Mini 4 Pro or Mini 5 Pro? Compare the 1-inch sensor, flight time, obstacle sensing and Irish prices to decide if the upgrade is worth the extra money.
Buy the Mini 5 Pro if image quality in poor light is your priority and the extra cost does not sting. Buy the Mini 4 Pro if you want the best value, as it does nearly everything well and costs noticeably less.
Both are excellent sub-250g drones with obstacle sensing in every direction. The big difference is the camera, and in Ireland, that difference matters more than you might think.
The headline differences
| Mini 4 Pro | Mini 5 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/1.3-inch | 1-inch, 50MP |
| Slow motion | 4K up to 100fps | 4K up to 120fps |
| Flight time | About 34 min | Up to 36 min |
| Obstacle sensing | All directions | All directions, plus forward LiDAR |
| Weight | Under 250g | Under 250g |
| Fly More Combo (RC 2) | From €969 | From €1,149 |
Prices are Irish specialist retailer figures we noted in October, and they move often.
Camera: the real reason to upgrade
The Mini 5 Pro's 1-inch sensor gathers noticeably more light than the Mini 4 Pro's 1/1.3-inch chip. In bright conditions, the gap is small. At dusk or under heavy cloud, it widens.
Ireland is a winter-afternoon kind of country. Most aerial photographers here shoot in flat, grey light for much of the year, and a bigger sensor produces cleaner shadows and smoother skies in exactly those conditions.
The Mini 5 Pro's gimbal can also rotate further, for vertical shots without cropping. The Mini 4 Pro already shoots true vertical, so this matters mainly to people creating content for social media.
Obstacle sensing and safety
Both drones see obstacles in every direction, which is the main reason we recommend them over the cheaper Mini 4K. They steer around trees and stop before walls while tracking a subject.
The Mini 5 Pro adds a forward-facing LiDAR sensor, which helps in low light where camera-based sensing struggles. If you often fly at dusk or near trees, that is a genuine safety gain.
Flight time and handling
The difference is small: about 34 minutes against up to 36. Both drones handle wind far better than the Neo, and both stay under 250g with their standard batteries, keeping the paperwork to a simple operator registration.
What the reviews say
Camera Jabber's launch report on the Mini 5 Pro highlights the 1-inch 50MP sensor and the forward LiDAR. Those are the points that justify the price jump, and if none of them matter to you, the Mini 4 Pro is the smarter buy.
The light test
Met Éireann's sunshine records put December at roughly one to two hours of sunshine a day across Ireland. If you mostly fly in summer and in good light, the Mini 4 Pro will satisfy you. If you plan to fly year-round, the Mini 5 Pro's bigger sensor will repay you every winter.
Accessories worth adding
Whichever you choose, two extras make a difference. A protective hard case keeps the drone and controller safe in a car boot or on a hike. This Lekufee case fits both models.
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Waterproof, fits Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro
A sturdy case with room for the drone and its controller.
If you go for the Mini 4 Pro, a filter set is the next best buy. ND filters allow slower shutter speeds for silky water and natural motion blur, and a polariser cuts glare off the sea.
CPL plus ND8 to ND256
A complete filter kit for the Mini 4 Pro, including a polariser for coastal shots.
We do not link to either drone yet. The Mini listings we found in Ireland came from third-party sellers, which we avoid for DJI because of warranty risk. Buy from DJI's Irish store or an authorised dealer, so you keep the two-year EU legal guarantee.
Registration and rules
Both drones have cameras, so you must register as an operator with the IAA, as its registration FAQs explain. With standard batteries, both stay under 250g, which under the EASA open category rules means no pilot exam.
Fitting a larger Plus battery can push either drone over 250g, which brings in the online training test. Check before you buy extra batteries.
Our verdict
Choose the Mini 4 Pro for the best value in DJI's range. It is still one of the best drones you can buy.
Choose the Mini 5 Pro if you fly year-round in Irish light, or want the best possible camera in a drone under 250g.
Is the Mini 5 Pro worth the upgrade from the Mini 4 Pro?
For photographers who fly in low light, yes. For most hobbyists flying in good weather, the Mini 4 Pro is enough.
Do the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro need registering in Ireland?
Yes. Both have cameras, so the operator must register with the IAA. With standard batteries, no pilot exam is needed.
Which Mini is better in wind?
They are similar. Both handle wind far better than the DJI Neo, though no sub-250g drone is ideal on an exposed headland.
Can I use Mini 4 Pro accessories on the Mini 5 Pro?
Some cases fit both, as the bodies are close in size. Filters and propellers are model-specific, so check compatibility.
See how both fit into DJI's full range in the best DJI drone, or read the best drone for photography for the bigger Air and Mavic models.