Get the Mini 5 Pro if image quality, range or flight time matter: it has a 1-inch, 50 MP sensor, a 3-axis gimbal and 36 minutes of rated flight. Get the Neo 2 if you mostly want quick clips of yourself, since it launches from your palm and follows you with no controller. Note that DJI never officially launched the Neo 2 in the US; the original DJI Neo is the US-supported option in that style.
Size and weight
The Neo 2 weighs 151 g and fits in a jacket pocket. The Mini 5 Pro weighs 249.9 g with its standard battery and folds to about the size of a phone. Both stay under 250 g, so neither needs FAA registration for recreational flying (the Mini 5 Pro's Battery Plus pushes it over). Business flying needs Part 107 for both.
Camera
| Mini 5 Pro | Neo 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 1-inch, 50 MP | 1/2-inch, 12 MP |
| Gimbal | 3-axis | 2-axis (tilt, roll) |
| Top video | 4K/60 HDR, 4K/120 slow motion | 4K/60 (4K/100 with a controller) |
| Photo format | JPEG and RAW | JPEG |
The Mini 5 Pro's sensor is roughly four times the area of the Neo 2's, which shows in low light, sunsets and anything you want to crop or print. Its gimbal also rolls for true vertical shots.
Controls and tracking
The Neo 2 is designed to fly without a controller: palm takeoff and landing, gesture control, phone control and voice control through DJI Fly. DJI says it tracks people at up to 12 m/s and can avoid obstacles while following from the front or sides, thanks to omnidirectional monocular vision and a forward LiDAR. Phone control over Wi-Fi is short range; an optional transceiver adds O4 for up to 10 km (FCC) with the RC-N3 or goggles.
The Mini 5 Pro comes with a controller and uses O4 transmission rated to 20 km (FCC). It has ActiveTrack, omnidirectional binocular vision and forward LiDAR, so it can also follow you on a bike or trail, with better footage. You just have to launch it from the ground or the controller.
Flight time
The Mini 5 Pro is rated at 36 minutes, or 52 minutes with the Battery Plus. The Neo 2 is rated at about 19 minutes, or 17 with its prop guards on. On a hike, that's the difference between one long sequence and a few short clips per battery.
Price and US availability
We sell the Mini 5 Pro in limited stock: $835 with the RC-N3, or $1,209 for the Fly More Combo with the DJI RC 2, three batteries and a charging hub. DJI didn't officially launch it in the US either, so ask us whether a US Care Refresh plan is available for it.
The Neo 2 is not something we can sell. For a palm-launch drone with US support, the original DJI Neo costs $186, or $411 for the Fly More Combo with the RC-N3. It's lighter (135 g) but has a 1-axis gimbal, 4K/30 video and no obstacle sensing. See which DJI products the ban affects.
Bottom line
The Mini 5 Pro does everything the Neo 2 does except launch from your hand, and does it with much better image quality. Choose a Neo only when pocket size and speed matter more than the footage.
Compare more small drones in our best drone under 250 g guide or the Mini series collection.
Related guides
- DJI Mini 4 Pro vs Neo 2: which small drone should you buy?
- Which DJI products are affected by the ban? (Mini 5 Pro, Neo 2, Osmo 360)
- Can you fly the DJI Mini 5 Pro without a controller?
- DJI Avata 2 vs Mini 5 Pro: which should you buy?
- DJI Flip vs Mini 5 Pro: vlog drone or pro camera?
- DJI Flip vs Neo 2: which small selfie drone?
Not sure which to pick?
Tell us what you'll fly and your budget. One of our drone pilots will reply with a recommendation.
Buying drones for a business, agency or store? Get wholesale pricing →
