In our ever-evolving world, we can observe our lives from a portrait camera and an aerial perspective. From a bird’s eye view, we can watch the beauty of our world without having to climb over the hill or stand at the bottom of a helicopter. We can see everything from dense forests to cold mountains using a helicam or a drone camera, and you can use these cameras for a wide variety of purposes. Helicams and drones are highly useful in cinematography, advertising, as well as in military surveillance. At the same time, some prefer helicams, others drones. Considering they can both be controlled remotely, there aren’t many significant differences. However, helicams have a better edge over drones in different areas. To learn which one is most suitable for you, make sure you read this article and understand them better.
What is a helicam?
Helicam is a remote-controlled mini helicopter equipped with a camera for capturing and recording aerial movements. Cameras such as these are fantastic for cinematography and surveillance. Since these cameras are small and come in flexible frames, they are highly effective at getting aerial shots. Flying time with these helicams is more than an hour, and they come with lithium polymer batteries that are very easy to refuel. In the latest upgrades, turbine engines and electric propulsion are used to improve endurance and usability. GPS and autopilot have substantially enhanced due to these developments, making them a handy tool for military surveillance and exploration. In addition, they may be able to carry larger cameras with improvements in blade technologies and the development of six-rotor and eight-rotor systems.
Filmmakers and professionals highly prefer helicopter cameras due to their excellent performance at longer ranges and in low-light conditions, so they can be a perfect choice for you to start with.
What is a drone?
Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are controlled remotely by humans, mainly for military purposes. Historically, drones have been used to observe military areas and explore dangerous zones since the twentieth century. With the advancement of technology, and the end of wars, their uses have expanded to commercial purposes. Nowadays, drones also come with autopilot systems, making them useful for agriculture, product deliveries, and aerial photography. In addition, the latest drones come with great compact and exciting features. For example, it is possible to buy drones with a “follow me” quality so that you can operate the drone without having to control it remotely.
Based on their weight, drones can be classified into five categories. They are Nano, Micro UAVs, Miniature UAVs, Medium UAVs, and Large UAVs. You can choose an appropriate size and fly it above to record and capture exactly what you want according to your needs and field requirements. They can also be classified based on the altitude such as Handheld, NATO, Tactical, Hypersonic, CIS, etc.
Differences between Helicam and Drone
| S.no | Helicams | Drones |
| 1 | Helicams are mini-helicopters equipped with high-tech cameras that capture and record movements from an aerial position. | A drone is an aircraft controlled remotely from the ground, equipped with cameras and other communication devices, and mainly used for investigation and surveillance. |
| 2 | Usually helicopter-shaped, helicams come with cameras mounted on the front and below that allow tilt, pan, and roll movements. | Cameras and communication devices are placed directly beneath the middle of the drone’s body, which is designed to mimic the feel of an aircraft. |
| 3 | Helicams are small and flexible to use. | While some drones are easier to use, however, they are considered heavy and should not be handled lightly. |
| 4 | There isn’t a lot of variety in the sizes and designs of helicams. | Drones come in different sizes, and you can choose an ideal design as per your needs. |
| 5 | Helicams can be expensive and may not be convenient for people who do not have prior experience. | Drones come in different price ranges. So if your preferences are varied, you can go for cheap ones or for more expensive ones. |
| 6. | Helicams can be used for several commercial purposes, including advertising, photography, videography, etc. | While primarily used for surveillance purposes, drones can also be used for aerial cinematography, product deliveries, etc. |
Helicams and drones: Pros
| S.no | Helicams | Drones |
| 1. | Helicams are generally flexible. Helicams are an excellent option if you are recording an ad film or filming an extended aerial coverage. | The drones are available in different sizes to fit the needs of other users, so they are not limited to using one type of drone for all their needs. |
| 2. | Helicams have front-mounted cameras that enable rotation, tilting, panning, and other camera movements. | With drones, the cameras are usually positioned below so that they can be Used in different angles and directions without any hassle. |
| 3. | Helicams are equipped with high-quality cameras and technologies that make them the ideal device for shooting aerial shots and motion pictures. | As drones differ in size, different cameras and technologies are available. Therefore, you can choose from a wide range of options based on your preferences. |
| 4. | Helicopters are equipped with high-end GPS and autopilot systems which allow them to perform efficiently in surveillance and tracking operations. | Since drones are highly preferred for military applications, they also feature automatic pilot systems and GPS systems. |
| 5. | Helicams can fly for hours, and you can fly your helicam over a few miles, as they have more extended flight periods and cover a larger area. | Drones can fly for several minutes and cover a great deal of ground without refuelling in the middle. |
| 6. | Helicams with limited capabilities are available for affordable prices. | Filming with drones is generally affordable, and they do not require a lot of money to get started. |
| 7. | The latest helicams are equipped with multiple communication devices, making it easy for users to retrieve information and media instantly. | Drones always carry effective communication devices, making them an ideal choice for surveillance. |
| 8. | Helicams provides its users with the benefits of capturing different locations and ranges for a more extended period without any hassle. | Drones are superior in versatility, as they can get so close to the ground and give us a 360-degree view when required. |
Helicams and drones: Cons
| S.no | Helicams | Drones |
| 1. | Helicams are expensive. If you want just to take aerial shots and do vlogs with a helicam, you will have a hard time fitting it in your budget. | The cost of drones can be below, but if you want better performances, you may need to purchase high-end drones, which can be expensive. |
| 2. | Helicopters should be handled carefully and properly maintained to avoid collisions and damage. | Drones cannot fly over more extensive ranges and at high altitudes. |
| 3. | Using helicopters is an old-fashioned method that may lack some of the latest technology and camera features. | Drones are not permitted to be operated freely in many locations. While flying your drone, you must adhere to specific rules and restritions. Drone flights that are not approved can have catastrophic implications. |
| 4. | Helicams are not handy and may require lots of effort to just begin with. | Drones are not equipped to perform well in low-light conditions. As a result, people often choose helicopters over drones because helicopters have better low-light capabilities. |
Interesting statistics on drones and helicams:
- According to a recent drone registration survey, more than 1,780,000 drones are registered in the US state by 2021.
- According to a recent survey, an estimated 17 billion US dollars are spent on drones by businesses and the government.
- Over the next five years, the drone industry is expected to grow at a 15.37% CAGR.
- By the end of 2021, jobs involving using drones may increase.
- According to a recent study, over 70% of online shoppers are comfortable getting their orders delivered by drone.
- It is also expected that the sale of consumer drones may increase by 2021.
(Source: https://seedscientific.com/drone-statistics/)
Conclusion:
You can comprehend the basics of helicams and drones’ operation and their various benefits by carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages. However, the decision to go with one or the other is ultimately yours. By considering the benefits and drawbacks based on your choices and comparing pricing, you can find the ideal match. Because budget plays a big part, and our needs are all diverse, it’s challenging to develop a solution that works for everyone.
We can recognize our favored equipment because not everyone will utilize helicams or drones for monitoring. However, if you want to make a vlog or capture an aerial video, drones are the way to go. They can help you with your cinematography pursuits because they are inexpensive and portable. Drones, which come in a variety of types to fit our various purposes, can easily be a superior catch.