DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro: Which Drone Should You Pick in 2025?

DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro: Choosing the Right Drone in 2025

In recent years, drones have transformed the way we capture the world, giving creators, photographers, and hobbyists alike the ability to see and record life from perspectives that were once impossible. Whether it’s filming breathtaking landscapes, recording action-packed moments, or simply experimenting with aerial photography as a hobby, drones have become indispensable tools in modern creativity.

Among the many drones on the market, DJI has consistently led the way in combining portability, advanced technology, and ease of use. The DJI Mini series, in particular, has gained widespread popularity for offering professional-grade imaging capabilities without the bulk of larger drones. Compact, lightweight, and user-friendly, these drones are perfect for travelers, vloggers, and anyone who wants high-quality footage on the go.

Within this lineup, the Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro are the two most sought-after models, sparking debates among enthusiasts and professionals over which drone offers the best balance of features, performance, and value. Both models deliver impressive image quality, intelligent flight systems, and compact designs, but the Mini 5 Pro introduces several upgrades that push the boundaries of what a sub-250g drone can achieve.

So, how do you know which one is the right fit for you? Is it worth upgrading to the latest Mini 5 Pro, or does the Mini 4 Pro still provide everything you need? In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore every aspect of these drones—including design, camera capabilities, flight performance, obstacle avoidance technology, software ecosystem, and real-world user experiences—to help you make an informed decision. By the end of this guide, you’ll clearly see why the Mini 5 Pro stands out as the leading choice in 2025 for anyone looking for advanced aerial imaging in a compact, portable package.

Quick Specs Comparison

Feature	DJI Mini 5 Pro	DJI Mini 4 Pro
Weight	249.9 g	249 g
Folded Dimensions	157 × 95 × 68 mm	148 × 94 × 64 mm
Max Video	4K/120fps	4K/100fps
Max Photo	50MP	48MP
Camera Sensor	1-inch CMOS	1/1.3-inch CMOS
Gimbal	3-axis	3-axis
Battery Life	36 min	34 min
Transmission System	OcuSync 4.0+	OcuSync 4.0
Max Range	20 km	20 km
Obstacle Avoidance	Omnidirectional + LiDAR	Omnidirectional
Price Range	Premium	Mid-range

Design and Build Quality

When comparing the DJI Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro, the first thing you’ll notice is how similar they appear at a glance. Both drones maintain the compact, foldable design that has made the Mini series so popular among travelers and casual flyers. However, a closer inspection reveals several subtle but important differences that set the Mini 5 Pro apart.

The Mini 5 Pro is slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor, with folded dimensions of 157 × 95 × 68 mm and a weight of 249.9 g. This minor increase in size and weight is primarily due to the inclusion of a 1-inch camera sensor and a front-mounted LiDAR sensor—two features that significantly enhance imaging quality and obstacle detection capabilities. Despite this slight weight increase, the drone still falls comfortably under the 250 g threshold, which is crucial for regulatory purposes. In Europe and several other regions, drones under 250 g are subject to lighter restrictions, making them easier to fly without extensive licensing or registration. This means the Mini 5 Pro remains highly portable and convenient for travelers, vloggers, and outdoor enthusiasts who need to carry their drone in a backpack or camera bag.

Both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro are constructed from lightweight yet durable plastic, a hallmark of the Mini series that balances portability with strength. The Mini 5 Pro, however, benefits from a slightly redesigned frame and gimbal system, giving it a more modern and professional appearance. The gimbal is refined to improve stability and camera movement, reducing vibrations during flight and enabling smoother video capture. Additionally, the Mini 5 Pro sports a darker matte finish, which not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also reduces glare during bright daylight flights.

In terms of handling, both drones are remarkably user-friendly. The foldable arms and compact body make them easy to deploy quickly, whether you’re hiking in the mountains, strolling through a city, or traveling overseas. Despite its minor size increase, the Mini 5 Pro does not compromise portability or convenience. Users will still find it easy to slip into a small bag, and the lightweight design ensures that even longer flight sessions do not feel cumbersome when carrying extra batteries or accessories.

Overall, while both drones share the signature Mini series design, the Mini 5 Pro edges ahead thanks to its thoughtful refinements. The combination of a slightly more robust camera housing, front LiDAR sensor, redesigned gimbal, and professional finish makes it feel like a premium upgrade while maintaining the series’ legendary portability and travel-friendly characteristics.

Winner: Mini 5 Pro – Subtle yet meaningful design enhancements, improved build quality, and professional touches make this drone stand out without sacrificing portability.

Camera Performance

When it comes to aerial photography and videography, the camera is often the defining factor in choosing between drones—and in this category, the Mini 5 Pro clearly takes the lead. The most notable upgrade is its 1-inch CMOS sensor, a significant step up from the Mini 4 Pro’s 1/1.3-inch sensor. This larger sensor allows the Mini 5 Pro to capture 50MP still images, offering exceptional detail, clarity, and color fidelity that was previously only available in larger, heavier drones. The increased sensor size also improves light capture, resulting in sharper low-light shots and a much cleaner dynamic range. Shadows are more natural, highlights retain detail, and photos taken during sunrise, sunset, or in backlit environments look more vibrant and professional.

Video capabilities on the Mini 5 Pro are equally impressive. It supports 4K video at 120fps, enabling ultra-smooth slow-motion capture that’s perfect for cinematic shots of fast-moving subjects. For content creators who require rich color grading options, the drone also offers 10-bit D-Log M video, which preserves a broader color spectrum and greater tonal depth compared to standard 8-bit footage. Additionally, the 4K/60 HDR mode provides more vivid colors and better contrast, particularly in high-contrast scenes, helping footage look closer to real life without excessive post-processing.

By comparison, the Mini 4 Pro remains a solid performer for casual photographers and hobbyists. Its 1/1.3-inch sensor delivers 48MP photos and 4K/100fps video, which is excellent for social media content and general aerial photography. The Mini 4 Pro is lightweight, easy to fly, and capable of producing impressive results in well-lit environments. However, it doesn’t quite match the Mini 5 Pro in low-light scenarios or in capturing fine details in complex lighting conditions.

Another feature that sets the Mini 5 Pro apart is its ability to handle more advanced filming techniques. With enhanced stabilization and gimbal control, the drone produces smoother cinematic footage even during complex maneuvers. This makes it ideal for semi-professional vloggers, travel photographers, and content creators who demand higher-quality footage without the need for bulky, professional-grade equipment.

In short, the Mini 5 Pro’s camera elevates the Mini series to a new level. It combines high-resolution photography, advanced video recording options, and excellent low-light performance in a compact, lightweight body—making it a standout choice for anyone serious about aerial imaging.

Winner: Mini 5 Pro – Its larger sensor, superior video capabilities, and improved low-light performance make it the clear choice for creators looking for professional-quality aerial footage.

Flight Performance and Range

One of the most critical aspects of any drone is its flight performance, and the Mini 5 Pro demonstrates meaningful improvements over the Mini 4 Pro in this area. On paper, the standard flight time may seem like a modest upgrade—from 34 minutes on the Mini 4 Pro to 36 minutes on the Mini 5 Pro—but in practical terms, those extra two minutes can make a noticeable difference during extended shooting sessions or when capturing dynamic sequences where every second counts.

For users who require longer air time, both drones offer the Battery Plus option, which significantly extends flight durations. With this feature, the Mini 4 Pro can achieve around 45 minutes, whereas the Mini 5 Pro stretches to an impressive 52 minutes. This extended flight capability is particularly valuable for professional content creators, aerial photographers, and vloggers who need uninterrupted recording time without frequently landing to swap batteries.

Transmission stability is another area where the Mini 5 Pro excels. While the Mini 4 Pro uses OcuSync 4.0 (O4) for reliable signal transmission, the Mini 5 Pro upgrades to OcuSync 4.0+ (O4+), offering improved signal strength, reduced latency, and enhanced resistance to interference—especially useful in urban or crowded environments. This ensures a consistent, lag-free connection between the drone and the controller, allowing you to confidently fly at longer distances while maintaining full control.

Speaking of range, both drones maintain a maximum transmission distance of 20 km, which is more than sufficient for most professional and recreational use cases. Whether you’re flying over open landscapes, filming outdoor events, or capturing scenic vistas, this range allows for incredible creative flexibility. The combination of long flight times and robust transmission ensures that the Mini 5 Pro can handle demanding projects without compromising stability or safety.

Additionally, the Mini 5 Pro’s refined flight control algorithms and improved motor efficiency contribute to smoother, more responsive handling. Even in mild winds or challenging conditions, the drone remains stable and precise, giving users confidence when performing complex maneuvers or tracking moving subjects.

Overall, while the Mini 4 Pro is already a solid performer, the Mini 5 Pro’s incremental yet impactful enhancements in flight time, transmission reliability, and overall handling give it a clear edge for users who want maximum performance from a compact drone.

Winner: Mini 5 Pro – Longer flight times, stronger transmission, and smoother handling make it the superior choice for both casual flyers and serious content creators.

Obstacle Avoidance and ActiveTrack

When it comes to safety and automated flight intelligence, the Mini 5 Pro demonstrates significant advancements over its predecessor. While the Mini 4 Pro is equipped with multiple omnidirectional sensors that provide 360° obstacle detection, it relies primarily on visual data. This visual-based system performs well in well-lit environments but can struggle in low-light or high-contrast conditions, such as during sunrise, sunset, or in shaded areas. In these scenarios, users may experience slightly less accurate detection, which could potentially impact flight safety and smoothness during complex maneuvers.

The Mini 5 Pro, however, takes obstacle avoidance to the next level by integrating a front-mounted LiDAR sensor, a first for the Mini series. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser pulses to create a precise 3D map of the surrounding environment, allowing the drone to detect obstacles with remarkable accuracy—even in dimly lit or visually complex scenes. This advanced sensor technology, paired with smarter AI algorithms, ensures that the Mini 5 Pro can navigate safely through tight spaces, avoid unexpected obstacles, and maintain stability even when visual sensors alone would struggle.

Beyond basic obstacle avoidance, the Mini 5 Pro also improves ActiveTrack, DJI’s intelligent subject tracking feature. The combination of LiDAR data and enhanced AI allows the drone to follow moving subjects more smoothly and accurately, whether it’s a cyclist, runner, or car. This results in cinematic footage with fewer interruptions, as the drone can anticipate movements and adjust its path in real-time, rather than relying solely on line-of-sight detection.

The improved ActiveTrack also enhances creative possibilities. For example, content creators can confidently film dynamic action shots without worrying about crashes or having to constantly manually control the drone. In comparison, while the Mini 4 Pro’s tracking is reliable in good lighting, it may occasionally lose focus or react slower when conditions are challenging.

In essence, the Mini 5 Pro not only increases flight safety but also expands creative potential. Its combination of LiDAR technology, intelligent AI, and enhanced tracking capabilities ensures smooth, precise, and worry-free flying—even in environments that would challenge earlier drones.

Winner: Mini 5 Pro – With smarter obstacle detection, LiDAR-enhanced navigation, and smoother ActiveTrack, it sets a new standard for safe and automated aerial filming in the Mini series.

Medium Telephoto Mode

One of the standout features that sets the Mini 5 Pro apart from the Mini 4 Pro is its 48mm medium telephoto mode, a function that significantly expands creative possibilities for aerial photography and videography. This mode essentially acts as a second “lens,” allowing users to capture cropped shots without physically moving closer to the subject. It simulates the effect of an optical zoom using intelligent digital cropping, maintaining excellent clarity thanks to the drone’s 1-inch CMOS sensor.

For creators, this opens up a range of new opportunities. You can frame tighter shots of distant subjects, highlight specific details in landscapes, or create cinematic compositions without compromising image quality. Whether you’re shooting a sprawling cityscape, a mountain range, or a dynamic action scene, the medium telephoto mode provides the flexibility to experiment with different perspectives, focal lengths, and storytelling techniques—all from a single flight.

Moreover, this mode works seamlessly with the Mini 5 Pro’s enhanced stabilization and gimbal system, ensuring that even zoomed-in shots remain smooth and jitter-free. The combination of digital telephoto and precise gimbal control enables filmmakers and vloggers to achieve professional-looking footage without the need for additional equipment or heavier drones.

In contrast, the Mini 4 Pro lacks this capability entirely. While it delivers excellent wide-angle shots and 4K video quality, users are limited to one primary lens perspective. This makes creative framing more restrictive, particularly for cinematic or detailed compositions where a medium telephoto perspective would enhance storytelling.

In summary, the Mini 5 Pro’s medium telephoto mode not only adds versatility to your shots but also empowers content creators to achieve more dynamic and visually compelling footage with minimal effort. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference in creative control.

Winner: Mini 5 Pro – The 48mm medium telephoto mode enhances creative freedom, cinematic composition, and detailed framing, giving creators tools that the Mini 4 Pro simply cannot match.

Extra Features

Beyond camera and flight performance, the extra features of a drone often determine how versatile and enjoyable it is to use. Both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro come equipped with a range of creative tools through the DJI Fly app, including MasterShots, QuickShots, and Hyperlapse. These features allow users to capture complex, cinematic footage with minimal effort. MasterShots automatically plans a flight path and records a series of shots that can be combined into a polished short video, while QuickShots provides pre-programmed movements like Dronie, Rocket, or Circle, making it simple to create professional-looking clips even for beginners. Hyperlapse enables stunning time-lapse sequences in motion, adding an artistic flair to your aerial content.

However, the Mini 5 Pro takes these capabilities to a higher level. Firmware upgrades and improved onboard processing enhance the stability and accuracy of automated flight modes, reducing the risk of jittery or inconsistent shots. HDR improvements allow for better exposure and dynamic range in bright or high-contrast conditions, meaning every shot retains more detail and color depth without extensive post-processing.

One of the most notable upgrades in the Mini 5 Pro is the DJI RC controller with a built-in touchscreen. This eliminates the need for a smartphone during flights, providing a more integrated and responsive control experience. The controller features an intuitive interface, live-view display, and quick access to flight modes and camera settings, which significantly streamlines the workflow for content creators.

Additionally, the Mini 5 Pro includes 42GB of built-in storage, allowing users to save substantial amounts of footage without relying solely on microSD cards. This is particularly useful for travel or situations where swapping memory cards mid-flight is inconvenient. The combination of extended internal storage and advanced flight automation ensures that creators can focus on framing shots and storytelling rather than constantly managing hardware limitations.

In contrast, the Mini 4 Pro, while still highly capable, does not offer the same level of integration or storage capacity. Users are more dependent on external devices for monitoring and controlling the drone, and some advanced creative features are slightly less refined.

Overall, the Mini 5 Pro’s enhancements in automated shooting modes, improved HDR, integrated controller, and expanded storage provide more creative freedom, convenience, and flexibility for both professional and semi-professional users.

Winner: Mini 5 Pro – With smarter automated features, a built-in RC display, and additional storage, it offers a richer and more seamless creative experience than the Mini 4 Pro.

User Feedback

Understanding real-world user experiences is crucial when choosing a drone, as specifications alone don’t always reflect how a device performs in everyday use. Feedback from verified owners of both the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro provides valuable insights into usability, performance, and overall satisfaction.

Mini 4 Pro Users: Many users praise the Mini 4 Pro for its reliability and ease of use. Beginners and casual flyers often highlight how intuitive the controls are, making it simple to launch, fly, and capture high-quality footage without extensive training. The 48MP camera consistently receives positive reviews for delivering crisp, vibrant images, and the 4K video quality meets the needs of hobbyists who want to document travel, family outings, or scenic landscapes. Users also appreciate its compact size, which makes it highly portable and easy to carry on trips or hikes. On the downside, some users note that while it performs well for casual shooting, advanced creative features are somewhat limited, and professional content creators may find it lacks the flexibility and cutting-edge technology of newer models.

Mini 5 Pro Users: Feedback for the Mini 5 Pro is overwhelmingly positive, particularly among semi-professional creators and vloggers. Users frequently highlight the enhanced obstacle avoidance system, including the front LiDAR sensor, which significantly increases safety and confidence during flights. The upgraded ActiveTrack 6.0 provides smoother, more precise subject tracking, allowing users to follow moving subjects like cyclists, runners, or pets without worrying about losing focus or crashing. The 1-inch sensor and 50MP camera also earn praise for producing exceptionally sharp photos and cinematic video, even in low-light environments.

Some criticisms are shared across both models. Price is a common concern, as both drones fall into the premium segment, with the Mini 5 Pro being notably more expensive. A few Mini 5 Pro users also mention that its slightly bulkier design, compared to the Mini 4 Pro, can make it a touch less convenient to carry in extremely compact bags. However, most agree that the added features and improved performance more than justify the minor increase in size.

In short, real-world experiences show that the Mini 4 Pro is an excellent choice for casual users who prioritize ease of use and reliability, while the Mini 5 Pro is ideal for creators seeking advanced features, superior imaging, and enhanced safety. The combination of hardware improvements, refined flight control, and smarter tracking makes the Mini 5 Pro the more appealing option for serious drone enthusiasts.

Winner: Mini 5 Pro – Users appreciate its advanced technology, professional-grade imaging, and superior obstacle avoidance, making it the preferred choice for those looking to take their aerial content to the next level.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between the DJI Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro ultimately depends on your specific needs, experience level, and budget. Both drones are excellent in their own right, but they cater to slightly different audiences.

Mini 5 Pro: This drone is tailored for content creators, vloggers, and semi-professional photographers who demand cutting-edge features in a compact, travel-friendly package. With its 1-inch camera sensor, 50MP photo capability, and 4K/120fps video, it delivers stunning image quality that excels even in low-light conditions. The inclusion of a front LiDAR sensor, enhanced ActiveTrack, and improved obstacle avoidance ensures safer and more precise flying, even in challenging environments. Creative tools such as medium telephoto mode, enhanced HDR, MasterShots, QuickShots, and Hyperlapse give creators the flexibility to experiment with cinematic framing and storytelling without carrying bulky equipment. For users who want maximum versatility, professional-quality results, and the latest DJI technology, the Mini 5 Pro is the clear choice. While its premium price and slightly larger size may be considerations, most users agree that the benefits far outweigh these minor drawbacks.

Mini 4 Pro: On the other hand, the Mini 4 Pro is an excellent option for hobbyists, casual flyers, or budget-conscious users. It offers high-quality 48MP photos and 4K video, solid flight stability, and intuitive controls, making it easy to pick up and fly with minimal learning curve. Its lightweight and compact design make it perfect for travel or quick outings, and it still includes automated creative tools like MasterShots and QuickShots, though slightly less refined than the Mini 5 Pro. For those who want a reliable, capable, and easy-to-use drone without investing in the very latest technology, the Mini 4 Pro provides outstanding value.

In summary: If your goal is to capture professional-quality footage, explore creative filming options, and enjoy the latest advancements in drone technology, the Mini 5 Pro is worth the investment. Its combination of advanced sensors, powerful imaging, longer flight times, and enhanced AI tracking makes it ideal for content creators who want the best in a lightweight package.

Conversely, if you’re a casual flyer, beginner, or someone who wants great performance at a lower price point, the Mini 4 Pro remains a highly capable and satisfying choice. It strikes a perfect balance between affordability, portability, and high-quality aerial imaging, making it a dependable option for everyday flying.

Ultimately, both drones are impressive, but your choice should reflect whether you prioritize advanced technology and creative flexibility or simplicity, reliability, and value.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)