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 produces noticeably cleaner footage in low light than any other sub-250g drone on the market
- Forward-facing LiDAR enables Nightscape obstacle avoidance that works in near-complete darkness down to 1 lux
- 4K/120fps slow motion and 1080p/240fps deliver buttery B-roll of waves, sports, and nature that smaller sensors can't match
- 50MP stills with a Quad Bayer sensor and 48mm Med-Tele crop mode for versatile framing without moving the drone
- 42GB internal storage is enough for a full session if you forget your SD card
- 225-degree gimbal rotation allows shooting upward at 55 degrees without propellers in the frame
- O4+ transmission with improved anti-interference algorithms handles urban flying better than the Mini 4 Pro's O4
- 36-minute flight time with the standard battery exceeds most sub-250g competitors
- Not sold in the US due to the FCC Covered List, so it's only available through grey-market imports with zero warranty support
- 249.9g ±4g claimed weight means many units arrive at 251-253g, technically disqualifying them from the sub-250g registration exemption
- $729-773 grey-market pricing for the base kit, comparable to the Mini 4 Pro which has full US warranty
- 1-inch sensor generates significant heat, and the drone can overheat and shut down if left idling on the ground
- LiDAR only forward so obstacle avoidance has blind spots during sideways tracking or backward flight
- Plus battery pushes weight to 297g and is not available in the EU/UK due to weight regulations
- Gimbal shake in gusts above 30 mph despite the Level 5/6 wind resistance rating
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 | 4.5 | |
| 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 | — | 3x digital |
| HDR | ||
| RAW/DNG | ||
| Flight Performance | ||
| Flight Time | 31 min | 36 min |
| Range | 13 km | 20 km |
| Max Speed | 16 m/s | 16 m/s |
| Gimbal | 3-axis mechanical | 3-axis mechanical |
| Smart Features | ||
| Obstacle Avoidance | ||
| GPS | ||
| Follow Me | ||
| Return to Home | ||
| Build & Design | ||
| Price | $439 | $773 |
| 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.
Written by Paul Posea · Reviewed by Sarah Kim · Updated 2026-02-13