2 minute read
DJI has added a significant amount of upgrades to the flagship model in its compact drone series, with the DJI Mini 5 Pro a seriously capable flying machine for most uses.
Apologies for being a day late on this one; we were lying motionless in a darkened room for a few hours following IBC.
It was worth re-emerging blinking into the sunlight though for this one, as the latest version of the popular DJI Mini Pro series, the DJI Mini 5 Pro, has got some significant upgrades over its predecessors. That includes what the company says is the world’s first 1-inch sensor in a mini camera drone.
The camera system features a 50MP 1-inch sensor designed to capture more detail in low light, such as sunsets and night scenes. That's a fairly big upgrade, but is joined by a new 2x zoom 48mm Med-Tele mode that provides higher digital zoom resolution compared to earlier models. Portrait optimization technology adjusts brightness, contrast, and skin tones.
Cinematic Video
Video recording is pleasingly cinematic and supports 4K/60fps HDR with up to 14 stops of dynamic range, as well as slow-motion capture at 4K/120fps. The drone can record 10-bit video using H.265 encoding, with maximum ISO increased to 12,800. In D-Log M and HLG color modes, maximum ISO is 3,200.
The gimbal has been overhauled too and now supports 225° roll rotation and true vertical shooting, allowing vertical framing without cropping. As you would expect at this point in drone evolution, intelligent modes include QuickShot Rotate, Timelapse, Spotlight, and Waypoint Flight.
An Intelligent Flight Battery provides up to 36 minutes of flight time, and the operating altitude has been extended to 6000 metres (19,685 feet).
Nighttime Operation
The Mini 5 Pro incorporates a forward-facing LiDAR sensor and multiple vision sensors for omnidirectional obstacle sensing. This helps make it far more of a 24/7 proposition. Features include Nightscape sensing for low-light operation, Nighttime Return-to-Home (RTH) with obstacle detection in low light, and Non-GNSS RTH, which uses real-time vision positioning and route memorization when adequate lighting is available. Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5) improves positioning accuracy.
The upgraded ActiveTrack 360° provides customizable tracking modes with improved stability and safer performance. DJI says this can adapt to different scenarios such as walking or cycling and balances speed, agility, and safety during tracking.
Additional creative tools include MasterShots, which applies automated camera movement templates; QuickShots, with modes such as Rotate, Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket, Boomerang, and Asteroid; and Free Panorama, which stitches multiple images into wide-angle views.
File transfer is supported via Off-State QuickTransfer. The drone can be remotely woken up using the DJI Fly app within Bluetooth range, and files can be transferred at up to 100 MB/s over Wi-Fi 6, even when the app is running in the background.
Pricing and Availability
DJI Mini 5 Pro is available to order from store.dji.com and authorized retail partners, in the following configurations: DJI Mini 5 Pro: €799; DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N3): €999; DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2): €1129
No US pricing at the moment as, as with the other recent launches, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is not officially available in the US. That doesn't mean you won't be able to get your hands on one via various retail partners though. It's not a grey import as such, but it's definitely off-white.
Tags: Production Drones DJI
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