The launch of the new **DJI Mini 5 Pro** drone introduces a 1-inch sensor and advanced vertical shooting capabilities, significantly enhancing the filming experience for travel, action, and social media enthusiasts. This compact drone promises longer flight times, improved tracking, and enhanced low-light obstacle sensing, addressing common challenges faced by users who seek high-quality footage without the need for constant manual adjustments.
In a hands-on review by **Gene Nagata**, the Mini 5 Pro was evaluated in various real-world scenarios, showcasing its features and performance. The drone supports **4K video** at up to **120 frames per second**, improving dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions. The inclusion of a forward-facing **LiDAR unit** enhances obstacle avoidance, allowing the drone to navigate safely in lower light environments.
Features that Elevate Filming
One of the standout features of the Mini 5 Pro is its **true vertical shooting** capability, which allows the camera to rotate instead of cropping, preserving image quality for vertical video formats. The gimbal is designed to tilt upward without interference from the propellers, ensuring that users can capture stunning footage from various angles.
The upgraded **ActiveTrack** technology allows the drone to follow subjects at higher speeds with greater stability, minimizing the twitchiness often associated with lateral movements. Nagata demonstrates this by using box framing to allow the drone to intelligently recompose shots, making tracking appear deliberate rather than automated. In bypass mode, the Mini 5 Pro effectively weaves through branches while maintaining speed, and in normal mode, it detects obstacles at greater distances, resulting in earlier braking.
The drone’s specifications include a **50 MP** sensor, **4K HDR** video capabilities with up to **14 stops** of dynamic range, and a **maximum ISO** of **12,800** in standard modes. Users will appreciate the **42 GB internal storage**, which acts as a backup when SD cards are forgotten. The clip-on ND filter design facilitates quick changes without disturbing the gimbal, enhancing usability during shoots.
Performance and User Experience
The real-world performance of the Mini 5 Pro’s battery was evaluated by comparing it to the **Mini 4 Pro**, highlighting its extended usability before reaching critical battery levels. The **Intelligent Flight Battery** allows for flight times of up to **36 minutes**, offering significant improvements for aerial photography and videography.
The **LiDAR-based nightscape sensing** feature ensures that obstacle avoidance remains active even as ambient light decreases, reducing “land now” alerts when flying at dusk. This capability results in a smoother flying experience, especially in complex environments. In sport mode, the drone can reach higher speeds with obstacle avoidance disabled, giving users more control during rapid maneuvers.
Image quality has seen notable improvements, with enhanced shadow detail in backlit scenes compared to previous models. The **medium telephoto option**, achieved through an in-camera crop, produces cleaner images than digital zooms from the wide-angle master.
Overall, the **DJI Mini 5 Pro** combines innovative technology with user-friendly features, making it an appealing choice for both amateur and professional content creators. The comprehensive review by Nagata provides valuable insights into its flight behavior, image quality, and safety systems, ensuring potential buyers know what to expect from this advanced drone.
For more details and a visual demonstration, viewers can check out Nagata’s full video review.