At this stage within the recreation, there aren’t many drones that proudly rock a 1080p digicam, most are 4K drones, or they hold the decision at 720p and below to be able to scale back latency. That stated, there are some stable machines on the market that provide a profit or two that make up for the shortage of digicam decision. In the end, it is a brief record that’s destined to stay small.
Why belief Drone Rush?
I’ve been a fan of flight since a younger age; whereas I’ve had few alternatives on the helm of manned plane, the hours on my fleet of drones proceed to develop. I get pleasure from placing cameras into the sky, silky easy aerial imagery makes me completely satisfied. My objective is to assist all pilots get pleasure from flight legally and safely.
Greatest 1080p drones
Please cease. I get it, you need a easy machine and also you need a first rate digicam for the sky. Whereas we’re nonetheless going to record the perfect 1080p drones right now, we extremely suggest you search for one thing higher. If nothing else, head on down beneath to see why we suggest the DJI Mavic Mini and Mini 2 over every other drone on this 1080p record.
DJI Spark: GPS enabled, hand-gesture operated

The DJI Spark was discontinued a very long time in the past, however stays the most effective drones you possibly can nonetheless get your arms on that’s restricted to simply 1080P digicam decision. Like most drones on this record, we don’t really suggest you purchase it, there are lots of higher drones on the market, and most have smaller worth tags, however, Spark continues to be one of many higher choices if you wish to restrict your self.

DJI Spark
- Small drone
- Enjoyable hand gestures
Jedi thoughts methods
Launched in 2017, the compact DJI Spark impressed with hand gesture controls, Quickshot flight modes and an honest digicam for the value.
DJI Phantom 3: Iconic drone, however out of date

It’s most likely protected to say that you’ve got seen the DJI Phantom 3 collection of drones earlier than. This was the drone that obtained many new pilots into the interest, and had nice publicity within the media and throughout social media. Pretty much as good because it was for its time, a number of up to date variations have launched since that supersede the three collection in nearly each method. Just like the Spark, please spend your money on a more moderen drone.

DJI Phantom 3
- Iconic drone
- The unique massive shopper drone
An icon in its time, the DJI Phantom 3 turned the long-lasting drone that involves thoughts whenever you hear the phrase drone.
Hubsan H501S: Excessive-performance toy-class drone

The Hubsan H501S was an enormous stepping stone for Hubsan. This marked one of many first and greatest Hubsan drones to supply GPS assisted navigation and brushless motors. These are issues we take without any consideration in DJI drones, however Hubsan is maturing from toy-class drones, not making shopper fashions of high-end business craft, so the accomplishment is applaudable! Higher but, the H501S got here with GPS flight options that weren’t obtainable from many dearer drones.

Hubsan H501S
- Succesful toy drone
- GPS and an honest digicam
Nice starter drone
The Hubsan H501S was one of many first GPS-enabled drones from Hubsan with brushless motors and a 1080p digicam.
Hubsan H109S Professional: Massive GoPro-like digicam drone

The Hubsan H109S was an try and compete with the Phantom collection drones. With many such makes an attempt in the marketplace in these early days of drones, Hubsan produced not solely a succesful drone, however their very own GoPro-Like digicam to go along with it. We all know that smaller and extra succesful cameras are doable right now, however the airframe stays dependable.

Hubsan H109S Professional
- Retired
- GoPro different
- Inexpensive easy airframe
GoPro-style digicam drone
The Hubsan H109S Professional was Hubsan’s try at a extra skilled machine. Emulating the GoPro drone expertise, it was good for its time.
Parrot Disco: Highly effective fixed-wing drone

The Parrot Disco was an thrilling drone in its time. Make no mistake, any RC airplane pilot can inform you there’s little new right here apart from the built-in FPV digicam, however that doesn’t take away from the benefit of operation and the sheer enjoyable of flying a very good fixed-wing plane.

Parrot Disco
Quick fixed-wing drone
In a world with tons of of RC airplanes to select from, the Parrot Disco supplied an FPV digicam expertise on a fixed-wing drone.
Particular consideration: DJI Mavic Mini and Mini 2

When you’ve got the finances for many of the drones above, why not think about one thing that shoots 2.7K video for roughly the identical worth. The DJI Mavic Mini is proving a wonderful drone for a lot of customers, particularly new pilots. At 249 grams, you do not want to register with the FAA earlier than you fly, however you get a extra succesful machine than most anything on this record, and for simply $400.
Additional, in case you are truthfully contemplating one of many drones on this record, you’re in the identical finances vary as a stable 4K drone. The DJI Mini 2 is just a bit greater than the unique Mini, and cheaper than among the actually outdated drones above. Critically, we suggest skipping a 1080p drone, except you’re simply grabbing a bit toy machine.
Please don’t anticipate any main updates to this record over time, however when you occur to discover a new 1080p digicam drone that you simply need to see on this record, hit the feedback and we’ll consider it.

DJI Mavic Mini
- 249 grams
- Nice 2.7K digicam
- Very transportable
The smallest Mavic drone
The DJI Mavic Mini is the perfect drone to hit the market in 2019. It is no Mavic 2 collection drone, however we have seen nothing this good below $500 earlier than.

DJI Mini 2
- 4K digicam
- Very transportable
- Simple to fly
- 249 grams
Greatest drone below $500
The DJI Mini 2 is an outstanding replace from the Mavic Mini, now providing a 4K digicam, Ocusync 2.0 and extra energy.
Steadily Requested Questions
Are 1080p drones good?
There may be nothing inherently flawed with 1080p drones, however make no mistake, when you want to seize nice video from the sky, you’ll need to think about at the very least a more moderen 2.7K drone, or, ideally, a 4K drone. Once more, digicam high quality just isn’t decided by decision, however many of the innovation we’re seeing in cameras is for bigger sensors, we have been really shocked that the DJI Mavic Mini launched with a 2.7K digicam, most every thing is at the very least 4K lately.
Can I improve my 1080p drone digicam to 4K?
Every drone is constructed otherwise, however the majority won’t settle for digicam upgrades. Racing drones are extra modular, you possibly can swap out bits and items, just like the digicam. Machines like these from DJI have hard-coded for a particular digicam within the software program. For instance, you possibly can have DJI swap cameras in your Mavic 2 Zoom / Mavic 2 Professional, however they should do a full software program flash to reconfigure the drone to deal with the brand new digicam. If you will get the software program and the instruments to flash the improve, then you may swap these two cameras, however that’s the identical drone, you’re simply swapping cameras, none of that software program would work to place the Mavic 2 Professional digicam in your older Mavic Professional, sadly.
Ought to I purchase a 1080p drone?
Your flight wants ought to decide the drone that you simply buy. If you’re not trying to seize 4K video from the sky, then, sure, a 1080p drone might be precisely what you need. The worth will doubtless be decrease for the decrease decision digicam, and the digicam has no affect on the capabilities of the airframe, so the selection is yours, if you don’t want a higher-end digicam drone, a 1080p drone is simply tremendous.