The DJI Mini 4 Pro has arrived with enhancements in all the right places, making it a noteworthy upgrade over its predecessor, the Mini 3 Pro. In this review, we’ll delve into the key improvements and features of the Mini 4 Pro, avoiding direct comparisons and focusing on what this new drone brings to the table.
Design Upgrades
The design of the Mini 4 Pro showcases several notable changes. It incorporates upgraded obstacle avoidance sensors and front legs, which serve the dual purpose of stability during takeoff and landing and housing antennas for improved connectivity. These changes contribute to the drone’s sleek appearance and functional enhancements.
The key features of the DJI Mini 4 Pro
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| DJI Mini 4 Pro Camera | |
| Image Sensor | 1/1.3 inch CMOS |
| Effective Pixels | 48 MP |
| Lens | FOV: 82.1° |
| Format Equivalent | 24 mm |
| Aperture | f/1.7 |
| Focus | 1 m to ∞ |
| ISO Range (Video) | Normal and Slow Motion: 100-6400 (Normal), 100-1600 (D-Log M), 100-1600 (HLG) |
| ISO Range (Night Photos) | 100-12800 (Normal) |
| Photo Resolutions | 12 MP (100-6400), 48 MP (100-3200) |
| Shutter Speed | 12MP Photos: 1/16000-2s (2.5-8s for simulated long exposure), 48MP photos: 1/8000-2s |
| Max. Image Size | 8064×6048 |
| Shooting Modes | One Shot (12 MP and 48 MP), Sequential Shooting (12 MP, 3/5/7 frames or 48 MP, 3 images), Automatic Exposure Series (AEB), Timer |
| Photo Format | JPEG/DNG (RAW) |
| Video Resolution | H.264/H.265, 4K: 3840×2160 @24/25/30/48/50/60/100fps, FHD: 1920×1080 @24/25/30/48/50/60/100/200*fps |
| Video Format | MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265) |
| Max. Video Bitrate | H.264/H.265: 150 Mbps |
| Color Mode and Sampling Method | Normal: 8-bit 4:2:0 (H.264/H.265), HLG/D-Log M: 10-bit 4:2:0 (H.265) |
| Digital Zoom | 12MP photos: 1-2x, 4K: 1-3x, FHD: 1-4x |
| DJI Mini 4 Pro Battery | |
| Compatible Battery | DJI Mini 4 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery, DJI Mini 3 Series Intelligent Flight Battery Plus (not available in Europe) |
| Capacity | Intelligent Flight Battery: 2590 mAh |
| Weight | Intelligent Flight Battery: about 77.9 grams |
| Nominal Voltage | Intelligent Flight Battery: 7.32 V |
| Max. Charging Voltage | Intelligent Flight Battery: 8.6 V |
| Type | Li-ion |
| Charging Temperature Range | 5°C to 40°C (41°F to 104°F) |
| Charging Time | 70 minutes (with DJI 30W USB-C Charger and battery pack placed in the drone), 58 minutes (with DJI 30W USB-C Charger and the battery inserted into the Two-Way Charging Hub) |
| DJI Mini 4 Pro Video Transmission | |
| Quality of Live View Remote Controller | Up to 1080p/60 fps (when the drone is flying in Photo or Video mode), Up to 1080p/30 fps (when the drone flies in Video mode), Up to 1080p/24fps (when the drone is in standby mode on the ground) |
| Operating Frequency | 2.4000-2.4835 GHz, 5.170-5.250 GHz, 5.725-5.850 GHz, 5.170-5.250 GHz (only where permitted by local laws and regulations) |
| Max. Transmission Distance (Unobstructed) | Strong Interference: 1.5-4 km, High Interference: 4-10 km, Low Interference: 10-20 km, Low Interference with Obstacles (e.g., trees): 0.5-3 km |
| Max. Download Speed | 10 MB/s (with DJI RC-N2), 10 MB/s (with DJI RC 2), Wi-Fi 5: 30 MB/s* |
| Lowest Latency | Drone + Remote Control: approximately 120 ms (depending on the current environment and mobile device) |
| Antenna | 4 antennas, 2T4R |
| Transmitter Power (EIRP) | 2.4 GHz: < 33 dBm (FCC), 5.1 GHz: < 30 dBm (SRRC) |
| Max. Transmission Distance (Unobstructed) | FCC: 20 km, CE: 10 km, SRRC: 10 km, MIC: 10 km |
| DJI Mini 4 Pro Obstacle Avoidance System | |
| Scan Type | Omnidirectional binocular camera system with 3D infrared sensor at the bottom of the drone |
| Measuring Range (Front) | 0.5 – 18 m |
| Detection Range (Front) | 0.5 – 200 m |
| Effective Scan Speed (Front) | Flight Speed ≤ 12 m/s |
| FOV (Front) | Horizontal 90°, Vertical 72° |
| Measuring Range (Back) | 0.5 to 15 m |
| Effective Scan Speed (Back) | Flight Speed ≤ 12 m/s |
| FOV (Back) | Horizontal 90°, Vertical 72° |
| Measuring Range (Side) | 0.5 – 12 m |
| Effective Scan Speed (Side) | Flight Speed ≤ 12 m/s |
| FOV (Side) | Horizontal 90°, Vertical 72° |
| Measuring Range (Top) | 0.5 -15 m |
| Effective Scan Speed (Top) | Flight Speed ≤ 5 m/s |
| FOV (Top) | Front and Rear 72°, Left and Right 90° |
| Measuring Range (Bottom) | 0.3 to 12 m |
| Effective Scan Speed (Bottom) | Flight Speed ≤ 5 m/s |
| FOV (Bottom) | Front and Rear 106°, Left and Right 90° |
| Operating Environment | Front, Rear, Left, Right, and Top surfaces with discernable patterns and adequate lighting (lux > 15), Bottom surfaces with discernable patterns, diffuse reflectivity > 20 percent, and adequate lighting (lux > 15) |
| 3D Infrared Sensor | Measuring Range: 0.1 – 8 m (reflectivity > 10%), FOV: Front and Rear 60°, Left and Right 60° |
Enhanced Transmission and Controllers
One of the standout upgrades is the adoption of the o4 transmission system, DJI’s flagship technology, offering superior connectivity and control. The Mini 4 Pro works seamlessly with the new RC2 and RCN2 remote controllers, providing users with flexibility in choosing their preferred controller setup. The integration of an auxiliary LED under the drone enhances visibility during low-light conditions, a feature unexpected in a mini-class drone.
Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance
Perhaps the most significant leap in technology for the Mini 4 Pro is the inclusion of omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. This means the drone now boasts sensors facing forward, backward, and downward, ensuring comprehensive detection and protection against obstacles. The upgraded camera sensors, with a wider field of view, further improve obstacle detection, setting a new standard for safety in mini drones.
Camera Hardware and Features
While the camera hardware remains similar to that of the Mini 3 Pro, the software has seen significant improvements. Users can now enjoy a higher dynamic range when shooting videos, more frame rate options, and additional shooting modes. The Mini 4 Pro retains its ability to shoot 4K video and capture high-quality 48-megapixel still images. Notably, new color profiles, such as hlg and d-log, enable 10-bit color depth, offering improved post-processing capabilities.
Impressive Flight Modes
The Mini 4 Pro comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of intelligent flight modes, including FocusTrack features like Active Track, Point of Interest, and Spotlight. However, the star of the show is the enhanced Active Track. It now features Touch Trace, allowing users to define the drone’s path with ease. The system’s ability to recognize and adapt to different tracking subjects, whether it’s a car, boat, or human, adds to its versatility. While it excels in many scenarios, there is room for improvement in making it more user-friendly during activities where manual control is challenging.
Waypoints and Cruise Control
The introduction of Waypoints and Cruise Control to the Mini series brings advanced flight planning capabilities. Waypoints allow users to create complex missions with customized actions, including capturing photos and videos at specific points. Cruise Control simplifies flying by maintaining the drone’s movement in the desired direction without continuous stick inputs, making it an excellent choice for point-to-point flight scenarios.
