DJI's Mini 5 Pro: A Major Upgrade with 1-Inch Sensor and Enhanced Features
DJI has just launched their new Mini 5 Pro, and from what I'm seeing, it's a significant upgrade. The most exciting part? It's the first in the Mini series to sport a 1-inch sensor camera. For those who aren't photography nerds, that means better video quality, especially in low light. And let's be honest, who doesn't want clearer night-time shots?
DJI didn't just stop there. They've updated nearly every other feature as well. We're talking improved obstacle detection, extended range, enhanced subject tracking, and more. All this, while keeping the price comparable to the previous Mini 4 Pro. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, right?
The Mini 5 Pro is a tad bigger than its predecessor, but it still weighs under 250 grams. This is great news because it means you can fly it without needing a permit in many places. A standout feature is the inclusion of LiDAR sensors on the front. These sensors allow the drone to detect and avoid obstacles even when flying at night in low light conditions. Plus, they enable Return-to-Home (RTH) functionality in low light, even without a GPS signal.
It also comes equipped with six omnidirectional sensors, ensuring obstacle detection in every direction. This keeps the drone safe during ActiveTrack 360 maneuvers and when flying in confined spaces. I think it is very important to have these sensors, so you dont have to worry much while flying your new drone.
The camera module is noticeably larger now, all thanks to that 1-inch, 50MP sensor. This sensor is a significant leap from the 1/1.3-inch sensor found in the Mini 4 Pro. It's the same size as the one in the Air 3S, which means improved low-light performance and finer details, but at a lower price point. The video resolution has been bumped up slightly to 4K at 120 fps, compared to the previous 100 fps.
With 10-bit D-LogM capture, the Mini 5 Pro promises a dynamic range of up to 14 stops for easier color grading. The increased resolution also allows for a 2x zoom without any significant loss in quality. DJI has even added an enhanced portrait mode, optimizing brightness, contrast, and skin tones to match the performance of their popular Pocket 3 gimbal cam.
Enhanced Tracking and Gimbal
The gimbal now offers up to 225 degrees of roll, allowing for true vertical video and the ability to capture rotating footage. It also supports intelligent modes like QuickShot Rotate, Timelapse, Spotlight, and Waypoint Flight. Furthermore, DJI has upgraded its ActiveTrack 360 function, making subject tracking safer and more stable, especially during activities like cycling.
Battery life has also seen an improvement, with up to 36 minutes of flight time, or 52 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus. Interestingly, the charging time has been reduced to just 115 minutes for three batteries using the two-way charging hub and DJI 65W portable charger. The maximum transmission distance remains unchanged at 20 km in the US and 10 km in Europe, utilizing DJI's O4+ system.
The Mini 5 Pro is available with either the standard RC-N3 controller or the RC-2 screen controller, which debuted with the DJI Air 3. If you can swing it, I'd recommend the RC-2, as its screen is bright enough for use on sunny days and it's much more convenient overall.
From my initial tests, the video and photo quality is noticeably better, with less noise, sharper details, and more accurate colors. The dynamic range is also improved, especially in sunny conditions when shooting with the D-LogM setting.
I think the biggest improvement seems to be its low-light shooting capabilities. While the Mini 4 Pro produced noisy or splotchy videos in low light, the Mini 5 Pro delivers relatively clean video up to ISO 3200 or even ISO 6400. The new highest ISO setting of 12,800 does introduce noticeable grain, but the video is still usable with sufficient light. Night-time cityscapes are now much cleaner with higher detail, less noise, and more saturated colors.
I've also had success with DJI's new LiDAR and ActiveTrack 360 capabilities. The Mini 5 Pro avoids fine branches better than before, and its algorithms create smoother, safer trajectories when I manually adjust the camera angles. The LiDAR also performs well at night, though it can be a bit cautious at times.
While more testing is needed, the Mini 5 Pro looks like a worthy successor to the Mini 4 Pro. Pricing starts at €799/£689 with a battery, and goes up to €1,129/£979 for the Fly More Combo with the RC-2 controller.
Source: Engadget