Right here’s the excellent news: DJI simply introduced what is perhaps probably the most spectacular mini drone ever created. Right here’s the dangerous information: if you happen to’re in the USA (like me), you possibly can’t truly purchase it.
The DJI Mini 5 Professional, launched at this time, represents an enormous leap ahead for compact drone know-how. For the primary time ever, DJI has managed to cram a full 1-inch sensor — the identical dimension present in a lot bigger, costlier digicam drones — right into a palm-sized drone that weighs just below 250 grams. It’s mainly the very best of all of the worlds in a single itty bitty drone.
Oh, and it prices lower than the U.S. equal of $1,000 — assuming you will get your palms on it.
DJI Mini 5 Professional: all the pieces you must know
The elephant within the room: U.S. availability
Earlier than I dive into my breakdown of the DJI Mini 5 Professional, let’s handle the elephant within the room. I haven’t truly flown this drone myself.
Very similar to the current Mavic 4 Professional launch in Might 2025, the Mini 5 Professional isn’t obtainable immediately from DJI within the U.S. market. DJI hasn’t offered a transparent clarification for this choice, although hypothesis factors to ongoing regulatory tensions and potential issues about future restrictions.
As for me? It means I’ve not reviewed this drone myself. Usually, DJI gives evaluate models forward of main launches, permitting me to check new drones completely earlier than recommending (or not recommending!) them to readers. I’ll get just a few days to some weeks to be taught as a lot in regards to the drone as I can, earlier than sending it again to DJI (no, I don’t get free drones).
However as a result of DJI is just not transport this drone to the U.S., I haven’t been in a position to get hands-on time with the Mini 5 Professional, interval. I’m writing this text primarily based fully on DJI’s specs and advertising and marketing supplies — hardly preferrred when evaluating a product that prices a few thousand {dollars} (roughly, relying in your market).
By the way in which: the shortage of official availability doesn’t imply the drone gained’t finally attain U.S. clients by means of third-party retailers or worldwide purchases. With the Mavic 4 Professional, we often noticed the drone pop up on main U.S. retailers like Adorama and B&H Photograph, however these listings had been sporadic at finest. Items would seem, promote out rapidly, then disappear for weeks or months. After they had been obtainable, pricing was usually inflated in comparison with worldwide markets.
You even have to contemplate guarantee assist. When you’ve got an issue along with your drone, guarantee claims should meet particular standards, together with that you should contact DJI Help with legitimate proof of buy. Usually, the factors thought-about embody the product subject, utilization, buy particulars and whether or not the product is inside the guarantee interval or not.
However with that out of the way in which, let’s dive into what appears to be like like a unbelievable little drone (if you will get it).
DJI Mini 5 Professional: key specs
The Mini 5 Professional’s headline function is undoubtedly its 50MP, 1-inch CMOS sensor. That’s a real first for the mini drone class. Whereas many drone upgrades nowadays lean on advertising and marketing fluff to beef up specs to sound extra spectacular than they’re, this one really is. A 1-inch CMOS sensor actually makes for an enormous digicam improve that so far we’ve solely seen in higher-end digicam drones, that means higher picture high quality, particularly in difficult lighting circumstances.
Listed here are another key DJI Mini 5 Professional specs:
- Sensor: 50MP 1-inch CMOS
- Video: 4K/60fps HDR (as much as 14 stops dynamic vary), 4K/120fps slow-motion
- Flight Time: As much as 36 minutes (52 minutes with Clever Flight Battery Plus)
- Gimbal: 3-axis with 225° roll rotation
- Impediment Avoidance: Omnidirectional with forward-facing LiDAR
- Weight: Below 250g
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5)
The imaging capabilities prolong past only a bigger sensor. DJI has added a 48mm Med-Tele mode for higher digital zoom efficiency, 10-bit H.265 video recording and enhanced low-light capabilities with ISO efficiency as much as 12,800 (3,200 in D-Log M and HLG modes).
DJI Mini 5 Professional: prime options
What units the Mini 5 Professional aside isn’t simply uncooked specs — it’s how these specs translate into real-world flying experiences.
True Vertical Taking pictures eliminates the necessity to crop footage for social media websites like Instagram Reels or TikTok, which depend on vertical video fairly than horizontal video. This seemingly small function that would save content material creators vital modifying time. From there, options just like the 225° gimbal rotation make potential pictures that had been beforehand unattainable on mini drones, resembling dynamic rotating pictures.
Nightscape Omnidirectional Impediment Sensing addresses one of many greatest ache factors for drone pilots: flying safely in low-light circumstances. The forward-facing LiDAR system can detect obstacles like buildings even when your eyes can’t, making golden hour and blue hour pictures considerably safer.
Upgraded ActiveTrack 360° guarantees smarter topic monitoring with situation detection. With this, the drone can supposedly acknowledge whether or not you’re filming a seashore stroll or a motorcycle journey and alter its monitoring habits accordingly.
Who the DJI Mini 5 Professional is finest for
The DJI Mini 5 Professional is ideal for:
- Critical journey photographers who want DJI Air 3S-level picture high quality however don’t need to lug round a 724g drone on journeys.
- Content material creators who prioritize the distinctive 225° gimbal rotation and true 90° vertical capturing
- Evening pictures lovers who will profit from the 1-lux impediment sensing and superior low-light efficiency
- Upgraders from older mini drones who’ve been ready for a real pro-level sensor
Possibly not preferrred for:
- Mini 4 Professional house owners who’re happy with their present picture high quality (the soar from 1/1.3″ to 1″ sensor, whereas vital, could not justify the improve value)
- Funds patrons who might get 90% of the potential from a Mini 4 Professional (it’s simpler to get your palms on within the U.S. anyway!)
- Informal flyers who don’t want the superior impediment avoidance or prolonged flight occasions and is perhaps good with one other easy, light-weight drone just like the DJI Flip.
Equipment and upgrades for the DJI Mini 5 Professional
Together with the launch of the DJI Mini 5 Professional, DJI additionally dropped just a few new equipment, together with:
- DJI Clever Flight Battery Plus — extends flight time from the usual 36 minutes to an eye-popping 52 minutes
- ND Filter Set — essential for controlling publicity and mastering the top quality pictures you clearly need with that bigger sensor
- Carrying Case — defend that costly 1-inch sensor throughout journey
Is that this the very best journey drone on the market?
DJI is clearly positioning the Mini 5 Professional as the last word journey drone. I haven’t examined it myself to really title it because the finest journey drone (thus usurping the present winner, the DJI Air 3s). However the specs are compelling. It doesn’t require FAA registration (staying beneath 250g), and — given its dimension — it could additionally keep away from registration or licensing guidelines in another nations, which will be handy for vacationers.
Different options like impediment avoidance are additionally crucial for journey photographers who are sometimes flying in unfamiliar environments. And with options like vertical capturing, these journey pictures simply flip into nice TikTok or Instagram fodder.
All that, and this small however mighty drone doesn’t compromise on picture high quality, all due to that 1-inch sensor.
How to consider the DJI Mini 5 Professional drone
The DJI Mini 5 Professional is an absolute dream, particularly for journey photographers. It gives skilled picture high quality, clever flight options, a formidable 1-inch sensor and true portability in a single package deal.
However the U.S. availability state of affairs casts a shadow over what needs to be a celebration of drone know-how development. Till that state of affairs resolves, American pilots are left to admire the Mini 5 Professional from afar — a irritating place for a product that appears to verify each field on the mini drone wishlist.
For these exterior the U.S. or prepared to navigate the complexities of worldwide buying, the Mini 5 Professional appears to be like prefer it could possibly be the brand new gold customary for compact drones. And possibly if you happen to’re a journey photographer, you would possibly simply get your palms on one if you’re overseas. (In fact, do at all times adhere to customs guidelines when returning to the U.S.).
Pricing and world availability
Talking of getting your palms on one, there’s no price ticket for USD as a result of it’s not offered within the U.S. Nevertheless, DJI has introduced base pricing for different markets:
- Canada: $769 USD (excluding tax)
- United Kingdom: £689 GBP (together with tax)
- European Union: €798 EUR (together with tax)
- Japan: ¥106,700 JPY (together with tax)
- Singapore: $739 USD (together with tax)
Notice: The Canadian pricing is listed in USD on DJI’s web site, and this shouldn’t be thought-about a proxy for potential U.S. pricing if the drone finally turns into obtainable domestically.
And because it sometimes does, DJI can also be promoting a “Fly Extra Combo” model which incorporates additional bells and whistles like a case, extra spare batteries and propellers, and ND filters. Costs range by market.
At round $740-$770 equal for its beginning value, the Mini 5 Professional sits in premium territory for mini drones. For context, the Mini 4 Professional launched at $759, making the Mini 5 Professional competitively priced regardless of the numerous sensor improve. It’s additionally cheaper than the Air 3S (which generally retails for $1,099).
The pricing technique suggests DJI is positioning this as a premium journey drone — costlier than entry-level choices just like the $200 DJI Neo however considerably cheaper than bigger skilled drones with related imaging capabilities.
What do you consider the DJI Mini 5 Professional? Will you’re employed to get your palms on one? Inform me within the feedback!
Associated
Uncover extra from The Drone Woman
Subscribe to get the most recent posts despatched to your e-mail.
