Selfie drones: an overview of popular models

Back in 1914, thirteen-year-old Princess Anastasia Nikolaevna became one of the first teenagers to take her own photograph with a Kodak Brownie and a reflection in a mirror. To which, in a letter to her friend, she wrote that it was extremely difficult to do. Since then, the self-portrait as a phenomenon has not been very popular, but in the late 2000s, the so-called selfie broke into trends, thanks to the popularization of mobile phones with built-in cameras. But still, for a self-portrait, you need to hold the phone in your hand, although taking a selfie is already much easier. You can free your hands with a tripod, but you will have to set it up for a long time and painfully before photographing, and also carry it with you. Or you can buy a compact and mobile selfie drone that will create a self-portrait without shaking hands, shoot you from the side, and fit in a purse or even a pocket without any problems.

Rating of the best models of 2019

If in 2016 drones were expensive toys, now you can get excellent models no more expensive than a mid-range smartphone. In this list, we will indicate inexpensive models that can be ordered on Aliexpress and gradually increase the price, and the corresponding functionality for it.

10th place: Wisgland s6

The compact folding quadcopter is comparable in size to a smartphone. It is stable in flight thanks to ultrasonic (2 pcs.) and optical (1 pcs.) sensor. It makes a lot of noise, and thanks to the brushless motor and automatically opening blades, the quadric has excellent speed indicators. The camera at 13 MP and the 3-axis EIS stabilization system can shoot in 4K 30 FPS and Full HD 60 FPS without serious distortion and vibration.

Characteristics:

• Flight time 7-9 minutes.
• Flight altitude 100 m.
• Radius up to 100 m.
• Controlled via remote control or smartphone apps.
• Weight 260 grams.
• Dimensions (transportation) - 138x79x32.6 mm.
• Dimensions (working) - 138 x 169 x 32.6 mm.

Device advantages:

• Good sensory system;
• Excellent camera;
• Multiple remote control options;
• Thoughtful design;
• Price.

Flaws:

• The camera is fixed and there is no way to adjust the tilt angle;
• Flight time less than 10 minutes.
• The drone is positioned as a great semi-professional option for taking selfies.

9th place: DJi Mavic Pro

Powerful drone with compact dimensions. The signal transmission system allows you to broadcast and receive a signal from the control panel at a distance of up to 7 km. The drone is guided by five computer vision sensors plus a GPS / GLONAS system, and a 4K camera with three-axis stabilization is able to take the best self-portrait.

But one of the main features is gesture control. Now you do not need to use a smartphone or remote control to give the drone a command to focus and take pictures at close range. This can all be done with gestures using only the hands.

Characteristics:

• Flight range up to 7 km.
• Flight time 27 minutes.
• Maximum speed - up to 65 km / h.
• Takeoff time 5m/s.
• Landing time 3 m/s.
• Camera sensor: 1/2.3
• Camera 13 MP.

Advantages:

• SkyAutonomy early obstacle detection technology up to 15 m.
• The stabilization system uses satellite positioning in an open area.
• On the closed visual positioning sensors are directed forward and down.
• Tracking system - automatic tracking and shooting of the target in various modes.
• Camera with maximum shooting parameters 4K 30 FPS.
• Full synchronization through the application with a smartphone.
• Control via remote control, smartphone, VR glasses, gestures.
• Setting the flight time.

Flaws:

• Price.
• The device is positioned as a professional quadcopter for any type of filming.

8th place: Syma x21W

Pocket quadcopter with some features from the "big" brothers. It has a barometer that allows you to land, take off and hold altitude at the touch of a button. The body lock mode helps you not to take into account where the head of the model is looking when flying. And, for fun, the quadcopter can do 360-degree flips. But most importantly, small appearance will help to distinguish him from the crowd. The camera is generally tolerable and in daylight you can get quite good pictures.

Characteristics:

• Dimensions 135x135x31 mm.
• Flight time up to 5 minutes.
• Gyroscope.
• WiFi HD camera (720P).

Advantages:

• Small and compact.

• Able to hold height.
• Easy to manage.
• Price.

Flaws:

• Autonomy.
• Camera.
• Range.
• Functionality.
• The device is positioned as a youth selfie drone for entertainment.

7th place: JJRC H37 Elfie

Compact and foldable drone with a camera for taking photos and videos. Capable of recording at 1280×720 resolution. The copter is controlled via a joystick or a smartphone on iOS or Android. It can hover at the right height, so it is perfect as a selfie drone. The return home function is present.

Characteristics:

• Flight time 7 minutes.
• Charging 60 minutes.
• Flight range 40 meters.
• Battery 400 mAh.
• Dimensions 135x57x30 mm.
• Weight 57 g.
• Resolution - 720P.

Advantages:

• Compactness.
• Able to hold height.
• Easy to manage.
• Price.

Flaws:

• Camera.
• Range.
• Functionality.
• The gadget is positioned as a budget version of the selfie drone.

6th place: jy018

A foldable quadcopter with a WiFi camera that even children can easily handle. On vacation or a picnic, the four-winged device will take a selfie with its HD camera. The quadcopter is controlled by a smartphone. Takeoff, landing, hovering at the same level - to do as simple as possible.

Characteristics:

• Camera HD, 0.3 MP.
• Range - 40 m.
• Flight time - 7-8 minutes.
• Charging time is an hour.
• Dimensions (unfolded) - 25.5 × 25.5 × 3.5 cm.
• Folded dimensions 7.2 x 9.2 x 6 cm.

Advantages:

• Fits in a pocket.
• Hovering over one point.
• Smartphone control.
• Price.

Flaws:

• Camera.
• Range.
• Functionality.
• The quadcopter is positioned as a family option for group family photos from the air.

5th place: Yuneec Breeze 4k

Compact drone with advanced camera and features. Five auto-flight modes of the camera will allow you to create unique shots. Selfie modes for self-portrait, orbit for aerial photos, follow me for aerial photos in motion. A drone is truly capable of replacing an experienced operator.

But, a camera with 13 MP on board allows you to shoot in 4K, 30 FPS or 720P to broadcast online straight from the drone. And most importantly, the quadcopter is capable of taking unsurpassed selfies.

Characteristics:

• 1. Camera 4K, 13 MP.
• 2. Range - 100 m.
• 3. Flight time - 12 minutes.
• 4. Charging time - hour.
• 5. Gyroscope.

Advantages:

• Shooting modes like professional drones.
• Great camera.
• Smartphone or remote control.
• Price.

Flaws:

• Autonomy.
• The device can be positioned as a semi-professional device with professional selfie modes.

4th place: Xiro Xplorer Mini

Style and impeccable shooting quality are closely intertwined in this quadric. The pocket dimensions of the device only play into his hands. This gadget is a candidate for the title of the best selfie quadcopter. For not only futuristic design, but also intelligent flight modes allow the aircraft to be easy to fly. And the connection with the GPS satellite allows you to soar accurately and safely outdoors in the open air. Positioning sensors allow you to fly in the same way without fear in enclosed spaces and rooms.

Characteristics:

• Camera 13 MP.
• Video mode 1080@30
• Flight time - 15 minutes.
• Flight altitude - 50 meters.
• Range up to 100 meters.
• Dimensions 310x310x55 mm.
• Weight - 431 g.

Advantages:

• Build quality.
• Design.
• Camera.
• Functionality.
• Flight time.

Flaws:

• No shooting at 4
• Does not work with analog control equipment.
• The selfie drone is positioned as a semi-professional solution.

3rd place: Lily Camera

The emotion-inducing selfie drone is equipped with a Full HD camera with a 94-degree field of view. The camera takes 12MP photos and 1920×1080p video at 60 FPS or 1280×720p at 120 PFS. And this, in turn, allows you to use the "Slow Motion" function. By making a selfie video in this mode, you can create truly mesmerizing content. It's a pity, but sometimes a 4GB microSD card is not enough to accumulate media data during one trip.

Characteristics:

• Camera 12 MP.
• Video mode 1080@60
• Video mode 720 at 120
• Speed ​​- 40 km / h.
• Flight height - 15 meters.
• Range up to 30 meters.
• Dimensions 261x261x81.8 mm.
• Weight - 1300 g.
• Flight time 20 minutes.

Advantages:

• Design.
• Compactness.
• Ease of controls.
• Camera.
• Quick launch and landing.

Flaws:

• Built-in battery.
• There is no indication of battery charge either.
• Digital camera stabilization.
• The device is positioned as a good solution for selfie photos and filming entertainment content.

2nd place: Hover 2

The Hover 2 premium selfie drone is a “next generation” of autonomous drones with a focus on aerial photography in the selfie format. A completely new model that adopted from the previous one only a unique design with an emphasis on safety. At the heart of this flagship is a Snapdragon processor and an excellent 360-degree system for recognizing and avoiding obstacles along a new trajectory through the use of special flight algorithms.

Characteristics:

• Camera 12 MP.
• Video mode 4
• A photo
• Flight height - 15 meters.
• Range up to 100 meters / 5 km.
• Dimensions 230x45x172 mm.
• Weight - 490 g.
• Flight time 23 minutes.

Advantages:

• Design.
• Compactness.
• Functionality.
• Camera.
• Quick launch and landing.
• Flight out of the box.

Flaws:

• Price.
• The device is an excellent professional solution for selfie shooting photos and videos.

1st place: Air Selfie 2

A compact pocket quadcopter made in a metal case with special sensors for flying and hovering at one point, with a built-in 12MP photo and video camera, as well as unique systems for tracking and following a selected object. Selfie drone AirSelfie 2 perfectly takes group selfies of a large group of people, easily shoots a video in the most unusual situations.

The flying car looks like a compact quadcopter powered by brushless motors, capable of fast, precise and maneuverable movements in the air for its weight and size. The tiny propellers are protected by a durable steel housing. The camera is located in front, and an optical height sensor and an acoustic surface sensor are installed at the bottom. Recognized as one of the best miniature selfie drones for 2019.

Characteristics:

• Camera 12 MP.
• Resolution 1080p.
• Weight 80 g
• Flight height 20 meters
• Flight time 5 minutes
• Charging time 30 minutes

Advantages:

• Compact: can shoot indoors and outdoors
• Intelligent shooting system.
• Quick selfie in 4 seconds (start, lift, shoot).
• Design.
• Ease of controls.
• Camera.
• Price.

Flaws:

• So small that you can inadvertently lose it somewhere on the street or in the house.
• Positioned as a miniature semi-professional drone with an excellent camera and advanced selfie modes.

Conclusion

Selfie drones are a unique, futuristic hands-free selfie solution. A variety of quadcopters on the market allows you to find the variant of the quadcopter for shooting that you need. You can choose from budget devices with a couple of features and a not-so-great camera (Syma x21W), gradually reach semi-professional solutions (Wisgland s6) or cling to a real professional quadcopter with extensive functionality (DJi Mavic Pro).