DJI has just released the DJI Mini 5 Pro, and like many drone enthusiasts, I’ve been eager to see how it stacks up against the Mini 4 Pro and the Air 3S, two drones I currently fly and love. The Mini 5 Pro introduces some notable upgrades, but the big question for me is: Is it enough to replace my existing drones?
My Current Setup: Mini 4 Pro & Air 3S
I’ve been flying the Mini 4 Pro since July 2024, and the Air 3S joined my kit in January 2025. Together, they cover all my needs as an amateur videographer and travel content creator on YouTube:
- Mini 4 Pro: lightweight and unrestricted in built-up areas thanks to its sub-250g weight. Perfect for cityscapes and tight flying conditions.
- Air 3S: superior image quality with its dual-lens system (wide + 70mm telephoto), longer 45-minute flight time, and rock-solid stability in higher winds.
This combination has been ideal, so the Mini 5 Pro has some big shoes to fill if it’s going to replace either of them.
DJI Mini 5 Pro: What’s New?
The DJI Mini 5 Pro makes a handful of incremental but meaningful upgrades over the Mini 4 Pro:
- 1″ sensor (up from the Mini 4 Pro’s 1/1.3″ sensor) – promising sharper images and better low-light performance.
- 4K 120fps video (vs. 4K 100fps on the Mini 4 Pro).
- Greater gimbal rotation for more creative shots. Manually rotate the gimbal,
- Improved ActiveTrack with smarter subject tracking.
- Omnidirectional obstacle sensing with LiDAR for safer flights.
- 36 minutes of flight time (slightly better than the Mini 4 Pro’s 34 minutes).
- Horizontal speed increased to 19 m/s (up from 15 m/s).
- Wind resistance improved to 12 m/s (up from 10.7 m/s).
- Massive internal storage boost to 42GB (compared to just 2GB on the Mini 4 Pro).
More great features worth mentioning:
- New gimbal and prop guard in one – for quicker setup times.
- Auto power on when opening arms – quicker startup times.
- Push and twist propeller swap – no more screwdrivers when swapping propellers.
- Clip-on ND filters – easily add ND filters without twisting off and swapping.
- One camera allows two focal lengths, 24mm and 48mm, including lossless 2x zoom.
- New charging hub charges 3 batteries in 115 minutes (Mini 4 Pro charger hub takes 3 hours)
- New side button on the drone for quick file transfer initiation.
On paper, it’s a fantastic set of upgrades, especially for those buying their first sub-250g drone.
See the full comparison chart here on the DJI website.
The Weight Issue: Still Under 250g (But Barely)
One thing DJI made clear is that the Mini 5 Pro stays under the critical 250g threshold for unrestricted flight in built-up areas on the A1 category. The catch? It weighs 249.9g, meaning even the slightest addition (like attaching a flier ID sticker) technically pushes it over the limit.
That’s a big deal for hobbyists in the UK and Europe, where weight categories directly affect where you can legally fly without extra licensing. It’s something potential buyers really need to consider.
I noticed the disclaimer on the DJI website suggests that there might actually be a + or – 4g weight discrepancy, so be sure to weigh and check local laws before flying this drone:
I’ve seen some YouTube videos with people weighing their drone, and they are coming up slightly over the 250g mark! Be careful people.
Should You Upgrade From the Mini 4 Pro?
For those considering an upgrade from their Mini 4 Pro, I don’t think the improvements are significant enough to justify spending another £689–£979, unless you have a specific need for the new features. The 1″ sensor is noticeably better in terms of image quality (as seen on the Air 3S), and for those working with 4K video or large-scale photography projects, the upgrade could be worthwhile.
But if you’re flying mainly for recreation or casual content creation, I’d struggle to recommend the jump. The Mini 4 Pro is still an incredible drone and already ticks most of the boxes for hobbyists.
Of course, there will always be those who simply want the latest and greatest tech. If that’s you, and you’ve got the budget, then by all means, go for it. The Mini 5 Pro won’t disappoint.
Why I Won’t Be Replacing My Drones (Yet)
As tempting as the Mini 5 Pro is, it’s not enough to replace my Mini 4 Pro and Air 3S combo:
- The Air 3S still outperforms it in most meaningful ways: longer 45-minute battery life, better stability in wind, and the benefit of dual lenses.
- Thanks to my A2 CofC license, I can fly the Air 3S in many built-up areas anyway, closing the gap in convenience.
- The Mini 5 Pro’s improvements over the Mini 4 Pro, while nice, aren’t groundbreaking enough for me to justify an upgrade.
That said, if I were buying fresh today with no drones in my bag, I’d absolutely go for the Mini 5 Pro over the Mini 4 Pro. It’s a significant upgrade.
Pricing: No Drop for the Mini 4 Pro (Yet)
Interestingly, DJI has priced the Mini 5 Pro at the same level as the Mini 4 Pro:
- £689 for the standard package (with RC-N3 controller).
- £979 for the Fly More Combo. (with RC2 controller)
I expected the Mini 4 Pro price to drop following the new release, but so far it hasn’t. At equal pricing, the Mini 5 Pro is the better buy, just be mindful of that near-limit weight. For those who are interested, you can view the entire DJI Drone release timeline here.
Final Thoughts
The DJI Mini 5 Pro is a solid update with a bigger sensor, smarter tracking, a much-needed internal storage upgrade, and improved flight safety. It’s arguably the best sub-250g drone on the market right now.
But for me, it doesn’t replace my Mini 4 Pro and Air 3S combination. The Air 3S still delivers superior quality and flexibility, while the Mini 4 Pro already gives me everything I need in built-up flying scenarios.
Verdict: If you’re new to DJI’s drone lineup, the Mini 5 Pro is a no-brainer. But if you already own the Mini 4 Pro, and especially if you pair it with something like the Air 3S, the upgrade may not be worth it unless you’re chasing that 1″ sensor or just love having the newest gear.
Quick update note 26/09/25 – Summary from Alex Harris / Drone Specialist on YouTube
I’m not sure if any of you follow or have seen Alex’s videos on YouTube, but he recently sent out an email summarising the Mini 5 Pro, so I wanted to share this with you. Be sure to check out his Mini 5 Pro video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_qZORjzSHw
Alex’s Summary
- 1-inch f1.8 sensor on a tiny body is impressive
- Battery is shorter now 21 minutes (more demanding drone)
- 2x cropped shooting mode is inexplicably REALLY good
- Image Processing/Exposure Balancing continues to improve
- Auto Mode shoots in 14 stops of dynamic range
- Daylight shooting nearly identical to Mini 4 Pro
- Low-light & Lighting extremes hefty improvement
- Lidar means obstacle avoidance even at night
- All 60fps or lower is HDR, all 4K is 10-bit
- C0 Rated DESPITE being overweight