The DJI Mini 4 Pro is one of the most highly anticipated drones in DJI’s Mini lineup, offering incredible value with enhanced capabilities, advanced features, and a compact design. As the successor to the highly successful Mini 3 Pro, the Mini 4 Pro introduces notable upgrades that make it an even more appealing choice for both casual hobbyists and serious drone enthusiasts. This review delves into its specifications, performance, and overall experience, so you can understand what makes the Mini 4 Pro stand out.
Design and Build Quality
The DJI Mini 4 Pro maintains the compact, foldable design that has become synonymous with the Mini series. It is lightweight, weighing only 249 grams, which means it’s still within the legal weight limits for registration-free flying in many countries. This portability makes it an excellent choice for travel and outdoor activities. Despite its small size, the drone feels solid and well-constructed, with a sleek, modern finish.
The Mini 4 Pro features upgraded obstacle sensors on the front, back, and bottom, ensuring that it can fly with greater confidence in complex environments. Additionally, the gimbal is slightly improved over its predecessor, offering enhanced stability and smoother footage.
Key Features and Specifications
- Camera System:
- The Mini 4 Pro is equipped with a 1/1.3-inch sensor that allows for stunning 4K video recording at up to 60 fps. This sensor provides superior low-light performance, allowing for clearer shots in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
- The camera supports HDR video, enabling it to capture high dynamic range with more vivid and true-to-life colors.
- The drone also supports up to 48MP still images, giving you highly detailed photos that are perfect for both casual shooters and professional photographers.
- The three-axis mechanical gimbal provides exceptional stabilization, ensuring your video is as smooth as possible, even in windy conditions or during fast movements.
- Flight Performance:
- Battery Life: The Mini 4 Pro comes with an upgraded battery that provides up to 34 minutes of flight time with the standard battery and 45 minutes with the larger battery option. This is a significant improvement over its predecessor, giving you more time to capture breathtaking footage.
- Range: Thanks to the DJI O4 transmission system, the Mini 4 Pro boasts an impressive range of up to 12 km (7.5 miles) in ideal conditions. This range is more than enough for most recreational and professional uses.
- Maximum Speed: The Mini 4 Pro can reach speeds of up to 19 m/s (around 42 mph), making it ideal for high-speed shots or capturing fast-moving subjects.
- Obstacle Avoidance: With the addition of sensors on the front, back, and bottom, along with the downward-facing vision system, the Mini 4 Pro offers robust obstacle detection. This allows for safer flying, particularly in tighter or more challenging environments.
- Advanced Flight Modes:
- ActiveTrack 360: This is one of the standout features for video creators and content enthusiasts. ActiveTrack 360 can automatically track a subject while maintaining a safe distance and avoiding obstacles, making it easier to capture dynamic shots, whether you’re following a moving person, car, or any other subject.
- FocusTrack: The drone offers several modes under FocusTrack, such as ActiveTrack, Point of Interest, and Spotlight. These modes provide flexibility for cinematic shots and make it easier for users to execute complex maneuvers.
- Waypoints: Another highly anticipated feature is the ability to create pre-defined flight paths using waypoints. This allows for precise flight routes and can be useful for creating repeatable shots or survey-type flights.
- Mastershots and Quickshots: These are automated flight paths that allow you to create stunning aerial sequences with minimal effort. Whether you’re shooting a video for social media or a more professional production, these modes give you creative flexibility without requiring expert piloting skills.
- Intelligent Flight Modes:
- The DJI Mini 4 Pro integrates several intelligent flight modes such as Return to Home (RTH), Smart RTH, and Low Battery RTH, ensuring that the drone automatically returns to its starting point if it loses signal or the battery gets critically low.
- Gesture Control: You can take selfies or start filming by simply gesturing at the drone, making it more intuitive and fun to use.
Camera Performance
The camera performance is one of the most significant improvements over the Mini 3 Pro. The 1/1.3-inch sensor offers better low-light performance, allowing you to capture bright and clear footage in dusk or dawn conditions. It also allows for a wider dynamic range, making shots appear more natural with detailed shadows and highlights.
4K video at 60 fps gives you exceptional video quality, and for those who want cinematic slow-motion shots, the Mini 4 Pro supports up to 120 fps in 1080p, which is excellent for smooth, dramatic shots. The addition of advanced HDR makes the Mini 4 Pro ideal for shooting in high-contrast scenes, where bright skies and dark landscapes often create difficult shooting conditions.
The 48MP stills are impressive, capturing sharp and detailed images with accurate color reproduction. You can also use the camera for creative shots like panoramas, timelapse, and hyperlapse, offering additional flexibility for capturing stunning content.
Battery and Charging
The DJI Mini 4 Pro uses the same battery as its predecessor but offers a slight increase in capacity, improving flight time by up to 34 minutes with the standard battery and 45 minutes with the extended battery. Charging the battery is quick, and the Mini 4 Pro supports fast-charging via a USB-C port. You can also use a power bank to charge the drone while on the go, which adds a level of convenience during outdoor excursions.
Control and Software
The Mini 4 Pro uses the DJI RC-N1 controller (which is compatible with the Mini 3 Pro) or the newer DJI RC Pro controller, which provides a better screen for those who prefer not to use a mobile device. The new DJI RC Pro controller offers enhanced usability with a 5.5-inch built-in screen, providing a bright and clear display even in direct sunlight. The software integration is top-notch, with the DJI Fly app offering a simple yet powerful interface for flight control, media management, and access to intelligent flight modes.
Price and Value
Priced at a premium compared to previous Mini models, the DJI Mini 4 Pro’s price reflects its expanded capabilities, which makes it more suitable for both prosumers and hobbyists alike. However, considering the camera quality, flight time, and advanced features, it is still one of the best-value drones on the market, especially for users looking for a high-performance drone that doesn’t break the bank.
Final Verdict
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a compact powerhouse with an exceptional camera, advanced flight features, and impressive performance. Whether you’re a casual user looking to take your first drone or a more experienced flyer seeking a lightweight and capable machine, the Mini 4 Pro offers an unbeatable combination of portability, performance, and affordability. Its powerful camera, extended flight range, and sophisticated obstacle avoidance make it a great option for content creators, adventurers, and anyone looking to elevate their aerial photography or videography.
Full Specifications:
- Weight: 249 g (without battery)
- Camera:
- Sensor: 1/1.3-inch CMOS
- Max Video Resolution: 4K 60fps
- Max Stills Resolution: 48MP
- Gimbal: 3-axis mechanical gimbal
- Battery Life:
- Standard Battery: Up to 34 minutes
- Extended Battery: Up to 45 minutes
- Range: 12 km (7.5 miles) with DJI O4 transmission
- Max Speed: 19 m/s (42 mph)
- Obstacle Sensors: Front, back, and bottom
- Flight Modes: ActiveTrack 360, FocusTrack, Mastershots, Quickshots, Waypoints
- Charging: USB-C, fast charging supported
- Intelligent Features: Return to Home (RTH), Gesture Control, Smart RTH
- Price: Varies by configuration (typically around $759 for the basic kit, more for additional accessories)
