7 Reasons The DJI Mini 5 Pro Owns Travel Photography
Photo credit: Rafael Suarez
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Hello fellow pilots, how’s your day been? Your week? Your month? How long have you been playing with the idea of getting your Mini 5 Pro, even through… less official channels? Or maybe you just got it and are waiting for that perfect moment to break it in?
Well, one way or another, I’ve been using mine for about four weeks now, and I’m going to give you the 7 reasons why, in my opinion, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is absolutely perfect for travel photography.
1. There’s a Reason It’s Called “Mini”
And of course, I’m talking about size and weight. Not every beautiful photo spot is accessible by car, bike, horse, or… capybara. Most of the time, from the parking lot to the perfect vantage point, you have to, ugh, walk. On your own two feet. And trust me, doing that walk with a drone, controller, and batteries that weigh less than 2 pounds combined? That’s a win-win-win.
I’m loving this bag
Photo credit: Rafael Suarez
2. Mini Size, Massive Sensor
The headline feature of the Mini 5 Pro is cramming a glorious one-inch sensor into that tiny airframe. This gorgeous sensor allows us to capture stunning 50MP RAW photos (here I leave the link for one) with less noise than ever, even when shooting at night. Video gets a huge boost too, especially in the shadows if you’re recording in the new D-LOG M mode.
3. Stupid-Proof? Not Yet, But Closer
DJI brought some of its high-end sensor tech down to the Mini series, including new LiDAR capabilities. These are amazing, especially when using the automatic Return-to-Home function. But here’s a twist and a big real-world WARNING: don’t blindly trust the Obstacle Avoidance System during automated flights. It’s far from perfect and works much better when a human is actually behind the controls.
I know, I know, people will say, “But DJI says the system is superb, the latest and greatest tech!” Yes, they say that so you buy the drone. You still need to add a healthy dose of common sense before you fly. The problem is the blind faith people put in these systems. Just don’t use the automatic following modes if there are trees anywhere nearby. I’ve seen way too many crash videos on Reddit. Protect your investment and wait a few more years for the tech to get even better.
4. Weight and Regulations
Yeah, I already talked about the weight of the whole package. But when it comes to regulations, most countries around the world are much happier letting you fly a sub-250-gram drone. Just like this one (well, mostly… looking at you, scales!). In many places, this weight class means fewer restrictions and less hassle, which is exactly what you want when traveling.
5. That Glorious HLG Mode
HLG, or Hybrid Log-Gamma, is a color profile designed for High Dynamic Range (HDR) video. It offers way more dynamic range than the standard profile, capturing more detail in both the bright highlights and dark shadows. The result? Richer color and contrast straight out of the camera. No more cranking the saturation slider to oblivion.
My favorite part about HLG? Even in auto mode, you can dial down the exposure compensation a stop or two (-1.0 or -0.7), and the shadows in the image look absolutely precious right on your phone.
6. Handles Wind (and maybe a little Rain?)
This little bird boasts a Level 6 wind resistance rating, the same as the much larger Air 3S. Now, it’s definitely not waterproof or weatherproof. But here in Quito, we’re deep into winter right now. Let me explain Quito winter: it’s freezing in the morning, hot by 10 a.m., and then, at any given moment, it rains like the world is ending. Flying drones is risky business.
During a couple of recent flights, about half a mile from my takeoff point, the heavens opened up. Of course, I panicked – I didn’t want to lose this beautiful machine in such a stupid way. I hit Sport mode and booked it home. Let me tell you: the drone wasn’t soaked, but it wasn’t exactly dry either. I carefully cleaned it with a cloth, put it back in its bag, and it’s been flying perfectly ever since. So, if you get caught in light rain, just bring it back ASAP, dry it thoroughly, and you should be fine. (Don’t blame me if it dies, though!)
7. Batteries Last Forever (Almost) and Charge Fast
If you get the extended “Plus” batteries (the ones that claim 52 minutes and put you over the 250g limit), they feel like they last for hours. Even the standard batteries feel like they have extra punch compared to previous Minis. Maybe it’s better energy management, maybe they sprinkled some Tinkerbell dust on them, I don’t know. But if you’re waiting for that perfect sunset moment or planning a long hyperlapse, these batteries have you covered! Plus, the new charging hub juices them up faster than ever.
Photo credit: Rafael Suarez