DJI Mini 4 Pro vs Mini 5 Pro: Is It Worth Upgrading?
DJI Mini 4 Pro vs Mini 5 Pro from our side-by-side review: the Mini 5 Pro's 1-inch sensor, LiDAR tracking and rotating gimbal against the cheaper, still-capable Mini 4 Pro.
Last updated August 25, 2026 · Kept current by the DroneXL newsroom
The DJI Mini 5 Pro succeeds one of DJI’s most successful drones, and this page runs through what actually changed against the Mini 4 Pro, based on our full side-by-side comparison.
The sensor is the headline change
The Mini 5 Pro’s 1-inch sensor is considerably larger than the Mini 4 Pro’s 1/1.3-inch, 48-megapixel sensor, and the difference is most visible in high-dynamic-range situations: bright sun, sunrise, sunset, or night shooting. The Mini 5 Pro’s 14 stops of dynamic range make a real difference in automatic settings under harsh light. In easier daytime conditions, the gap between the two cameras narrows considerably. The Mini 5 Pro also adds a 220-degree rotating gimbal, similar to the Mavic 4 Pro, and a new 48mm medium telephoto mode that simulates a second lens, though image quality on that tele mode is softer than the primary camera.
Flight time barely moved
Standard-battery flight time increased from a claimed 34 to 36 minutes, though real-world flying tends to land around 25 to 30 minutes on either drone, meaning this is not where the Mini 5 Pro earns its upgrade. The two drones’ batteries are not interchangeable: a Mini 4 Pro battery will physically fit and power on the Mini 5 Pro, but DJI advises against it since the combination hasn’t been sufficiently tested.
Tracking takes the bigger leap
The Mini 5 Pro adds a front-facing LiDAR sensor, improving both nighttime safety and tracking accuracy, paired with a smoother, smarter algorithm for following people and vehicles, including a dedicated cycling mode with a significant ActiveTrack speed boost. Transmission also moved from O4 on the Mini 4 Pro to O4 Plus on the Mini 5 Pro, though neither drone tends to have real signal issues outside dense urban obstacles.
Should you upgrade
If you shoot regularly at night, sunrise, sunset, or other difficult light, the Mini 5 Pro is a meaningful upgrade worth the cost. If you mostly fly in good daylight and don’t need LiDAR-assisted tracking, the Mini 4 Pro remains a genuinely capable, cheaper drone. See the Mini 5 Pro specs page and DJI Mini 5 Pro hub for ongoing coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DJI Mini 5 Pro worth upgrading to from the Mini 4 Pro?
For most people, yes, but with a real caveat: the biggest gains are in low-light performance and dynamic range. If you frequently shoot at night, sunrise, sunset, or other challenging light, the Mini 5 Pro's larger sensor is a genuine upgrade. In easier daylight conditions, the difference between the two cameras is much less noticeable.
What is the biggest camera difference between the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro?
Sensor size. The Mini 5 Pro's 1-inch sensor offers 14 stops of dynamic range and considerably better low-light visibility than the Mini 4 Pro's 1/1.3-inch, 48-megapixel sensor, a gap that shows up most in high-dynamic-range situations like shooting into the sun.
Does the Mini 5 Pro have significantly better flight time than the Mini 4 Pro?
Not dramatically. Standard-battery flight time rose from 34 to 36 claimed minutes, though real-world flight tends to land around 25 to 30 minutes on either drone. The batteries are not interchangeable between the two models even though a Mini 4 Pro battery will physically fit and power on.
Is the Mini 5 Pro's tracking really better than the Mini 4 Pro's?
Yes, and this is one of the clearest upgrades. The Mini 5 Pro adds a front LiDAR sensor for better nighttime safety and a smoother, smarter tracking algorithm for people and vehicles, including a dedicated cycling mode with significantly improved ActiveTrack speed.
DroneXL uses automated tools to support research and source retrieval. All reporting and editorial perspectives are by Haye Kesteloo and the credited author.