GoPro cameras have changed the action photography field since they hit the market.
But did you know that you can attach GoPro cameras to drones?
Yes, that’s right, you can attach your GoPro to a compatible drone and capture some serious action from the air.
However, finding a drone to mount your GoPro camera can be a difficult task since most drones today come with awesome high-quality cameras.
It did help when the GoPro Karma hit the market but it was later discontinued by the company.
This article is for anyone who still loves the idea of a GoPro in the air and looking for the best drone for GoPro.
Drone
Features
Price
- Flight range: 500 meters
- Flight time: 15-20 minutes
- Weight: 50 oz
Best drone for GoPro
- Flight range: 100 meters
- Flight time: 22 minutes
- Weight: 21 oz
Holy Stone HS700D Is one of the top choices for the best GoPro drone.
This is because the unit is reasonably priced and comes with tons of excellent features to help you land the best shots.
While the drone does come with its high-performance 4K camera it can be interchanged with the Hero2, Hero3 or Hero 4 GoPro models.
It comes with a host of intelligent flight assistant features like Return to Home which allows the unit to return home automatically when it loses connection or if the battery runs low.
The Auto Return is another one of the intelligent flight assistant features that brings the drone back to you in the event that you accidentally fly the unit out of its range.
There is also the Custom Flight Path feature which allows you to design a flight path so that the drone can follow to take complex sequence shots.
Previous users liked the 5G FPV live video transmission that you get from this unit.
It delivers high-quality real-time videos from up to an impressive 900 meters away.
Unfortunately, you can only enjoy this feature with the onboard camera and not your GoPro.
This drone that holds GoPro cameras only features a camera mount but the smart flight assistance features can help the way the drone moves so you can always get clear shots.
- 4K FHD 90°Adjustable Camera with 5G Transmission: The upgraded camera (3840*2160P stored in TF...
- GPS Assisted Flight: With GPS location, the drone can hover stably and automatically return to Home...
- 22 Mins Max Flight Time: The High-capacity 2800mAh intelligent battery yields up to 22mins flight...
- Brushless Motor: It is so quiet but very powerful when running. Working life is much more longer...
- Simple Control: Quick launch by pressing one key; quick-Release propellers can be set up with no...
- Flight range: 500 meters
- Flight time: 15-20 minutes
- Weight: 50 oz
The Drocon Bug 3 is the best cheap drone for GoPro on the market today.
Despite its cheap price point, it is sturdily built, easy to use and supports all GoPro camera models.
This is what makes it one of the most sought-after GoPro drones on the market.
However, it does not come with smart flight features like GPS or Wi-Fi but it is still able to deliver stable flights due to its extra weight and 6-axis gyroscope.
These allow the unit to handle wind better than most drones in its class to give you clear footage.
This unit does not come with a camera but does feature a GoPro compatible mount.
iI uses brushless motors which allows it to move quickly to capture those fast action shots that happen in the blink of an eye.
Other features include LED lights that allow for night flying so that you can always see the drone against the dark night sky.
The flight time is around 15 minutes, give or take at full throttle, thanks to the drone’s 1800 mAh battery.
- Updated Brushless Motor: Brushless motor won't overheat and melt like plastic, so you get longer...
- Fly up to 15-20 Minutes: Blue B3 lasts for 15 minutes at mid-to-high throttle, and up to 20 minutes...
- Long Distance Control Remote Control Alarm: when your Blue B3 is a tiny Speck in the distance, you...
- Fly Against High Speed Wind: B3 is made of durable nylon fiber material and the weigh T is up to 1....
- 3D Rolls & Flip: this drone will amaze you by performing a cool 3D flip at the Press of button. Have...
- Flight range: 6 miles
- Flight time: 34 minutes
- Weight: 21 oz
Looking for a high-performance premium quality drone?
The Mavic Air 2 is definitely the one for you as it includes a wide array of advanced features to up your aerial photography game.
Although it includes advanced features, it is pretty easy to use by beginners and is one of the best for professional work.
The Mavic Air 2 comes with an incredible camera that can deliver 48 MP photos and capture 4K videos.
It also includes smart functions that make photography and video sessions a whole lot easier.
The 3-axis gamble stabilizes the camera to give you a dynamic range of video shots.
If you want to use this drone with your GoPro camera, you will need to purchase the Mavic Air 2 mount to do so.
Other features include the 34 minutes flight time and an HD live stream transmission with the onboard camera from a whopping 6.2 miles away.
The unit also includes an obstacle sensor that helps keep the drone safe Ann from crashing and the objects during flight.
- 【UP YOUR GAME】: The Mavic Air 2 camera drone takes power and portability to the next level. It...
- 【NEXT-LEVEL CONTENT】: Capture impressive 48MP photos with a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor while the...
- 【IMPROVED FLIGHT】: An impressive flight time of up to 34 minutes allows you to pull off epic,...
- 【INTELLIGENT TRACKING】: Mavic Air 2 features intuitive shooting functions that make aerial...
- 【APP COMPATIBILITY】: The DJI Fly app requires iOS v10.0, Android v6.0, or above. Compatible...
- 【WHAT YOU GET】: Mavic Air 2 Aircraft, Remote Controller, Intelligent Flight Battery, 3x...
- 【VIDEO CAPTURE RESOLUTION】: 4K Hd. Operating Temperature Range--10° to 40°C (14° to 104°F)
- Flight range: 800 meters
- Flight time: 20-25 minutes
- Weight: 64 oz
The 3DR Solo quadcopter does not come with a built-in camera similar to the Drocon Bugs 3 drone.
However, it does have a huge advantage over the Bug 3 drone.
This unit gives you in-flight access to your GoPro camera.
It comes with a 3-axis gimbal if you decide to go with the bundle package.
If not, you can purchase the gimbal separately if you’re getting the basic quadcopter package.
The 3DR Solo is compatible with the GoPro Hero 3, Hero 3+ or Hero 4 models.
This is one of the best GoPro drones and not only because it enables in-flight access but the fact that it also offers live stream video from the GoPro to your phone from 800 meters away.
It also comes with intelligent flight support that can deliver impressive aerial shots and videos.
These include Smart Shots which gives you crystal clear footage, Follow Me and others to make things easier for you.
Moreover, the controller closely resembles that of a video game-style controller so it is very easy to use and fits comfortably in the hand.
The controller also features a smartphone mount with an HDMI port to connect your phone for FPV flying.
Read this full 3DR Solo review for more details.
- Solo’s video game-style controller will feel familiar the second you pick it up, even if you’ve...
- In case you missed it in the picture…that’s a high-quality HDMI port directly from the...
- Full-featured app for iOS and Android puts total craft control at your fingertips.
- Flight range: 300 meters
- Flight time: 20-25 minutes
- Weight: 50 oz
The Phantom 2 is yet another drone from drone giant, DJI.
However, unlike the Mavic Air 2, this unit is far more affordable and comes attached with a 3 axis gimbal for GoPro Hero 4 Black and Silver.
If you have a Hero 3 or Hero 3+ GoPro camera, you can purchase the HD-3D gimbal separately.
This drone is in its second version which features a new remote controller that contains a rechargeable battery as well as a gimbal tilt control.
The battery of the drone is also larger which means that it delivers a longer flight time while the upgraded motors and propellers will give you more power.
The Phantom 2 drone also includes a 1080P FHD camera that provides excellent quality footage and includes a variety of smart features and compatibility with 46MM lens filters.
It also provides a live feed up to 300 meters away.
This drone with GoPro attachment is easy to set up right out of the box to get you in the air faster.
- Fun flying by itself or even better with a GoPro to record the action
- The latest Phantom 2 comes with the new remote controller, new propulsion system and new compass
- The Zen muse H4-3D gimbal is included in this bundle and requires installation and calibration using...
- A GoPro camera is not included; please purchase a GoPro Hero4 Black Edition to utilize the camera...
Factors to consider when buying a drone with GoPro attachment
When looking for a GoPro drone they are two main factors to consider.
These include design and compatibility.
The other factors may be secondary to how well the drone supports your GoPro but they are critical as they will give you the best results when using your GoPro camera.
Here are a few factors you need to consider when purchasing a drone for GoPro
Design
There are four main types of drones and the most common type for aerial photography are multi-rotor drones
These drones come with different rotor spiles for either professional work or hobby purposes.
They’re easy to manufacture which makes them affordable.
However, there are a few downsides which include limitations in flight time and speed compared to the other types.
The best multirotor drones for aerial photography are said to be quadcopters that feature four rotors in an X shape design.
Quadcopters are beginner-friendly since they are easier to fly and stabilize in the air than any other model
GPS is also another design feature to consider since this is what helps your drone returned to you when it loses signal from the controller
This feature can also help the unit to maintain altitude while in flight, allow you to design a flight path and retrieve the drone’s flight log.
It may even assist you in finding your drone in the event the unit crashes.
You can even find drones that feature obstacle sensors that help the drone avoid objects thus reducing the chances of crushing info those objects.
When looking for a drone for GoPro you should also consider one with autonomous camera modes like Follow Me, Smart Shots, etc.
These allow you to take high-quality complex shots from the air.
Compatibility
In this instance, compatibility means that you need to find a drone where you can integrate the GoPro with the unit’s controller and use find the unit in-flight features like FPV and Wi-Fi.
Keep in mind that not many drones provide that level of compatibility so you will need to either look very hard for a drone that does or simply overlook this.
We’ve found that the 3DR Solo is the only drone camera GoPro compatible model drone that allows live streaming from your GoPro straight to your smartphone.
Other drones come with a GoPro mount or gimbal but do not integrate with the i-flight features.
The type of mount and gimbal that the drone comes with is also an important factor to consider.
You’ll find that most GoPro drones come with mounts that either support Hero 3 or Hero 4 GoPro models.
There is a very limited number of GoPro drones that will support all GoPro camera models.
Weight
Size and weight play a very important role when looking for a GoPro drone.
While lightweight drones are better for all your outdoor activities because they are portable, they can be extremely hard to stabilize.
Consider the drone’s payload because the GoPro camera will add extra weight to the drone.
Do keep in mind that too much weight on the drone may slow down its speed and drain the battery a lot faster.
Flight range and time
Of course, longer flight times and control range will give you better flexibility when taking pictures from the sky.
The average flight time of most drones on the market is somewhere between 20 to 22 minutes
Premium quality drones can give you longer flight times as much as up to 34 minutes.
Just as important as flight time is, you also need to consider how long it takes to charge the batteries before you can get back up in the air.
With that said, you can always keep a few spares handy so you can extend flight time in one session.
Moving on, we have the flight range of the drone which is basically the control range which simply means the distance from which you can have control of the drone.
Most drones have a control range of about 700 meters while the premium quality drones have impressive ranges out to one mile or more
However, remember drone laws state that you need to keep the unit within your line of sight.
Control modes
There two types of controller modes:
- Mode 1-the left stick controls the pitch while the right stick controls the throttle.
- Mode 2 – the controller works in the opposite way to Mode 1
You’ll find that most drones make use of Mode 2 while advanced drones will allow you to use your smartphone as the controller
GoPro drones FAQs
What is a GoPro camera?
GoPro cameras are compact action cameras capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos in extreme conditions.
They are the go-to choice for outdoor adventurers and extreme sports enthusiasts because they are waterproof with rugged construction and a simple interface.
GoPro camera’s most defining features are its wide-angle lens which allows you to take in more details in your shots.
On the other hand, the dynamic mobile application also makes it easy to share your photos and videos on social media without any hassle.
Is my GoPro compatible with all drones?
The short answer is no!
You’ll find that not all drones on the market will work with your GoPro camera.
However, you will find that there are a few available and they will include additional mounts or gimbals to fit your GoPro.
These compatible drones may allow the integration of the camera with the drone’s control system while others may only provide the structure to carry the GoPro camera.
You should check out the drones mentioned in this article and make your choice since it covers both types of drones that are compatible with GoPro.
Are GoPro cameras better than built-in cameras?
GoPro cameras and built-in cameras have their advantages and disadvantages.
That being said GoPro cameras may have certain advantages over built-in cameras in terms of the quality of the captured footage.
GoPro cameras have a wider angle which allows them to capture more details when compared to built-in cameras
It is also easier to upgrade your GoPro camera than a built-in camera.
GoPro cameras also have a more rugged construction which means that you can use them in extreme conditions and it will survive.
That being said, it is harder to integrate a GoPro camera with a drone than it is to set up a built-in camera
You will be able to tell if one is better than the other depending on your needs and preferences.
Who should buy GoPro drones?
People who need a wide-angle lens to capture more details should opt for a GoPro drone.
Those who take part in extreme sports and activities can also benefit from GoPro drones since the cameras are designed to capture action-packed photos and videos.
If you just need a drone with great cameras for filmmaking, check out these best drones for filming.
Drone
Features
Price
- Flight range: 500 meters
- Flight time: 15-20 minutes
- Weight: 50 oz