The Top 5 Best Drones for Real Estate Photography and Videography

The best drones for real estate photography are those that are not only technically up to date and that include versatile features, but those that are flown confidently and competently.

In today’s fast-paced real estate market, it’s more important than ever to have high-quality, eye-catching photographs and videos of properties for sale. Drones have become an essential tool for real estate professionals, providing a cost-effective and efficient way to capture stunning aerial shots and videos that can be embedded into websites, shared in social media, and forwarded to clients, at home and abroad.

Drones allow real estate professionals to showcase properties in a way that was previously difficult, if not impossible. Helicopters and cameras on booms have been options for many years but they are noisy, expensive, and cumbersome in comparison to a drone that can be carried in a case in the trunk of the car.

Drones provide a unique perspective on the property, allowing potential buyers to see the buildings and grounds from different angles and heights. Drones also allow real estate professionals to capture footage of large properties or those with scenic views, which can be especially useful for attracting buyers who are unable to attend in person.

With so many drones on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is the best fit for your needs. In this article, we will take a look at five of the best drones for real estate photography and videography and explain why they are worth considering. 

The five drones we will be covering are:

• DJI Mini 3
• Autel Robotics EVO II
• Phantom 4 Pro
• Mavic Air 2
• Phantom 3 Professional

Whether you are a real estate professional looking to take your marketing efforts to the next level, or a hobbyist looking to capture stunning footage of properties, these drones are a great option. 

Why use drones at all?

Drones can provide a number of advantages over conventional photography methods in real estate. Some of the main benefits include:

1. Aerial perspective: Drones can capture aerial shots that provide a unique perspective on the property and its surroundings, which can be especially useful for showcasing large properties or properties with scenic views.
2. Cost-effective: Drones can be more cost-effective than hiring a helicopter or plane for aerial photography, and also many times cheaper than hiring a professional photographer.
3. Flexibility: Drones can easily access hard-to-reach areas, such as rooftops and secluded properties, and can also capture footage at different angles and heights.
4. Speed: Drones can quickly capture footage and images of a property, which can be especially useful for fast-paced real estate transactions.
5. Safety: Drones can capture footage without putting a photographer in potentially dangerous areas, such as on a steep roof or near a high-traffic area.
6. High-quality images: Drones can capture high-resolution images and videos that can be used to create virtual tours or promotional materials for the property.

Conventional cameras still have their uses and will be employed for a long time yet, particularly for internal shots and room-to-room virtual tours, but for the exterior, drones are a must-have in the real estate professional’s toolkit.

Best Drones For Real Estate Photography

#1 DJI Mini 3

The DJI Mini 3 is a compact, easy-to-use drone that offers a great combination of features and affordability. It has a flight time of 31 minutes, a maximum flight speed of 16 m/s and can fly up to a maximum altitude of 16,404 ft. The DJI Mini 3 comes with a 3-axis gimbal, which helps to keep the camera stable and capture smooth footage. The camera is capable of capturing 4k video and 12 MP still photos. With its small size and lightweight, the DJI Mini 3 is perfect for real estate photographers and agents who need to take quick, high-quality photos and videos of properties.

#2 Autel Robotics EVO II

The Autel Robotics EVO II is a powerful drone that offers professional-grade features at a more affordable price than many other high-end drones. It has a flight time of 40 minutes and a maximum flight speed of 45 mph. The drone has a 3-axis gimbal and a 4K camera that can capture both stills and video. The Autel Robotics EVO II also comes with a range of advanced features, such as obstacle avoidance and GPS/GLONASS positioning, making it easy to fly and capture stable footage. This drone is perfect for real estate professionals who are looking for a high-performance drone that can handle larger properties and provide exceptional results.

#3 Phantom 4 Pro

The Phantom 4 Pro is a popular choice for real estate professionals due to its advanced features and high-quality camera. It has a flight time of 28 minutes and a maximum flight speed of 44 mph. The drone features a 3-axis gimbal and a 4K camera that can capture both stills and video. The Phantom 4 Pro also comes with advanced features such as obstacle avoidance and GPS/GLONASS positioning, making it easy to fly and capture stable footage. Additionally, the Phantom 4 Pro is equipped with a range of intelligent flight modes, including ActiveTrack and TapFly, that make it easy to capture creative shots and follow moving subjects.

#4 Mavic Air 2

The Mavic Air 2 is another great option for real estate professionals. It has a flight time of 34 minutes and a maximum flight speed of 43 mph. The drone features a 3-axis gimbal and a 4K camera that can capture both stills and video. The Mavic Air 2 also comes with advanced features such as obstacle avoidance and GPS/GLONASS positioning, making it easy to fly and capture stable footage. The Mavic Air 2 is also equipped with a range of intelligent flight modes, including ActiveTrack and TapFly, that make it easy to capture creative shots and follow moving subjects. With its compact size and advanced features, the Mavic Air 2 is a great option for real estate professionals who need a versatile drone that can handle a variety of different properties.t

#5 Phantom 3 Professional

The Phantom 3 Professional is an older model, but it’s still a great option for real estate professionals. It has a flight time of 23 minutes and a maximum flight speed of 16 m/s. The drone features a 3-axis gimbal and a 4K camera that can capture both stills and video. The Phantom 3 Professional also comes with advanced features such as GPS/GLONASS positioning and intelligent flight modes, making it easy to fly and capture stable footage. Additionally, the Phantom 3 Professional is equipped with a range of advanced features such as obstacle avoidance, making it easy to fly and capture stable footage.

How to take The Best Shots

Now that you know about some of the best drones for real estate, let’s talk about how to photograph and take videos of real estate properties to create a professional look for real estate agents.

These are general tips for both your handheld camera and your drone.

1. Plan your shots: Before you fly your drone, take some time to plan your shots. Scout the property and decide on the best angles and heights to capture the property. This will save you time and ensure that you capture the best footage possible.
2. Use a tripod: A tripod will help you capture steady footage and avoid shaky shots. A tripod can also help you take long-exposure shots, which can be useful for capturing unique angles and lighting effects.
3. Use natural light: Natural light is often the best light for real estate photography. Try to avoid using flash or artificial light, as it can create harsh shadows and wash out colors.
4. Use a wide-angle lens: A wide-angle lens will help you capture more of the property in a single shot. This can be especially useful for capturing large properties or properties with scenic views.
5. Capture different perspectives: Try to capture different perspectives of the property, including aerial shots, close-ups, and panoramic shots. This will give potential buyers a complete view of the property and its features.
6. Create a virtual tour: Virtual tours are a great way to showcase a property to potential buyers. Use your drone footage to create a virtual tour of the property, highlighting its best features and allowing potential buyers to get a feel for the property without having to visit in person.

Legal Requirements For Using Drones For Real Estate Photography

In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates the use of drones, and real estate photographers must comply with FAA regulations in order to legally operate a drone.

In order to legally operate a drone for commercial purposes, such as real estate photography, the operator must have a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating, also known as a Part 107 license. To obtain this license, the operator must pass an aeronautical knowledge test, as well as a background check. Additionally, the drone must be registered with the FAA, and the operator must follow FAA regulations, including flying below 400 feet, keeping the drone within visual line-of-sight, and not flying over individuals or moving vehicles.

Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulates the use of drones, and real estate photographers must comply with CAA regulations in order to legally operate a drone.

In order to legally operate a drone for commercial purposes, such as real estate photography, the operator must have a Permission for Commercial Operation (PfCO) from the CAA. To obtain this permission, the operator must pass a written test and demonstrate the ability to safely operate the drone. Additionally, the drone must be registered with the CAA, and the operator must follow CAA regulations, including flying below 400 feet, keeping the drone within visual line-of-sight, and not flying over individuals or moving vehicles.

It’s important to note that these regulations can change over time, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest regulations from the FAA and CAA before operating a drone.

Summary

In this article, we have discussed five of the best drones for real estate photography and videography.

• The DJI Mini 3 is a compact and easy-to-use drone that offers great value for money. 
• The Autel Robotics EVO II is a powerful drone that offers professional-grade features at a more affordable price.
• The Phantom 4 Pro is a popular choice for real estate professionals due to its advanced features and high-quality camera. 
• The Mavic Air 2 is a versatile drone that is perfect for real estate professionals who need a drone that can handle a variety of different properties.
• The Phantom 3 Professional is an older model, but it’s still a great option for real estate professionals. 

 Like any tool, they are only as good as the skill of the person using them, so whichever you eventually buy make sure you practise using it often.