DJI Mini 5 Pro vs. Mini 4 Pro: Should You Upgrade?
DJI has officially unveiled the Mini 5 Pro, the next evolution of their ultra-light drone series. With a bigger sensor, smarter obstacle sensing, and longer flight times, it raises the bar for what a Mini drone can do. But with the Mini 4 Pro still a strong performer, many pilots are asking the same question: is it worth the upgrade? Let’s break it down.
Camera and Imaging
The biggest leap forward is the 1-inch CMOS sensor on the Mini 5 Pro. This allows for 50MP stills, 4K/60fps HDR video, and even 4K/120fps slow motion — with up to 14 stops of dynamic range. By comparison, the Mini 4 Pro features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and maxes out at 4K/100fps.
If you’re shooting in low-light or want maximum flexibility in post-production, the Mini 5 Pro’s sensor is a serious upgrade.
Gimbal and Shooting Angles
Mini 5 Pro introduces a 225° flexible gimbal rotation, unlocking creative upward and rolling shots. It also supports true vertical shooting for instant social media content.
The Mini 4 Pro supports vertical shooting too, but its gimbal range is more limited, making some dynamic angles harder to achieve.
Obstacle Sensing and Safety
Safety gets a big boost with the Mini 5 Pro’s nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing, powered by forward-facing LiDAR and multiple vision sensors. This gives it better performance in low-light environments, plus features like nighttime Return-to-Home and non-GNSS RTH for challenging take-off spots.
The Mini 4 Pro also features omnidirectional obstacle sensing but lacks the LiDAR-assisted nightscape detection, so the Mini 5 Pro is the safer flyer after dark.
Intelligent Features
Both drones support ActiveTrack 360°, Spotlight, and Point of Interest modes. The Mini 5 Pro, however, adds enhanced tracking options with better speed, agility, and safer rear tracking. It can now track subjects at up to 15 m/s, making it ideal for faster sports scenarios.
Flight Time and Transmission
The Mini 5 Pro offers up to 36 minutes with the standard Intelligent Flight Battery, or 52 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus. The Mini 4 Pro caps out at 45 minutes with the Plus battery.
Transmission has also been upgraded. The Mini 5 Pro uses DJI O4+, delivering a 20 km FCC range with more robust anti-interference compared to the Mini 4 Pro’s O4 system.
Weight and Portability
Despite all these upgrades, the Mini 5 Pro keeps its weight around 249.9g, staying under the Mini Series key 250g threshold. That means it remains just as portable and regulation-friendly as the Mini 4 Pro.
Should You Upgrade?
If you already own a Mini 4 Pro and primarily use it for casual flights in daylight, you’re still flying a highly capable drone.
But if you want:
- Better low-light performance
- Higher frame rates and dynamic range
- Smarter obstacle sensing with LiDAR
- Extended flight time options
- More creative shooting angles
…then the Mini 5 Pro is a clear step up. For content creators, travellers, and pilots who push their gear to the limit, it’s one of the most compelling upgrades DJI has released in the Mini series.
Quick Takeaway
The DJI Mini 5 Pro is built for creators who don’t want limits. With its 1-inch sensor, cinematic 4K/120, smarter LiDAR obstacle sensing, and the longest flight time ever in the Mini series, it’s the clear choice for pilots who want the best image quality, safety, and creative freedom in a sub-250g drone.
If you’re ready to push your aerial content further, the Mini 5 Pro is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.
Mini 5 Pro vs. Mini 4 Pro: At a Glance
Feature |
DJI Mini 5 Pro |
DJI Mini 4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Sensor | 1-inch CMOS, 50MP | 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP |
| Video | 4K/60fps HDR, 4K/120fps slow motion, 14 stops DR | 4K/100fps, HDR |
| Gimbal | True Vertical Shooting and 225° Flexible Gimbal Rotation 55° Upward Shooting Supported |
90° True Vertical Shooting 60° Upward Shooting |
| Obstacle Sensing | Nightscape omnidirectional with LiDAR | Omnidirectional (no LiDAR) |
| ActiveTrack | 360° upgraded, 15 m/s tracking | 360° standard |
| Flight Time | 36 mins (Std), 52 mins (Plus) | 34 mins (Std), 45 mins (Plus) |
| Transmission | O4+ up to 20 km (FCC) | O4 up to 20 km (FCC) |
| Weight | Approx. 249.9 g | Approx. 249 g |
Final Thoughts
The DJI Mini 5 Pro is more than just an incremental update — it’s a leap forward in imaging, safety, and flight endurance. For pilots who rely on their drone for more than casual flights, the 1-inch sensor, LiDAR-assisted obstacle sensing, and extended battery options make a clear difference in how and when you can fly.
The Mini 4 Pro still holds its own as a powerful and reliable ultra-light drone, but the Mini 5 Pro pushes the limits of what a sub-250g aircraft can achieve. If you’re serious about content creation, travel vlogs, or professional aerial work, the upgrade is hard to ignore.
Where to Buy
Ferntech stocks the full DJI Mini 5 Pro range, along with batteries, cases, and accessories to get you flying further. With expert local support and fast shipping across New Zealand, we’ll help you make the most of your upgrade.
Browse the DJI Mini 5 Pro range today and see why pilots around the country are making the switch.
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