Drone Zoom Cameras
Compare zoom cameras for drones from Chinese manufacturers by optical zoom, resolution, stabilization and weight, from 10x gimbals to 30x thermal pods.
Optical zoom cameras only: gimbal cameras and pods for drones that state an optical zoom, with or without thermal and laser sensors. Fixed-lens cameras are on the drone cameras page. Listings run from 10x zoom gimbals to 30x and 40x pods.
Quick selection guide
Inspection at a distance
10x to 20x optical zoom reads labels and details while keeping the drone well away from the structure.
Search and security
30x zoom and more, often paired with a thermal camera, for finding people and vehicles at range.
Small aircraft
Compact 10x gimbals of a few hundred grams fit smaller multirotors and VTOL aircraft.
Zoom cameras with thermal or extra sensors
View all 4 →Zoom cameras that also carry a thermal camera, laser rangefinder or other sensor.
4 products from 1 manufacturers
Xingkai Xk-F513rs Gimbal Camera
- Weight
- 940±10g
Xingkai XK-F412RS Gimbal
Xingkai Xk-F511rs Gimbal Camera
- Weight
- 500±10g
Xingkai Xk-F510rs Gimbal Camera
- Weight
- 700±10g
Zoom gimbal cameras
View all 7 →Zoom gimbal cameras and pods with a daylight camera only.
7 products from 5 manufacturers
ZHTAERO ZH20
- Product type
- High-power zoom visible-light camera pod
SIYI ZR30 4K 30X Optical Zoom Gimbal
- Product type
- Optical pod / gimbal camera
KHY10S90 10X Optical Zoom Single Drone Gimbal Camera Android ground station
- Product type
- Single drone gimbal camera
JIYI JR10 Camera Pod
What to check before you buy
- Optical zoom
- Compare optical zoom only; digital zoom crops the image and does not add detail.
- Sensor and resolution
- Check the sensor size and video resolution at full zoom, and the low-light performance.
- Stabilization
- At high zoom small vibrations are magnified; check the gimbal axes and stated jitter angle.
- Weight and power
- Compare the camera weight and power draw with your aircraft's payload and power budget.
- Control and video interface
- Check how the camera connects to your flight controller and video link: Ethernet, HDMI, PWM, serial or SDK.
- Extra sensors
- If you need thermal imaging or laser ranging, compare models that combine them in one gimbal.
Zoom cameras FAQ
Optical or digital zoom?
Optical zoom moves lenses to magnify the scene. Digital zoom only enlarges pixels. Compare cameras by optical zoom.
Do I need a three-axis gimbal for a zoom camera?
At higher zoom levels a stable three-axis gimbal keeps the image usable; small movements are magnified with the zoom.
Can a zoom camera be added to any drone?
Only if the aircraft can carry the weight and provide a mount, power, control link and video connection for it.
