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DJI Mini 5 Pro: one-minute review
When I tracked the seemingly constant flow of DJI Mini 5 Pro rumors ahead of its official unveil, which included exciting speculation about its sensor and safety feature upgrades, I had one question in mind: ‘will it still be under 250g?’
I’ve now had my hands-on the latest flagship mini drone and can happily say that DJI has done it, by a whisker. The 249.9g Mini 5 Pro is officially a C0 category drone and it features a 1-inch sensor (much larger than the Mini 4 Pro’s), versatile camera and class-leading safety features, now with LiDAR.
If anything, the Mini 5 Pro reads like a shrunk down DJI Air 3S. They both feature a main camera with 1-inch sensor, 4K video up to 120fps, DJI’s D Log M color profiles and 14EV dynamic range.
They also both utilize omnidirectional object sensing and front-facing LiDAR for class-leading low-light flight safety features, including the superb return to home (RTH) function. Plus there’s the neat 360° ActiveTrack, which keeps your subject in the center of the frame – DJI has refined this mode in the Mini 5 Pro and it performs really well.
The Mini 5 Pro’s camera is super versatile, too – it sits on a 3-axis gimbal for smooth footage even in moderate wind and offers a 225 degree range of roll rotation; the upshot is that you can switch from horizontal to vertical recording at the push of a button.
I’ve only had a few days with the Mini 5 Pro so far, but I’ve used DJI’s other mini drones extensively and can make quick judgements on just how good it really is. Honestly, it’s hard to find fault.
I own the Mini 4K, DJI’s cheaper entry-level drone. There are a few shared features but if you’re a first time buyer, I think it’s worth forking out extra for the Mini 5 Pro instead – it’s a big upgrade, even over its predecessor, the Mini 4 Pro.
There’s also a case for the Mini 5 Pro over the Air 3S. Sure, the weightier all-rounder has dual cameras, longer flight times and higher wind resistance, but the Mini 5 Pro now shares a lot of the same tech.
That’s enough comparing for now. For me it’s already simple – the DJI Mini 5 Pro is the best sub-250g drone and once my in-depth review is complete it will find its rightful place in my best drones and best beginner drones guides.
DJI Mini 5 Pro: price and release date
- Standard bundle costs £679 / AU$1,119
- Two Fly More Combo kits available: with screen or screen-less controller
- No US pricing or availability at launch
Despite improved features including the larger 1-inch sensor and LiDAR, the Mini 5 Pro essentially costs the same as the Mini 4 Pro, which is two years old and which costs £10 more in the UK. Put simply, the latest model is excellent value.
The base DJI Mini 5 Pro package costs £679 / AU$1,1119. However, I would almost always go for the Fly More Combo instead (I’ll explain later), which adds a charging hub and two additional batteries to the bundle.
There are two Fly More Combo bundles to choose from: one with the screen-less DJI RC-N3 controller for £869 / AU$1,419 (you’ll need to connect and use your phone’s display, loaded with DJI’s app, for this controller), or one with the fancier DJI RC 2 controller for £979 / AU$1,699.
I’ve got bad news if you’re in the US – there’s no Mini 5 Pro pricing or availability at launch. I expect various independent retailers to get stock at some point, but pricing is an unknown.
DJI Mini 5 Pro: specs
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Camera: |
50MP 1-inch CMOS sensor |
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Video resolution: |
4K |
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Frame rates: |
4K up to 120fps, Slow motion Full HD up to 240fps |
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Video transmission range: |
04+ for 20km (FCC), 10km (CE/SRRC/MIC) |
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Flight modes: |
Cine, Normal, Sport. 360° ActiveTrack. QuickShots (Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle and Boomerang) |
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Battery: |
2,788mAh / up to 36 minutes flight time. |
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Charger type: |
USB-C / Battery Charging Hub |
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Weight: |
8.81oz / 249.9g |
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Dimensions: |
157×95×68 mm (folded), 255×181×91 mm (unfolded) |
DJI Mini 5 Pro: Design
- Weighs 249.9g
- Omnidirectional object sensing and front-facing LiDAR
- 3-axis gimbal with 225 degree roll rotation range
DJI has one non-negotiable with its mini series of drones – keep the body under 250g. This latest iteration has pushed this mission to the max: the Mini 5 Pro weighs 249.9g. Technically, the takeoff weight can vary ±4g (depending on the batch you get, says DJI), so yours could be 254g. However, the Mini 5 Pro is officially classed a C0 (sub-250g) drone in Europe, so such discrepancies are a moot point.
In addition to the larger 1-inch sensor, which I’ll get onto in the next section, the Mini 5 Pro adds front-facing LiDAR to omnidirectional object sensing. The latter is already a class-leading safety feature, and one you won’t find in cheaper models such as DJI’s own Mini 4K.
Personally, I think paying extra for object sensing is worth it – it’s a miracle that my own Mini 4K is still functional after multiple collisions with tree branches and the like.
Now, with the addition of LiDAR, the Mini 5 Pro should sense better than the Mini 4 Pro in low light. That’s not something I’ve specifically tested in this drone, yet, but the Air 3S has this feature and you feel you can push that drone harder than the Air 3 it replaced.
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The camera unit impresses, too. As before, it sits on a 3-axis gimbal which smooths out your live view during flight and any recorded video. The gimbal has a versatile 225-degree range of roll rotation, enabling you to switch between horizontal and vertical capture.
I was testing the Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo RC 2 kit, which includes the controller with a screen. On the underside of the controller is a button that switches the camera between horizontal orientation (typically for long-form content) and vertical (for quick social cuts like TikTok and YouTube Shorts) with a single click.
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I also had the Mini 5 Pro with the dedicated set of three ND filters. Depending on the frame rates you choose, and the weather, you’ll likely need to use one to balance exposure for video.
For example, if it’s sunny and you’re shooting 4K 30fps, you’ll probably need an ND to avoid blowing out highlights. The practical downside is that the filters are set strengths, rather than variable (ND8, ND16 and ND32), so once you’re in the air you’ve made your bed.
DJI Mini 5 Pro: Performance
- 1-inch sensor delivers best-in-class image quality
- Effective 360° ActiveTrack subject tracking
- 2,788mAh battery for up to 36 minute flight time (less in reality)
The Mini 5 Pro shoots the best quality video I’ve seen in a sub-250g drone. It features a single camera which utilizes a 1-inch sensor for 4K 60fps video with 10-bit color depth, or slow motion recording up to 120fps, which can be upped to 240fps if you drop resolution to 1080p.
You can choose between various color profiles – a good-to-go standard look or DJI’s D Log M, which needs grading. The latter gives you the most dynamic range to work with – DJI says up to 14EV – meaning you’ll likely capture more tonal detail as a reward for your efforts in the editing suite.
When I compare video quality to that of the much cheaper Mini 4K drone, the 4K resolution is about where the comparison ends – the Mini 5 Pro’s video quality is much better.
DJI says that its 360° ActiveTrack feature has been improved. I haven’t tested the Mini 5 Pro against the Mini 4 Pro, so can’t vouch for this, but I have used the feature for this test and it performs really well.
I threw on my running shoes and hit the trails in my local woodland, tracked by the Mini 5 Pro, and it was able to navigate overhanging branches with ease while keeping me in the center of the frame.
Return to home (RTH) is another essential drone feature and it performed flawlessly for my Mini 5 Pro flights. This included tricky tests such as retracing its flight path through tree cover over a small lake.
As usual, DJI’s range of QuickShots are present and include Boomerang and Helix. These automated flight moves can make for super-dynamic clips when used smartly.
The Mini 5 Pro is supplied with a 2,788mAh DJI Intelligent Flight Battery, which delivers flight times up to 36 minutes. The reality will almost always be less, especially when you factor in wind or the various battery-hungry features.
During moderately breezy conditions and shooting 4K 60fps video and making use of functions such as 360° ActiveTrack, I was getting more like 20 minutes in the air.
Such flight time limits are why I typically prefer the pricier Fly More Combo bundles – they are the most cost effective way to get a couple of extra batteries and effectively triple the fun.
DJI also sells an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus – the 4,680mAh unit extends flight times by around 30% versus the standard unit, but it’s weightier and tips the Mini 5 Pro into the next weight category up, which comes with restrictions; legally, you need to get your region’s equivalent of a competency certificate.
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DJI Mini 5 Pro: also consider
How I tested the DJI Mini 5 Pro
- DJI loaned me the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo (RC 2)
- I had it for a few days before its launch for this first impressions review, and beyond to complete an in-depth review
- I’ve piloted the drone with the RC 2 controller in sunny conditions with moderate wind and tested its tracking capabilities
I had the DJI Mini 5 Pro for a few days before its unveiling, and was able to take it out for a few flights. The conditions were generally sunny or overcast, with moderate wind which provided a stern test for the Mini 5 Pro’s stability.
I’ve controlled the drone with the RC 2 controller which features a screen. I’ve taken multiple 4K 60fps videos in vertical and horizontal aspects, flicked between the cine, normal and sport flight modes and tested the 360° ActiveTrack through woodland and more.
I’ve shot video using both standard color profiles and DJI’s D Log M color profile and graded the footage. During bright conditions I’ve used the ND 8 filter to balance exposure. I’ve also taken still images in RAW and JPEG, plus utilized the 3x digital zoom.
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