DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro
For new buyers who care about image quality, yes: the DJI Mini 5 Pro is the better drone. Its 1-inch sensor, 4K/120fps with 10-bit D-Log M, higher bitrate, LiDAR-assisted sensing and longer maximum flight time justify the listed $899 against $759 for the Mini 4…
DJI Mini 5 Pro
$899
DJI Mini 4 Pro
$759
Technical Specifications
Last updated: Oct 2026| Feature | DJI Mini 5 Pro | DJI Mini 4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 249.9g | < 249g |
| Dimensions | 157×95×68 mm | 148×94×64 mm |
| Volume | 1017 cm³ | 893 cm³ |
| Max Speed | 19 m/s | 16 m/s |
| Max Flight Distance | 32 km | 25 km |
| Sensor Size | 1-inch CMOS | 1/1.3-inch CMOS |
| Megapixels | 50 MP | 48 MP |
| Max ISO | 12800 ISO | 6400 ISO |
| Flight Time | 52 mins | 45 mins |
| Max Resolution | 4K/120fps | 4K/100fps |
| Movie Bitrate | 130 Mbps | 150 Mbps |
| Field of View | 84° | 82.1° |
| Transmission Range | 20km (O4+) | 20km (O4) |
| Wind Resistance | 12 m/s | 10.7 m/s |
| Obstacle Avoidance | Omnidirectional (Lidar) | Omnidirectional |
| Battery Power | 2788 mAh | 2590 mAh |
| Charge Time | 1.15 hours | 1.17 hours |
| Internal Storage | 42 GB | 2 GB |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Obstacle Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Return to Home | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Battery | Yes | Yes |
| Shoots RAW | Yes | Yes |
| HDR Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Best For | Photographers and filmmakers who want the best image quality in a mini drone | Travel creators who mostly shoot in daylight |
| Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 |
| Max Video Bitrate | 130 Mbps | 150 Mbps |
| Vertical Shooting | True Vertical | True Vertical |
The 1-inch sensor is the real upgrade
The Mini 5 Pro moves to a 1-inch sensor and records 4K at up to 120fps; the Mini 4 Pro uses a 1/1.3-inch sensor and tops out at 4K/100fps. The Mini 5 Pro also records at a higher bitrate with 10-bit D-Log M. In daylight, for social posts, the difference is modest. It grows in low light, in high-contrast scenes and when footage is graded for client work.
Flight time, speed and weight
DJI's maximum flight-time figures are 52 minutes for the Mini 5 Pro and 45 for the Mini 4 Pro; listed top speeds are 19 m/s and 16 m/s. Real flights come in shorter once wind, cold and a return reserve are counted.
Both sit just under 250 g with the standard battery (DJI lists 249.9 g for the Mini 5 Pro). The Mini 5 Pro's Plus battery brings it to about 295 g, which means registration in most countries; see the registration-by-weight guide. DJI changed the battery form factor, so Mini 4 Pro batteries won't fit the Mini 5 Pro. Factor that in if you were planning to reuse spares.
Obstacle sensing: both omnidirectional, the Mini 5 Pro adds LiDAR
Both drones sense in every direction. The Mini 5 Pro adds LiDAR to the system. Neither is collision-proof: thin wires, reflective surfaces, low light and high speed still cause problems, so route planning stays the pilot's job.
For a deeper look at each model, see the Mini 5 Pro analysis and the Mini 4 Pro analysis.
DJI Mini 5 Pro
Strengths
- 1-inch sensor, the better choice for low light
- 4K/120fps HDR with 10-bit D-Log M
- Up to 52 minutes maximum flight time
- Omnidirectional sensing with LiDAR
Drawbacks
- Listed at $899, $140 more than the Mini 4 Pro
- Slightly larger when folded
- Plus battery takes it to about 295 g
- Batteries are not compatible with the Mini 4 Pro
DJI Mini 4 Pro
Strengths
- Omnidirectional obstacle sensing
- 4K/100fps HDR with true vertical shooting
- O4 transmission up to 20 km
- Listed at $759
Drawbacks
- 1/1.3-inch sensor limits low-light quality
- No mechanical shutter
- Only 2 GB internal storage
Is the Mini 5 Pro worth $140 more than the Mini 4 Pro?
For new buyers who care about image quality, yes: the DJI Mini 5 Pro is the better drone. Its 1-inch sensor, 4K/120fps with 10-bit D-Log M, higher bitrate, LiDAR-assisted sensing and longer maximum flight time justify the listed $899 against $759 for the Mini 4 Pro.
If you already own a Mini 4 Pro and mostly shoot in daylight for social media, the upgrade isn't urgent. The Mini 4 Pro still has omnidirectional sensing, 4K/100fps HDR, true vertical shooting and a 20 km O4 link. The case for switching is low-light work, longer flights and serious color grading.
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Context and limitations
This comparison helps buyers choose between DJI Mini 5 Pro and DJI Mini 4 Pro by translating the specification table into camera, flight, safety, workflow and value decisions. Recommendations are matched to user needs rather than based on a single headline number.
Limitations
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Alihan Demirdaş is the founder and editor of Drone Ranker. A software developer by profession, he researches drones the way he reads code: from the primary documents. Every review, comparison and news story on the site is written by him from manufacturer specification sheets, FCC and EU certification filings, aviation-authority rules and dated press releases, with the source linked. Unless a page is labelled hands-on, the analysis is documentary; when an aircraft is in his hands, the page says so and carries his own photographs and flight notes. He covers consumer, professional and agricultural drones and is based in Türkiye.