The DJI Mini 5 Pro is my first recent drone since the original Mavic Pro, so the jump feels massive. Since seeing the Mini 3 Pro, I knew the Mini line would probably be my next drone because it smartly plays in both camps: with the standard batteries, it can stay under 250g, which is extremely useful in some situations, while the Plus batteries give you longer flights when you have the required drone licence.

The Mini 5 Pro is a little wonder of a lightweight aerial camera, and for many people, it might honestly be the only drone they need. The 1-inch sensor from the Air 3S is now available in a sub-250g drone, paired with a smart, easy-to-fly body packed with features. It is impressive how much technology DJI managed to fit into such a small package.

This is the drone to take on a hike, on a trip, or anywhere you want aerial footage without carrying a larger system. It is much smaller and less stressful to bring than bigger drones, while still offering strong image and video quality. It is also the drone I would recommend for learning to fly.

The Good:

• 1-inch sensor is a major win for a Mini drone.

• Compact body makes it easy to bring almost anywhere.

• True vertical shooting with gimbal rotation is useful for social deliverables.

• Obstacle sensing and tracking are excellent so far and improve solo operation.

• Standard and Plus batteries let you choose between sub-250g flexibility and longer runtime.

The Bad:

• Wind resistance is impressive for such a small drone, but still limited.

• When shooting 50MP photos, saving time from the Quad Bayer sensor can feel really slow.

• Real-world flight time is always lower than advertised, so be careful how far you go.

• Plus batteries push the drone over 250g, which changes the licence and regulation side.

• It is still a tiny drone, so heavy-duty commercial work may call for something larger.

• Get it if you want a highly portable aerial camera.

• Get it for travel, hiking, scouting, social content, and quick B-roll.

• Get it if you want a first affordable drone without sacrificing image quality.

• Pass if you often fly in windy areas.

• Pass if you need heavy-duty commercial performance.

I recommend the Fly More Combo Plusif you have your drone licence. It comes with the Plus batteries, and you can still buy extra standard batteries when you need to keep the Mini 5 Pro under 250g.

The combo includes the excellent RC2 remote, the charging hub, extra propellers, a set of ND filters, and a carrying bag. Add a few microSD cards, and you are ready to fly.

If you do not have your drone licence, I recommend the standard Fly More Combo instead. It includes the same useful accessories, but with three standard batteries instead of the Plus batteries, keeping the drone in its sub-250g setup. And then you can always get the plus batteries once you get your license. Be careful, though: if you are reading this from Europe, it is harder to switch between C0 & C1 on the Mini 5 Pro.