- Lawrence Ng
DJI Mini 4 Pro First Look, A Little Yet Much Appreciated Change
The new DJI Mini 4 Pro offers some slight but important improvements over the previous Mini 3 Pro model, especially when it comes to aerial photography and videography at night.
At less than 249 grams, it retains the regulation-friendly weight of less than 250 grams, meaning recreational users may not require registration in some countries and region. But to be on the safe side, always check with your local laws and regulations before use.
The additional small legs have been added to the front of the drone, below the propellers. These legs provide better stabilisation during takeoff and landing, ensuring a smoother transition between flight modes. More importantly, the legs help protect the 1/1.3-inch camera sensor from damage if the drone makes contact during landing on uneven surfaces.
DJI has also increased the quality of the 1080p live view transmitted from the aircraft to 60 frames per second, resulting in a smoother control experience for pilots.
Slow motion capabilities have been upgraded to 4K resolution at 100 frames per second, allowing pilots to capture high-speed action with incredible clarity, such as motorsports.
The Mini 4 Pro includes upgraded obstacle sensors to better detect objects. It enhances safety with omnidirectional obstacle sensing, utilising multiple wide-angle and a pair of downward vision sensors to detect obstructions from all directions. Complemented by Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems, the drone features automatic braking and obstacle bypass, elevating in-flight security even in low light scenarios. When switched to Night mode, a bottom Auxiliary Light helps the sensors distinguish ground levels in darker areas, enabling safer landings.
Drone pilots will appreciate the slight upgrade to the 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and noise reduction algorithm for improved low-light performance. Together with a multi-scale noise reduction algorithm, nighttime shots should have less noise and finer detail retention.
The most basic DJI Mini 4 Pro package offered with the DJI RC-N2 controller retails for S$1,079. This entry-level option includes the essential components needed for basic flight operation, such as one Intelligent Flight battery, a controller, cables, and propellers. For S$550 more, the Fly More Combo Plus package provides significantly more value. Drone pilots will get everything in the basic package but on top of that, they will get extra propellers, a shoulder bag, extended flight times with three Intelligent Flight Batteries Plus capable of 45 minutes each and additional a two-way charging hub allows for rapid battery swapping in the field. This package also includes a shoulder bag for safely transporting all components, as well as spare propellers.
Check out these nighttime scenes we have taken and let us know your thoughts.
