DJI Mini 5 Pro Vs Mini 4 Pro: Which Should You Buy?

Last updated: October 3, 2026

The Mini 5 Pro is DJI’s most capable mini drone yet, with a 1-inch sensor and LiDAR in a palm-sized body, while the Mini 4 Pro is the proven model it builds on. On paper the newer drone wins almost everywhere, but weight rules and US availability make the choice less obvious than it looks.

Here’s how the DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro compare on camera, obstacle sensing, flight time and weight, plus what US buyers need to know in 2026.

Quick Answer

Mini 5 Pro: better image quality from a 1-inch sensor, 4K at up to 120fps, LiDAR-assisted night obstacle sensing, longer flights and 42 GB of storage.
Mini 4 Pro: firmly under 249 g with the standard battery, proven and widely available, with excellent 4K/60fps HDR video.
US buyers: DJI hasn’t officially launched the Mini 5 Pro in the US, and a pending FCC proposal could affect drones with LiDAR.

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DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro: Specs Compared

Spec	Mini 5 Pro	Mini 4 Pro
Weight (standard battery)	About 249.9 g, ± 4 g per DJI	Under 249 g
Weight (Plus battery)	Over 250 g	Over 249 g
Sensor	1-inch CMOS, 50 MP	1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48 MP
Lens	f/1.8, 24mm equivalent	f/1.7, 24mm equivalent
Max video	4K up to 120fps; 1080p up to 240fps	4K up to 100fps; 1080p up to 200fps
10-bit color	D-Log M and HLG, plus 10-bit Normal mode	D-Log M and HLG (Normal mode is 8-bit)
Vertical shooting	225-degree gimbal roll	90-degree gimbal rotation
Obstacle sensing	Omnidirectional vision plus forward LiDAR	Omnidirectional vision
Video transmission	O4+, up to 20 km (FCC)	O4, up to 20 km (FCC)
Max flight time	36 min standard; 52 min Plus battery	34 min standard; 45 min Plus battery
Max wind resistance	12 m/s	10.7 m/s
Internal storage	42 GB	2 GB
Max speed (S mode)	18 m/s	16 m/s
Subject tracking	Upgraded ActiveTrack 360	ActiveTrack 360

Specs are from DJI’s official specification pages. Flight times are measured by DJI in ideal conditions, so expect less in wind and cold.

Camera and Video

The Mini 5 Pro’s 1-inch sensor is the headline upgrade. A bigger sensor gathers more light, which helps most at sunrise, sunset and at night. It also records 4K at up to 120fps for slow motion, versus 100fps on the Mini 4 Pro, and it can shoot 10-bit color even in Normal mode, which gives you more room when editing.

Both drones shoot 4K/60fps HDR and support D-Log M and HLG. For vertical video, the Mini 5 Pro’s gimbal rolls up to 225 degrees for creative angles, while the Mini 4 Pro rotates 90 degrees for true vertical shooting. The Mini 5 Pro also adds a 48mm medium-telephoto photo mode.

Obstacle Sensing and Night Flying

Both drones have omnidirectional vision sensing, which is a big help for beginners. The Mini 5 Pro adds a forward-facing LiDAR sensor that DJI says detects obstacles from about 0.5 to 25 meters ahead, and DJI calls the system Nightscape omnidirectional sensing because it works better in low light. If you fly at dusk or use return-to-home after sunset, that’s a real safety upgrade.

Flight Time, Wind and Range

DJI rates the Mini 5 Pro at 36 minutes with the standard battery and 52 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, compared with 34 and 45 minutes for the Mini 4 Pro. The Mini 5 Pro also handles stronger wind, 12 m/s versus 10.7 m/s, and it’s a little faster. Both use DJI’s O4-family video transmission with a rated range of up to 20 km under FCC rules.

Weight, Registration and Remote ID

Weight matters because of FAA rules. Recreational drones that weigh less than 250 grams don’t need to be registered, but drones that weigh 250 grams or more do, and registered drones must comply with Remote ID. Every recreational pilot must also pass the free TRUST test, whatever the drone weighs.

Mini 4 Pro with the standard battery: under 249 g, so no registration or Remote ID for recreational flying.
Mini 5 Pro with the standard battery: DJI lists about 249.9 g with a tolerance of ± 4 g, so an individual drone can weigh 250 g or more. Weigh yours, and register it if it’s 250 g or over.
Either drone with the Plus battery: over the limit, so it must be registered and comply with Remote ID.

Can You Buy the Mini 5 Pro in the US?

DJI said at launch in September 2025 that the Mini 5 Pro wouldn’t be officially available in the US, and in February 2026 a DJI spokesperson said it still wasn’t officially launched or imported by DJI. Units do appear through third-party retailers and Amazon sellers, so check who is selling it and what warranty support you get.

The bigger picture is the FCC. In December 2025, the FCC added foreign-produced drones and drone components, including DJI’s, to its Covered List, which blocks new equipment authorizations. The FCC said this doesn’t stop the import, sale or use of models it had already authorized, and it later allowed firmware updates for those drones to continue until at least January 1, 2029.

Worth watching

In July 2026, the FCC proposed ending the import and marketing of some already-authorized foreign drones, including models with LiDAR sensors, which could affect the Mini 5 Pro. Owners would be able to keep flying. As of September 2026 it was still a proposal, so check the latest news before you buy.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the Mini 5 Pro if image quality and low-light flying matter most, you want 4K/120fps slow motion, and you’re comfortable buying from a third-party seller.
Buy the Mini 4 Pro if you want a proven drone that stays under 249 g with the standard battery, wide availability and the RC 2 screen controller in the box.
Buy neither if you mainly want simple selfie videos; a smaller drone like the DJI Neo 2 is easier to fly.

Where to Buy

DJI Mini 5 Pro

Best Image Quality

The Mini 5 Pro pairs a 1-inch, 50MP sensor with 4K video at up to 120fps, a 225-degree roll gimbal, LiDAR-assisted obstacle sensing for night flights and 42 GB of internal storage. DJI hasn't officially launched it in the US, so buy from a seller you trust and confirm warranty support.

Key specs

1-inch CMOS, 50 MP
4K up to 120fps; 10-bit D-Log M and HLG
Omnidirectional vision plus forward LiDAR
36 min standard, 52 min Plus battery

Pros

Best image quality in a mini drone
Safer night flights
Plenty of built-in storage

Cons

May weigh 250 g or more, which requires registration
Not officially sold by DJI in the US

See It on Amazon

DJI Mini 4 Pro with DJI RC 2

Best Under-249g Pick

The Mini 4 Pro stays under 249 g with its standard battery, records 4K/60fps HDR with true vertical shooting, and has omnidirectional obstacle sensing and ActiveTrack 360. This kit includes the DJI RC 2 screen controller, so you don't need to fly from your phone.

Key specs

1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48 MP
4K/60fps HDR; 4K up to 100fps
Omnidirectional vision sensing
34 min standard, 45 min Plus battery

Pros

No registration for recreational use with the standard battery
Screen controller included
Proven and reliable

Cons

Smaller sensor than the Mini 5 Pro
Only 2 GB of internal storage

See It on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the DJI Mini 5 Pro under 250 grams?

DJI lists about 249.9 g with the standard battery, with a tolerance of ± 4 g, so some units can weigh 250 g or more. With the Plus battery it’s well over 250 g.

Do I need to register a DJI Mini 4 Pro?

Not for recreational flying with the standard battery, since it weighs under 249 g. With the Plus battery, it must be registered and comply with Remote ID. You still need to pass the free TRUST test either way.

Can I buy the DJI Mini 5 Pro in the US?

DJI hasn’t officially launched it in the US, but third-party sellers offer it. A pending FCC proposal could affect drones with LiDAR, so check the latest news before buying.

Which drone is better in low light?

The Mini 5 Pro. Its 1-inch sensor gathers more light, and its LiDAR-assisted sensing helps with obstacle avoidance at night.

Is the Mini 4 Pro still worth buying in 2026?

Yes. It shoots excellent 4K/60fps HDR video, stays under 249 g with the standard battery and is widely available.

The Bottom Line

In the DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro comparison, the Mini 5 Pro is the better drone, with a bigger sensor, LiDAR and longer flights. The Mini 4 Pro is the simpler buy in the US: it stays under 249 g with the standard battery and avoids the availability questions around the newer model.

DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro: Camera, Weight, Flight Time and US Availability (2026)