As drones become increasingly popular for both photography and videography, there is a real demand for affordable camera drones to suit the needs of beginners and those on tight budgets. However, with most of the budget-friendly models sacrificing the quality of the onboard camera and often falling short on extra features such as FPV, it is difficult to find the perfect entry-level drone. This is where the Ryze Tello comes in, a collaboration between DJI and Ryze that has made it onto our list thanks to its fantastic combination of features for such a low price.

The Tello is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get into aerial photography and videography without breaking the bank. Its 4k camera may not compete with the likes of the Mavic Mini 2 but it offers high enough resolution to produce impressive stills and video footage, even in choppy conditions. It also boasts the ability to shoot RAW images, allowing for more freedom in post-processing.

Other notable features on the Tello include GPS positioning, altitude hold and follow me modes that allow for a hands-off approach to flying and shooting. It is also very light and folds down so it can fit in the palm of your hand, making it incredibly easy to take with you anywhere. This makes it a great option for travelling as it won’t add much weight to your bag, making it easier to fly in tight spaces or even in busy cities and towns.

Hilldow’s D13 is another excellent entry-level model with a 1080p onboard camera that can record decent results in ideal lighting conditions. It is a bit less feature-rich than some of the other drones on this list, but it does have a few things to recommend it including its reassuringly tough construction that stood up well when we flew one into a tree at full speed (that’s 31mph!). It can also trigger a selfie with a quick tap of the remote’s button.

If you are looking for something a little more powerful and with a higher resolution camera then look no further than the Holy Stone HS175D which is currently under $200 at the time of writing. This little beauty has a 4k camera and some excellent flight capabilities. It also boasts GPS auto-return, a long battery life and a travel case that can house two batteries for up to an hour of flight time.

The Holy Stone HS175D is one of the most affordable models on the market that can actually offer some decent performance. Its 4k camera is superb and it has a variety of other assets that make it the best cheap camera drone for photography and videography. It is also extremely lightweight, allowing you to fly it easily with one hand and its battery life is incredibly long. It also has a number of safety features including propeller guards that prevent damage to the drone or you in the event of a crash.