When am I ready to upgrade my drone? And how much do fancier specs like zoom really matter?

As the Drone Girl, I’m always getting questions from new pilots! This question is only a semi-new pilot, as this pilot is wondering how when it’s time to upgrade my drone! Patrick Sherman, a long-time drone enthusiast who has risen to become a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University specializing in drones joins us to answer.

One reader wrote in to say: I bought a cheap $299 drone at BestBuy to learn drone maneuvers, but when I am ready to upgrade I am leaning towards the DJI Mini 3 Pro or the Mavic 3 Classic. The new Mavic 3 Pro looks really nice, but pricey! Do I really need all that zoom when starting out?

Patrick Sherman, who is also the author of the book “Getting Started with Drones and Model Airplanes” knows a thing or two about launching a drone business. Given that, I asked him to help me answer this question

Here was his response (and if you want more of his insights, grab a copy of his book today!):

When it comes to making a purchasing decision on your next drone, select the least expensive option that will allow you to accomplish your goals, whatever those may be. Goals vary by pilot. For a newbie that goal just might be getting comfortable on the sticks. For someone who has aspirations of selling their photos, that very well may be having a higher-quality camera.

Especially when you’re getting started with drones, The Drone Girl has long recommended using any sort of cheap, practice drone you can get your hands on. Alas, it sounds like you’ve done that!

When to upgrade to a better camera drone

That said, you did mention upgrading from your existing toy drone to something slightly better. For what it’s worth, the Mavic 3 (in either its Pro or Classic form) still might be more than what you’re looking for.

Unless you need a powerful telephoto lens or high-quality cameras because you’re going to be doing professional aerial photography in the immediate future, I’d go with the Mini 3 Pro. It will get you into the DJI ecosystem, giving you the opportunity to become familiar with the company’s hardware and software without putting a huge investment at risk as you continue learning how to fly.

For now, it sounds like a powerful telephoto lens or high-quality camera might just be overkill.

For what it’s worth, the Mavic 3 series — whether you opt for the standard or the Pro version — are formidable aircraft. In fact, many consider the DJI Mini 3 to be the best DJI drone under $600.

What matters most at this point in your career is to continue learning how to fly. Learning will necessarily involve making mistakes, and the less your aircraft costs, the less those mistakes will cost you.

Good luck!

-Patrick Sherman

Are you starting out as a remote pilot? Do you have other questions you’d like Patrick to answer? The chances are that he already has answered it! Check out his new book, “Getting Started with Drones and Model Airplanes,” published by Aviation Supplies & Academics – the leading publisher of aviation-related books in the United States. Copies are available on Amazon!

If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here.