Four years ago, I started with the DJI Spark It was a good compromise between the studio quality $2500 craft, and something I wouldn't commit suicide over if I dropped it in the water (have done that once already - drone #1 is at the bottom of the Neuse River now........). It does/did quite a good job for what it cost. Alas, the Spark is no longer being made, but you can still find some for sale at some retail outlets and ebay. The main drawback to the Spark is that the flying time is realistically (on a boat) only about 8 minutes or so. The tradeoff is weight and extreme portability.
The primary driver for the model I chose is a feature called “active track” or "follow me". It allows the drone to track the boat in one of several modes without you having to “fly along”.
There are other intelligent video modes and automated cinematic clips that are just fantastic. There is already enough to worry about with the current battery level, GPS signal strength, return to home location on a moving bat, remote control data link strength, sunlight on the phone screen, and 50 other things -------- that these automatic modes are a real treat. It really taxes my pea brain just to keep track of everything while flying - even more so when moving the boat.
There are two modes of active tracking using image recognition that I use the most. You can find a lot of reviews, explanations, and tutorials on this, and the Spark in general on Youtube. Watch as many of these as you can.
I have since upgraded to the DJI Mavic Air 2. This model has a whopping 25 minute flying time – for not much increase in size or weight. This is the lowest price point that is still in production that includes the active track features. If those are not important to you, then the DJI Mavic Mini (no active track) is the current best-bang-for-the-buck model. The follow-me mode is just insane - you can draw a box around your boat and just track, or you can fly all over the place and the camera will move automatically and stay locked on to your boat.
DJI is hands down the most stable, best and shortest learning curve software to get started on because of the HUGE user base and a plethora of forums, youtube instructional videos, and FAQs on the internet. For same-feature comparison, I would guess the DJI models are a 20% premium. I wouldn't buy any other brand, regardless of price level – there are just too many things that can go wrong.
What will take all of your time is video editing (if you care a bit about the final product). This part of the process is a HUGE time-suck. I have used several different video editors - all free. The current one I am using is OpenShot running on Windows. Seems to do most everything I need it to with little effort. Nothing's perfect - you have to trade off a decade-long learning curve vs. what will be "good enough".
Watch lots of YouTube videos and tutorials on the drone models and features you are considering – they are very helpful.
Below are some of our videos with both the Spark and the Mavic Air 2.
------
- Tennessee River and Tombigbee Waterways
- Les Cheneaux Islands
- Mackinac Island
- Erie Canal Culvert Overpass
- Erie Canal Lock 12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZT9FEHxsz8 - Chesapeake Bay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiqa_52XPjY - Dismal Swamp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AgbulwUoOg - Angelfish Creek
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPl2zNd7E7Y - Everglades
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h5BENIXPqU - Boca Chita Key
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDx_veTBs9w - Pine Island Anchorage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l21k5GQZ284 - St. John's River
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieZBHIPRJMU - Coosaw River
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_6UbApxzXA - Waccamaw River
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7BNoQ3AXgE - Bird Island Anchorage