How much does a professional aerial photography aircraft cost? Analysis of the latest prices and popular models in 2024
With the popularization of drone technology, professional aerial photography aircraft have become core tools in film and television production, surveying and mapping, agriculture and other fields. This article will combine the hot data of the entire network in the past 10 days to analyze the price range, performance comparison and purchase suggestions of the current mainstream professional aerial photography equipment.
1. Price list of popular aerial photography aircraft in 2024

| Brand/Model | Reference price (yuan) | Core parameters | Applicable scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| DJI Inspire 3 | 58,000-78,000 | 8K full frame/45 minutes battery life | Film and television level shooting |
| Autel EVO Max 4T | 32,000-45,000 | 640x512 thermal imaging/6K camera | Fire rescue/inspection |
| DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise | 19,999-28,800 | 4/3-inch CMOS/56x zoom | Industry application |
| FreeFly Alta X | 120,000+ | Load capacity 6.8kg/professional gimbal | Movie-grade loads |
2. In-depth analysis of price influencing factors
1.imaging system: The price of models equipped with full-frame cameras is generally higher than that of M4/3 systems, and the price difference can reach 30%-50%. The stand-alone price of the Zenmuse X9-8K gimbal camera recently released by DJI has exceeded 25,000 yuan.
2.Battery life: Professional models equipped with intelligent battery systems (such as DJI Matrice 30T) cost about 3,000 yuan per battery, and usually require 3-4 sets of batteries.
3.Industry functions: Models with professional modules such as RTK positioning and laser ranging are priced 2-3 times higher than consumer products. The latest data shows that the average price of drones dedicated to surveying and mapping is in the range of 45,000-80,000 yuan.
3. Purchasing suggestions and market trends
1.Best value for money: For small and medium-sized studios, DJI Air 3 (approximately 10,000 yuan) paired with an ND filter set can meet the needs of 4K/60fps shooting. The recent promotion price on e-commerce platforms is as low as 8,999 yuan.
2.Attention industry users: According to the latest policy in August, those engaged in commercial aerial photography need to have: ① UAV license (training fee of about 3,000 yuan) ② Liability insurance (annual fee of 1,500-5,000 yuan).
3.Technology iteration warning: According to industry media reports, DJI will release an upgraded version of the Matrice 350 in Q4. Users who are in urgent need of purchase are advised to pay attention to official channel updates.
4. Extended cost accounting sheet
| Additional configuration | Price range (yuan) | Necessity |
|---|---|---|
| Professional remote control | 5,000-12,000 | Must-select for film and television level |
| insurance services | 800-3,000/year | Essential for business use |
| Spare propeller | 200-500/set | It is recommended to keep 2 sets always |
| shipping box | 1,500-6,000 | Optional according to model |
Current market data shows that the overall investment in professional aerial photography systems ranges from 30,000 to 150,000 yuan. It is recommended that users choose according to actual shooting needs. During the recent Double Festival, various brands will launch trade-in activities. You can follow official channels to get the latest discount information.
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