Ultimate Drone Buying Guide for Total Beginners 2024

Ultimate Drone Buying Guide for Total Beginners 2024

Best Camera Drones for Beginners that still shoot pro quality video and photos compared:
DJI Mini 3 vs. DJI Mini 4 Pro vs. Air 3 vs. Autel Evo Lite+ vs. Mavic 3 Pro vs. Mavic 3 Classic vs. DJI Mini 2 vs. DJI Inspire 2 with X5S

Link for the Cinematography & Editing drone course, includes the drone business/marketing course now too so they are just one thing.
$100 Off because I love you I guess:
https://courses.dronelaunchacademy.com/p/aerial-video-a-to-z/?product_id=872022&coupon_code=GROOVYLITTLEDISCOUNT&affcode=58782_fajjfmbu

If you cannot get the best thing do not stress about it, all of the drones I go over are still incredible to be able to get as “entry level.”
Even the Mini 2 is STILL an awesome drone. Mini 4K is the updated model and you have to get it on Amazon strangely.

It has a 1/2.3″ sensor and shoots 12 megapixel photos but it is PLENTY to grow with. Just find it used on Craigslist, Ebay, Facebook Marketplace, Offerup for like $250 or lower.

Mini 4K (2020) – $300
(newest version of the Mini 2)
4K Video, RAW photos, no collision sensors but can live in your pocket

Mini 3 (2022) – $400
4K, RAW photos, Great connection, Vertical Filming, .76 inch sensor, really impressive for the convenience and ease. No anti-bonk

Mini 4 Pro (2023) – $750/$900
Get the $900 one, it is a billion times worth having a dedicated smart remote especially for so little extra.
.76 inch sensor, 4K footage, vertical filming, 12 megapixel RAW photos, quietest body type, looks like a bug when its flying. I could write an essay about this thing. By far the most fun to use, incredible connection. Footage often looks like it came from a bigger drone. Activetrack to follow you around if you care about that.
I’ve got a video on the Mini 4 Pro vs Mini 3 Pro as well, LOVE it.

Air 3 (2023) – $1000
MASSIVE improvement on its predecessor, 2 camera on it which I actually use equally and didn’t expect that. Sensor has improved low-light and exposure balancing is really great in this generation, even if the sensor is same size as mini 3 pro.
4K footage, .76” sensor, 12 megapixel photos.
60fps if you care (I don’t). It is cooler than the Mini 4 Pro because of camera 2 and the sick looking body, but Mini 4 Pro is just so convenient so its a tossup. Get mavic 3 classic if pro quality is priority.

Autel Evo Lite Plus (2022) – $1100
6K 1 inch sensor, 20 megapixel photos. Flies pretty rigid so stick to front/back and left/right. Really nice picture, lovely reds like in all Autels. Oversharpened image but I can live with that, just adjust some in editor. Fun colors to pick from give it extra points, could use it for work and still get the job done if DJI gets hit by a car one day. Doesn’t beat DJI but this isn’t bad.

Autel Evo Nano Plus (2022) – $700
NO

Mavic 3 Pro (2022) – $2200
4/3 inch Sensor, 5.1K footage, 20mp photos. Long flight time. Get the normal version not the $4000 Cine version if you don’t know what Prores format is.
This is the Business Class plane ticket drone, there is no going back after having this. Unbelievable dynamic range. UNREAL stability, default color, flight control, flexible rich data for color grading.
A 3x and 7x telephoto lens comes on it. Never use the 7x aside from fun, but the 3x is a great length and useful… just hard to give up the quality of the wide camera that is 5.1k.
Still great for cool angles and cinematography nerds. In general most of what I film on this drone looks better in the end than what I thought I was getting while shooting. They knocked it out of the park with this drone, no limits honestly.

Mavic 3 Classic – $1300
Not typing all that again, you get the point. Minus the Zoom lenses, everything else is the same. Crapping myself at the price being so cheap now. What a deal.

DJI Mini 5 – No, don’t even start asking.

Inspire 2 + X5S camera – $5000+ Used
Shoots 6K RAW Video (literally filming in RAW photos)
5.2K 422 Prores and 4K Proress 4444 incase you know what that all means. Cinema formats but such a pain to lug around, and the noise is a lot. It’s more like a once in a while, Ace in the hole to blow something out the water or shoot Stock Footage and practice cinematography. Interchangeable lenses are really nice too.

I have other videos on making money, go watch those if you need.
If you want the fastest way to get better footage, watch the Cinematography one, trust me it is very necessary.

Updating the Ultimate Drone Buying Guide for Total Beginners 2024 because its time and new drones have come out, the Mini 4 Pro and Air 3 being the biggest additions

00:00 .
00:14 Drones vs. Cocaine
00:50 Beginner Drones
01:55 Photo/Video Drones
03:00 Drone Quality comparison
04:05 DJI Drones
04:58 Drones Tech Update
06:40 Used Drones
08:25 Minis
09:00 Noise Test
09:38 Cinematography
10:12 Mavic 3 Best Drone
12:20 Sensor Chart comparison
13:28 Photography
14:10 Specs Need vs Don’t
15:40 Follow Me
16:25 SMART REMOTE!!!
17:28 Make a Decision
18:12 Pro Drones
20:50 How to Improve

50 Comments

  1. @PONTIANGOD on November 13, 2024 at 12:29 pm

    How About The Lenovo Products

  2. @ChrisCastro-to5vb on November 13, 2024 at 12:30 pm

    This man took off a whole helicopter indoors😶‍🌫️

  3. @earlsmeltzer8990 on November 13, 2024 at 12:30 pm

    Enjoy the info.i did pass.my test and my 4k mini has come in I got my neo you recommended on the way be here on the 14th got.my approval to.fly downtown okc on Sunday the 10th

  4. @ChrisCastro-to5vb on November 13, 2024 at 12:31 pm

    Anti bonk is nice

  5. @Hajduk-Kralj on November 13, 2024 at 12:35 pm

    I don’t own a pool? Wtf

  6. @DjBlacid on November 13, 2024 at 12:35 pm

    as an hetero male with your same humor, i think im in love

  7. @jasonkelly2419 on November 13, 2024 at 12:36 pm

    Hello, thanks for the great video! Could you help me with a few questions? First, I am new to drones and want one to help me record exercise training. I record my videos my self and have to constantly stop and move cameras position. I teach sprint mechanics and would like a drone to follow from a side shot that is not so far away. This way, I can break down the video. I don’t like to use the treadmill because I add in live variables like agility and can use different angles. Is the Mini 3 or 4 pro best for this? Also, can I use a mic to talk while the drone is recording my run? Or do I need to do a voice-over for that? Thanks!

  8. @CoreySKnight on November 13, 2024 at 12:36 pm

    Very informative and entertaining. Just bought my 1st drone which is….. Updating to a Mav 3 Pro tomorrow..LOL

  9. @NnamdiChimezirim on November 13, 2024 at 12:37 pm

    Same video content from last year

  10. @cybersprime on November 13, 2024 at 12:38 pm

    09:25 🤣awkoawkoakwoakwokaowk
    "It’s not the end of the world"

  11. @katherinemagee7151 on November 13, 2024 at 12:40 pm

    What would be the best on a boat to follow a boat?

  12. @chopchop123456789100 on November 13, 2024 at 12:42 pm

    This video is an excellent source of advice from a profesional. Good overall info. Straight to the point, well use of time, info on the price, tip advice on video , etc,etc . Ma’ men, you’re being subscribed 👍🏼😎

  13. @IsaacSchultz on November 13, 2024 at 12:43 pm

    This guy can’t get the microphone to fly, so why take his advice?

  14. @coyboy8107 on November 13, 2024 at 12:45 pm

    Dude, best complete and to the point video I’ve watched in a long time. Thanks!!

  15. @jkjosaas on November 13, 2024 at 12:45 pm

    Excellent review 🙂
    I own a DJI Mini 4 Pro and I traded up from a Mavic Pro (old one). NO regrets, and I completely agree with you about the remote!
    #subscribed

  16. @michaelmiddleton8043 on November 13, 2024 at 12:49 pm

    Hey there man? Great review. Do you have a review/comparison of the DJI MP4? I subscribed but didn’t see one. Thanks and keep it coming.

  17. @shakysugars on November 13, 2024 at 12:50 pm

    Thank you, learned a lot, plus i feel better from all the jokes.

  18. @TinyBean2077 on November 13, 2024 at 12:51 pm

    You had me at OnlyFans <3

  19. @tanyabarnes4899 on November 13, 2024 at 12:51 pm

    Good day. Thank you for the video. Im wanted to get a drone to document my group travels so Im thinking about starting with the DJI Mini 4 Pro. Hoping DJI will have a sale coming up.

  20. @LouisLuzuka on November 13, 2024 at 12:53 pm

    The new drone good? 😮

  21. @paksit2512 on November 13, 2024 at 12:54 pm

    Love it. one of dream for my blogging but i can’t afford So expensive

  22. @jimmoncrieff on November 13, 2024 at 12:54 pm

    This is the drone video I needed so thank you! No-nonsense answers to questions I didn’t know to ask.

  23. @granrey on November 13, 2024 at 12:57 pm

    can you make a video about the drone at closer distances to replace tools like gimbal, slider, etc? I wonder which drone would be better for that. I use the mini SE and I find that at close distances (less than 10′ from target) is not that stable, Would mini 4 be stable enough?

  24. @eat_pant__ on November 13, 2024 at 12:57 pm

    i was just learning and enjoying consuming this content until he choked on his own spit at 11:50 and then i remembered to like and subscribe 🙂

  25. @justinlarracas1153 on November 13, 2024 at 12:57 pm

    can you add fimi mini 3

  26. @mhabemoodyuo8750 on November 13, 2024 at 12:58 pm

    This guy is crazy😂😂😂😂
    Best review btw❤

  27. @officially_leema on November 13, 2024 at 1:01 pm

    11:52 got me cracking up

  28. @teslacybertruck750 on November 13, 2024 at 1:02 pm

    Excellent video! I love many of the phrases you mentioned , like "don’t be the guy who goes on forums and is like should I get a drone this year or wait till next year?" "Stop annoying everyone"

    Also, "if you can’t afford 250-300 dollar drones, get a job"

    very true! Sending greetings from California brother

  29. @elsenorjones9117 on November 13, 2024 at 1:02 pm

    Immediately Followed he’s hilarious

  30. @panocraft on November 13, 2024 at 1:02 pm

    18:36 ist funny how the Picture of thr mini 4 pro is actually not the mini 4 pro but the 3

  31. @mr.zeitmaschine6878 on November 13, 2024 at 1:03 pm

    I like dry and doll humor more than sharp with punch lines. You should leave drones and do dry humor stand ups my friend

  32. @Krom1hell on November 13, 2024 at 1:03 pm

    I’m still hauling ass with the Inspire 1 :))…… and now an Inspire 1 is about 300E….bad if you can’t manage to hack the batteries, but there are people around that can help and you have a monster of a hobby drone….
    I’m using it for fishing, using sonars on waterways, crop survey with a multi-spectral camera, some camera work for speedy filming, surveying building…… and it’s a 10 year old drone…..
    Great thing this drone stuff….. and for fun even the Mini 2 can be used for great stuff (if you know what you’re doing)…..not to mention the new drones.

  33. @QuickAssTutorials on November 13, 2024 at 1:03 pm

    I know there is a Mini 2 SE on DJIs site, but that is only 2.7K, they have updated the line with the Mini 4K that came out like a week ago (May 2024 for anybody in the future) You have to buy the Mini 4K on Amazon though, strangely
    UPDATE: DJI Air 3S has a 1-inch sensor on main camera, so slightly bigger than the Air 3 (.76" sensor) So a bit better low-light images and shadow details, better obstacle avoidance.

  34. @navynuc1 on November 13, 2024 at 1:03 pm

    Love your sharing with humor! Your video was just what I was looking for >>> a new hobby maybe??

  35. @DanielRayTrindade on November 13, 2024 at 1:04 pm

    I’m considering getting my first drone and I’m glad I found your videos first 😂

  36. @ruskin1449 on November 13, 2024 at 1:05 pm

    I really did enjoy your video very educational..I’m a Realtor so I’m looking for one to take over house videos. Well and for fun in the park also you have any recommendations..

  37. @richardwalker5906 on November 13, 2024 at 1:05 pm

    Great review propper funny lol 🤣 Have you had chance to play with DJI Air 3S reads & sounds good obvs not as good as Mavic 3/3 Pro especially

  38. @hanselito2416 on November 13, 2024 at 1:06 pm

    9:30 I can sense the nervousness lol

  39. @ShirleyPotts-ud3nb on November 13, 2024 at 1:07 pm

    They’re very special and fascinating

  40. @shembhahnongkhlaw7105 on November 13, 2024 at 1:09 pm

    I love him cause he is honest. Always be honest and straight to the point, ok? 😊

  41. @michaelmiddleton8043 on November 13, 2024 at 1:11 pm

    My bad. I didn’t look before I spoke about a vid on the M4P. Thanks!

  42. @wayneseymour1 on November 13, 2024 at 1:20 pm

    I’m what you would call a "Daaa" when it comes to drones but with all the amazing technology out today I ask myself have they tried doing this? the this is : I’m a handicapped person paralyzed on one-half my structure ..yup straight down the middle. My left side is as dead as dead as the dead sea scrolls, yet I love to and can build computers service my laptop(when it needs cleaning take it apart, clean, reassemble,yah). Point is is there a drone that I would be able to fly? LOL must be a right-handed one though.

  43. @dalevandenbussche5004 on November 13, 2024 at 1:21 pm

    Which of the drones on this video can you fly without a license?

  44. @nofx77j3 on November 13, 2024 at 1:22 pm

    Amazing video. Thanks so much for the info. Xoxoxoxo

  45. @ericlilly1454 on November 13, 2024 at 1:23 pm

    "I don’t want to talk about this one!" 🤣 Love your honesty.

  46. @JAdams-t6g on November 13, 2024 at 1:23 pm

    Thank you for sharing your expertise!

  47. @earlsmeltzer8990 on November 13, 2024 at 1:24 pm

    And I got
    Microsoft 365, so I got there editing software. Do you think that’s a good place to start, or what would you recommend?

  48. @kennyye63 on November 13, 2024 at 1:24 pm

    Is dji getting banned tho?😢

  49. @skillerbg on November 13, 2024 at 1:25 pm

    Isn’t a beginner more likely to break/lose it. That’s the main reason I think of going for the cheapest possible like the mini 4k

  50. @itsrob2321 on November 13, 2024 at 1:27 pm

    I just want to thank you for that excellent review. I’ve flown and filmed quite a bit, but your footage and reviews are a big help!

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