Monday, March 31, 2025

Find out how to choose from two nice digicam drones

When DJI launched the all new Flip drone in January 2025, I puzzled if it could cannibalize the DJI Mini 4 Professional. In spite of everything, their digicam is almost equivalent in high quality. Why ought to somebody pay $759 for the Mini 4 Professional after they pays simply $439 for the DJI Flip?

If all you prioritize in a digicam drone is, effectively, the digicam — then go forward and save your cash and simply order the Flip. Certainly it’s a terrific drone, if my DJI Flip evaluate is any indication. However there’s much more to a terrific drone than simply the digicam specs, which makes your choice much less simple. Between the DJI Flip vs. Mini 4 Professional, you’re evaluating some key options, together with the latter having impediment avoidance however the former missing that characteristic.

So in a battle versus the DJI Flip vs. Mini 4 Professional, which do you have to go for? Right here’s an in depth comparability between these two strong digicam drones, and my tackle what to contemplate so you may determine which drone is the proper match for you.

DJI Flip vs. Neo: how to decide on between two nice entry-level drones

DJI Flip in a nutshell

Sally French, The Drone Woman, opinions the DJI Flip with the DJI RC 2. (Picture by Hamilton Nguyen)

The DJI Flip departs from DJI’s previous designs as a compact, vlog-focused drone weighing underneath 249 grams. Although different DJI drones fold, none fold fairly like this one, which has full-coverage propeller guards for security.

It’s a extremely good digicam drone, with its highly effective 48MP digicam and AI-powered capturing modes optimized for social media.

It’s additionally fairly good within the wind, providing 10.7 m/s wind velocity resistance. And, it may possibly fly for 31 minutes on one battery.

Learn my full DJI Flip evaluate.

DJI Mini 4 Professional in a nutshell

DJI Mini 4 ProDJI Mini 4 Pro
The Mini 4 Professional.

At $759, the Mini 4 Professional is a premium compact drone that provides the identical digicam as what you get with the Flip, together with 4K HDR video at 100fps. Different specs are additionally related, like 10.7 m/s wind velocity resistance and a sub-250 gram weight.

It’s dearer, nevertheless it additionally has some extra tricked-out options, together with superior impediment sensing. It’s additionally a bit extra highly effective, capable of fly 34 minutes on one battery (or 45 minutes should you’re utilizing the Clever Flight Battery Plus).

It’s preferrred for extra critical creators who demand professional-grade options in a travel-sized package deal.

Learn my full DJI Mini 4 Professional evaluate.

DJI Flip vs. Mini 4 Professional: side-by-side

Listed below are some key options on each drones, in contrast:

Function DJI Flip DJI Mini 4 Professional
Weight
Digital camera Sensor 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP
Video Decision 4K/60fps HDR, 4K/100fps gradual movement 4K/60fps HDR, 4K/100fps gradual movement
Efficient pixels 48 MP 48 MP
Design Foldable with full-coverage propeller guards Foldable arms
Max Takeoff Altitude 3000 m 3000 m
(4000 m with Clever Flight Battery)
Max Wind Pace Resistance 10.7 m/s (Degree 5) 10.7 m/s (Degree 5)
Max Flight Distance 14 km 178 km (with Clever Flight Battery)

25 km (with Clever Flight Battery Plus)

Video transmission O4 O4
Impediment sensing Downward: one visible sensor and an infrared sensor
Ahead: 3D Infrared Sensing System
Omnidirectional binocular imaginative and prescient system, supplemented with a 3D infrared sensor on the backside of the plane.
Flight Time 31 minutes 34 minutes (with Clever Flight Battery)

45 minutes (with Clever Flight Battery Plus)

Management Choices Distant, smartphone, voice management Distant, smartphone
Value $439 (base)
$639 (with DJI RC 2)
$759 (base)
$959 (with DJI RC 2)

And right here’s these specs in a extra detailed evaluate:

Digital camera and video high quality

DJI Flip: The 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor affords the identical decision because the Mini 4 Professional, delivering gorgeous 48MP pictures and 4K HDR video. It’s preferrred for vloggers and content material creators who need vertical capturing modes for platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

DJI Mini 4 Professional: The Mini 4 Professional additionally includes a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and 48MP decision.

There are some slight variations, just like the DJI Flip affords D-Log M colour mode whereas the Mini 4 Professional can pop a bit extra with 8-bit 4:2:0 (H.264/H.265) or HLG/D-Log M: 10-bit 4:2:0 (H.265)

Winner: Tie – Typically talking, the cameras are remarkably related.

Security and usefulness

Folding up the DJI Flip. (Picture by Hamilton Nguyen)

DJI Flip: Foldable, full-coverage propeller guards and automated braking make the Flip one in all DJI’s most secure drones for learners, households and indoor use. However whereas these enclosed propellers can definitely defend individuals in case your drone crashes, the DJI Mini 4 Professional can do one higher by mitigating crashes to start with.

DJI Mini 4 Professional: The Mini 4 Professional options superior omnidirectional impediment sensing, which gives an additional layer of security, particularly in tougher flying environments. That is simply the important thing distinction between the 2 drones.

Winner: Mini 4 Professional. I do love the idea of totally enclosed propellers. At this level, I believe each drone ought to have them. But when it’s important to select one, I’d nonetheless select impediment avoidance so poor flying expertise don’t result in a crash.

Flight efficiency

DJI Flip: Affords as much as 31 minutes of flight time and DJI O4 video transmission for clear 1080p/60fps footage as much as 13km away. It handles average wind situations effectively however isn’t as highly effective as higher-end drones.

DJI Mini 4 Professional: Supplies a barely longer flight time of 34 minutes, with related wind resistance (Degree 5+) to the Flip. However, it has a extra sturdy transmission system for skilled use. That will increase to 45 minutes should you go for the upgraded Clever Flight Battery Plus.

Winner: Mini 4 Professional – Barely longer flight time and higher efficiency in powerful situations.

Portability

Each drones are compact, light-weight, and ideal for journey. Their dimensions are related:

DJI Flip DJI Mini 4 Professional
Unfolded dimensions 233×280×79 mm 298×373×101 mm
Folded dimensions 136×62×165 mm 148×94×64 mm

Winner: Tie – Each excel in portability.

Value

Apparent the Flip wins out at $439 versus $759 as a beginning value for the Flip (each value extra should you go for the upgraded DJI RC 2).

If value isn’t any object, you’re higher off with the DJI Mini 4 Professional, largely as a result of impediment avoidance tech. However should you’re on a funds, it’s onerous to argue with saving almost half (effectively, 42%) by going for the Flip.

DJI Flip vs. Mini 4 Professional: how to decide on

The DJI Flip and Mini 4 Professional are each glorious drones which have numerous similarities on the power. However look intently, they usually cater to several types of customers:

The DJI Flip is greatest for content material creators or informal vacationers who nonetheless desire a highly effective digicam but in addition prioritize value. Even with out impediment avoidance, its security options — together with foldable propeller guards and automated braking — make it a secure selection.

Go for this drone should you’re a newbie, vlogger, or informal creator in search of an reasonably priced but highly effective drone with security and social media-friendly options.

The DJI Mini 4 Professional is healthier should you’re knowledgeable on a funds and might’t afford one thing as expensive as, say, the DJI Air 3S. It’s additionally nice should you’re a critical hobbyist who wants superior impediment sensing (maybe you fly in sophisticated environments) or longer flight occasions for extra demanding shoots.


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