I enquired concerning the weight, and a DJI spokesperson despatched me the next assertion: “The DJI Mini 5 Professional has a design weight of 249.9 grams. As a result of manufacturing tolerances, the precise weight of the product could fluctuate barely inside a variety of ±4 g. Minor weight fluctuations are regular. We advocate that when UK customers are working the drone, native rules are complied with, which may be discovered right here.”
The corporate refers to it as a “near-250g drone”—terminology I might by no means encountered from DJI. Frankly, it feels somewhat evasive. This is not simply pedantic nitpicking over a number of grams. I stay within the UK, and the 250-gram threshold determines whether or not you’ll be able to fly a drone in public parks, on seashores, in cities and cities, close to folks, and in numerous different eventualities with out extra certification. Earlier Mini fashions have been slightly below this restrict, and it looks like an oversight in the course of the design course of to not maintain this one comfortably under it, too.
There’s excellent news, although: With UK drone guidelines set to alter initially of 2026, I haven’t got too lengthy to attend till the Mini 5 Professional (and, curiously, the a lot larger DJI Air 3S) turns into utterly authorized to fly in built-up areas, public parks, and near folks.
The tidings for US-based pilots aren’t so cheery, although. As with all of its latest merchandise, DJI is not formally launching the Mini 5 Professional within the US. You’ll be able to blame the upcoming DJI ban, and it is an actual disgrace, as a result of, weight points apart, it is a improbable digital camera drone.
Large Digital camera Upgrades
{Photograph}: Sam Kieldsen
The Mini 5 Professional’s slight weight improve comes with real advantages. The principle enchancment is the digital camera, which now includes a 12-MP (or 50 MP in Quad Bayer phrases) 1-inch sensor, a big improve from the smaller sensors in earlier Mini fashions. The picture high quality is edging in the direction of DJI’s Air vary, which is exceptional for a drone this dimension. You are getting professional-level picture high quality in a pocketable drone.
