To have a drone basically means to always have your personal flying camera at your disposal. Well, technically not always because you can’t carry these bulky drones with you wherever you go. But it’s a whole different story if you own a portable one that fits into your pocket (a.k.a. pocket drone).
It goes without saying that such a compact size eliminates the need for additional or dedicated carrying cases that we are used to seeing with full-size models.
But there’s a catch – most of these pocket-sized drones aren’t really up to the task of capturing great aerial videos. In fact, most of them suck with their tiny VGA cameras that don’t do any good in terms of quality. Still, there are models with a better quality camera available, but they’re going to get you back at least a few hundred bucks… But if you ask me, it’s more than worth it!
Look at it this way – you can spend $50 on a pocket drone with a camera that’s going to disappoint you with its aerial photography performance. On the other hand, increase the price to $200-$300 and you’ll be able to get an FHD or even a 4K pocket drone with a camera. And trust me, there’s a significant difference!
With all that in mind, I’ve come up with a list of the TOP 5 mini pocket drones to suit everyone’s taste. The price ranges from $100 all the way to $500 so I’m pretty sure there’s something for everyone. So, let’s dig right into the list and check out these five awesome pocket drones!
WHAT IS THE BEST POCKET DRONE WITH CAMERA?
Don’t worry, we’re no longer going to waste your precious time! We’ll get right to our list of the top five pocket-sized drones available for purchase:
5. ZEROTECH DOBBY
Zerotech Dobby is a magnificent pocket-sized drone, first and foremost. But that’s not all, Zerotech Dobby also has great hardware as well. It’s not too short in terms of features either. But, let’s just take one thing at a time. Before we jump to the features and all that good stuff, first, we’ll take a closer look at its performance and see if it suits your needs!
Powered by a quad-core Snapdragon processor, 2 GB of RAM and Adreno 330 GPU, there is no doubt that Zerotech Dobby is a beast. This is further improved by the rest of its hardware. Take the battery as a perfect example—a 970mAh 2S LiPo pack that takes about 7 to 9 minutes of air time. The operating range is also not too far away – up to 100 meters in clear and unobstructed areas.
We should not forget the user-friendly and practical DoFun app (which works on both iOS and Android). All A’s in the Zerotech Dobby Department, there’s no doubt about that! But, let’s move on to the camera, and the other features…
The camera (AKA DOBBY Module) offers unrivaled image quality thanks to its 13MPX CMOS sensor. Electronic image stabilization (EIS) smoothens videos to a respectable standard. Unfortunately, this only works in the FHD. Oh, I forgot to tell you that Zerotech Dobby’s camera is capable of recording a solid 30fps 4K resolution. Lower that to 1080p, and you’ll get 60fps of smooth footage. Truly impressive!
The features are nothing short of brilliant. GPS+GLONASS coverage, level 4 wind resistance and a nicely foldable design that allows it to be carried anywhere you go. Other features include the Gravity Sensor Control, Voice Control, Altitude Hold, Flips, and the ever-popular Follow Me Mode.
4. DJI SPARK
Next up, we have DJI-Spark, a highly popular model that continues to reign in the market. This amazing drone provides the most cutting-edge technology within a compact package! Let’s see this guy in action!
First, we should address the performance of DJI Spark’s battery Don’t worry, it’s very good. It is a 3S LiPo pack with 1400mAh. Depending on the kind of flight, your estimate is somewhere between 15 to 16 minutes. While it is not equal to the full-sized models, it is the best microdrones you can find. Said to supposedly range from 500 to 2000m with a dedicated controller That is, provided you get the FCC-approved version or not
If you’re interested in getting great aerial photos or videos using the DJI Spark, you will find the camera to be very impressive. T he launch of the Spark product established a new paradigm for high-end, compact, all-purpose drones.
Most importantly – features! In addition to the full DJI GO app suite of flight features, DJI Spark has facial recognition and gestures as well as other notable features. Naturally, of course, it has all the sensors you can ask for. It’s remarkably consistent and very simple to control, so it’s an excellent for beginners.
3. HOVER CAMERA
The Hover Camera drone makes for an interesting design because of priority on safety. But in addition to it being safe, it boasts good navigation and a state-of-of-the-the-art camera that allows it to take awesome selfies in mid-air. All that being considered, let’s just jump to the results.
To begin with, there is only one downside to Hover Camera Passport, and that is the operating range. You see, Hover Camera Passport is one of those smartphones controlled devices. Sadly, however, it has a restricted operating range of only 20 meters.
Nevertheless, know that this is only a selfie drone that is mostly autonomous. Let’s be honest, the ideal selfie-taking distance is 20 meters. On the bright side, the battery can last up to 10 minutes. Additionally, the standard Hover Camera Passport bundle gives you two batteries that give you up to 20 minutes of total flight time.
Facial recognition is supported by multiple filming modes. If I am to be more precise here, this birdie sports orbit, 360 spin, and more. It’s a carbon fiber body that’s both lightweight and strong at the same time. Also, it compresses into half its size for easy portability.
Finally, we’re getting to the highlight of Hover Camera Passport — the imaging system (AKA camera). We are referring to a 13MP CCD sensor with an adjustable lens. That is extremely rare for smaller drones . Even so, it sounds like a fantastic choice! Furthermore, Hover Camera Passport can record videos in 4K and FSK 4K at 30 fps and 60 fps.
2. DJI MAVIC MINI
The DJi Mavic Mini is the best pocket drone you can get for your money. In fact, it actually, since we’re comparing performance and size, the Mavic is on top of the class. Dji Mavic Air will have better camera performance and obstacle avoidance, but will be costlier and bigger than is fella.
This is the best DJI Mavic ever! This model can fly for up to 30 minutes on a single charge. That’s right! Now y ou can start to get an idea of how much of a powerhouse the DJI Mavic Mini is. Plus with an operating range of 3-4km, whats not to love?
In regards to features, the DJI Mavic can offer several modes, as well as everything you need. return to home, GPS altitude hold, etc. It is a really well-rounded drone that can fit in your pocket and doesn’t fall short in specs and features.
If there is one thing that is consistently mentioned as the DJI Mavic Mini’s biggest flaw, it is unquestionably its camera. Don’t get me wrong: we’re talking about a hardware-stabilized CMOS sensor with a maximum resolution of 2.7K. That translates to superb crispness in still images and butter smooth footage regardless of weather conditions.
But what exactly is the issue? People want 4K resolution. They are convinced that 4K is vastly superior to 2.7K, despite the fact that this is not the case. Yes, there is a difference, no doubt about it, but even I can’t say it’s significant, let alone massive. So, no, I don’t see the lack of 4K as a major disadvantage here… However, your mileage may vary.
1. DJI MAVIC AIR – THE BEST POCKET DRONE
The DJI Mavic Air is, in my personal opinion, the best pocket-sized drone on the market right now. Yes, it won’t fit in a pocket, but it’s still small and lightweight, especially when folded. That is unmistakably backpack material. DJI Mavic Air offers a plethora of features as well as a strong layer of functionalities and dependability, making it suitable for consumers and end – users. The features available on the DJI Mavic Air are simply phenomenal. Not only does it have the basic features you’d expect from a drone (such as altitude hold and GPS), but it also has a slew of features intended towards more advanced users. That refers primarily to obstacle avoidance, object tracking, and autonomous modes, such as the popular DJI QuickShots.
The DJI Mavic Air’s camera can capture 4K imagery at 30 frames per second. The final results are clean and crystal clear, befitting for the predicesor of the DJI Mavic. The DJI Mavic Air is the best mini aerial camera you can get your hands on right now.
When it comes to overall performance, only a few models can compete with the DJI Mavic Air. DJI Mavic Air can fly for up to 20 minutes thanks to its powerful LiPo battery, power efficient brushless motors, and lightweight design. If you choose the DJI Mavic Air Fly More Combo, you will receive not only two extra batteries, but also a carrying case, extra propellers, and a dedicated controller that increases the drone’s range to 4 kilometers. As a result, the DJI Mavic Air can fly for about an hour and reach farther than a typical pocket-sized drone.
FAQ: POCKET DRONES
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A POCKET DRONE WITH CAMERA?
The main advantage of owning a pocket drone is obvious: you can take it almost anywhere you want to go without weighing yourself down with extra luggage. Simply put your mini-drone in your pocket and you’re ready to go. With recent technological advancements, pocket-sized drones are capable of providing premium features… which brings us to the following Frequently Asked Question…
DOES SMALL SIZE MEAN BAD PERFORMANCE?
There is a widespread misconception that small drones are usually toy-grade. This was, in fact, the case until very recently. To be more specific, pocket drones were synonymous with toy-grade drones until the introduction of the first high-end selfie drones. Specifically, I’m referring to the DJI Mavic Air and Mavic Mini, which essentially invented the high-end selfie drone niche on their own.
In other words, what I’m trying to say here is that small drones don’t always perform poorly. There are still plenty of toy-grade ones available, but the high-end market also has several tiny beasts.
WHICH POCKET DRONE HAS THE LONGEST RANGE?
If you’ve gone completely through the list above and still can’t decide which drone to buy, perhaps the following questions will help. First up is the DJI Mavic Air, the pocket drone with by far the most range. That is, of course, if you purchase the DJI Spark Fly More Combo, which bundles everything into a low-cost package. Without it, your Mavic Air’s range will be limited.
WHICH POCKET DRONE HAS THE LONGEST FLIGHT TIME?
In terms of flight time, the DJI Mavic Mini is the clear winner. As previously stated, the DJI Mavic Mini has a lightweight design and a powerful LiPo battery that supposedly allows for up to 30 minutes of flight time. However, in realistic scenarios and while recording in 2.7K, you should be looking at around 25-27 minutes… making it the best pocket drone of the bunch.
WHICH POCKET DRONE HAS THE BEST CAMERA?
Even though the DJI Spark was a strong contender in this category, it fell short due to its limited recording resolution of 1080p. Our winner, on the other hand, can produce ultra-crisp 4K video. But which of the several 4K-ready drones on the list above am I referring to? Believe it or not, I’m referring to the DJI Mavic Air, which not only captures buttery smooth 4K video but also HDR content.
CONCLUSION
That’s all there is to our pocket-sized drones! Those five compact little buggers should have piqued your interest, if only for a moment. A few of them are absolute budget kings, capable of delivering a good all-around performance in a surprisingly small form factor.
The final two models, the DJI Mavic Mini and Mavic Air, are significantly more expensive than the three models mentioned above, but they have hardware that justifies the higher price.
Overall, there is a lot of variety in terms of pocket size drones in 2020. You have a lot of good models to choose from, which is always a plus…
