Best and Cheapest Drones with Camera

 You’re interested in a drone, and don’t mind if it’s cheap. All you ask is that it includes a camera. Which drones fit the bill?

Here are the best and cheapest drones with cameras:

• Ryze Tech Tello
• Eachine EX4
• Holy Stone HS110D
• Xiaomi Fimi A3
• UDI U818A
• Holy Stone HS175D
• Drocon Ninja DC-014

As the list above shows, you can easily get your hands on a low-cost camera drone.

Keep reading for a detailed review of these drones, including specs, pros and cons, features, and more!

1. Ryze Tech Tello #

Dimensions: 98 x 92.5 x 41 mmWeight: 80 gramsMax Range: 100 mMax Altitude: 30 mMax Speed: 8 m/sMax Flying Time: 13 minsCamera: Intel processor 5MP camera

✅ Pros #

• Good camera for a low price
• Comes with a free smartphone app to expand functionality
• Easy-to-use, automated features
• Lightweight for beginner handling
• Scratch programmable

❌ Cons #

• Looks like a toy drone

Let’s begin with an affordable drone powered by DJI Flight Tech, the Ryze Tech Tello.

 This drone has a lot of great features that make it a fantastic value for the money, including compatibility with various controllers and the ability to use it with a VR headset.

Of course, you’re interested in the camera, so we’ll dive right in.

The camera features a hardy Intel processor that promises appealing footage in 5 MP high-res quality. Included electronic image stabilization prevents shakiness or blurriness.

Launching this drone couldn’t be any simpler. Just toss the Tello into the air, and it will begin flying.

Show off to your buddies with Bounce Mode, where the Tello automatically moves up and down in your palm like you’re bouncing it.

That’s just scratching the surface when it comes to the Tello’s automated features. This smart drone is capable of truly incredible aerial stunts with the 8D Flips feature.

You can also use EZ Shots for automated videography and photography. The available modes are Up & Away, 360, and Circle.

There’s yet more to love about Tello. It features prop guards to prevent injury if you accidentally fly the drone too close to you (which can happen if you’re a beginner!).

Collision detection will keep your drone flyable for longer.

Tello also has an automatic landing feature where you can ground the drone with just one tap.

If you’re running out of battery, the drone will let you know with alerts. Tello can hover, and its failsafe protection ensures the drone lands if you temporarily lose a signal.

2. Holy Stone HS110D #

Dimensions: 322 x 322 x 91 mmWeight: 149 gramsMax Range: 100 mMax Altitude: 120 mMax Speed: N/AMax Flying Time: 20 mins (10 mins per battery)Camera: 1080P FOV HD FPV camera

✅ Pros #

• Wide-angle lens enables you to take great photos with the camera
• Automated features driven by hand gestures make this drone fun and easy to use
• Gravity Sensor Control lets you use your smartphone as a remote in lieu of included remote

❌ Cons #

• Bad range and altitude
• Very short flight time

If you’re trying to save some cash on your drone acquisition, you can’t go wrong with a Holy Stone drone. The brand’s HS110D UAV has more of what you’re looking for at an agreeable price (less than $100!).

The camera is by far the biggest selling point of this exceptional drone. It’s a 1080P FOV 120-degree wide-angle lens HD FPV camera that promises crisp, clean images without a hint of distortion.

Transmit live video feeds at 1080p 20 frames per second.

Using the HS110D couldn’t be any simpler. Open the Holy Stone app and create a route for your drone by drawing the path with your finger. Then watch as the drone follows the exact trajectory you set.

You can also do various hand gestures, and the HS110D will react differently.

For example, the scissors motion tells the drone to take a photo, and the paper motion records video. You don’t have to be a drone expert to fly this Holy Stone UAV!

An included Gravity Sensor Control lets you use your smartphone as the drone’s remote. Of course, it includes a traditional remote so you can operate the drone that way if you’re more comfortable.

Worry not about this drone’s durability, as it includes protection guards to prevent lacerations when handling the drone (and to safeguard the drone from collision damage!).

Included landing feet will also prevent unwanted crash landings!

3. UDI U818A #

Dimensions: 375 x 365 x 100 mm Weight: 14.4 ounces Max Range: 100 mMax Altitude: 100 mMax Speed: N/AMax Flying Time: 9 minsCamera: HD camera

✅ Pros #

• Nice-looking drone
• Very inexpensive (costs less than $50)
• Good camera for the price

❌ Cons #

• Very brief flight time before needing to recharge

Next on our list is the UDI U818A, a small and very surprisingly inexpensive camera drone equipped with an HD camera capable of shooting videos and photos at 1MP quality.

The resolution of the footage is 1280×720 at 30 fps.

This lightweight, brightly-colored drone features blade protectors made of elasticized plastic to safeguard the props.

The drone can roll 360 degrees, a feat that will surely impress your friends and family each time you do it.

The U818A also features a six-axis gyro and flight control system, scheduled flights, 3D locking, and Headless Mode to make the drone easier to learn.

4. Holy Stone HS175D #

Dimensions: 360 x 300 x 70 mm when unfoldedWeight: 215 gramsMax Range: 500 meMax Altitude: 500 mMax Speed: 44.7 mphMax Flying Time: 23 minsCamera: 4K 5 GHz camera

✅ Pros #

• One zippy little drone!
• Can fly for up to 46 minutes
• Lightweight enough that you can skip the drone registration
• This drone should benefit from lighter drone laws

❌ Cons #

• Users have reported connection issues

Here’s another great option from Holy Stone, the HS175D.

In the box, you’ll find an instruction manual, screwdriver, eight propellers, two USB battery charging cables, two batteries, one USB transmitter charging cable, one transmitter, and the HS175D drone.

This Holy Stone model boasts a 4K ultra-clear camera featuring a 120-degree wide-angle lens with 90 degrees of lens adjustments.

You’ll appreciate the high resolution of the images you snap during all your drone adventures.

Do you want to transmit some videos from your drone?

The HS175D can transmit FPV quality at 5 GHz through the free Holy Stone app. Holy Stone promises this transmission rate even if you use your drone on windy days.

The GPS-enabled positioning system and auto-return prevent you from losing your drone.

The dual modular batteries included with your purchase give you 23 minutes of flight time, but you can extend that to 46 minutes with the right battery setup.

In the Holy Stone app, you can use smart flight features like fixed point setting on a map. Choose where you want the drone to go, and the drone will follow.

Other modes include Auto Hover, Headless Mode, VR Mode, Beginner Mode, and follow me.

Launching this drone couldn’t be simpler, even outside of Beginner Mode. You only have to press one key. You’ll be ready to fly faster!

The HS175 weighs so little that you needn’t worry about registering your drone with the FAA if using it recreationally.

Also, you can probably fly closer to buildings and crowds with your drone, as lighter drones are usually exempt from such tight laws.

However, read up on the drone laws near you before taking the HS175 for a flight.

An included Optical Flow Positioning System utilizes optical flow lens modules that can capture visual images of the drone and keep it in the correct position.

This mode especially comes in handy when flying your drone indoors or in any other setting where you don’t have a strong GPS signal.

» MORE: Is the Blade 720 Drone a Scam? Honest Review

5. Drocon Ninja DC-014 #

Dimensions: 5.4 x 5.4 in unfoldedWeight: 0.73 poundsMax Range: Up to 100 mMax Altitude: 100 mMax Speed: N/AMax Flying Time: Up to 8 minsCamera: FHD camera

✅ Pros #

• Your purchase includes eight propellers, so you get some spares
• High-quality camera, especially for the cost
• Gravity Sensor Mode is a cool inclusion

❌ Cons #

• Very poor flight time

If you don’t mind a kids’ drone on the cheap, try the Drocon Ninja DC-014.

The included FHD FOV camera includes a 120-degree wide-angle lens that you can adjust up to 90 degrees. The camera is optimized and smartphone-compatible!

Turn the drone on by pressing one button and the Ninja will fly through the air with the greatest of ease.

You can also land the drone with one push of a button. The drone will also automatically land itself when its battery runs low.

Gravity Sensor Mode is a cool feature, as it tells the Ninja to follow you. Control the drone’s direction right from your smartphone or with the included remote control, adjusting its route on the fly.

You can also use Headless Mode. Your controls will adjust the drone’s direction. It’s a very beginner-friendly feature, and if you’re buying a low-cost drone for the kiddos, it’s something they’ll like too.

Altitude Mode enables you to hover the Ninja DC-014. It will retain its position and height for as long as you need it to.

6. Eachine EX4 #

Dimensions: 177 x 196 x 70 mm when unfoldedWeight: 437 gramsMax Range: 1.2 kmMax Altitude: 500 mMax Speed: 16 km/mMax Flying Time: 25 minsCamera:  4K 5G Wi-Fi camera

✅ Pros #

• Great camera for the price
• Folds for even easier portability
• Durable design
• One-key features perfect for beginners

❌ Cons #

• Okay flight range, could be better

For under $250, the Eachine EX4 quadcopter has a covetable look and a camera you can use for your first drone photography projects.

This drone’s HD Wi-Fi camera can take 4K-quality images and videos you’ll want to share with your friends.

The brushless three-axis gimbal prevents vibrations when videoing or photographing with the drone.

That’s not all that’s brushless! The brushless motor is ultra-quiet so if you get into drone videography, you won’t have to stress about the sound of the motor interrupting your footage.

Further lending this drone durability is its engineered plastic fuselage.

The camera lens can zoom and maintain accurate focus so you can home in on a target.

Speaking of targets, you can use Point of Interest to select a target. The EX4 will follow the waypoint in a circle to take panoramic footage.

You can also set the camera angle using the free Eachine app on your phone. Simply open the app, adjust the pitch between zero and -90 degrees, and the camera will respond accordingly.

One-key takeoffs and landings make it effortless for even first-timers to feel like drone experts, and you can also use one-key returns to bring the drone back to you or try one-key follow-me mode.

If any of these modes begin to suck up too much battery, the drone has low-power protection.

The EX4 has a few more modes, including Altitude Hold Mode, where the drone keeps its altitude while allowing you to continually adjust the rate of yaw, pitch, and roll.

GPS Mode enables the drone to get into position based on satellite signals.

7. Xiaomi Fimi A3 #

Dimensions: 285 x 229 x 69 mmmWeight: 560 gramsMax Range: 1,000 mMax Altitude: 500 mMax Speed: 40 mphMax Flying Time: ~25 minsCamera: 1080p HD camera

✅ Pros #

• High-quality camera with a Sony CMOS sensor
• A DIY port on the controller supports servos, LEDs, and a fireworks lighter
• Not quite an FPV drone but has features like one

❌ Cons #

• A little on the heavier side

You should strongly consider the Xiaomi Fimi A3 as you consider exploring your options.

Included with a three-axis gimbal is a1080p HD camera with electronic image stabilization to reduce distortion.

The camera also features a wide-angle lens, a Sony CMOS sensor, and an Ambarella ISP processor. The camera can pitch between zero and -90 degrees.

Utilizing a third-generation flight control algorithm platform known as Cortex M7 with a GPS-GLONASS dual-mode module, the Fimi A3 promises better controls and precision as you increase altitude.

Launching in a minute or less, the Fimi A3 provides an FPV-like experience. You get all the immersion thanks to the 5.8G system the drone utilizes.

The controller is compatible with video goggles and a monitor.

The drone promises 25 minutes of flight time. It features aerodynamic, quick-release propellers and a brushless motor.

The three-cell LiPo battery uses an RC charging port when you need to give it some juice so you can fly again.

The Fimi A3 comes equipped with all sorts of smart flight modes, from one-key returns to Headless Mode, Fixed Wing Mode, follow-me, and automatic flight options like Dronie and Orbit.

If you reach a no-fly zone, the drone will hover in place rather than proceed. This drone also includes low battery protection to further enable safe flights. 

Camera drones usually carry a hefty price tag, but that needn’t always be the case.

As the drones we looked at illustrate, you can find a downright cheap drone with a camera for beginner photography and videography.

Have fun out there!