 minute flight time per charge and an extended range of up to 5km. The DJI Lightbridge Video Downlink offers live 720p HD view on tablet or smartphone using the DJI Pilo app. A Vision Positioning System allows for stable indoor flights. For outdoor, there is the dual GPS and GLONASS for positioning.

Flight Time: 23 minutes – BETTER FLIGHT TIME
Range: FCC：5 km (outdoors and unobstructed) CE：3.5 km
Positioning: GPS+GLOMAsS Dual Module

DBPOWER UDI U842 Predator WiFi FPV Drone with HD Camera

The DBPOWER UDI U842 Predator comes with low voltage alarm, gravity induction and headless mode. It also includes a spare bonus battery to extend your flight time. Use the remote or download the remote control app to fly the drone or together for live video feed. There is a micro SD slot and 4GB micro SD to record your footage. Gravity Induction: Allows you to fly your drone Forward, Backward, Left or Right in correspondence to the angle at which you hold your mobile device.

Flight Time: 6-9 minutes
Charging Time: 150 minutes
Range: 50-80 meter
Video Transmission Range: 30 meter
2.4G 4CH controller, 6 Axis Gyro RTF, 4GB micro SD card included

QCopter QC1 Drone Quadcopter with HD Camera – NO LIVE FEED, VIDEO CAPTURE ONLY

At the time of writing, the manufacturer has offer a second battery as a bonus bringing the total flight time up to 30 minutes. A quick reset procedure should the drone starts to misbehave and not hover properly or drifting to the side using the remote controller. The drone lacks First Person View but comes with microSD slot. A black version is also available.

Flight Time: up to 15 minutes from 3.7 V 1100 MAh
Charge Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Weight: 125 grams
Features: LED lights for nigh illumination, 6-acis gyrocopter, HD camera with bird eye view for photos but no First Person View or live video feed.

BONUS:

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter Drone with 2.7K HD Video Camera – BEST BATTERY LIFE

Flight Time: 25 mins
Camera: 1/2.3-inch sensor 12 megapixel resolution on 3-axis Gimbal capable of capturing up to 2.7K HD video at 30 fps.
Features: Modes: return to home, auto hover, safe flight limits, Live GPS, status and direction indicators with four bright large LED on each arm. DJI Go app.

Parrot Bebop 2 Quadcopter Drone with Skycontroller 2 & Cockpit FPV Glasses, 14 MP lens with Full HD Video – BEST BATTERY LIFE

From the people that brought us stylish designer headphones and connected flower pot, Parrot has over a dozen different drones and mini drones in their product portfolio but the flagship quadcopter drone is the Parrot Bebop 2 FPV. They have since introduced the Parrot Disco FPV, the first fixed-wing drone that can fly up to 50mph. But, as we are looking at quad-copters only here, our favourite has to be the Parrot Bebop 2 with the new generation skycontroller 2 and Cockpit FPV Glasses for an immersive flying experience. Easily the most complete kit and the only one with a cockpit glasses.

Flight Time: 25 mins with 2700mAh battery
Camera: Shoot Full HD 1080p video and 14MP photos with wide-angle camera on 3-axis digital stabilisation system. Footage captured in RAW, JPEG and DNG format.
Features: Seven sensors simultaneously to ensure maximum stability in flight. Made from hard plastic for durability. Includes Parrot Skycontroller 2 and Cockpit glasses for immersive flight experience.

DJI Phantom 4 – BEST BATTERY LIFE

Flight Time: 28 mins
Camera: capture 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor 12.4megapixel resolution on 30-axis Gimbal able to capture 4K at 30fps and Full HD 1080 at 20fps for slow motion
Features: Obstacle Sensing System, Modes: precision hovering, tap to fly, visual tracking, sport mode, return to home. DJI Go app.

DJI Phantom 4 Pro – BEST BATTERY LIFE

Flight Time: approx. 30 minutes
Camera: 1-inch CMOS sensor 20 megapixel resolution capable of 4K/60fps and capturing stills in burst mode at 14 fps on 3-axis Gimbal (pitch, roll, yaw)
Range: 4.3 miles (7 km long range) long range control
Notable Features: Flight Autonomy system infrared sensing systems and dual rear vision sensors for 5-direction obstacle sensing and 4-direction obstacle avoidance. Flight modes: Draw, ActivieTrack, TapFly, Return to Home and Gesture Mode. DJI Go app.