The extra money for the DJI Mini 4 Pro buys three big things: a larger 1/1.3-inch, 48 MP sensor with 4K/60 HDR and 4K/100 slow motion, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, and ActiveTrack to follow subjects on its own. The Mini 4K is a basic 4K/30 drone with a small 1/2.3-inch sensor, downward sensing only and an older O2 video link. Get the Mini 4K to learn cheaply; get the Mini 4 Pro if you care about footage quality or want to fly near obstacles.
Specs side by side
| Mini 4 Pro | Mini 4K | |
|---|---|---|
| Takeoff weight | Under 249 g | Under 250 g |
| Sensor | 1/1.3-inch, 48 MP | 1/2.3-inch, 12 MP |
| Lens | 24 mm, f/1.7 | 24 mm, f/2.8 |
| Video | 4K/60fps HDR, 4K/100fps | 4K/30fps, 2.7K/60fps |
| Color | Normal, HLG, 10-bit D-Log M | Normal |
| Max bitrate | 150 Mbps, H.264/H.265 | 100 Mbps, H.264 |
| Gimbal | 3-axis, rotates for true vertical | 3-axis |
| Max flight time | 34 min | 31 min |
| Video link | O4, 20 km (FCC) | O2, 10 km (FCC) |
| Obstacle sensing | Omnidirectional | Downward only |
| Tracking | ActiveTrack | QuickShots (Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle, Boomerang) |
Specs from DJI's spec pages.
Camera quality
The Mini 4 Pro's sensor is much larger, and its lens is brighter (f/1.7 vs f/2.8). That means cleaner video at sunrise, sunset and overcast days, more detail in shadows and skies, and 48 MP photos. HDR video and 10-bit D-Log M give you room to grade. The Mini 4K records 8-bit Normal color only, which looks fine straight out of the camera in good light but has less room for editing. See Mini 4 Pro photo quality.
Safety and ease of flying
Both hover steadily with GPS and downward vision, and both return home on low battery or signal loss. The difference is what happens near obstacles. The Mini 4K can't see trees or walls, so you must avoid them yourself. The Mini 4 Pro senses in all directions in good light and can brake or fly around obstacles, which also makes its ActiveTrack and waypoint flights practical.
Video link
O4 on the Mini 4 Pro sends a sharper, steadier live view (up to 1080p) than O2's 720p feed on the Mini 4K. US rules keep you within sight anyway, but the stronger link helps behind trees and in busy RF areas.
Registration and rules
Both are under 250 g with their standard batteries, so recreational pilots don't register them. Everyone takes the free TRUST test. The Mini 4 Pro's optional Battery Plus pushes it over 250 g, which means registration. See FAA registration.
Which should you buy?
- Mini 4K: first drone, tight budget, open spaces, casual 4K clips.
- Mini 4 Pro: travel and landscape video, real estate, following people or vehicles, anything you'll edit.
We don't stock the Mini 4K. Our lowest-cost option is the Mini 2 SE, which shares the Mini 4K's airframe and 1/2.3-inch sensor but records up to 2.7K. If you're stretching for 4K, the Mini 3 is a middle step with a 1/1.3-inch sensor.
Still deciding? Try the drone finder or read is the Mini 4 Pro worth it.
Related guides
- DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4K: which should you buy?
- DJI Mini series compared: Mini 2 SE vs Mini 3 vs Mini 4 Pro vs Mini 5 Pro
- DJI Avata 2 vs Mini 4 Pro: FPV fun or all-round camera drone?
- DJI Flip vs Mini 4 Pro: which should you buy?
- DJI Flip vs Mini 4K: which beginner drone?
- DJI Mini 3 vs Mini 4 Pro: which should you buy?
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