The short answer. Do you want to take the viewer along, through doors, past people and machines, in one smooth movement? Then it is FPV. Do you want to show where something is, how big it is, or what state a roof is in? Then it is a camera drone. For an aftermovie we often use both.
What is an FPV drone?
FPV stands for first person view: the pilot wears goggles and sees live what the drone sees, as if sitting in it. An FPV drone has no automatic stabilisation that keeps it hovering in place; the pilot controls every movement. That is why it can fly smoothly through a door, under a table or past a moving machine. Indoors we use a small cinewhoop with protected propellers.
What is a camera drone?
That is the drone most people know, such as a DJI. It hovers in the air, holds its position by itself and has a stabilised camera that takes sharp photos and calm video. Perfect for an overview, for photos from fixed points and for close-up inspections.
The difference at a glance
| FPV drone | Camera drone | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Indoors, through doors and corridors, close to the ground | Outdoors, high and wide |
| Footage | Smooth and dynamic, one continuous flight | Calm and stable, overview |
| Photos | No, video only | Yes, sharp high-resolution photos |
| Good for | Company film, showroom, workshop, event | Real estate, site, construction, inspection, site plan |
| With us from | €850 | €425 |
When to choose FPV
- You want to show what it is like to walk into your place: the showroom, the workshop, the office.
- You want a film that stands out on social media, because it moves in a way no camera on a tripod can.
- You want to give candidates or customers a tour in advance, in three minutes of footage.
- Your event has moments you want to be right in the middle of: the stage, the start, the finish.
An example is our flight through Automotive Ronald Morien: showroom, workshop and grounds in one continuous flight.
When to choose a camera drone
- You want to show where your building is and what surrounds it.
- You need photos for a sale, a brochure or your website.
- You want to look at a roof, gutter or facade without scaffolding.
- You want a site to scale, as a site plan to measure on.
- You are following a building project and want to capture it from the same points every month.
Both: the aftermovie
A good aftermovie alternates the overview with the feeling. From above you see how big it was and how many people were there; with FPV you are right in the middle of it. That is why for aftermovies we often fly with both, and also film from the ground.
Not sure? Tell us what you want to show and where the footage will be used. We will honestly tell you which drone fits, or whether it takes both.