Featuring: Psychiatrist, Videographer & Drone EnthusiastDr. Ahmad Abdul Jalil bin Mohd Razali
"A good camera drone isn’t only a must-have item for videographers and photographers today. In fact, those who enjoy aerial views should consider investing in it too. This cool gadget lets you ply for the perfect angles and views you’ve always dreamed of exploring." - Dr. Ahmad Abdul Jalil
When it comes to drones, there are a few types of them available such as helicopter drones and camera drones. For the latter, camera drones or photography drones are mainly utilised for taking aerial pictures and videos. And depending on the models, these drones can shoot videos in HD, Full HD or 4K resolution.
Other than photography and videography purposes, you get to control them for your amusement and fly them in different ways by using a remote attached to your smartphone. Now, whether you are looking for a budget or professional type, below are the short reviews of the best camera drones in Malaysia with different price points.
Table of Contents
- List of Best Camera Drones in Malaysia
- What Price Range Qualifies For a Good Camera Drone?
- Do I Need a License Or Permit to Fly a Drone in Malaysia?
- What are the Major Concerns about Flying a Camera Drone?
- What Makes a Good Camera Drone?
8 Best Camera Drones in Malaysia
- DJI Air 2S
- DJI Mini 2
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro
- Autel Evo II
- DJI Mini SE
- DJI Mavic Mini
- DJI Tello EDU
- DJI Mavic Air 2
Table of Contents
Why It’s Our Top Pick:
“A must-have for hobbyists and professional drone users, this compact-sized DJI Air 2S boasts great flight performance. Regardless of no-wind or windy conditions, it’ll shoot amazing image & video quality”.
Features:
Weighing at just 595 g, the DJI Air 2S comes equipped with a large 20MP 1-inch sensor that allows you to shoot in JPEG and RAW format. You can also experiment with various camera modes such as burst shooting, HDR panorama, wide-angle, 180° and sphere.
It can record 4K as well as 5.4K video at 60fps and 30fps respectively, which is also coupled with digital zoom feature of up to 8x. In terms of flight modes, the DJI Air 2S has a 3-axis stabilisation that allows it to tilt, roll and pan ranging from -45° to -135°.
Flight capabilities wise, the drone can fly up to 5 m/s in C Mode as well as 15 m/s in N Mode and 19 m/s in S Mode. Its maximum flight time clocks at 31 minutes in no-wind condition while the wind speed resistance can sustain up to 10.7 m/s.
Performance:
The reviews are generally positive for the DJI Air 2S, beginning with its overall smooth and responsive flight performance and tested well even when encountering strong winds. Its 20MP 1-inch sensor produces excellent image and video quality while the digital zoom does come in handy as long as you keep it at 2x.
Looking for a reliable, yet beginner-friendly camera drone? Consider getting the DJI Mini 2, which only weighs around 249 g.
Features:
The DJI Mini 2 is foldable on all four arms when not in use, making it portable enough for travelling. It utilises a 12MP 1/2.3” CMOS sensor that can shoot Full HD and 4K video up to 60fps and 30fps respectively, both polished with a 2x-4x zoom capability. It also captures still photos in JPEG and RAW format.
This drone has five pre-programmed QuickShots including Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle and Boomerang. Not to mention you can easily take panoramic shots either in wide-angle, 180° or sphere. When it comes to flying the drone, the DJI Mini 2’s maximum flight time clocks at 31 minutes and is capable of tilting from 25° (N & C Mode) to 40° (S Mode).
Performance:
According to most reviews, the DJI Mini 2 is easy to fly and can sustain in the air for around half an hour. However, the drone’s lack of obstacle avoidance means you need to be careful, especially if you are flying the drone in tight spaces. Otherwise, the camera performs quite well, offering sharp yet detailed images and video footage.
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is one of the camera drones that come with a “follow me” feature. This means it can autonomously track and follow a subject at a certain distance using the GPS function and take videos. In other words, you don’t have to keep on controlling the drone manually at all times.
Features:
Apart from the handy “follow me” feature, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro’s four arms can be folded for portability purposes. The maximum flight distance & time under the no-wind condition can last up to 18 km around 31 minutes while its tilting angle maxes between 25° (P Mode) and 35° (S Mode).
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro comes equipped with a 20MP 1” CMOS sensor which shoots still images at 5472 x 3648. It can record videos at 4K (30fps) and Full HD (120fps).
Performance:
Those who used the DJI Mavic 2 Pro loves its GPS accuracy upon utilising its “follow me” feature while it manages to last around half an hour’s worth of flight time. The camera performance does a great job in terms of image and video quality.
If you are looking for a DJI alternative, consider checking out the US-based Autel Robotics, which is no slouch to producing great camera drones. Among them includes the Autel Evo II model.
Features:
The Autel Evo II sports a 48MP 1/2” CMOS sensor that can shoot videos from Full HD to 8K. It also has 1-8x zoom capability which is the first of its kind ever featured in a consumer drone.
It comes with obstacle avoidance too, thanks to its 12 computer vision sensors situated on six angles ranging from the front to bottom as well as right and left sides. The maximum flight time of this drone can last up to 40 minutes while its flight speed is approximately 72.4 km/h at 20 m/s.
Performances:
Based on most reviews, the Autel Evo 2’s omnidirectional obstacle avoidance is quite reliable. The drone can last up in the air around 35-40 minutes as claimed and has a good build quality too. Moreover, camera and video quality look crisp and vibrant.
Here’s a palm-sized DJI Mini SE that is compact and light enough at just 249 g. For your curiosity, just think of it as holding a smartphone and you’ll get a general idea of its feel.
Features:
The DJI Mini SE is made with simplicity in mind. That means you can get the hang of it even if you are a first-timer, thanks to its easy-to-use DJI Fly app. Then, there’s the 360° Propeller Guard which not only safeguards the drone’s propellers but also maximises flight safety.
You can fold the drone for easy transportation while the maximum flight time is 30 minutes. It comes with a 12MP 1/2.3” CMOS sensor that can shoot Full HD and 2.7K videos up to respective 60fps and 30fps.
Performances:
Most users love the fact that it doesn’t require a steep learning curve to master drone-flying skills. But its overall lightweight design can be a setback if you attempt to fly the drone under the high-wind condition. Battery life is impressive, capable of lasting around 30 minutes or so. Finally, it shoots excellent video and image quality.
True to its name, the DJI Mavic Mini is small and portable. It’s also foldable too, so you can simply fold the arms of the propellers into place when not in use.
Features:
Among its highlights include a 3-axis stabilised camera, which shoots Full HD and 2.7K videos and a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor capable of capturing 12MP still photos. The DJI Mavic Mini has a maximum flight time of 30 minutes and can tilt from 20° (C & P Mode) to 30° (S Mode).
Performances:
DJI Mavic Mini has garnered praises mainly for its lightweight size at just 249g. Its camera is no slouch either as it produces nice-looking images and videos. But the lack of 4K video support can be a turn-off for most users. As for shooting still photos, it’s a bummer it doesn’t support RAW format and only JPEG.
The drone’s flight time also comes close to what DJI has to offer here, averaging between 23-27 minutes, depending on the surroundings and usage. However, it has no obstacle avoidance sensors on both the front and rear so you need to be careful if you are flying this in confined areas.
If you do not want to spend a fortune owning a camera drone, this affordably-priced DJI Tello EDU is an ideal choice that comes with several essential features to get you started.
Features:
The DJI Tello EDU’s camera is capable of shooting 5MP photos and 720p HD videos. It also supports various programming languages for educational purposes (hence its EDU model) such as C++, Python and Scratch. Moreover, you can make use of the Mission Pad for executing varieties of commands, say to perform an aerial flip.
Performances:
Users find the DJI Tello EDU to offer quite a fun experience. The drone is smooth and responsive upon flying whereas the GPS-like Vision Positioning System works like a charm, particularly in terms of maintaining stability and precise hovering. This is especially true if you fly the drone indoors.
However, the flight performance is found to be a mixed bag when used outdoors. The drone’s lightweight design can be a hindrance here, which can make it difficult to control at times. It also delivers smooth-looking 720p videos and still images.
The DJI Mavic Air 2 combines good build quality and functionality, whereas the latter allows you to shoot 4K videos.
Features:
Its key features include its aforementioned ability to shoot 4K video up to 60fps. The drone also supports various video resolution formats including Full HD and 2.7K at 30fps. It shoots 48MP still photos via a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor while it offers assorted shooting modes like vertical, wide-angle and 180° panorama.
There’s also a SmartPhoto feature which comes in handy for producing sharp and clearer images using the combination of automatic scene recognition, HDR and HyperLight.
Another awesome feature is that you can adjust the shooting settings based on selected categories such as skies, grass and trees. Then, there’s the FocusTrack, which has three smart tracking modes (Spotlight 3.0, ActiveTrack 3.0 and POI 3.0) -- all of which are designed to keep the moving subject in the frame.
Other highlights include an 8K Hyperlapse for time & space warp-centric footage, six pre-programmed QuickShots modes (e.g. Dronie, Boomerang) and OcuSync 2.0, which is capable of transmitting video up to 10 km distance.
Performances:
The DJI Mavic Air 2 excels in its camera function, offering superb 4K video at 60fps and that it also produces sharp and detailed 48MP still photos. Moreover, the added camera modes are fun to use, namely the SmartPhoto that lives up to its name for capturing great-looking photos in different exposures.
Flying the drone is equally an experience itself, where it responds well to the user’s controls and that it manages to sustain in the air around 30 minutes or so. The inclusion of obstacle avoidance sensors, which are located both front, rear and bottom do give the user peace of mind while flying the drone.
What Price Range Qualifies For A Good Camera Drone?
The average price range you should be looking for is around RM 800 to RM 8,000, according to our guest expert, Dr. Jalil. Such prices, of course, varies for different needs and budgets. For instance, if you are a professional photographer or videographer, you would likely spend more on a camera drone that fits your respective criteria.
Dr. Jalil also pointed out that cheaper toy drones have middling specs and features. Plus, you should consider the suggested price range above as a form of investment, particularly if you are serious about getting a camera drone.
Do I Need A License Or Permit To Fly A Drone In Malaysia?
Flying a drone is technically legal for us to do so in Malaysia without the need of obtaining any drone operator licenses. However, you should take note that the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) encourages users to follow the rules and regulations of flying a drone.
For instance, you will need to apply for a permit if you are using a drone for aerial works like mapping or if your drone weighs above 20 kg without fuel. A permit is also required if you intend to fly a drone into restricted areas.
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What Are The Major Concerns About Flying A Camera Drone?
Legislative Uncertainty:
It can be burdensome to apply for a permit for flying a drone, particularly for independent freelancers. This is especially true, given the ambiguities in the recently updated Drone Laws in Malaysia.
Still, it’s safe to say that drone operators must first get permission from the homeowner. And apart from that, they also need supporting documents. These may include a letter of approval from Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia (JUPEM), the Chief Government Security Office (CGSO) and others that come with Permit Application fees.
For more info, the drone operators should check with the relevant authorities for assistance.
Security and Privacy:
The invasion of privacy is among the main public concerns related to camera drones. This is particularly evident since drones can collect data and photographs in a non-conspicuous manner.
Such concern is also understandable since some operators may misuse the drone for their personal benefits. This is why drone operators need to understand the rules and regulations of flying a drone to avoid unnecessary legal issues.
Safety:
Despite the advanced technology of today’s drones, accidents may still happen if operators do not exercise caution upon flying them.
Furthermore, such a problem is considered ubiquitous nowadays. For instance, a hobby drone that flies further than the permitted ascent height of 400 feet is no surprise to the public and onlookers, who may choose to ignore it. This then causes lack of doubt and ignorance on their own safety.
Again, with all the potential dangers and even the weight of a drone, the operators should understand any relevant restrictions and get themselves insured before operating it in the first place.
What Makes A Good Camera Drone?
With many types of camera drones out there, investing in a good one can be a daunting experience. Fortunately, thanks to Dr. Jalil, here are the few things you need to consider before you spend your hard-earned money.
- Has safety features such as return-to-home function and obstacle avoidance sensors
- Good battery life that can last for at least 20 minutes’ worth of flight time
- Able to fly at least 5 km distance
- Stable and has a powerful video transmission
- At least 12MP still image and 4K resolutions
- Has automated features like hyper-lapse and active tracking