The DJI Mini 5 Pro is over 250g!
The biggest controversy surrounding the DJI Mini 5 Pro is its weight.
The DJI Mini series has always been known for staying under 250g—a key threshold in many countries for flying without strict regulations such as registration. However, DJI has quietly removed the “sub-250g” marketing tagline from the Mini 5 Pro, despite it still being labeled as a C0-class drone in the EU.
Many users are reporting that their Mini 5 Pro units weigh over 250g. DJI now lists the official takeoff weight as 249.9g ± 4g, which seems like a convenient way to keep the “sub-250” impression alive. In practice, if your drone weighs 253.9g, it’s still technically “within tolerance.”
Whether being slightly over 250g matters will depend on your country’s regulations. If you want to stay fully compliant, make sure to check your local rules before purchasing.
For comparison, the previous DJI Mini 4 Pro came in safely under 250g right out of the box.
Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro
Apart from weight, let’s talk about the specs and features.
| Feature | DJI Mini 5 Pro | DJI Mini 4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 17 September 2025 | 25 September 2024 |
| Price | From US$769 | From US$649 |
| Claimed Weight | 249.9g±4g | 249g |
| Dimensions | 157×95×68 mm (Folded) 304×380×91 mm (Unfolded) | 148×94×64 mm (Folded) 298×373×101 mm (Unfolded) |
| Camera | 1″ CMOS, 50 MP | 1/1.3″ CMOS, 48 MP |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K @ 120fps | 4K @ 100fps |
| Gimbal / Angles | 3-axis Vertical + upward (~225° rotation) | 3-axis True vertical shooting |
| Transmission System | OcuSync 4.0+ (O4+) | OcuSync 4.0 (O4) |
| Max Transmission Distance | Up to 20 km | Up to 20 km |
| Obstacle Avoidance Tech | Omnidirectional sensors + LiDAR | Omnidirectional sensors |
| Subject Tracking | ActiveTrack 6.0 | ActiveTrack 6.0 |
| Max Flight Time | 36 minutes 52 minutes with Battery Plus | 34 minutes 45 minutes with Battery Plus |
Design & Build
At first glance, the Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro look very similar, but the Mini 5 Pro is slightly larger. The added length is mainly to accommodate the new 1-inch camera sensor and the front-mounted LiDAR sensor for obstacle detection.
- Color: The Mini 5 Pro comes in a slightly darker shade.
- Weight: Both carry the C0 label in Europe, meaning they qualify for lighter regulations.
Camera Upgrades
This is where the DJI Mini 5 Pro truly sets itself apart.
- Mini 5 Pro: 1-inch sensor, 50MP photos, 4K/120fps slow-motion, 4K/60 HDR video, and 10-bit D-Log M.
- Mini 4 Pro: 1/1.3-inch sensor, 48MP photos, 4K/100fps slow-motion.
This is the first time a 1-inch sensor has been included on a sub-250g-class drone, and it makes a huge difference. The larger sensor improves dynamic range and low-light performance dramatically. Sunsets, sunrises, and nighttime footage look far superior on the Mini 5 Pro, with richer shadow detail, better highlight retention, and an overall more cinematic look.
If you mainly fly in bright daytime conditions, the gap is less noticeable. But in challenging lighting, the Mini 5 Pro clearly wins.
The Mini 5 Pro also features an increased frame rate of 120 fps compared to the Mini 4 Pro’s 100 fps, enabling smoother slow-motion capture. Additionally, its 5.4K resolution surpasses the 4K of the Mini 4 Pro, providing greater detail and enhanced flexibility for post-production workflows.
Flight Time
The claimed flight times are:
- Mini 4 Pro: up to 34 minutes.
- Mini 5 Pro: up to 36 minutes.
Expect similar flight time and flight distance between the two models. A bigger battery called Battery Plus is available if you are looking for longer flight time, but it will make your drone heavier.
Transmission and Range
The Mini 5 Pro upgrades to O4+ transmission, while the Mini 4 Pro uses the standard O4 system. On paper, both promise a maximum range of 20km, so in practice, this upgrade isn’t a game-changer for most pilots.
Even though the spec sheets boast long range, real-world limitations typically come from battery life rather than transmission distance (when flying in line of sight). With the standard battery lasting around 25–30 minutes in a normal flight, you can realistically expect a safe round-trip of about 6–8km, or roughly 15km total distance. In short, the connection is rock solid on both drones, and you’re far more likely to run out of battery before you lose signal.
ActiveTrack & Obstacle Avoidance
The Mini 4 Pro features six fisheye lenses for obstacle avoidance, providing 360° detection of surrounding objects. While effective under optimal lighting conditions, its performance can be limited in low-light environments.
The Mini 5 Pro addresses this limitation by incorporating an advanced LiDAR sensor on the front, offering enhanced obstacle detection at nighttime. Also, it has smarter tracking algorithms which make ActiveTrack smoother and more reliable. It predicts movement better and keeps subjects in frame with fewer jerky transitions.
For activities like biking, running, or action sports, this is a huge upgrade—you can trust the drone to keep you in frame with much greater reliability.
Medium Telephoto Mode
One of the most exciting new features on the Mini 5 Pro is its 48mm “medium tele” mode, which simulates having a second lens. This allows for tighter framing and more dramatic perspectives without needing to fly dangerously close to your subject.
While the image quality isn’t quite as sharp as the primary lens—it’s a digital crop assisted by software—the flexibility it adds for cinematic composition is a welcome addition, especially for solo creators looking to vary their shots.
Extra Features
The Mini 5 Pro also packs in several thoughtful extras that make everyday flying more convenient:
- 42GB of built-in storage – a lifesaver if you ever forget your SD card.
- Wi-Fi 6 – enabling much faster file transfers.
- Unfold-to-power-on feature – a small detail that streamlines setup and makes takeoff quicker.
- ND filters included in the Fly More Combo – handy for anyone serious about video.
Taken together, these extras give the Mini 5 Pro a more polished and professional feel compared to the Mini 4 Pro.
Conclusion: Who Should Get the Mini 5 Pro?
If you demand higher performance—say you regularly shoot slow-motion video at 4K/120fps, or you work in low-light conditions where dynamic range really matters—the Mini 5 Pro has clear advantages. Its 1-inch CMOS sensor delivers noticeably better image quality than the Mini 4 Pro’s 1/1.3-inch sensor, especially in challenging lighting. Add in slightly longer flight times, stronger obstacle avoidance, and overall improved reliability, and the Mini 5 Pro starts to look very appealing for professionals or serious hobbyists.
Get the DJI Mini 5 Pro from:
However, if your flying is more casual—travel videos, vlogging, social media clips, or daytime shots—the Mini 4 Pro still delivers excellent performance. It weighs under 249g, offers omnidirectional obstacle sensing, 4K/60 HDR video, vertical shooting, and solid flight times of up to 30 minutes with the standard battery. For many pilots, the Mini 4 Pro remains a fantastic all-rounder, and upgrading won’t suddenly make you a better pilot or filmmaker. If you’re happy with the results you’re getting now, there’s no rush to move on.
Check out the DJI Mini 4 Pro review:https://oscarliang.com/dji-mini-4-pro/
One thing worth mentioning: the over-250g weight situation is slightly annoying. In Europe, the Mini 5 Pro is still classified as C0, so it remains compliant with lighter regulations. But rules vary by country, so do your homework if you want to stay fully compliant.
Finally, note that the DJI Mini 5 Pro is not officially sold in the US, due to recent DJI restrictions. Customers outside the US can still buy it, but American pilots may need to look at alternative models.
