13 Cons of DJI Mini 4K (Review 2024)

When I first laid my hands on the DJI Mini 4K I couldn’t contain my excitement. Being a drone enthusiast the idea of a 4K drone was simply irresistible. However upon inspection I came across a few drawbacks that might give you pause before clicking that buy button. Lets delve into the specifics.

If after reading all these cons, you still want to buy the product, congratulations! You’re making a well-informed decision, and you won’t regret your purchase!

Issues with the Controller

The DJI Mini 4K sports a dated body design of the Mini 2. While this may not be a deal breaker for everyone it’s worth mentioning if you appreciate cutting edge design aesthetics. The older style might not appeal to users seeking a look. Personally I felt like I was handling technology despite having new internal components.

Issues with the Controller; Reliance, on a Smartphone

The drone is accompanied by the RC n1c controller, which lacks an integrated screen. This means you have to use your smartphone as a display screen. While some users may not find this problematic I personally found it quite inconvenient.

My phone used to get really hot at times. It was a bit tricky to handle the controller while making sure the phone stayed connected.. Relying on your phone for flying means that if it runs out of battery or faces any issues your flying adventure comes to an abrupt end.

Limited Buying Options; Not Convenient

Interestingly you won’t find the DJI Mini 4K, on DJIs website. In the US you can only purchase it from Amazon and Best Buy while in the EU its stocked on Amazon. This limited availability can be quite frustrating. Personally I prefer having choices when it comes to buying tech gear so being confined to a few stores can be inconvenient particularly if they run out of stock or don’t offer competitive prices.

Shorter Flight Time Than Expected

Although the DJI Mini 4K boasts a 31 minute flight time in its ads my real world experience showed that it usually lasts around 18 22 minutes per flight. This difference was rather disappointing. When you’re there flying drones every minute matters and having less flight time than promised can be disheartening – especially when you’re aiming for that perfect aerial shot or simply want a longer time up, in the air.

Lacking Important Features

If you’re searching for functions the DJI Mini 4K may not be the best pick. It lacks features such, as track, master shots, waypoints and cruise control that are commonly found in higher end models. These features are quite handy for capturing professional grade footage. Without these options you’ll have to rely on control and have fewer automated flight modes to enhance your aerial photography or videography.

Poor Low Light Performance

Although the DJI Mini 4K comes with a 4K camera, its performance in low light situations is not very impressive when compared to higher end models. The quality noticeably diminishes under conditions. As someone who enjoys shooting during dawn or dusk this limitation stood out to me. Furthermore the camera doesn’t offer shooting modes like HDR in 4K that can improve the range and overall quality of your footage.

Inconvenient Controller Setup

Dealing with the RC n1c controller without a built in screen necessitates attaching your smartphone to it. This setup can be inconvenient during flying sessions. I frequently found myself concerned, about my phones battery life and potential overheating problems. Moreover the remote itself has a battery life requiring you to juggle two devices adding to the hassle.

Dealing with Winds

Dealing with winds posed a challenge when flying the DJI Mini 4K. The drone had difficulty maintaining stability and safety, in weather conditions making it less dependable. If you reside in a region to days this limitation may hinder your ability to fly smoothly and capture steady footage.

Lack of Safety Features

Safety is also a concern as manual control is necessary due, to the absence of obstacle avoidance sensors. This requires heightened awareness of your surroundings. Can prove challenging for beginners. The increased risk of collisions demands attention and can add stress diminishing the flying experience.

No Built-in Storage

The DJI Mini 4K does not come with built in storage so you will need a microSD card to save your videos. Without the card you can only capture low quality photos and 720p videos on your phone. This becomes an issue if you forget your microSD card or run out of space during a flight session.

Limited Gimbal Movement

One downside I observed is that the gimbal, on the DJI Mini 4K has limited movement compared to the Mini 3. This restriction reduces the angles for shooting which can be frustrating when aiming for shots. Moreover the absence of a shooting mode further restricts your possibilities.

Incompatibility with Older Accessories

If you have ND filters from models like the Mini 2 or Mini 2 SE you will be disappointed to find out that they are not compatible with the DJI Mini 4K. This means costs if you wish to use filters to improve your footage—an inconvenience for users who have already invested in accessories for models.

Removal of Wi-Fi Transfer Capability

Another change in the DJI Mini 4K is the removal of Wi Fi transfer capability that was present, in versions.This implies that you cannot easily transfer your videos to devices without moving the files. It may seem like a detail. In todays fast paced digital era the absence of this feature stands out.

In Summary

In summary the DJI Mini 4K is positioned as a budget beginner drone; however it does have downsides. These include the lack of obstacle avoidance, functions, a battery life shorter than advertised and the need to use a smartphone as the controller screen.

This makes it less ideal for both novice users and professionals seeking a range of features. Nevertheless if you are willing to overlook these drawbacks and prioritize cost effectiveness the DJI Mini 4K could still be a choice, for drone enthusiasts.

On the whole although I enjoyed my experience with the DJI Mini 4K it is evident that it is not without its imperfections. If safety measures, advanced capabilities and longer flight durations are factors for you exploring alternatives might be advisable. However, for individuals seeking a drone with 4K capabilities considering the DJI Mini 4K could be a reasonable option—just remember to take note of its limitations.

However, if after reading all these cons, you still want to buy the product, congratulations! You’re making a well-informed decision, and you won’t regret your purchase.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaNjOF97HMM&pp=ygUSREpJIE1pbmkgNEsgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLZHbEpmfEQ&pp=ygUSREpJIE1pbmkgNEsgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHne7V7cD0k&pp=ygUSREpJIE1pbmkgNEsgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZLYOkYOoHI&pp=ygUSREpJIE1pbmkgNEsgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgdICJpNjWc&pp=ygUSREpJIE1pbmkgNEsgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rltt5dokJE&pp=ygUSREpJIE1pbmkgNEsgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gddraByZVos&pp=ygUSREpJIE1pbmkgNEsgcmV2aWV3