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In what it claims is the first such attack in history, Ukraine has used drones to strike a pair of Russian Navy Be-12, a twin-turboprop amphibious aircraft. The raid appears to have targeted two of the extremely scarce seagoing planes, potentially halving the number of airframes available to Russia and leaving a question mark over […]
In Latvia, the wreckage of a Russian Gerbera drone was found on the coast. Parts of the drone washed up on the beach of Varva parish, Ventspils region. Latvian newspaper Sargs reported the incident. According to the publication, local residents came across the object while walking and immediately reported it to the security services. A group of […]
Authorities Investigate Serious Threat to Critical Infrastructure Copenhagen Airport, one of Northern Europe’s busiest travel hubs, was shut down for nearly four hours on Monday evening following reports of multiple drone incursions. The disruption, which began around 20:26 local time, forced the suspension of takeoffs and landings and caused widespread delays and diversions affecting tens […]
Agreement highlights growing demand for regional air mobility in Asia and beyond PLANA US, Inc. announced on September 22 that it has signed a letter of intent with VONAER, a Korea-based air mobility service provider, for the delivery of 20 hybrid electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The deal outlines the supply of 5 […]
CAPSTONE UAS to Showcase Logistics and CASEVAC Capabilities Under Project MORRIGHAN Certo Aerospace Ltd. has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) to demonstrate heavy-lift uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) capabilities. The agreement falls under Phase 2 of the MOD’s Project MORRIGHAN, which is evaluating the use of vertical take-off and […]
Company evolves from open-source drone software to global defense solutions Auterion has announced the close of a $130 million Series B funding round, led by Bessemer Venture Partners. The investment will accelerate the company’s push to deliver AI-enabled software for autonomous systems at scale, transforming how drones and other platforms are used in defense. From […]
DJI announced the Mini 5 Pro last week, and now I’m getting the obvious question from Mini 4 Pro owners: should I upgrade? And for people who are new to DJI’s line of Mini drones (or their most recent drone is something out of date, like a DJI Mini 2), it’s worth considering whether to get the Mini 5 Pro or save some money on the older model. Alas, in the debate between the Mini 5 Pro vs. Mini 4 Pro, the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
While the Mini 5 Pro represents a significant technological leap, the Mini 4 Pro remains an excellent drone that many users might not need to replace. Budget conscious pilots can likely rest easy knowing that they’ve got a high-quality drone if they choose to hold the cheaper DJI Mini 4 Pro over the 5.
Let’s break down exactly what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and whether the upgrade makes sense for your specific needs.
Mini 5 Pro vs. Mini 4 Pro: how to choose between DJI’s two newest Mini drones
The biggest difference between the Mini 5 Pro vs. Mini 4 Pro: the sensor
The biggest difference between the Mini 5 Pro and the Mini 4 Pro is quite literally, well, big. The key spec on this drone is its largest sensor size, where DJI jumped from a 1/1.3-inch sensor in the Mini 4 Pro to a full 1-inch sensor in the Mini 5 Pro.
Mini 4 Pro: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP Mini 5 Pro: 1-inch CMOS, 50MP
What’s so good about a larger sensor? Primarily that it captures more light. More light translates to better low-light performance, improved dynamic range and overall superior image quality.
The DJI Mini 5 Pro in flight. (Photo courtesy of DJI)
No matter how great a drone is, it doesn’t mean a whole lot if you can’t get your hands on it. The other major difference is availability.
DJI sells the Mini 4 Pro drone in the U.S., but it does not sell the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone in the U.S.
DJI hasn’t been too explicit about exactly why it sells the Mini 4 Pro in the U.S. but not the Mini 5 Pro, but it likely comes down to timing and regulatory climate.
It’s possibly due to it anticipating stricter regulations or wanting to avoid potential inventory issues if sudden restrictions were implemented (and it sounds like such restrictions are still on the table).
While DJI doesn’t officially sell the Mini 5 Pro in the U.S., determined buyers are finding workarounds, though none are ideal. Continue to search major retailers like Adorama and B&H Photo (they sporadically listed the Mavic 4 Pro drone, too). But move fast, as these listings appear and disappear quickly with limited stock and often inflated pricing.
International retailers may ship to the U.S., though this involves import duties, potential customs delays, and questionable warranty coverage. Some travelers purchase the drone while abroad, which is technically legal for personal use but creates complications if the device needs service or replacement.
If you don’t want to mess around with trying to even get a DJI Mini 5 Pro in the U.S., then don’t sweat. Instead, know the DJI Mini 4 Pro is a great drone — and you don’t have a hard decision to make any more.
And just to be clear, that all means even I haven’t gotten my hands on the DJI Mini 5 Pro yet. Typically I run extensive testing on drones (often even a few weeks before launching via a test unit provided by DJI!). I have no been able to do that here, so this comparison guide is all based on conversations with the DJI team and the official specs sheet.
DJI Mini 5 Pro vs. Mini 4 Pro specs side-by-side
With that out of the way, here’s a comparison of key specs on both drones:
Image Quality: The 1-inch sensor should deliver significantly better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Low-light performance, dynamic range, and overall image fidelity should all see meaningful improvements.
Creative Gimbal Capabilities: The 225° gimbal rotation is genuinely unique — no other drone offers this feature. Combined with true vertical shooting (vs. the Mini 4 Pro’s cropped vertical), content creators get substantially more creative options.
Night Flying: The 1-lux obstacle sensing with forward-facing LiDAR represents a major safety upgrade for low-light flying. The Mini 4 Pro’s 15-lux requirement means it struggles in dim conditions.
Slow Motion: 4K/120fps vs 4K/100fps might seem minor, but that extra frame rate provides noticeably smoother slow-motion footage.
Flight Time: Small but meaningful improvements in both standard (36 vs 34 minutes) and extended battery configurations (52 vs 45 minutes).
Where the Mini 4 Pro is still great
Availability and Support: You can actually buy a Mini 4 Pro, get warranty support, receive timely software updates and find accessories easily.
Ecosystem: A mature ecosystem of third-party accessories, cases, filters and support materials exists for the Mini 4 Pro.
Known Quantities: No surprises, no early adopter issues, no uncertainty about performance claims. (Remember, I haven’t even flown the DJI Mini 5 Pro myself!).
So, should you upgrade to the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone?
The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo. (Photo courtesy of DJI)
Definitely upgrade if:
You’re a professional content creator who needs the best possible image quality
Low-light photography/videography is important to your work
You create a lot of vertical content for social media
You frequently fly in challenging lighting conditions
You can actually get your hands on a Mini 5 Pro
Probably don’t upgrade if:
You’re happy with your Mini 4 Pro’s image quality
You primarily fly in good lighting conditions
The creative gimbal features aren’t important to your workflow
You’re in the U.S. and want hassle-free ownership
Budget is a significant concern
Consider upgrading if:
You’re planning to travel internationally and could purchase one abroad
You’re willing to deal with gray market purchases for cutting-edge tech
Image quality improvements would meaningfully impact your work
Mini 5 Pro vs. Mini 4 Pro: how to weigh both droes
The Mini 5 Pro represents a significant technological advancement that pushes mini drone capabilities into previously impossible territory. (hello 1-inch sensor in a sub-250g package!).
Just don’t feel bad if you can’t get your hands on the Mini 5 Pro, either for financial or practical reasons. Availability, support, ecosystem maturity and real-world usability all matter just as much as how good the specs are. Luckily, the Mini 4 Pro remains an excellent drone that serves most users’ needs extremely well.
For Mini 4 Pro owners, this isn’t a must-have upgrade unless specific features (image quality, night flying, creative gimbal) directly impact your work. For new buyers, the decision comes down to what you can actually purchase in your market and within your budget.
The Mini 5 Pro is certainly a leap into the future of mini drones. Still, the Mini 4 Pro remains a very solid present-day choice that won’t leave you disappointed.
Ongoing flight operations of the new YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft helped General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., set a new company record this week, pushing past a total of 9 million flight hours. GA-ASI has been tracking total flight hours across its fleet of unmanned aerial systems since the company’s inception 33 years ago. Its line […]
– Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. , a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets, announced that Elroy Air, a developer of autonomous aerial cargo systems for middle-mile logistics and military resupply, has selected Kratos as Elroy Air’s exclusive U.S. manufacturing partner for the Chaparral in a new five-year strategic manufacturing […]
