Drones have become increasingly popular for their storytelling ability and dramatic perspectives. Choosing a drone that travels well without compromising camera quality and features is a must for content creators.
The good news is that drones are getting smaller while their camera specs and abilities exceed their larger predecessors.
While many drone manufacturers have made massive strides, this guide will focus specifically on DJI’s best travel drone options.
Let’s dive in and look at the best travel drones in 2022.
1. DJI Mini 2
A great lightweight travel drone that’s packed with intelligent features.
The DJI Mini 2 is an ultra-lightweight drone that packs a serious punch. It easily fits in the palm of your hand and only weighs 249 grams, making it the best travel drone if you’re tight on space. Thanks to its lightweight design, many countries don’t require the drone to be registered as it falls under 250 grams.
Surprisingly, this little beast is equipped with a 4K camera mounted to a 3-axis motorized gimbal. Capture stunning 12 MP images and vivid 4K video at 30 FPS. Using the built-in QuickShots feature, content creators can record professional manoeuvers with a few taps.
31 minutes of flight time ensures you’ll have plenty of time to capture those Instagram-worthy shots. When you have finished flying, easily download and edit footage through the DJI Fly App. With so many features packed into the small size of the DJI Mini 2, it’s easy to see why it’s a great travel companion.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: 1/2.3” CMOS, 12 MP
- Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS
- Flight Time: 31 Minutes
- Other Features: 10km 720p video transmission, 4X digital zoom, level 5 wind resistance, downward vision sensors, GPS precise hover.
2. DJI Mini 3 Pro
A fantastic drone for short-form content like Reels or Tik Tok.
If you want to step up your content creation, the DJI Mini 3 Pro has a unique feature you won’t find elsewhere. The gimbal can be positioned vertically or horizontally, making it the ultimate social media drone.
As short-form video content grows in popularity, the ability to record drone footage vertically for social media is a game-changer. The 4K camera records incredible 48 MP photos, video at 60 FPS, and HDR at 30 FPS. Record at night like never before with the dual native ISO, which reveals more details in highlights and shadows.
Tri-Directional Obstacle Sensing keeps your drone safe so you can focus on creating that next epic Reel or Tik Tok. Tap into the intelligent features to tell your story with FocusTrack, MasterShots, and Timelapse. Enjoy a worry-free flight when upgrading to the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, which features 47 minutes of flight time.
The foldable ultra-light DJI Mini 3 Pro might be the best travel drone in terms of portability and capability.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48 MP
- Video Resolution: 4K at 60 FPS, HDR at 30 FPS
- Flight Time: 34 minutes (standard battery)
- Other Features: APAS 4.0, DJI RC Remote compatible, QuickTransfer.
3. DJI Mavic Air 2S
A great travel drone that offers phenomenal image quality and portability.
For most content creators, the best travel drone delivers both image quality and portability; with the DJI Mavic Air 2S, you will never have to choose. Its 1-inch CMOS sensor, compact body, and intelligent flight functions create a content creation powerhouse.
Capture rich 20 MP images and dynamic videos at an impressive 5.4K at 30 FPS or 4K at 60 FPS. Easily record through the night with a high dynamic range that produces crisp, clear images. The ability to shoot RAW format photos provides more flexibility for post-production, opening endless creative opportunities.
The DJI Mavic Air 2S acts as your own film crew with autonomous flight modes like MasterShots. Choose from Portrait, Proximity, or Landscape to create the perfect cinematic moment. Are you looking to amp up your content even more? FocusTrack will allow you to quickly identify a subject and follow it for buttery smooth shots.
With directional obstacle avoidance, incredible camera specs, and portability, it’s no wonder why the DJI Mavic Air 2S is a great travel drone.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: 1-inch CMOS, 20 MP
- Video Resolution: 5.4K at 30 FPS, 4K at 60 FPS
- Flight Time: 31 minutes
- Other Features: Hyperlapse + Panorama, DJI AirSense, 4-direction obstacle avoidance, OcuSync 3.0.
4. DJI FPV Drone
The best off-the-shelf FPV drone for any skill level.
The DJI FPV is not a conventional drone in any way, and it’s built for an immersive experience that delivers high-speed action shots. DJI designed its first-ever FPV drone so anyone can fly it, ready to go right out of the box.
Whip through the skies, over mountains, through the trees, and everywhere in between with a max speed of 86 mph (140 kph). Never worry about crashing with the Emergency Brake and Hover safety features. Choose from three flying modes to improve your FPV flying skills and turn into a master pilot.
Capture stunning footage with the 4K/60 FPS Super-Wide lens that brings your surroundings to life through the DJI FPV goggles. Become one with the drone and fly the drone with the flick of your wrist using the revolutionary Motion Controller.
The best travel drone will differ from person to person, but if you’re looking for a truly unique perspective, look no further.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: 1/2.3” CMOS, 20 MP
- Video Resolution: 4K at 60 FPS
- Flight Time: 20 minutes
- Other Features: HD Low-Latency Transmission, customizable front LEDs, OcuSync 3.0.
5. DJI Mavic 3
A professional-grade drone packed with intelligent flight and sensing features.
If you need extended flight time, portability, and top-notch specs, then the DJI Mavic 3 is a worthy contender. It features a dual-camera system with a Hasselblad 4/3 sensor and a ½” Tele camera sensor with 28x hybrid zoom. Enjoy 20 MP images and stunning 5.1k video resolution.
One of the best features of the DJI Mavic 3 is the incredible flight time of 46 minutes. Additionally, omnidirectional obstacle sensing and the advanced Return-to-Home feature keep your drone safe so you can focus on creating content. The upgraded transmission system also enables a maximum range of 9.3 miles (15km).
The DJI Mavic 3 is also available in the CINE configuration, which has all of the same great features, but it also supports Apple ProRES and has a built-in 1 TB SSD. Whichever one you decide on, there is no doubt that the Mavic 3 is an excellent travel drone.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: 4/3 CMOS, 20 MP
- Video Resolution: 5.1K at 50 FPS, 4K at 120 FPS
- Flight Time: 46 minutes
- Other Features: Built-in 8GB SSD, APAS 5.0, QuikTransfer, ActiveTrack 5.0, MasterShots, Panorama, Hyperlapse, QuickShots.
How to Make Money With Your Travel Drone
I hope this guide makes finding the best travel drone a breeze (pun intended). Having a drone really opens a new perspective for telling a story. Think of your new drone as a tool, and I’m here to help teach you how to implement it into your workflow. Interested in content creation but don’t know where to start? Check out my brand new 10 Day Creator Challenge here!
Let’s get lost in the next one!
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