DJI has just launched the DJI Mini 4 Pro, the latest addition to its Mini series of compact and lightweight drones. The Mini 4 Pro is a significant upgrade over the previous Mini 3 Pro drone, offering more power, intelligence, and features in a sub-250g package.
Design and specs
The DJI Mini 4 Pro looks very similar to the Mini 3 Pro drone, with a sleek and foldable design that makes it easy to carry and store. The main difference is the addition of Omnidirectional Vision Sensing on the drone's front, back, top, bottom, and sides, enabling it to detect and avoid obstacles in all directions. This is a huge improvement over the Mini 3 Pro drone, which only had downward vision sensors.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro drone also has a new LED light on the bottom, which helps with visibility and positioning in low-light conditions. The light can also be customized with different colors and patterns using the DJI Fly app. The drone also has a new mechanical gimbal that can tilt up to 90 degrees, allowing for more creative angles and perspectives.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro drone weighs only 249 grams, which means it does not require registration in most countries and regions. This makes it ideal for travelers and hobbyists who want to fly with minimal hassle. However, it also means that the drone is not very resistant to wind and may struggle in gusty conditions.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes, which is slightly longer than the Mini 3 Pro drone's 30 minutes. It also has a maximum transmission range of 10 kilometers, which is the same as the Mini 3 Pro drone. The drone uses the same OcuSync 2.0 technology as the Mini 3 Pro, ensuring a stable and reliable video feed from the drone to the controller.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro comes with a new smart controller with a built-in 5.5-inch screen displaying live video from the drone. The controller also has an ergonomic design, a long battery life, and dedicated buttons for quick access to functions like return-to-home, intelligent flight modes, and camera settings.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro drone costs $759, which includes the smart controller, three batteries, a charging hub, propeller guards, extra propellers, a carrying case, and other accessories. This is quite a bit more expensive than the Mini 3 Pro drone, which costs $599 for the same bundle. However, considering the added features and performance of the Mini 4 Pro drone, it may be worth the extra cost for some users.
Camera and video
The DJI Mini 4 Pro drone has a 12-megapixel camera with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, which is the same as the Mini 3 Pro drone. However, the camera has a new 24mm equivalent lens with an f/1.7 aperture, which allows for more light intake and better low-light performance. The camera also has a new D-Log M color profile, which enables more flexibility and consistency in post-processing.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro can shoot 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, which is also the same as the Mini 3 Pro drone. However, the Mini 4 Pro drone can also shoot 4K video at up to 100 frames per second, which allows for smooth slow-motion effects. The video bitrate has also been increased from 100 Mbps to 120 Mbps, which results in higher quality and detail.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro drone also supports HDR video in both 4K and 2.7K resolutions, enhancing the footage's dynamic range and contrast. The HDR video mode also has an improved algorithm that reduces ghosting and artifacts caused by moving objects.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro drone has several intelligent video modes that make it easy to capture cinematic shots with minimal effort. These include:
- QuickShots: Pre-programmed movements that automatically track a subject and create stunning videos with music and effects.
- MasterShots: A more advanced version of QuickShots that analyzes the scene and selects the best shots and edits for you.
- FocusTrack: A mode that lets you choose from three sub-modes (ActiveTrack, Spotlight, or Point of Interest) to keep your subject in focus while flying.
- Hyperlapse: A mode that lets you create time-lapse videos with different speed and direction options.
- Panorama: A mode that lets you capture 180-degree or sphere panoramas with a single tap.
Performance and features
The DJI Mini 4 Pro drone has a more powerful motor than the Mini 3 Pro drone, which enables it to fly faster and more agilely. The Mini 4 Pro drone can reach a maximum speed of 57 kilometers per hour in Sport mode, compared to the Mini 3 Pro drone's 46 kilometers per hour. The Mini 4 Pro drone can also ascend and descend faster and has a higher wind resistance rating.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro has a more intelligent flight system than the Mini 3 Pro drone, thanks to the Omnidirectional Vision Sensing and improved AI algorithms. The Mini 4 Pro drone can:
- Detect and avoid obstacles in all directions, reducing the risk of collisions and crashes.
- Follow complex terrain and adjust its altitude automatically, making flying over hills and mountains easier.
- Recognize and track subjects more accurately and smoothly, even in challenging scenarios like high-speed movement or low-light conditions.
- Return home more safely and precisely, avoiding obstacles and landing on a designated spot.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro drone also has some new and enhanced features that make it more fun and versatile to use. These include:
- SmartPhoto: A mode that automatically optimizes the photo settings according to the scene and lighting conditions, resulting in better quality and clarity.
- Night Mode: A mode that enhances the camera's performance in low-light situations, using a longer exposure time and noise reduction.
- Timed Shot: A mode that lets you set a timer for taking photos, which is useful for group shots or selfies.
- Trimmed Download: This feature lets you trim and download only the video parts you want, saving time and storage space.
- DJI Fly app: The app that connects your smartphone to the drone, which has been updated with a new interface, more tutorials, and more creative templates.
Conclusion
The DJI Mini 4 Pro drone is an impressive sub-250g drone that offers a lot of power, intelligence, and features in a compact and lightweight package. It is a significant upgrade over the Mini 3 Pro drone, especially in terms of obstacle avoidance, video functionality, and flight performance. It is ideal for both professionals and enthusiasts who want a high-quality drone that does not require registration and is easy to carry and use.
However, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is also quite expensive, costing $160 more than the Mini 3 Pro drone for the same bundle. It may not be worth upgrading for current Mini 3 Pro drone owners unless they really need the extra features and performance. It may also not be suitable for flying in windy conditions, as it may struggle to maintain stability and control.
Overall, the DJI Mini 4 Pro drone is an amazing sub-250g drone that sets a new standard for what compact drones can do. It is definitely worth considering if you are looking for a small but powerful drone that can capture stunning photos and videos with minimal hassle.
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