AVC vs HEVC for Drone Video Recording: Which Codec Should You Use?

What Are AVC and HEVC Video Codecs?

When recording drone footage, your camera uses video codecs to compress and store video files. The two most common codecs are AVC (H.264) and HEVC (H.265). Understanding the difference between these codecs is critical for drone operators who want to maximize video quality while managing storage space efficiently.

AVC (Advanced Video Coding), also known as H.264, has been the industry standard since 2003. It provides excellent video quality with reasonable file sizes and is supported by virtually every device manufactured in the last 15 years.

HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265, is the newer codec introduced in 2013. It offers approximately 50% better compression than AVC while maintaining the same visual quality, making it ideal for 4K and 8K drone footage.

AVC vs HEVC: Compression Efficiency for Drone Footage

The primary advantage of HEVC over AVC is compression efficiency. Research specifically examining drone footage found that HEVC delivers the same video quality as AVC at nearly half the bitrate. For drone operators, this translates to:

• Double the recording time on the same SD card capacity
• Faster file transfers from drone to computer or cloud storage
• Reduced bandwidth requirements for streaming drone footage in real-time
• Lower storage costs when archiving large video libraries

However, the compression gains vary depending on content type. For high-motion drone footage (such as fast flights over fields or urban areas), the efficiency gain may be lower—around 1.06x to 1.15x for 2K and 4K respectively. For slower-moving or more static shots, HEVC’s advantage can reach the full 2x compression ratio.

Which Codec Should Drone Operators Use in 2025?

Use HEVC (H.265) If:

• Recording in 4K or 8K resolution—HEVC’s compression is almost essential at these resolutions
• You have limited SD card capacity and need maximum recording time
• You need to stream live drone footage with limited bandwidth
• Your editing computer has a modern GPU (2018 or newer) that can hardware-decode HEVC
• You’re operating DJI, GoPro, or other modern drones that default to HEVC

Use AVC (H.264) If:

• You need maximum compatibility with older editing software or playback devices
• Your editing computer lacks hardware HEVC support and struggles with HEVC playback
• You’re recording in 1080p or lower where file sizes are already manageable
• You need to deliver footage to clients who may have older systems
• You experience editing performance issues with HEVC files

Hardware Requirements and Editing Performance

HEVC requires significantly more processing power than AVC for both encoding and decoding. When recording drone footage in HEVC, your drone’s processor works harder during capture, which can affect battery life slightly on some models.

During editing, HEVC footage demands modern hardware. Most computers manufactured after 2017-2018 include dedicated HEVC decoding hardware in their GPUs, enabling smooth playback. Older systems may struggle with HEVC playback and scrubbing in editing timelines.

Professional editing applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve all support HEVC, but performance varies based on your GPU capabilities. If you experience choppy playback, consider creating proxy files or upgrading your editing workstation.

Popular Drones and Their Default Codec Settings

Most modern drones now default to HEVC for 4K recording:

• DJI drones (Mavic, Air, Mini series) – HEVC default for 4K, with AVC option available
• Autel Robotics (EVO series) – HEVC for 4K and above
• Parrot ANAFI – Supports both, but recommends HEVC for 4K HDR
• Skydio drones – HEVC for higher resolutions

You can typically change the codec setting in your drone’s camera settings menu. Check your specific model’s manual for instructions on switching between H.264 and H.265.

Real-World File Size Comparison

Here’s a practical example of file sizes for 5 minutes of drone footage recorded in 4K at 60fps:

• AVC (H.264): Approximately 5-7 GB
• HEVC (H.265): Approximately 2.5-3.5 GB

For a 128GB SD card, this difference means:

• AVC: About 90-120 minutes of 4K60 footage
• HEVC: About 180-240 minutes of 4K60 footage

FAA Part 107 and Video Codec Considerations

While the FAA Part 107 regulations don’t specifically mandate video codec choices, commercial drone operators should consider HEVC for documentation and evidence purposes. The smaller file sizes make it more practical to archive inspection footage, real estate videos, and mapping data without requiring expensive storage infrastructure.

For operations requiring long-term footage retention (such as infrastructure inspections or surveying projects), HEVC’s storage efficiency can reduce costs significantly over time.

Conclusion: Which Codec Wins for Drone Operators?

For most drone operators in 2025, HEVC (H.265) is the recommended choice when recording in 4K or higher resolutions. The storage savings and improved efficiency outweigh the slightly higher processing requirements, especially given that modern drones and editing computers now handle HEVC natively.

However, AVC (H.264) remains a solid option for operators prioritizing compatibility, working with 1080p footage, or using older editing equipment. The “best” codec ultimately depends on your specific workflow, hardware, and delivery requirements.

When in doubt, test both codecs with your drone and editing setup to determine which provides the best balance of quality, file size, and editing performance for your needs.