Best Drone for Filming Sports .As a sports photographer, you know firsthand the challenges that come with capturing dynamic and fast-paced action. From the athletes moving rapidly and unpredictably, to the need for quick reflexes, it takes a special combination of talent and luck to get that perfect shot.
But what if we told you that you could add an extra edge to your sports photography toolkit through drones? These high-tech devices are revolutionizing the way we capture sports footage, providing a bird’s-eye view and the ability to follow the action from above.
Our top 7 picks for the Best Drone for Filming Sports
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the best drones for sports photography, taking into consideration factors such as image and video quality, flight stability, and overall performance. So, whether you’re a professional sports photographer or just looking to up your game, read on for our top picks for the best drone for filming sports.
1. DJI MAVIC 3 Drone for Filming Sports
Specifications
Flight time: 46 minutes
Charging time: 46 milliamp hours
Transmitter range: 15 Km
Video resolution: FHD 1080p
As a sports enthusiast, I was excited to be hired as a photographer by a sports company last month. However, I quickly ran into issues with the picture quality and blurry motion of my equipment.
Features that make it shine:
My teammate then suggested I try the DJI MAVIC 3 drone for my sports photography and filming needs. Despite being nervous to use it for the first time, I found it incredibly easy to initiate and control.
The DJI MAVIC 3 has proven to be the best drone for sports photography and filming, with its top-of-the-line 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera and 5.1K video capability. The pictures and videos I have taken with it are clear and crisp, and the natural sky color with fine details is breathtaking. The battery life is also perfect, allowing me to use it for a full 46 minutes without needing to recharge.
Omnidirectional obstacle sensing:
One of the key features of the DJI MAVIC 3 is its omnidirectional obstacle sensing, which ensures the safety of the drone and those around it. It also has an advanced auto return feature, which allows it to return to its starting point if it loses connection or runs low on battery. The 15km video transmission range allows me to capture footage from great distances.
Although the DJI MAVIC 3 is on the pricier side, I have found it to be well worth the investment. It has exceeded my expectations and has become an integral part of my sports photography and filming process. I highly recommend the DJI MAVIC 3, especially for those looking for a reliable and high-quality drone for capturing action and adventure sports.
Why you should buy DJI MAVIC 3 Drone for Filming Sports?
If you are looking for a lightweight, foldable drone for filming sports, the DJI MAVIC 3 is a great choice due to its awesome picture and video quality and efficient battery life.
2. DJI AIR 2S Drone for Filming Sports
Specifications
Flight time: 31 minutes
Charging time: 30 minutes
Transmitter range: 12 km
Video resolution: 5.4k HD
My colleague recently purchased the DJI AIR 2S drone for use in broadcasting sports events. He was drawn to the drone due to its competitive price point and impressive specs, which he learned about through YouTube videos and research.
Features that make it shine:
He has been extremely satisfied with the DJI AIR 2S, and we have since added it to our list of recommended drones. The drone’s camera, with its 5.4k HD resolution, allows for dynamic shots to be taken from virtually any angle in the air. The intelligent HDR technology ensures that images are detailed and profound, and the option to reduce the resolution to 4K for a smoother experience is a nice touch. The drone also includes a full 1-inch CMOS sensor for crisp images and videos, as well as an 8x digital zoom.
In terms of practicality, the DJI AIR 2S comes with three packs of batteries that offer an impressive battery life, eliminating the need to constantly carry a charger. The drone is also equipped with 4 directions of obstacle sensing, ensuring safety during use. It has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes, and the 12km 1080p video transmission range allows for a wide range of shots to be captured.
The DJI AIR 2S is designed for commercial use, so it is necessary to register it with the FAA. While this may seem like a complex process, it is actually quite simple and will save you potential headaches in the future. Overall, the DJI AIR 2S is a high-quality drone with a range of features that make it well-suited for professional use in sports broadcasting
Why you should buy DJI AIR 2S Drone for Filming Sports?
This drone has all the best features including impressive battery life, HDR technology, and an excellent oversized type 1 sensor for a much better 20MP. If you are searching for a drone with this specification without hurting your pocket then we would highly recommend you DJI AIR 2S.
3. Autel EVO 2 PRO Drone for Filming Sports
Specifications:
Flight time: 35 minutes
Charging time: 7100 milliamp hours
Transmitter range: 9km
Video resolution: 5k
I have used the Autel EVO 2 PRO drone for both professional real estate photography and filming sporting events, and it has consistently impressed me with its performance.
Features that make it shine:
The controller is a good size and easy to use, and the video and shot quality are excellent. The flight time is also impressive, even on windy days we have gotten 25 to 30 minutes of flight time.
One of the marvellous features of the Autel EVO 2 PRO is that it comes with its own remote control, so you don’t need a mobile device or tablet to control the drone. The battery is rated for 35 to 40 minutes, although it does depend on the speed of the flight mode. On one occasion, we forgot to check the battery level and the drone lost communication with us, but to our surprise, it landed safely on its own.
One minor inconvenience was that the Autel EVO 2 PRO did not come with a cable for iPhone, but luckily a friend had one on hand. The drone also has 8GB of built-in memory and supports an SD card, so you can easily save shots of players and other memorable moments at the stadium. It also offers a variety of shooting modes to choose from. Overall, the Autel Robotics EVO 2 Pro Drone is a reliable and high-quality option for professional photography and filming.
Why you should buy Autel EVO 2 PRO Drone for Filming Sports?
The Autel EVO 2 PRO is a high-quality drone that is specifically designed for videography and filming. It is not a budget-friendly option, as it is priced higher than many other drones on the market. However, if you are serious about using a drone for professional videography and filming, then the Autel EVO 2 PRO is worth considering. It likely has advanced features and capabilities that make it a suitable choice for these purposes.
4. DJI MINI 3 PRO Drone for Filming Sports
Specifications:
Flight time: 34 minutes
Charging time: 47 minutes
Transmitter range: 4 miles
Video resolution: 4K HD video resolution
As avid travellers and sports enthusiasts, we were drawn to the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone for its compact size and excellent features.
Features that make it shine:
When we were planning a trip for sports photography, we knew this drone would be the perfect companion. It did not disappoint that the gimbal camera provided stunning aerial views and the athletic performances we recorded were fully focused thanks to the drone’s excellent flight time of 34 minutes.
One of the remarkable features of the DJI Mini 3 Pro is its standard controller, which makes flying a breeze. The screen on the controller is large enough to view all of your recordings and pictures, so you don’t even need to bring a phone along.
However, we do recommend having a bit of experience before tackling this drone. It can be a bit challenging for beginners to handle. Once you’ve made a few flights, you’ll feel comfortable and capable of running it with ease.
We also appreciated the tri-directional obstacle-sensing feature, which helped ensure the safety of the drone and those around it. Just be sure to have a landing area large enough – this drone requires a bit of space to land properly. We used our entire driveway as a landing pad and had no issues with it coming in for a clean landing.
Overall, we highly recommend the DJI Mini 3 Pro for anyone looking for a lightweight and foldable camera drone with excellent video and photo capabilities. It’s perfect for aerial photography and sharing on social media.
Why you should buy DJI MINI 3 PRO Drone for Filming Sports?
We highly recommend purchasing the DJI MINI 3 PRO while it is still available. It is a portable drone with excellent picture quality and longer flight time, and it is perfect for those who are concerned about the size and weight of drones.
5. DJI AVATA Drone for Filming Sports
Specifications
Flight time: 21 minutes
Charging time: 20 minutes
Transmitter range: 10 km
Video resolution: 4K
The DJI Avata Fly Smart Combo, including the DJI FPV Goggles V2 and a remote controller, was a joy to use. Initially, controlling the drone with the controller required some practice, but we quickly got the hang of it.
Features that make it shine:
We also appreciated the option to fly the drone using a remote controller that can follow our hand movements. The small size of the drone was perfect for navigating through tight spaces.
One of the exquisite features of the DJI Avata Fly Smart Combo is the exceptional image quality of the goggles. The 1/1.7-inch sensor with a 64% larger area than any other FPV, as well as the 48-megapixel sensor for shooting photos, results in stunning visuals. The goggles also have a super-wide 155° FOV for an immersive experience.
The built-in propeller guard is a great safety feature, and the HD low-latency transmission ensures smooth lag-free video. However, we were disappointed with the placement of the USB-C port for sharing and saving data.
Fortunately, the 20GB of internal storage allowed us to save all of our stunning videos and photos. Overall, we highly recommend the DJI Avata Fly Smart Combo for a thrilling FPV experience.
Why you should buy DJI AVATA Drone for Filming Sports?
Do you want to experience the thrill of total immersion with unrivalled safety and control? Try the DJI AVATA drone. With its 4k stabilized video and flagship transmission technology, it is the best drone for flying near other objects. The colors are bright and vibrant, right out of the box. We wholeheartedly recommend you buy this drone.
6. RYZE Tello Drone for Filming Sports
Specifications
Flight time: 10- 15 minutes
Charging time: 15 minutes
Transmitter range: 99 feet
Video resolution: 720p
I have been thoroughly impressed by the Ryze Tech Tello drone. Its lightweight and durable design, combined with its software and hardware perfection, make it one of the best drones on the market.
Features that make it shine:
As a beginner, my younger brother was able to easily fly and operate the Tello, even though he had no prior experience. One of the amazing features of the Tello is its high-quality image processor. It allows for incredible photos and videos to be taken even by inexperienced users.
My brother, who is a beginner, was able to capture professional-grade shots and videos with ease. Despite accidentally hitting the Tello against trees, the ground, and walls during sports events, the drone remained durable and continued to function perfectly.
The Tello also has a good range, allowing my brother to fly it the length of a football field with ease. Its electronic image stabilization feature helps to ensure that the videos and photos taken are stable and clear. Overall, the Ryze Tech Tello is an excellent drone for beginners and kids, and I would highly recommend it.
Why you should buy RYZE Tello Drone for Filming Sports?
The RYZE Tello is a compact drone that is easy for beginners to learn and fly. It offers good video quality, making it a great option for those looking to capture aerial footage. One of the standout features of the RYZE Tello is its affordability, making it a more budget-friendly option compared to other drones on the market. If you’re in the market for a new drone and don’t want to spend a lot of money, the RYZE Tello is definitely worth considering.
7. Holy stone GPS Drone for Filming Sports
Specifications
Flight time: 21 minutes
Charging time: up to 26 minutes
Transmitter range: 500 m
Video resolution: 4k HD
If you’re a beginner looking for a quality drone without breaking the bank, the Holy Stone HS720 is a great option. It offers the ability to capture 4k videos and photos that are sharp and clear with no vibration. While the build quality may not be top-notch, it is still decent considering the low price range.
Features that make it shine:
One outclass feature of the Holy Stone HS720 is its impressive GPS, which allows it to return home when the battery gets low. It also comes with two batteries, increasing the flight time up to 52 minutes, which is longer than many more expensive models.
The controller is similar to that of the DJI Mavic, and it uses AA batteries for longer battery life. We did experience some loss of Wi-Fi connection when flying beyond a range of about 120 feet, but for most beginners, this shouldn’t be an issue.
In our experience, the fixed focus camera design allowed for around 21 minutes of flight time and decent image quality, making it a good choice for beginners. Overall, the Holy Stone HS720 is a solid drone at a budget-friendly price.
Why you should buy a Holy stone GPS Drone for Filming Sports?
If you’re an absolute beginner and want to start flying with an inexpensive model, the Holy Stone GPS drone could be a good option for you. Let us know your experience with it.
FAQs:
Can you record a football game with a drone?
Drones can give you a very good perspective of the game but you should have a good operator to control the drone. Drones can provide a bird’s eye view in filming football. You can put it up 70 feet in the air and get a nice and clear view of the whole team with no issue at all.
Can you fly drones over a sporting event?
You can’t fly a drone within three miles of the stadium where a large crowd of people is present. Using a drone over a stadium filled with spectators is always a big risk and can pose serious problems. However, professionals have been granted permission to use drones for streaming live sports.
Are drones good for filming?
Drones are good for filming because they provide high-quality images. They can make any type of filming more enjoyable. Drones can capture stunning aerial footage for establishing shots and can capture images and scenes in great detail, enhancing the visual experience.
Can drones fly in the rain?
It is generally not recommended to fly drones in rain or moisture as water can enter through holes and vents and potentially damage the electrical components. While some professionally designed waterproof drones may be able to withstand heavy rain, they should not be flown for extended periods of time in such conditions.
Conclusion:
This concludes our selection of drones for sports filming. There are many options to choose from, including affordable toy drones and professional models that can cost as much as a small car. When selecting a drone, it is important to consider factors such as features, flight time, and camera resolution. It is also advisable to shop around for the best deal. If you have any questions or want to share your recommendations for drones, please do not hesitate to contact us.