How Do Drones Elevate Real Estate Photography?
Real estate is a competitive market, so agents need to show off properties to their greatest advantage. Since most real estate buyers research properties online, real estate drone photos and videos are key to engaging their interest. Today’s best real estate drones can capture aerial and waterfront imagery that once required photographers to work from a boat, helicopter, or plane.
What Are the Most Important Things to Consider When Choosing Real Estate Drones?
The best drones for real estate photography capture attractive, convincing, high-quality images that attract customers and add value to listings. They can gather detailed footage and still shots from multiple angles and perspectives that can be used to create video tours, site maps, and 360-degree views of residential and commercial property. Buyers who browse this imagery can get a feel for the scale of the property in context and the features and details of the land and surroundings. Great visual marketing makes the property easier to sell, so drone-generated imagery has a high return on investment.
The best real estate photography drones must be able to capture high-quality imagery that shows off the property in its best light. Capable photography drones will have some or all of the following features:
- A large, high-megapixel sensor
- Gimbal-based or electronic image stabilization
- Video capture of at least 4K at 30 frames per second
- Obstacle sensing
- Multiple flight modes
- Sustained flight times
What Are the Five Best Real Estate Photography Drones?
Autel Evo Lite+
The Autel Evo Lite+ is a high-value drone with a variable aperture and 16x digital zoom that produces fantastic images day or night. Its 1-inch, high-ISO, 20-megapixel CMOS sensor can deliver 6K video at up to 30 frames per second. The drone includes 6 GB of onboard storage, so you’ll want to add a microSD card for intensive high-resolution video projects. With a maximum flight time of 40 minutes, three-way obstacle sensors, and a 7.4-mile range, this drone is great for capturing the features of large properties and their surrounding amenities. The Autel Evo Lite+ is not geofenced, so its pilot must be skilled enough to fly without breaking FAA rules and creating hazards for other aircraft.
DJI Air 2S
The DJI Air 2S is a popular, compact, and user-friendly drone that produces high-quality images and 5K video at 30 frames per second. Its fixed-aperture camera has an 8x digital zoom and a 1-inch, 20-megapixel CMOS sensor with a 10-bit color profile. The DJI Air2s can produce high-quality images in low light and sharp, stable video. It can store up to 8 GB of RAW, and JPEG photos and video onboard. This geofenced drone can film medium-to-large properties with a 4-direction object avoidance system, a 31-minute flight time, a 7.6-mile range, and a return home function. It can also be automated to fly a pre-programmed course using the included smartphone app.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro
This skillful, user-friendly camera drone is great for capturing high-quality real estate drone photos as it records video with its 20-megapixel, 1-inch CMOS sensor. With six different photography modes, 4K video recording at 60 frames per second, a 3-axis gimbal, and low-noise propellers, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro produces clear, sharp imagery that is a cut above most other drone output. With a 30-minute flight time and a 5-direction obstacle detection system, this drone is excellent for filming mid to large-sized properties with plenty of detail. You can control the Phantom 4 Pro with your smartphone, tablet, or the included remote or take advantage of its automated flight modes. Geofencing limits flight in restricted areas, and the drone’s return home function will retrace its route in the event of signal loss.
Parrot ANAFI Ai
The Parrot ANAFI Ai is a specialized real estate drone that provides 3D telemetry mapping and six-axis image stabilization. Its 48-megapixel camera has a Quad Bayer sensor with a high dynamic range in HDR 10. You will need to add a storage card to capture 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. The open-source software allows you to customize your settings and program your flight plans. 4G capability keeps this drone connected in heavily obstructed areas. The 32-minute flight time limits the transmission radius to several miles.
Holy Stone HS720G
The Holy Stone HS720G is a small-budget drone with a 2-axis gimbal and electronic image stabilization. It captures photos and 4K video at 30 frames per second inside a wide 130-degree field of view. While the imagery lacks the clarity, color, detail, and smoothness of more expensive camera drones, professional editing can bring out the best in the footage. The HS720G features an array of GPS-enabled automated and programmable flight modes, a 26- to 30-minute flight time, a return home feature, and a respectable transmission range of just under one mile.
Aerial Innovations Provides the Best Real Estate Drone Photography for Your Business
Ultimately, the best drone for real estate photography must be capable of capturing the character and location of the property while meeting the skill level of your drone pilot and media editors. Aerial Innovations provides the aerial photography and professional drone services you need to elevate your real estate marketing campaigns. Contact us today and take your business to new heights.