Ultimate Drone Buying Guide for Total Beginners 2023
Ultimate Drone Buying Guide for Total Beginners 2023
Best Camera Drones for beginners that still shoot pro quality video and photos compared:
DJI Mini 2 vs. DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. Mini 3 vs. Air 2S vs. Autel Evo Nano Plus vs. Mavic 3 vs. Mavic 3 Classic vs. Autel Evo Lite Plus vs. DJI Inspire 2 with X5S
Link for the Cinematography & Editing drone course, includes the drone business/marketing course now too so they are just one thing.
$100 Off because I love you I guess:
https://courses.dronelaunchacademy.com/p/aerial-video-a-to-z/?product_id=872022&coupon_code=GROOVYLITTLEDISCOUNT&affcode=58782_fajjfmbu
If you cannot get the best thing do not stress about it, all of the drones I go over are still incredible to be able to get as “entry level.”
Even the Mini 2 is STILL an awesome drone. Mini 2 SE should be shipping when I post this, so that would be your model to go for (same as Mini 2 but better signal).
It is a 1/2.3″ sensor and shoots 12 megapixel photos but it is PLENTY to grow with. Just find it used on Craigslist, Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, Offerup for like $300 or lower.
Mini 2 SE (2020) – $350
(used to be called Mini 2)
4K Video, RAW photos photos, no collision sensors but can live in your pocket
Mini 3 (2022) – $450
4K, RAW photos, Great connection, Vertical Filming, .76 inch sensor, really impressive for the convenience and ease
Mini 3 Pro (2022) – $750/$900
Get the $900 one, it is a billion times worth having a dedicated smart remote especially for so little extra.
.76 inch sensor, 4K footage, vertical filming, 12 megapixel RAW photos, quietest body type, looks like a bug when its flying. Could write a book about this thing. By far the most fun, incredible connection. Footage often looks like it came from a bigger drone. Activetrack to follow you around if you care about that.
I’ve got a review on the Mini 3 Pro as well, LOVE it.
Air 2S (2021) – $1000
Not as fun as Mini 3, not as quality as Mavic 3, so kind of neither benefit. Color profile is sometimes maybe gud, sometimes maybe sheit.
5.4K footage, 1 inch sensor. 20 megapixel photos which is great for pros.
60fps if you care (I don’t). After the Mini 3 Pro being out for a year, that thing just overperforms and I’d say just get a Mini 3 Pro instead.
Mavic 2 Pro (2018) – $700 Used
King of drones up until 2021. 1 inch sensor, 20 megapixel RAW photos. Beautiful image but software/firmware is getting dated. You would do better with most newer drones.
Autel Evo Lite Plus (2022) – $1100
6K 1 inch sensor, 20 megapixel photos. Flies pretty rigid so stick to front/back and left/right. Really nice picture, lovely reds like in all Autels. Oversharpened image but I can live with that. Fun colors to pick from give extra points, could use on a work day no sweat. Doesn’t beat DJI but this isn’t bad.
Autel Evo Nano Plus (2022) – $700
4K footage, f1.7 lens (just means a bit brighter image) 12 megapixels. Features promoted at launch still haven’t come, software janky crashes. Was not a good time. Great at low-light and sunsets compared to the Mini 3 Pro though, that is the one strong suit. Everywhere else it loses bad.
Mavic 3 – $2150/$2850
4/3 inch Sensor, 5.1K footage, 20mp photos. Long flight time. Get the normal version not the $4000 Cine version if you don’t know what Prores format is.
This is the Business Class plane ticket drone, there is no going back after having this. Unbelievable dynamic range. UNREAL stability, default color, flight control, flexible rich data for color grading.
A 7x zoom lens comes on Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine, not perfect but SO fun to use that thing. Great for cool angles and cinematography nerds. In general most of what I film on this drone looks better in the end than what I thought I was getting while shooting. They knocked it out of the park with this drone, no limits honestly.
Mavic 3 Classic
Not typing all that again, you get the point. Minus the Zoom lens, everything else is the same. Crapping myself at the price being so cheap now.
DJI Mini 4 – No, don’t even start asking.
Inspire 2 + X5S camera – $8000+ Used
Shoots 6K RAW Video (literally filming in RAW photos)
5.2K 422 Prores and 4K Proress 4444 incase you know what that all means. Cinema formats but such a pain to lug around, and the noise is a lot. It’s more like a once in a while, Ace in the hole to blow something out the water or shoot Stock Footage and practice cinematography. Interchangeable lenses are really nice too.
I have other videos on making money, go watch those if you need.
If you want the fastest way to get better footage, watch the Cinematography one, trust me it is very necessary.
00:00 .
00:40 Buying a cheap drone
01:30 Photo/Video Drones
02:08 Drones Listed
03:10 Drone Quality comparison
03:55 DJI Drones
04:38 Drones Tech Update
06:07 Used Drones
07:52 Noise Test
09:00 Mavic 3 Best Drone
09:50 Sensor chart comparison
11:08 Photography
11:44 Avoid Salesy Words
13:15 SMART REMOTE!!!
14:09 Make a Decision
14:25 Mini 3 Pro vs Mavic 3
16:40 Best Experience
17:20 Fastest Way to Improve
I never write comments but this was the best guide/recommendation video I’ve ever watched! Thanks for the great content man
… Obviously he made this video before the neo came out
You make more points per minute than I can count. Thanks for the excellent context and reasonable comparisons!
dont buy any, they cost a fortune to repair and youll be without for weeks
I have lots of experience with RC fixed winged aircraft and crashing RC helicopters. I now actually have a need for a drone that videos landscape features. But I don’t know what to get. Now I do, thanks Quickass😅
give me one mr
i thought the avada 2
Are those drones made in China ?
Absolutely fantastic and informative. Thank you for making my chose.
Presentful , very well spoken while guiding an audience by same time multi tasking in his house to take a wild horse (or big ass drone )minus gps indoor his living room for a ride without turning sheer curtains into packing material.
Most excellent friend to a new
Drone
adventure .
Great Showman ,
& rock of information
With all the features important information
Typed in budget drones and YouTube shows me a video with the cheapest drone at 350 dollars 😅😂😂😂😂😂
Bro, please give me one of those drones, bro. I really want to have one. I already have a complete package. I hope I can get one of those drones 🙏🙏😩
Can you review a dji neo?
The inspire s5 was scary 😂😂
I wasn’t expecting this video to be so focused on photography.
Of course, I never been to this channel before.
Isn’t Dji going to get band?
First! Good to see you Alex, your tutorials helped me a great deal when I just started, and now I have my own drone business. Can’t express my gratitude enough.
Thank you !!
Post Production workflow is so important. Can you describe yours and what software you would recommend. It is not all about the drone, it is what you do with your captured files. Thanks.
Funny dude, smart as well. I’d pay attention in class more if he taught me.. good job bro
Will dad finally reach out 😂😂😂😂
"The divorce draws nearer." 😂
8:33 pmsl I love this 😂
Thank you for this video!!! So much info and I decide what drone I want to go with now…. Thanks again
We limited to the mini drones in the uk it’s a joke
Dude i full out burst out laughing on the prison joke
You are awesome bro with explaining and teaching. I learned alot from this video than 100 other videos. God bless you brother. Wish you good luck
I never hit the like button on a video on youtube but i just couldn’t ignore this one ❤
Guess a dji mini 2 is enough for me or something even cheaper, I’m just looking for a drone that can take a picture at a certain height, I probably won’t be flying it that much
subscribed for the humor
GOOD VID
Hi Alex we are thinking of DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo as it is less than the DJI mini fly pro for a 10 year old. What are your thoughts?
Great content bro.. your sense of humor is amazing..You cracked me out several times 😅.. I’m new to drones just a beginner but I’ll subscribe to get more tips..
How much air 3 battery life ?
Great guide and a funny bits, skittles and cocaine 😂
Hi thanks for the review. I’m actually looking for a drone I can get up quickly if tresspassers are on my land to see what they are doing. Night heat sensor or somthing to see animals and people at night would be useful too.
Do you recommend one for that type of use. I’m a complete novice with verry little computer game skill.
Post Production workflow is so important. Can you describe yours and what software you would recommend. It is not all about the drone, it is what you do with your captured files. Thanks.
The the bigger sensor the better right?
What would be your drone recommendation for a real estate agent ?
I’m 86-yrs old and have been flying drones long ag! The first person to review drones that has been not only funny but well informed and I love to watch your program. Thank you for being you, sir.
"Stop annoying everyone and just get a drone" 🤣 This applies to so many other products as well.
I just want to do a flyby pass my pond but I don’t have wifi down there. Is there a $100 drone you can view video from with no wifi where the drone will be flying?
Bravo file!
Subscribed, I’m so impressed with your knowledge and no fat approach, just the meat and potatoes. Thank you for sharing your expertise and doing it without wasting time! 10 out of 10
You focused primarily on the photography aspects and completely ignored other important considerations, such as the requirement to register with the FAA if your drone weighs more than 250 grams.
Your informational video with random bits of humor are great. I will now be following you for drone advice.
I am just thinking of having something I can walk outside with, take off and fly around my little town to see what’s happening sometimes. Mini 3 it is lol
If they develop a problem like me they won’t be able to afford drugs is the best line
Dude you make very informative videos with my kind of humor 😂😂😂
Now.. to have all those drones. Wow ❤