Drones have revolutionized the way we capture footage and aerial photography. They offer a unique perspective that was once only accessible through expensive equipment and complicated rigging. The drones themselves keep getting smaller while more technology is packed inside. Here are the 5 best drones for beginners in 2023 that are perfect for capturing stunning aerial footage.

DJI Air 2s

The DJI Air 2s is a powerful drone that we would still consider suitable for beginners. Slotting under the more pro “Mavic” line, it features a 1-inch CMOS sensor and supports 5.4K/30fps and 4K/60fps capabilities. DJI’s tried-and-true 3-axis gimbal provides stable and smooth footage, even in windy conditions. The Air 2s also comes with all of the best DJI tech that you would come to expect, like Active Tracking and obstacle avoidance, hyperlapse and panorama capturing, and can even record in RAW.

What makes it stand out: When it comes to DJI drones, the Air 2s is among the best you can get before really entering the pro level drones.

DJI Mini 3 Pro

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is the company’s most compact and portable drone that can literally fit in your pocket! Despite its small size, it packs a punch with its 4K camera and 3-axis gimbal, and the ability to shoot vertically. It features all of DJI’s latest tech including the must-have obstacle avoidance.

What makes it stand out: Aside from its compact size, its ability to shoot vertically means more social media-ready content straight out of the camera.

Ryze Tello 

The Ryze Tello is the most affordable and beginner-friendly drone on this list. It features a 5-megapixel camera but only 720P video recording capability, which also makes it the drone with the lowest quality on the list. On the plus side, the Tello can technically be considered a DJI drone, featuring many similar parts. It’s also equipped with a DJI flight controller, which provides stability and control, making it easy for beginners to fly.

What makes it stand out: While sporting the lowest video quality and lacking many pro features, Tello is arguably one of the best drones for beginners who simply want to try their hand at drone photography before taking the big leap.

Autel Evo II

As the only non-DJI drone on this list, the Autel Evo II still holds its own as a powerful drone for professional video creators. It features a large 1-inch sensor camera that provides exceptional image quality, even in low light, making it ideal for capturing footage in challenging lighting conditions. The Evo II also features a 3-axis gimbal, a long flight time, and obstacle avoidance.

What makes it stand out: While it has a long way to go to make DJI worried, the Autel Evo II provides all of the important features for a video creator drone…that ISN’T made by DJI.

DJI Avata

The DJI Avata is a bit of a wildcard when considering the rest of this list. While it technically isn't a beginner drone, it's one of the best options if you’re interested in FPV drone flying. 

It features a 12-megapixel camera with 4K video recording capabilities, providing exceptional image quality. The Avata also comes with obstacle avoidance sensors and ActiveTrack technology (for those initial flights when you’re adjusting to FPV).

What makes it stand out: The DJI Avata should mainly be considered if you want to specialize in FPV drone flying. For those who are looking for more pro features, the others may be a better choice.

In conclusion, these five drones are the best options for beginner video creators in 2023. Each drone has its unique strengths and is designed for specific purposes, so choose the one that best fits your needs and start capturing stunning aerial footage today!