Consumer drones with telephoto cameras

Consumer drones with telephoto cameras have become increasingly advanced, offering high-quality zoom capabilities alongside wide-angle imaging. Here are the top options currently available, focusing on their telephoto features:

1. DJI Mavic 4 Pro

• Triple Camera System: This is the most advanced consumer drone for telephoto work, featuring:
• Main Camera: 28mm wide (Hasselblad-branded, 4/3" sensor, up to 100MP photos, 6K/60p or 4K/120p video, variable aperture f/2.0–f/11).
• Medium Telephoto: 70mm equivalent (1/1.3" sensor, f/2.8, 4K/60p video, D-Log/D-LogM, HDR).
• Long Telephoto: 168mm equivalent (1/1.5" sensor, f/2.8, 4K/60p video, D-Log/D-LogM, HDR).
• Use Cases: The 70mm and 168mm telephoto cameras are ideal for wildlife, sports, and any scenario where you need to keep your distance but still capture detail.
• Image Quality: Both telephoto cameras offer excellent sharpness and dynamic range, with robust subject tracking and dual native ISO for better low-light performance^[1][2][3].

2. DJI Mavic 3 Pro

• Triple Camera Array: Includes a wide-angle, a 3x telephoto, and a 7x telephoto lens.
• 3x Telephoto: Good for mid-range zoom shots.
• 7x Telephoto: Allows for close-ups of distant subjects.
• Sensor Quality: Each focal length uses a different sensor, so image quality varies, but both telephoto cameras are highly capable for consumer and prosumer needs^[1][2][4].

3. DJI Air 3 / Air 3S

• Dual Camera Design: Features a wide-angle camera and a 3x telephoto lens (approx. 70mm equivalent).
• Target Audience: A more affordable option for those who want telephoto capability without the size or price of the Mavic 4 Pro. The Air 3S offers improved sensor size and low-light performance compared to the Air 3^[2].

4. DJI Mini 4 Pro

• Compact with Telephoto: While primarily a wide-angle drone, it includes a mid-telephoto camera, making it unique in the sub-250g category for offering zoom capabilities in a highly portable package^[5].

Comparison Table

Drone Model	Telephoto Cameras	Sensor Size (Telephoto)	Zoom Equivalent	Key Features
DJI Mavic 4 Pro	70mm, 168mm	1/1.3", 1/1.5"	3x, 6x	Triple camera, 6K video, pro color profiles
DJI Mavic 3 Pro	3x, 7x telephoto	Varies	3x, 7x	Triple camera, hybrid zoom
DJI Air 3 / Air 3S	3x telephoto	1/1.3"	3x	Dual camera, improved low-light
DJI Mini 4 Pro	Mid-telephoto	1/1.3"	~2x	Compact, sub-250g, vertical shooting

Key Takeaways

• DJI Mavic 4 Pro is the top choice for advanced telephoto work, offering both medium and long telephoto lenses with high-quality sensors and pro-grade video options^[1][2][3].
• DJI Mavic 3 Pro remains an excellent alternative, especially where the Mavic 4 Pro is not available^[2].
• DJI Air 3/Air 3S and Mini 4 Pro provide more affordable and portable options with useful telephoto capabilities, though with some compromises in sensor size and zoom reach^[5][2].

If telephoto capability is a priority, the Mavic 4 Pro and Mavic 3 Pro stand out as the most versatile and powerful consumer drones currently available.

⁂

• https://jvn.photo/best-drone-photography-2025/   
• https://www.techradar.com/news/best-drones      
• https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-mavic-4-pro-review-a-new-standard-for-consumer-drones-120006235.html  
• https://www.dronefly.com/collections/optical-camera-drones 
• https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-drones