If you’re in Japan, you’re probably looking to explore the scenic beauty of the environment at some point. Whether you’re doing it for work or play, they enable you to capture the beauty of this land in its purest form, from up above.
What’s so cool about them is that they make aerial videography accessible to just about anyone who cares. Videos that once required a camera crew, expensive cranes and hours of filming can now be done in minutes with the tap of a single Auto Take-off button.
Drones aren’t just flying cameras, though; they’re also the modern version of remote-controlled vehicles as many of them come complete with advanced features that make navigation easy even when you’re a beginner.
The section below provides a valuable guide to some of the best models you’ll find anywhere in Japan.
Best Drones to buy in Japan: A Quick Look
Holy Stone HS700D Drone
Item weight: 0.608 kg Dimension: 8.66 x 8.66 x 6.10in Flight Time: 22Mins. Charging Time: 5-7 Hours. Camera: 2048 x 1152p / 2k. Live Transmission Range: 1640-2600ft. Max Control Range: 3280 ft.
Snaptain S5C 720P HD Drone
Item weight: 0.15 kg Dimension: 8.66 x 8.66 x 6.10in Flight Time: 9 Minutes. Camera: 720 pixels Max Control Range: 80 metres Motor type: Brushed Motor
Eachine E520S HD drone
Item weight: 0.096 kg Dimension: 10.6 x 7.7 x 2.0 in Flight Time: 7-9 Minutes Camera: 720 pixels Charging Time: 1 hour. Max Control Range: 80 metres Motor type: 0720 Coreless Motor
DEERC DE25 HD Drone
Weight : 0.24 kg Flight time : 18 minutes Control range : 600 m Dimensions: Open 300 x 290 x 65mm Camera: 1920 x 1080p 120° FOV Charging Power: 5~10 W Max Charging Time：3 hours
DJI Mavic Air Drone
Weight : 0.43 kg Internal Storage: 8 GB Control range: 2000 - 4000 m Flight range : 10 km Max Take-Off altitude: 5000 m Camera: 16:9: 4056 × 2280 Video resolution: 4k Ultra HD Max Charging Time：2 hours
Best Drones to buy in Japan: More Details
Holy Stone HS700D Drone
If you’re on the market for a drone that is both compellingly beautiful, easy to pack, and capable of high-quality visual renders, the Holy Stone is one of a kind.
High quality video rendition
If you work in fashion or video documentation where a lot of high-quality visual cues are required, the weather can ruin hours of work.
To mitigate this possibility, having that extra resilience that the Holy Stone offers can mean the difference between a payday, angry clients, and a damaged reputation.
4K shooting camera
Once you buy the Holy Stone, you get a wide-angle, 4K shooting camera that is capable of delivering crisp shots under complicated weather conditions.
GPS and advanced flight capabilities
With this machine, you get GPS for better flight and some of the most advanced hovering capabilities available on the market. You also get intelligent flight modes that fly intuitively and come complete with a “follow-me” mode, and an automatic return home feature.
These features ensure that 22 (twenty-two) minutes of torrid manual cloud navigation are not followed by a belated effort at getting your drone to find you on the ground.
Tracks you automatically
Instead, the Holy Stone has sensors that enable it to find you automatically and trackback promptly when you finish a session.
If you prefer an automatic flight experience, this drone comes with a custom flight navigation system that you can program to fly around a predefined path. In this mode, all you ever need to do is to set the waypoint on the Holy Stone App, by manually drawing a pattern of flight.
Guarantees safety and security
The Holy Stone also guarantees safety and security as it comes equipped with a 1 axis gimbal that’ll stay in the wind, and automatically return to you when it can’t find the signal, or is under-powered.
If you’re seeking a way to make quality videos without breaking the bank, you should buy this product.
Snaptain S5C 720P HD Drone
If you travel a lot for work, the Snaptain S5C 720P HD drone is lightweight, futuristic, and aesthetic pleasing to see. It’s also a cost-effective alternative to some of the pricier options on this list.
Lightweight and easy to pack
At 0.15kg, this beau is surprisingly lightweight for its build. Having a drone that packs and unpacks in a jiff helps if you have to shoot within a tight deadline and in multiple locations far away from home.
Also, it comes with propeller guards for safer flying. These protective guards act as anti-collision barriers that ensure that it is not damaged should you crash into something in mid-air.
Easy to use app
The Snaptain also comes with an app that is downloadable on both iOS and Android. With this app, you can access some of its advanced features, such as its voice and gesture control, FPV, and intelligent flight mode.
When combined, these features provide a level of access and ease at a price point which very few models on the market can match.
720P first person camera
One of the standout features of the Snaptain S5C is a 720p camera fitted that broadcasts in the first person, and makes it incredibly easy for beginners to create aerial shots of the highest quality from the first day.
The Camera allows you to stream live video clips directly to your smartphone with little to no latency. Also, once it ships, you get a range of features that allow you to edit your clips and upload them directly to your social media accounts if you’re so inclined.
If you’re a Journalist, this feature is particularly useful if you want to cover events as they unfold and broadcast them directly to your audience on social media.
6 axis gyroscope and gravity sensor
The Snaptain S5C also ships with a 6-axis gyroscope that keeps it steady as it hovers and enhances the quality of coverage as a result.
The S5C also comes with a gravity sensor with which you can control the drone and move it around using only your mobile phone. You should call back your drone once it falls to one bar on this sensor as it might go missing otherwise.
Headless feature
The Snaptain S5C has a headless feature that facilitates flying without the hassle of constantly wondering where the head or tail is. If you’re a beginner, this feature can significantly enhance your experience with flight navigation and video coverage.
The Snaptain S5C is also compatible with 3D virtual reality headsets so you can be right where your drone is and see what it sees.
If you want a drone that offers quality, looks, and powerful hardware integrations, the Snaptain S5C is a low-cost option and an excellent buy all things considered.
Eachine E520S HD drone
If you’re a vlogger, then this is the drone you should buy. The Eachine E520S is an exquisite, well designed, foldable piece that comes with a range of specialised features, and fits the use case perfectly.
Weighing just under 0.3kg, the Eachine is made from high-quality plastic that is long-lasting and can withstand wind and collisions as they are bound to happen if you’re just getting started.
High quality aerial footage
The Eachine E520S also offers a 720p, high-definition camera that delivers high-quality aerial video footage and images. It also comes with GPS for a more stable flying experience and three intelligent flight modes.
This drone offers a lot of flexibility to bloggers as it offers Waypoint that allows it to follow a predefined path, Surround in which the drone will orbit the source of transmission. This mode is particularly important if you need to take live shots of selfies on the go.
User smart track feature
Also, you get the Smart track feature that allows it to follow you wherever you go. With this feature, you can create dynamic vlogs and provide previously unexplored POVs to your audience.
The Eachine E520S comes with two (2) 1200 mAh lipo batteries that are novel, modular, and extend the battery life by providing the aerial equivalent of a power bank. With this Eachine, you get to fly your drone between 15-17 minutes after it runs out of charge.
Auto-return home function
It also has an automatic return home function. If you notice your battery draining or find your drone straying from your line of vision. The RTH button on the controller ensures that whatever the circumstance, your drone will return to you in tip-top shape.
The Eachine E520S is perfect if you vlog or travel for work, as it provides dynamism, compactness, and practical fluidity that enhances your ability to deliver fresh, exciting perspectives to your audience all the time.
DEERC DE25 HD Drone
If you’re a photographer, filmmaker, or videographer, the DEERC delivers the kind of quality and consistency in use that you’ll come to cherish.
Advanced features for automated flying
The DEERC DE25 drone is a step up from an entry-level machine as it comes with advanced GPS features that allow you to automate flying. Once it ships, you only ever need to focus on the creative process as it takes the stress out of navigation.
If you’re in film, you’re probably re-thinking creative decisions constantly. The DEERC allows you to capture every moment in its natural flow so that post-production is made easier by clips that convey the right range of emotions.
Rapid camera
This drone also comes with a 1080p HD Wi-Fi remotely adjustable 120-degree camera that enables you to capture rapid changes in film flow without resorting to any manual directional changes whatsoever.
With the DEERC DE 25, you also get a camera that comes with an auto-hover function that allows you to keep it in a single position, and launch and land buttons that remove the complication from aerial navigation regardless of your experience.
While at it, you can also take your hands off the controller for a moment. The built-in GPS helps compensate for the wind effect. This drone camera also has a return to base function and GPS assisted flight control.
Anti-loss features
Also, you never have to worry about losing the DEERC drone as it features a return home function that kicks in as soon as the battery drops too low, or when it loses control signal.
You can also switch the speed setting from low to high to keep steady control or raise the excitement level if a scene requires extra motion-effect.
If you work in film and require a drone that comes with the right mix of features to provide the ultimate experience, the DEERC drone is a bargain that you should buy while you still can.
DJI Mavic Air Drone
If you’re a power user and want a drone that’ll complement your work with unbridled power and consistent quality, the DJI Mavic drone is hard to beat.
Incredible video frame power
The DJI Mavic’s video resolution is 3840 × 2160 (4K UHD) at 30 Frames per second that is the highest quality possible at this price and an advanced obstacle avoidance system that helps you avoid mid-air collisions.
Great for long range shoots
It is also a fantastic option if you are shooting videos for an extended period as it comes with a flight range of over 2.5 miles and 8GB of onboard storage to collect as much film as possible.
Once you make the purchase, you get a three-axis gimbal that provides stability and enables you to take the best possible clips even when you have to work despite challenging weather conditions.
Dynamic movement for creative video production
One of the most significant features of this drone camera is that it comes with a wide range of options that let you get high-quality helicopter-style shots. From swooping videos to movement tracked shots, to eye-opening panoramas, it has lots to offer. Gesture controls, a 4K video, and steady gimbal quality photos also enhance the overall experience.
If you want significant power features at a modest price, the DJI Mavic Air is the very best drone that money can buy.
FAQs on Drone Cameras
What should I look out for in a drone camera?
This question depends to some degree on how you want to use your drone. If you’re going for perspective over quality, a 720-pixel camera will work just fine.
If you’re a vlogger, video content creator, or Youtuber, you fall into this category since what you need for the most part is a fresh POV to your existing content and not a complete revamp.
On the other hand, if you’re in advertising or filmmaking, drone shots need to complement video cuts made by powerful video cameras and so, most of the time you need to go for a brand such as DJI that offers 4K resolution on a wide range of high-fidelity drones.
Ultimately, the drones with the best video and image quality cost more generally speaking. Also, whatever drone you choose should have a stabilising gimbal, a decent flight range, a high-resolution 4K, and the FPV feature.
What does FPV for drones mean?
FPV stands for First Person View, which basically means that you see exactly what your drone is seeing. This is achieved by having a video downlink from the camera on the drone transmitting the signal to your LCD monitor or Smartphone/tablet. If you’re making videos for work, you probably need it to come with this feature.
How much do Drones cost on average?
For the models on this list, you should be ready to expend anywhere from ¥4,500 ($450 USD) to ¥150,000 ($1500) to get the optimum value for money spent.
However, many of the drones available are specialty models and each of them offer specific strengths compared to the others and so, a few hours reading useful content can save you thousands of dollars in wasted capacity.
That said, with drones, the more you spend, the more likely you are to get the features that you really need for work, and play.
Conclusion
If you’re creative and are looking for a tool that’ll enhance your ability to bring your dreams to life, drones provide a powerful media of expression and add a unique perspective to your point of view.
If you work in advertising or Journalism, a drone is invaluable for your work as it allows you to capture events within the Zeitgeist as they unfold. Many of the models on this list offer a wide range of features that’ll fit your work perfectly like a hand to a glove.
Among the many features to find, the smart tracking, orbit, and return to home functions should be of interest to branding experts and content creators as they provide a range of possibilities that is quite simply, hard to beat.
Whether you’re shooting for recreation or business, the drones on this list will serve with great aplomb. Once you click and buy one, you get the ability to take smooth, high-quality videos from a wide range of perspectives.
Also, if you’re a freelancer, drone filming offers many lucrative opportunities ranging from photography to movie making, geo-spatial mapping, 3D modeling, precision agriculture, advertising real estates, and structural inspection and maintenance.
Whatever you want to do, there’s probably a drone for you. Click any of the links above to begin your creative journey.
Also, if you’re in Japan, you should know that there are specific rules and regulations that guide ownership of drones. As much as possible, do well to study and keep to them.
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