The best drones for night photography and low-light video are the DJI Mini 5 Pro, Air 3S and Mavic 4 Pro. All three have large sensors (1-inch or 4/3) and forward LiDAR that helps obstacle sensing in the dark. But no consumer DJI drone has "night vision": they record visible light, so they need some light in the scene. To see in true darkness you need a thermal drone, such as the enterprise Matrice 4T.
Does DJI have night vision?
Not on consumer drones. Mini, Air, Mavic, Avata, Neo and Flip models use normal visible-light cameras. They do well at dusk, in cities and under streetlights, but they can't see a person in a dark field. Enterprise thermal drones do: the Matrice 4T has a 640 x 512 thermal camera, a night scene mode for its visible cameras and an NIR auxiliary light. For surveillance, search and rescue or wildlife work at night, that's the category to look at. See cheapest thermal drone.
Best overall for low light: DJI Air 3S
The Air 3S has a 1-inch wide camera and video ISO up to 12800 in Normal color, plus forward LiDAR that DJI uses for nightscape omnidirectional sensing. It's sold officially in the US with Care Refresh, and its 70 mm tele helps for city skylines. See Air 3S night mode.
Best light option: DJI Mini 5 Pro
The Mini 5 Pro packs a 1-inch sensor and f/1.8 lens into a 249.9 g drone, with ISO up to 12800 in Normal color and forward LiDAR. It's the best low-light Mini DJI has made, though US stock is limited. See Mini 5 Pro night mode.
Best image quality: DJI Mavic 4 Pro
The Mavic 4 Pro's 4/3 Hasselblad sensor is the largest of the three and gives the cleanest night photos, especially in long exposures. It also has forward LiDAR and 51 minutes of rated flight. See Mavic 4 Pro night mode.
Night photo and video tips
- Shoot RAW photos and use low ISO with longer exposures; hold the drone in a steady hover in calm wind.
- For video, keep the shutter at about double the frame rate and raise ISO only as needed.
- Scout in daylight so you know where trees and wires are. Obstacle sensing works less well in the dark, even with LiDAR.
- Turn on the drone's lights or add a strobe, and keep it in sight.
More in drone night photography.
Night flying rules
You can fly at night in the US with the right lighting. Part 107 pilots need current training and anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles. Recreational pilots need lighting that shows the drone's location and orientation at all times. See can you fly a drone at night.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Related guides
- Best drone for photography (2026)
- DJI Air 3S night mode and low-light video: what to expect
- DJI Flip night mode and low-light video: what to expect
- DJI Mavic 4 Pro night mode and low-light video: what to expect
- DJI Mini 5 Pro night mode and low-light video: what to expect
- Drone night photography and video settings
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