DJI Flip vs DJI Mini 5 Pro
Specs, camera quality, and ratings compared · Updated 2026
Both weigh 249 grams. Both shoot 4K. Both have ActiveTrack. The Flip costs $439 and the Mini 5 Pro costs $773. 3-inch), LiDAR obstacle avoidance (versus none), and 36-minute battery (versus 31).
For straight flying and photography, the Flip punches well above its price. For follow-me tracking in complex terrain, the Mini 5 Pro's LiDAR changes what's possible.
Pros & Cons
DJI Flip
- Integrated prop guards fold down for safe flight near people and indoors
- Palm takeoff and landing lets you fly without a flat surface
- 2GB internal storage lets you capture a few clips if you forget your SD card
- Same 1/1.3-inch f/1.7 sensor as the Mini 4 Pro with 48MP stills and 4K/60fps HDR
- D-Log M and 10-bit color support for serious color grading in post
- DJI O4 transmission gives you a stable 1080p/60fps feed out to 13 km
- AI subject tracking works without a controller for hands-free selfie shots
- 3D infrared sensing handles automatic braking even in low-light conditions
- Only forward and downward obstacle sensing, no side or rear detection
- Prop guard drag reduces wind stability compared to exposed-prop designs
- Obstacle avoidance disables during AI tracking modes, increasing crash risk
- Minimal ground clearance on props, they snag in short grass on surface takeoffs
- No Remote ID module despite being a 2025 release
- $439 vs $419 for the Mini 3, but with less flight time (31 vs 38 min)
- No ActiveTrack 360, so tracking is less persistent than the Mini 4 Pro's system
DJI Mini 5 Pro
- 1-inch CMOS sensor is the largest ever fitted to a sub-250g drone, producing low-light and dynamic range that rivals the much larger Air 3S
- Forward LiDAR enables obstacle avoidance that works in near darkness, where the visual sensors on every other Mini go blind
- True vertical shooting rotates the gimbal a full 225 degrees for uncropped 4K portrait video, something even the flagship Mavic 4 Pro cannot do
- 4K/120fps slow motion and 1080p/240fps give buttery B-roll that no other Mini can match
- 50MP stills from the Quad Bayer sensor with a 48mm crop mode for tighter framing without moving the drone
- O4+ transmission holds a stable feed in cluttered urban airspace better than the Mini 4 Pro
- 42GB internal storage saves a full session if you forget your microSD card
- Sold officially in the US at $759 with full DJI warranty and DJI Care Refresh support
- ~23-25 minutes real-world flight on the standard battery, well short of the advertised 36 minutes (Philip Bloom measured 23-24 min)
- Weight runs right at the line. Rated 249.9g but with a ±4g tolerance, so many units measure 252-253g, which technically requires US registration (see the checker below)
- Wind buffeting shows up in footage in gusts where the heavier Air 3S and Mavic stay locked, the most common owner complaint
- Plus battery is the only way to reach the long advertised flight times, and it pushes takeoff weight to roughly 290g, over the 250g line
- LiDAR is forward-facing only, so it still has blind spots during sideways tracking or backward flight
- Fixed f/1.8 aperture needs ND filters for cinematic shutter speeds in daylight
- Pricey for a Mini at $759, the same as the Mini 4 Pro, so you are paying for the sensor not the size
Price Range
The Flip costs $439 for the base kit and roughly $599 for the Fly More Combo. The Mini 5 Pro costs $729-773 through grey-market imports (not officially sold in the US) with no warranty.
A Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo runs about $1,000-1,100 depending on the importer. The Flip has straightforward US availability through DJI. The Mini 5 Pro requires navigating import channels.
That availability gap matters beyond price.
Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all columns →
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
4.5 | 4.6 | |
| Camera & Imaging | ||
| Camera | 4K/60fps | 4K/120fps |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.3-inch CMOS | 1-inch CMOS |
| Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 |
| Zoom | — | 2x (48mm crop) |
| HDR | ||
| RAW/DNG | ||
| Flight Performance | ||
| Flight Time | 31 min | 36 min |
| Range | 13 km | 20 km |
| Max Speed | 16 m/s | 19 m/s |
| Gimbal | 3-axis mechanical | 3-axis mechanical (225 degree rotation) |
| Smart Features | ||
| Obstacle Avoidance | ||
| GPS | ||
| Follow Me | ||
| Return to Home | ||
| Build & Design | ||
| Price | $439 | $759 |
| Weight | 249g | 249.9g |
| Foldable | ||
| Buy Now | Buy Now | |
Camera System
- Sensor: 1-inch (Mini 5 Pro) vs 1/1.3-inch (Flip)
- Both shoot 4K/120fps slow motion and ActiveTrack 360
The Mini 5 Pro's 1-inch sensor produces cleaner footage in low light and more latitude in post-processing. The Flip is sharp in daylight but noisier in shade and golden hour.
Obstacle Avoidance
The Mini 5 Pro has LiDAR omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. The Flip has no obstacle sensors at all.
For follow-me use, this is the deciding factor: the Mini 5 Pro can track you through trees and around buildings. The Flip tracks well in open spaces but will crash into obstacles.
Battery and Weight
- Battery: 36 minutes (Mini 5 Pro) vs 31 minutes (Flip)
- Weight: 249g (both)
Both stay under the 250g FAA registration threshold.
Choose the DJI Flip if:
- You want the best sub-$500 drone with follow-me capability
- You fly mostly in open spaces (parks, beaches, fields, open trails)
- You want vlog-focused features like vertical video and gesture control
- You're a beginner who prefers the less intimidating flip-up propeller design
ActiveTrack works well when there's nothing to crash into. In the right setting, the Flip tracks beautifully.
Choose the DJI Mini 5 Pro if:
- You need follow-me tracking that works near obstacles
- You run on forest trails or hike through wooded areas
- You fly at dusk or in low light where the 1-inch sensor matters
- You want LiDAR obstacle avoidance as a safety net
The LiDAR is the biggest functional difference. If you fly near trees, buildings, or anything the drone could hit, the Mini 5 Pro keeps itself alive in conditions where the Flip would crash.
Our Verdict
The Flip at $439 if you fly in open environments and want the most drone for the least money at this weight class. No obstacle avoidance limits where you can use follow-me, but in the right setting it tracks beautifully. The Mini 5 Pro at $773 if obstacle avoidance and low-light camera quality matter. The LiDAR alone justifies the price for anyone who flies near trees, buildings, or anything else the drone could hit. The catch is you can't buy it in the US through official channels.
DJI Mini 5 Pro
4.6/5 overall · $759
Written by Paul Posea · Reviewed by Paul Posea · Updated 2026-02-13