4/3 CMOS sensor
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
- Largest photo
- 100 MPJPEG, DNG (RAW)
- Top video
- 6K6016×3384
- Gimbal
- 3-axismechanical
Drone photography: aerial photography rules, cameras and modes
Why you fly picks the FAA rules for a photo flight; the camera, its modes and the shooting tips come from each drone's maker, named on every line.
- Height limit in most cases
- 400ft
- Largest still photo in our table
- 100MP
- Drones that save RAW (DNG) photos
- 10of 14
- Drones with a 3-axis gimbal
- 9of 14
Drone photography services or flying for fun: which FAA rules apply
Drone photography in the U.S. flies under one of two rulebooks, chosen by purpose: purely for fun under the recreational law, anything else under Part 107, and when in doubt the FAA says to assume Part 107.
The FAA sorts a photo flight by its purpose, not by pay (“Compensation, or the lack of it, is not what determines if a flight was recreational or not”), and its examples of Part 107 flights include “taking photos to help sell a property or service”, such as photos for a real estate listing, and pictures of a high school football game for the school's website. Flying purely for fun or personal enjoyment falls under the recreational law with the TRUST certificate, anything else, a photography business included, needs a remote pilot certificate under Part 107, and “When in doubt, assume Part 107.” Our drone license guide covers both paths, and the TRUST certificate page the recreational test.
The FAA's pages, the law and the makers' pages and manuals on this page were read on November 14, 2026 and checked for this page on November 14, 2026.
Photos for a client?
That is a Part 107 flight, paid or not. The drone license guide covers the test and the certificate.
Drone license guideFlying drones for aerial photography: where and how high
Either way the ceiling is 400 feet above the ground, with a structure exception under Part 107.
-
Where
Where. What decides a spot is its no-fly zones, airspace, the height ceiling, wind and daylight. Can I fly here? checks them for a place and a drone, under recreational or Part 107 rules.
Check the spot -
How high
How high. Both rulebooks stop at 400 feet: a recreational flight in Class G airspace flies “not more than 400 feet above ground level”, and Part 107 allows more only within 400 feet of a structure, up to 400 feet above its top. The FAA's recreational list adds that controlled airspace needs a LAANC or DroneZone authorization first, and our guide to how high a drone can fly covers the rest.
400 ft -
National parks
National parks. The National Park Service says: “Uncrewed aircraft may be prohibited at the park you are visiting.” It points you to the park's website and to the superintendent, who may designate an area or issue a special use permit (its example is a park illustrator's aerial photography for a visitor map), and our national parks guide has the details.
May be banned
Can I fly here?
Pick the spot and the drone; it checks the no-fly zones, the airspace, the height ceiling, wind and daylight.
Check your spotDrone photography over people, private property and privacy
Part 107 bars flying over people outside a few cases; the recreational law has no over-people rule; state and local laws on privacy and trespass generally still apply.
-
Under Part 107
Under Part 107. 14 CFR 107.39 bars flying over a person unless that person is directly participating in the flight, is under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle, or the flight meets one of four categories.
Four categoriesThe four categories
Category 1 is a drone of 0.55 lb (249 g) or less, everything on board included, at takeoff and throughout the flight, with no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin; sustained flight over open-air assemblies in Category 1 also needs Remote ID (107.110). In the FAA's overview, Categories 2 and 3 are for drones over 0.55 lb without a part 21 airworthiness certificate, Category 3 never over open-air assemblies, and Category 4 needs a part 21 airworthiness certificate. Over moving vehicles, Categories 1 to 3 need a closed or restricted-access site with notice, or no sustained flight over the vehicles (107.145). This page gives no verdict on any drone's category: we read no maker's statement on the rotating-parts condition.
14 CFR 107.39, 107.110 and 107.145 (eCFR); FAA, Operations Over People General Overview -
Flying for fun
Flying for fun. The recreational law, 49 U.S.C. 44809, has no over-people category: the words people and human do not appear in it. The FAA encourages the community-based organizations whose safety guidelines recreational flyers follow to put “restrictions on operations over people” in those guidelines.
-
Remote ID
In our drone records, 3 models broadcast Remote ID only with a named battery: Antigravity A1 (High-Capacity Flight Battery), DJI Mini 3 (Intelligent Flight Battery Plus) and DJI Mini 4 Pro (Intelligent Flight Battery Plus). With that battery each weighs more than 0.55 lb (249 g); our Remote ID guide says what that changes.
-
Private property
Private property and privacy. In the view of the FAA and the Department of Transportation, state and local laws on privacy, voyeurism, harassment and trespass on property are generally not preempted, and “Since 2013, at least 44 States have enacted laws relating to UAS”. Our guide to flying over private property has the state-by-state table.
State laws -
Neighborly drone use
A process convened by the NTIA wrote voluntary “Guidelines for Neighborly Drone Use” for recreational operators in 2016: if you can, tell people before you take pictures or video of them; do not violate a reasonable expectation of privacy; do not fly over private property without permission if that is easily avoided; do not harass people. DJI's manual for the Mini 4 Pro asks you to respect the privacy of others when using the camera and to comply with local privacy laws, and repeats the line in each automatic shooting mode.
Drones with cameras: what 14 models shoot
Every one of the 14 drones in our data takes photos and video: each maker lists a photo size and a video resolution, with stills from 12 MP to 100 MP, the largest on the DJI Mavic 4 Pro.
The 14 drones in our camera table shoot stills from 12 MP to 100 MP. Three of them shot the photos below; tap one to see it large.
10 of them save RAW (DNG) photos, and 9 carry a 3-axis gimbal. The figures are as each maker prints them; Compare two drones has the full spec sheets.
1/1.28-inch sensor
Antigravity A1
- Largest photo
- 55 MPINSP (exported through the Antigravity app or Studio); DNG
- Top video
- 8K7680×3840
- Gimbal
- None listed360 camera
1-inch sensor
DJI Air 3S
- Largest photo
- 50 MPJPEG/DNG (RAW)
- Top video
- 4K3840×2160
- Gimbal
- 3-axismechanical
1-inch sensor
DJI Mini 5 Pro
- Largest photo
- 50 MPJPEG/DNG (RAW)
- Top video
- 4K3840×2160
- Gimbal
- 3-axismechanical
1/1.3-inch sensor
DJI Flip
- Largest photo
- 48 MPJPEG, DNG/RAW
- Top video
- 4K3840×2160
- Gimbal
- 3-axismechanical
1/1.3-inch sensor
DJI Mini 3
- Largest photo
- 48 MPJPEG/DNG (RAW)
- Top video
- 4K3840×2160
- Gimbal
- 3-axismechanical
1/1.3-inch sensor
DJI Mini 3 Pro
- Largest photo
- 48 MPJPEG/DNG (RAW)
- Top video
- 4K3840×2160
- Gimbal
- 3-axismechanical
1/1.3-inch sensor
DJI Mini 4 Pro
- Largest photo
- 48 MPJPEG/DNG (RAW)
- Top video
- 4K3840×2160
- Gimbal
- 3-axismechanical
1/2-inch sensor
HOVERAir X1 PRO
- Largest photo
- 48 MPJPEG
- Top video
- 4K3840×2160
- Gimbal
- 2-axismechanical
1/2-inch sensor
Potensic ATOM 2
- Largest photo
- 48 MPJPG, or JPG and RAW (DNG)
- Top video
- 4K3840×2160
- Gimbal
- 3-axis
1/1.3-inch sensor
DJI Avata 2
- Largest photo
- 12 MPJPEG
- Top video
- 4K3840×2880
- Gimbal
- Single-axismechanical
1/2.3-inch sensor
DJI Mini 4K
- Largest photo
- 12 MPJPEG/DNG (RAW)
- Top video
- 4K3840×2160
- Gimbal
- 3-axis
1/2-inch sensor
DJI Neo
- Largest photo
- 12 MPJPEG
- Top video
- 4K3840×2880
- Gimbal
- Single-axismechanical
1/2-inch sensor
DJI Neo 2
- Largest photo
- 12 MPJPEG
- Top video
- 4K3840×2880
- Gimbal
- 2-axismechanical
The full tables: sensor, photo, video, gimbal, bracketing, color modes, storage and the maker's page
| Drone | Sensor | Largest photo | Photo format | Top video | Gimbal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigravity A1 | 1/1.28-inch (360 camera) | 55 MP (10496×5248); 14 MP (5248×2624) | INSP (exported through the Antigravity app or Studio); DNG | 8K 7680×3840 at 30/25/24 fps; 5.2K at 60 fps; 4K 3840×1920 at 100 fps (360 video, INSV) | No gimbal listed (360 camera) |
| DJI Air 3S | Wide-angle 1-inch CMOS 50 MP; medium tele 1/1.3-inch CMOS 48 MP | Wide-angle 8192×6144 | JPEG/DNG (RAW) | 4K 3840×2160 at 24-60 fps, and 120 fps (slow motion); FHD to 240 fps (slow motion); 2.7K vertical 1512×2688 | 3-axis mechanical (tilt, roll, pan) |
| DJI Avata 2 | 1/1.3-inch, 12 MP | 4000×3000 (4:3); 4000×2256 (16:9) | JPEG | 4K (4:3) 3840×2880 at 30/50/60 fps; 4K (16:9) 3840×2160 at 30/50/60/100 fps | Single-axis mechanical (tilt); EIS RockSteady 3.0+ and HorizonSteady |
| DJI Flip | 1/1.3-inch | 48 MP 8064×6048 | JPEG, DNG/RAW | 4K 3840×2160 at 24-60/100 fps; FHD to 100 fps; 2.7K and FHD vertical | 3-axis mechanical (tilt, roll, pan) |
| DJI Mavic 4 Pro | Hasselblad 4/3 CMOS 100 MP; medium tele 1/1.3-inch 48 MP; tele 1/1.5-inch 50 MP | Hasselblad 12288×8192 | JPEG, DNG (RAW) | 6K 6016×3384 at 24-60 fps; DCI 4K and 4K to 120 fps (slow motion) | 3-axis mechanical (tilt, roll, pan) |
| DJI Mini 3 | 1/1.3-inch CMOS 48 MP | 8064×6048 | JPEG/DNG (RAW) | 4K 3840×2160 at 24/25/30 fps; 2.7K and FHD to 60 fps | 3-axis mechanical (tilt, roll, and pan) |
| DJI Mini 3 Pro | 1/1.3-inch CMOS 48 MP | 8064×6048 | JPEG/DNG (RAW) | 4K 3840×2160 at 24-60 fps; slow motion 1080p at 120 fps | 3-axis mechanical (tilt, roll, and pan) |
| DJI Mini 4 Pro | 1/1.3-inch CMOS 48 MP | 8064×6048 | JPEG/DNG (RAW) | 4K 3840×2160 at 24-60 fps, and 100 fps (slow motion); FHD to 200 fps (slow motion) | 3-axis mechanical (tilt, roll, pan) |
| DJI Mini 4K | 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 12 MP effective | 4000×3000 | JPEG/DNG (RAW) | 4K 3840×2160 at 24/25/30 fps; 2.7K and FHD to 60 fps | 3-axis (tilt, roll, pan) |
| DJI Mini 5 Pro | 1-inch CMOS 50 MP | 8192×6144 | JPEG/DNG (RAW) | 4K 3840×2160 at 24-60 fps, and 120 fps (slow motion); FHD to 240 fps (slow motion) | 3-axis mechanical (tilt, roll, pan) |
| DJI Neo | 1/2-inch | 12 MP 4000×3000 (4:3); 4000×2256 (16:9) | JPEG | EIS off 4K (4:3) 3840×2880 at 30 fps; EIS on 4K (16:9) 3840×2160 at 30 fps | Single-axis mechanical (tilt); EIS RockSteady, HorizonBalancing |
| DJI Neo 2 | 1/2-inch CMOS | 12 MP 4000×3000 (4:3); 4000×2250 (16:9) | JPEG | 4K (4:3) 3840×2880 at 30/50/60 fps; 4K (16:9) 3840×2160 at up to 100 fps; 2.7K vertical | 2-axis mechanical (tilt, roll) |
| HOVERAir X1 PRO | 1/2-inch | Up to 48 MP | JPEG | 4K 3840×2160 at 24-60 fps; 1080p to 120 fps; slow motion 1080p at 100/120 fps | 2-axis mechanical (tilt, roll), with EIS and horizon leveling |
| Potensic ATOM 2 | 1/2-inch CMOS 48 MP | 8000×6000 (4:3); 1696×3000 (9:16) | JPG, or JPG and RAW (DNG) | 4K 3840×2160 (16:9) at 24/25/30 fps; 2.7K at 24/25/30; FHD to 60 fps | 3-axis (tilt, roll, pan) |
| Drone | Bracketing and still modes | Color modes | Storage | microSD | Maker's page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigravity A1 | Standard Photo, HDR, Burst, AEB | Not listed on the maker's page | 20 GB | Yes, up to 1 TB | Antigravity A1 specs page (U.S.) |
| DJI Air 3S | AEB 12 MP 3/5/7 frames, 50 MP 3/5 frames at 0.7 EV step; Burst; Timed | Normal (8-bit H.264, 10-bit H.265); HLG, D-Log M 10-bit | 42 GB | Yes | DJI Air 3S specs page (U.S. region) |
| DJI Avata 2 | None listed on DJI's page | Standard, D-Log M | 46 GB | Yes | DJI Avata 2 specs page (U.S. region) |
| DJI Flip | AEB 12 MP 3/5/7 frames at 2/3 EV step; Burst; Timed | Normal, D-Log M | 2 GB | Yes | DJI Flip specs page (U.S. region) |
| DJI Mavic 4 Pro | AEB 25 MP 3/5/7 frames, 100 MP 3/5 frames at 0.7 EV step | Normal 8/10-bit; HLG, D-Log M, D-Log 10-bit | 64 GB (about 42 GB available); Creator Combo 512 GB (about 460 GB available) | Yes | DJI Mavic 4 Pro specs page (UK English; no U.S. page) |
| DJI Mini 3 | AEB 12 MP 3 frames at 2/3 EV step; Panorama Sphere, 180°, Wide Angle; HDR in Single Shot | Normal | None (DJI prints “N/A”) | Yes | DJI Mini 3 specs page (U.S. region) |
| DJI Mini 3 Pro | AEB 12 MP 3/5 frames at 2/3 EV step; Burst; Panorama Sphere, 180°, Wide Angle, Vertical; HDR in Single Shot | Normal, D-Cinelike (no D-Log, says DJI's FAQ) | None (DJI's FAQ) | Yes (UHS-I Speed Class 3 or above) | DJI Mini 3 Pro support page with specs and FAQ (U.S. region) |
| DJI Mini 4 Pro | AEB 12 MP 3/5/7 frames, 48 MP 3/5 frames at 0.7 EV step; Burst; Timed | Normal 8-bit; HLG, D-Log M 10-bit (H.265) | 2 GB | Yes | DJI Mini 4 Pro specs page (U.S. region) |
| DJI Mini 4K | AEB 3 frames at 2/3 EV step; Single; Interval | Not listed in DJI's manual | Not listed in DJI's manual | Yes (UHS-I Speed Grade 3 or above) | DJI Mini 4K user manual v1.0 (English) |
| DJI Mini 5 Pro | AEB 12 MP 3/5/7 frames, 50 MP 3/5 frames at 0.7 EV step | Normal 8/10-bit; HLG, D-Log M 10-bit | 42 GB | Yes | DJI Mini 5 Pro specs page (UK English; no U.S. page) |
| DJI Neo | Single/Timed Shot | Normal | Not listed by DJI | Not listed by DJI | DJI Neo specs page (U.S. region) |
| DJI Neo 2 | Single/Timed Shot | Normal | 49 GB | No | DJI Neo 2 specs page (UK English; no U.S. page) |
| HOVERAir X1 PRO | Not listed for the X1 PRO | Standard (8-bit) | 32 GB | Yes | HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX page with specs |
| Potensic ATOM 2 | Bracketing (BRK), 3 or 5 frames at 12 MP, JPG; Panorama 180°, Vertical, Wide Angle, Sphere | HDR, P-Log (P-Log at 2.7K and 4K only) | None (photos and video go to the microSD card) | Yes (U3 or V30 rating or above) | Potensic ATOM 2 specs page; user manual V08 (2025.12) |
- Slow motion: DJI marks those frame rates as recording rates that play back as slow motion.
- HOVERAir's page shows the X1 PRO beside the X1 PROMAX, a different model; only the X1 PRO column is here.
- Where a maker's page and manual differ: DJI's Mini 4 Pro manual lists 48 MP AEB at 3 frames, the spec page at 3 or 5; Antigravity's A1 manual prints 10486×5248 for the 55 MP photo, the spec page 10496×5248. The table follows the spec pages.
Exposure, ND filters and color profiles: what the makers say
Every shooting tip here is a maker's sentence about its own drone, named; none is ours.
Each line names the drone, and the maker's document and page it comes from.
What an ND filter does
DJI's Mini 4 Pro manual says to use the ND filter if the exposure time needs to be prolonged.
Exposure
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: The camera mode switch toggles Auto and Pro mode; different parameters can be set in each. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 95
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Tap the screen for focus or spot metering; drag beside the box to adjust EV; press and hold the box to lock exposure. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 98
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: The Histogram shows whether exposure is appropriate; Overexposure Warning marks overexposed areas with diagonal lines; Peaking Level outlines in-focus objects in red in MF mode. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 101
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Anti-flicker reduces flicker under artificial light; in Pro mode it works only with shutter speed and ISO on auto. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 101
- Potensic ATOM 2: Auto mode sets the photo format (JPG or JPG+RAW) and EV; Manual mode sets ISO, shutter speed and white balance; P-Log records only at 2.7K and 4K. Potensic ATOM 2 User Manual V08, PDF page 32
HDR
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Single Shot uses SmartPhoto by default, which integrates scene recognition or HDR and takes several shots in a row to merge them. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 72
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Single Shot photos get no HDR effect when the aircraft is moving or unstable in high wind, with manual white balance, with EV adjusted or AE locked in Auto mode, or in Pro mode. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 111
ND filters
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: DJI says to use the ND filter if the exposure time needs to be prolonged. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 118
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: An optional ND Filters Set (ND 16/64/256) is listed among the accessories, not in the box. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 121
- DJI Mini 5 Pro: An optional ND Filters Set (ND 8/32/128) is listed among the accessories. DJI Mini 5 Pro User Manual v1.0, PDF pages 86-87
Color profiles
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: The 10-bit D-Log M color mode is for post-production color correction; HLG gives better dynamic range and color display. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 9
Night video
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: The Night video mode gives better noise reduction and cleaner footage, up to ISO 12800, at 4K and 1080p 24/25/30 fps; FocusTrack is not supported in it. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 94
Long exposure
- DJI Flip: The 12 MP photo shutter line runs 1/16000-2 s, with 2.5-8 s “for simulated long exposure”. DJI Flip specs page, Camera, Shutter Speed
Photo and video shooting modes, by each maker's name
Each maker names its own photo and video modes; here they are by drone, in the maker's words.
Shooting modes
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Photo modes are Single, AEB, Burst Shooting and Timed Shot; video modes are Normal, Night and Slow Motion. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 94
- Potensic ATOM 2: Photo modes are Single, Burst, Interval Timer, BRK and 8K; video modes Normal, AI Night, Slow Motion and CineRoll; Panorama 180°, Vertical, Wide Angle and Sphere. Potensic ATOM 2 User Manual V08, PDF page 31
360 camera
- Antigravity A1: The 8K 360° camera captures all angles during the flight. Antigravity A1 User Manual V2.0, PDF page 6
Gimbal
- DJI Mini 5 Pro: The gimbal supports roll rotation; Follow Mode keeps the roll level or at a preset angle for stable images, FPV Mode rolls with the aircraft. DJI Mini 5 Pro User Manual v1.0, PDF page 65
- Potensic ATOM 2: The gimbal may shake in Sport Mode or strong wind; Potensic recommends Video Mode for the best gimbal stabilization. Potensic ATOM 2 User Manual V08, PDF page 19
Bracketing and panoramas in the makers' words
The camera table above gives every drone's bracketing steps; DJI's own lines for the Mini 4 Pro:
Bracketing
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 12 MP at 3/5/7 frames and 48 MP at 3/5 frames, 0.7 EV step. DJI Mini 4 Pro specs page, Camera, Still Photography Modes
Panorama
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Pano types are Sphere, 180°, Wide Angle and Vertical; the aircraft takes several photos and synthesizes the panorama for the chosen type. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 94
Automatic flight modes for aerial footage: QuickShots, MasterShots, Hyperlapse and more
The makers' automatic modes fly a preset move and record it.
Their names and their limits, in each maker's words; DJI's manual repeats its privacy line in each of them.
Before QuickShots
DJI's Mini 4 Pro manual asks for an area clear of buildings, with no people, animals or obstacles in the flight path.
FocusTrack
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: FocusTrack includes Spotlight, Point of Interest and ActiveTrack; the aircraft does not take photos or record by itself in FocusTrack. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 27
MasterShots
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: MasterShots keeps the subject centered while flying a sequence of maneuvers and generates a short video; hover at least 6.6 ft (2 m) above ground first, then select it in DJI Fly. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 34
QuickShots
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: QuickShots modes are Dronie, Rocket, Circle, Helix, Boomerang and Asteroid; the aircraft records the preset move and generates a short video that can be viewed, edited or shared to social media from playback. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 35
- DJI Mini 4 Pro and DJI Mini 5 Pro: Boomerang needs a radius of at least 99 ft (30 m) and 33 ft (10 m) above; Asteroid needs 131 ft (40 m) behind and 164 ft (50 m) above. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 36; DJI Mini 5 Pro User Manual v1.0, PDF page 33
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Use QuickShots where the area is clear of buildings, with no people, animals or obstacles in the flight path; not in light under 300 lux or over 10,000 lux. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 37
Hyperlapse
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Hyperlapse modes are Free, Circle, Course Lock and Waypoint; DJI recommends flying it higher than 164 ft (50 m) with at least two seconds between interval and shutter speed. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 37
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: In Hyperlapse, pick a static subject more than 49 ft (15 m) from the aircraft, not one too close to the aircraft, people or a moving car. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 37
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: A Hyperlapse video is made only after at least 25 photos, the amount for one second of video. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 38
- DJI Mini 5 Pro: DJI says Hyperlapse suits scenes with moving elements such as traffic flow, drifting clouds, and sunrises and sunsets. DJI Mini 5 Pro User Manual v1.0, PDF page 34
Waypoints
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: Each waypoint can carry a camera action: None, Take Photo, or Start or Stop Recording. DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4, PDF page 43
AI QuickShots
- Potensic ATOM 2: AI QuickShots modes are Pull-Away, Rocket, Circle, Spiral, Boomerang and Dolly Zoom, started from the flight interface of the Potensic Eve App; the drone records the move and generates a short video. Potensic ATOM 2 User Manual V08, PDF page 45
Automatic flight
- Antigravity A1: Sky Genie is a set of pre-defined flight paths the drone flies by itself for cinematic footage. Antigravity A1 User Manual V2.0, PDF page 97
- Antigravity A1: Deep Track follows a selected subject at a safe distance; tracking cannot start in photo mode. Antigravity A1 User Manual V2.0, PDF pages 91 and 93
- Antigravity A1: In Sky Path the user builds a flight route by setting waypoints. Antigravity A1 User Manual V2.0, PDF page 101
Related pages
The tools, the rules and the guides around a photo flight.
Questions a drone photographer asks
Can a drone take a photo?
Yes. Every one of the 14 drones in our data can take pictures and videos, with stills from 12 MP to 100 MP; the largest is the DJI Mavic 4 Pro's. In DJI's waypoint flight on the Mini 4 Pro you can set the drone to take a photo at each waypoint.
Do you need a license to offer drone photography services?
Yes, by the FAA's own examples: “taking photos to help sell a property or service” is a Part 107 flight, and the FAA says anyone flying for “commercial, government, or any other non-recreational purposes” flies as a certificated remote pilot, that is, FAA Part 107 certified. A person may not combine recreational and commercial purposes in a single flight, AC 91-57D adds. Our drone license guide covers the test and the certificate.
Do I need a drone photography course?
The FAA's own steps are a certificate: the TRUST certificate for flying purely for fun, the remote pilot certificate under Part 107 for anything else. Our drone license guide covers both; this page names no course.
Which drone photography app sets the shooting modes?
Each maker's own app. DJI's Mini 4 Pro manual has you select MasterShots in DJI Fly; Potensic starts AI QuickShots from the flight interface of the Potensic Eve App; Antigravity exports the A1's 360 photos through the Antigravity app or Studio.
Can I fly over people to take photos?
Under Part 107, only as 14 CFR 107.39 allows: over people directly participating in the flight, under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle, or in one of the four categories above. The recreational law has no over-people rule, and the FAA encourages community-based organizations to restrict operations over people in their safety guidelines.
Can I take drone photos in a national park?
The National Park Service: “Uncrewed aircraft may be prohibited at the park you are visiting.” The options it names are the park's website and the superintendent, who may designate an area or issue a special use permit. Our national parks guide has more.
What does an ND filter do on a drone?
DJI's Mini 4 Pro manual says to use the ND filter if the exposure time needs to be prolonged. DJI lists ND filter sets as optional accessories: ND 16/64/256 for the Mini 4 Pro and ND 8/32/128 for the Mini 5 Pro.
Sources Named, not linked. Read November 14, 2026.
Documents are named, not linked. Each was read on November 14, 2026 for the research and checked for this page on November 14, 2026.
The FAA
- FAA, Recreational Flyers & Community-Based Organizations, last updated October 29, 2026
- FAA, Getting Started, last updated December 19, 2024
- FAA, Operations Over People General Overview, last updated November 10, 2022
- FAA Advisory Circular 91-57D, Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft (June 24, 2025): paras 2.2.1.1 and 3.3.2.1.1
- FAA and DOT fact sheet, State and Local Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (July 14, 2023)
U.S. law
- 49 U.S.C. 44809, Exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft (2024 edition)
- 14 CFR 107.39, 107.51, 107.110 and 107.145 (eCFR)
Parks and privacy
- National Park Service, Uncrewed Aircraft in the National Parks, last updated May 22, 2025
- NTIA multistakeholder process, Voluntary Best Practices for UAS Privacy, Transparency, and Accountability (May 18, 2016)
The makers' pages
- Antigravity A1 specs page (U.S.)
- DJI Air 3S specs page (U.S. region)
- DJI Avata 2 specs page (U.S. region)
- DJI Flip specs page (U.S. region)
- DJI Mavic 4 Pro specs page (UK English; no U.S. page)
- DJI Mini 3 specs page (U.S. region)
- DJI Mini 3 Pro support page with specs and FAQ (U.S. region)
- DJI Mini 4 Pro specs page (U.S. region)
- DJI Mini 4K user manual v1.0 (English)
- DJI Mini 5 Pro specs page (UK English; no U.S. page)
- DJI Neo specs page (U.S. region)
- DJI Neo 2 specs page (UK English; no U.S. page)
- HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX page with specs
- Potensic ATOM 2 specs page; user manual V08 (2025.12)
The makers' manuals
- DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual v1.4 (2024.06)
- DJI Mini 5 Pro User Manual v1.0 (2025.09)
- Potensic ATOM 2 User Manual V08 (2025.12)
- Antigravity A1 User Manual V2.0
Photos: DJI press images. Product photos by Antigravity, HOVERAir, Potensic and DJI.