These two sit at opposite ends of DJI's Mini line. The Mini 4K is a low-cost starter drone with a 1/2.3-inch, 12 MP camera, 4K at 30 fps and downward sensing only. The Mini 5 Pro is DJI's flagship Mini, with a 1-inch, 50 MP sensor, 4K at up to 120 fps, omnidirectional sensing with forward LiDAR and 36-minute flights. Buy the Mini 4K to learn cheaply; buy the Mini 5 Pro if image quality and safety near obstacles matter.
Specs side by side
| Mini 5 Pro | Mini 4K | |
|---|---|---|
| Takeoff weight | About 249.9 g | Under 250 g |
| Sensor | 1-inch, 50 MP | 1/2.3-inch, 12 MP |
| Lens | 24 mm, f/1.8 | 24 mm, f/2.8 |
| Video | 4K/60fps HDR, 4K/120fps | 4K/30fps, 2.7K/60fps |
| Color | Normal, HLG, 10-bit D-Log M | Normal |
| Photo format | JPEG, RAW | JPEG, RAW |
| Max flight time | 36 min | 31 min |
| Video link (FCC) | 20 km | O2, 10 km |
| Obstacle sensing | Omnidirectional + forward LiDAR | Downward only |
| Wind resistance | 12 m/s | 10.7 m/s |
| Smart modes | ActiveTrack, waypoints | QuickShots |
Specs from DJI's spec pages.
What the price difference gets you
A much bigger sensor. The Mini 5 Pro's 1-inch sensor has several times the area of the Mini 4K's 1/2.3-inch sensor. That's the difference between clean dusk footage and noisy, smeared shadows. It's also why the Mini 5 Pro's photos hold up for prints and real estate work.
Real obstacle avoidance. The Mini 4K can't see obstacles in front, behind or to the sides. The Mini 5 Pro can, and it uses that to brake or route around trees while tracking you.
Better video tools. 4K/120 slow motion, HDR and 10-bit log for grading. The Mini 4K records 8-bit Normal color only.
Longer, steadier flights. Five more rated minutes, higher wind rating and a stronger video link.
What the Mini 4K does well
It's simple. GPS hover, return-to-home, QuickShots and a 3-axis gimbal cover what a beginner needs to learn and get smooth daylight clips. If you crash while learning, you lose far less.
Registration and rules
Both weigh under 250 g with standard batteries, so recreational pilots don't register them. The Mini 5 Pro's Battery Plus takes it over 250 g, which requires registration. Take the free TRUST test before your first flight and check where you can fly.
What we sell
We don't stock the Mini 4K. Our closest budget model is the Mini 2 SE, which shares the Mini 4K's airframe and sensor size but records up to 2.7K. If the Mini 5 Pro is more than you want to spend, the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3 sit in between.
The Mini 5 Pro is in limited US stock because DJI didn't officially launch it here; see is DJI banned in the US. Still unsure? Try our drone finder.
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