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Drones are among this year’s hottest holiday gifts. But there’s a big difference between the less expensive models — which are basically toys — and the more powerful and pricey units. So how do you pick the right model for your needs?

To get some insight into the drone-buying process, TIME tagged along with photographer Ben Lowy on a trip to Brooklyn Drones, a New York City shop that specializes in selling the tiny, camera-packing aircrafts. Brookyn Drones owner Roger Kapsalis, a former stock broker, helped Lowy understand the difference between some of the best drones on the market today. Then, Lowy and Kapsalis ventured to a drone-friendly park to take a few different models for a spin.