After nearly four years of using drones, I remain a staunch supporter of DJI’s Mini series. Most of the equipment I take out for shooting belongs to this series, and last year, I purchased the then-new model, the Mini 4 Pro. The DJI Mini 4 Pro, released on September 27, 2023, is the latest addition to the Mini series and currently boasts the most comprehensive features in its category.
Without further ado, the technical specifications are provided in the second image, which you can save or search for on DJI’s official website.
Today, I won’t delve too deeply into overly technical aspects but will instead address a few common questions.
1. Which offers better value: the Mini 4 Pro, Mini 4K, or Mini 3 Pro?
If you’re new to drones and want to create aerial footage, I recommend the Mini 4K. It has almost identical functionality and image quality to the Mini 2 but at a lower price point—especially since the Mini 2 has been discontinued.
The Mini 4K is user-friendly and comes with all the essential features, making it an excellent choice for beginners. On the other hand, if you have prior experience operating drones or find that your Air or Mavic series models lack the convenience of the Mini series, I suggest opting for the Mini 4 Pro under the principle of always choosing the newer model.
The Mini 4 Pro includes omnidirectional obstacle avoidance (functional in well-lit conditions with diffuse reflection), intelligent tracking, and flight-assistance features, ensuring greater safety during flights.
2. How is the image quality of the Mini 4 Pro?
The Mini 4 Pro features a 1/1.3-inch sensor with an effective resolution of 48 million pixels. While it may not match the capabilities of lighter flagships like the Air 3S or Mavic 3 Pro, especially in low-light scenarios, its performance is commendable within the Mini series.
It fully satisfies everyday aerial photography needs. Furthermore, consider that videos uploaded to platforms like Douyin or even Inspire 3 will be compressed, so the difference might not matter as much in practice.
3. What advantages does the Mini 4 Pro offer?
The Mini 4 Pro stands out with its compact 249g body, exceptional imaging performance, and robust flight safety features, making it highly portable and reassuring to use during flights.
4. Can I just fly freely because it weighs only 249g?
Absolutely not! Starting January 1, 2024, all drones must undergo real-name registration on the Civil Unmanned Aircraft System Comprehensive Management Platform (referred to as UOM). You can check the permitted airspace on the UOM platform. Flights within permitted airspace below 120 meters do not require additional approval, whereas flights in non-permitted or restricted airspace necessitate filing through the “Operational Management” section.
Approval chances without a CAAC license are slim. In some cities, you can file through the DJI Fly app with local public security bureaus for permission after approval.
5. Should I choose the long-range battery pack or the standard battery?
I recommend the standard battery pack. A single battery lasts approximately 31 minutes (around 25 minutes in actual use), which is sufficient for regular aerial photography. Additionally, the standard battery keeps the drone under the strict 249g weight limit, whereas opting for the long-range battery would make more sense only if you’re considering a more professional series.
With the standard battery, the maximum takeoff altitude reaches up to 4,000 meters, perfect for high-altitude areas like Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong. However, the long-range battery limits the maximum takeoff altitude to 3,000 meters—a significant 1,000-meter difference!
Due to word limitations, I’ll cover remote controllers and package options in a future discussion when time permits.
Zachary Ruiz 
Miles Holt 
Paul Miller