DJI Mini 4 Pro – All information and comparison to the Mini 3 Pro
The DJI Mini 4 Pro has arrived. The latest version of DJI’s popular mini drone is packed full of new features and, as always, delivers superb footage and a host of handy extra functions.
Here, we take you through all the details of the Mini 4 Pro and explain how it differs from the DJI Mini 3 Pro. Who should make the switch, and who should stick with the Mini 3 Pro? – We explain all this below.
DJI Mini 4 Pro – available in three versions
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is available in three different versions. Either with the RC-N2 remote control ($799 RRP), the new RC 2 controller ($999 RRP) or as a Fly More Combo (with RC 2 controller) – for $1229 RRP.
Interesting accessories include the DJI Intelligent Flight Battery, the DJI Mini 4 Pro ND Filter Set, the DJI Mini 4 Pro Wide Angle Lens and the DJI Mini 4 Pro/Mini 3 Series Two-Way Charging Station.
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DJI Mini 4 Pro vs. DJI Mini 3 Pro: What’s new
Important for all European users: The DJI Mini 4 Pro is the first drone with a camera weighing less than 250 grams to be classified as a C0 drone under the EU Drone Regulation. This brings with it not only a few changes on paper, but also some interesting practical implications, which we will discuss later.
But first, let’s take a look at the main new features of the DJI Mini 4 Pro compared to its predecessor, the DJI Mini 3 Pro. We have summarised all the new features for you.
Compared to the previous version, the DJI Mini 4 Pro has
- An omnidirectional obstacle detection and avoidance system (now with side coverage)
- ActiveTrack 360°: allows intuitive manoeuvring while tracking objects and people
- OcuSync 4.0 (O4): Range 20km (FCC) or 10km (CE) (previously 12km and 8km)
- Improved HDR function: 4K HDR video at 60 fps instead of 30 fps
- 4K slow-motion video at up to 100fps (also with ActiveTrack 360° and in night mode)
- D-Log M 10-bit mode
- Improved RTH function: home point and return path are now displayed on the image using augmented reality + obstacle detection
- Landing light (bright LED on underside) previously only available on larger models
- Augmented reality features, such as displaying the home point in the real-time image in the app. An imaginary shadow of the drone is also displayed, always vertically below the drone.
Design and weight
The DJI Mini 4 Pro comes in the familiar “mini design”, but also features a few characteristic changes. This is particularly noticeable on the front of the drone, which now looks slightly wider due to the revised obstacle sensors. The suspension of the 3-axis gimbal has also been slightly revised.
Whereas the Mini 3 Pro’s two status LEDs were located on the front arms, they are now on the rear arms, where they are more visible overall. Enlarged air vents and a larger heat sink improve cooling of the internal components.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro measures 5.83 x 3.70 x 2,52 in (14.8 x 9.4 x 6.4 cm ) when folded, and 11,73 x 14,68 x 3.97 in (29.8 x 37.3 x 10.1 cm) when extended. The camera and gimbal can be protected from damage during transport with a protective cover. The DJI Mini 4 Pro weighs 249 grams.
There are now two small feet on the two front stabilisers to ensure a stable position on uneven surfaces.
Positioning and return to home
The DJI Mini 4 Pro can use GPS, Galileo and BeiDou satellites to determine its position. When flying close to the ground, a Vision Positioning System (VPS) also provides a more stable flight position. The VPS consists of a small camera that continuously films the ground and uses the data to correct the flight attitude in real time.
The drone can withstand wind speeds of up to 23.7 mph (10.6m/h), equivalent to wind force 6 on the Beaufort scale.
A highly accurate and enhanced Return to Home (RTH) mode is available for a safe return flight to the take-off position or drone landing site. The drone can now plan a safe route home and automatically detect and avoid objects in the flight path.
Another new feature is that the take-off position is now displayed in the live image using augmented reality (AR). If the ‘home point’ is outside the visible area, it is displayed at the bottom of the screen in the relevant direction.
The RTH function is also activated automatically if the controller unexpectedly loses contact with the drone, or if the battery level drops below a critical level.
Speed and flight characteristics DJI Mini 4 Pro
As usual with DJI, the Mini 4 Pro has three different flight modes: C (cinema), N (normal) and S (sport). However, the maximum speeds have changed slightly compared to the Mini 3 Pro. In C and N modes, the maximum speed is now 27 mph or 12 m/s (previously 13 and 22 mph respectively). Up to 35.7 mph or 16 m/s is possible in S mode.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro can be precisely controlled and navigated in all three flight modes. However, Cine mode is best for smooth and precise video.
An exciting new feature is the Cruise Control mode. This allows you to let the drone do the work of maintaining a steady speed during long flights, and concentrate on getting the shot.
The Mini 4 Pro’s maximum rate of climb and descent is 11 mph (18 km/h) or 5 m/s. The maximum take-off altitude is 13,123 ft (4,000 m) above sea level.
The controllers: DJI RC-N2 or DJI RC-2
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is available with either the DJI RC-N2 remote control or the new DJI RC-2 controller. The RC-2 is included in the Fly More Combo. Both remote controls feature the new OcuSync 4.0 (O4) transmission system and offer a flight range of up to 12.43 miles or 20 km (FCC) or 7.36 miles or 12 km (CE).
DJI RC-N2 controller
DJI RC 2 Controller
The built-in battery in the RC-N2 remote control has a capacity of 5,200 mAh and lasts for approximately 6 hours of operation. Charging takes approximately 150 minutes via the USB-C port on the controller. Four status LEDs on the front panel indicate the charging status.
The retractable smartphone holder accommodates mobile devices with maximum dimensions of 7,1 x 3.4 x 0.4 in (18 x 8.6 x 1 cm). To see the live image of the drone in real time on the display, you must first download and install the free „DJI Fly“ app. The app can be downloaded from the App Store for iOS and Android devices.
Like its predecessor, the RC-N1, the RC-N2 remote control has detachable and attachable joysticks and integrated antennas.
The controller measures 4,1 x 5,9 x 1,8 in (104.22 x 149.95 x 45.25 mm). The weight is approximately 375 grams. In addition to the two control joysticks, the on/off switch and the photo/video recording buttons, the controller also features a freely assignable function button and the RTH button. The slider for changing the flight mode (C/N/S) is in the usual central position.
The RC 2 controller has a built-in touch screen, so you can fly without a smartphone. The „DJI Fly“ app is pre-installed on the controller. The 5.5-inch display has a resolution of 1080p and shows the live FPV image from the camera at 60 fps.
Thanks to the high brightness of 700 nits, the display always shows first-class images, even in direct sunlight. In addition to the live image, the display also shows many other practical flight parameters and telemetry data.
Unfortunately, the RC-2-Control does not have an HDMI output to connect an additional screen for a spotter or similar.
At around 3 hours, the battery life (6,200 mAh) is only about half that of the RC-N2 controller. This is, of course, due to the touch screen. So if you have no problem continuing to use your smartphone + the DJI Fly app, you can confidently choose the RC-N2 controller and save yourself the extra cost. For everyone else, however, the RC-2 controller might be an interesting choice.
Improved obstacle detection
The obstacle detection and avoidance system has been improved once again compared to the DJI Mini 3 Pro. While the DJI Mini 3 Pro had three vision sensors (front, rear, bottom), the DJI Mini 4 Pro now has a total of six small cameras that also detect obstacles above the drone. The Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS 5.0) is responsible for automatic braking and collision avoidance.
This makes the DJI Mini 4 Pro the first drone in the Mini series with omnidirectional obstacle detection. Four 180° spherical cameras (side, top) and two 3D infrared sensors on the underside of the aircraft provide 360° coverage.
Previously only available on the larger models (DJI Air 3 and DJI Mavic 3), the enhanced wide-angle vision sensors enable omnidirectional obstacle detection for the first time on a mini drone.
Flight time and range
The flight time of the DJI Mini 4 Pro is up to 34 minutes per battery (7.32 V, 2,590 mAh), which is exactly the same as the previous version.
Although the specifications of the Mini 4 Pro batteries are slightly different from those of the previous version, the Mini 3 batteries are compatible with the Mini 4. However, there is one limitation: the Mini 3 Pro batteries are a few grams heavier than those of the Mini 4 Pro. Therefore, if you use the batteries from the previous version, you will exceed the take-off weight of 250g.
The new Mini 4 Pro batteries can also be used in the Mini 3 Pro.
Thanks to OcuSync 4.0 (O4), the maximum range of the DJI Mini 4 Pro is 12.4 miles or 20 kilometres (FCC), resp. 6.2 miles or 10 kilometres (CE) in European airspace. This increases the maximum flight distance by an additional eight and two kilometres respectively.
Charging time for the drone’s batteries is approximately 70 minutes using the USB-C charging cable and approximately 58 minutes using the two-way charger (included in the Fly More Combo).
Camera and gimbal of the DJI Mini 4 Pro
The camera of the DJI Mini 4 Pro has a 1/1.3″ CMOS sensor and can record videos in maximum 4K at up to 60 fps (also in HDR). In slow-motion mode, it can go up to 100 fps in 4K or 200 fps in Full HD. The video bit rate is 150 Mbps.
The advanced camera sensor with 2.4µm pixels features Dual Native ISO technology, which provides significantly improved low-light performance for razor-sharp images at night and in twilight. This is primarily due to increased dynamic range and reduced image noise.
The mechanical 3-axis gimbal, with adjustable sharpness and noise reduction, ensures blur-free shooting.
For video, an ISO range of 100 to 6,400 is available – up to 12,800 in night mode. When using the new 10-bit DLog-M and HLG colour modes, the ISO range is reduced to 100-1600. DLog-M offers a slightly flatter colour profile, while HLG provides true 10-bit HDR.
The camera’s aperture is f/1.7, which makes it very bright. The FOV (field of view) is 82.1°. As with the Mini 3 Pro, the camera can be tilted vertically downwards by 90° and upwards by up to 60°.
Like the Mini 3 Pro, the Mini 4 Pro has a True Vertical Shot mode. When this feature is activated, the entire camera rotates by 90°, allowing you to shoot vertical videos in true 4K. The resulting videos are perfect for posting to social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok or YouTube. A new feature on the Mini 4 Pro is the slow-motion function, which now enables 4K videos at up to 100fps.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro takes photos in 12 or 48 megapixels. Photos can be saved as either JPEG or DNG RAW. Exposure time and ISO values can be freely adjusted, and thanks to the revised SmartPhoto mode, you can take HDR photos with up to 5 f-stops.
As well as classic snapshots, you can also use continuous shooting, exposure bracketing and time-lapse shooting. All this is now available in 48MP mode.
The ISO range is 100 – 6,400 for 12MP images and up to 3,200 for 48MP images. Automatic mode is also very handy, allowing the drone to automatically determine all camera settings. All in all, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is among the best camera drones you can get today.
All video resolutions
The following video resolutions are supported by the DJI Mini 4 Pro:
- 4K (3840×2160) at 24/25/30/48/50/60/100*fps
- FHD (1920×1080) at 24/25/30/48/50/60/100*/200*fps
* Recorded frame rate. The corresponding video is played back in slow motion.
The 2.7K video resolution has been removed from the DJI Mini 4 Pro, which is a shame. You can choose between the H.264 and H.265 codecs for video recording*. The more advanced compression of the H.265 codec means smaller file sizes and longer recording times. However, it does require a powerful PC for video editing.
* 4K/100fps and HLG/DLog M support H.265 encoding only.
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Smart flight and recording modes
The DJI Mini 4 Pro has a number of automatic flight and recording modes that make it easy to create high-quality video sequences.
FocusTrack
DJI’s FocusTrack mode combines several sub-modes. On the Mini 4 Pro, these are Spotlight, POI and ActiveTrack 360°.
In Spotlight mode, the drone remains stationary but rotates in the direction of the selected object, keeping it in the centre of the field of view. In POI mode, the drone automatically circles the selected target on a circular path, with a freely selectable radius and speed. The tracked object or person can even move during the recording.
The revised ActiveTrack mode is now called ActiveTrack 360° and allows interactive tracking of objects or people. A small button in the app allows you to change the position of the Mini 4 Pro during recording with simple swiping gestures.
This gives you even more flexibility when creating tracking videos and allows you to have the drone film from different positions within a single shot. Also new is the ability to record 4K at 60fps with ActiveTrack.
Thanks to omnidirectional obstacle detection, the drone can now avoid obstacles on its own in ActiveTrack 360° mode.
QuickShots
Like its predecessor, the DJI Mini 4 Pro features six QuickShots: Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circles, Boomerang and Asteroid. QuickShots are ideal for creating short videos with different effects.
MasterShots
MasterShots can be thought of as an evolution of the QuickShots feature. When you start a MasterShot, the drone automatically takes several shots of a pre-defined object. It flies over and around the object from different angles to capture different scenes.
A video can then be created from the individual video sequences in the app, using different templates (image and sound effects).
Hyperlapse
Hyperlapse mode allows you to create time-lapse videos and is divided into the following sub-modes: Free, Circle, CourseLock and Waypoint.
In Free mode, you are in full control of the drone throughout the flight. Circle allows you to automatically fly in a circle, while CourseLock allows you to fly in a straight line. In Waypoint mode, the drone automatically flies to pre-defined flight points.
Panorama
You can choose from four different panorama modes, which have been slightly revised from the Mini 3: 180°, spherical, wide-angle and vertical.
Scope of delivery
- 1 x DJI Mini 4 Pro
- 1 x DJI RC-N2 or RC-2 remote control (depending on version)
- 1 x Intelligent Flight Battery (2,590 mAh, 7.32 V)
- 1 x spare propeller (pair)
- 6 x spare screws
- 1 x Gimbal protection
- 1 x propeller holder
- 1 x USB-C to USB-C PD cable
- 1 x screwdriver
- 1 x Remote control cable microUSB, 1 x USB-C, 1 x Lightning (DJI RC-N2)
- 1 x instruction manual
Conclusion
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is currently probably the best mini drone with camera on the market. It combines low weight (and thus fewer legal constraints) with sophisticated recording technology, excellent flight performance and ease of use.
Like its two predecessors, the Mavic Mini and Mini 2, the Mini 3 Pro sets new standards in the consumer drone sector. In addition to the revised design, the main new features compared to the Mini 2 are the FocusTrack mode (ActiveTrack 4.0, Spotlight 2.0 and POI 3.0), which is now finally available, the ability to record 4K footage at 60 fps, a 90° swiveling gimbal that enables the recording of upright videos, and obstacle detection.
The flight time has also been extended once again with up to 34 minutes, and thanks to larger propellers, the DJI Mini 3 Pro has not only become a bit quieter, but also features further improved flight characteristics for particularly smooth and steady flights.
Thanks to the wide range of shooting modes and the very user-friendly DJI Fly app, the DJI Mini 3 Pro can be easily operated even by absolute beginners. Modes like the QuickShots and MasterShots allow even drone novices to capture unique video sequences from different perspectives.
Thanks to the excellent camera and the first-class gimbal, video recordings not only shine in brilliant colors and razor-sharp resolution, but are also extremely smooth and free of shakiness.
Only the lack of compatibility with the Mini 2’s batteries and the DJI Goggles are minor minus points. Overall, DJI definitely delivers one of the most interesting drones currently available with the Mini 3 Pro.
We can therefore highly recommend the DJI Mini 3 Pro and wish you a lot of fun flying and filming!