Sailing is such a beautiful sport, and capturing those moments from above can be epic! But flying a drone off a boat? Not as easy as it sounds! With the winds and constant movement, you need to make sure you have the right drone for the job. I’ve been looking into the best options for sailing photography, and here are my top picks.
DJI Mavic 3 Pro
Price: $2,199
Camera: 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera, 70mm and 166mm telephoto lenses
Flight Time: 46 minutes
Wind Resistance: 27 mph
Best For: High-end sailing photography with advanced camera options and long battery life.
DJI Mavic 3 Classic
Price: $1,599
Camera: 4/3 CMOS
Flight Time: 46 minutes
Wind Resistance: 27 mph
Best For: Budget-friendly option for those who want great performance without the extra camera lenses of the Mavic 3
Anyone else tried these? What’s your experience flying drones over water?
I’ve been using the DJI Mavic 3 Pro for sailing photos, and it’s honestly amazing. The wind resistance is pretty solid, and the 3 cameras make a huge difference when capturing the ocean and boats. Definitely worth the price if you’re serious about it!
@Shay
Nice, I’ve heard the Mavic 3 Pro has some top features. How’s the battery life in those strong winds? That’s one thing I’m a bit concerned about.
I’m leaning towards the DJI Air 3S for sailing, mainly because of the dual cameras. It’s not super pricey, and the ActiveTrack feature seems like it would be helpful on a moving boat. Plus, 46 mins flight time is solid!
@Paz
I’ve heard a lot about the Air 3S. The dual-camera setup seems perfect for capturing both the wide ocean shots and the close-ups of boats. How do you find it in windy conditions though?
@Paz
It holds up pretty well in moderate winds, but I wouldn’t push it too hard in crazy gusts. It’s more about balancing the wind and the battery time. So far, it’s been great!
Anyone use the EVO Lite+ for sailing shots? It seems like a good alternative to DJI drones, especially with the 38 mph wind resistance. I’m considering it for its longer battery life and 6K camera. Thoughts?
@Bailey
That’s a good pick! The 6K camera sounds awesome. I’ve read that the EVO Lite+ can handle wind better than most, so it might be worth checking out if you need something a little different from DJI.
@Bailey
Yeah, I’m hoping the higher wind resistance will make it easier to deal with sailing conditions. I’m just not sure about the flight time though, I saw it’s around 40 mins?
@Bailey
Yup, 40 mins is pretty solid for that model. It’s definitely in line with other drones in that range. Seems like a great balance of performance and budget!
DJI Air 2S is my go-to for sailing photography. It’s cheap, lightweight, and still takes pretty good photos/videos for the price. The only downside is the lower wind resistance (24 mph), but for calmer days, it’s great!
@Phoenix
I’ve seen mixed reviews on the Air 2S. Is it good in light winds? I’m not trying to deal with constant crashes in the middle of the ocean lol.
@Phoenix
For lighter winds, it’s solid. Just don’t push it in heavy gusts and you’ll be fine. You might want to look at something like the Mavic 3 if you’re worried about more extreme weather, though.
I’ve been wondering if there’s a budget option for sailing photography, something under $1,000. Does anyone have experience with the Air 2S or Air 3S in this price range?
Vernon said:
I’ve been wondering if there’s a budget option for sailing photography, something under $1,000. Does anyone have experience with the Air 2S or Air 3S in this price range?
The Air 3S is definitely the better pick for budget, especially with the dual cameras and ActiveTrack. But the Air 2S can still get the job done if you’re looking to keep costs down!
Vernon said:
I’ve been wondering if there’s a budget option for sailing photography, something under $1,000. Does anyone have experience with the Air 2S or Air 3S in this price range?
Thanks, that helps! Might go with the Air 3S then. I like the idea of the extra camera for more flexibility in shots.
But flying a drone off a boat? Not as easy as it sounds! With the winds and constant movement, you need to make sure you have the right drone for the job. I’ve been looking into the best options for sailing photography, and here are my top picks.