Best 4K Drones of 2025

Looking at 4K drones? Here’s a story you can relate to.

Around 2017, when I was living in rural Montana, I was flying a DJI Phantom 3 Standard. The camera on this drone had a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with 12.4 effective megapixels. I used the drone to capture some photos of Montana’s breathtaking landscapes and won first prize for them at the county fair that year.

While the camera was impressive for its time, it pales in comparison to the powerful optics modern drones are carrying. I doubt my photos would be as good today if I were still flying that old Phantom.

Modern drones equipped with 4K cameras offer photographers and commercial drone pilots a wealth of creative flexibility. With stunning resolution for filmmakers and accurate detail for mapping, no pilot should be flying a drone without a 4K camera. It allows for detail retention, is excellent in post-production, and achieves broadcast-ready quality for any platform you share it on.

For new pilots and seasoned aerial veterans alike, FLYING has compiled a list of the top 5 4K drones worth taking a look at. Before we dive into the list, let’s discuss some of the things that helped us choose the best 4K drones.

What to Look for in a 4K Drone

4K may be a great way to sum up the capabilities of the camera, but to understand which drones are best, you need to look beyond the resolution alone.

To get the most out of 4K drones, you also need to look for a large sensor size, high frame rates, wide dynamic range, and stabilization capabilities. Understanding these will make the difference between your footage being just average or cinematic.

Flight performance is also worth considering. If the drone has a great camera but poor battery life, for example, you won’t get the most out of the 4K camera. Other factors to consider for flight performance include the UAV’s ability to withstand high winds, transmission distance, and effectiveness of the GPS in maintaining its position.

Smart features, such as intelligent flight modes, obstacle avoidance, subject tracking, and follow-me modes, will all help maximize the capabilities of a 4K camera drone.

Finally, in addition to ensuring the build quality is good, think of the intended use for the drone. If you are a filmmaker looking to create cinematic footage, you’ll want a 4K drone that also allows you to capture in higher-end formats such as RAW Formats (CinemaDNG, Red Raw, Arriraw). Other pilots might not need a drone with that much power or corresponding cost.

Top 5 4K Drones for 2025

That’s a lot to consider beyond just looking for a 4K camera drone, but it is all important.

There is no need for you to waste your precious time doing the groundwork, though. FLYING has applied everything above as a consideration for building our list. You’ll be more than happy with any of our top 5 4K drones.

Our recommendations include the following:

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

DJI recently released the Mavic 4 Pro. Unfortunately, there are no plans to release the drone to the United States anytime soon. That means for the U.S. market, the flagship 4K drone is still the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.

The drone includes an industry-leading triple camera system. Pilots can capture 4K to their heart’s content with the drone’s Hasselblad 4/3-inch CMOS wide-angle camera, a 70 mm medium telephoto lens, and a 166 mm long telephoto lens.

The primary Hasselblad camera surpasses 4K, capturing stunning 5.1K video at up to 50 frames per second. 4K is captured at 120 fps, and drone pilots can choose between 10-bit D-Log M and HLG formats with up to 12.8 stops of dynamic range. The drone’s flight time is 43 minutes, providing pilots with ample time to capture the desired shots.

The best pilots for this drone are professional cinematographers. You will love the triple camera system and extended flight times. The only drawback to this drone is the cost. The base model is $2,199, and the higher-end version is $4,799.

DJI Mini 4 Pro

If you’re on a budget but still need a reliable 4K drone, a great option is the DJI Mini 4 Pro, which comes in at under $800.

That might still sound like a lot for a budget drone, but with all the features you get with this model, it’s a steal. This compact drone, weighing less than 250 grams, still features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor capable of capturing 4K/60 fps HDR video and 48 MP still photos. Like the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, the mini can capture in 10-bit D-Log M and HLG color profiles, making it perfect for postproduction work.

You have two options for flight times based on the battery you select. The standard battery provides 34 minutes of use, while an optional extended battery can increase that to 45 minutes. You’ll also get numerous features, such as obstacle avoidance and intelligent flight modes, to help you maximize the potential of your 4K flying camera.

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is the ideal 4K drone for travel vloggers, social media content creators, and hobbyists seeking high-quality 4K visual content without breaking the bank.

Autel Robotics EVO II Pro V3

As if 4K wasn’t enough already, our third recommendation, the Autel Robotics EVO II Pro V3, can capture up to 6K.

This powerful drone features an adjustable aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/11, and a maximum ISO of 44,000. That means you will have complete control to get the most out of even the most challenging lighting conditions. The camera’s 1-inch Sony CMOS sensor is capable of capturing 6K, as mentioned, and can also deliver 4K HDR.

The EVO II Pro V3 has a transmission range of up to 9.3 miles and can fly steadily in winds up to 27 mph. On the safety side, the drone features a 360-degree obstacle avoidance system comprising 19 different sensors. The sensors will constantly map the surrounding area to ensure a safe flight.

This drone is the best option for filmmakers and creatives who need full control in a wide range of lighting conditions, and is an excellent choice for those requiring 4K data in survey and mapping operations.

DJI Air 3S

Fourth on our list is a 4K camera drone, perfect for people on the go, such as travel vloggers.

The DJI Air 3S is a mix of professional-grade 4K image capturing and portability. This drone features a dual-camera system that includes both a 1-inch CMOS wide-angle camera (50 MP) and a 1/1.3-inch CMOS medium telephoto camera (48 MP) with a 3X optical zoom. You’ll also be able to record 4K/60 fps video, which is exactly what you need to create those smooth, buttery shots everyone wants to capture.

Like other DJI drones on the list, the Air 3S supports 10-bit D-Log M color, which provides full control in post-production editing. Flight times on the Air 3S are also impressive, reaching up to 45 minutes per charge. It features the same safety capabilities as other DJI models we have discussed, along with enhanced Nightscape sensing for safe operations in low-light conditions.

This drone is ideal for professional photographers, content creators, and commercial drone pilots seeking high-quality 4K data collection.

Autel Robotics EVO II Dual 640T Enterprise V3

Our final selection for best 4k drones is designed with professional commercial drone pilots in mind, particularly those involved in industrial inspections.

The Autel EVO II Dual 640T Enterprise V3 captures 4K HDR, like other drones on the list. What sets the 640T apart from other drones on our list is its dual-camera payload. In addition to a 0.8-inch RYYB CMOS visual sensor that captures up to 50 MP stills and 8K or 4K HDR video, this drone also features a high-resolution 640-by-512 thermal imager with a 13 mm lens and 16X digital zoom.

Autel Robotics EVO II Dual 640T Enterprise V3 [Courtesy: Amazon]

This means you can capture 4K visual data and mix it with thermal imaging. Inspectors will love the ability to compare high-resolution visual images of their worksites with radiometric thermal data. The drone also features a 42-minute flight time and a range of 15 kilometers.

It is the perfect 4K drone for inspectors, mapping operations, solar farm maintenance, and a wide range of other industrial applications.