DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro: The Ultimate Upgrade Breakdown
Freewell Care
DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro: What's New in Design?
The DJI Mini 5 Pro retains the same size, weight, and dimensions as the DJI Mini 4 Pro, but there are several notable improvements in the design. One of the first things you’ll notice is the new propeller design on the Mini 5 Pro.
Luke demonstrates the Mini 5 Pro's new Push, Twist & Lock propeller system
Unlike the Mini 4 Pro's screw-in propellers, the Mini 5 Pro features a more efficient push, twist, and lock system, similar to what we’ve seen on larger DJI drones.
Motor sizes of the Mini 5 Pro & Mini 4 Pro, with the Mini 5 Pro on top
Another upgrade is the motor size. The motors on the DJI Mini 5 Pro are slightly larger than those on the Mini 4 Pro, resulting in better wind resistance and improved top speed in all directions.
DJI Mini 5 Pro: Enhanced Obstacle Avoidance & Safety Features
Both the DJI Mini 4 Pro and the Mini 5 Pro come with obstacle avoidance sensors, but the Mini 5 Pro has an additional LAR (Laser Range) sensor on the front.
Luke points to the LiDAR sensor on the Mini 5 Pro
This enhancement allows for advanced return-to-home functionality, even in pitch-black darkness, ensuring the drone can always find its way back safely.
DJI Mini 5 Pro: A Game-Changing Camera Over the Mini 4 Pro
The DJI Mini 5 Pro's camera is the star of the show, as it boasts a large 1-inch sensor with a 24mm equivalent lens. This is a huge upgrade from the DJI Mini 4 Pro, which features a smaller sensor and lens combination.
Mini 5 Pro's 1 inch Camera Sensor
The camera on the Mini 5 Pro is actually similar to the one found on the Mavic 3S, making it a powerful option for such a compact drone.
DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro: Camera Performance in Bright Conditions
Testing both drones in ideal lighting conditions (on a beach, for example) reveals some interesting results.
DJI Mini 4 Pro 48MP Vs Mini 5 Pro 50MP
When using identical settings on both drones (minus-2 sharpness and DLOG M color profile), the image quality from both drones is fantastic.
50MP Photos with 400% Crop
However, upon zooming into 400%, the DJI Mini 4 Pro shows a bit more noise in the shadows, whereas the DJI Mini 5 Pro maintains better clarity.
Zoom Performance: DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro
Both drones offer a 2x digital zoom, but the DJI Mini 5 Pro uses a quad-bayer sensor, which results in a much sharper zoomed-in image compared to the DJI Mini 4 Pro.
2x Zoom Comparison
2x Zoom 300% Crop
The Mini 5 Pro’s zoom is truly usable, whereas the zoom on the Mini 4 Pro becomes “mushy” and unusable when cropping past a certain point.
DJI Mini 5 Pro: Slow Motion Performance
Both the DJI Mini 4 Pro and the Mini 5 Pro are capable of shooting in 4K slow motion, but the Mini 5 Pro takes it a step further, offering 120 fps at 4K (compared to the Mini 4 Pro’s 100 fps).
Slow Motion Comparison
While this isn’t a huge difference in practical use, it’s an improvement that allows for smoother, higher-quality slow-motion footage. Additionally, the Mini 5 Pro can shoot 1080p slow motion at 240 fps, surpassing the 200-fps limit of the Mini 4 Pro.
DJI Mini 5 Pro File Management Improvements
The DJI Mini 5 Pro introduces separate covers for the propellers and gimbal, which is an improvement over the Mini 4 Pro's one-part system.
DJI Mini 5 Pro File Management System
Furthermore, file transfer speeds on the Mini 5 Pro have been significantly upgraded — even when the drone is off, you can access and download files quickly, which is a great time-saver.
DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro: Golden Hour Comparison
When shooting during golden hour, both drones produce stunning results, but the DJI Mini 5 Pro’s dynamic range, sharpness, and low-light performance stand out.
Golden Hour
The improved sensor on the Mini 5 Pro captures more details in both shadows and highlights, making it the better choice for shooting in challenging lighting conditions.
DJI Mini 5 Pro: A New Approach to Vertical Shooting and Barrel Roll Feature
While both the DJI Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro allow for true vertical shooting (camera flipping 90°), the Mini 5 Pro has a new feature borrowed from the Mavic 3: the barrel roll.
DJI Mini 5 Pro Barrel Roll Feature
This allows the gimbal to rotate from 45° to 180°, providing more creative possibilities for those who enjoy unique shots.
DJI Mini 5 Pro: Photography Performance Over the Mini 4 Pro
When it comes to photography, both drones excel, but the DJI Mini 5 Pro delivers a slight edge in terms of dynamic range, sharpness, and low-light performance.
DJI Mini 4 Pro 48MP Sensor vs Mini 5 Pro 50MP Sensor
Both drones support up to 48 MP (Mini 4 Pro) and 50 MP (Mini 5 Pro) photos, but the Mini 5 Pro’s larger sensor helps it deliver cleaner, more detailed shots, especially in low-light environments.
Dynamic Range: DJI Mini 5 Pro's Clear Advantage
The biggest improvement in the DJI Mini 5 Pro is its dynamic range. In a high-contrast scene, the Mini 5 Pro does a much better job at exposing the highlights while retaining details in the shadows compared to the DJI Mini 4 Pro.
Auto Exposure Comparison
This upgrade is particularly noticeable when switching to auto mode, where the Mini 5 Pro’s 14 stops of dynamic range really shine.
The Essential Filters for DJI Mini 4 Pro & Mini 5 Pro
While auto exposure features certainly improve camera settings automatically, the real magic often comes from the filters you choose. Freewell has taken this concept to the next level by offering a comprehensive range of filters for both the DJI Mini 4 Pro and DJI Mini 5 Pro.
Freewell Filters for Drones
These include ND (Neutral Density), ND/PL (Neutral Density/Polarizer), Gradient ND, CPL (Circular Polarizer), Glow Mist, Light Pollution Filters, and UV filters. Each one is designed to enhance your footage, giving you more precise control over exposure, clarity, and image quality.
Whether you're looking to balance light in challenging conditions or add a unique effect to your shots, these filters can make all the difference. With Freewell’s diverse offerings, both photographers and videographers can take their aerial work to new creative heights.
DJI Mini 5 Pro's Internal Storage Upgrade
The DJI Mini 5 Pro offers a significant upgrade in internal storage, bumping up from the Mini 4 Pro’s 2GB to a more generous 42GB.
This improvement makes file management much easier, and DJI has also improved the file transfer process, you no longer need to turn on the drone to download files.
DJI Mini 5 Pro: Better Active Track and Faster Performance
In testing, the DJI Mini 5 Pro exhibited better active track performance compared to the DJI Mini 4 Pro, although the differences are subtle.
Active tracking on Mini 5 Pro
Climbing Speed Comparison
For speed, the DJI Mini 5 Pro was faster at climbing (9 meters per second vs. 5 meters per second on the Mini 4 Pro), making it more efficient for quick takeoffs and positioning during shoots.
Wind Resistance: DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro
DJI has improved the wind resistance of the DJI Mini 5 Pro. It can withstand winds up to 12 m/s (compared to the Mini 4 Pro’s 10.7 m/s), making it more reliable in challenging weather conditions.
Luke tests the Wind Resistance of drones in a creative way
During flight, the DJI Mini 5 Pro performs noticeably better in side winds, which is a big win for users who plan to fly in less-than-ideal weather.
Battery Life: DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro
Battery life has been significantly improved in the DJI Mini 5 Pro. With the normal battery, you get up to 36 minutes of flight time, compared to the Mini 4 Pro’s 34 minutes.
Battery Life Comparison
If you opt for the Plus battery, the DJI Mini 5 Pro offers up to 52 minutes, which is the longest battery life of any DJI consumer drone.
Noise Levels: DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro
The DJI Mini 5 Pro is slightly quieter than the DJI Mini 4 Pro, with a more pleasing sound profile.
DJI Mini 4 Pro Noise at 68dB
DJI Mini 5 Pro Noise at 66dB
Both drones are among the quietest in DJI’s lineup, making them ideal for discreet aerial footage.
Bitrate Comparison: DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro
While the DJI Mini 5 Pro offers lower bitrates than the DJI Mini 4 Pro across various frame rates, the difference in video quality is negligible in real-world testing.
Bitrate Comparison
Mini 4 Pro @130Mbps vs Mini 5 Pro @90Mbps comparison
The lower bitrate may result in smaller file sizes, which is advantageous for storage, but both drones still deliver excellent video quality.
DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro: Low Light Performance
When it comes to low-light performance, the DJI Mini 5 Pro pulls ahead thanks to its larger 1-inch sensor. The Mini 5 Pro captures more detail and produces less noise in dark conditions, making it the better choice for nighttime shooting.
Night Mode Comparison
In comparison, the DJI Mini 4 Pro struggles with noise and details in low light, especially when using higher ISO settings.
Pricing & Final Thoughts: Is the DJI Mini 5 Pro Worth the Upgrade?
In terms of pricing, the DJI Mini 5 Pro comes at a higher price point than the DJI Mini 4 Pro, but with all the enhanced features, improved camera performance, better wind resistance, and longer battery life.
Content Credit: Luke Maximo Bell
DJI Mini 5 Pro will be worth the investment for serious drone enthusiasts or professionals.