The Ultimate Guide to DJI Mini 4 Pro: Unleashing Stunning Image Quality for Drone Enthusiasts
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a compact and feature-packed drone that offers exceptional image quality With its beginner-friendly setup and multiple app options, it provides a seamless flying experience Its 4K video performance makes it a powerhouse in its class Should you buy the DJI Mini 4 Pro? Absolutely
Key Takeaways
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a compact and lightweight drone that doesn't compromise on pro features, such as obstacle sensing and 4K 60fps video quality.
The Mini 4 Pro is compact and lightweight, making it the perfect choice for beginners who want to take it with them on-the-go. It is available in different configurations, including the Fly More Combo Plus which includes extra flight time batteries and a shoulder bag for added convenience.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro, launched in May 2022, is highly regarded as one of the top mini drones available. Praised for its lightweight design, user-friendliness, and impressive video capabilities, it has become a favorite in the market. Now, DJI is introducing the Mini 4 Pro, promising advancements in flight performance, camera quality, flight time, and beginner-centric features such as Intelligent Flight Modes.
DJI boldly claims that the Mini 4 Pro is their best drone for beginners, and its competitive price makes it an attractive option for prospective buyers. However, can the leading industry name truly deliver a compact drone that surpasses its well-received predecessor and lives up to its Pro designation?
The DJI Mini 4 Pro by DJI
The DJICamera brand features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with a 48 MP resolution. The accompanying DJI Fly app allows for a maximum speed of 16 m/s in S mode. The camera weighs less than 249 g and has a flight time ranging from 34 to 45 minutes. When unfolded, the camera's dimensions are 298×373×101mm in length, width, and height respectively. Video resolution options include FHD and 4K, with video formats supported being MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265). Notably, this camera is compact yet sturdy and offers excellent image quality.
Good range and battery life
Easy-to-setup and use
Cons Extended battery weight requires FAA registration
$1159 at Amazon
Design and Features: Size Matters
Hannah Stryker
I am the perfect target for drones like the DJI Mini 4 Pro as I have experience with both toy and high-end drones such as the HEQ Swan Voyager with FPV Goggles. Despite not considering myself an expert, I find that the Swan Voyager's large size and complicated setup often deter me from using it frequently. On the other hand, the cheaper toy-like drones are too basic, lacking obstacle avoidance capabilities and limited range. However, the affordability of these drones also means they are easily lost.
This is why the DJI Mini 4 Pro is so appealing. It offers a compact design that can be taken anywhere, while still providing professional features like omnidirectional obstacle sensing, ActiveTrack 360 degrees, ensuring effortless recording from any angle, and superior video quality with full 4K 60fps.
The compact size and lightweight design of the DJI Mini 4 Pro are truly impressive. When its propellers are folded, it measures approximately 5.86 inches long and 3.66 inches wide. Even with the extended battery, it weighs a mere 303.5 grams. However, it's important to note that the FAA and certain states mandate the registration of drones weighing 250g or more for takeoff. While the registration process is simple, it becomes necessary to consider this requirement when using the extended battery. The extended battery offers less flight time but ensures that the drone remains under the 250g threshold.
Hannah Stryker The DJI Mini 4 Pro, RC 2 remote controller, and all its accessories conveniently fit in the compact storage bag.
The drone features a stabilized 3-axis gimbal and a single 1/1.3-inch sensor camera capable of capturing 4K 60FPS HDR video, 4K 100FPS slow motion video, and 48MP photos. Additionally, the wide-angle camera allows for seamless vertical shooting.
Utilizing DJI's OcuSync 4 (O4) video transmission technology, the drone provides a responsive 1080p/60FPS live video feed with a remarkable range of up to 20km (12 miles). Although external factors may impact the signal strength and range, this represents a significant improvement compared to its predecessor's maximum range of approximately 12km (7 miles).
The DJI Mini 4 Pro offers different configurations at affordable prices. The base option, starting at $759 (DJI RC-N2), includes the drone, an RC-N2 remote controller (without a display), and a battery that provides up to 34 minutes of flight time. For an enhanced experience, the DJI RC 2 option is available at $959, which features the RC 2 remote controller with a screen instead of the RC-N2.
Hannah Stryker presents the DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo Plus (DJI RC 2), with the storage bag not shown.
I reviewed the DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo Plus (DJI RC 2), which comes with the RC 2 remote controller, three flight time batteries, a two-way charging hub, and a shoulder bag. The price for this bundle is $1,159. The "Plus" refers to the package having three 45-minute flight time batteries, while the non-Plus package priced at $1099 only includes 34-minute batteries.
The shoulder bag is compact, measuring approximately 9 inches wide, 4.75 inches deep, and 6.75 inches tall. It can easily accommodate all items from the package, including the drone, RC 2, three batteries, charging station, three sets of replacement propellers, USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A cable, and a mini screwdriver.
The three batteries can be charged one at a time in the charging station until the indicator lights show a full charge. It is recommended to use a 30W PD fast charger, but any standard USB power source will work, although it may charge at a slower rate. The charging station has a USB-C input and a USB-A output, and there is a power button that allows you to check the status of any inserted battery.
When a battery is inserted into the drone, it can be charged through its own USB-C port, which has the same indicator lights and power button as the charging station. The RC 2 remote controller also charges and operates in the same way and has a battery life of up to three hours.
Setting Up: Beginner Friendly
Hannah Stryker
To get started, simply ensure that the RC 2 remote and at least one battery are fully charged. Then, remove the propeller holder and gimbal protector from the drone. Unfold the rear arms, front arms, and propeller blades. Once the drone is ready, take out the control sticks from their storage slots and attach them to the controller by screwing them in. Finally, unfold the antennas of the controller.
Before using the RC 2 for the first time, it is necessary to activate it using an available Wi-Fi connection. This can be done by pressing and then holding the power button, which will initiate the guided activation process on the 5.5-inch touchscreen.
Once the controller is activated and bound to the drone, you are all set to fly, except for any necessary firmware updates. After ensuring that everything was charged, I was able to go from unboxing to taking my first flight in just around 30 minutes.
Located at the front of the drone is the gimbal and camera, along with an omnidirectional vision system that can detect obstacles in horizontal directions and above. Below, you will find the downward vision and 3D infrared sensing systems, as well as an auxiliary light. Towards the back of the drone, there are battery level LEDs, a Power button, a USB-C port, a microSD card slot, and battery buckles. Lastly, just below the outer rear propellers, you will find indicators for the aircraft's status.
The RC 2 remote features two control sticks positioned above the front touchscreen. The touchscreen display has a resolution of 1920 x 1280 pixels and offers excellent visibility even under direct sunlight, with its vibrant and responsive nature. Between the control sticks, you will find essential buttons such as Flight Pause/Return to Home (RTH), Flight Mode switch (CineSmooth, Normal, and Sport), and the Power button. Just above the Flight Mode Switch, there are status LED indicators and battery level LEDs.
Located at the top of the remote are antennas, flanked by a video Record button and a Focus/Shutter button for capturing photos. The middle section houses speakers. Below these buttons, there is a Gimbal dial that controls the camera's tilt and a Camera Control dial for managing zoom. At the bottom of the remote, you can find a microSD card slot and a USB-C port. Lastly, on the rear side of the remote, there is storage for the control sticks and customizable C1 and C2 buttons. By default, pressing C1 allows you to recenter the gimbal or point it downward, while C2 switches between Landscape and Portrait modes.
As for the RC 2, I discovered that its build quality is sturdy, ergonomic, and thoughtfully designed—just like the drone. Despite the slim possibility of a crash landing, I never had any worries about the drone's durability after an occasional mishap, nor the RC 2's resilience to a random drop.
The Apps: Multiple Options
Bill Loguidice
Three apps, which work with either iOS 11.0 or above, or Android 7.0 or above, devices, are recommended by DJI: DJI Fly, DJI Store, and LightCut.
The RC 2 includes DJI Fly, which offers tutorial courses, video editing capabilities, and access to SkyPixel for photo and video sharing. It is beneficial to have access to the app's features, such as learning courses, on your mobile device even with the RC 2.
At DJI Store, you can shop for products, engage in forums, receive after-sales support, access tutorials, and utilize the Virtual Flight experience. This feature allows you to safely train with a virtual version of the DJI Mini 4 Pro, serving as a great tool for both testing before purchasing and making drone control a gamified learning experience.
Flight Performance: Easy Does It
Despite not being developed by DJI, the recommended video editing app by the company is LightCut. This app offers a wide range of advanced editing features that surpass those available in DJI Fly, including functions based on artificial intelligence.
Bill Loguidice conducted a comprehensive trial of the DJI Mini 4 Pro in the pleasant autumn climate of New Jersey. Remarkably, this compact drone proved to be highly stable, effortlessly handling varying weather conditions such as sunny skies, overcast settings, and gentle breezes. Naturally, it is essential to refrain from flying the drone during snowfall, rain showers, or foggy conditions, and it is advisable to ensure that wind speeds remain below 23 mph. Nevertheless, under typical circumstances, this lightweight device displayed only minor vibrations, further reinforcing its exceptional performance.
Flight limits for height and distance are automatically enabled, providing reassurance when using the drone at extended distances. When the Geospatial Environment Online (GEO) System is activated, real-time updates on flight safety and restrictions ensure that the drone does not fly in restricted airspace. These features are beneficial for all users, including beginners, as they ensure a safe flying experience.
The basic flight procedure involves initiating Auto Takeoff, where the DJI Mini 4 Pro hovers approximately 4 feet above the ground until further commands are given. The drone can be controlled using the two flight sticks, with three available modes depending on personal preference. I was able to easily operate the drone and camera using the default control scheme, even without prior experience on the flight simulator.
Engage Auto Landing with a simple tap and watch as the drone effortlessly returns to its takeoff point. Despite occasionally being slightly off, it remains an impressive accomplishment and adds to the convenience of operating the drone beyond visual range.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is equipped with an advanced flight mode called FocusTrack, which offers three unique features: Spotlight, Point of Interest (POI), and ActiveTrack.
Spotlight allows you to maintain control over the drone's movements while keeping the camera focused on a specific subject. POI enables the drone to orbit around the subject in a circular pattern, adhering to a predetermined radius and flight speed of up to 26 mph. ActiveTrack ensures that the drone maintains a consistent distance and altitude from the tracked subject, offering two modes: Trace and Parallel. In Trace mode, the drone can track the subject in eight different directions, relative to the subject's movements. On the other hand, Parallel mode tracks the subject from a fixed geographical orientation. These various modes effectively kept my target object within the frame even as I manually controlled the drone.
The RC 2 remote controller has three Flight Modes: Normal, Sport, and CineSmooth (Cine). In Normal Mode, the drone utilizes the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), the omnidirectional vision system, the downward vision system, and the 3D infrared sensing system for stability and positioning. This mode is recommended for most situations and helped remove guesswork and stress from my flight plan.
Sport Mode uses GNSS and the downward vision system for positioning, optimizing the drone's responses for agility and speed. However, obstacle sensing is disabled in this mode. I only used Sport Mode in open fields to avoid crashing into trees or obstacles. It's a great feature for adventurous users who want to fly the drone in an acrobatic manner.
Cine mode is designed to enhance stability during filming by limiting the drone's flight speed. This mode ensures a smoother video image with less reliance on the gimbal, although it restricts the drone's agility. Professionals who require high-quality photos and videos will likely find this mode indispensable.
As with any high-performance device powered by a battery, it is expected that the drone may become warm to the touch after just 10 minutes of flight. The RC 2 remote controller experiences a similar slight increase in temperature, but neither device becomes excessively hot or uncomfortable.
Video Performance: A 4K Powerhouse
Bill Loguidice
Taking videos and photos is effortless with the RC 2 remote control. Equipped with a microSD card slot and 32GB of internal storage, the RC 2 allows you to store up to 21GB of data. Although the remote controller is capable of capturing 720p screen recordings and photos, it is recommended to utilize the drone for capturing footage directly at its original resolution.
The drone's internal storage capacity of 2GB is sufficient for only a limited duration of 4K video and a few photographs; hence, utilizing the microSD card slot is advisable. Opting for a microSDXC card with a capacity of 64GB or higher is recommended. Personally, I employed a 256GB SanDisk microSDXC card, which provided over 5 hours of storage space for video recording.
In addition to the Intelligent Flight Modes, there are several shooting modes available, namely MasterShots, QuickShots, Hyperlapse, and Cruise Control. MasterShots ensures that the subject remains the focal point of the frame while executing various maneuvers in a sequential manner, resulting in the creation of a short cinematic video.
QuickShots shooting modes offer a range of captivating aerial maneuvers. The Dronie mode allows the drone to fly backward while ascending, keeping the camera focused on the subject. In Rocket mode, the drone ascends with the camera facing downward. The Circle mode enables the drone to fly in a circular path around the subject. Helix mode combines ascending and spiraling movements as the drone orbits the subject. Boomerang mode follows an oval path around the subject, ascending as it moves away and descending as it returns. Finally, Asteroid mode involves the drone flying backward and upward, capturing several photos before returning to the starting point. The resulting video begins with a panoramic shot from the highest position and gradually shows the scenic view as the drone descends.
The Hyperlapse shooting modes for drones include Free, Circle, Course Lock, and Waypoint. In Free mode, the drone automatically takes photos and creates a timelapse video. Circle mode captures photos while the drone flies around a subject, resulting in a timelapse video. Course Lock mode allows you to lock the flight direction and choose the subject for the camera to focus on while capturing timelapse photos. Waypoints mode takes photos along a designated flight path, creating a timelapse video.
Cruise Control enables the drone to maintain a steady speed based on the current control stick input, reducing the need for manual control. This feature makes long-distance flights smoother and minimizes image shake, resulting in better video captures.
Introducing the Hannah Stryker DJI Mini 4 Pro ND Filters Set (ND16/64/256)
Just like with any other DJI drones, the Mini 4 Pro offers a vast array of replacement parts and accessories. But two particularly noteworthy ones are the DJI Mini 4 Pro ND Filters Set (ND16/64/256) and the DJI Mini 4 Pro Wide-Angle Lens. The ND Filters Set consists of three different lens filters, designed to cater to challenging lighting conditions, such as excessively bright water or direct sunlight. While their primary function is to facilitate longer exposures, I discovered that these filters were also incredibly useful in combating lens reflections caused by the sun's awkward angles during video shooting.
Introducing the Hannah Stryker DJI Mini 4 Pro Wide-Angle Lens. Enhance your photography experience with this incredible lens, which allows you to expand the camera's field of view. Capture stunning photos at a wider angle, going from 81.5 degrees to an impressive 114 degrees. When it comes to recording videos in 16:9 aspect ratio, the lens provides a wider perspective, going from 75 degrees to 100 degrees. With this wide-angle lens, you have yet another powerful tool to further enhance the versatility of your camera system.
Bill Loguidice captured this stunning photograph using the DJI Mini 4 Pro.
Irrespective of the conditions or chosen shooting mode, the image quality offered by this device is consistently outstanding. The videos and photos obtained are remarkably sharp and vivid, presenting colors that accurately reflect reality. Whether exploring my local area or visiting different parks, I thoroughly enjoyed the exhilarating experience of observing the surroundings from an aerial perspective.
Each shooting mode offered an equally enjoyable experience for experimentation. When coupled with high-quality photo and video editing software, it enhanced the creative opportunities exponentially. Whether employed for professional purposes like capturing real estate listings or conducting site surveys, this compact drone with its versatile capabilities excels in diverse use cases. Moreover, it seamlessly integrates as a perfect tool for YouTube content creation or pure recreational enjoyment.
Should You Buy The DJI Mini 4 Pro?
Bill Loguidice
Despite the presence of cheaper, generic drones that offer similar functionalities, the Mini 4 Pro distinguishes itself with a competitive price point and an emphasis on superior build quality, hassle-free setup, user-friendly controls, excellent image quality, and reliable customer support. In these crucial aspects, DJI has excelled.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is an ideal choice for any drone use case, whether it's purely for enjoyment or for exploring your surroundings from above. With its wide range of flight and shooting modes, there is always something new to try, providing ongoing value. Personally, this drone reignited my passion for flying drones due to its easy setup, user-friendly interface, and impressive image quality. It offers a multitude of features to discover, while maintaining its user-friendliness and accessibility.
In just a little over a decade since drones became available to consumers, DJI has developed a product that is perfectly suited for the mainstream market. Regardless of your skill level, the DJI Mini 4 Pro offers everything you could desire in a drone, all packed into a compact, convenient, and highly functional package.
The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a drone that offers outstanding performance and functionality in a compact and convenient package. With its exceptional ease-of-use and top-notch image quality, it sets a new benchmark in its class. Performance-wise, it ticks off all the boxes, making it a must-have for any drone enthusiast.
$1159 at Amazon
