DJI Mini 5 Pro for real estate photography

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is one of the best value drones for real estate photography. Its 1-inch, 50 MP sensor shoots RAW (DNG) photos with enough detail and dynamic range for exteriors and twilight listings, its 24 mm f/1.8 lens covers whole properties, and omnidirectional vision plus a forward LiDAR helps around trees and rooflines. It weighs about 249.9 g, but paid real estate work still needs a Part 107 certificate and FAA registration.

Why it suits listings

Image quality. A 1-inch sensor is a big step up from the 1/1.3-inch sensors on earlier Minis, which helps with bright skies and shaded facades in the same frame.
RAW photos. DNG files let you recover highlights and correct white balance in editing. See editing real estate drone photos.
Video. 4K at up to 120fps, so you can slow down reveal shots.
Vertical shooting. The gimbal rotates for true vertical photos and video for agents' social posts.
Long flights. Up to 36 minutes per standard battery means more of a property per battery.
Wind. Rated for 12 m/s, which matters on open lots and coastal homes.
Obstacle sensing. Omnidirectional binocular vision, forward LiDAR and a downward infrared sensor.

Best settings for real estate

Photos in RAW (DNG), or RAW plus JPEG if agents want quick previews.
50 MP for hero exteriors; 12 MP when you need digital zoom (1 to 3x).
Exposure: keep ISO low and let the shutter slow down in good light. Shoot several exposures of tricky scenes and blend them in editing.
Height: most listing shots look best between roof height and about 30 m, angled to show the home and lot. Very high shots make the house tiny.
Video: 4K/30 for listing videos, slow and steady movements, Cine mode for smooth speed.
ND filters for video in bright sun, so you can keep a natural motion blur. The Mini 5 Pro ND filter set has ND8, 32 and 128.

Use a shot list so you don't forget angles: real estate drone shot list.

The rules for paid work

In the US, real estate photography is commercial flying under Part 107, even for an agent's own listing:

The pilot needs an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate.
The drone must be registered, even though it's under 250 g with the standard battery.
The Mini 5 Pro has built-in Standard Remote ID, so no add-on module is needed.
Check airspace before every job. Many neighborhoods sit inside controlled airspace near airports and need LAANC authorization.

See real estate drone license and Mini 5 Pro Remote ID.

Limits to know

One focal length. There's no telephoto camera, only digital zoom.
Small drone in wind. It's rated for 12 m/s, but gusts still affect a 250 g drone more than a heavier one. Keep a margin.
Interiors. It can fly indoors with care, but for fly-through video an FPV drone with guards is safer. See Avata 2 for real estate.

Mini 5 Pro or something bigger?

For most agents and solo photographers, the Mini 5 Pro is enough. Step up to an Air 3S for a 70 mm telephoto camera, or a Mavic 4 Pro for a Four Thirds sensor and three lenses. Compare more in best drone for real estate photography.

Shop the DJI Mini 5 Pro, from $835.