Supported Drones and Cameras for Drone Mapping

The short answer

Any drone that writes GPS coordinates into its photos works with Aeroyantra. That covers the whole DJI lineup from the Mini 4 Pro to the Matrice 350 RTK, fixed-wing survey drones such as the WingtraOne and eBee X, and platforms from Autel, Skydio, Parrot and Freefly, as well as custom builds. RTK or PPK improves absolute accuracy but is not required.

The table below lists the models with a known sensor resolution, and what each costs to process. It is the same list the credit calculator on the pricing page uses.

What your images need

• Geotags. GPS latitude, longitude and altitude in each photo's EXIF metadata. Every mapping drone and almost every camera drone writes them.
• Overlap. 70-80% forward and 60-70% side for survey work; more over structures and vegetation. The GSD calculator guide covers altitude and resolution.
• Formats. RGB JPEG or TIFF. On the Professional plan, multispectral and thermal imagery are processed into NDVI/NDRE maps and thermal orthomosaics.
• Accuracy (optional). RTK or PPK positions, ground control points, or both. See RTK vs PPK vs GCP.

Supported drones and cameras

Credits are charged per gigapixel: images × megapixels ÷ 1,000. So 1,000 images cost one credit per megapixel, at standard quality. Each image is billed at no more than 30 MP, so 45 MP and 61 MP sensors cost the same as a 30 MP sensor while being processed at full resolution.

At $2.50 per credit, 20 credits is $50 and 30 credits is $75 per 1,000 images. Credits fall to $1.67 at volume, and the $69/month Professional plan includes 40 credits a month. Not listed? If it writes geotagged photos, it works - enter its megapixels in the credit calculator.

Choosing a drone for mapping

Mavic 3 Enterprise for mapping

The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise is one of the most common survey drones in India and a standard choice in the US. Its 20 MP wide camera has a mechanical shutter, it takes an optional RTK module, and it packs small enough to carry to any site. On Aeroyantra, 1,000 Mavic 3 Enterprise images are 20 credits, about $50. Fly it with three to five check points even with RTK, so you can prove the vertical accuracy - the GCP placement guide explains why.

LiDAR payloads

LiDAR sensors such as the DJI Zenmuse L1 and L2 produce point clouds rather than photos. Process the scan in the sensor's own software and import the resulting LAS/LAZ point cloud into Aeroyantra, where it can be viewed by RGB, intensity, elevation or class and measured. LAS/LAZ import is in beta and raw LiDAR processing is launching soon; see drone LiDAR mapping.

Processing quality options

Standard quality suits most surveys. High-density processing produces denser point clouds for fine detail and thin objects such as cables and fences, and costs more credits per gigapixel; the credit calculator shows the exact cost for each mode. Credits are only deducted when processing succeeds.

Related reading

• Drone mapping explained - how photos become maps, models and measurements
• 3D mapping and point clouds - what you can do with the output
• Best drone mapping software - processing options compared by real cost
• Beginner's guide to drone mapping - planning your first mapping flight

Frequently asked questions

Which drones work with Aeroyantra?

Any drone that captures geotagged photos works with Aeroyantra, including the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise, Mavic 3 Multispectral, Phantom 4 RTK, Matrice 30, 300 and 350 RTK with Zenmuse P1, Mini 4 Pro and Air 3, fixed-wing drones such as the WingtraOne, eBee X and Quantum Trinity F90+, and platforms from Autel, Skydio, Parrot and Freefly. RTK or PPK improves absolute accuracy but is not required.

Is the Mavic 3 Enterprise good for mapping?

Yes. The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise is one of the most widely used survey drones because its 20 MP camera has a mechanical shutter and the drone takes an RTK module. On Aeroyantra, 1,000 images from a Mavic 3 Enterprise are 20 credits, or $50 at $2.50 per credit.

What camera do I need for drone mapping?

A camera that writes GPS coordinates into each photo's metadata is the only hard requirement. For survey work, prefer a mechanical or global shutter to avoid distortion, a larger sensor for cleaner images, and RTK or PPK positioning to reduce ground control. Aeroyantra processes RGB JPEG and TIFF images, plus multispectral and thermal imagery on the Professional plan.

How are processing credits calculated for my drone?

Aeroyantra charges one credit per gigapixel processed: the number of images times the megapixels per image, divided by 1,000. Images above 30 MP are billed at 30 MP but processed at full resolution. A 400-image map from a 20 MP drone is 8 credits, about $20 at $2.50 per credit.

Can I use a consumer drone like the DJI Mini 4 Pro for mapping?

Yes, for small sites and visual maps. The Mini 4 Pro writes geotagged images that Aeroyantra processes, but it has no RTK, so absolute accuracy depends on ground control points. For survey-grade work an RTK drone with a mechanical-shutter camera is the better tool.