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Mini 5 Pro vs Mavic 4 Pro vs Air 3S: Which is the best camera drone?
We compare camera quality, filming performance, usability, and controller experience.
The DJI Mini 5 Pro, Mavic 4 Pro, and Air 3S are compact camera drones built for high-quality videography and travel content creation.
We compare key features, specs, usability, and real-world performance across all three models.
Includes examples of footage captured on each camera drone.
Brandon Jones, Drone Pilot at Heliguy said:
“For professional videography, I’d recommend the Mavic 4 Pro. Its triple-camera system delivers exceptional footage and captures unique angles that are hard to replicate.”
This year, DJI released the Mini 5 Pro and Mavic 4 Pro, two powerful and compact drones equipped with advanced cameras capable of shooting in D-Log and featuring rotating gimbals for expanded creative control.
Over the past few months, our team has used both camera drones for filming and photography, comparing them with the Air 3S to see how each performs in real-world conditions.
In this blog, we share our feedback to help you decide which is the best compact videography drone for your needs.
Brandon Jones, Heliguy’s Business Development Associate and Dock Specialist, flew all three drones to capture footage and assess their videography performance.
We compare camera quality, gimbal design, usability, flight experience, and wind tolerance, supported by side-by-side spec tables.
Key features
The DJI Mini 5 Pro is a compact yet capable upgrade to the Mini series, featuring a 1-inch 50MP CMOS sensor, 4K/60fps video, and a 225° rotating gimbal with True Vertical Shooting.
Easy to fly and simple to operate, it delivers professional-quality footage in a lightweight design with up to 36 minutes of flight time.
DJI Mini 5 Pro
Brandon Jones, Drone Pilot at Heliguy, said:
“The Mini 5 Pro has some impressive upgrades from the Mini 4 Pro. Its camera quality greatly outperforms the rest in the series, and notably you have more flexibility with take-off points as it can better tolerate uneven terrain than its predecessors.”
The DJI Air 3S bridges the gap between portability and performance.
DJI Air 3S
It features a dual-camera system with a 1-inch wide-angle and 1/1.3-inch medium tele camera, capturing 4K/120fps HDR video and 50MP stills with 14 stops of dynamic range.
The Air 3S also has nightscape obstacle sensing, and forward-facing LiDAR for improved low-light navigation.
With up to 45 minutes of flight time and a 10km transmission range, it’s a versatile option for creators who need flexibility without compromising quality.
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is built for professional content creation, featuring a triple-camera system with a 100MP 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera and dual telephoto lenses for 6K HDR video and versatile framing options.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
Brandon Jones, Drone Pilot at Heliguy, said:
“The Mavic 4 Pro is built for videography. Its triple-camera system and infinity gimbal, combined with intelligent flight modes, make tracking effortless and deliver outstanding footage quality.
The RC Pro 2’s collapsible design also makes it easier and more comfortable to balance piloting with framing your shots, especially during longer sessions.”
Its Infinity Gimbal enables full 360° rotation, and with 51 minutes of flight time, it’s designed for extended, high-end cinematography.
Mini 5 Pro vs Mavic 4 Pro vs Air 3S: key specs
Feature | DJI Mini 5 Pro | DJI Air 3S | DJI Mavic 4 Pro |
Weight | <249g | 720g | 960g |
Dimensions | 148 × 94 × 64 mm (folded) | 207 × 100 × 91 mm (folded) | 231 × 98 × 95 mm (folded) |
Camera System | Single 1-inch 50MP CMOS sensor | Dual cameras: 1-inch wide-angle + 1/1.3-inch medium tele | Triple cameras: 100MP 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad + dual telephoto lenses |
Video Resolution | 4K/60fps HDR, 4K/120fps slow motion | 4K/120fps HDR | 6K/60fps HDR |
Photo Resolution | 50MP | 50MP (wide) / 48MP (medium tele) | 100MP (wide) / 48MP (medium tele) / 50MP (tele) |
Colour Profiles | D-Log M, HLG, 10-bit (H.265) | D-Log M, HLG, 10-bit | Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS), D-Log M |
Gimbal Design | 225° roll rotation, True Vertical Shooting | Dual-gimbal system (tilt -90° to 60°, design tilt -135° to 70°) | Infinity Gimbal with 360° rotation and 70° upward tilt |
Dynamic Range | Up to 14 stops | 14 stops | Extended via Dual Native ISO Fusion |
Flight Time | Up to 36 minutes | Up to 45 minutes | Up to 51 minutes |
Transmission Range | 20 km (FCC) / 10 km (CE) | 10 km (CE) | 20 km (FCC) / 15 km (CE) |
Obstacle Sensing | Omnidirectional | Nightscape sensing + forward LiDAR | Omnidirectional |
Camera quality
When it comes to camera performance, the Mavic 4 Pro is the winner.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
The Mavic 4 Pro delivers unmatched detail, versatility, and colour accuracy across its triple-lens system.
Mavic 4 Pro tripple camera specs
Camera Type | Sensor | Equivalent Focal Length | Aperture | Resolution |
Wide (Hasselblad) | 4/3 CMOS | 24mm | Adjustable f/2.0–f/11 | 100MP |
Medium Tele | 1/1.3-inch CMOS | 70mm | f/2.8 | 48MP |
Tele | 1/1.5-inch CMOS | 168mm | f/2.8 | 50MP |
But whilst the Mini 5 Pro and Air 3S can’t match the Mavic 4 Pro’s triple-camera system, both still feature highly capable cameras that deliver impressive results in their own right.
Mini 5 Pro vs Mavic 4 Pro vs Air 3S: Camera specs
Feature | DJI Mini 5 Pro | DJI Air 3S | DJI Mavic 4 Pro |
Main camera sensor | 50MP 1-inch CMOS | Dual: 1" wide-angle (50MP) + 1/1.3" medium tele (48MP) | 100MP 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad + dual tele lenses |
Aperture | f/1.8 | f/2.8 (both cameras) | Adjustable f/2.0–f/11 |
Video resolution | 4K/60fps HDR, 4K/120fps Slow Motion | 4K/120fps HDR | 6K/60fps HDR |
Colour profiles | D-Log M, HLG, 10-bit (H.265) | D-Log M, HLG, 10-bit | Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS), D-Log M |
Dynamic range | Up to 14 stops | 14 stops | Extended via Dual Native ISO Fusion |
ISO range | Up to 12,800 (Normal), 3,200 (D-Log M/HLG) | Up to 12,800 (Normal), 3,200 (D-Log M/HLG) | Dual Native ISO |
Zoom | 2x digital zoom | 1–9x digital zoom | Optical zoom via Medium and Tele lenses |
RAW capture | Yes | Yes | Yes, with high-resolution RAW stacking |
Panorama mode | Not specified | Free Panorama (both cameras) | Free Panorama |
Portrait optimisation | Yes (Standard mode) | Yes | Not specified |
The Mavic 4 Pro’s optical telephoto lenses provide professional-grade clarity and range, while the Air 3S follows closely with its wide-angle and medium-tele cameras for dynamic framing and rich, detailed results.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro maximum optical zoom
Although the Mini 5 Pro lacks optical zoom, it still represents a major step up from the Mini 4 Pro, producing crisp mid-range shots and strong overall image performance.
DJI Mini 5 Pro orbits in 4K
All three drones support D-Log M colour profiles, allowing for balanced exposure, rich tones, and smooth cinematic results across bright and shadowed environments.
Gimbal design
The Mini 5 Pro, Mavic 4 Pro, and Air 3S all have rotating gimbals, for smooth stabilisation and creative movement options.
The Mini 5 Pro provides 225° of roll rotation, ideal for fluid camera movement and True Vertical Shooting, capturing social-ready content without cropping.
DJI Mini 5 Pro gimbal rotation in action
The Air 3S features a design tilt angle of -135° to 70° and a controllable tilt range of -90° to 60°, giving creators a great deal of flexibility for capturing varied angles and dynamic shots.
DJI Air 3S
Thr Mavic 4 Pro has an Infinity Gimbal, offering 360° rotation and a 70° upward tilt, allowing for Dutch angles, sweeping transitions, and bold overhead perspectives.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro Infinity Gimbal
Usability and flight experience
Each of these camera drones prioritise simplicity, safety, and control, featuring intelligent flight modes and advanced obstacle sensing.
Our team tested the Mavic 4 Pro with the RC Pro 2 and the Mini 5 Pro with the RC 2.
The RC Pro 2 offered the most comfortable experience, with its raised, collapsible screen making long filming sessions easier.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro and RC Pro 2
The Mini 5 Pro remains incredibly user-friendly, though extended use can become tiring as the controller must be held higher.
Like the Mini 5 Pro the Air 3S is compatible with the RC 2 and RC-N3.
DJI Mini 5 Pro and RC 2
When it comes to wind resistance, the Mavic 4 Pro and Air 3S are the stronger performers thanks to their heavier, more stable frames.
While the Mini 5 Pro is impressively durable for its size, it’s not as steady in stronger winds.
Of the three, the Mavic 4 Pro offers the best stability for precision shots.
Which camera drone should I get?
All three drones deliver excellent results, but they cater to different users and needs.
The Mini 5 Pro is perfect for travelling creators and entry-level videographers, offering professional footage in a compact, lightweight package.
DJI Mini 5 Pro size comparison
The Air 3S is the most balanced choice — combining portability, dual-camera flexibility, strong low-light performance, and extended flight time for creators who need versatility.
The Mavic 4 Pro is the top choice for professional cinematography, offering unmatched image quality, creative control, and endurance for high-end productions.
Brandon Jones, Drone Pilot at Heliguy, said:
"For professional videography, I’d recommend the Mavic 4 Pro. Its triple-camera system delivers exceptional footage and captures unique angles that are hard to replicate — especially if you’re producing longer, professional-grade videos."
"If you’re after a more compact camera drone for travelling, capturing personal memories, or need something more versatile for tasks like visual inspections, the Mini 5 Pro is the better choice."
"The Air 3S also stands out for travel photographers, offering a balanced mix of LiDAR sensing, ease of use, and a higher-quality dual-camera system."
For expert advice or to learn more about the Mini 5 Pro, Mavic 4 Pro, or Air 3S, contact our team today.
To browse Heliguy’s full range of camera drones, visit our drone store page — with next-day UK delivery on orders placed before 2pm and international shipping available.
