The Best Compact Drones for Photographers Right Now

Parrot Bebop 2
The pint-sized Parrot can be flown safely indoors and out. It has a 25-minute battery life and records 1080p video and 14-megapixel still images (including DNG format RAW files). The Parrot 2 supports Follow Me so you have the drone track you while you move. You can spring for a configuration that includes a head-mounted display so you can get a virtual realty-style look through the drone’s camera as it flies. Welcome to the future.

Prices: $549
www.parrot.com

DJI Mavic Pro
The Mavic Pro boasts a foldable design that shrinks the drone down to a device that basically fits into the palm of your hand and slips easily into a backpack or purse. The Mavic Pro may be far more compact than DJI’s Phantom models, but it doesn’t skimp on features. It’s got a 4K camera that can record at up to 3op or full HD at 96p and snap 12-megapixel still images in the DNG or JPEG format. The lens has a 78-degree field of view and you’ll enjoy about 27 minutes of flight time with a top speed of 40 miles per hour in Sport mode. It has all the obstacle avoidance technology of the Phantom 4 but adds a few new features. For instance, it recognizes gesture commands from its pilot. You can put your hands in a Y-like position and the drone will focus on you. Frame your face with your hands and you’ve commanded the Mavic to take a selfie. In addition to object tracking, it offers a new Terrain Follow mode that lets the drone maintain a constant height while a subject moves on a slope. This is DJI’s first drone that can also be piloted completely by smartphone for closer-range flying.

Prices: $999
www.dji.com

Yuneec Breeze
The 1-pound Breeze is operated through a smartphone and offers five automated flying modes to ease newcomers into drone photography. The modes include a selfie mode (of course), a pilot mode for more manual control as well as an orbit mode that puts the Breeze in motion around a subject. A journey mode sends the Breeze away from the operator and then back, while a follow-me setting ensures the Breeze stays on the trail of its operator. The drone’s onboard camera can record 4K video, snap 13-megapixel stills and stream a 720p HD signal to mobile device while airborne. The Breeze uses optical flow and infrared positioning sensors to stay in place whether indoors or outdoors and has an automated return-to-home function so users won’t have to worry about tricky landings.

Price: $400
www.yuneec.com

PowerVision PowerEgg
This futuristic football has a built-in 4K/30p camera on a three-axis gimbal that emerges from the bottom of the craft. Unlike many models, it also records very high frame rate HD video—up to 120 fps at full HD or 240 fps if you drop to 720p resolution. It uses a gesture-based controller so you can wave commands at it. The PowerEgg can also fly safely indoors thanks to its optical positioning system.

Price: $1,288
www.powervision.me