The DJI Mini 4 Pro is one of the most exciting drones to come out in 2023. Building on the success of its predecessors, the Mini 4 Pro offers a powerful set of features that make it a serious contender in the compact drone category. Whether you’re a hobbyist, a content creator, or someone looking to enter the world of drones, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is designed to meet your needs without compromising on performance, portability, or price.
It comes packed with features that can compete with larger, more expensive models but it is still part of DJI’s Mini series, known for its lightweight design, easy portability, and affordability. So don’t let the small size fool you—this drone packs a punch. With high-quality sensors, cameras, a good flight time and smart features like obstacle avoidance and intelligent flight modes, the Mini 4 Pro is ready to deliver professional-grade results without driving the price tag up too high.
Key Features
Before diving into the performance, let’s go over the key features that make the Mini 4 Pro stand out.
- Camera Capabilities: The Mini 4 Pro comes equipped with a 48 MP camera, capable of shooting 4K/60fps HDR video. This is a significant upgrade from the Mini 3 Pro, giving you more resolution and greater dynamic range for breathtaking shots, even in challenging lighting conditions like sunsets or low-light environments.
- Obstacle Avoidance: One of the most noteworthy upgrades in the Mini 4 Pro, compared to Mini 3, is its omnidirectional obstacle sensing. This system, powered by advanced sensors and forward, backward, and downward-facing cameras, ensures the drone can detect and avoid obstacles in all directions, making flying easier and safer.
- Enhanced Battery Life: The Mini 4 Pro boasts a battery life of up to 34 minutes of continuous flight, depending on conditions. This gives you plenty of time to explore, capture stunning footage, or complete a full mission without worrying about the battery running out mid-flight.
- Intelligent Flight Modes: DJI continues to offer impressive intelligent flight modes, including FocusTrack (ActiveTrack, Spotlight, and Point of Interest), Smart RTH (Return to Home), and Mastershots, all of which make it easier to create cinematic footage without requiring expert piloting skills.
- Portability: As with previous Mini models, the Mini 4 Pro is incredibly lightweight and compact, weighing just 249 grams. This makes it extremely portable, allowing you to take it with you on all your adventures without worrying about carrying extra weight.
- Advanced Controller: The Mini 4 Pro comes with an advanced controller, featuring a high-quality display, making it easier to view your footage and manage controls while flying. The upgraded controller also supports a stable and longer-range connection for smoother flights.
Design and Build Quality
One of the standout features of the DJI Mini 4 Pro is its lightweight and portable design. Weighing in at just 249 grams, the Mini 4 Pro is incredibly easy to transport, whether you’re hiking through the mountains, traveling to exotic destinations, or simply flying in your backyard.
Despite its small size, the Mini 4 Pro feels sturdy and well-constructed. The arms fold neatly against the body, making it easy to fit into a backpack or a small carrying case. The design has a sleek and modern look with a mix of matte and glossy finishes, giving it a premium feel without being overly flashy.
Camera Performance of DJI Mini 4 Pro
The most important feature for many drone enthusiasts is the camera, and the Mini 4 Pro doesn’t disappoint. The 48 MP camera provides impressive image quality with rich detail and vibrant colors, even in challenging conditions. It can shoot 4K video at up to 60 fps, delivering cinematic-quality footage with smooth and stable results.
- Low-Light Performance: The Mini 4 Pro’s camera excels in low-light environments, thanks to its 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor. The dynamic range has also been improved, allowing the camera to capture more detail in both highlights and shadows. This is particularly helpful for sunset or nighttime shoots when other drones may struggle.
- HDR Video: One of the biggest upgrades over previous models is the 4K/60fps HDR video capabilities. HDR allows for more vivid, lifelike colors, making your footage look professional-grade without additional post-production work.
- 48 MP Photos: The Mini 4 Pro’s 48 MP photos are rich in detail and sharpness, giving you the ability to crop or enlarge your shots without losing quality. It’s perfect for landscape photographers or those looking to capture high-quality images for commercial use.
- Panorama and Smart Shots: The Mini 4 Pro also includes panorama modes, which let you capture stunning wide-angle shots with ease. The Smart Shots feature, like Quickshots and FocusTrack, allow you to get professional-quality cinematic shots with minimal effort.
Flight Performance and Stability
The flight performance of the Mini 4 Pro is incredibly smooth, and it’s clear that DJI has focused on enhancing its stability. The drone features GPS+ positioning, which helps it maintain steady flight in challenging conditions, including high winds or rapid maneuvers.
- Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance: The obstacle avoidance system on the Mini 4 Pro has been significantly improved. It now uses multiple sensors to detect and avoid obstacles in all directions—front, back, and downward. This makes flying the drone in tight spaces or crowded areas much safer and easier.
- Wind Resistance: The Mini 4 Pro is designed to handle winds up to 10 m/s, making it capable of flying in moderate winds. However, you should avoid flying in very strong winds, as the lightweight design can make it less stable in gusty conditions.
- Intelligent Flight Modes: The Mini 4 Pro offers a wide range of intelligent flight modes that make it easy for users to capture stunning shots. The FocusTrack feature allows you to track moving subjects, while Smart RTH ensures the drone returns safely to its takeoff point with a push of a button.
- Flight Time: The Mini 4 Pro boasts a flight time of up to 34 minutes with its standard battery, providing you with time to explore and capture stunning footage without the need to recharge to soon. For those who plan longer flight sessions extra batteries is an invaluable addition.
Controller and Connectivity
The DJI Mini 4 Pro comes with an upgraded RC controller that features a high-quality display and enhanced connectivity. The controller is responsive and easy to use, with customizable buttons and a comfortable grip for long flying sessions.
- Battery Life: The controller has its own long-lasting battery, providing up to 4 hours of flight time, so you won’t need to worry about running out of power during a session. The bright display on the controller ensures you can clearly see your footage, even in bright sunlight.
- Connectivity: The Mini 4 Pro uses OcuSync 4.0, which provides a stable connection between the drone and the controller. This allows for longer-range flights and better video transmission with less interference. The range of the Mini 4 Pro is up to 20 km (12.4 miles), giving you the ability to capture stunning aerial footage over vast distances.
Safety Features
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is packed with safety features to help ensure a smooth and safe flying experience.
- Obstacle Avoidance Sensors: The drone uses an advanced obstacle avoidance system to detect objects in its path and avoid collisions. This includes sensors on the front, back, and bottom, which help it navigate safely through challenging environments.
- Intelligent Return to Home (RTH): The Mini 4 Pro’s RTH feature has been improved, allowing the drone to return to its takeoff point automatically in the event of a weak signal or low battery. This provides peace of mind during flights, especially if you’re flying far from home.
- Geo-Fencing: DJI has integrated geo-fencing features into the Mini 4 Pro, which can prevent the drone from flying into restricted airspace. This helps keep you in compliance with local regulations and ensures your drone stays safe.
Conclusion
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is an exceptional drone for anyone looking for a high-quality, portable, and easy-to-fly drone with powerful features. Whether you’re capturing stunning 4K video, taking high-resolution photos, or simply exploring the skies, this drone offers everything you need to get started with aerial photography. It’s an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced drone enthusiasts alike, thanks to its user-friendly controls, advanced obstacle avoidance, and intelligent flight modes.
For hobbyists and professionals looking for an affordable yet powerful drone, the Mini 4 Pro is undoubtedly one of the best options available on the market. It’s the perfect blend of performance, portability, and price, making it a must-have for any aerial photography enthusiast.
Looking for more options? Check out our other reviewed drones.