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Aerial photography is slowly becoming everybody’s favorite hobby so, there’s no surprise to learn that drone producers are focusing more on this aspect than ever. We’ve talked about quads with great cameras before, but today we’ll steer a bit out of the regular path and we’ll talk about helicopter drones. More accurate, we’ll try to identify the best drone helicopter with a camera. Also, if you want to get better at filming and shooting photos from the sky, we have an article that offers tips for improving aerial photography skills.
First, you should know that helicopter drones are a bit more difficult to control than quads, simply because they have different rotors and a different design. In addition, they usually come with different controllers. However, you are going to need practice, but after a few flights, you are going to be able to fly your drone as if you were a professional.
In any case, here you can get an idea, about the best drones with built-in cameras that are available on the market right now. An interesting addition is the fact that these devices have lower prices so they are more than just affordable.
Best 5 helicopter drones on the market today
#1: iHelicopter With Camera
iHelicopter is one of the most popular products of this type on the market. It is based on the latest technology and it comes with the latest features. In any case, this drone should be taken into account, simply due to the fact that it is well-built and it comes with the latest features. The price is only $48, which makes this unit more than affordable.
On the other side, you get a camera that can take pictures and record videos from the air and a 2 GB memory card, which can store up to 1 hour of recordings. The camera records in 640×480 px resolution, which means that your recordings will look amazingly on any smartphone.
The flying time is between 6 and 7 minutes, but recharging time is only 45 minutes, so your drone is going to be ready to be used again in a short period of time. Keep in mind that the dimensions are not very small, so this unit is 10.3 x 5.2 x 2.4 inches large and it weighs 11.4 ounces. On the other side, it is well-built and it is made from lightweight, but durable materials, so it can withstand rough use and rough landings.
This unit works great with Apple products, such as iPhone and iPad, but it can be used for Android devices as well. The connecting process is simple and it takes just a few seconds.
Like this product? Then you can buy it from Amazon.
#2: UDI U13A Metal RC Helicopter
This drone is more expensive and it has additional features, so it is a great choice as well. The price is $72, and it is one of the most expensive drones of this type with a camera on the market. It can be used for making photos and recording videos from the air.
The camera offers a decent level of quality and it is easy to use. The flying capabilities are modern and can be treated as advanced, simply due to the fact this unit can be moved in 6 directions and it is easy to fly.
One of the reasons why this unit is expensive is the material the manufacturer used in the production process. In fact, the mainframe has been made from metal, so this device is more than just resistant and it can be used for different applications.
It is durable and it can withstand different accidents and can be used for rough applications as well. The dimensions are 7.5 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches and the weight is 2.2 pounds, so it isn’t very lightweight, but it is more than just durable. In any case, this model is a great choice if you are looking for a tough helicopter that comes with an amazing camera.
The battery in this drone has a 580mah capacity and it has been based on the latest technology. It offers a radius of 500 meters, which is a bit more than similar products have to offer. In any case, this drone is a great choice and it is well made and it offers a great range, so it should be taken into account.
If you interested you can buy it here.
#3: WLTOYS S977
WLTOYS S977 is another drone with a camera that offers impressive performances and even better possibilities. It has a flying time of 10 minutes, but it can be shorter if you use this unit in a bad weather.
The price is $50, so this unit is more affordable than the previous model. For this amount of money, you also get a good looking drone that is based on the latest technology, so it has a modern design and some features that are more than just interesting.
The manufacturer also used lightweight materials in the manufacturing process, so this unit is very light, which means that flying is a real pleasure and it offers amazing actions in the air. At the same time, it is durable and resistant, so you don’t have to worry about damaging the unit. Rotors are powerful and the blades are resistant as well, so don’t worry if you hit something with them. The dimensions are 13.4 x 11.2 x 3.7 inches, but the weight is only 1.1 pounds, which is more than just light.
Flying capabilities are a bit better than most drones have to offer, so flying this unit is great. On the other side, the camera has a 3.1 MP resolution, so it offers amazing photos and videos.
If you interested you can buy it from Amazon.
#4: Odyssey Flying Nighthawk Helicopter
This is a great product of this type, simply due to the fact that it comes with an intelligent system that helps you with flying, so the flying is simpler and easier. It also comes with a built-in camera and one 1 GB memory card, so you can start recording videos and taking amazing aerial photos as soon you get the device.
The camera in question offers a decent resolution, and it can be used for different applications. In addition, this unit comes with LED lights, built in the front part of the devices so watching it at night is a real pleasure.
The dimensions of the unit are 12x10x6 inches and the weight is 1.2 pounds. This model is designed for the use of children age 14 and above, and it isn’t the best choice for younger children, simply due to the fact that it has smaller parts.
The materials, the manufacturer used are lightweight and durable at the same time, so this unit is resistant and durable. Flying with it will generate a lot of fun and you can make amazing videos and photos from the air.
The flying time is about 15 minutes which is more than most products of this type have to offer, especially those from this price range. Keep in mind that this model has a price of only $40, so it is one of the most affordable products of this type on the market.
If you think that this product could be useful for you, then you can buy it from Amazon.
#5: S977 3.5 Metal Gyro Helicopter
This unit comes with an amazing build quality and it is one of the most popular drones of this type on the market. It comes with the latest features and a modern design, so it is more than just a great deal. The price is only $43, so this is one of more affordable units on the market.
On the other side, it comes with a camera that offers a great quality and it can be used for photos. An interesting addition and a feature that makes this unit different than most drones of this type is the LCD screen, built in the controller, so it is more than just useful.
The manufacturer used lightweight materials, but they are not very resistant, so you should be careful with this unit. The dimensions are 13.2 x 11.5 x 3.2 inches and the weight is only 1.1 pounds. In addition, flying this unit is very simple and it is more than just fun.
It offers impressive flying capabilities and it is very pleasant to enjoy watching this unit fly. The battery that powers the rotor has a 280mAh capacity and it can provide a range of 30 minutes, which is more than similar drones have to offer.
Like this amazing product? Then you can buy it on Amazon.
What is a helicopter drone and what are the main benefits?
Helicopter drones are drones made to look like actual helicopters, but in much smaller sizes, obviously. These units are completely different than other drones, simply due to the fact they have 2 rotors instead of 4 or 6. In addition, they are different to control than drones and they are a bit more complicated to make stunts with.
At the same time, these drones are fun and they offer amazing benefits, so they are a perfect choice for people who want units that are not quadcopters. The main benefits of these drones are:
- They are fun to fly. Due to the fact they are a bit different to control than other drones, they offer a high level of fun, so they are very interesting to use. At the beginning, they may be difficult to control, but after a few flights, controlling them will be a real pleasure.
- They are lightweight, so they offer amazing flying capabilities. Most of these drones have a weight of just 1 pound, so they can make amazing acrobatics and they offer a high level of maneuverability.
- Powered by strong and durable batteries – so most of them can provide a flying time up to 30 minutes, so they can stay in the air for a longer period of time. Ordinary quadcopters can stay in the air for 20 minutes or a bit less, but there are models which can stay up to 25 minutes.
- These drones have smaller dimensions, so they can be used both indoors and outdoors, so they are far more practical than big drones. No matter where and when you use them, you will have a lot of fun, simply due to the fact they are interesting and they are interesting to fly.
Who should use these drones and for what purpose?
Helicopters are designed mostly for fun, so they are not professional units, simply due to the fact that they cannot offer a steady flight as quadcopters, so they are not a perfect choice for aerial photography.
However, the latest models come with amazing cameras, so it is possible to record videos and make photos from the air. Due to the fact they have different flying capabilities, they are very interesting to fly and the photos you will make will have an interesting quality and interesting perspective.
In addition, the latest models also have longer flying times, so they can stay in the air for 30 minutes or more. So they are a great choice, simply due to the fact these times are longer than most drones can offer.
On the other side, the carrying time is short and it takes about 40 minutes to completely recharge a battery. Larger drones usually require 1 or 2 hours in order to fully recharge the battery.
In general, helicopters with cameras should be used by people who want to have a high level of fun and by people who are interested in making amazing and interesting photos from the air. Keep in mind that they are not a great choice for filmmakers, but they offer more fun and they are more interesting to fly than ordinary drones.
Most drones of these types are designed for children above 14 years of age, due to the fact they have small parts, so they are not a great choice for smaller children. On the other side, they are commonly used by adults and they are far more interesting than similar toys of this type.
Buying guide: important features to consider
If you are planning to get a helicopter with a camera, you should pay attention to some features that are treated as being the most important. If you get a drone of this type with these features, you will get an amazing product that offers a lot of fun and it is interesting to use. Also, you need to know where to buy your drone from as there are many selling sites that offer cheap and low-quality clone models, that will probably die on you after the first flight, if they actually take off, in the first place. To make the right choice, we suggest that you also check out our article about the best places to buy a drone from.
In addition, it will be well-built and durable, so it can withstand rough landings and rough use. In any case, the most important features that should be taken into account are:
- The flying time. This is an important factor that must be taken into account, simply due to the fact if you get a drone of this type with amazing flying time, you will get more fun and flying it will be more interesting. Most models come with a flying time of 30 minutes, so this should be the number you are looking for.
- The materials. These drones are small and they have lower weight, so they must be made from durable materials, simply due to the fact they will be used indoors, so they can hit some item. Some models are made from metal, so they are the best choice, simply because they are more durable than plastic units.
- Battery charging time. This factor isn’t the most important one, but it is crucial to get a drone that has a short battery charging time. If you get a drone that has a charging time of 40 minutes, your unit will be ready to fly as soon as possible, so it is a much better choice than drones that have a longer charging time.
- The camera. This factor is important if you are looking for a drone with a camera. Keep in mind that there are no helicopters with cameras that have HD resolution or amazing performances, simply due to the fact most of them are designed as toys. However, some models on the market have great cameras that can satisfy your needs. The best drone in this case, is the one that has the best camera. Keep in mind that the battery that powers the rotors also powers the camera, so make sure it has the latest and the most powerful battery.
- Controlling. Helicopters are a bit harder to control than other drones, so they are interesting, but complicated to fly. You will need some time to get an idea how these drones actually work, so don’t lose hope and keep practicing. In any case, they offer amazing flying capabilities, so they are a great choice for people who want something different and unique than quadcopters.
- LCD display. Most drones come with LCD displays on their controllers, so this is a feature you are going to need. In fact, it isn’t the mandatory feature but it is one that makes the entire drone better looking and more interesting. In any case, this should be taken into account, due to the fact it makes the whole drone look more expensive and better.
- Connecting process. These drones can be connected to an iPhone or to an Android phone, so you can get a live streaming on your device. Keep in mind that not all drones are easy to connect, and some of them are very complicated and time consuming. On the other side, the latest products are very simple to connect and they require just a few minutes, so this should be taken into account.
- Memory card. We all know that memory cards are affable, but most helicopters with cameras come with memory cards, so they are a better choice, simply due to the fact you can record for a longer period of time and these memory cards are more than needed in the aforementioned cases. You will get 2 or 1 GB memory card, which is a great deal simply because you can save a lot of photos and videos due to the fact these drones don’t have cameras with a high resolution, so the files you make will have a smaller size.
Not sure what model to buy?
A good thing with helicopters with cameras is the fact there are a lot of models on the market. However, not all of them are a great choice, simply due to the fact they come with different features and come from different price ranges.
We managed to make you a list of the best and the most popular drones on the market right now, so all of them should be taken into account if you are looking for a helicopter with a camera. On the other side, all of these models are affordable and they come with the latest features. In addition, we managed to comply the list of pros and cons, these helicopter drones usually have.
Pros:
- They are interesting to fly and flying them is more interesting that flying other drones.
- They are affordable, so they are perfect for beginners and for people who are looking for great drones that offer a lot of fun.
- Helicopters with cameras offer a long flying time, so you will be able to stay in the air for a longer period of time.
- Some of them come with LCD displays on their controllers, so they are interesting and look more expensive than they actually are.
- You can make amazing stunts in the air (even if you are a beginner), since it is very simple and easy.
Cons:
- These drones are hard to control, so you are going to need time to learn.
- Some of them have a flying time of just 5 minutes.
- Some models may be made from fragile materials.
In any case, helicopters with cameras are a great choice due to the fact that they are more than just interesting and they offer amazing flying capabilities. They should be included in the planning if you are looking for a great source of fun and you like making photos from the air.
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