DJI Mini Pro 5 - Image quality for stills

[cirwin2010]

Hoping this is the best spot on the forum for this question. I recognize that there may be better places on the internet to discuss drones, but I'd figure I'd start here.

I'm entertaining the idea of trying drone photography. Always been apprehensive about it for personal reasons (drones can be annoying), drone laws (glad we have those now), and the spicy situation that is the USA lately. But with an upcoming trip to Iceland (weather and wind being agreeable) amongst some other stuff I wanted to try, I've been entertaining the idea.

I was looking at the DJI Mini Pro 5 as it is not as expensive as the larger models, lighter to travel with, and probably a bit more flexible as far as restrictions go. It also has a larger sensor than the previous Mini models (1-inch) sporting better image quality as a result.

The question is, will this 1-inch sensor deliver enough performance to make it worth while? Native resolution is 12.5mp with a "50mp" mode where you can get some extra detail out of it, but it is not a true native 50mp resolution by any means. I am focused on prints and I would hope to have something that could comfortably handle 14in on the long end and stand up to close inspection. Yes I know that there is the whole 300PPI rule of thumb for prints, but just because you have the resolution to do that doesn't necessarily mean that it will hold up (like phone cameras).

Does anyone have any experience with similar camera systems to share?

 

[quigs]

I have a DJI Mini Pro 4 and it makes a pretty good camera even with its smaller sensor, in my opinion. I also shoot Micro 4/3 and iPhone photos so the same rule of thumb for smaller sensors applies: Give them lots of light and shoot in raw and they'll do pretty good. I've included some 200% zooms on the third image on both faces and landscapes so you can see the noise better.

I would recommend looking at some YouTube reviews of the DJI Action 6's stills photographic capabilities since that likely is the same sensor. Or if you want I can PM you a full res DNG from one of my Mini 4 photos if you wanted to try a test print off of it. I doubt the visual improvements will be that much better between the two. I shoot more video with the DJI sensors than I do stills and compared to my Micro 4/3 Blackmagic camera their quality drops significantly in low light. Most of the videos and stuff on YouTube have heavy noise reduction applied.

 

[cirwin2010]

I have a DJI Mini Pro 4 and it makes a pretty good camera even with its smaller sensor, in my opinion. I also shoot Micro 4/3 and iPhone photos so the same rule of thumb for smaller sensors applies: Give them lots of light and shoot in raw and they'll do pretty good. I've included some 200% zooms on the third image on both faces and landscapes so you can see the noise better.

I would recommend looking at some YouTube reviews of the DJI Action 6's stills photographic capabilities since that likely is the same sensor. Or if you want I can PM you a full res DNG from one of my Mini 4 photos if you wanted to try a test print off of it. I doubt the visual improvements will be that much better between the two. I shoot more video with the DJI sensors than I do stills and compared to my Micro 4/3 Blackmagic camera their quality drops significantly in low light. Most of the videos and stuff on YouTube have heavy noise reduction applied.

Thanks for the reply and sharing those images! I also found some raws online from an Air 3S which has the same main camera as a Mini Pro 5. I've determined that the image quality would be sufficient for the types of prints I make.

Now my hesitation is if I really want to dive into using a drone for photography. I'm mostly focused on the "fine art" types of photography so I wouldn't really find any use for it as far as video and documentary type work goes. So now I'm debating with myself if this is something I want to invest my time into (which is already spread thin) and if I think I can make some compelling work with it that is fresh and new.

 

[quigs]

Now my hesitation is if I really want to dive into using a drone for photography. I'm mostly focused on the "fine art" types of photography so I wouldn't really find any use for it as far as video and documentary type work goes. So now I'm debating with myself if this is something I want to invest my time into (which is already spread thin) and if I think I can make some compelling work with it that is fresh and new.

Medium Format magazine has a drone photography issue where the photographer talks about how they do fine art drone photography—but with a “real” camera strapped to the drone. Not cheap! Is there a way to rent the Air/Mini Pro 5 drone for a couple of test photo shoots to see if that’s the direction you want to go in (time wise) regardless of the quality?

 

[cirwin2010]

Medium Format magazine has a drone photography issue where the photographer talks about how they do fine art drone photography—but with a “real” camera strapped to the drone. Not cheap! Is there a way to rent the Air/Mini Pro 5 drone for a couple of test photo shoots to see if that’s the direction you want to go in (time wise) regardless of the quality?

Not sure what the market (or paperwork) is like to rent a drone around here. I'll take a look.


Was the "real" camera strapped to the drone some sort of custom rig? Sounds pretty cool, and yes, costly. Also side question, do you subscribe to that magazine? Every now and again I think about subscribing to it, but just never sure how worth it that would be. I also just inherently don't like subscriptions so that is another hurdle.

 

[quigs]

Was the "real" camera strapped to the drone some sort of custom rig? Sounds pretty cool, and yes, costly. Also side question, do you subscribe to that magazine? Every now and again I think about subscribing to it, but just never sure how worth it that would be. I also just inherently don't like subscriptions so that is another hurdle.

I believe they have a monthly option. It was the March or May issue from 2023 if I recall, and they strapped a Hasselblad to a big drone (if I’m not mistaken). I really enjoy it and Frames magazine. They’re well produced publications.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Now my hesitation is if I really want to dive into using a drone for photography. I'm mostly focused on the "fine art" types of photography so I wouldn't really find any use for it as far as video and documentary type work goes.

I have a 'drone' that I used to use for commercial photography.
(I have a pilot license and certificate)

As you mention they are most useful for documentary type work.

I have never used it for any fine art or travel photography.

In many places there are so many restrictions that it's just not worth the effort obtaining clearance even if you find a suitable subject. And the penalties if you make an innocent mistake can be severe.