I’ve never had a drone before but I’m thinking of getting one. I’ve seen some say “4K” but then reviews complain the camera isn’t great, so I’m kinda confused.
Here’s what I’m hoping to find:
Mostly for travel use
Would love it to be compact and not require a bunch of paperwork to fly
The “follow me” feature would be a nice bonus, but not a must
I’m really into cameras – I already have a GoPro, Osmo Pocket, DSLR etc. – so something with decent image quality is a must. If there’s a drone that can just carry my GoPro, I’m open to that too.
Budget-wise, I’m flexible as long as I understand what’s worth it and what’s not. I’ve heard the Mini 4K and Neo might not be great in terms of sensors – can someone break that down for me?
I recently picked up the Mini 4K and also the Neo. The Mini 4K has a better camera, but I gotta say, the Neo is way more fun to just toss in a bag and go. For portability and good-enough quality, the Neo is solid.
@Ellery
If obstacle sensors are important to you, look at the Mini 4 Pro or Mini 3 Pro — they’re the top options under 250g.
Mini 4K is a great bang-for-your-buck option, especially before the 2025 tariffs bumped up prices. I paid $430 for my Mini 2 four years ago, and it’s still amazing. I’ve brought it to Europe and the UK a few times now. Very reliable.
Got a Flex recently and I’m super happy with it. Very beginner-friendly, good raw photo quality (that’s my main thing), and surprisingly stable in the wind. Cheaper than I expected too!
Kai said:
Got a Flex recently and I’m super happy with it. Very beginner-friendly, good raw photo quality (that’s my main thing), and surprisingly stable in the wind. Cheaper than I expected too!
Same here. I’m mostly in it for stills so the Flex made sense. You can get decent shots with it but it’s definitely noisy. That’s where I start eyeing the Mini Pro lineup. I’ve been holding off because the Mini Pro 5 is rumored to have a 1-inch sensor, otherwise I’d already have the 4.
@Finnley
Yeah, same thoughts. Mine handled pretty well in open fields near my house, but once I tried it downtown… the noise was a lot more noticeable. Still happy for what it is though.
Without a budget or clear idea of what you’re trying to shoot, it’s tough to recommend anything specific. That said, someone suggested the Neo — if you’re looking for something simple, travel-friendly, and more in the selfie-drone category, it’s a solid pick.
If your budget can stretch a bit, the Mini 4 Pro checks every box based on what you mentioned. If not, the Mini 3 or Mini 4K are also great choices depending on what deals you find.
I’ve got the Mini 4K and honestly, the camera isn’t that bad. If you’re okay with shorter flight times, the Neo Fly More Combo is actually a really fun option. But yeah, if you’ve got a bit more to spend, go for the Mini 3 Pro.
Just keep in mind: even small drones can require licensing depending on where you’re flying. Don’t assume just because it’s under 250g that you’re in the clear everywhere.
Marlon said:
Just keep in mind: even small drones can require licensing depending on where you’re flying. Don’t assume just because it’s under 250g that you’re in the clear everywhere.
That depends. In the U.S., drones under 250g don’t need to be registered if flown under the recreational exemption.
Mini 4K: no crash sensors, no AI tracking, but solid image quality
Mini 4 Pro: has sensors, AI tracking, and DSLR-style settings — better all around
Mini 4K is great if you’re new and just want to get flying without spending too much. But the Pro gives you way more features if you’re into shooting better quality stuff.
Rory said: @Whitney
The Pro’s not a little more though… it’s like $1,000 CAD more than the regular 4K?
Ah fair enough — I’m not in Canada. I got the Mini 4K combo new for £399 and the Mini 4 Pro combo with a 256GB card for £829. Maybe I caught a good deal.
Looks like the Mini 4K combo is going for $579 CAD on Amazon right now, which is decent. If you want the extra features like tracking and obstacle avoidance, the Pro is definitely on another level though. Could be worth waiting — the Mini 5 Pro is rumored to drop soon, which might drop prices on the 4 Pro.