Autel Robotics EVO: Taking Videography to New Heights

Last Updated on July 30, 2019

Video credit: Dustin Dunnill

Drones have definitely redefined photography in more ways than we can imagine. What started out as a tool for military use is now used widely for professional photography and videography because of the unique point of view that it offers.

In fact, the sale of recreational drones is projected to increase from 2.5 million in 2016 to a staggering 7 million by 2020, according to a report by the Federal Aviation Administration.

One of the newest and most popular drones on the market today is the Autel Robotics EVO. At $999, this drone may not be the cheapest one out there, but it’s definitely worth the investment. Here’s why:

It is compact and lightweight

The Autel Robotics EVO was designed with convenience in mind. It’s a compact folding unit that only weights under 250 grams, making it easy to take wherever you go without taking up too much space on your luggage.

It is value for money

It’s hard to find a good quality drone at under $1,000 these days, but the Autel Robotics EVO definitely delivers when it comes to value for money. The $999 price tag already comes with a complete package including a backpack, an amazing controller with built-in screen and even three pairs of spare propellers in case your drone crashes, which is highly unlikely.

The box includes the EVO aircraft, remote controller, power cable, charger, micro-USB and USB-C cables, a remote controller cable, a 32-GB microSD card that can record an hour’s worth of 4k video and an intelligent battery with 30 minutes of flight time per charge.

It has an excellent camera quality

The most important feature to look for in any drone is camera quality and Autel Robotics EVO doesn’t disappoint. It supports up to 60 frames per second in 4k Ultra HD video and 120 frames per second in 1080 standard HD, and it yields an ultra-wide 94-degree field of view.

Mounted on a built-in 3-axis gimbal, the EVO’s camera takes still photos at 12MP at single or burst and 4k resolution videos with a recording speed of up to 100mbps in an H.264 or H.265 codec.

It also has auto exposure bracketing to guarantee great shots even in the worst lighting conditions. The EVO can also accommodate up to 128GB Micro SD so you’ll have enough space for storing photos and videos.

It is easy to maneouvre

The Autel Robotics EVO boasts of an integrated advanced computer vision system that offer forward obstacle avoidance and rear obstacle detection as well as bottom sensors for stable indoor flights and smooth landings.

The EVO can travel a range of up to 7 kilometers with flight times of up to 30 minutes. It also has impressive failsafe features that let you know when your battery is low and you have to head back home.

It comes with a state-of-the-art remote controller with a 3.3-inch OLED screen that provides you all the most important flight information or a live 720p HD video feed that lets you see your camera view without the need to use a mobile device. The drone itself is pretty fast with its 72 km/h speed, but you can also fly it at walking speed for really smooth videos.

The takeaway

The Autel Robotics EVO has been compared a lot to the Mavic Pro 2, which is the top-of-the-line drone in the market today. A lot of those who tried using the EVO say that it is the cheaper alternative of the Mavic since it can deliver in terms of efficiency and power yet it doesn’t break the bank as much as the Mavic Pro 2.