Just when we think DJI has pushed its sub-250g Mini series of drones as far as they can go, the new DJI Mini 5 Pro arrives with upgrades that make it a strong contender for anyone looking for a small but capable drone for their travels.
The Mini series drones have always been about portability. The DJI Mini 3 Pro made it easier for content creators to bring drones on overseas trips, thanks to its light weight and the fact that it did not need registration in most places.
The Mini 4 Pro refined the formula but did not represent a huge leap in image quality. The Mini 5 Pro changes that. With a new one-inch 50-megapixel sensor, it delivers the best performance you can get in a compact drone while still staying light and travel-friendly.
Physically, the Mini 5 Pro is only slightly larger than the Mini 4 Pro, mainly because of its 1-inch image sensor. Even with the size bump, it remains far more compact than the semi-professional DJI Air 3S when folded, making it a much easier travel companion.
I can still slip the new drone neatly into a camera bag that used to house the Mini 3 Pro. DJI has also kept the same physical size of the battery used by the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro, so current owners of the older Mini drones can continue to use their existing batteries without wasting their earlier investment.
Flight time has got an upgrade too. With the standard 2,788mAh battery, the drone can stay airborne for up to 36 minutes. Switch to the larger 4,680mAh Plus batteries, and it is supposed to stretch its flight time to 52 minutes, on paper at least.
In practice, however, the low-battery warning kicks in at the 25 percent mark, triggering the Return to Home function. Realistically, you get closer to 25 minutes of safe flying time before you need to wrap up.
If you’re in Singapore, keep in mind that the new drone needs to be registered with the authorities. This is because its weight is now past the 250g threshold, no matter what battery you wish to use.
Image quality is where the Mini 5 Pro shines. The 1-inch sensor, combined with an f/1.8 lens, lets in much more light, resulting in sharper and cleaner images, especially in low light. Shooting at sunset or during blue hour produces richer details and smoother shadows.
I tried shooting the Singapore skyline at dusk and the results were sharp, although there was some ISO noise at ISO200. After some quick edits and noise reduction on my phone, the panorama looked excellent.
Unlike the Mavic 4 Pro or the Air 3S, there is no secondary zoom camera. However, the large 50-megapixel resolution allows for digital zooming. A 2x crop delivers solid results, while pushing to 3x will start to cost you some detail.
For video, the Mini 5 Pro records 4K at up to 60 frames per second for smoother visuals and slow-motion effects. Those who like to colour-grade will appreciate the 10-bit HLG and D-Log M modes, which give wider dynamic range and more flexibility in post production.
The drone also includes 42GB of onboard storage. Note that it fills up fast, so having large-capacity fast microSD cards around is still essential.
Social media creators will be glad that the gimbal still supports true vertical video without cropping resolution. It also retains the ability to rotate for 360-degree panoramas and tilt upward for creative low-angle perspectives, such as shooting from under a bridge.
Not everything is perfect, to be fair. The nadir point at the top of the photosphere does not seem as rendered as on the Mini 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro, so keep that in mind for your shoots.
Another major step forward is the addition of LiDAR. By firing a laser and measuring reflections, the drone can better detect obstacles in front of it even in low light, working alongside the existing vision sensors. It still needs visible light for the sides and rear, so caution is needed when flying at night, though this LiDAR upgrade is a welcome boost for safety.
Tracking performance has also been improved. The Mini 5 Pro can follow a moving subject at up to 15 metres per second, or about 54km/h. It still requires the subject to be fairly close for accurate detection, but it is a useful tool for capturing action scenes.
Connectivity is powered by the same O4+ transmission system found in the professional Mavic 4 Pro, offering a maximum range of 20km in ideal conditions. Over Marina Bay in Singapore, where the airwaves are busy, I did experience some interference, but the drone maintained its connection well enough to finish the flight and return safely.
A small but very useful convenience feature is the ability to transfer photos and videos to your phone without powering on the drone. The DJI Fly app connects over Bluetooth and quickly starts transferring files. I was able to edit both stills and clips on my phone during a train ride home, which is perfect for creators who want to post quickly on social media.
Other useful features include swappable propeller blades so there’s no need for a screwdriver. The drone automatically switches on when the arms are spread out and there is a dynamic home point that the drone can return automatically to where the controller is. Useful when you are on a bicycle or in a car.
So, what price for all those features? To make things more attractive, DJI is packaging the Mini 5 Pro in several bundles depending on your needs.
The base drone itself costs S$949, and it works with last year’s RC2 and N3 controllers. This makes it a sensible option for those upgrading from the Mini 4 Pro and who already have compatible gear.
If you are starting fresh, the Fly More Combo with the RC N3 controller and three standard batteries cost S$1,169. This is the most affordable way to get extra batteries and all the essentials.
For those who prefer the RC2 controller with its built-in screen that saves you the hassle of using your phone as a display, the S$1,369 Fly More Combo is the bundle to consider.
Finally, for flyers who want maximum endurance, the Fly More Combo Plus with the RC2 controller and three Plus batteries is going for S$1,449.
For casual hobbyists, the N3 Combo will cover all the basics without breaking the bank. Content creators who shoot regularly will get more value out of the RC2 bundle, thanks to the convenience of its built-in screen.
And for serious travellers who want the longest possible flight times, the Plus Combo is tempting even if it means registering the drone in most regions, including Singapore.
Is the new DJI Mini 5 Pro worth buying? It is certainly impressive and will be useful to a large group of drone buyers.
It’s certainly not just an incremental update but a clear step up from the earlier Mini models and even holds its ground against the pricier and heavier Air 3S, especially if that one-inch camera sensor is the deciding factor in your choice.
The only potential deal breaker is the need to register the new drone but that might be a minor inconvenience if you consider excellent the images you will get from it
