Totally Pro in Mini
DJI has officially launched its new DJI Mini 5 Pro , taking compact aerial photography to new boundaries with advanced features that rival much larger models. Packed into a lightweight, sub-250g design, the Mini 5 Pro brings pro-level capabilities to hobbyists, creators, and anyone who wants to travel light while keeping things legal in many countries where heavier drones mean extra paperwork.
A Miniaturized Powerhouse
The DJI Mini 5 Pro is DJI’s most advanced ultra-light drone yet. It features a 1-inch CMOS sensor capable of 50MP photos and 4K 120fps video recording. This is an upgrade from its predecessor. DJI says users will experience up to 14 stops of HDR dynamic range in video (in Auto mode), delivering crisp highlights and deep shadows even in tricky lighting. A dedicated 48mm Med-Tele mode using a 2x digital zoom makes this drone ideal for both landscape and portrait photography.
One standout design element is the drone’s gimbal, which allows for 225 degrees of roll. Pilots can take advantage of manual rotation or let the drone handle unique shooting angles using built-in modes such as QuickShot Rotate, Timelapse, Spotlight, and Waypoint Flight. These features, once found mostly on DJI’s larger drones, now come to a model you can fit in your palm.
Obstacle Sensing and Safety
Safety is a major selling point for the DJI Mini 5 Pro. DJI has equipped it with an omnidirectional binocular vision system and a forward-facing LiDAR sensor. This means the drone can not only detect and avoid obstacles from nearly every angle, but it shines in low-light or nighttime scenarios, which is a long-standing worry for drone pilots. The LiDAR sensor detects obstacles even when ambient light drops below 1 lux, greatly reducing the risk of mid-air mishaps in darkness.
Next-generation Smart Return-to-Home (RTH) further ensures that even if GPS drops out, the Mini 5 Pro can remember and retrace its flight path back, as long as some surface textures are visible. This is a major benefit for urban pilots who often fly near or around tall buildings.
Battery, Speed, and Storage
Battery life sees a notable boost with the Mini 5 Pro. The standard Intelligent Flight Battery offers up to 36 minutes of flying, while a new Intelligent Flight Battery Plus option pushes airtime up to 52 minutes (note: the Plus is not available in Europe due to regulatory limits). Real-world use will usually mean slightly less, but even with wind and video recording, users can expect longer flights than most competitors. The maximum takeoff altitude for the standard battery sits at 6000 meters, with a top forward speed of 18 m/s.
Onboard storage is another highlight. The DJI Mini 5 Pro features 42GB of built-in internal memory, letting users capture and store plenty of high-resolution photos and videos even if they forget their microSD cards. Built-in Wi-Fi 6 allows file transfers at up to 100MB/s, and the drone can be remotely awakened within Bluetooth range for quick downloading.
Smart Features and Accessories
The DJI Mini 5 Pro requires the DJI Fly app to operate and is compatible with the advanced DJI RC 2 remote. App-driven customization allows pilots to map and tweak button controls, while the included firmware update system keeps the drone up to date with minimal hassle.
DJI’s Fly More Combo Plus packs extra value with higher-capacity batteries, a Two-Way Charging Hub, and ND Filters, which are essential for shooting in bright conditions or achieving cinematic motion blur. These accessory bundles show DJI is listening closely to creators’ needs.
Transmission, Speed, and Range
Pilots won’t have to worry about losing their video feed. The DJI O4+ Video Transmission system provides up to 20 kilometers of 10-bit HDR video transmission under optimal conditions, promising crisp images and reliable anti-interference tech.
Variants and Pricing
The DJI Mini 5 Pro will be available in several packages:
- Mini 5 Pro Standard (Price: PhP40,690)
- Mini 5 Pro with Fly More Combo – RC N3 (Price: PhP50,690)
- Mini 5 Pro with Fly More Combo – DJI RC 2 (Price: PhP57,990)
- Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo Plus (includes ND Filters, extra batteries, hub) (Price: PhP61,390)
A Leap Over Previous Generations
Compared to the Mini 4 Pro, the Mini 5 Pro is a major leap forward. Image quality, flight performance, obstacle avoidance, and convenience are all upgraded. Against heavier models like the DJI Air 3s, this pocket-sized drone keeps up surprisingly well—offering many of the same smart features with less bulk to worry about.
Read our full review of the DJI Mini 5 Pro on this link.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
