Regular Camera Drones vs FPV: 10 Unique Differences

By James Murray

Here at Making Waves, we love drones! We have been CAA approved operators since 2017 and use drones for client work, and as a recreational hobby. Drones have revolutionised photography, filmmaking, and recreational flying, and have become an essential piece of equipment for every filmmaker out there.

Two of the most popular types of drones are regular camera drones (such as the DJI Mini 4 Pro) and FPV (First-Person View) drones. While both can capture stunning footage, they cater to different purposes and experiences. Below, we explore 10 key differences between regular camera drones vs FPV drones to help you choose the right one for your needs.

Regular drones are primarily designed to capture stunning high-quality photos and cinematic videos, making them a top choice for professional photographers, filmmakers, and content creators. If your focus is on breathtaking visuals and creative shots, a regular camera drone will deliver what you need. FPV drones, however, are all about the flying experience. They’re built for racing, freestyle aerobatics, and capturing fast-paced, action-packed footage. Think of camera drones as precision tools for visual storytelling, while FPV drones are your ticket to white-knuckle adventures.

Flying a camera drone is a smooth, hands-off experience. These drones come with GPS stabilisation and automated flight modes that make piloting feel effortless—great if you’re just looking to focus on framing your shots or take in the scenery. FPV drones flip that script. The experience is fully manual, with zero margin for error, requiring you to have complete control over the drone’s every move. It’s immersive, thrilling, and challenges you to hone your piloting skills.

Regular camera drones are known for their incredible built-in camera setups, complete with gimbals for stabilisation, optical and digital zoom and advanced image processing. Whether you’re capturing stunning landscapes or cinematic videos, even the smallest entry-level drones can have the tech to do it justice.

FPV drones, on the other hand, prioritise performance over visuals. Most come with lightweight cameras that might not match the resolution or stability of camera drones. However, many are fitted with external cameras such as GoPro’s or other action cameras, and even ranging up to full cinema camera rigs on larger FPV drones (known as cine-lifters). This gives FPV drones the ability to capture the same quality of footage as their regular drone counterparts, just with a totally different perspective and aesthetic.

Regular Camera Drones vs FPV – Cinematic FPV at Cannock Chase Forest with our GEPRC Mark5 FPV Drone

With camera drones, the control system is straightforward. You typically use a remote controller with a built-in screen (or paired with a smartphone app) that provides a live video feed and flight data like altitude, speed, and battery levels. FPV drones take things to a whole new level. You control them using specialised goggles that give you a first-person, immersive view from the drone’s perspective. It’s like stepping inside the cockpit of a miniature aircraft—an experience that many FPV pilots find unmatched.

Stabilisation is a key factor for capturing smooth footage. Camera drones excel here with advanced gimbal systems and electronic image stabilisation that keeps your shots buttery smooth, even in windy conditions. FPV drones typically don’t come with gimbals. The smoothness of your footage largely depends on your piloting skills. Some pilots use software stabilisation such as Gyro-flow in post-production to enhance the final result.

Camera drones are designed to move gracefully through the air, offering stable and precise control to get the perfect shot. They’re more about elegance than speed, typically reaching top speeds of around 40mph. FPV drones are built for high-speed thrills, and can top speeds of 130mph. These agile machines can zip through tight spaces, perform flips, rolls, and other stunts. If you want to feel like a pilot in an air race, FPV is the way to go.

Regular Camera Drones vs FPV – Making Waves at Creamfields Festival with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine

Battery life is another important consideration. Camera drones often offer longer flight times, usually between 20 to 40 minutes on a single charge. That’s plenty of time to line up your shots and explore the landscape.

FPV drones, however, are power-hungry beasts. They typically only stay airborne for 3 to 10 minutes due to their high-performance motors and demanding flight dynamics. This means you will need to do more pre-flight planning, judging your flight path, lines and shots before take-off.

Another thing to mention about batteries is charging. FPV tend to use LiPo batteries, which require a specialised charger that will need careful inputs and supervision. LiPo batteries can be highly unstable and need to be handled with utmost care.

If you’re new to drones, camera drones are a fantastic starting point. Their advanced stabilisation features, obstacle avoidance and automated flight modes make flying intuitive and stress-free. FPV drones have a steeper learning curve. You’ll need to practice controlling pitch, roll, yaw, and throttle manually, which can be challenging at first. But once you get the hang of it, the experience is incredibly rewarding. We recommend using a simulator such as Liftoff to practice flying before you fly for real.

Regular camera drones tend to be pricier, but you’re paying for advanced camera systems, stabilisation technology, and smart features. FPV drones can be more budget-friendly initially, but costs can quickly add up if you go for custom builds, repairs, and upgrades. There’s one certainty with FPV—you will crash. It’s worth considering your long-term investment when choosing between the two.

Camera drones usually come as ready-to-fly units with limited customisation options. They’re more about plug-and-play convenience, getting you in the air as soon as possible. FPV drones are a tinkerer’s dream. You can swap out motors, frames, cameras, and other components to build a drone that perfectly suits your flying style. Repairs are also part of the journey—most FPV pilots take pride in fixing their drones after the inevitable crashes.

Regular Camera Drones vs FPV – DJI FPV Goggles V2

Choosing between a camera drone and an FPV drone really comes down to your goals. If capturing high-quality photography and video with a user-friendly experience is your top priority, then a camera drone is the way to go. However, the captivating first-person view captured from FPV drones is unrivalled, offering a more dynamic and impactful experience to the viewer. If you’re seeking a thrilling, immersive flying experience and enjoy getting hands-on with custom builds and repairs, FPV drones are unmatched. Both have their unique strengths, making them valuable tools for different types of drone enthusiasts.

We love our drones, but for us, but when it comes down to regular camera drones vs FPV, FPV wins hands down. Every flight leaves your heart racing, palms sweating, and a huge smile on your face. Plus, the video footage can be mind-blowing.

Check out our Drone & FPV Services page for more info on how your business can utilise aerial footage.