Online video content creators constantly have to up their game. With technology becoming more available and affordable every day, it’s no longer enough to sit in front of your laptop camera, say a few words, and expect to make a viral smash. You now need to turn your garage, bedroom, or cell into a near-professional video production studio — but fortunately, it’s not that hard or even expensive. Here are 10 tools content creators can use to become international superstars, or at least cult heroes.

Next-level vlogging | Video Camera Camcorder Digital YouTube Vlogging Camera

You need more than a smartphone and a hot take to make a viral video these days. YouTube vlogs are becoming more complex and technically proficient, with special effects, alternate shooting angles, multiple screens, and graphics. This camcorder gives video content creators all the advanced technology they need to keep up at an affordable price. Shoot in light or dark environments, with slow-motion or time-lapse photography. Record clean sound with a deluxe microphone. It’s got everything a YouTuber needs, except for views, likes, and copyright-related takedown notices.

Hold steady | Torjim 60″ Camera Tripod with Carrying Bag

Still shots that aren’t still are the bane of the video content creator. To stage a perfect scene without the difficulty and occasional nausea of a moving shot, you’ll need a tripod to hold the camera in place. This unit from Torjim does exactly that and more. It provides ceaseless stability for video cameras of any kind. It’s got a phone holder and Bluetooth connectivity for remote control operation. It also comes with a carrying bag so that you can sling your tripod over your shoulder like a boss.

Light of the rings | 8″ Ring Light with Tripod Stand

If you’re shooting video content in a room that’s too dark and you’re not discussing vampires or death metal, you probably need some strategic lighting in your corner. That’s what ring lights provide. They give selfie video creators the same well-lit conditions that game show hosts and auto mechanics use every day. This ring light and tripod stand make it easy to create adjustable light for crisp, evocative images, with a brace to hold your smartphone recorder in place and a remote controller for hands-free operation.

Sound reasoning | USB Microphone, TONOR Computer Condenser

Are you still relying on your laptop’s built-in microphone for recording sound? That needs to stop. Frankly, it’s embarrassing. Especially when it’s possible to recreate high-quality audio recordings with microphones that cost a fraction of what they used to. TONOR makes some of the best audio products for digital creators, including this plug-and-play USB condenser microphone. With a tripod, a pop filter, quick set-up, and easy connectivity, this TONOR mic helps you make stunning content that doesn’t sound like it was made inside an aluminum soda can.

Let there be light | MOUNTDOG Softbox Lighting Kit

When your videos have gone viral, and it’s time to expand operations, you’ll need a lighting system that can illuminate with the big dogs — like the MOUNTDOG. This softbox kit is exactly the kind of system professional photographers use in their studios but at a very reasonable price. With two fully rotating lightboxes, pro-grade bulbs, a carrying case, and two adjustable tripods (we’re discovering every item for sale in the world includes a tripod), this kit contains everything you need to harness the awesome power of brightness and shadows for your cooking demo.

Go the distance | Apexel High Power 36x HD Telephoto Lens

When you’re trying to expose the terrible working conditions in a manufacturing plant that won’t let you on the premises — or something less risky, but still far away — it may be time to invest in a telephoto lens. The Apexel HD telephoto lens is the latest model on the market, and it’s able to deliver top-quality zoom-in shots up to 36 times the distance away from its position. It greatly magnifies your smartphone camera’s ability for that jungle safari, distant planet, or unsuspecting neighbor’s apartment window you’re trying to capture.

This party’s lit | Auxiwa Clip-on Selfie Ring Light

If you’re hooked on shooting well-lit selfies but aren’t fond of the many tripods in this article, this ring light is your saving grace. It clips right onto your smartphone, delivering professional quality illumination in a much smaller, more compact unit. Powered by a rechargeable lithium battery, the Auxiwa clip-on light offers three levels of brightness without ever requiring you to stop and change the battery. Stop depending on your phone’s built-in flashlight — it doesn’t understand your needs like this does.

Power of the pen | Bargains Depot Capacitive Stylus

One of the ironies about touch-screen devices is that they work better if you don’t actually touch the screen. Instead, manufacturers suggest that you use a stylus as an intermediary as much as you can. This set of four stylus pens comes with multiple rubber tips that interact with tablets and smartphones as surely and effectively as your grubby little fingers, without the smearing or smudging that makes your screen look like the window outside a donut shop.

Finish the job | Adobe After Effects

Post-production is the secret to making impactful video content. Adobe, the indisputable industry leader in editing and image processing tech, can turn all your content from boring raw footage into vibrant, effects-laden, professional eye candy. Subscribe to Adobe After Effects to add text, wild transitions, expert jump cuts, and jaw-dropping special effects to your TED talk or cat blog. There’s no limit to what you can do with Adobe After Effects, even if there should be.

It’s easy bein’ green | LYLYCTY Fabric Solid Color Green Screen

Have you ever wanted to make a video against the backdrop of a burning building, an avalanche, or a black hole in space but couldn’t afford the travel? Great news: You can simulate your appearance near a natural disaster — or, really, any background image you want — with a green screen. Shoot your video in front of this mass of fabric and add a different background to master the illusion. Why hold a Zoom conference in your living room when you can do it near an active volcano?

About Price.com

Price.com, the all-in-one money savings platform, provides a free cross-platform experience for consumers that combines advanced comparison shopping, cashback, coupons, price history and price drop alerts. The Company’s patented, AI-powered matching algorithm enables real-time discovery of new, white label, used, local, refurbished, and rental products – taking comparison shopping to new heights. Price.com is available as a desktop and mobile website, browser extension, native app and chatbot.

The Company’s core team consists of industry-leading data scientists and data engineers. Price.com founder RJ Jain sold his previous company to Google where today it powers Google Test Labs. Previously, he held senior engineering roles at Sidecar (acquired by GM) and Zynga, and served as an in-house Entrepreneur in Residence at Foundation Capital.

The post 10 must-have tools for aspiring content creators appeared first on Price.com Blog.

Getting into photography is exciting. However, it can also be confusing and expensive. With so much photography equipment on the market, it can be hard to know what you need. 

Drawing the line between essential photography gear, ‘nice-to-have’ equipment, and wasteful purchases often come down to trial and error. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide covering photography must-haves from beginner to pro. Read on to learn more about photography essentials, useful camera gadgets, and the best camera accessories.

What Is the Must-Have Photography Gear for Beginners? 

When you’re first starting, the key is to invest in a good set of entry-level gear that will help you develop and improve your photography. Essential equipment includes a camera and lenses, plus a few other essential items. 

DSLR Camera

DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex. DSLR cameras combine the optics and functionality of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor. DSLRs are recommended for beginners because they make it straightforward to shoot in manual mode, but without the settings being overly complex or difficult to use. Our top picks for entry-level cameras include:

Nikon D3500 – Ranked by TechRadar as the best all-around option for new learners.

Canon EOS Rebel SL3 – One of the smallest and lightest DSLRs on the market.

Nikon D5600 – A more powerful option for those looking to progress quickly.

Lenses

When you buy your camera, there’s usually an option to purchase the branded kit lens at the same time. Kit lenses are affordable and versatile, and on entry-level cameras, they tend to be 18-55mm. However, if you want a less moderate zoom range, you may want to invest in additional lenses. You have the option of either prime or zoom models. 

The main differences lie in price and focal length. Prime lenses are considerably more expensive and have fixed focal lengths of between 12mm and 5200mm, whereas zoom lenses are more budget-friendly and allow you to use a range of focal lengths. Here are a few examples:

Nikon, 28 mm, f/1.8, Wide Angle Prime Lens

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Prime Lens

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Zoom Lens

Nikon Zoom-Nikkor

White Balance Accessories

All modern cameras come with an auto white balance. However, if you’re shooting indoors or under artificial light, you’ll often need to adjust the white balance manually to avoid photos looking too yellow. There are two ways to do this. You can either purchase a grey card white balance set or invest in an ExpoDisc white balance filter. Cards are cheaper, but an ExpoDisc may save you more time, energy, and editing in the long run. 

Lens Pen

Getting dust and smudges on your lenses is inevitable – especially if you’re one of those photographers constantly losing lens caps, or your lenses are prone to being touched by curious children. This is nothing that a good lens pen cannot fix, though. The tip of a lens pen excretes a carbon compound that quickly removes dust and oil build-ups, making it an essential photography equipment accessory.

Camera Bag

The investment is considerable for the camera, lenses, and other accessories you buy. Therefore, you’ll want to keep all of your photography equipment safe and protected in a dedicated camera bag with plenty of padding. Options range from simple holster style camera bags to basic camera backpacks and custom-designed camera backpacks. 

Over time, you’re bound to go down a few rabbit holes online shopping for more cool camera gear and accessories. However, that’s pretty much all you need to get started. The only other additional consideration is whether to invest in editing software. Photoshop and Lightroom are the most popular options. Both take time and practice to master but can make a big difference to the overall quality of your photos. 

The Best Professional Photography Gear & Accessories 

For professionals, the choice of camera and lenses makes a considerable difference to photo quality. Plus, to achieve shots that will wow your customers and keep referral jobs coming in, you’ll need some additional photography essentials too. 

Camera

Most professional photographers have two cameras – a main body and a backup. The main body should be a full-frame camera that offers high-ISO performance to maximize image quality in low light. Popular choices to suit a range of budgets include:

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D850 FX

Nikon D5

Your backup body can be something from the lower end of the price spectrum, as hopefully, you’ll only be using it on rare occasions in the event your main body fails. So it doesn’t need to be top of the range. Take a look at these two popular Canon and Nikon backups.

Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D610

Lenses

When you reach a professional level, the best lenses to use will depend on the genre you cover. You’ll need a lens for every possible focal length to accommodate portrait, landscape, and macro subjects. You get what you pay for with lenses, so you don’t want to scrimp on quality. Features to look for include:

• A fast aperture (f/4 at minimum, but preferably f/2.8)
• Speedy autofocus
• Outstanding sharpness
• Minimal chromatic aberration, distortion, and vignetting

Some specific examples of lens choice taking genre into account include:

• Portrait Photography – Canon 50mm f/1.2L or Nikon 50mm f/1.4G
• Landscape Photography – Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III or Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D
• Macro Photography – Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS or Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS
• Wildlife Photography – Canon EF 500mm f/4L is II or Nikon Nikkor 500mm f/4E AF-S FL ED VR

Tripod

Tripods are one of the top photography must-haves for pros. Why? Because in addition to improving stability and image sharpness, they make it possible (and way easier) to shoot in low light and capture long exposures. The ideal professional tripod is lightweight and easy to carry, yet sturdy enough to perform in less than optimal weather conditions.

Flash

Whether you’re shooting indoors or outdoors, there will always be times when lighting conditions are low and you need a flash. There’s plenty of variation in price, so if you don’t need to use a flash frequently, one of the cheaper models may be all you need. Popular choices ranked from lowest to highest price include:

Yongnuo YN320EX Wireless TTL

Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT

Hahnel Modus 600 RT

Nikon SB-5000 Speedlight AF

Reflector

This is another piece of must-have photography gear, particularly for portrait specialists looking to capture the most flattering shots.  Reflectors add light to balance darker areas on your subject’s faces, like under the eyes, nose, and chin.  Five-in-one collapsible reflector packages are popular for ease of transportation and setup. 

Remote Shutter Release

While many photographers utilize self-timer functions, a remote shutter release is essential for those who frequently use tripods. Shutter release gadgets allow remote triggering while avoiding any accidental shaking caused by pressing the shutter button manually. For canon users, the Canon RC-6 Wireless Remote is a great option, while the Amazon Basics Lightweight Package is popular with Nikon users and those who prefer to purchase their tripod and shutter remote in a package deal. 

Monitor

A high-resolution, calibrated monitor is a must to ensure perfect color, sharpness, and corrections in the editing process. The ultimate monitor for photographers is the BenQ SW271 27 Inch 4K HDR because it features exceptional clarity and a hood for easier focus. More budget-friendly options include the Dell UltraSharp U2419H 23.8″ and the LG 27UL500-W 68.6cm 27″. 

External Hard Drives

The golden rule for any photographer is to keep multiple backups of everything. Cloud storage is popular for beginners. However, when shooting in RAW, file space gets used up quickly. So it’s a good idea to keep hard copies indexed on external hard drives. Cheaper options tend to fail quickly, especially when you’re regularly transferring large amounts of data, and it’s worth shelling out for at least 4TB of space. A practical and lightweight portable option is the WD 5TB Portable External Hard Drive. For even more storage space, the LaCie d2 Professional 10TB External Hard Drive is bulkier but well suited for office use. 

Different Types of Cool Camera Gadgets 

Practicality may be key, but what photographer doesn’t like to show off all of their cool camera gear and gadgets? Besides, no rule says your photography equipment can’t be fun and functional. Here are our top picks for the best camera accessories that can make photoshoots faster, more efficient, and have you looking like a seasoned pro. Win, win, win!

Neutral Density Filter Kit

ND filter kits reduce the amount of light entering the lens, allowing you to experiment with various combinations of aperture, exposure time, and sensor sensitivity. You’ll need to pay close attention to make sure you order the correct size diameter, but the difference an ND kit can make is significant. 

Gorillapod

This is one of the cheapest and most versatile camera gadgets on the market and an excellent investment, regardless of the genre of photography you’re into. It’s also perfectly suited to videography. The dexterous movable arms make it capable of enhancing a photoshoot or filming session in multiple shape-shifting ways:

• Wind it around a fence or tree branch
• Create a jib
• Go hands-free by using it on your person
• Attach your flash to it rather than the camera

External Microphone 

An external microphone is vital to guarantee the best sound quality and reduce background noise if you’re making videos. Universal options are available, but the leading DSLR brands also manufacture their own versions.

Camera Harness

If you’re the kind of photographer who’s always on the move, you’ll love this professional camera and accessory harness. Simply strap it on, clip in your camera and accessories, and you’re good to go!

Remote Flash Trigger

Remote triggers are one of the best camera accessories for those looking to improve their flash photography. Wireless flashes allow photographers to achieve a more even and flattering light in their photos by offsetting the flash instead of simply shooting head-on.

Rotolight NEO 2

This compact and powerful LED light clips directly onto your DSLR, mirrorless, or video camera. Offering outstanding color accuracy with no recycling time or power loss, it’s perfect for photographers who shoot in high frames per second.

Portable Power Station

The more cameras and gadgets you have, the more power you need to support them. There’s nothing worse than running out of juice mid-shoot, so back yourself with enough power to supply your camera, flash, smartphone, tablet, and lights all day long.

Color LED Video Light with Remote

All budding photographers should carry a portable light source. This one can be handheld or used remotely using the touchpad to adjust brightness throughout the entire color spectrum.

What Are the Best DSLR Accessories? 

Now that we’ve covered a broad base of photography equipment for beginners, pros, and all of the funky gadgets that can help you along the way, let’s take a look at some of the best DSLR accessories and staple items that you should keep in your camera bag. 

All-in-One Camera Lens

Do you want the flexibility to take high-quality pictures both indoors and outdoors with plenty of zoom and wide-angle capability for each? Then an all-in-one lens is a practical solution that saves you both baggage and time.

UV Protection Filter

Aside from reducing UV rays, UV filters also protect your lenses from accidental bumps, scratches, dust, and dirt. Quality UV filters are available for under $50, making them a worthwhile investment.

Universal Lens Cap

There’s not a photographer in the world who doesn’t lose a lens cap (or five) here and there. So spending a few dollars on a universal cap to ensure your lenses don’t get damaged when you misplace an original is a no-brainer.

Universal Lens Hood

Lens hoods are particularly useful through the day when conditions are bright. However, most avid photographers use one all of the time because stray light can still affect the contrast of your images after sundown. However, a lens hood doesn’t just prevent glare and lens flare in your photos. It also protects your lenses from accidental damage when the lens cap is not in place.

Camera Strap

Having your camera secured around your neck makes it easier to move around and be prepared at any time inspiration strikes. Some camera purchases come with a standard strap, but for additional comfort, convenience – or simply to make a fashion statement – you may want to upgrade.

Camera Cleaning Kit

Having a dedicated cleaning kit for your DSLR camera means you’ll have all the cloths, cleaning brushes, swabs, and air blowers you need to remove dust, oily fingerprints, and other smudges without damaging any of the delicate working parts.

High-Speed HD Cards

When buying memory cards, you need to prioritize size as well as read and write speed. If you’re taking hundreds of photos at a time, anything less than 32GB will not be worth the investment. As for speed, the faster, the better. Otherwise, you’re limited to shorter bursts, and your camera will spend more time buffering between shots.

HD Card Holder

To save your SD cards from getting lost or damaged, it’s a good idea to keep them together in a sturdy, built-for-purpose container.

Battery Grip

Allowing you to extend your camera’s battery life without replacing the batteries, a battery grip is an attachment that clips directly onto the bottom of your camera. Battery grips also help you improve composition as the additional shutter button provides the flexibility to switch quickly between angles. Most are camera-specific, so be sure to take your time to select the correct model.

Waterproof Camera Cover

When you’ve spent hours lining up the perfect shot, the last thing you want to do is abandon your photoshoot if it starts raining. Waterproof covers keep your camera, and all of your accessories dry so you can carry on, regardless of the weather.

Get the Best Deals on Price.com 

Whatever items make it onto your list of essential photography gear, Price.com can help you get the best deal. Our AI-powered algorithms automatically apply the best coupon codes, and you can compare prices from a range of retailers on one easy-to-understand screen. Price alerts can be activated, so you get notifications whenever the best deals become available, and you can even earn cashback while you shop. Don’t wait to get the best deals. Download our free browser extension today and start shopping the smart way with Price!

About Price.com

Price.com, the all-in-one money savings platform, provides a free cross-platform experience for consumers that combines advanced comparison shopping, cashback, coupons, price history, and price drop alerts. The Company’s patented, AI-powered matching algorithm enables real-time discovery of new, white-label, used, local, refurbished, and rental products – taking comparison shopping to new heights. Price.com is available as a desktop and mobile website, browser extension, native app, and chatbot.

The post Essential Photography Equipment for Beginners & Professionals appeared first on Price.com Blog.

Drone technology has come a long way in the last few years. The device used to be accessible only to technical mavens with some expertise, no boundaries, and deeply intrusive, malicious intent. Now drones are made for more of the general population who simply want to have fun watching them fly, receive cool images, and have them do mid-air flips. But not all drones are inherently user-friendly — some are complicated, hard to operate, or bitter about their jobs. There are, however, some drones that are better suited to teach beginning users the joys of aerial manipulation. Here are ten of the best.

Is Learning to Fly a Drone Difficult?

What are the best drones for beginners?

Many beginners wonder whether flying a drone is easy or difficult. As hilarious as watching a drone fail video is, these are expensive pieces of equipment, and you want to get the most out of them.

The easiest comparison to flying a drone is controlling an RC car. The controls can feel awkward to get to grips with, particularly for people with little experience flying remote-controlled vehicles. It’s why it’s strongly recommended that beginners refrain from simply taking to the skies.

Depending on where you live, you may find that there is special beginner flying classes for people with a new beginner drone. Alternatively, flight simulation also offers a good introduction to drone flying.

The difficulty inherent in drone flying is managing a device that few people have had experience with. Wind conditions also need to be considered, as they significantly influence such small devices.

Even when you have mastered the list of basic controls, it takes time to find your feet. In the beginning, expert fliers strongly recommend an open field as the only option for flying with drones for beginners.

Some are also harder to fly than others. The best beginner drone will come with a GPS, Virtual Positioning System (VPS), and other automated controls to extract you from trouble if something appears to be going wrong.

There are also several newbie tips you should incorporate:

• Be patient. If the conditions are not optimal, avoid flying.
• Watch for trees, powerlines, poles, and anything that could knock your drone out of the air.
• Stay within your range. Read up on your optimal range and stay within it.
• Avoid flying too close to the ground. Flying too low creates the dreaded propeller wash, which is the least stable flying situation for a drone.
• Start small and cheap. Whether you’re on a low or high budget, the perfect drone is the one you can afford to lose until you get to grips with everything.

The best entry-level drone is one you have complete control over. Refrain from splurging on a highly advanced drone in the beginning. Many experienced operators revealed that it had taken them months before they became completely comfortable with the controls.

For total beginners | SNAPTAIN S5C WiFi FPV Drone

If you’re a true beginner who’s just now getting into the thrilling world of mobile surveillance, the SNAPTAIN may be the best drone to start out with. It simply takes one push of a button to launch and is maneuvered using a controller familiar to anyone who’s ever used a home gaming system. It has advanced voice control and headless mode, both of which give the pilot more power in steering the drone where they want it to go. It’s an excellent jumping-off point for the drone neophyte.

• Control Range: 80 meters
• FPV Range: 40 meters
• Charge Time: 120-150 mins
• Flight Time: 10-12 mins

Pros

• Good-looking design
• Simple to fly for the total beginner
• Built well, so it can take a few hits

Cons

• Vulnerable to wind fluctuations
• Low 720p camera
• Camera angle needs to be adjusted manually

No place like home | Holy Stone GPS Drone

The Holy Stone drone’s most user-friendly feature is GPS Auto Return. With this function, the drone actually memorizes its “home” location. If it ever gets out of range, drops its signal, or runs low on power, just press a button, and it will return “home” before it becomes lonely, afraid, and desperate and turns to a life of armed robbery and petty crimes just to survive. It’s also got an HD camera to record images, which is especially useful when it has to sit in the corner and think about what it’s done.

• Control Range: 300 meters
• FPV Range: 150 meters
• Charge Time: 180 mins
• Flight Time: 13 mins

Pros

• Advanced flight functionality
• Large flight distance

Cons

• No HD photo capture
• No foldable design
• Lack of obstacle avoidance system

Come into the fold | Dragon Touch DF01 Foldable Drone

As its name suggests, a handy feature of this drone is its ability to be folded down to the size of a football. This makes it easier to transport and less detectable from the outside. The Dragon Touch also connects to smartphones and VR headsets for clear images and videos of the sights it sees along its path of terror. It also has a full array of neat aerial bonuses, like 360-degree flips, headless mode, and the ability to hover in their air, looking innocent and denying responsibility.

• Control Range: 90 meters
• FPV Range: 90 meters
• Charge Time: 90 mins
• Flight Time: 10 mins

Pros

• Affordable price
• Compact and easy to transport
• Takes decent photos and videos

Cons

• Struggle to maintain control
• Poor flight time
• Low control range

Brush it off | aovo GPS Drone with 4K Camera

This drone offers superior, 4K Ultra HD picture quality, which is obviously leagues better than 3K Just-OK LD. It has a camera that adjusts by 90 degrees and returns super-clear videos and pictures. The aovo also has a brushless motor, which employs electromagnetic resources that help limit its overall power consumption and help it go farther and longer (as much as 30 minutes). It’s also got single-button operation for both takeoff and landing so you don’t have to turn on the “fasten seat belts” sign yourself.

• Control Range: 1,000 meters
• FPV Range: 800 meters
• Charge Time: 4-6 hours
• Flight Time: 30 mins

Pros

• Large flight distance
• Superior flight time
• Incredible camera

Cons

• Long charging time
• Challenging for beginners to control
• Shaky camera when turning

Some lead, others follow | SANROCK B5W GPS Drone

This item isn’t so much a drone as it is a solid, dependable, somewhat emotionally distant companion. Its big calling card is its Point Of Circle technology, which allows it to automatically orbit around you, making a video as it goes. That must be wonderful for users with low self-esteem. It can also fly along whatever path you program, or follow you above while you’re driving down the road. It will never complain about your driving, even if it knows it should.

• Control Range: 700 meters
• FPV Range: 500 meters
• Charge Time: 5 hours
• Flight Time: 23 mins

Pros

• Stable performance
• Excellent flight time for a single battery
• Responsive app

Cons

• Slow charging time
• Heavy at 1.5 kg
• Low flight time

The power of four | DROCON Quadcopter Drone

The DROCON’s most obvious traits are its four individually mounted, extended propellers. These fearsome tendrils, along with the frowning-eye decals in the front, make it look like a ticked-off spider that’s about to give the guy working the exchange counter a piece of its mind. It’s actually not that angry, though. It always alerts when its signal weakens, even when it’s 1000 feet away, and performs 3D flips and rolls upon your request. The DROCON’s four foreboding appendages make it easier to navigate agreeably through intense winds.

• Control Range: 500 meters
• FPV Range: 300 meters
• Charge Time: 5 hours
• Flight Time: 20 mins

Pros

• Low-cost drone
• Extremely powerful
• High stability

Cons

• No advanced functions
• Poor flight time to charge time ratio
• Too simplistic for serious fliers

The gravity of the situation | Force1 U49WF Drone with Camera

The Force1 caters to beginners with its remarkably stable flight path, simple remote-control operation, and something called the Gravity Induction feature that allows you to use a mobile phone to dictate its direction. You can also connect this drone with WiFi and get a first-person view, in which you can see everything the drone sees with its camera while it’s flying. This is especially helpful to keep it from stopping at tourist traps.

• Control Range: 150 meters
• FPV Range: 150 meters
• Charge Time: 3 hours
• Flight Time: 15 mins

Pros

• Takes HD images and videos
• Stable in the air
• Built-in safety features

Cons

• Non-foldable drone
• App challenging to use
• Low flight range

Wheels in the sky | Syma X400 FPV Drone with Camera

The Syma X 400 also features a first-person view (FPV) that lets you see where it’s going. You can also use a smartphone app that allows you to program its route by tracing it on a map with your finger or a stylus. With two rechargeable batteries, one-key takeoff and landing, and a generally acquiescent attitude, the Syma is ideal for young beginners, adult novices, or people who have stumbled into the drone world by accident.

• Control Range: 84 feet
• FPV Range: 84 feet
• Charge Time: 90 mins
• Flight Time: 12 mins

Pros

• Great beginner drone with camera
• Easy to control
• Excellent performance

Cons

• No advanced features
• Small control range
• Beginners will grow out of this drone quickly

A nice gesture | DEERC D20 Mini Drone

The DEERC D20, as the name might imply, is small but powerful. It’s got easy-to-understand controls that allow you to dictate all its crazy flips and turns. But its primary assets are Voice Control and Gesture Selfie. With Voice Control you can literally tell it to take off or land. With Gesture Selfie, it will stop whatever it’s doing and take an aerial picture of you if you flash a “V” sign to the drone with your fingers. That’s one of the two most common figure gestures people make at drones.

• Control Range: 40 meters
• FPV Range: 40 meters
• Charge Time: 80 mins
• Flight Time: 10 mins

Pros

• Cost-effective drone
• Best starter drone for children
• Longer flight time

Cons

• Overheats easily
• Few advanced features
• No automatic HD camera adjustment

Hold everything | SIMREX X900 Drone Optical

This drone is ideal for beginners because it has Optical Flow Positioning and Altitude Hold. These features let programmers lock the drone in position for flawless, precise hovering, without the operator having to manage every moment like a stage mom or a soccer dad. The SIMREXX900 is easily navigable using either the included joystick device or a tricked-out mobile phone. When it’s time to put it away, the SIMREXX folds like a losing poker player.

• Control Range: 120 meters
• FPV Range: 80 meters
• Charge Time: 90 mins
• Flight Time: 12 mins

Pros

• Integrated wide-angle 1080p drone camera
• Long flight time
• Fully collapsible

Cons

• Short-range
• Fixed camera
• Performs poorly in the wind

Licensing

The days of being able to fly a drone without any permits or restrictions have long gone. Due to several incidents across the country, authorities have implemented strict rules on drone use. Failing to comply with licensing requirements could see you being fined and/or having your drone confiscated.

Countries across the globe have enacted different laws, with some banning drones entirely. Your punishment will depend on the severity of the infraction. While it might be tempting to fly your drone anyway, some people have been caught and punished harshly.

However, getting the correct licensing within the U.S. is simple. First, you must be at least 16-years-old to qualify to fly a drone legally. Second, you need to be physically and mentally able to fly a drone safely.

Most of the requirements you likely already meet. You will also need to pass the Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) test.

Here are some tips for ensuring you pass this examination:

• Study the test materials early.
• Don’t overthink the easier questions. If the answer seems obvious, that’s because it is.
• Use common sense. None of the questions are there to try to catch you out.

This test is not like a driving exam in that it requires months of study to pass. It’s an examination designed to help people familiarize themselves with the rules of flying a drone.

Once you’ve passed this exam, the final step is to look into your state and local requirements. Municipalities have radically different rules on flying drones. For example, some have very few, whereas others prohibit drone flight within residential neighborhoods.

The chances are your municipality has some online resources on drone flights within their jurisdiction. If not, don’t be afraid to get in touch and ask. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Average Costs

The best starter drone is often based on what you want. Deciding to buy a drone with a camera for beginners means setting a budget and seeing what’s available to you. The difficulty in checking out a drone set is that there’s so much variation across the industry.

One of the best drones for beginners is a toy drone to show you the ropes to flying these unmanned aerial vehicles. Small toy drones cost anywhere from $30 to $90. They rarely contain any additional features, as they’re designed for children and absolute beginners.

The best drones with cameras for newbies begin at $300 and range up to $500. These are the cheapest drones with a camera you’re likely to come across.

Once you’re confident in your ability to fly and the best beginner drone with camera and GPS is no longer sufficient, you might want to look at a mid-level consumer drone. Now you’re starting to enjoy some of the advanced features of drone technology.

A mid-level consumer drone costs anywhere from $500 to $1,000. For even more added extras, expect to pay more.

Drones can cost as much as $10,000, depending on what you need them for. Professionals looking to shoot documentaries, TV shows, and other crisp productions will invest thousands into their drones for the best results.

While you learn how to utilize the features of a drone properly and master the basic controls, you should be looking at the best drones for beginners exclusively. Too many novices splurge on a drone only to instantly destroy it when they find they cannot control it.

Here are some Price.com top tips for choosing the right drone for you:

• Flying Time – Flying time varies wildly, with more expensive drones giving you more minutes. Many people underestimate how quickly their drone’s battery can deplete.
• Batteries – Look for a battery that charges quickly and stores a lot of minutes. Some drones can even pack in multiple batteries to amplify your flying time.
• Cameras – How important are cameras to you? Not everyone needs ultra-HD cameras capable of taking amazing images and memorable videos.
• Range – Your control range is how far you can fly before your drone falls out of the sky. The right range is based on what you want to use it for.
• Repairs – Some drones require more maintenance than others. Are you someone who enjoys opening up your drone’s guts and learning how it all works?

To find the right drone for you, take your time, do your research, and don’t overestimate your flight skills as a beginner.

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