If you are new to the world of unmanned aerial vehicles, you may look to compare 1080p vs 4K Drones. Some of the best drones, after all, are equipped with fantastic camera systems that are often in HD or even Ultra-HD. So what are the differences between these two types of drones? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- 4K drones tend to be much more expensive than 1080p models, but this price differential is lessening with regard to a 4K entry-level drone.
- Battery life also takes a slight hit when using a 4K-enabled drone, so expect a reduced flight duration or flight time.
- 4K footage arrives in larger file sizes, taking up more space in your memory card or MicroSD card, which is a huge difference.
Differences Between 1080p Vs 4K Drones
If you are looking for the leading selfie drone, the camera certainly matters. With that in mind, camera definition is the primary difference between 1080p drones and 4K drones, as these devices are often used to capture video footage. You can compare cameras vs drones if you want, but many modern drones come with the camera already included. Of course, this initial difference spirals out into other disparities between the two.
Insider Tip
Some drones allow for third-party cameras to be attached, which means you can switch out between 4K and 1080p.
Footage Quality
The big difference here is footage quality. 1080p is great for many applications, but for professional video shoots, you are going to want to look at a 4K model. This holds true if you are comparing Skydio 2 vs DJI drones, or any other two companies. 4K cameras make for fantastic aerial footage which can be used in movies, TV shows, sporting events, or just personal home videos. As previously mentioned, 1080p is still HD and no slouch in this regard, if you are conducting a Wingsland S6 review.
Price
Just as with any other video-facing industry, 4K is more expensive than 1080p. This holds true with televisions, standalone video cameras, computer monitors, and, of course, drones. 4K-equipped drones are often much more expensive than their 1080p counterparts, though the price differential is expected to lessen in the coming years as 4K technology becomes cheaper in general. Still, if you want a fantastic camera on your drone that is relatively future-proof, 4K is worth the money.
Battery Life
4K is more demanding than 1080p, which sometimes translates to a slightly reduced battery life during use. Some drone manufacturers make up the difference here by including larger and more robust batteries but, as expected, this further increases price differentials between the two types. Take a look at the battery life specs and make an informed decision, as the decrease with some 4K drones may not make the uptick in visual fidelity worth it.
F.A.Q.S
Is 4K better than 1080p?
4K offers a more robust and detailed image quality, but some of these differences may not even be noticeable by the human eye. Also, 4K footage takes up more room on the video card.
What is the best software for drones with cameras for video editing?
It depends on personal preference, as most software suites produce great image quality and smooth footage for professional photographers or amateur aerial photographers.
What do you need to know about the DJI Fly app?
The DJI Mavic Pro, and the company’s mini drone line like the Mavic Mini, integrate with the Fly app that monitors minutes of flight time, flight duration, and other metrics.
STAT: In 1984, Hitachi released the CMOS graphics processor ARTC HD63484, which was capable of displaying up to 4K resolution when in monochrome mode. (source)
