Hey guys, I am completely new to the whole drone scene after being awed by some aerial drone videos. I really like the idea of aerial photography and specifically aerial video. I have been looking at the lower end drones for a couple of days now trying to figure out which would be best. I like the look of the ones with the camera the Syma and Husban models with HD cameras as it gives me a little taster of whether the whole aerial video thing is for me. However obviously the video quality isn't the best but still alright for me judging by the YouTube videos. I wasn't entirely sure whether it was worth going for one of these lower end drones with the poor quality cameras or go straight for one of the more expensive ones with good quality cameras such as the Parrot Bebop or alternatively stretching a little bit higher to one with a controller which I prefer to the app controlled ones. However that is a large jump on something I have never experienced before so I like the idea of starting of smaller. On the lower end drones I was looking at the Husban x4 h107c HD with 2MP camera or the Syma X5-C1 which has a similar camera. They are quite good starters from what I hear. However I stumbled across potentially the Syma X8 which is bigger than the Syma X5-C1 but it has the same camera but the larger size means it has more power to add your own camera. The YouTube videos of the X8 and a GoPro Hero 3 look amazing in my opinion and the quality I would likely be happy with long run. The x8 is around £75 on Amazon and the Syma X5-C1 is £30 so £45 difference for the actual drone and the potential for future upgrades with the GoPro at around £150. However I hear the size might make it more difficult to fly in comparison to the cheaper variants. Looking for some opinions on what would be a good starting point looking long run at aerial video and photo.
Everyone has their opinions - we have some posted at: https://www.droneflyers.com/2014/11/beginners-only-the-best-first-quadcopter/ In general I don't suggest starting with the cheapo video or FPV quadcopters. Best to start with a non-camera model and just learn the sticks. If you want a small cam just for fun, the X5-C is a good choice. You will not get any video from these which is worth much - everyone is not used to seeing stabilized (gimbal) video. Lifting a GoPro with a cheap quadcopter is not suggested because if the quad doesn't have GPS you are likely to lose it in the first good wind that comes along. If I had to make a quickie suggestions - I'd say get the Syma X5-C to learn on. Then step up to a "new old stock" Phantom 1 if you can find one - they can be had for $300-$350 here in the USA right now and have long range, GPS and a decent payload. You can lift a GoPro and/or many other cameras with them to learn more about AP. That will still not take stable video- you need a gimbal to do that. But you can take very good stills and when there is absolutely no wind you can get some video which is at least fair.
Thanks for the reply I went with the Syma X5C-1 which is currently on the way to start learning on and messing around with the video on there. Been looking at Gumtree as well and there are some cracking deals on there for the DJI Phantom 1, some with a Gimbal for less than £300, add a GoPro and I think that will be the next step up when I get more comfortable with the Syma X5C-1 like you said. http://www.gumtree.com/p/hobbies-collectibles/dji-phantom-1-drone-with-two-spare-batteries-and-a-brushless-gimbal-for-a-gopro-hero-3-3-4/1122456657 Tempted to buy it now! Thanks for the advice!