Comparison Syma X21W vs Syma X20

The type of camera installation that the quadcopter is equipped with.

- Built-in. A camera that is permanently installed on the vehicle and cannot be removed without disassembling the fuselage. This is the simplest option for tech who want to use a quadcopter for photo and video shooting or for flying with a first-person view (see “Real-time broadcast”); In addition, this camera design is considered more durable and reliable than a removable one. On the other hand, it does not make it possible to remove the camera to make the car lighter or replace it with another one that is more suitable in terms of characteristics.

- Removable. As the name suggests, such cameras are installed on detachable mounts. Thanks to this, the customer can remove or install the camera, depending on what is more important to him at the moment - the light weight of the car or the presence of an electronic “eye” on board. Note that in some models you can install not only a standard device, but also a third-party device.

- Absent. Drones that are not equipped with cameras at all fall into two main categories. The first does not involve the use of any cameras at all; As a rule, it includes inexpensive devices primarily for entertainment purposes, for which the “peephole” is just an expensive and unnecessary excess, which also increases the weight of the entire structure. The second type is models with...the ability to install a camera. It includes quite advanced copters - up to powerful professional machines capable of carrying a digital SLR. This option will be useful for tech who would like to independently select a camera to suit their needs. However, we note that the second type may have an auxiliary “eye” for live FPV broadcasts (see below); however, if such a “peephole” does not allow for taking photos/videos, it is not considered a full-fledged camera, and its presence is indicated only in additional notes. — Thermal imaging. A camera operating on the principle of a thermal imager - it detects infrared radiation from heated objects and forms a characteristic thermal image visible to the drone operator. Each color in this image corresponds to a specific temperature. A thermal imager equipped in a drone opens up possibilities not available to traditional optical cameras. Thus, it can be used to distinguish a person or animal against a camouflage background or in dense vegetation in an area. Thermal imaging cameras also “see” perfectly in complete darkness.

Quadcopters with a thermal imaging camera are by no means a cheap pleasure. They are used by rescuers, military, law enforcement, repairmen, hunters and fishermen. In particular, drones with a thermal imaging camera help find living people when clearing rubble, and are widely used to search for possible fires, gas leaks from pipelines, etc. In some situations, the performance of a thermal imager may be low - for example, it is not able to clearly identify an object if its temperature coincides with the background temperature (which makes it difficult to use in hot weather). In addition, the resolution and detail of the picture, even in advanced models, is quite modest. Thermal cameras in drones can be built-in or detachable.

Resolution of the matrix in the standard camera of the quadrocopter.

Theoretically, the higher the resolution, the sharper, more detailed image the camera can produce. However, in practice, the quality of the "picture" is highly dependent on a number of other technical features - the size of the matrix, image processing algorithms, optical properties, etc. Moreover, when increasing the resolution without increasing the size of the matrix, the image quality may drop, because. significantly increases the likelihood of noise and extraneous artifacts. And for shooting video, a large number of megapixels is not required at all: for example, to shoot Full HD (1920x1080) video, which is considered a very solid format for quadrocopters, a sensor of only 2.07 megapixels is enough.

Note that high resolution is often a sign of an advanced camera with high image quality. However, this quality is not determined by the number of megapixels, but by the characteristics of the camera and the special technologies used in it. Therefore, when choosing a quadcopter with a camera, you should look not so much at the resolution as at the class and price category of the model as a whole.

Possibility of online video broadcasting from the quadcopter to an external device — smartphone, laptop, control panel with display, virtual reality glasses, etc.

This feature provides several benefits at once. Firstly, it greatly simplifies the control of the device, even if it is within sight; and if the copter is not visible from the ground (which happens often, especially when using heavy professional equipment), then it is very difficult to do without "eyes on board". Secondly, live broadcasting makes it possible to use a drone for real-time observations, as well as full-fledged aerial photo and video shooting; recording of footage can be carried out both on an external device that receives the broadcast, and on the aircraft’s own carrier (usually a memory card — see below).

The specific features of the live broadcast for each model should be clarified separately; however, nowadays, thanks to the development of technology, such an opportunity is available even in low-cost devices.

The presence of a slot for memory cards in the design of the quadcopter.

Usually, this function is provided in models equipped with cameras (see “Camera type”), and the cards themselves are used primarily for recording captured photos and videos. However, in some models, other data can be stored on such media — GPS tracks, flight routes, flight programs, etc. Anyway, cards are convenient, first of all, by the ability to quickly transfer data between the device and other devices that have a card reader (in particular, laptops).

It is worth noting that different devices can be designed for different standards of memory cards, and the media themselves are usually not supplied in the kit. Therefore, before choosing a card, you should clarify according to official data which type will be optimal for your model.

— Return home function. With this function, the quadcopter can automatically return to the starting point. The specific details of this feature may vary. So, some models return "home" at the user's command, others are able to do it on their own — for example, when the signal from the remote control is lost or when the battery charge is critically low; in many devices, both options are provided at once. Also note that this function is found even in models that do not have a GPS module (see "Sensors") — the copter can navigate in space in another way (by inertial sensors, by a signal from the remote control, etc.).

— Follow me mode. A mode that allows the quadcopter to constantly follow the user at a short distance — like a "personal drone". The way to implement this mode and the equipment required for it can be different: some models track the direction to the transmitter and the signal strength from it, others constantly receive data from the GPS module of a smartphone or other gadget and follow these coordinates, etc. Anyway, such a mode can be useful not only for entertainment, but also for quite practical purposes — for example, for using a quadcopter as an “air chamber”, constantly located next to the operator and at the same time not occupying hands.

— Dronie (distance). Initially, the term “dronie” refers to a selfie (photo or video) taken from a...drone. This mode is mainly intended for such tasks. And its essence lies in the fact that the copter smoothly moves away from a certain object along a given trajectory, keeping this object in the centre of the frame. The classic version of flying in Dronie mode is moving away first horizontally, then horizontally and up; however, in some models, the copter’s trajectory can be further configured. Frame management can also be carried out in different ways — from simple pointing at a certain point and ending with the selection of an object on the screen with further "smart" tracking of this object. Anyway, for all its simplicity, such a shooting technique allows you to create quite interesting videos: for example, in this way you can first capture a group of people in close-up in one video, then the beauty of the landscape around them.

— Rocket (distance up). A flight mode in which the copter smoothly rises to a predetermined altitude along a strictly vertical trajectory. Similar to the Dronie described above, it is mainly used when shooting video: first, a certain scene is shot in close-up, and as it rises, the camera covers an increasingly wider area around this scene. Usually, in Rocket mode, you can pre-set the height at which the device will stop.

— "Orbit mode" (flying in a circle). A mode that allows you to launch the copter in a circular orbit around the specified point. It is also used mainly for shooting video: in such cases, the camera remains constantly pointed at a given object, but the angle and background, due to the movement of the drone, are constantly changing. In the "orbit" settings, usually, you can set its radius, height and direction of movement, as well as the angle of the camera.

— Helix (circle in a spiral). Another mode used as an artistic technique for filming videos. In this mode, the copter, keeping a given object in the centre of the frame, moves around it in a spiral, gradually moving away and increasing its height. This allows you to get the maximum variety of angles and angles of coverage.

Note that Dronie, Rocket, Helix, and Orbit modes originally appeared as part of the proprietary QuickShot toolkit in DJI's Mavic series drones. However, later similar functions were introduced by other manufacturers, so now these names are used as common nouns.

— Flight plan(Waypoints). The ability to set a specific flight route for the quadcopter, by control points. This feature is very similar to the GPS waypoint flyby (see above), but it works differently, without the use of GPS navigation. One of the most popular options is building a route in the smartphone application through which the copter is controlled; when the programme is launched, the smartphone issues a sequence of commands corresponding to the route to the device. In general, the Waypoints mode is not as accurate as a GPS waypoint flyby and offers fewer options. Therefore, this function is mainly for entertainment purposes; if the copter has a camera, it can be useful for taking a selfie or a simple video.

— Flight by GPS points. A mode that allows you to launch a quadcopter along a specific route — by setting individual route points to the car in advance (according to GPS coordinates) and the order in which they are passed. In addition, additional settings may be provided — for example, speed and altitude on individual sections of the route. This function is similar to the Waypoints mode (see below) in many ways, but it is found mainly in mid-range and high-end devices. At the same time, the use of GPS provides higher accuracy, which allows the drone to be used for professional purposes. For example, if you set a route for shooting from the air in this way, the operator will be able to fully concentrate on working with the camera, without being distracted by controlling the copter.

— Acrobatic mode. A special mode for performing aerobatics. Note that the specific meaning of this mode may be different, depending on the level and purpose of the copter. So, in the simplest entertainment models, automatic programs are usually provided that allow you to perform certain aerobatic manoeuvres literally “at the touch of a button”. And in advanced devices in flight mode, the stabilization system is turned off, and the drone is very sensitive to operator commands; this requires high precision in control, but gives maximum control over the flight.

The control method provided in the copter.

Modern drones are usually controlled by a remote control, a smartphone, or both. Here is a detailed description of each of these options:

— Remote control only. Management carried out exclusively from the complete remote control. The most common option, found in all varieties of drones — from the simplest entertainment models to high-end professional devices; and heavy commercial / industrial models (see "Type") are completely controlled exclusively in this way. Such popularity is explained by two points. Firstly, the functionality of the remote control can be almost anything — from a small device with a couple of levers and buttons to a multifunctional control unit with a screen for live broadcasts and displaying various specialized information. Thus, the equipment of the remote control can be optimally matched to the features of a particular copter. Secondly, you can install a powerful transmitter with a large range in the remote control (whereas the range of smartphones is very limited, and it also depends on the specific gadget model). Well, besides, the control panel is initially supplied with the drone (except that the batteries in some models need to be purchased separately).

— Smartphone only. Management carried out exclusively from a smartphone (or other similar gadget — for example, a tab...let) through a special application; communication is usually carried out via Wi-Fi. This option is good because almost any functionality can be provided in the control application; and the copter itself turns out to be convenient in transportation — in the sense that you do not need to carry a separate remote control with it. However, the range in such a control is very small — even under perfect conditions, it usually does not exceed 100 m, and in some models it does not even reach 50 m; and the actual communication range also strongly depends on the characteristics of the control gadget. In addition, the controls on the touch screen are not tactile, making blind control almost impossible. As a result, this option is very rare — in certain models of mini-drones and selfie-drones (see "In the direction"), for which the absence of a remote control and ease of carrying are important, and the described disadvantages are not critical.

— Remote control and smartphone. The ability to control the drone both from the remote control and from a smartphone. The features of both options are described in detail above; and their combination is found mainly in relatively simple devices, for which the shortcomings of control via a smartphone are not critical (although there are exceptions). At the same time, the main option for such copters is often control from an external gadget, and the remote control may not be included at all; This point does not hurt to clarify before buying. However, anyway, this control format gives the user the opportunity to choose the best option for a specific situation. For example, for recreational flights during a "sally" in nature, you can get by with a smartphone, and for aerobatic training, a remote control is better. So most modern quadcopters that can be controlled from a smartphone / tablet fall into this category.

The ability to control the copter with gestures.

The implementation of this function can be different. The simplest and most inexpensive option is smartphone control, when commands are given by turning and tilting the gadget. There are models where the accelerometer and gyroscope are built directly into the remote control, and you can control it with hand gestures with the remote control. Another, more expensive and original way is to recognize the position of the user's hands using the built-in camera. Such devices usually have a set of commands tied to rather specific movements. For example, by folding your fingers into a “frame”, you can turn on the burst photography mode, with a wave of your hand you can call to yourself, and the device will perceive the outstretched palm as a landing pad.

In general , gesture control provides at least additional entertainment, and in some cases can be useful from a practical point of view.

The range of the drone is the maximum distance from the control device at which a stable connection is maintained and the device remains controlled. For models that allow operation both from the remote control and from a smartphone (see "Control"), this item indicates the maximum value — usually achieved when using the remote control.

When choosing according to this indicator, note that the range is indicated for perfect conditions — within line of sight, without obstacles in the signal path and interference on the air. In reality, the control range may be somewhat lower; and when using a smartphone, it will also depend on the characteristics of a particular gadget. As for specific figures, they can vary from several tens of metres in low-cost models to 5 km or more in high-end equipment. At the same time, it should be said that the greater the range of communication, the higher its reliability in general, the better the control works with an abundance of interference and obstacles. Therefore, a powerful transmitter can be useful not only for long distances, but also for difficult conditions.

The presence of a mount for a smartphone or tablet on the quadcopter control panel.

This feature allows you to fix the electronic gadget in such a way that in the process of controlling the machine, its screen is constantly in front of the operator's eyes. This function is relevant primarily for live broadcasts from the device (see "Live broadcast (FPV)"). At the same time, the mount for the gadget can be found both in quadrocopters that initially have FPV mode, and in models that are not equipped with cameras (in which the possibility of live broadcasting depends on the characteristics of the installed camera). However, note that the size of the mount and its compatibility with various electronic devices may be different, so before buying it's ok to clarify what exactly can be installed on the remote control.