DJI unveils Mini 5 Pro, a sub-250g drone with 1-inch sensor and LiDAR

DJI this week unveiled the Mini 5 Pro, a redesigned palm‑sized drone that packs a larger 1‑inch sensor, forward‑facing LiDAR and expanded video capabilities into a body that remains under the 250 gram threshold in most builds. The company and early reviewers say the device, announced in mid‑September, aims to bring near‑professional image quality and improved safety systems to hobbyists and travel creators while staying in the lightweight, restriction‑free class used in many regions.

At the center of the Mini 5 Pro is a 50‑megapixel, 1‑inch CMOS sensor that DJI says enables cleaner low‑light images, up to 14 stops of dynamic range and 10‑bit video capture in DLog M and HLG. The gimbal has been redesigned to rotate up to 225 degrees for true vertical framing without cropping, and the drone can record 4K at up to 120 frames per second for slow‑motion. DJI also upgraded tracking and transmission: ActiveTrack 360 has been improved for faster subjects and a reportedly wider locking range, while the aircraft uses an enhanced OcuSync transmission for extended, more stable live feeds.

Safety and low‑light operations are a clear focus. The Mini 5 Pro pairs omnidirectional vision sensors...