The best way to decide from two nice digital camera drones

When DJI launched the all new Flip drone in January 2025, I questioned if it might cannabilize the DJI Mini 4 Professional. In any case, their digital camera is sort of similar in high quality. Why ought to somebody pay $759 for the Mini 4 Professional after they will pay simply $439 for the DJI Flip?

If all you prioritize in a digital camera drone is, nicely, the digital camera — then go forward and save your cash and simply order the Flip. Certainly it’s a fantastic drone, if my DJI Flip evaluation is any indication. However there’s much more to a fantastic drone than simply the digital camera specs, which makes your choice much less straightforward. Between the DJI Flip vs. Mini 4 Professional, you’re evaluating some key options, together with the latter having impediment avoidance however the former missing that characteristic.

So in a battle versus the DJI Flip vs. Mini 4 Professional, which do you have to go for? Right here’s an in depth comparability between these two stable digital camera drones, and my tackle what to think about so you possibly can resolve which drone is the appropriate match for you.

DJI Flip in a nutshell

The DJI Flip departs from DJI’s previous designs as a compact, vlog-focused drone weighing underneath 249 grams. Although different DJI drones fold, none fold fairly like this one, which has full-coverage propeller guards for security.

It’s a very good digital camera drone, with its highly effective 48MP digital camera and AI-powered taking pictures modes optimized for social media.

It’s additionally fairly good within the wind, providing 10.7 m/s wind pace resistance. And, it will probably fly for 31 minutes on one battery.

Learn my full DJI Flip evaluation.

DJI Mini 4 Professional in a nutshell

At $759, the Mini 4 Professional is a premium compact drone that provides the identical digital camera as what you get with the Flip, together with 4K HDR video at 100fps. Different specs are additionally related, like 10.7 m/s wind pace resistance and a sub-250 gram weight.

It’s costlier, nevertheless it additionally has some extra tricked-out options, together with superior impediment sensing. It’s additionally a bit extra highly effective, in a position to fly 34 minutes on one battery (or 45 minutes when you’re utilizing the Clever Flight Battery Plus).

It’s superb for extra critical creators who demand professional-grade options in a travel-sized bundle.

Learn my full DJI Mini 4 Professional evaluation.

DJI Flip vs. Mini 4 Professional: side-by-side

Listed below are some key options on each drones, in contrast:

And right here’s these specs in a extra detailed evaluation:

Digicam and video high quality

DJI Flip: The 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor gives the identical decision because the Mini 4 Professional, delivering beautiful 48MP pictures and 4K HDR video. It’s superb for vloggers and content material creators who need vertical taking pictures modes for platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

DJI Mini 4 Professional: The Mini 4 Professional additionally incorporates a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and 48MP decision.

There are some slight variations, just like the DJI Flip gives D-Log M colour mode whereas the Mini 4 Professional can pop a bit extra with 8-bit 4:2:0 (H.264/H.265) or HLG/D-Log M: 10-bit 4:2:0 (H.265)

Winner: Tie – Usually talking, the cameras are remarkably related.

Security and value

DJI Flip: Foldable, full-coverage propeller guards and computerized braking make the Flip one in all DJI’s most secure drones for novices, households and indoor use. However whereas these enclosed propellers can definitely defend folks in case your drone crashes, the DJI Mini 4 Professional can do one higher by mitigating crashes to start with.

DJI Mini 4 Professional: The Mini 4 Professional options superior omnidirectional impediment sensing, which supplies an additional layer of security, particularly in more difficult flying environments. That is simply the important thing distinction between the 2 drones.

Winner: Mini 4 Professional. I do love the idea of absolutely enclosed propellers. At this level, I believe each drone ought to have them. But when it’s important to select one, I’d nonetheless select impediment avoidance so poor flying abilities don’t result in a crash.

Flight efficiency

DJI Flip: Provides as much as 31 minutes of flight time and DJI O4 video transmission for clear 1080p/60fps footage as much as 13km away. It handles reasonable wind situations nicely however isn’t as highly effective as higher-end drones.

DJI Mini 4 Professional: Gives a barely longer flight time of 34 minutes, with related wind resistance (Degree 5+) to the Flip. However, it has a extra sturdy transmission system for skilled use. That will increase to 45 minutes when you go for the upgraded Clever Flight Battery Plus.

Winner: Mini 4 Professional – Barely longer flight time and higher efficiency in powerful situations.

Portability

Each drones are compact, light-weight, and ideal for journey. Their dimensions are related:

Winner: Tie – Each excel in portability.

Worth

Apparent the Flip wins out at $439 versus $759 as a beginning worth for the Flip (each value extra when you go for the upgraded DJI RC 2).

If worth is not any object, you’re higher off with the DJI Mini 4 Professional, largely on account of impediment avoidance tech. However when you’re on a finances, it’s arduous to argue with saving practically half (nicely, 42%) by going for the Flip.

DJI Flip vs. Mini 4 Professional: how to decide on

The DJI Flip and Mini 4 Professional are each wonderful drones which have quite a lot of similarities on the drive. However look carefully, they usually cater to several types of customers:

The DJI Flip is finest for content material creators or informal vacationers who nonetheless desire a highly effective digital camera but additionally prioritize worth. Even with out impediment avoidance, its security options — together with foldable propeller guards and computerized braking — make it a protected selection.

Go for this drone when you’re a newbie, vlogger, or informal creator searching for an inexpensive but highly effective drone with security and social media-friendly options.

The DJI Mini 4 Professional is healthier when you’re an expert on a finances and might’t afford one thing as expensive as, say, the DJI Air 3S. It’s additionally nice when you’re a critical hobbyist who wants superior impediment sensing (maybe you fly in difficult environments) or longer flight instances for extra demanding shoots.

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