DJI Mini 4 Pro Review: Next-Level Features That Justify the Hype

The DJI Mini series was my introduction to drone flying, helping me grasp the fundamentals of aerial navigation, safety, and photography. Its affordable price point made learning less intimidating, even when I faced occasional mishaps like a brief signal loss or a minor crash. With the Mini 4 Pro, DJI takes this user-friendly experience further by introducing all-around obstacle detection, adding an extra layer of confidence for new pilots.

Similar to its predecessors in the Mini lineup, the DJI Mini 4 Pro features a compact image sensor that produces results comparable to those of a smartphone camera. However, its sub-249-gram weight and budget-friendly pricing make it a compelling option for newcomers and casual users. I took the Mini 4 Pro for a test flight to evaluate how DJI’s newest entry-level drone performs in real-world conditions.

The Big Picture

The DJI Mini 4 Pro feels like a flying smartphone camera, making it an excellent choice for both newcomers and seasoned pilots working with a tighter budget. Its ultra-compact design helps it bypass many drone regulations and makes it easy to pack for travel. With step-by-step flight tutorials, built-in safety features, and full obstacle detection, it’s especially well-suited for first-time flyers. The JPEGs are vivid and vibrant—perfect for social media sharing and small-format printing.

Of course, the more budget-friendly price comes with a few trade-offs. The image quality leans closer to that of a high-end smartphone than a mirrorless camera, with less detail and some visible grain at full resolution. The 48MP mode introduces noticeable noise, and I often found the 12MP setting delivered more reliable results. These limitations are expected at this entry-level tier, and for those demanding professional-grade visuals, the Mavic 3 is a better match. Still, for its price and ease of use, the DJI Mini 4 Pro stands out as a fantastic drone for beginners.

Pros:

• Lightweight and Portable: Weighs under 249 grams, making it easy to carry and often exempt from strict drone regulations.
• Advanced Obstacle Sensing: Features obstacle detection on all sides, enhancing flight safety for beginners.
• User-Friendly: Includes helpful tutorials and intuitive controls that are perfect for new pilots.
• High-Quality Video: Supports 4K video recording with smooth stabilization.
• Impressive Flight Time: Offers up to 34 minutes of flight on a single charge.
• Compact Design: Easily fits into backpacks and travel bags without taking much space.
• Bright, Colorful Images: Produces vibrant JPEG photos suitable for social media and casual printing.

Cons:

• Image Quality Limits: Camera performance is closer to a smartphone than professional drones, with some noise and less detail at full resolution.
• 48MP Mode Noise: Higher megapixel setting introduces noticeable grain, reducing image clarity.
• Not Ideal for Professionals: Those seeking advanced photography features may prefer more expensive models like the Mavic 3.
• Limited Payload: Small size limits additional accessories or payload options.
• Price vs. Features: While affordable, some features found on higher-end drones are missing, such as longer range or advanced zoom.

Equipment Used

For this review, I tested the DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo, which comes with the RC 2 controller featuring a built-in display. This unit was provided on a temporary loan from DJI solely for evaluation purposes.

Key Innovations

The Mini 4 Pro marks a major leap for the Mini series as it is the first to offer obstacle detection in all directions. Given that the Mini line is designed primarily for beginners, this is a noteworthy enhancement. Additionally, the drone benefits from an upgraded transmission system, allowing for greater flight range without signal interruptions. Another valuable feature is the inclusion of Waypoints, enabling pilots to program and save specific flight routes — perfect for capturing consistent shots over time, such as seasonal changes.

Ergonomics

Weighing in at under 249 grams, the DJI Mini 4 Pro fits snugly within the Mini series’ lightweight category. In the U.S., this weight exempts it from mandatory registration, making it hassle-free for casual flyers. Its compact size means it won’t dominate your camera bag—either slipping into a small messenger bag or taking up roughly the space of two camera lenses when packed in a larger bag (one slot for the drone, another for the controller).

The design remains largely consistent with previous Mini models, but a few improvements stand out. Most notably, the drone features sensors all around to support its new omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system. Additionally, the gimbal cover has been redesigned for better usability—unlike earlier versions that were fiddly to attach, the new cover easily slides over the forward-facing sensors, making it far less frustrating to use.

With its four foldable arms, the DJI Mini 4 Pro remains compact yet easy to deploy quickly. The rear section contains the battery, microSD card slot, and USB-C port, while the front is dedicated to the camera and gimbal assembly.

Overall, the Mini 4 Pro’s design is impressive, especially considering it weighs less than 0.55 pounds. One improvement I’d love to see is the introduction of more color choices. It can be tough to keep track of a drone that blends into cloudy skies—vibrant neon shades would make spotting it much easier during flight.

Depending on the package, the Mini 4 Pro comes with either the DJI RC-N2 or the DJI RC 2 controller. The key difference is that the RC-N2 requires connection to a smartphone for operation, as it lacks a built-in screen. Both controllers are comfortable to hold, with handy shortcut buttons that minimize reliance on touchscreen controls during flight.

Build Quality

To keep the Mini series under the 249-gram limit, DJI uses lightweight plastic materials for the Mini 4 Pro. While it’s not built to withstand a fall from extreme heights, my experience with the similarly constructed Mini 2 showed it can handle minor crashes, like a recent drop from about 20 feet into a pile of leaves, which left it unscathed except for an intact propeller.

I always suggest investing in DJI Care, which provides coverage beyond the standard warranty. There is a modest fee if you need a full replacement or if your drone is lost during flight. For example, DJI Care replaced my Mini 2 entirely after I accidentally damaged its electronics last summer. When purchasing my next drone, DJI Care will definitely be part of the package.

Focusing

This drone maintains clear focus on subjects anywhere from roughly one meter away all the way to the horizon, making focusing simple and hassle-free. However, to guarantee the camera locks onto the exact subject you want, it’s advisable to tap on the screen and confirm the focus point before shooting.

Ease of Use

 

My first experience flying a drone was with the Mini series, and the DJI Mini 4 Pro makes the learning curve even gentler thanks to enhanced obstacle sensing technology. On your very first flight, the DJI app provides a step-by-step tutorial that guides new users through the controls. This tutorial is always accessible later through the settings menu for quick refreshers.

Thanks to its omnidirectional obstacle detection, the drone will automatically hover or slow down to prevent collisions. Even when flying manually, the drone won’t let you crash into nearby objects unless you choose to disable the sensors. If you get too close to an obstacle, the controller screen will flash warnings and emit beeps to alert you.

This obstacle detection is a critical safety upgrade, especially for automated flight modes that can produce impressive videos without requiring much piloting skill. Without this feature, such automated modes would be best reserved for open areas free of obstacles. As someone who primarily uses drones for photography, I really appreciate the peace of mind the obstacle sensors provide. For example, if the drone loses connection with the controller, it’s programmed to return safely to its takeoff point. On drones without obstacle avoidance, automatic return-to-home can be nerve-wracking, as the drone might collide with objects on its way back.

The DJI Mini 4 Pro’s obstacle detection system improves safety but isn’t foolproof—small objects may be missed, and performance drops at high speeds. Always keep the drone in sight and stay alert. I trust DJI because of their strong safety features, like no-fly zone restrictions, alerts for nearby aircraft, and customizable altitude limits to ensure legal compliance.

Battery life has also improved with this latest Mini model. Rated for up to 34 minutes of flight time, I had ample opportunity to capture aerial portraits during my photography sessions without worrying about the battery running low. For longer flights or extensive video work, carrying extra batteries is advisable. There’s also an option to upgrade to the Intelligent Flight Battery, which extends flight time but adds weight, pushing the drone over the 249-gram limit and requiring registration, though this battery isn’t available in Europe.

Overall, the DJI Mini series remains one of the most beginner-friendly drone lines on the market. The Mini 4 Pro builds on that reputation by adding omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. While beginners will still need to learn important skills like understanding regulations, practicing safe flying, and mastering aerial photography, this drone offers many features designed to help newcomers get started confidently.

Metering

Achieving accurate exposure in aerial photography can be challenging, as bright surfaces like sidewalks or dark areas such as asphalt often throw off the drone’s metering system. While the Mini 4 Pro sometimes nails the exposure automatically, I generally preferred using Pro mode to adjust camera settings manually or apply exposure compensation to get the best results.

Image Quality

Like the DJI Mini 3 Pro, the DJI Mini 4 Pro uses a 1/1.3-inch Quad Bayer sensor. It outputs 12MP images but can create 48MP shots by splitting pixels. While the sensor hasn’t changed much, and the image quality is similar to a smartphone, you can still get amazing results with good composition and low ISO settings.

JPEG Quality

The JPEG images produced by the DJI Mini 4 Pro are vibrant and colorful, effectively highlighting the drone’s unique aerial perspective. When viewed as a whole, the photos exhibit pleasing color accuracy and strong contrast.

However, when examining the images at full resolution (100%), it becomes clear why I often describe the Mini series as a “smartphone with wings.” While the image quality is decent, it aligns more closely with what you’d expect from a high-end smartphone rather than a professional mirrorless camera. This is understandable given the Mini 4 Pro’s compact size and budget-friendly price. For those who want to scrutinize every pixel, models from the Mavic series will offer a noticeable step up in image quality.

High ISO Output

Although a 48-megapixel image might seem like it should offer better clarity when viewed at full size, that’s not quite the case with the Mini 4 Pro. Shooting in this high-resolution mode actually introduces more noise, even at the lowest ISO setting of 100. I noticed color noise creeping in at ISO 100 when using the 48MP mode. While it produces a larger image, it doesn’t capture finer details well because much of that detail gets lost in the noise. Additionally, images in 48MP mode often appear softer compared to those shot in the default 12-megapixel mode.

Personally, I found the 12-megapixel setting delivers better overall image quality. The 48MP mode can be useful if you need larger prints, but having fewer pixels means each pixel is larger, which reduces noise and performs better at the base ISO. However, noise increases significantly between ISO 400 and 800, so I recommend keeping the ISO at 400 or below. While that might seem limiting on a traditional camera, most drone pilots won’t face much trouble because flying is generally restricted to daylight hours, and the camera’s gimbal stabilization helps maintain sharpness without needing higher ISO settings.

RAW File Versatility

To begin with, the RAW files from the Mini 4 Pro tend to be around one stop darker than their JPEG counterparts. While underexposing is generally safer than overexposing — since shadows are easier to recover — it can be frustrating to manually adjust the exposure during post-processing for nearly every shot. Fortunately, there’s about two stops of flexibility in lifting the shadows from underexposed images. However, recovering blown-out highlights, especially in bright skies, is much more difficult. Once those details are lost, they’re often unrecoverable.

Who Should Buy It? 

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is an excellent pick for anyone just getting into drones. It’s incredibly beginner-friendly, with intuitive controls and built-in flight tutorials that make learning to fly feel easy. One of its standout features — omnidirectional obstacle sensing — adds an extra layer of safety, especially for new pilots who are still building confidence. Its lightweight, compact design is perfect for travel, and even with its approachable price tag, it includes plenty of DJI’s higher-end features like RAW photo support, manual settings, and smart safety tools.

That said, the image quality is more on par with a top-tier smartphone than a professional mirrorless camera. For casual flyers, hobbyists, and content creators posting to Instagram or TikTok, that’s usually more than enough. But if you’re a serious photographer or filmmaker who needs the best in sharpness, dynamic range, and low-light performance, it might be worth looking into the DJI Mavic 3 or Mavic 3 Pro instead.

Tech Specs

Takeoff Weight:
Under 249 grams (with standard Intelligent Flight Battery, propellers, and microSD card). Actual weight may vary depending on manufacturing differences and environmental conditions. Note: The drone exceeds 249g when equipped with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, which is not available in Europe. Always verify local regulations before flying.

Dimensions:

• Folded (without propellers): 148 × 94 × 64 mm
• Unfolded (with propellers): 298 × 373 × 101 mm

Maximum Speeds:

• Ascent/Descent: Up to 5 m/s (S & N Modes), 3 m/s (C Mode)

Horizontal Speed:

• 16 m/s in Sport Mode
• 12 m/s in Normal and Cine Modes
  [Note: Speed may vary due to local flight restrictions.]

Operating Temperature Range:
-10°C to 40°C (14°F to 104°F)

Camera & Imaging:

• Sensor: 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP effective pixels
• Lens: 24mm equivalent, 82.1° FOV, f/1.7 aperture
• Focus Range: 1 meter to infinity

ISO Range (Photos):

• 12MP: ISO 100–6400
• 48MP: ISO 100–3200

Shutter Speed:

• 12MP: 1/16000s – 2s (long exposure simulation up to 8s)
• 48MP: 1/8000s – 2s

Image Resolution:
Maximum image size: 8064 × 6048 pixels

Photography Modes:

• Single Shot (12MP / 48MP)
• Burst Mode: 3/5/7 frames (12MP), 3 frames (48MP)
• AEB: Up to 7 shots in 12MP mode
• Timed Shots: 2–60 seconds (intervals vary by resolution)
• File Formats: JPEG and RAW (DNG)

Obstacle Sensing:
Features omnidirectional obstacle detection using a binocular vision system, enhanced with a 3D infrared sensor located on the drone’s underside.

conclusion

The DJI Mini 4 Pro offers an impressive blend of portability, smart features, and solid performance, making it a great choice for both new and experienced pilots. Its compact frame houses advanced tech like obstacle avoidance and a capable camera that delivers stunning aerial views. While it may not match professional-grade equipment, it’s perfect for creative exploration and capturing memorable moments from above. The Mini 4 Pro isn’t just a drone—it’s a gateway to seeing the world from a fresh, elevated perspective.