Real estate photography is a booming market with sellers and agents eager to showcase properties from a unique perspective. With the rise of drones, capturing aerial shots of properties has become a highly sought-after technique. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best drones for real estate photography in Australia. From entry-level options to professional-grade equipment, we've got you covered.
Best Value Drone: DJI Mini 2
The DJI Mini 2 is a compact and portable drone that excels at capturing stunning indoor images. With its 4K 12 MP camera mounted on a 3-axis gimbal, it delivers fantastic results, especially when shooting in RAW for photo editing. Weighing under 250 grams, the Mini 2 is easy to maneuver in tight spaces. It's the perfect choice for those who need a quick and seamless indoor video. To ensure safety while flying, we recommend attaching propeller guards to the drone. The DJI Fly app simplifies the flying experience, making the Mini 2 an excellent tool for interior real estate photography.
Top Choice: DJI Air 2S
The DJI Air 2S takes real estate photography to the next level with its incredible 20 MP camera and 5.4K/30 fps video capabilities. Equipped with a 1" CMOS sensor, it excels at capturing low-light photography by allowing more light into the sensor, resulting in reduced noise. One notable feature of the Air 2S is its advanced obstacle avoidance system, ensuring safety when flying near objects. With a long range of up to 12 km (FCC Mode) and a maximum flight time of 31 minutes, it offers both performance and versatility. The DJI Air 2S combo provides excellent value for money, priced at $2099.
Best Professional Drone: DJI Mavic 3
The DJI Mavic 3 is widely regarded as the ultimate drone for real estate photography. Boasting exceptional image quality, portability, and ease of use, it's a favorite among professionals in the field. The Mavic 3 is equipped with the impressive Hasselblad L2D-20c camera, a 4/3" CMOS sensor, and a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile, ensuring spectacular colors even in low-light environments. It also features a 7x Zoom Camera with a 1/2" sensor, perfect for capturing close-ups. With its foldable design, it can fit neatly into a backpack, making it easy to transport from one site to another. The Mavic 3 is a true powerhouse for real estate photographers.
DJI Mavic 3 Cine: Background Compression, Keeps the property as the highlight.
The DJI Mavic 3 Cine offers similar features to the Mavic 3, but with the added ability to record in Apple ProRes 422HQ and a built-in 1TB SSD. This makes it an excellent choice for real estate videography, allowing for high-quality footage that can be edited to match the color grading of mirrorless or DSLR cameras. The Cine package also includes the RC Pro controller, which features a built-in screen for convenient control. With the Mavic 3 Cine, you'll get the best possible camera and codec combination for stunning real estate videos.
Phantom 4 Pro V2.0: Mechanical Shutter and 4K at 60 FPS
The DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 is a reliable choice for real estate photography. With its 1" CMOS sensor and mechanical shutter, it captures images without motion blur or rolling shutter distortion. This allows for quick flights over locations, capturing beautiful shots with precision. The 4K/60 fps video capability enables smooth panning shots, perfect for showcasing properties. Equipped with built-in flight modes and advanced flying features, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 offers flexibility and impressive performance for your real estate photography needs.
Inspire 2: 6K Video, Prints, and High Contrast Environments
For licensed RePL holders, the DJI Inspire 2 is the perfect drone for capturing high-level real estate photos. It provides cinematic quality footage, making it suitable for filming majestic mansions and vast landscapes. The FlightAutonomy system ensures safe maneuvering even in challenging environments, thanks to two directions of obstacle avoidance and sensor redundancy. With its HD video transmission system, 360-degree rotating gimbal, and the ability to film up to 6K in CinemaDNG/RAW, the Inspire 2 delivers professional-grade footage. It's simply one of the best drones money can buy for real estate photography.
Choosing a Real Estate Photography Drone
Selecting the right drone for real estate photography requires understanding your individual needs and how the drone's capabilities align with them. Here are a few factors to consider:
Camera Performance
The camera's performance is crucial for capturing high-quality images. Drones offer various sensor sizes, from the smaller 1/2.3" found in the DJI Mini 2 to the Super 35 sensor in the Inspire 2. Smaller sensors work well for smaller properties and well-lit conditions, while larger sensors excel in low-light situations. Consider your shooting conditions and the desired image quality when choosing a drone.
Flight Performance
When evaluating drones, consider factors like speed and battery life. Depending on the location, wind resistance may be essential. The DJI Mini 2 and DJI Air 2S handle winds up to level 5, while the Mavic 3 offers even stronger resistance. Longer flight times allow for more time to frame the perfect shots, making the Mavic 3 an excellent choice.
Flight Safety
Safety is paramount while flying drones, especially in real estate photography. DJI drones come equipped with GPS positioning and vision sensors for added safety. The DJI Mini 2 lacks obstacle avoidance sensors, while the DJI Air 2S, Mavic 3 Series, and Inspire 2 offer advanced obstacle avoidance capabilities. If you're shooting in complex environments, more sensors provide better safety.
Transmission
For real estate photography, reliable transmission is crucial. OcuSync 3.0 is the gold standard, offering extended flight distance and better transmission feed quality. While Wi-Fi transmission is suitable for open areas, on-site work doesn't require extensive transmission range.
Real Estate Photography Tips
To enhance your real estate photography, here are a few helpful tips:
Intelligent Flight Modes
Take advantage of intelligent flight modes to capture stunning videos of properties and their surroundings. Utilize features like Point of Interest (POI) to create unique circles around the property, adjusting the height and gimbal tilt for an immersive video experience.
Aerial Reveal
Fly over the property and reveal the surrounding area, providing a great introduction or conclusion to your video. Adjust the gimbal pitch and smoothness while flying to add a dynamic element to your shots.
Camera Angles
Experiment with different camera angles to showcase the property in its best light. Drones offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to frame shots perfectly and capture unique perspectives. If space permits, fly around the property to unleash your creativity.
Lighting Conditions
Take advantage of golden hour lighting for soft, flattering shots with beautiful shades of orange, pink, and blue. However, don't limit yourself to specific lighting conditions. Drones can capture great footage during mid-day sun or on cloudy days. Adjust your sensor choice accordingly to achieve optimal results.
Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography
Optimize your camera settings for real estate photography with these tips:
Manual Settings
Professional photography requires manual control over settings. Most drones listed above allow you to adjust shutter speed and ISO levels. The Mavic 2 Pro, Inspire 2, and Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 also offer adjustable aperture, giving you full control of your equipment.
Auto White Balance (AWB)
Auto White Balance (AWB) is a helpful tool for general photography. However, you can also manually adjust white balance to achieve your desired colors.
Overexposure
The overexposure warning feature helps identify overexposed sections within the frame by displaying them as "zebra stripes." This is particularly useful for landscape shots or general scenery to ensure optimal exposure.
Resolution
Consider the type of shot you're planning when choosing the resolution. Not every shot requires 4K/60 fps. Lower frame rates may result in better overall image quality. Additionally, be mindful of your storage capacity.
Color Profile
Explore different color profiles, LUTs (Look-Up Tables), or presets to alter exposure settings, contrast, and colors. Shooting in RAW allows for greater editing control. Cinelike-D is a popular profile for videos, providing a flat color profile for flexibility in post-production. The Mavic 2 Pro and Inspire 2 offer even more color options.
In conclusion, DJI offers a wide range of drones suitable for real estate photography, delivering safe flights and excellent image quality. Make sure to familiarize yourself with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules and regulations before taking on any real estate photography jobs. For inquiries or deals, feel free to contact the sales staff through live chat or email at sales@d1store.com.au.