DJI Mini 5 Pro: Pocket-Sized Powerhouse (and Red Tape Killer)
The DJI Mini 5 Pro just landed in Canada — and yes, it might actually hurt my wallet. Priced at $1,279 CAD for the Fly More Combo at Best Buy, this isn’t just another “starter drone.” It’s a sub-250 g powerhouse that can go toe-to-toe with the big boys — including my own Air 3S — but without the licensing headaches.
Under 249 g: Skip the Paperwork, Keep the Power
Here’s the dirty little secret about drones in Canada: weight matters. Under 250 g, you dodge most of the Transport Canada red tape. No pilot certificate. No registration. More freedom to just fly.
The Mini 5 Pro takes that freedom and adds specs you’d normally only see on heavier drones.
50MP 1-inch CMOS sensor — better detail, better low-light.
4K HDR up to 120 fps — buttery slow-mo.
Vertical shooting built-in — TikToks, Reels, Shorts without clunky editing tricks.
Omnidirectional obstacle sensing with LiDAR assist — yes, even under 249 g.
ActiveTrack 360 — smoother subject tracking for runners, cars, dogs, whatever.
Flight time up to 36 minutes — longer with the Plus battery (where available).
This is no “gateway drone.” It’s a pro-level machine that happens to fit in your jacket pocket.
Mini 5 Pro vs Air 3S
Since I already fly the Air 3S (“Lord of the Wings”), here’s how I see it:
Air 3S wins on dual-camera flexibility (1” wide + 70mm tele) and slightly longer flight times.
Mini 5 Pro wins on portability, red-tape freedom, and vertical content.
For pro client work — I’m still reaching for the Air 3S.
For sunrise reels at the beach — the Mini 5 Pro is dangerously tempting.
The gap is closing. If you’re a content creator, travel vlogger, or just want pro-quality without certification hassles, the Mini 5 Pro might actually be the better fit.
Price in Canada
As of launch, here’s what we’re seeing at Best Buy Canada:
Drone Only: $1,059 CAD
Fly More Combo (RC-N3): $1,279 CAD
Combo 2: $1,429 CAD
Combo 3: $1,529 CAD
Available to ship immediately. Yes, my wallet cried too.
Final Thoughts
The DJI Mini 5 Pro is the drone that bends the rules without breaking them. Under 249 g, but powerful enough to handle almost anything short of serious client work. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect mix of portability and performance, this is it.
For me? I’ll probably cave. It’s the kind of drone that makes sunrise at Cordova Bay or a quick coastal rip after work too easy to resist.
📍 Vancouver Island Drones — Westshore based.
Check the gear we actually fly: vancouverislanddrones.ca/gear
