Today, camera drones are quite a rage! And, why wouldn’t they be? After all, these amazing aircraft let you capture some wonderful aerial photos/videos, whatever the purpose may be – business or leisure! Camera Drones come in different price ranges. They can go as expensive as $2-3k. But, if you are just starting off with drone piloting, you don’t really need to buy such expensive drones. You can get some really cool devices priced under $500.
In this article, I’ve reviewed the 5 best drones available on the market under $500. You’ll find all about these drones – their features, strengths and why you should buy them.
So, let’s dive in…
5 BEST Camera Drones Under $500
Here are the five best camera drones that you can get for under $500:
DJI Spark | A Nice Entry-level Drone by DJI
- Camera: 12MP / 1080p
- Flight Time: 16 minutes
- Range: 1.2 miles
A wonderful entry-level drone by DJI, the Spark is an ultra-compact quadcopter that comes at just about $395 on Amazon (as on the date of posting this article) after a special instant discount of $50 for select users. The drone features a wonderful 12MP camera with a 2-axis stabilized gimbal for smooth and shake-free shots. The camera is capable of recording incredibly great 1080p HD aerial videos. The package includes a remote controller and an accessory kit too!
Featuring GPS & vision position-based navigation, DJI Spark offers some advanced features like obstacle detection and subject tracking from different angles. When using in sports mode, it is capable of reaching speeds of up to 31mph, which I feel is pretty great at this price point. What’s more? You get a pretty decent 16 minutes of flight time and a control range of 1.2 miles. So, whether you’re an FPV enthusiast, or a racer, or someone who’s just looking for dynamic shots, the DJI Spark is a wonderful pick!
Ruko F11 Pro | Stable Drone with Amazing Battery Life
- Camera: 4K
- Flight Time: 30 minutes
- Range: 1640 feet
An exceptionally stable & easy-to-control drone, the Ruko F11 Pro Drone features high-quality GPS & Level 7 Wind Resistance. It’s highly beginner-friendly – you can use it like a pro even if you’ve never controlled a drone before! This drone lets you shoot incredibly smooth footage with its wide-angle 4K camera, a 120° field of view (FOV), and a 90° adjustment angle for aerial shots.
The Ruko F11 Pro allows live transmission of videos via its 5GHz Wi-Fi. The drone offers a top-notch 30 minutes flight time on a single charge. What’s more, you also get an extra battery with it so you can achieve effectively 60 minutes of flight time. All these amazing features make the drone highly desirable.
DJI Mavic Mini | A Compact yet Powerful Camera Drone
- Range: 2.5 miles
- Camera: 2.7K Video / 12-MP Stills
- Flight Time: 30 minutes
The DJI Mavic Mini may look compact, but it’s loaded with some highly powerful specs. It’s your perfect companion for capturing some great aerial shots effortlessly. Mavic Mini’s camera is capable of shooting superb 2.7K HD videos and 12MP stills. The footage captured by this camera is incredibly smooth, crisp, and clear, thanks to the 3-axis motorized gimbal which provides superior camera stability.
Weighing just under 250 grams, Mavic Mini is a lightweight drone. This allowed the drone to stay up in the air longer than most other drones. When it’s fully charged, you can enjoy up to 30 minutes of flight time. Overall, it’s a great buy if you’re looking for a drone that’s compact, gives decent flight time, and comes under $500.
DJI Mini 2 | Best Portable & Lightweight Drone for Beginners
- Range: 10 km
- Camera: 4K Video / 12-MP Stills
- Flight Time: 31 minutes
A small, lightweight, and super-portable drone, the DJI Mini 2 is ideal for beginners, because it’s incredibly easy to fly. The drone can resist even level-5 winds so your footage is stable even when flying along a windy coastline! DJI Mini 2 features a high-quality 12-megapixel camera that can capture crystal clear videos with 4K resolution. With all these amazing features, it can surely transform how you capture aerial shots of your favorite memories.
The DJI Mini 2 features GPS and altitude sensors which are especially helpful for beginners. What’s more, with downward obstacle sensing and automatic return-to-home functions, you can also be sure of a safe and smooth flight. All in all, this one is our top pick when it comes to drones that are priced under $500.
Holy Stone HS700D | A Great Option for Newbies!
- Camera: 4K
- Flight Time: 22 minutes
- Range: 3280 feet
Equipped with some amazing advanced features, the Holy Stone HS700D drone is a great option for those looking for a drone under $500. The drone features a low-noise brushless motor, GPS, a pretty decent battery life, and, most importantly, a 4K camera! With its 5GHz Wi-Fi transmission capability, you can live-stream your enjoyable drone shoots too.
The Holy Stone HS700D’s 4K camera offers a 110° field of view and a 90° angle of adjustment for wide-angle shots of the surroundings. Its 2800mAh battery ensures that you get a flight time of up to 22 minutes on a single charge. Also, the drone’s 3280 feet range is something that’s pretty impressive!
Which Under $500 Camera Drone to Choose?
When it comes to choosing the best drone out of all the great options priced within $500 mentioned above, the DJI Mini 2 is a clear winner! It’s a relatively newer drone with all the latest features and top-notch specs, including a 4K camera, 10km range, and 31 minute flight time.
However, if you want a great drone with a relatively lower price but great specs, then you should go for Holy Stone HS700D.
Don’t forget to buy yourself one of 5 BEST Drone Backpacks and Cases for Carrying it Anywhere!
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you learn about some of the best drones available on the market under $500 🙂
Sharing is Caring ❤️
If you found this article useful, please share it on social media with your family and friends!
EN 
IT 
DE 
ES 
PT 
NL 
FR