DJI Mini 2 vs Mini 4 Pro vs Mini 5 Pro: Specs Side by Side and When to Upgrade
The Mini 2 has a 12 MP sensor, 4K30 and no obstacle sensing. The Mini 4 Pro adds a 1/1.3-inch sensor, 10-bit video and all-round sensing. The Mini 5 Pro moves to a 1-inch sensor and adds LiDAR and 42 GB of storage, but its weight tolerance can take it over 250 g.
The jump from the DJI Mini 2 to either newer model is large: a much bigger sensor, 10-bit video, obstacle sensing in every direction and roughly double the radio range. Between the Mini 4 Pro and the Mini 5 Pro the gap is smaller: the Mini 5 Pro has a 1-inch sensor instead of 1/1.3-inch, forward LiDAR, 42 GB of built-in storage and a little more flight time. The catch is weight: DJI lists the Mini 5 Pro at 249.9 g plus or minus 4 g, so a unit can be over the 250 g line that several registration rules use.
The three side by side
| Mini 2 | Mini 4 Pro | Mini 5 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takeoff weight | under 249 g | under 249 g | about 249.9 g, plus or minus 4 g |
| Sensor | 1/2.3-inch, 12 MP | 1/1.3-inch, 48 MP | 1-inch, 50 MP |
| Lens | 24 mm equivalent, f/2.8 | 24 mm equivalent, f/1.7 | 24 mm equivalent, f/1.8 |
| Top 4K frame rate | 30 fps | 60 fps, 100 fps slow motion | 60 fps, 120 fps slow motion |
| Max video bitrate | 100 Mbps | 150 Mbps | 130 Mbps |
| 10-bit log (D-Log M) and HLG | not listed | yes | yes |
| Raw photos | DNG | DNG | DNG |
| Obstacle sensing | downward only | omnidirectional vision, 3D infrared below | omnidirectional vision, forward LiDAR, infrared below |
| Video link | OcuSync 2.0 | O4 | O4+ |
| Max range (FCC / CE) | 10 km / 6 km | 20 km / 10 km | 20 km / 10 km |
| Live view | 720p/30fps | up to 1080p/60fps | 1080p/30 or 60fps |
| Max flight time (lab) | 31 min | 34 min | 36 min |
| Built-in storage | none | 2 GB | 42 GB |
| Battery | 2250 mAh, 7.7 V, 17.32 Wh, 86.2 g | 2590 mAh, 7.32 V, 18.96 Wh, about 77.9 g | 2788 mAh, 7.0 V, 19.52 Wh, about 71.2 g |
| Plus battery option | no | 28.4 Wh, about 121 g, 45 min (not sold in Europe) | 33.51 Wh, about 117 g, 52 min (not sold in Europe) |
| EU class label | none (legacy) | C0 | C0 |
Specs from the makers' published data, checked October 2026.
DJI's maximum flight times are measured in a wind tunnel at constant speed. For the Mini 5 Pro DJI also publishes a "typical" flight time of 21 minutes with the standard battery, measured with a 4K/60fps recording, a climb to 120 m and a return-to-home reserve. That is closer to what a real flight looks like than the 36-minute headline.
Image quality: the biggest difference
The Mini 2's 1/2.3-inch sensor is the size used in older compact cameras and phones. The Mini 4 Pro's 1/1.3-inch sensor is much larger, and the Mini 5 Pro's 1-inch sensor is larger again. For a drone this matters most at sunrise, sunset and in shade, which is when a lot of travel footage is shot.
The Mini 2 records H.264 only, and DJI lists no log or HLG profile for it. The Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro add 10-bit D-Log M and HLG in H.265, which give more room to grade. If you edit colour, that alone is a reason to move on from the Mini 2.
Note that the Mini 4 Pro lists a higher maximum bitrate (150 Mbps) than the Mini 5 Pro (130 Mbps). Bitrate is not image quality on its own; the larger sensor does more for the Mini 5 Pro than the bitrate number takes away.
Safety: obstacle sensing
The Mini 2 senses only downward, for hovering and landing. It will fly into a branch behind it. The Mini 4 Pro has vision sensors all round and a 3D infrared sensor underneath. The Mini 5 Pro adds a forward-facing LiDAR, which DJI rates for night-time measurement out to 25 m. For travel, where you fly in unfamiliar places, all-round sensing is the most practical upgrade on this list.
Weight and the 250 g line
All three are sold as sub-250 g drones, but they are not equal:
- Mini 2: DJI lists under 249 g; its FAQ gives a standard weight of 242 g with battery, propellers and a card.
- Mini 4 Pro: DJI lists under 249 g with the standard battery. With the Plus battery it is heavier.
- Mini 5 Pro: DJI lists about 249.9 g, plus or minus 4 g, and tells owners to check local laws on registration even with the standard battery.
Under the FAA's rule, a recreational drone of 250 g or more must be registered, so a Mini 5 Pro owner in the US should weigh the drone or simply register it. In the UK the threshold that matters is now 100 g, so all three need a Flyer ID and an Operator ID. In the EU all three need operator registration because they have cameras. Our guide to flying with a DJI Mini drone has the details and sources.
Batteries and travel
All three batteries are under 20 Wh, and even the Plus batteries are under 34 Wh, far below the 100 Wh line where airlines start asking for approval. Spares go in the cabin with the terminals protected. Each generation's standard battery is lighter than the last while holding more energy: 86.2 g for the Mini 2, about 77.9 g for the Mini 4 Pro, about 71.2 g for the Mini 5 Pro. Batteries are not interchangeable between these models. See drone batteries on planes.
Storage
The Mini 2 records only to microSD. The Mini 4 Pro has 2 GB built in, enough for a few emergency clips. The Mini 5 Pro has 42 GB, enough to keep flying if a card fills or fails. Files from all three follow DJI's naming, which differs between older and newer drones; see DJI drone file names explained.
When to upgrade
| You have | You want | Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Mini 2 | Better low light, 10-bit colour, obstacle sensing | Either newer model; both are large steps |
| Mini 2 | The simplest sub-250 g paperwork | Mini 4 Pro, which DJI lists under 249 g with the standard battery |
| Mini 4 Pro | Better image quality in poor light | Mini 5 Pro, for the 1-inch sensor |
| Mini 4 Pro | Nothing in particular | Keep it; the remaining gains are incremental |
If you are looking at sub-250 g drones more widely, including the DJI Neo, Neo 2 and Flip, see drones under 250 grams.