When looking at the recently announced DJI Mini 4 Pro drone, everything about this UAV screams upgrade. With a redesigned camera sensor for better performance and expanded battery life, DJI’s flagship UAV looks to be the answer for not only fun social media posts but also more serious content creation.
With an overall weight limit of 249 grams, the DJI Mini 4 Pro can be kept under the FAA’s registration requirement (still a good idea though), the Mini 4 Pro hasn’t compromised its performance by cutting corners. Somehow, the company has managed to pack even more features into this light and compact UAV.
The Mini 4 Pro’s camera features a 1/1.3 inch CMOS sensor with Dual Native ISO. The camera offers 2.4μm 4-in-1 pixels which can be merged together to provide superior dynamic range in low light, for better highlight and shadow details.
With an f/1.7 aperture lens, the camera is super fast and can be shifted vertically to provide vertical video and still images for social media.
The Mini 4 Pro brings a new frontier to the mini lineup
Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance makes flying safer, while an improved imaging processing platform and an all new ActiveTrack 360 mode that makes creating solo easier than ever.
Discover more: https://t.co/t6LRY2M20q pic.twitter.com/B9YgGFY0F0
— DJI (@DJIGlobal) September 25, 2023
The camera can capture 4K HDR video at up to 60 fps, and 4K 100 fps slow motion video. Image capture options include 10-bit recording in DJI’s D-Log M, or Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) for a vast range of colors and more flexibility for grading during editing.
D Log M is capable of capturing over 1.07 billion colors, providing more natural color gradations without that annoying banding issue.
Image Credit – DJI Global
DJI’s Dual Native ISO Fusion provides an ISO range of 100-6400 in normal mode, and up to 12800 in Night Mode.
Night Shots uses a new and improved noise reduction algorithm to capture better details at night for cleaner footage with stunning color and detail.
This means that the Mini 4 Pro provides professional-grade post-production control for better editing and color gamut.
The super slow motion option no longer has to downscale to 1080p to be effective, as the camera immerses its audience in 4K for every single frame caught at 100 fps.
The Mini 4 Pro can also capture still images at 48 MP RAW with HDR imaging and scene recognition for imaging precise details and color shades.
Image Credit – DJI Global
The Mini 4 Pro also offers three cinematic modes to capture a shot from a bird’s eye view. These include Spotlight, Point of Interest, and DJI’s new Active Track 360°.
Users can adjust by swiping a path with the touch-sensitive trace wheel interface to fine-tune their shots with a seamless cinematic flair.
Using DJI’s O4 Video Transmission protocol, the drone is capable of transmitting the camera’s video signal in a smooth 1080p/60fps FHD live feed to distances of up to 20 km, although it’s important to keep in mind that the FAA and other regulatory agencies require drones be kept within line of sight at all times.
Image Credit – DJI Global
The drone also offers additional modes including MasterShots, QuickShots, Hyperlapse, and Panorama. There is also a Quick Transfer mode which will quickly transfer your original camera files to your smartphone without linking the remote controller, so they are easier to share instantly.
Image Credit – DJI Global
DJI’s new Omnidirectional Object Sensing uses sensors located all around the drone to identify and avoid obstacles more smoothly and provide professional-grade stability while continuing to track the subject.
The Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS) leverages four wide-angle vision sensors and a pair of downward vision sensors to create a sphere of protection around the drone and uses automatic braking and bypassing navigation to maneuver like it was a planned route.
DJI’s flight control modes also provide options that include Waypoint flight, Cruise Control, and an Advanced return-to-home feature so the drone will always return to the barn when needed.
Waypoint flight’s automatic route function enables the drone to recapture a precise route with accurate repeatability, while Cruise Control reduces operator fatigue during long flights by ensuring a steady state with reduced camera shake for smoother camera movement.
Lastly, Advanced RTH will automatically plan a safe flight route back to its home point and easily bypass obstacles. Additionally, the AR RTH route feature facilitates more confident control during return flights.
Image Credit – DJI Global
With all these new features, DJI has not only managed to keep the overall weight of the drone down but has managed to squeeze out a few additional minutes of flight time from its Intelligent Flight Battery.
Users can enjoy up to 34 minutes of flight time with the standard battery, or get up to 45 minutes of flight time with the new Intelligent Flight Battery Plus.
Pricing and availability
The DJI Mini Pro 4 is available at DJI Direct or through their authoriized retailers at a retail price of $759 and comes with the DJI RC-N2 remote controller. You can opt for the DJI RC2 remote controller for a total retail price of $959.
Both have the option of Fly More Combos which includes three batteries, a charging hub and shoulder bag for $1099 and $1159 respectively. The DJI Intelligent Light Battery Plus is an additional $95 and is not sold in Europe.
[source: DJI]
Order links:
- DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone (B&H, Adorama)
- DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone Fly More Combo (B&H, Adorama)
- DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone with RC 2 Remote Controller (B&H, Adorama)
- DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone Fly More Combo Plus (B&H, Adorama)
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.
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