DJI Mini 5 Pro: Hands-on review

• Hands-on review of DJI Mini 5 Pro with filmmaker Daryl Scott Walker and heliguy™ videographer Brandon Jones;

• Daryl tested the drone's resilience in the Arctic location of Svalbard, while Brandon flew along the North East coast during 'golden hour';

• "DJI Mini 5 Pro is more than just a travel companion. It's a tool I trust, balancing portability and flagship image quality," says Daryl;

• Brandon labels Mini 5 Pro 'a beast' and describes it as the sub 250g equivalent of DJI's flagship triple-camera drone, the Mavic 4 Pro;

• This hands-on review covers DJI Mini 5 Pro's camera, rotating gimbal, Med-tele mode, enhanced safety features, and endurance.

"In a place like Svalbard, you only get one chance to capture a moment. That’s where the DJI Mini 5 Pro proved itself: The new 1-inch sensor, 48mm tele mode, and onboard storage meant I could travel light, without compromising on the shots that mattered."

That's the view of filmmaker Daryl Scott Walker, after capturing epic footage in the stunning, but unforgiving, Norwegian archipelago - known for its remote glaciers and dramatic tundra.

For Daryl - whose portfolio includes big-hitters like Jaguar, LandRover, 66°North, and Adobe - the innovative DJI Mini 5 Pro redefines what is possible for sub 250g drones.

Heliguy's in-house videographer, Brandon Jones, echoes this.

"The Mini 5 Pro is an absolute beast, and it is remarkable how much performance DJI has packed into such a lightweight frame,” he says, having flown the palm-sized marvel along the North East coastline during ‘golden hour’ - just after sunrise.

Daryl and Brandon are no strangers to DJI’s camera drone ecosystem, including the flagship triple-lens Mavic 4 Pro.

But they agree that the Mini 5 Pro - available to buy from heliguy™ - is a lightweight, content-creation powerhouse that has a place in their filmmaking arsenal.

This is their hands-on review…

DJI Mini 5 Pro camera: Larger sensor, bigger storytelling

One of the stand-out features of the DJI Mini 5 Pro is its 50MP 1-inch sensor with f1/8 aperture - capable of 4K/60fps HDR with 14-stops of dynamic range, 4K/120fps video recording, and 10-bit D-Log M colour mode.

It's essentially the same spec as the primary camera on the popular DJI Air 3S - but packed into a smaller frame.

And it blows the Mini 4 Pro's 1/1.3-inch sensor out of the water.

The result? The ability to capture expansive landscapes with enhanced clarity and a wide field of view, and deliver crisp detail in low-light environments.

"From the blinding white of the ice to the moody shadows of Svalbard's mountains, this is where Mini starts to truly feel pro. Balance is everything, and the Mini 5 Pro delivers it exceptionally well," says Daryl.

"The familiar f1.8 aperture 24mm lens delivers the detail, while D-Log M gives enough flexibility to balance shifting scenes.

"The Mini 5 Pro's size and capability mean that flagship image quality, even up to 4K/120fps slow motion, is something that now disappears into your pocket."

Brandon - who has worked on numerous heliguy™ video case studies, including DJI Zenmuse L2 at the new Everton FC Stadium, and DJI Dock 2 at Durham County Council's solar farm - is equally impressed.

Flying at Marsden Grotto/Marsden Rock at Tynemouth during ‘golden hour’ gave him the perfect chance to see how the Mini handled challenging light and dynamic compositions: Think soft morning hues, dramatic cliffs, and a sea stack rising from the water.

“It delivers incredible image quality and the move to a 1-inch sensor makes a noticeable difference,” he says.

“Shooting as the sun rose behind Marsden Rock, I was able to hold onto highlight detail in the sky while still pulling out rich textures in the shadows of the cliffs.

“The wider dynamic range and improved low-light performance elevate the Mini 5 Pro beyond what you’d typically expect from a drone under 250g.”

Zooming into the narrative

To further enhance content creation, DJI Mini 5 Pro is equipped with Med-Tele mode, offering 2x optical zoom.

It delivers sharp, detailed shots, making subjects pop with rich texture, and provides added depth.

Crucially, it unlocks versatility in visual narratives.

Daryl says: "Storytelling isn't just about wide shots, it's the mid-shots and the details that give context.

"That's always been the Achilles heel of the Mini series, a single focal length. However, the Mini 5 Pro introduces Med-Tele mode.

"At first, I doubted it. Cropping into the sensor should mean loss of quality, but after a week of shooting, I'm not sure what magic DJI has pulled off, as the results speak for themselves.

"Sharp and clean, it often became my go-to choice for that compression, albeit simulated."

Daryl concedes that, when it comes to stills, his RAW files reverted to 1x framing after importing into Lightroom.

"But for a drone of its size, the stills are impressive," he adds.

Brandon deployed Med-Tele mode to capture a pod of dolphins.

“This was really useful. With the improved sensor, the resolution holds up impressively well, so you’re not sacrificing detail.

"While flying along the coast, I used it to frame a pod of dolphins just offshore — the extra reach gave me a closer, more engaging perspective without needing to bring the drone in too tight, and the results still felt crisp and cinematic.”

A twist on creativity: DJI Mini 5 Pro's 225° gimbal

Launched in spring 2025, DJI Mavic 4 Pro introduced a 360° Infinity Gimbal, offering incredible creative flexibility.

Taking inspiration, the Mini 5 Pro is equipped with similar functionality - albeit a reduced level of revolution.

Yet, its 225° rotating gimbal enables users to unlock similar swirling effects, and benefit from a feature not found on DJI's previous Mini drones.

Couple this with the now-established True Vertical Shooting mode, and Mini 5 Pro pilots can flex their creative muscles and deliver content that is social-media-ready.

"The 225° flexible gimbal rotation adds a new level of creativity,” says Brandon.

"In this day and age, where users tell their stories on social media, True Vertical Shooting is perfect for creating these assets. There’s no need for cropping - just instant sharing.

“While circling Marsden Rock, I could tilt and roll the gimbal to frame shots that felt instantly cinematic — the sort of movements I’d normally associate with much larger drones.

“Switching between sweeping landscape perspectives and upright vertical compositions for social media was smooth and intuitive.”

Daryl agrees.

"With 225° of gimbal roll, you can craft immersive moments that look great at both the 24mm and 48mm Med-Tele mode.

"Like with the Mavic 4 Pro, I won't use it on every flight, but it's a great tool for adding variety and storytelling moments.

“And combined with True Vertical Shooting, it's the perfect combination for wides, but also those showstopping moments you only see on social media.”

Never miss a shot: On-board drone storage that 'saved the day'

DJI Mini 5 Pro is equipped with 42GB of internal storage - a major leap from the Mini 4 Pro’s 2GB.

This was essential in Svalbard.

“On this trip, it was a lifesaver,” says Daryl.

“I actually forgot to pack any micro SD cards, so having that built-in space meant I didn't miss a single flight.”

Regarding his flights, Daryl says that they were all conducted outside of the Svalbard National Parks and No Fly Zones, while separation distances were maintained where wildlife was encountered.

Trust in the tech, freedom in the skies

Safety breeds confidence. And confidence breeds more expressive and expansive content creation.

In this department, Mini 5 Pro is stacked, enabling creatives to go further.

Headlines include the forward-facing LiDAR, nightscape omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, and, in well-lit areas, it can safely return to home in areas without satellite signals.

It also comes with DJI's latest transmission algorithm, DJI O4+, for stronger anti-interference and more stable, reliable live feeds.

"These upgrades gave me the freedom to push the drone to its limits, exploring glacier crevasses and knowing it was completely safe,” says Daryl.

"Combined with O4+ transmission, even if the connection fails at range, the drone will return home reliably.

"In harsh environments like Svalbard, DJI's latest tech feels flawless."

DJI Mini 5 Pro: Time in the air is everything

Battery life matters - especially when every extra minute in the sky means you can capture something remarkable.

Mini 5 Pro duly delivers, offering up to 36 minutes of flight time with the standard Intelligent Flight Batteries.

It's not a huge leap from the Mini 4 Pro's 34 minutes, but it still offers an extra bit of juice.

“Mini 5 Pro's airtime meant I never felt pressured to cut things short,” says Brandon.

“I could experiment with different approaches, circle Marsden Rock multiple times at varying altitudes, and still have battery left to explore further along the coast. That extra endurance makes a huge difference when you’re chasing changing light."

In Svalbard, Daryl deployed the Mini 5 Pro with the Intelligent Flight Batteries Plus, which pushed the drone well over its 250g weight, but offered longer airtime. Unfortunately, these are not available in Europe or the UK.

Nevertheless, the extended capability impressed Daryl.

"Achieving more than 40 minutes with a drone of this size is remarkable,” he says.

“Time in the air is everything, especially in a place that you might only see once in your lifetime."

With time in the air so crucial, no content creator wants to waste precious minutes with a grounded drone while waiting for batteries to charge.

DJI Mini 5 Pro's Two-way Charging Hub - available separately, or as part of the Fly More Combo - provides a quick-fire solution: With three batteries fully charged in about 115 minutes.

Daryl says: "The faster charging block meant I was rarely grounded for long and back in the air waiting for the next big moment."

Control in your hands, creativity at your fingertips

DJI Mini 5 Pro is compatible with three controllers: The DJI RC-N3, which requires a separate mobile device and comes in the standard Mini 5 Pro package, as well as the DJI RC 2 (pictured below, and comes in the Fly More Combo) and RC Pro 2 smart controllers with a built-in screen.

These controllers aren’t new, but Daryl's Svalbard experience demonstrates why smart controllers are crucial for pro-level shooting.

He says: "Out here, weight matters. The DJI RC 2 controller was a welcome travel and hiking companion. Light, quick, and its small form factor made it easy for hand launches and catching from the ship, which is crucial.

"Even on the brightest of days, the screen provided enough luminance, ensuring exposure and framing weren't compromised. It's a familiar controller we all know, and it's always my go-to for these longer, fast-paced, and unpredictable trips."

On the subject of accessories, Brandon is a big fan of the ND filters, which come with the Fly More Combo as standard.

"One of my favourite upgrades? Clip-on ND filters — finally a quick, no-hassle solution," he says, before adding that he also likes the drone’s clip-off propellers for quick changes in the field.

It is worth noting that adding the ND filters will take the Mini 5 Pro over its 250g take-off mass.

DJI Mini 5 Pro review: Final thoughts

Daryl and Brandon are fans of the Mini 5 Pro and believe it changes the content game.

Brandon says: “After that golden-hour session, the Mini 5 Pro feels like much more than a ‘travel drone’. I would describe it as a sub-250g DJI Mavic 4 Pro.

“It delivers professional-grade image quality, encourages creative experimentation with its flexible gimbal, and smooths out many of the small frustrations of earlier Minis.

“In short: if you’re looking for a drone that combines portability with professional capability, the Mini 5 Pro is the strongest case DJI has made yet.”

And Daryl?

“Is the Mini 5 Pro, really pro? After more than a decade of flying drones in every environment imaginable, my answer is yes,” he admits.

“The 1” sensor, longer flight time, and creative flexibility make it more than just a travel companion. It's a tool I trust, balancing portability and flagship image quality. It's a drone that's earned its place in my bag alongside the larger Mavic 4 Pro.”

Buy the DJI Mini 5 Pro from heliguy™.