Home & Office

Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process

‘ZDNET Recommends’: What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET’s editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.

Home Home & Office

DJI gives its smallest drone a big upgrade

Omni-directional sensors come to the sub-250g DJI Mini 4 Pro. Here’s why that’s a big deal.

Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer on

Once upon a time, I would have considered the idea of having a gimbal-stabilized, flying 4K camera that could detect and avoid obstacles and fit in the palm of my hand a fantasy fever dream.

Also: The best drones right now

I’ve continually been amazed by what DJI can pack into a tiny, sub-250-gram drone, but I never thought I’d see this smallest of drones get all-around obstacle avoidance in the form of omni-directional sensors.

OK, first off, what are omni-directional sensors and why are they a big deal?

The drone is equipped with four wide-angle sensors, along with an additional pair of downward vision sensors, giving it the ability to sense obstacles in all directions.

This is a super handy feature for both new and experienced pilots.

But there’s much more to the new Mini 4 Pro. A lot more.

ZDNET RECOMMENDS

DJI Mini 4 Pro

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is a state-of-the-art mini-camera drone equipped with omni-directional obstacle sensors and a camera capable of megapixel photos and 4K video.

View at DJI

DJI Mini 4 Pro tech specs

Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, f/1.7 aperture, dual-native ISO
Weight: Sub 250 gram
Photo resolution: Maximum 48MP image resolution
Video resolution: 4K/60fps HDR video and Slo-Mo video at 4K/100fps, supporting HLG and 10-bit D-Log M
Flight time: Up to 34 minutes (up to 45 minutes using the optional Intelligent Flight Battery)
Max transmission range: 20 km

Along with the obstacle sensors, the camera gets an upgrade in the form of higher frame rates and 10-bit D-Log M which allows for professional-grade post-production control.

DJI says it has also made improvements to the enhanced noise reduction algorithm in Night Shots video mode to deliver even better results at night.

The maximum transmission range has also been boosted to 20 kilometers, and while few are going to be flying at that distance, the increased signal strength should be a benefit to all pilots, especially those flying in wooded or urban areas.

“The Mini 4 Pro perfectly marries professional-grade capabilities while keeping its hallmark lightweight design, offering unmatched freedom and adaptability,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director at DJI. “This drone emerges as the ultimate all-rounder, designed to elevate your creative toolkit.”

Also: Hands-on with the DJI Air 3: The perfect all-rounder drone

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is offered in three different configurations

The DJI Mini 4 Pro with the DJI RC-N2 standard remote controller and the DJI Mini 4 Pro with the DJI RC 2 remote controller with built-in display, which are $759 and $959, respectively.

Then there’s the DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo with DJI RC 2 remote controller, which comes with three DJI Mini 4 Pro “Intelligent Flight” batteries, extra spare props, and a two-way charging hub for $1099.