view_column 4-Drone Comparison

Autel Dragonfish vs Autel EVO II Dual vs Autel EVO II Dual 640T V3 vs Autel EVO Nano+

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Editorial winner Autel EVO II Dual 640T V3

Autel Dragonfish

Enterprise dealer pricing

8.8

A VTOL fixed-wing for long-endurance mapping and surveillance.

Best for: Large-area mapping, pipeline and border patrol, and long-duration surveillance missions

check_circle81 to 158 minutes of flight depending on variant
check_circleVertical takeoff and landing without a runway, then fixed-wing cruise
check_circle30 m/s cruise speed and 15 m/s fixed-wing wind resistance

Autel EVO II Dual

Discontinued first-generation model

7.8

The 2020 original that paired an 8K camera with a FLIR Boson thermal core.

Best for: Buyers of discounted used thermal drones who need basic thermal imaging

check_circle8K/25fps visual video and 48 MP stills
check_circleFLIR Boson thermal core in 640×512 or 320×256 versions
check_circle12-sensor omnidirectional vision system

TOP PICK

Autel EVO II Dual 640T V3

Enterprise dealer pricing

The current foldable thermal workhorse with a radiometric 640×512 camera.

Best for: Inspection, public safety and search teams that need a portable radiometric thermal drone

check_circleRadiometric 640×512 thermal with -20 to 550°C measurement
check_circle0.8-inch 50 MP visual sensor with 4K/60fps
check_circleSkyLink 2.0 tri-band link up to 15 km FCC

Autel EVO Nano+

Consumer pricing, launched 2021

A 249 g consumer camera drone, included here as the lightweight outlier.

Best for: Hobby and travel photographers who want a lightweight Autel camera drone

check_circle249 g with a 0.8-inch 50 MP sensor
check_circlef/1.9 lens and DNG RAW support
check_circleForward, backward and downward obstacle sensing

Side by side

Technical Specifications

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Feature	Autel Dragonfish	Autel EVO II Dual	Autel EVO II Dual 640T V3	Autel EVO Nano+
Weight	Lite 5.4 kg; Standard 7.5 kg; Pro 16.8 kg (with batteries, without gimbal)	Approx. 1,150 g takeoff weight (Autel spec page)	1,209 g takeoff weight; 1,270 g max takeoff weight	249 g stars
Dimensions	Wingspan approx. 1.6 m (Lite), 2.3 m (Standard), 2.98 m (Pro)	397 mm diagonal wheelbase; folded dimensions not published on the spec page	230×130×108 mm folded; 457×558×108 mm unfolded	142×94×55 mm folded; 260×325×55 mm unfolded stars
Volume	Not comparable with folding multirotors	N/A	Approx. 3,230 cm³ folded bounding-box volume	Approx. 734 cm³ folded bounding-box volume stars
Max Speed	30 m/s (all variants) stars	20 m/s	20 m/s (Ludicrous mode)	15 m/s (Ludicrous mode)
Max Flight Distance	Up to 30 km link range with base station stars	N/A	N/A	N/A
Sensor Size	Payload-dependent; 12 MP wide camera plus 20x or 50x optical zoom and thermal payloads	1/2-inch CMOS visual camera plus FLIR Boson thermal core	1/1.28-inch (0.8-inch) CMOS plus 640×512 VOx thermal	1/1.28-inch (0.8-inch) CMOS, f/1.9
Megapixels	12 MP wide camera on payloads	48 MP visual	50 MP visual	50 MP
Max ISO	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Flight Time	Lite 81 min; Standard 126 min; Pro 158 min (Autel spec table) stars	38-40 minutes depending on configuration (manufacturer-stated)	38 minutes max flight; 33 minutes hover (manufacturer-stated)	28 minutes max flight; 26 minutes hover (manufacturer-stated)
Max Resolution	4K zoom payloads; thermal 640×512 or 1280×1024 depending on payload	8K/25fps visual; FLIR Boson 640×512 or 320×256 thermal stars	4K/60fps visual; thermal 640×512	4K/30fps; 1080p/60fps; HDR supported
Movie Bitrate	N/A	120 Mbps	N/A	N/A
Field of View	Payload-dependent	Visual 79°; thermal 32° (640) or 34° (320)	Visual 85°; thermal 33°×26°	23 mm equivalent lens
Transmission Range	Up to 30 km with base station (older spec table); newer Autel page states 45 km stars	2.4 GHz link: 9 km FCC; 5 km CE	Autel SkyLink 2.0 tri-band: 15 km FCC; 8 km CE	Autel SkyLink: 10 km FCC; 5 km CE
Wind Resistance	15 m/s fixed-wing flight; 12 m/s vertical flight stars	Force 8 Beaufort rating (manufacturer-stated)	10.7 m/s	7.9 m/s
Obstacle Avoidance	No obstacle avoidance listed	12 vision sensors, omnidirectional	19 sensor groups including 12 visual sensors, omnidirectional	Forward, backward and downward vision sensing
Battery Power	Lite 174 Wh; Standard 277.2 Wh; Pro 822.36 Wh stars	7100 mAh, 82 Wh	7100 mAh, 82 Wh	2250 mAh, 17.32 Wh
Charge Time	Lite 90 min; Standard and Pro 120 min	Approx. 90 min	Approx. 120 min	Approx. 90 min
Internal Storage	128 GB ground station storage stars	8 GB plus microSD up to 256 GB	8 GB plus microSD	None; microSD up to 256 GB
GPS	Yes, GPS + GLONASS + BeiDou + Galileo; RTK 3 cm + 1 ppm stars	Yes	Yes, GPS + Galileo + BeiDou + GLONASS; separate RTK version	Yes, GPS + GLONASS + Galileo
Obstacle Detection	No	Yes, omnidirectional vision	Yes, omnidirectional	Yes, forward, backward and downward
Return to Home	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Removable Battery	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Shoots RAW	Payload-dependent	Visual DNG supported	Radiometric JPG with IRG thermal file	Yes, DNG
HDR Mode	N/A	N/A	N/A	Yes
Weather Sealed	Yes, IP43 stars	No IP rating published	No IP rating published	No IP rating published
Best For	Large-area mapping, pipeline and border patrol, and long-duration surveillance missions	Buyers of discounted used thermal drones who need basic thermal imaging	Inspection, public safety and search teams that need a portable radiometric thermal drone	Hobby and travel photographers who want a lightweight Autel camera drone
Aircraft Type	VTOL fixed-wing	Foldable quadcopter	Foldable quadcopter	Foldable mini quadcopter
Thermal Camera	640×512 or 1280×1024 by payload stars	FLIR Boson 640×512 or 320×256	640×512 radiometric VOx	None
Thermal Measurement Range	Payload-dependent; not published in retrieved specs	Not confirmed on official spec page	-20 to 150°C and 0 to 550°C stars	N/A
Zoom	20x optical (50x optical on Pro payload) stars	8x digital	16x digital, 4x lossless	16x digital
Launch Year	2020	2020	V3 generation	2021
Ingress Protection	IP43 stars	Not published	Not published	Not published

Autel Dragonfish

add_circlePros

• 81 to 158 minutes of flight depending on variant
• Vertical takeoff and landing without a runway, then fixed-wing cruise
• 30 m/s cruise speed and 15 m/s fixed-wing wind resistance
• Swappable zoom and thermal payloads, including 50x optical on the Pro
• IP43 rating and RTK positioning

remove_circleCons

• Large system: wingspan from about 1.6 m to 2.98 m
• No obstacle avoidance listed
• Needs a trained crew and planned missions
• Enterprise pricing and payloads sold separately

Autel EVO II Dual

add_circlePros

• 8K/25fps visual video and 48 MP stills
• FLIR Boson thermal core in 640×512 or 320×256 versions
• 12-sensor omnidirectional vision system
• 8 GB internal storage plus microSD

remove_circleCons

• Discontinued first-generation model
• Smaller 1/2-inch visual sensor than the V3
• 2.4 GHz link limited to 9 km FCC
• Thermal radiometry not confirmed on the official spec page
• Thermal frame rate is 9 Hz outside the US

Autel EVO II Dual 640T V3

add_circlePros

• Radiometric 640×512 thermal with -20 to 550°C measurement
• 0.8-inch 50 MP visual sensor with 4K/60fps
• SkyLink 2.0 tri-band link up to 15 km FCC
• 16x thermal zoom and omnidirectional obstacle sensing
• Folds to 230×130×108 mm for vehicle kits

remove_circleCons

• No published IP rating
• About 38 minutes of rated flight time
• Approx. 120-minute battery charge time
• RTK requires the separate RTK version

Autel EVO Nano+

add_circlePros

• 249 g with a 0.8-inch 50 MP sensor
• f/1.9 lens and DNG RAW support
• Forward, backward and downward obstacle sensing
• Compact 142×94×55 mm folded size

remove_circleCons

• No thermal camera; not an enterprise tool
• 28-minute rated flight time
• 4K limited to 30fps
• 7.9 m/s wind resistance is the lowest here

DroneRanker verdict

Which Autel Drone Fits Your Mission?

These four Autel drones serve different jobs, so the right answer depends on the mission rather than a single ranking. For most professional buyers, the Autel EVO II Dual 640T V3 is the best overall choice: it combines a radiometric 640×512 thermal camera measuring from -20 to 550°C with a 0.8-inch 50 MP visual camera, 16x thermal zoom, omnidirectional obstacle sensing and a SkyLink 2.0 link rated at 15 km FCC, all in a drone that folds into a vehicle kit. The Autel Dragonfish is the specialist. As a VTOL fixed-wing it flies between 81 and 158 minutes depending on the variant and covers far more ground per flight, which makes it the pick for large-area mapping and long patrols, but it needs a trained crew and a larger budget. The original Autel EVO II Dual from 2020 is now a discontinued first-generation model; it is worth considering only as a cheap used thermal drone. The Autel EVO Nano+ is a 249 g consumer camera drone with no thermal sensor, so choose it only for hobby photography.

Four Autel Drones, Three Different Categories

This request mixes a VTOL mapping aircraft, two generations of foldable thermal drones and a lightweight consumer camera drone. They do not compete for the same buyer, so the useful question is which one matches your mission. The table below the verdict shows raw specs; this section explains what those specs mean in practice.

Best pick by mission

Portable thermal inspection and public safety: EVO II Dual 640T V3.
Large-area mapping and long patrols: Dragonfish.
Budget used thermal drone: original EVO II Dual.
Hobby photography at 249 g: EVO Nano+.

Thermal Imaging: 640T V3 Versus the Original EVO II Dual

The original EVO II Dual launched at CES 2020 with a FLIR Boson thermal core in 640×512 or 320×256 resolution next to a 1/2-inch 48 MP visual camera capable of 8K video. Its thermal output runs at 30 Hz in the US and 9 Hz in other regions, and Autel does not confirm radiometric measurement on its surviving spec page.

The 640T V3 is a clear step forward for professional work. Its 640×512 VOx thermal camera is radiometric, measuring from -20 to 150°C in high gain and 0 to 550°C in low gain, with up to 16x thermal zoom. The visual camera moves to a 0.8-inch 50 MP sensor recording 4K/60fps, and the SkyLink 2.0 tri-band link raises FCC range from 9 km to 15 km.

Dragonfish: Endurance Instead of Portability

The Dragonfish is a tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft. It takes off vertically, then cruises on its wing at up to 30 m/s. Autel lists 81 minutes of flight for the Lite, 126 minutes for the Standard and 158 minutes for the Pro, several times the endurance of any quadcopter here. Payloads include 20x optical zoom with thermal, and the Pro can carry a 50x optical zoom payload. The trade-off is size and complexity: wingspans range from about 1.6 m to 2.98 m, and there is no obstacle avoidance.

EVO Nano+: The Lightweight Outlier

The EVO Nano+ is a consumer drone rather than an enterprise tool. It weighs 249 g, uses a 0.8-inch 50 MP sensor with an f/1.9 lens and records 4K at up to 30fps. It has no thermal camera and the lowest wind rating in this group at 7.9 m/s, so it belongs in a comparison with other lightweight camera drones rather than with inspection platforms.

Bottom Line

For a single portable drone that handles thermal inspection, search and public-safety tasks, the EVO II Dual 640T V3 is the strongest and most versatile choice. Pick the Dragonfish only if your work is measured in square kilometers or hours of flight. Treat the original EVO II Dual as a budget used option, and the EVO Nano+ as a hobby camera.

Editorial methodology

Methodology Editorial policy

Editorial research

Context, limitations, and sources

Verified Sep 30, 2026

Mixed-category request: the EVO II Dual 640T V3 is the best general thermal choice; Dragonfish is the long-endurance VTOL specialist; the original EVO II Dual is a discontinued budget option; the EVO Nano+ is a 249 g consumer drone with no thermal.

Limitations

Specification-based comparison; no hands-on test. Autel product pages disagree on some Dragonfish figures (flight time, transmission range and weight); the older variant spec table is used here. The original EVO II Dual official product page is no longer online, so its data comes from Autel shop spec pages. Thermal NETD for the 640T V3 and Dragonfish payloads is not published in the retrieved specs. US availability is affected by the December 2025 FCC Covered List update.

Primary sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Autel drone is best for thermal inspection?

The Autel EVO II Dual 640T V3. It has a radiometric 640×512 thermal camera measuring from -20 to 550°C, a 0.8-inch 50 MP visual camera and omnidirectional obstacle sensing in a foldable airframe.

What is the difference between the EVO II Dual and the EVO II Dual 640T V3?

The original 2020 EVO II Dual paired a 1/2-inch 48 MP camera that records 8K with a FLIR Boson thermal core in 640 or 320 resolution, and used a 2.4 GHz link with 9 km FCC range. The 640T V3 uses a 0.8-inch 50 MP visual sensor, a radiometric 640×512 VOx thermal camera with 16x zoom and a tri-band SkyLink 2.0 link rated at 15 km FCC.

How long can the Autel Dragonfish fly?

Autel lists 81 minutes for the Dragonfish Lite, 126 minutes for the Standard and 158 minutes for the Pro in its variant spec table. A newer Autel page lists different figures for some variants, so confirm the configuration with a dealer.

Is the Autel EVO Nano+ a thermal drone?

No. The EVO Nano+ is a 249 g consumer camera drone with a 0.8-inch 50 MP sensor. It has no thermal camera and is not intended for inspection or public safety work.

Does the Dragonfish need a runway?

No. The Dragonfish is a tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft. It takes off and lands vertically like a multirotor and transitions to fixed-wing flight for efficient cruising.

Which Autel drone has the longest range?

The Dragonfish, which Autel lists at up to 30 km with its base station in the older spec table and 45 km on a newer page. The 640T V3 lists 15 km FCC, the Nano+ 10 km FCC and the original EVO II Dual 9 km FCC.

Is the original EVO II Dual still worth buying?

Only as a discounted used drone for basic thermal work. It is discontinued, its thermal frame rate is 9 Hz outside the US and it lacks the tri-band link and larger visual sensor of the V3.

Are Autel drones affected by the US FCC Covered List update?

In December 2025 the FCC added UAS and UAS critical components produced in foreign countries to its Covered List, which blocks new FCC equipment authorizations for such models. Models authorized before that update can still be sold and used. Check current status with an authorized dealer before purchasing.

Which Autel drone is easiest to carry?

The EVO Nano+ at 249 g and 142×94×55 mm folded. Among the thermal drones, the EVO II Dual 640T V3 folds to 230×130×108 mm, while the Dragonfish needs a large transport case.