DJI - Mini 4 Pro

Second this, it’s harder to crash with the omnidirectional obstacle detection

I have a Neo and a m4p and I feel like had I waited a month I’d have gotten this instead of both of them..ultimately though I’m beyond happy with my m4p and the Neo was cool as my first drone

The Neo’s camera was underwhelming which is the main reason why I upgraded to the m4p but the flips camera is very similar to the m4p and the price is what would have sold me on the flip..you got that fly more combo for an incredible price

Use my mini 4 pro and my neo depending on the situation but it’s always best to get boots on the roof in addition to the drone shots..hard to see hail damage especially and then impossible to inspect the deck without standing on it.

I highly suggest picking up a mini 4 pro to add to your fleet..the picture quality on before and after pics is night and day compared to the Neo..love my Neo too but damn the m4p is nice

dji mini 4 pro. 3 does it too but doesn't have full 360 avoidance. they max out at like 25mph when following though. I use it dirt biking slow stuff

yeah but it seems like its almost crashing constantly and getting lucky. search youtube for dji mini 4 pro obstacle avoidance for examples. skydio used to have a drone that did this pretty well but I think it's discontinued. basically a select couple dji drones are the only option. any of the cheap ones advertising obstacle avoidance are just gonna crash another thing to note is DJI wont let you take off in certain no fly areas like a national park, or require you to request permission via cell phone link to take off in other areas. i've experienced this in the middle of BLM land in the desert

DJI Mini3 Pro and Mini4 Pro will both do this, and both are 249g drones. So as you’re not distributing or selling your video, you should not need to get an FCC Part107 license. I don’t know if you’ll find and brand new Mini3 Pro models for sale as DJI may be discontinuing it. As I understand it, what gives you the full “follow me” capability is the fore and aft collision avoidance sensors. My Mini2 cannot do that at it only has downward-facing sensors. The Mini3 Pro and Mini4 Pro drones do all that. Your 90-minute flight-time won’t be possible with these drones— unless you’re ok with landing and swapping batteries twice.

If you want collision-avoidance sensors the Mini4 Pro or Mini3 Pro are best in the sub-250g realm. Otherwise the Mini4k is a great value. Before 2025 tariffs went into effect, they could be found at around $250. I paid $430 for my Mini2 4 years ago. Essentially the same drone. I love my Mini2 (not the SE). I have taken it to Europe and UK 3 times now.

My niece is learning on a neo with rc2, and now my m4p. She has only been flying for less than a week, and she says the mini 4 pro is easier to fly. Can’t go wrong with either.

Check out the DJI Flip fly more combo. It was released January 2025 so its new. It shoots 4k/60fps, flies for 31 minutes, has active track, can go 36 mph(which is pretty fast for a boat), and video transmission is 13km. You can also fly it without a controller. You just press a button, point it at yourself so it picks you up as a target, and then it takes off and follows you. You can also check out the Mini 4 Pro or Air 3s(this one is top notch)

I've done this a number of times with various DJI drones, most recently my Mini 4 Pro. It works fine. Here's a simple and boring example of vehicle following: [https://youtu.be/IPlnlFAL7Fc](https://youtu.be/IPlnlFAL7Fc) Works great with a dirt bike and mountain bike too. You just can't go much more than about 25-30 mph, or so.

No issues really, just had fun learning the ropes. For the same budget, there really wasn't anything else like it, but for a starter drone, it won't disappoint. I was hesitant because there's always a risk you will get bored or just crap at piloting. But its worked out really well. I have the mini 4 pro now.

>Hard pass on the Mini 4K unless it was dirt cheap. It is dirt cheap, it's £209 on Amazon right now. It's a good beginner drone for that price. Even though everything about it is inferior to its bigger brothers, it's still capable of producing good results if you have a creative mind. But if it gets somebody into the hobby, then they have plenty of good upgrade options in the future, with the M4P being a great choice if someone wants to stay in the sub 250 category.

This is why I decided on the 3s. I originally bought the m4P but returned it. I’m planning on doing real estate photography (I’m in central Florida, so the market is insane). I was worried about stability in wind, especially near houses

I would reccomend the Avata 2 than! BUT Check some youtube vids first!! because the Avata 2 is not really beginner friendly, but than again... its way more fun and ALOT more fun to watch movies from you created with it... But yeah first, watch some youtube clips about The avata 2, or the other drones like mini 4 pro. You cant go wrong with a mini 4 pro though !

I was personally looking at the DJI Mini 4 Pro and a payload dropper. Works for up to 100g. There is no better drone tech out there than DJI.

Mini 4 pro only. 360 degree sensors for obstacles, the only choice for a first time user. Cheaper offerings are not always the better options for first users. Especially given that you minimize the possibility of having to upgrade.

It sure is! DJI Mini 4 Pro. RAW, ISO 3200, 5 seconds. https://preview.redd.it/whaqz4s1lexd1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=369c0e90c462ba991f0542654910439f73079ecc

I got the Mavic mini at first and a week later I got the mini 4 pro.

Mini 4 Pro fits your requirements perfectly

agree with this guy, myself im coming from a dji avata 2, outgrew it within a month. ended up getting a geprc mark 5, absolutely love it so far. I also have a mini 4 pro, I will not upgrade that anytime soon since dji drones really are the best with consumer cinema drones, but fpv is not their specialty. You will want to upgrade from dji fpv drones really quick after getting into it, making it just not worth it overall. Cheers.

Mini 4 pro all the way considering your needs. Trust me you would not regret using it for even one second. The only time you might regret not having a bigger stronger drone is during high winds. But that is a rare scenario and having a bigger one will give you only so much more. Apart from that Mini 4 pro is comparable to all the high end drones considering your needs.

I own multiples of both the Air 3S and Mini 4 Pro, and two Air 3 units as well. What do you intend to shoot? How do you intend to shoot it? What lighting/time of day? What output do you expect to use? What wind conditions? What class/weight done can you fly regularly? The Air 3S has FAR better obstacle avoidance in low light on its normal obstacle avoidance sensors vs the Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro, plus it also has front facing Lidar, which has also been impressively good. On top of that, the Air 3S has D-log-M at extended ISO ranges, which happen to be the same ISO range the Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro only have shitty 8bit 'night mode' that SUCKS. I was NEVER impressed by the 'low light' capabilities of the Mini 4 Pro and Air 3, nor their Obatacle Avoidance tech even in what i would consider to be 'good lighting', sunset/dusk is too dark, Air 3S the sensors are fine even when its darker than im comfortable flying. The Air 3S exceeded my expectations in low light, both in terms of obstacle avoidance sensors (which are about 10x more light sensitive than the Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro) as well as 10 bit D-log-M performance vs shitty 8-bit 'night mode' on the Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro. Lidar works with zero light up front. The Mini 4 Pro is great if its calm weather and bright enough outside. Air 3 and Air 3S are FAR FAR FAR more stable in wind or gusty situations. The Mini 4 Pro is also quite small and handy if youre after something compact; its a killer piece of kit that punches WAY above its weight for what it is. We keep a Mini 4 Pro or an Air 3 in deployment as 'risky shot' drones for client work, the footage in proper lighting is GREAT! That said, i'd go Air 3S over a Mini 4 Pro, but we use both cams and low light/wind resistance matters for us.

The M4P is a little beast and just perfected upon the previous generations. It's like buying a base model car it's good and does the job but the top trim gives you some features that you didn't realize you wanted till you used them. The M4P having a downward light that's auto or manually turned on was like the chef's kiss IMO. I tell family and friends buy the Mini 3 to start and test the waters if drones are for you and you want more upgrade to the M4P if you have budget constraints grab a used M3P w/RC or save for the M4P because the Mini 3 is still so great lol.

Mini 4K is in my opinion the best budget beginner drone, if you have more money get the mini 3 Fly more combo, in my opinion the RC isn’t worth $300, if you have way more money then the mini 4 pro Fly more is the best drone.

You can fpv almost any DJI drone, by setting the gimbal to fpv (if you want the horizon to shift with the drone flight) and connecting to compatible goggles/controller. The mini 4 pro is compatible with the goggles 3 and motion controller 3 as an example. I will say, as a mini 4 pro and avata 2 owner, I’ve only done it once as it was much slower and less responsive than the avata 2. Fpv drones are better for that experience.

You can Fly the Avata 2 like one of the minis. Tho it doesn't have the 360° safety to dodge trees etc. Also Avata 2 can't rotate it's camera for vertical videos. On top you don't have automatic flight (orbit or mastershots) and you can't auto track people, cars / boats. I got both the Avata 2 and Mini 4 Pro. You use them differently. Mini Series is a camera drone for cinematic shots sub 249gram and Avata 2 is cinewhoop fpv for loopings and rolls. Avata 2 kinda lacks thrust tho and you need to max throttle when trying anything. Avata 2 lacks the "punch up" you get from 5inch copters. Avata 2 with the dildo joystick will behave great as a cinewhoop tho since you have precise hovering / control if you fuck up. With fpv controller you can go for real tricks since those that got programmed into the joystick won't behave fluently.

well no drone is silent and no 1500€ drone will have night vision but look at DJI mini 4 pro or DJI air 3, it does not get any better than that if you want cinema drone both have decent low light functions m4p can fly up to 500m (after recertification to C1) and air3 up to 1000m from take-off point be aware that only m4p is sub 250g and you might need licence to fly air 3 - check your local legislation first

its very hard to crash the new drones (e.g. mini4 pro or air 3)

Well I prefer to travel light and that I don't need to deal with licences and permission (sub 250g usually does not require anything of sort) so I went for m4p but the air 3 is much better option if you don't ming the extra size and weight, I prefer to travel light (backpack only) so every g and every cubic cm counts

actually you dont need that many batteries, 2 chargers and 4 batteries can keep mini 4 pro up indefinitely (of course with interruptions to swap battery) - in ideal conditions even with 3 batteries (and 2 chargers) for full non stop flight at least 2 drones would be necesary

My mini 3 pro was this for me 3 years ago, still going strong. Holds up to ice fishing conditions and pretty high winds. It's also sub 250g so I can use it in the city to inspect roofs of 3 story+ buildings. I'd say the mini 4 pro will past you a long time but the newest one you can afford so you don't need to upgrade after a few years.

Mini 4pro here it’s incredible. I initially got a insta360 x4 to try and do 360 for my motorcycle, huge mistake. Terrible camera and software. I now use my dji action 4 on my helmet and dji mini4pro drone.

wait for air 3s bro. mini4pro is good but i find it gets displaced in even slight wind, which definitely impacts hyperlapses, etc.

For that price range, you’re not going to fit thermal into your budget. The cheapest thermal capable drone would probably be a DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced (~$2,300). For ~$1,000, I’d recommend a DJI Mini 4 Pro with Fly More kit.

I bought a DJI M4P after a £20 temu drone gave me the itch

Overall the best non license photography drone is the dji mini 4 pro. For more fun there is stunt drones but it’s one of those things that don’t really have a good option for kids.

I am exactly where you are with starting with a Neo then snagged a m4p fly more combo for $650 but why do you feel like you would have gotten the flip instead?

I have a Neo, a mini 4K, and a mini 4 pro. Would definitely recommend the mini 4K on your budget, unless your primary use is for taking videos of yourself and friends. A mini 4K with controller is the same price as a neo with controller, and the mini 4K flies much better, just doesn’t have some of the cool smart modes.

I am thoroughly enjoying my mini 4 pro, but I am really glad I had a mini 4K first to see how much I enjoyed the hobby. 4K is probably 80% of 4 pro for a lot less money. Camera is not quite as good, doesn’t have obstacle avoidance, but flies great. I also have a neo, which is a whole other thing. The Neo is pretty inferior when it comes to flying using sticks, it’s good for using its AI to take photos of groups, people walking, that kind of thing.

Mini 4k it's ad much a toy that's stable as for photography. The 300 cameras are good but usually like something with a better camera. I started fortune with the Mini 2 se. I found I like some of the pictures I got, which steered me into light cut and quick edits. I then bought a Mini 4 pro just for the extra Obstacle avoidance and increased camera. Learning how to fly even thoughbit sounds counter intuitive. Learning on the Mini 4k with stable readable connection with growing room built in if he's super young. I passed off my mini 4 to a 5 year old at my family get together and he got it instantly even some of the angles he understood for g lining up good shots in camera he got those basics and was part of why he wanted one. That's my advice if you buy anything else maybe a Specta or Potensic atom but I can't guarantee you'll get the same level of service with DJI. If your even considering DJI I'm future year I'd move now because once the Tariffs are in place that drone will be 500.

I think the right drone for you really depends on what you plan to use it for, regardless of if it’s your first or fifth. FPV drones are VERY different from anything else like the Mini/Mavic/Air; if you primarily want a drone to have fun flying and capture really unique videos (and feel like you’re playing a game) then the Avata is probably a really good option for you…it’s also more rugged, so as a new pilot if you have a crash the drone may be fine. On the other hand, if you need to be able to capture more professional-looking footage or want a more “standard” flying experience, the M4P is a very capable little drone. In my experience, the biggest learning curve when it comes to FPV is being able to properly judge the distance between the drone and nearby objects when flying at an extremely fast speed, and also dialing in the sensitivity settings of the controls so it responds the way you want it to.

I started on a RUKO this same model. I flew for a year first before I upgraded to the mini 4 pro then onto the mavic 3 pro. That RUKO was a great stepping stone to this adventure.

My first drone was a RUKO F11Gim2 it is a great starter drone. I flew that thing all the time and never had an issue expect for a slight delay from time to time but overall I was pleased with it. I ultimately ended up with a DJI and oh my gosh what a difference in smoothness. But I’d much rather wreck a 500.00 drone to a 1300.00 drone all day. I practiced for over a year before I plopped down a lot of money for the DJI mini pro 4. I should have just bought DJI first. But again wanted to be sure I liked the hobby and I could swallow wrecking a cheap one vs. a very pricey one. So my take if you don’t do dji look into RUKO. They have excellent customer service as well.

The mavic 3 pro is incredible in its ability to photograph. I love it. But yes very expensive. The mini pro 4 is a nice little drone. Great clarity.

Mini are best for travel due to size and legal restrictions. Mini 4 pro is best for sensors, camera and autonomous tracking etc

I use a Neo which serves me well but would like a mini 4 pro. The better camera quality would be great

Go with something smaller and cheaper first like the mini 4 pro. It’s great and if/when you crash way easier to replace.

Bcause DJI refresh even if you have it doesn't cover everything and the Mini 4 pro is cheaper. Better to crash a cheaper drone vs an expensive one.

I have one and I really like it. Hard to go wrong with that choice.

Go for the mini 4 pro. The sharpness can be reduced in the settings page and you can also use ND filters to decrease shutter speed to help make it look more natural. The convenience of having a drone weight <250g esp. when travelling overseas is unmatched. If the weight and needing a higher certification is not an issue, then go with the air 3/3s or Mavic 3 for better cameras.

You're looking at either DJI mini 3 pro, 4 pro or Flip. Find used ones on eBay or FB marketplace for your budget. All have tracking features. 4Pro is obviously the best with obstacle avoidance. DJI neo also has follow me feature but it is very small so you might not like it.

Mini pro 4 is good but will lose you if a tree or anything covers you from view

There is no drone that can hold over 40 minutes realistically on one bat. The mini is really fast to change, but at the same time thats way too much content to even care about. You dont want to parse through 60gb of film for one run. Just film the cool looking parts of the run and intersperse with gopro or iphone clips.

The Mini4 Pro would be fine, it's the deliverables that count. You can also explain to people how the size of the drone is a safety feature that makes it so you can fly around people much easier. If you want something with a bit more 'oomph' and visual appeal, the Air 3/3S would be a perfect fit for your needs. I'd even say that the Mavic series would be overkill, really.

Mini 4 Pro hands down is the best drone in the price range. Extremely long range. Tons of accessories available. Amazon has a good fly-more package. MAKE SURE you get the Amazon insurance package from Asurion It’s paid for itself ten times over for me. DJI Care is a joke compared to Asurion.

I bought a DJI Mini 4 pro just like you in February before my trip to Iceland. There are no-drone signs everywhere. Also, I found it to be a little stressful to carry it around with me, unboxing and flying. I’m visiting Iceland again this summer but this time without my drone as I can properly enjoy without having to worry about it. In short, it’s not that useful unless you’re a professional photographer or something

It's a tough call. I have a M4P and man is it a great drone. Its a real workhorse and mine has been utterly reliable. I am probably going to get a Flip too though. I do a lot of indoor and selfie content and I think it might be really good for that type of work and still have some great camera drone abilities. Eager to see more real world reviews with flights and how it handles obstacles, night flying etc. DJI is just peppering us with interesting drones. We could have worse problems!

It really depends a lot on your tracking needs. The Potemsic Atom is pretty cheap, and I believe it has tracking. You might want to check some youtube reviews to be sure. I don't have one, but from the reviews I've seen, they are pretty good drones, but the camera is not quite to DJI levels of quality. The Mini 3 Pro is pretty good at human and object tracking, but it depends on the circumstances. Indoors or in tight quarters, walking behind objects, they don't do well. I had one and really liked it, but human tracking accuracy was very circumstantial. The Mini 3 Pro can do a lot of types of shots though, if you want high altitude tracking shots, it's very good. If it can't see the entire object in the frame, it doesn't do well. The X1 excels at human tracking, but you are limited to a 2.7k camera. That said, they don't require (or use) GPS and are good indoors and in tight spaces. They will follow you around dutifully and are hard to crash and very safe around people. It can track a person even if only their upper body is in the frame and it's really good at picking up a person even if they walk behind an object. They are not really object trackers, they only work on humans. Also, as you said, they are limited in altitude, and flight times are short. And they are not cheap. I have an X1 and a Mini 4 Pro and use them both depending on the situation. I do a lot of tracking shots and both have their pros and cons. The Mini 3 Pro can do most of what the Mini4 pro can and is a good bargain and might be the best all-around solution depending on your needs.

I hear you, there is no one do it all drone just yet. The Mini 3 can do ok inside if it can get GPS. In most of my house and warehouse, I can but it really is a crapshoot. You will likely need to get guards on a Mini 3 to fly inside or you will crash a lot. The X1 is good inside but the camera is not DJI quality, but it's not bad. DJI really knows how to make great compact cameras and process the data to make it look fantastic. My Mini 4 Pro rivals my DSLR when manually tuned. The Mini 3 camera is nearly as good. I suggest youtube reviews. Both the X1 and Mini 3 pro have been tested a lot and you'll get a good idea of the capabilities and shortfalls of each. You can see footage and see if the quality level works. Might make it easier to decide how to go. You might also find something no one's heard of yet to try.

Let me just add that the Mini 4 Pro with the fly more kit has all big batteries, so if you get that your remote ID will be activated, and you won't need to buy additional batteries. You also get the RC 2 controller with a screen so you won't need to use your phone and it's very nice.

I’m a trail runner, YouTuber and casual drone pilot. The best drone for what you’re looking to do is probably a DJI Mini Pro 4, which will give you maybe 30 mins flight time per battery depending on wind conditions etc… On a related note: Quite apart from the logistics of the thing, if you’re doing this for a YouTube channel you’re probably going to want to learn how to run and gun with an action cam (GoPro, DJI Osmo, InstaGo etc…) because it’s about connecting with people as much as it is about the activity of running. Two hours of drone footage is most likely going to be boring as hell; ten minutes of a really nice run, some commentary about how the experience felt, with a few nice drone shots here and there is likely to be much more engaging.

I picked up the Mini 4 Pro last summer and it’s user and beginner friendly. Battery life is a downside and it does not perform the best in high winds. You could pick up a combo bundle with more batteries. It’s small and compact which has its ups and downs. I haven’t had issues with it in colder weather, especially since the drone uses induction cooling and doesn’t have fans to cool the battery.

They are very easy to fly and so the prop guards shouldn't be an issue. I'd go for at least the mini - if you can stretch to it the Mavic 3 (a used original Mavic 3 isn't massively more than a Mini 4 new). Though also, it sounds like just getting APS-C or even full frame camera and doing it by hand/cheap wire kit might produce even better results.

None of those are good choices for tracking in Snow that I know. Okay, the neo is new so hasn't been tried snowboarding, but it struggled tracking me mountain biking relatively slowly in the Alps [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4\_4iQOXTD4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4_4iQOXTD4) (it was a lot worse when I went a bit faster) The Mini 4 pro doesn't do well tracking in the snow. If you get the transponder thing for the Hover air pro it could have a decent chance - but it'll be far from cheap when you add in all the things suggested for snow use.

Mini 4 pro definitely makes it easier for traveling.

Mini 4 is the move. If you have a budget, get the RC2 and the fly more with standard batteries (249g) since you're traveling

It's more portable . Works with the same controller. I would grab it if you want to have less to carry or for quick tracking shots. But overall I like the capability of the m4p

Mini 4 pro, and you're not questioning the future.

I have an Air 3s and a M4P (and a Neo). The M4P / RC-2 / batteries pack down into a small light case, the 3 batteries charge quickly (on my 100w charger), it takes great video, it's sub250 so doesn't need registering if that's a thing where you are, and it's very inconspicuous - once it gets 3-4 metres away from people they don't hear it unless they're trying to and if it's up in the sky doing its thing rather than zooming up and down through a park people just don't notice it. It gets tossed around a little bit in the wind but the picture is stable and so long as the drone is moving rather than trying to hover it looks after itself. It's my goto drone for day to day stuff. The Air3s feels a lot more solid and powerful and substantial and doesn't seem to notice winds that would make the M4P complain. The batteries are physically about 3 times the size of the M4P ones and take about 3 times as long to charge, the bag it all lives in is about twice the size and weight of the M4P bag. It has to be a lot further away before people can't hear it, it needs to be registered, and I've heard that the 3 batteries of the flymore combo are just under the limit of how much LiPo battery you're allowed to take on a plane. It's my goto drone for chasing cars at our local dirt track because it doesn't get distracted and it's fast - an Air3s in sport mode is not only faster than the M4P in sport mode, it's faster than an Avata 2 in sport mode. Flying them the same way doing the same thing on the same day at the track It feels like I get more time out of the M4P batteries. I see you bought the same kit I did - you'll love it :) The Neo just for comparison comes with goggles and 3 batteries and the motion controller but not with a case and it REALLY doesn't like windy days. It's my goto drone for chilling and having fun but it's a PITA to take it anywhere because goggles and no case and low wind tolerance, and everyone knows it's there because it sounds like an angry mosquito so you have to stay away from people. I've seen a couple of people say that as it is a ducted propeller drone like the Avata 2 if you rotate it 180 degrees while it's moving then try to go back where you came from through the air it just disturbed it will stall a propellor and drop out of the sky just like an A2 (the yaw spin that people talk about), but I haven't found any videos of a Neo doing it (tbh I haven't looked).

It feels like the M4P batteries last longer. I haven't flown the 3s enough to say for sure, but from what I have done there's not a lot in it either way.

I should mention I have the bigger batteries for the M3P :)

Second that. I would go for the 4 pro now since it has obstacle avoidance in all directions- it’s very important to me. But the 3 pro is amazing

If you want a super simple one. The neo is easy to use but if I were you I would go for the mini 4 pro

M4P is my go to

Used the mini 4 pro a few times for roof and facade inspections on buildings. Pictures are clear and it has a little zoom so it works well. Pictures are clear enough to zoom in after and examine areas on the computer. You could definitely see areas on the roof that had dents in the sheet metal and paint missing etc

the A3s and M4P are the same tech internally. The A3s is better in windy since it's heavier. I do like M4P(fly more +) on long hikes since it weighs less (around 500g less). Depends on what you want to do both are solid if you want to drive and fly go A3s if you like to hike and fly M4P

Mini 4 in

For weight reduction any mini lineup yes the 4 is hands down the best at the moment since it has so much software to it and Omni. Yes, it's 1100 for the fly more but worth it for the screen controller. Weight is not an issue you can get the Air 3 with fly more and screen for the same price on DJI specials day or refurbished from DJI.

Tbh m4p is just about the best suggestion for almost anyone. Is such a solid drone

I don't own one I have the mini 4 pro, but from my understanding it's the SE just beefed up with the new camera. [I watch him on drone reviews](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rltt5dokJE&t=221s)

For real roof inspections the Mavic 3T pro. for... "roof inspections" aka looking at a roof. The mini 4 pro is great.

Well thermal is good for finding leaks, hot spots etc. You would use a thermal gun on the inside right? Why not the outside? Plus the camera on the mavic is amazing. Then if you really want to get crazy you can 3D map a roof/house and a step further you can LiDar a property etc. Just the thermal by itself is amazing. Not to mention all the other capabilities. The mini 4 pro is just a great little drone. Great camera, good stability etc.

DJI mini 4 pro is all you need. I would not get the avata for the use you’re describing. Mini 4 has the “follow me” feature as well if you want to drive and film yourself at the same time.

I’m in Iceland for the moment. Last week I had some nice flying opportunities that were all legal places. The few people who saw me flying were uninterested or friendly, partly because I didn’t annoy anyone nor flew in restricted areas. For now me, my wife and my Mini 4 pro are stuck in a snowstorm in the north, meaning you can expect all kinds of weather anytime, including drone-unfriendly weather. If you want a sturdier drone that can handle more wind and you want to invest look at the Mavic 3.

Mini 4 pro /thread

DJI Mini Pro 4. Fantastic little platform and with the mini 5 coming soon, it's prices will come down a little making it even more of an affordable platform to start with. Great features. Great battery life. Great form factor for travel. If you're not pixel peeping, the camera does a great job and video output if fine for friends/family/socials.

I have a Mini 4 Pro. It's a great all-rounder. It's small enough that it can fly indoors with some prop guards if needed, though it's better outside. The camera is versatile, and it can tilt its head for pure vertical shooting. Weighs less than 250g, so registration (especially when traveling) is often easier or absent. Folds up really small. I think it's the best international travel drone for that reason. Here are why you'd want the other drones: * The mini flies well, but the Air flies even better. In places like iceland with high winds, Minis get sent to the shadow realm (the ocean), but Airs can manage better. * Mavic line when you want the best camera setup on a drone for photo and video. The flagship camera drone line for a reason, that tri camera is a beautiful, beautiful tool. * Neo for a more entry level, indoor friendly drone. It's just as easy to carry as the mini and costs less, but the camera is not as good and it's not as strong a flyer. Supersedes the Tello. Lacks omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. * Avata 2 is the strongest flyer, but it's for a different type of flight and shooting. It's for first person flight and exploration. It can definitely chase cars and is the fastest, and also the easiest to control at high speeds, but it's definitely rooted in a concept that's flight-first and photography-second. That said, it's a far more capable camera than its roots in custom handbuilt FPV. The others shown are older models. Good if you want to shave some of the newer features for a discount.

I live in saskatchewan, the M4P will give you a cold warning after some time flying in our cold winters. Hardly is there a good day in the winter to go fly due to the wind, weather etc. It is a great drone, I love it, but I hardly ever get a chance to go fly around these days with work and poor weather. Hope that changes in the summer time. I have however flown a mini 2 in -43⁰C for about 20 minutes and it faired very well, no warnings, just icing on the props. I think the sensors and extra wires in the M4P don't take the cold very well. Before flying in the winter: keep your batteries in a warm spot, not too warm, maybe body temperature. This will allow the batteries to last longer. When your done flying, put the drone into the bag, the bag will slowly bring the drone back up to room temperature, and won't cause moisture to build up behind the lense due to heating up too quick

If it’s simply Just photos, stick with the mini. Less regulations and less of a hassle. Mini 3 pro or mini 4 pro just for the obstacle avoidance

You don't mention budget, but honestly my usual answer for anyone looking for a good start is the DJI Mini 4k, which is normally $300, but is on sale for Black Friday. I do recommend getting a Fly More combo with extra batteries, but that will add around $150 to the price. A lot of people will recommend the DJI Neo, but I don't for your purpose. The Neo is more for selfies and vlogging, while the Mini is better for flying and photography (and has better camera). The Neo doesn't come with a remote and if wanted, needs to be purchased separately (you can use phone/tablet but it isn't as good). The Mini 4k is the same drone as the Mini 2 SE, just with a better (4k) camera. I recommend paying the few extra bucks for the better camera. If you want more, feel free to step up to the Mini 3/4 Pro or Air 3 / 3S. The Mini and the Mini Pro are very different drones. The Pro models have better cameras and obstacle avoidance, but the price jumps (Costco has a good deal right now on the Mini 4 Pro for $750).  The Air 3 is like the Mini Pro 4 except adds a 3x telephoto camera and has way more power (it is also way bigger, harder to travel with, and must be registered as it is over 249g weight). The 3S is a newer model that just came out, has an improved camera and lidar for better night flying (which requires a Part 107 license) and obstacle avoidance. Do note, that any use that isn't recreational flying requires a Part 107 license. Additionally, many states have rules against using a drone for hunting (not sure about TX specifically), even with a license. The range on the DJI Mini 4k should be plenty. It is illegal to operate the drone beyond line of sight anyways (without a waiver), so range beyond that won't do you much. That said, the Mini 4 Pro and Air 3 / 3S have longer range transmission than the Mini 4k / Mini 2 SE. Hope that helps!

So really any DJI will work. You can start cheep with a Mini 4k for around $300, though I'd recommend the Fly More Combo (extra batteries and propellers) which goes up to $450. The Mini 4 Pro is a step up and adds obstacle avoidance, which is helpful but not a must have, and an improved camera, but the price goes to $760 to start and $1,099 for the fly more (which also includes the touchscreen controller). Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro are also options, with the Mini 3 being a little better than the Mini 4k and the Mini 3 Pro being not quite as good as the Mini 4 Pro (the Mini 3 Pro only has front, rear, and below obstacle avoidance while Mini 4 Pro is all around). The Mini series has one big problem when it comes to Part 107 operations. When flying recreationally (not Part 107), drones taking off under 250g (which all DJI Mini drones are without accessories) do not require Remote ID. However, when Part 107, Remote ID is required regardless of weight. The Minis can support Remote ID, but due to the way DJI programmed it, it only turns on Remote ID when using an extended battery (sold separately). They do that because then it is 250g and above so requires Remote ID. So when using it for Part 107, you need to either use the extended battery or attach a Remote ID module (which is around $40). An alternative would be the DJI Air 3 (and soon to be released Air 3S). The Air is a bigger drone (about 2x-3x the size of the Mini series), so it is a little harder to carry (can't throw it in a bag as easily). However, it is more powerful and adds a 3x telephoto camera along with the standard camera (and like the Mini 4 Pro, has full obstacle avoidance). Because of its weight, it always has Remote ID enabled. It is a little higher in price than your budget though, coming in at $1,099 or a fly more combo (without the touchscreen controller) for $1,349. With the Air 3S on the horizon, I would recommend not buying one of these unless they are sale (we have been seeing sales lately as they try to get rid of inventory) or otherwise wait until the 3S comes out.

Mini 4 pro for sure. It was my first drone and I love it! Also easy to travel with.

But what i think is since he is gonna be buying its first drone avata 2 don’t have obstacle avoidance and believe me it helps alot to learn for newcomers. I think mini 4 pro would be better choice, it was my first drone and helped me alot

Yea i googled it and u r right about avata 2 whereas i own m4p and it have 360 sensors

DJI Mini 4 Pro with the Fly More combo. Main pull of that bundle is that you get 2 additional batteries. One battery gives you about 25 minutes of flight, so having 2 additional ones gives you so much more time to shoot.

Get the Mini4Pro

That being said, for some shots you might have to disable it. But I also think in a professional scenario you want to avoid the drone crashing and not being able to deliver your customers requests would be too risky. Also with the 4 Pro you can add the wide angle lens if you want

I'd say 100fps is only good when you have short clips to slow down by 2x-3x. If you just post to Youtube, having 4k50 (or, better, 4k60fps) it's enough -- better if with HDR. Photo quality does not depend on megapixels but on the lens+sensor quality combo. So I'd go for the Mini 4 Pro: HDR in 4k/60 and overall good quality on everything else. To get more you have to wait for the (way heavier) Air 3S.

No one can tell you which is best suited imo. I have a mini 4 pro that I use for travel but is mostly useless at home. Today, the wind gusts are 29mph. An air 3s would be better for my home use but not for travelling. I wanted it for travelling, so I went with the mini 4 pro with the option to get a drone only air later from Ebay if I want. Take some time and think about what you plan on doing most and make a decision for yourself. Have fun with your new toy.

Hi, I'm deciding between a few drones right now. (Mini 3 mini 4 pro, air 3, mavic 3 classic ) \~$1000 budget and good footage is a priority. I'll mostly use it for video, so 10-bit and log profiles are important . I'm already pretty experienced with flying drones. My main issue with the Mini 4 Pro is that some of the footage looks a bit over-sharpened. , I want something that can get close to matching the look of my Sony mirrorless . (bigger sensor in air and classic?) I’ve also been considering just going with the Mini 3 and calling it a day—then using it with a 04 FPV setup and gopro (I’ve flown FPV a lot) I'm trying to get a better sense of the image quality and portability of these drones. I’ll also be in Japan later this year, so having something under 249g would be nice. thanks!

I would recommend the mini 4 pro. I bought one 10 months ago and I love it. It was my first drone and was really easy to start with and took it with me on holiday last summer. I feel like I am learning to fly better every time I use it and I'm already thinking about buying an FPV drone (such as the Avata) in the future to get even nicer shots.

Honestly neo is like a child’s toy. Don’t go downgrading from mini 4 pro to it. And please do check the local laws for drones in the Philippines before you bring it over. Enjoy your holiday!

I’ve got the Mini 4 pro and you’re right it’s definitely a tool not a toy. I use it to capture photos I can’t get from eye level or my location. If someone isn’t seriously into the photography aspect of drone flying then anything over a Mini 4 is a hard pass unless they’re into fpv

I started with the mini 4k and now move up to the mini pro 4 with the lenses for ligth pollution.

I fly the coastal creeks of Fl panhandle using a minipro 4 and waypoints using litchi software. I have a redfish school I have been watching for thew last 12 months. Sometimes their physical numbers will exceed 700 fish based upon tide, feed cycle and moon. I also catch a ton of speckled trout attacking the finger mullet. I also live on the wakulla river(Tarzan filmed here in the 1950's). I have several manatees I watch daily. Anything I can help you with let me know, glad to help out.

Yo vivo en España, y en la zona donde vivo hace bastante viento. He probado el Mini 4 pro y me daba pena verlo peleando con el viento de esa manera. Aqui para la calce C1 hace falta un examen online para esa clase de drones, una vez aprobado he comprado el Air 3S y estoy encantado con la resistencia, la batería y las camaras, es una opción a estudiar.

I just ordered one after reading this. I bought a DJI Mini 4 fly more but returned it due to fears of the pending bill. For less than 1/3 the price I can live with the possible deficiencies. Glad you posted this!

Honestly, to the eyes of the public, the Mavic isn't much more impressive than the mini. If you want to look serious, you need an Inspire or an M300. But that's 500% overkill for OP's use cases.

Very different budget, very different cameras. The only reason to get the mini if both are in budget is that it's under 250g, which in some contexts makes the regulations easier to deal with.

Gotta spend money to make money. I’d feel kinda silly pulling out a Mini 4 Pro in front of clients. Yea, we know it’s packed with features and isn’t a cheap drone but, the size makes it look like a toy from Target. Plus in the wind or anything it’s going to get blown around. I’d invest in an Air 3S at least. When you set that big boy up your clients are going to get excited just seeing it. Add the better night or low light photos you’ll be able to provide, it’d be well worth it. You can do what I did and get the minimalist package with the RC-N3 and then get the RC2 and extra batteries down the road. You’ll end up paying more for the full Fly More that way but you don’t have to come up with almost $2k (with Refresh) right out of the gate either.

Maybe. I have a Mini 4 Pro and Air 3S and imo the A3s is a much more impressive looking machine and from what I’ve seen so far, the quality of video and photos output is fairly noticeable. Everything is opinion based, but if I was going to charge people money for content, I would feel better about providing content from an A3S.

I'm gonna say that's probably overkill. I haven't done any roof inspections professionally, but I've done casual ones of my own and my neighbor's roofs with a mini 2. I could likely do them a lot more confidently with my M4P with its obstacle avoidance, since by the nature of flying over a roof you're getting out of VLOS. That said, if you have other means of justifying the purchase go ahead.

I second that. The Mini 3 (non-pro) sells pretty cheap at the moment and I would prefer it over the 4k. Of course, the 3 pro or 4 pro are more expensive but even better. Buy whatever you can afford with an RC controller with a built-in screen to avoid fiddling with your cellphone. The RC2 of the 4 Pro supports DJI‘s latest transmission standard. Unfortunately, they seem to introduce a new one with every drone generation without backwards compatibility. Also set some money aside to get DJI Care Refresh.

Mini 4 pro, air 3 s if you can splurge. Mini 4 is good but doesn’t go too fast. Both have obstacle avoidance so you can do cool flybys. Neo is a toy, FPV is good if you have a pilot with you. If you have money get air but be aware of flight restrictions, if you are quick and stealthily you will be fine. Get mini 4 for allrounder

Mini 4 pro, air 3 s if you can splurge. Mini 4 is good but doesn’t go too fast. Both have obstacle avoidance so you can do cool flybys. Neo is a toy, FPV is good if you have a pilot with you. If you have money get air but be aware of flight restrictions, if you are quick and stealthily you will be fine. Get mini 4 for allrounder

With obstacles avoidance? Mini 4 pro, if you can't afford it Mini 3 pro. Without obstacle avoidance(and half the price)? Mini 4K or used Mini 2 if you want to go cheaper.

I think the Mini 4 Pro as the Fly More bundle, but not the Fly More Plus. The Mini 4 Pro has better (omnidirectional) object avoidance than the Mini 3 Pro does, and it has a bit of a longer transmission range. The Fly More Plus gives you more battery life, but pushes the drone over 250g which may restrict where you can fly it depending on where you live and where you will holiday. The regular Fly More bundle gives you 3 batteries and the controller with the screen, which I prefer to having to connect it up with your phone - especially since the non-screen remote isn't even that much smaller. If you wait for an upgrade, then you may be waiting a while. Perhaps the next model is dramatically better, but so far the Mini 4 Pro is pretty good and worth it as is.

Mini 4 pro is the best starter drone in my opinion.

I second this choice. Please use B4UFLY or similar app to check restrictions. Too many people fly where they aren't allowed (preserves, national forests, etc.)

Hey, I shoot a lot of gardens and homes. I use a combination of the Sony Airpeak, DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine, and the DJI Mini 3 Pro. If you’re just getting started out, probably the Mini 4 Pro. But the new Air 3s would probably be the best if you are prioritizing image quality. The longer lenses in the Air 3s and the Mavic 3 pro really make a big difference. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me. Also, you’ll need a Part 107.

How you gonna call a product flip but not have FPV capabilities. I hope they add it 😩 apart from that it looks stunning to be honest the video quality looks just like my mini 4 pro, I’m buying. I love indoor filming and the neos sensors are unreliable and it often just flips (lol) out.

I’ve a mini 2 and my dad has a mini 4 pro. Up to like a force of 5bf they’re holding up amazingly well!

With something like the DJI Mini 4 Pro, you will have a 4k camera with a gimbal that works on the X, Y, and Z axis. This is very beneficial for cinematic shots, but this drone is really slow and will not perform tricks. If you were to get something like the DJI Avata 2, you could get faster shots, but the gimbal only moves in the Y axis. In both DJI drones, the gimbals can be adjusted while in flight. Bind & fly (BNF) drones are more fun and 2x faster than any DJI drone, but the camera is fixed. It can be adjusted in the Y axis but you must move it manually by loosening the screws on the camera mount. I bought a Mini 4 Pro and quickly became bored with it. Then I got the Avata 2 and a (BNF) Nazgul DC5 ECO HD w/ DJI O3 Air Unit. After flying the Nazgul, the Avata 2 was boring, so I returned it. Now I just have the Mini 4 Pro for cinematics and the Nazgul for fun stuff. The Nazgul has a 4k camera in it as well so it can take stunning high-speed shots if thats something I need. I highly recommend skipping the Avata 2 and gong straight to a BNF like the Nazgul for a first drone. It is incredibly durable (trust me lol).

I recommend the m4p

Mini 4 pro, 4 512 ultra fast micro sd cards, nd filters, pro flight batteries (the mini 4 is light enough that you can fly without a license but not with those extra flights batteries but who the heck would know that, lol) nice case, extra blades, then use the change to do the same thing with a pocket 3, extra cards, nd case. Now you have a kit for shooting every scenario . A roll with the pocket, establishing shots b roll with the drone, all in crisp 4k. I have beefier cameras and this is all I use anymore.

Yeah mini pro 4. See how you like it and not worry about passing any exams. And if you like it then you can get a bigger one and do the exams

Not being a naysayer but if you want to get into flying and as you say "like seeing a place from a different point of view." don't get an FPV as your first drone. The mini 4p is a solid foundation to start on because I'll guarantee if you get the Av2 you'll get overconfident after a few flights, smack it into a tree/ground and be left with some nice goggles and a magic wand and $1200 of scrap. I really want an avata, having flown a friend's one but it's a steep curve and I've been flying DJI for about 5 years.

I wouldn't be down voting the Flip... I just think for 1500 dollars he could probably get a NEO and a M4P but if he couldn't manage that he could get a NEO and a 4K with nice RC and have the best of both worlds!! 😂 And he could take them both on vacation for sure

Yeah for 1500 bucks he would have three batteries with 31 minutes on each one. Which is a good amount of flying time for someone just wanting to fly around on vacation and snap shots. I feel like my M4P packs just as easy as my NEO

I got an open box mini 2 SE for really cheap it may have been 250.. It wasn't my first one but once I got that one it changed my thoughts about spending money on drones. I believe 2 days later I purchased the Mini 4 pro brand new and a couple weeks later I think I got Mav 3.. And now I have a bunch of DJI drones new/used and whole bunch that were open boxed drones. They all have the care package on them and started the day I got them. Really a good deal. But I do think it was a mistake for me to keep purchasing drones that were 40 to 230 that were not DJI. Atom and Loheer and maybe Contixo would be okay first drones because you can fly pretty good with those. But nothing like any DJI drones and the photo/video is hands down 100X better with DJI

The minis are cool but I would keep that Mavic. Even for work unless you're in a windy place or need thermal, londer flight time they are the way to go. But get the Mini 4 Pro or the Mini 2SE. I have an 2SE that is a beast I can't get rid of it. I have tried it went in the pool a week ago and I thought for sure that was it...nope I flew it this morning. When I got new drones I really put it to the test 😂 it's a good drone

I have a DJI Mini 4 pro, and a Fimi Mini 3. In my area, flight is restricted via GPS on the DJI, which sucks. I flew it on vacation, inside my house, and drive to areas close by that are not restricted. However, I got the Fimi Mini 3 for use around my house. I applied for permission to inspect my roof multiple times with DJI-no luck. While the Fimi is less sophisticated, I have a blast flying it around my property. While I wish it had a reliable "follow me" feature like the DJI, I can still use it on walks in the woods, etc. I worry about it less. The controller I got needs a mobile phone to pair with the controller/app, but I had an old Android laying around, and I use that. It's well-worth the price. If you have no flight restrictions in your area, get the DJI, but otherwise the Fimi Mini 3 is a great value

I grabbed the mini 4 pro fly more as my first drone and its awesome. I also grabbed an Avata 2 and its different and loads of fun. Im crap with manual mode still on the sticks, but awesome with the motion controller...shame we cant get full speed with that....

Sorry this happened to you but it hasn’t happened to me. I took my M4P to Mexico 9 times already by plane and by land and I didn’t have any bad experience. I did have to take it out one time so they could inspect it but nothing else.

Mini 4 Pro. You have the sensors and a super good camera. Why choose something you can crash easily if you can have something that help you avoid it? I know, the price. But the more you pay, the less you pay.

gone with the mini pro 4. thanks buddy

Not even close to a Mini 4P. Plus pour build quality. The gimble is a major flaw.

If you already have the Mini 4 Pro, it's a much better drone. That said, the new Neo can be launched and controlled without a remote for basic self shots and close in quick shots, or controlled with just your phone if you want something a little more complex or when flying over water for manual mode, which makes it super convenient. I would take both, because you can pop the Neo out super quick, get shots and move on without all the set up time required for the M4P, but then you also have the M4P for those amazing cinematic shots of the gorgeous landscape and ocean shots.

Second this. Flip is what I would go for. Mini 4 pro would be the next step up but for OP need the flip is perfect

Looking for a drone, simply for personal use for when I go away places, nothing professional. I looked at the Neo but personally I don't think the distance will be big enough for what I would want a drone for. The DJI Mini 4 Pro certainly looks like the one to go for but considering this will be my first drone, I'm not sure if the price would be justifiable (Looks like it would be around £979.00). I don't want a license to use it as well.

Mini 4 Pro was my first real drone, and while she is a bit old now, she is still flying... not due to my piloting skills, but due to the collision avoidance systems which have dodged many a joshua tree. I highly recommend learning with such a drone, the little thing is very forgiving of early mistakes.

You won't do much vacation/action photography with the Avata2. It's too bumpy in even light wind, small, loud, less automated/smart and only a little stabilized. If you want to fly slow with the motion controller indoors or somewhere calm, you can maybe get some good scenes. I don't find the video that comes out of it to be all that nice to watch.. it's fun to make, not fun to watch. The Mini4Pro is your travel photography drone, but if you didn't use the old GoPro drone much, then many of the same reasons might apply here. It's still a camera drone, great for "looking around" or taking it all in, long flight times, great video quality. No flippy loopy dippy stuff.

I know what you need. People have been saying Avata 2 and it is very close but not the one. Yes it is easy to fly with the joystick but at that age, you do not want to rely on your wrist for the duration of your missions. Controllers look scary but they give you total control on your thumbs. The amount of control is not even comparable. Go for Dji mini 4 pro. Try it with a tablet screen and goggles if you wish. I find them easy to fly with goggles. You just need to hover 1 2 meter above them and they will run the other way. It will take some time but you can practice on simulation on your laptop. I am assuming you will have a decent place to fly. If you send some pictures of your location and where the animals are and if you can see the location from your end. If there is a mountain between you and the drone, it will lose connection and return home (or land, whatever you set it up with)

That joystick will kill his 70 year old wrist in 10 minutes. Avata 2 is good but with remote better. He also might want the option to fly without the goggles. Not everyone can adjust to them. Dji mini pro 4 is the best of both worlds in my opinion.

I brought my autistic son who's 17 a neo, you can use it with or without a controller and use a DJI controller or your phones wifi as the controller. He loves it, and gets about 20 mins of flight per battery and has 3 of them. Typically he will run 2 dead and by the 3rd he's getting tired. I have a DJI mini 4 pro, which has a 45 min life, twice the ability, but it's a $1200 price tag compared to the neo for about $300 and the optional controller for about $150

It depends entirely on your requirements. While there are some advantages to the better camera on the maverick, unless your client is going to run the video on large screens there may be no practical difference. Your skill as a videographer and editor will make much more of a difference than the camera. As others have pointed out, the Air is a great compromise, but depending on where you need to fly, the Mini 4 Pro may have advantages. One of the challenges in an urban environment is operating over people. Unless you have a category UAV or a waiver, you can’t legally fly over uninvolved people. In an urban setting that can be a challenge. A category 1 drone needs to be under 250g with prop guards and remote ID. The only current option to get there in the DJI lineup is a Neo with an external RID module, but the photo/video quality isn’t as good as the air or mini, and that’s a bit of a limitation for pro photographers. (On a related note, if someone from DJI is reading this, please poke your product management with a sharp stick and wake them up. The new DJI Flip is one firmware change away from being an awesome option that 107 pilots like me — who already own a M4P and Neo — would buy in a heartbeat. Please add the option to turn on Remote ID in the USA so we can fly it as a Category 1 UAV.) Category 2 essentially requires a parachute which right now is stupid expensive. Your other option is to apply for a waiver. I won’t go into all the details in case OOP isn’t important to you. But if it is, an M4P with extended battery, prop guards, and an anti-collision light is still light enough to operate over people and moving vehicles under a 107 waiver without requiring a parachute. Flight times and wind handling will decrease, but in an urban area that might make the difference between being able to legally get your shots or not. Just buy the extended batteries because they turn RID on. On the other hand, if OOP isn’t an issue, then in the USA under 107 an Air is probably a better choice. And, if you have any interest in popping north of the border, do yourself a favour and take an M4P with standard batteries. Being under 250g in Canada will make your life much, much easier. Remember that the best camera in the world isn’t going to help if you can’t get it where you need it.

It depends entirely on your requirements. While there are some advantages to the better camera on the maverick, unless your client is going to run the video on large screens there may be no practical difference. Your skill as a videographer and editor will make much more of a difference than the camera. As others have pointed out, the Air is a great compromise, but depending on where you need to fly, the Mini 4 Pro may have advantages. One of the challenges in an urban environment is operating over people. Unless you have a category UAV or a waiver, you can’t legally fly over uninvolved people. In an urban setting that can be a challenge. A category 1 drone needs to be under 250g with prop guards and remote ID. The only current option to get there in the DJI lineup is a Neo with an external RID module, but the photo/video quality isn’t as good as the air or mini, and that’s a bit of a limitation for pro photographers. (On a related note, if someone from DJI is reading this, please poke your product management with a sharp stick and wake them up. The new DJI Flip is one firmware change away from being an awesome option that 107 pilots like me — who already own a M4P and Neo — would buy in a heartbeat. Please add the option to turn on Remote ID in the USA so we can fly it as a Category 1 UAV.) Category 2 essentially requires a parachute which right now is stupid expensive. Your other option is to apply for a waiver. I won’t go into all the details in case OOP isn’t important to you. But if it is, an M4P with extended battery, prop guards, and an anti-collision light is still light enough to operate over people and moving vehicles under a 107 waiver without requiring a parachute. Flight times and wind handling will decrease, but in an urban area that might make the difference between being able to legally get your shots or not. Just buy the extended batteries because they turn RID on. On the other hand, if OOP isn’t an issue, then in the USA under 107 an Air is probably a better choice. And, if you have any interest in popping north of the border, do yourself a favour and take an M4P with standard batteries. Being under 250g in Canada will make your life much, much easier. Remember that the best camera in the world isn’t going to help if you can’t get it where you need it.

The Neo drone is primarily designed for capturing videos rather than photographs, which may not align with your preferences. The Mini 3 and Mini 3 Pro drones are excellent options that can undoubtedly meet your requirements. While they are more expensive, they are worthwhile investments if you intend to capture more intricate shots. If your budget permits, these drones are worth considering. The Mini 4K and Mini 2 SE drones are ideal for beginners and offer all the necessary features. I personally started with the Mini 2 SE and still use it frequently, even after upgrading to the Mini 4 Pro. Based on your description, either of these drones should suffice. The battery life, in good flying conditions, should last 15- 20+ minutes, but purchasing additional batteries is recommended for extended flight times. In my opinion, the Mini 4K or Mini 2 SE drones are the best options for you. They are stable, capture excellent images suitable for social media, and are enjoyable to fly. I hope this information is helpful.

Personally I use a DJI mini 4 pro and absolutely love the quality of photos and videos that it produces, if that is route you are going for I would get the fly more package which includes 3 total batteries instead of one, which makes all the difference. Also if you are going down that route, I would get some camera filters for the drone depending on the environment you are trying to take photos in.

Definitely mini 4 pro, I have one and it is amazing at auto tracking, and if you have the extra money, get fly more pack, because one battery is not enough.

This was on a mini 4 pro by the way

I had one before upgrading to a Mini 4 Pro, shoot at 2160 and you get 60 FPS and those videos came out great.

mini 4 pro all day

mini 4 pro would be a good start, but you'll have to get the Plus batteries that put the drone over 250g, because all Part 107 commercial flights require the aircraft to transmit RID. mini 4 pro only transmits RID when using the Plus batteries. tbh you'll also need a backup drone. having one is like having none. 2 is 1, 1 is none.

The mini series are all under 250 grams with the normal battery. (I have the mini 2, and Mini 4 pro). The upgraded battery will put you over 250g

I just picked up a mini 4 pro as my first drone and it's simply epic. If you can, get it Some test footage https://youtu.be/Jzjae1mjWvg?si=JukEjR8cYihVugGq

Air3S is halfway between the two Get what you need for your use case The Mini 3/4 Pro should be fine I do love my Air3S though! :)

I had both (M3P + Avata) but never took my Avata to vacations because of how loud it was. It also took up a lot more room in my photography backpack. The Mini 3/4 Pro is just way more convenient and easy to setup quickly.

The Mini 4 is a way better drone in terms of the images you will get. The reason to buy the Neo would be to use it hands free or with your phone (with significant limitations) to avoid needing to take the remote and have a slightly smaller drone in exchange for a much lower image quality.

DJI mini 4, that would be perfect for you to start with and it's a breeze to learn .

Mini 3 and 4 are brilliant little devices, and are under 249g - if that's a legal requirement for you - Air 3 is heavier and has more restrictions on them (Im in Scotland - i use mini 3 in city's - carefully) get some great shots with it, if your out in the country side alot not near uninvolved participants the Air3 would be the best choice

If you can afford it I'd skip it and do the DJI Mini 4 off the bat. Just way more capability, and you'll be dreaming of one after using a NEO for a bit. I've had a lot of trouble (as an American) getting approvals + insurance to fly in France. Hopefully you will have a better experience than me.

Sport mode on DJI is nothing like fpv. DJI controller is directly proportional, so you can hold the pitch at full and fly as fast as DJI can, but fpv is rotational, and holding pitch at full will make the drone do the floppy flops. If you want to fly fpv, you need a simulator. This is assuming you use the mini 4, and not the avata/avata 2 with the actual remote controller. But you are right about everything else, like ultra light and less regulations.

Basic Mini 3 or 4 is all you need.

Depends on your budget. If you’re using it for social media, marketing purposes, capturing quality content, then the Mini 4 or the DJI Air 3 or 3s will do that for you. The Mini 4 is cheaper & smaller, but doesn’t offer the 3x zoom, camera, and wind resistance capabilities that the Air 3 series offers. I love my DJI Air 3 so I’m biased towards it, but it strictly depends on your budget and how much you’re gonna be using it. Either will get the job done.

I fly the mini 4 and just picked up the neo today. It’s been great and super fun. Excited to use it with goggles 3!

I’d definitely go with the mini 4 myself for the simple fact that it has the sensors all the way around to prevent crashing. Yes a Mavic or Air series would be better but as stated bigger drones come with red tape. I think the mini 4 is rated to handle about 25mph winds btw (sorry I don’t know the metric conversion) but a bunch of YouTubers that given drones to test have had it out in conditions not recommended by DJI and it still flew ok

Mini 4 is great for 107 ops

I just got into drones myself. I bought the DJI mini 4. One thing that’s nice about DJI is that they are programmed to not fly in restricted areas. It takes all the guessing out of it. I first bought the DJI mini three and did not get the insurance. That was a big mistake. I broke the camera Gimble and it was too expensive to repair so I had to get the mini 4. One thing I could suggest is that if you get the mini 4 vs the mini 3, you have more obstacle avoidance, which helps you to avoid crashes.

It’s not just for noobs who don’t have a drone and are just getting started. The Neo is one of the smallest drones they’ve ever made, it’s FPV capable AND it can be used without a controller or cellphone………so no the Mini 4 isn’t “way better.” Mmmmk? This is coming from someone that owns the best of the best that DJI offers.

I flew a DJI Mini 2 to the volcano in 2021. National parks and big tourism spots have "no drones" signs, so I avoided flying there or where there were crowds of people. However, there are so many areas in the open country or coast with amazing views and no people that are definitely worth flying. I have hours of amazing footage in these sites, and am so thankful that I brought my drone. I'm returning this year with a Mini 4. If you launch in the back end of a parking lot without any people around and climb to a sufficient elevation, the noise fades away and isn't a bother as long as you dont go too low towards people. Both the Mini 2 and Mini 4 are at 249g, so you can legally bring them into the country and fly without additional permits. As for wind and drone safety. I didn't have any issues with control in the wind, as long as I didn't go too far off the coast. The wind speed and resistance indicator on the drone was enough to fly conservatively and return safely without losing location, signal, or control.

Any of the DJi Mini drones 2, 3, or 4 are what you're looking for. You could probably get a used DJI mini 2 on eBay for pretty cheap nowadays.

I started with a used Mini 2. If I crashed it, I’m not out a lot of money. Once I got comfortable, THEN I spent more money on a Mini 4. I intended on eventually selling the Mini 2, but now I like having both.

Skip the neo the mini 4 is wayyyyy better. This is for folks who don’t have a drone and are just getting started and don’t have a big budget.

It’s way better in every way man. This is coming from someone who owned 2 inspire 2’s and currently have a Mavic 3 and a Mavic 3 pro. The neo has a trash camera… the mini 4 is super small not much bigger than the neo. Mini shoots vertical as well.

DJI anything is more or less the answer. They have their quirks, but everything else comes with less support and more caveats. If you’re just starting out, a Mini is perfect.

The DJI mini is not worth 300 dollars. You can get a mini 2 SE for 240-280

Dude, get a mini . Those cheap drones are dog shit. With DJI you know everything is going to work properly.

You are smart to stay away from all of the drones that have sponsored reviews. Buying a drone is fairly easy: 1. Disregard anyone who tells you to buy a cheap drone first "to learn on". That's a complete waste of money. 2. In the U.S., buy DJI or Autel. I have specimens of both and find that Autel is just a little behind the curve, but not by much. DJI typically has much, much better after sales support than Autel. 3. Spend as much as you are comfortable spending. Don't hold back. 4. You can get a brand-new DJI Mini 4K for about $300... but that won't have extra batteries or a remote control with a screen (you'll have to use a smart phone or a tablet as your screen). Even though the battery claim may be 40 minute flight per battery charge, you're really only going to get 20 to 30 minutes. Get at least 3 batteries with your purchase. Adding an RC with a screen to the this package will get you close to $1K, new. 5. DJI MIni (or Autel Nano, or any drone under 250 grams) will allow you to travel to more international destinations and fly legally. That small weight also helps limit fatigue or space for carrying. 6. If you do not plan to travel outside the US, no need to limit your drone to the less than 250 gram category. VERY generally speaking, the heavier, the less affected by winds. That is, a Mavic 3 Pro at nearly 900 grams will handle higher winds and will handle better in winds than a 249 gram mini. 7. Right now the best drone over 250 grams is probably the DJI Air3s. Others will have differing opinions with this and all of the above. 8. These are not exhaustive guidelines but will provide you a start. We haven't even begun to talk about the need for Remote ID capability, for example. 9. So many options, so little time. Enjoy!

Until you've flown a DJI...you haven't flown. Get a Mini. Any generation. That's where you start.

I ordered the eonvy air plus £159 and it took 2 weeks to arrive from China, It seems to fly ok but I cannot download an App for it so I can connect it to my android phone to view the cameras etc I cannot connect to the drones wifi and cannot find an app for the drone The site is a con been saying only 4 left for over 2 weeks the one touch return does not work or the obstacle avoidance Should have bought a DJi Mini

Start with a DJI Mini, you won’t regret it

I've used both the DJI Mini and Potensic Atom and in terms of flying the thing, it's no different. I have the fly more pack and so far it's been a great experience, but I'd really love to be able to fine tune the controls with an S curve like in DJI. From what I can gather they appear to be collecting user feedback on social media to help fine tune firmware (my opinion) as I think the firmware isn't yet perfect in terms of features etc; but I believe the more people talk about things the more likely they will be added (hopefully). I really like the subject tacking, I'm not sure if they could make it track via GPS as when it loses sight it stops tracking, I'm not sure if DJI is the same though, over all a nice drone and a decent price.

Pay attention to weight class restrictions, especially with the mini. Usually standard batteries are fine but when you use the plus batteries it may put you over to a new weight class and require registration, classes and certification. Check your laws, especially if you're making money with the drones.

The autel will fly similar to a DJI, obviously different UI and features but the overall "hover in place unless the joysticks are moved" will be the same. This is the standard for a lot of enterprise and film drones. You'll also hear the term "fpv" which is going to handle differently, YouTube can help with the difference there more. A DJI Mini can be purchased for around 250 I believe. There is also the DJI drama going on right now... Just a tip for when you're flying, especially if you'll be around structures with the autel, practice checking your moves before you do them. Visually check where you'll be flying the drone and also rotate the drone and check your camera to verify. This will help to not only reduce the chances of hitting anything but hopefully reduce stress too. Have a coworker act as a visual observer for you as well. Most of all have fun learning and check your airspace

For a better understanding, think of DJI as a Bugatti and the brand you posted as a Lada. This is your answer. Better get the DJI mini / mini 4k if you want a good beginner drone.

That camera will be really low quality, barely usable, and the range will be very short. And despite all the advertising, it will still be difficult to fly, so he’ll probably end up crashing it pretty quickly. I would recommend getting a really cheap indoor drown he can play around with without a camera you do t have to worry if he crashes, or a more expensive drone like a DJI Neo, which is actually kind of useful but you can’t control, or a DJI Mini which I would suggest supervising while he flies.

Your budget would not allow for a camera system with non digital zoom capabilities That said a DJI mini would provide everything else you are looking for. However with a quick google, Canada does require special licensure for flying a drone out side of visual line of sight. Mini's will give you a real time visual of what the drone sees either on the controller directly or on a phone connected to the controller, depending on controller model you get with the drone.

Second hand DJI minis can be got from that kind of money. The main concern with drones and crashing is when you're low to the ground. IE: Below tree lines. So as long as your not planning on weaving in between trees and buildings drones are fairly straight forward to use.

DJI mini meets all those points

DJI mini "whatever is in the budget".

I’d pick the Avata 2 for close inspection (within inches), and with head tracking it’s easy to look up under the soffits or down a chimney. I was actually doing this yesterday with the Neo, could get right up to there with on the 3rd floor and look in, bumping not a problem because propeller guards. I looked at a previous valet patch repair closely, saw a couple shingles that are possibly starting to slide. Went up the roof, probably with a clearance of 3”, and after going over the peak went to the chimney and looked down. Bumped another part of the roof and it crashed in the box gutter, but luckily I could take off again. With DJI Care, replacement for the Neo is only $29, so I don’t have to worry much. (Avata would only cost $49, but I’ve already used 2/4, and would prefer to not be without it for a week.) If you don’t want to get close and are okay with being feet away, then a mini is probably okay. Propeller guards might be good for cases where there are nearby trees or cables. Here’s an example of getting close, with head tracking, and being able to look up or down, or turn your head while you fly past - https://youtu.be/D2ygkUlsemQ?si=kswV-c1XyN1lYi-h

Agree with posts , DJI is market leader at this time based on consumer models. After budget then the choice is camera or FPV model. If your budget is huge and camera focused then it’s the full sized mavic or Inspire models, however its more likely you want a 249g or less weight class to maximize convenience so a mini. I would recommend the refurbished DJI units regardless of budget then you can spend the savings on extra batteries and/or DJIcare (insurance replacement).