Is it Time to Get into Drone Photography?

THUNDER BAY – TECH – After a long wait, DJI has just released its latest Mini 5 Pro drone.

Why drones keep trending up

Consumer and pro demand keeps rising for aerial imaging, mapping, and automation. Multiple market trackers still project double-digit growth through the decade, with North America a major slice of spend. For context, recent reports peg consumer-drone market expansion at ~13–20% CAGR depending on segment and horizon.

Why the DJI Mini Pro 5?

The DJI Mini 5 Pro packs a 1-inch, 50MP CMOS sensor with an f/1.8 lens, delivering cleaner low-light images, 10-bit colour, and video up to 4K/120 fps—a big jump for a “mini” class drone. It adds a 225° flexible gimbal for true horizontal and native vertical shooting, so you can switch to social-ready portrait footage without cropping.

Great Features in Latest Mini Pro

Flight time with the standard Intelligent Flight Battery is rated up to 36 minutes, and the drone keeps its compact, lightweight profile despite the new camera and processing pipeline.

On the safety and automation side, Mini 5 Pro introduces omnidirectional obstacle sensing, upgraded ActiveTrack 360°subject tracking, and enhanced “nightscape” performance to help avoid hazards and keep subjects framed in complex environments. QuickShots and other automated flight modes return, now benefiting from the beefier sensor and stabilization for more dynamic, ready-to-share clips right out of the camera.

Together these features push the Mini line closer to DJI’s flagship capabilities while staying travel-friendly.

Weight Problem Fires Up Internet Storm

The DJI Mini 5 Pro’s headline spec is 249.9 g, but DJI also discloses a ±4 g manufacturing variance—meaning some retail units can tip slightly over the 250 g legal threshold that many countries use to separate “micro/sub-250 g” drones from those that require registration and additional rules. Swapping to higher-capacity batteries can also push takeoff weight past the line.

That’s why the model sparked debate: the number on the box says “sub-250 g,” yet a few grams either way can change your regulatory status in practice.

Initially gaining wide circulation within the Canadian drone community on Social media, were comments from Mike Tomm, Civil Aviation Inspector (General Aviation), Prairie & Northern Region. Those comments suggested Transport Canada would basically look the other way with the DJI Mini Pro 5. That however is not the case.

Transport Canada provided this update on Monday, September 29, 2025 after this article was originally published:

“Drone pilots are solely responsible for confirming the weight of their drone. The weight and capabilities of the drone, distance from bystanders, and airspace rules define your category of drone operation. Each category has a different set of rules that drone pilots must follow.

“In Canada, drones that weigh less than 250 grams are called microdrones. If the operating weight of the drone is 250 grams or more, it isn’t a microdrone. If you wish to operate a drone that weighs 250 grams or more, you must register it and obtain a Pilot Certificate. If you are concerned that your drone might weigh 250 grams or more, you should register it and obtain a Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations or Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations.

“In addition to following Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), drone pilots are subject to all federal, provincial, territorial and municipal laws that may apply, including with respect to privacy and trespassing.

“Finally, anyone who witnesses unsafe or illegal drone use should contact Transport Canada or local law enforcement. Transport Canada encourages them to record as much information as possible to help Transport Canada review incidents more effectively (i.e. clear photos or videos, date, time, drone type, other identifying marks). Witnesses can report their concerns to Transport Canada at: Report a drone incident.”

In Europe, EASA has indicated a ±3% tolerance in its C0 class framework (formally taking effect in 2026), which helps explain why the Mini 5 Pro retains its C0 status there. By contrast, the U.S. FAA treats 250 g as an absolute cutoff: at ≥250 g, the aircraft must be registered (and other requirements can apply), with no tolerance language comparable to EASA’s.

“What this means (for the time being) is that so long as you do Transport Canada’s public guidance defines microdrones as under 250 g, with heavier aircraft triggering registration and a pilot certificate.

EASA’s position vs. the FAA’s line in the sand

Across the Atlantic, Europe’s regulator has signalled tolerance for small manufacturing variances on C0 drones. Reporting this week notes EASA is allowing/working toward a ±3% tolerance (which would cover 252–253 g units) and that the Mini 5 Pro keeps its C0 status; some outlets cite EASA officials directly. By contrast, the FAA says no tolerance: if your takeoff weight is ≥250 g, registration applies.

Where Don Joyce and Drone Pilot Canada fit in

For Canadian pilots, Don Joyce (DonDronesOn) is a go-to educator whose videos and study guides help demystify rules, airspace, and safe operations.

He’s also behind the Drone Pilot Canada app, purpose-built to help pilots meet Transport Canada procedural requirements (flight logs, airspace awareness, documentation). It’s available on iOS and highlighted on dronepilotcanada.com.

Thunder Bay tip: Pair Drone Pilot Canada for planning/logging with NAV CANADA’s NAV Drone to request authorizations in controlled airspace around CYQT and the harbour.

Why this matters in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario

• Stay “micro” in Canada: Use the standard OEM battery to keep the Mini 5 Pro recognized as micro under the current Transport Canada stance; switching to a high-capacity pack could push you into the ≥250 g rules (registration + Basic/Advanced licence).

• Airspace realities: Thunder Bay sits beside controlled airspace and seaplane operations—use NAV Drone before flying; log flights and documents with Drone Pilot Canada.

• Local use cases: Drones continue to prove their value in news gathering, real estate, agriculture (crop scouting), and mining (stockpile surveys) across Northwestern Ontario—areas where compliance and documentation matter for community acceptance.

The U.S. storm cloud over DJI: court loss & a possible sales squeeze

Separate from the weight issue, DJI’s U.S. risk profile escalated this week:

• Court ruling (Sept. 26–27, 2025): A federal judge upheld the Pentagon’s authority to list DJI as a “Chinese Military Company,” a blow that heightens procurement and policy pressure.

• NDAA clock (Dec. 23, 2025): If no federal security review is completed by this date, new DJI gear may be added to the FCC “Covered List,” which would impede new equipment authorizations (i.e., introducing new models in the U.S.). That could ripple into inventory and parts availability for Canadians who source across the border.

Quick checklist for Canadian Mini 5 Pro owners

• Battery choice: Use standard OEM batteries to remain “micro” (for now).

• If over 250 g: Register the drone and obtain a Basic/Advanced licence.

• Plan & log: Use Drone Pilot Canada for compliance tasks; use NAV Drone for controlled-airspace authorizations near CYQT.

• Cross-border buyers: Track U.S. policy/review developments that could affect supply late 2025.