Before being sent toward Poland, Russian forces equipped Gerbera drones with additional fuel tanks to extend their range, a Ukrainian analyst known as Polkovnik GSh (war_home) said. In the standard configuration, the Gerbera carries a single fuel tank in its tail. The drones that crashed in Poland had an extra tank installed in the nose. […]
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has hailed progress on drones built by his country’s weapons developers, which include what appear to be clones of U.S. systems, and he stressed the importance of unnamed vehicles and artificial intelligence in modernizing his military, state media reported. Why It Matters Kim’s promotion of indigenous drone technology and […]
Lockheed Martin is developing new technology to allow F-35 fighter pilots to control drones. WSJ toured the company’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility to see the jets and futuristic tech. Source: Wall Street Journal Video
– TEKEVER, a European provider of AI-driven Autonomous Systems, announced that it has signed a Partnership Agreement with Apex Aviation, a pioneer in Taiwan’s general aviation industry, to bring TEKEVER’s advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and related products to Taiwan for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions tailored to the country’s defence and security needs. […]
Verizon Frontline Survey Highlights Growth in Drone Use Among First Responders A new survey from Verizon’s Frontline program indicates that public safety agencies are preparing for a major shift in technology adoption. The 2025 Verizon Frontline Public Safety Communications Survey shows that nearly half of first responders expect to use drones and robotics on a […]
Australian counter-drone technology firm DroneShield recently announced a significant expansion of its research and development (R&D) operations in the United States. This move emphasizes DroneShield’s commitment to expanding its research and development capabilities and will more than double their presence in the US. New Virginia Expansion As part of this strategic investment, DroneShield is adding […]
Kawasaki Motors Partners with Dronamics to Power Next-Generation Cargo Drones Partnership integrates advanced aero piston engines with the Black Swan cargo UAV Kawasaki Motors has announced a strategic partnership with Dronamics, the European cargo drone airline, to integrate advanced aero piston engines into the company’s flagship Black Swan platform. The collaboration marks Kawasaki’s renewed focus […]
DJI just dropped a bombshell with last week’s launch of the Mini 5 Pro, and it’s forcing us to reconsider everything we thought we knew about the trade-offs between portability and performance. For the first time ever, a sub-250g drone is packing the same 1-inch sensor found in DJI’s flagship Air series. But does that mean the Mini 5 Pro can actually compete with the Air 3S?
The short answer: it’s complicated. The longer answer involves some fascinating trade-offs that could fundamentally change how we think about drone categories.
Now caveat: while I have tested the DJI Air 3S myself, I have not personally flown the DJI Mini 5 Pro due to DJI not shipping it to the U.S. This comparison is based on specifications and features, not hands-on testing. It’s something I prefer not to do, as there’s often so much more to a drone than what its spec sheet will tell you, but c’est la vie.
The tale of two sensors (that are actually the same)
The standout spec on the new DJI Mini 5 Pro is its 50MP, 1-inch CMOS sensor. I’ve been covering the drone industry for about 12 years now, and this is unprecedented territory. Never before has a sub-250g drone had a sensor of this size.
But this is where I go back to the power of a drone beyond its specs. Guess what?! Having the same sensor doesn’t automatically mean identical image quality. I said it!
I absolutely love flying the DJI Air 3S and found its image quality wildly impressive. Sure, I haven’t flown the DJI Mini 5 Pro myself (yet), but I’m already thinking that the DJI Air 3S has several advantages that could translate to better real-world performance:
Air 3S advantages:
Larger body = more stable platform, thus potentially reducing micro-vibrations
Dual-camera system with telephoto lens offers more versatility
Mini 5 Pro potential advantages:
Then again, the DJI Mini 5 Pro has some key advantages that you won’t find on the DJI Air 3S
Identical sensor technology in a revolutionary form factor means you can take it more places (thus more chances to take on-the-fly shots)
225° gimbal rotation (something the Air 3S doesn’t offer) is ideal for TikTok or Instagram Reels
True vertical shooting capabilities
DJI Mini 5 Pro vs. Air 3S specs side-by-side
I know I said there is more to it than specs, but here are some other key specs, side-by-side
Portability: At 249.9g vs 724g, the Mini 5 Pro is nearly three times lighter than the DJI Air 3S. For travel photographers, this is key for convenience in reducing your luggage load. But the value goes far beyond that. It’s also about regulatory freedom.
The DJI Mini 5 Pro is lightweight and portable. (Photo courtesy of DJI)
The Mini 5 Pro doesn’t require FAA registration for recreational use and can be carried on international flights without many of the complications that heavier drones sometimes face. Other countries also tend to have licensing and registration rules, but often those also only apply to drones weighing 250 grams or more. (Of course, check with your airline and arrival country before flying with this or any drone.)
Creative gimbal design: The 225° gimbal rotation is genuinely unique. I’ve never seen this capability on any drone, let alone a mini drone (correct me if I’m wrong though!). Combined with true vertical shooting, the Mini 5 Pro offers creative possibilities that are especially useful for people who primarily post to TikTok or Instagram.
Value proposition: Prices vary by country, and again, you can’t buy it in the U.S. (yet). But at roughly a $350-USD equivalent less than the Air 3S, the Mini 5 Pro offers remarkable value — particularly if image quality proves comparable.
Where the Air 3S wins
Dual camera system: Here’s something the Air 3S has that the Mini 5 Pro does not: two cameras. The telephoto lens on the Air 3S provides genuine optical zoom capabilities that no amount of software can replicate on the Mini 5 Pro.
Flight time and stability: That extra weight isn’t just bulk — it provides stability in windy conditions (which is ideal for travel photographers flying in unpredictable environments, which might just be a breezier-than-normal beach day). It also houses a larger battery for 45-minute flights (though you could theoretically top that battery with the new Intelligent Flight Battery on the DJI Mini 5 Pro that would take you up to 52 minutes).
Built-in storage: 42GB of internal storage is a massive convenience factor, especially for travel photographers who frequently forget micro SD cards. Um, hello, that’s me.
U.S. availability: You can actually buy it in the U.S., which is perhaps the top winning point of all! No jumping through goofy hoops to get your hands on one. Plus, when buying it the direct route, you can get warranty support and receive software updates, which is critical to your long-term flying success.
In a perfect world where both drones were readily available, I suspect the choice would come down to specific use cases. The Mini 5 Pro is a remarkable piece of engineering, especially given its sub-250g package. The Air 3S remains a proven workhorse with features and reliability that justify its premium positioning.
The DJI Mini 5 Pro is lightweight and portable. (Photo courtesy of DJI)
Choose the Mini 5 Pro if:
You travel internationally frequently and need the sub-250g regulatory advantages
Portability is your top priority
You can actually get your hands on one (ah ha!)
Sally French, The Drone Girl, with the DJI Air 3S and the DJI RC 2. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)
Choose the Air 3S if:
You need proven, consistent performance for professional work
Wind resistance and stability are important for your flying conditions
You want the versatility of a dual-camera system
You’re in the U.S. and want full support and warranty coverage
Built-in storage and longer flight times matter to your workflow
Personally, I’m always traveling and value portability over anything. I also weigh price heavily, so if it were me, I’d buy the DJI Mini 5 Pro and save the remaining money for something else.
Given this world’s regulatory complexities and corporate decisions, the decision might have made for you. And hey, settling with the DJI Air 3S is definitely an a-okay way to go. I wouldn’t be mad if I “had” to buy the DJI Air 3S because I couldn’t find a Mini 5 Pro.
Lockheed Martin’s famed Skunk Works advanced projects division has lifted the lid on a new, higher-end stealthy Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) type drone named Vectis. The unmanned aircraft is designed to be highly adaptable to an operator’s requirements, whether they be in the United States or elsewhere around the world, and is expected to fly […]
In the Moscow region, the CEO of Umatex Group, the only Russian carbon fiber producer and a key supplier of raw materials for the production of Shahed/Geran drones, was found shot to death. The death of the Russian top manager was reported by the Russian channel Astra. The body of the CEO of a Russian company, […]
Before being sent toward Poland, Russian forces equipped Gerbera drones with additional fuel tanks to extend their range, a Ukrainian analyst known as Polkovnik GSh (war_home) said. In the standard configuration, the Gerbera carries a single fuel tank in its tail. The drones that crashed in Poland had an extra tank installed in the nose. […]
