The Matrice 5 Series is a big step up in thermal and night capability. Its first model, the DJI Matrice 5TD, doubles native thermal resolution to 1280×1024 and nearly doubles laser rangefinder reach to 3,000 m compared with any Matrice 4.
The Matrice 4 Series is still the broader range. It's the only one with a manually flown option, and the only one with a mechanical shutter for survey-grade mapping.
DJI launched the Matrice 5TD on 14 October 2026 alongside DJI Dock 4.
The Matrice 4T and 4TD are the closest Matrice 4 equivalents to the Matrice 5TD, so they're the fairest comparison. The Matrice 4E and 4D share the same zoom cameras but swap the thermal sensor for a 20 MP 4/3" wide camera with a mechanical shutter.
Figures use DJI's CE specs for Australia. Flight times are measured under different DJI test conditions for each model.
The thermal sensor is the headline change. The Matrice 5TD's 1280×1024 sensor captures four times the pixels of the 640×512 sensor on the Matrice 4T and 4TD. You can spot a hot bearing or a failing joint from further away and with more confidence. Low-gain measurement now reaches 550 °C, up from 500 °C, which matters for kilns, flare stacks and electrical faults.
The visual cameras step up too. The wide camera moves to a much larger 1/0.98" sensor, which lifts detail and low-light performance. The tele camera stretches from 168 mm to 252 mm, so inspectors can read nameplates and check bolts while keeping a safer standoff distance.
Night work is where the gap widens most. The Matrice 5TD's top night-scene ISO of 1,638,400 is double the Matrice 4TD's best, and it can record 4K colour night video without a spotlight.
One thing the Matrice 5TD doesn't have is a mechanical shutter. For survey-grade mapping, the Matrice 4E and 4D are still the right aircraft.
The Matrice 4 Series comes in two forms. The standard Matrice 4E and 4T are manually flown by a pilot on site. The dock versions, the Matrice 4D and 4TD, live in DJI Dock 3 and fly automated missions without anyone on site.
The dock versions are built for that life. They're heavier, carry a bigger battery and have integrated RTK. They're also IP55 rated and work from −20 °C to 50 °C, so they can sit outside year-round.
The Matrice 5 Series so far is dock-only. The Matrice 5TD lives in DJI Dock 4, which swaps its battery in 25 seconds instead of charging it, so one aircraft can fly back-to-back missions. A limited emergency controller mode is planned, but it isn't designed for day-to-day manual flying.
If you want a manually flown thermal drone today, the Matrice 4T is the pick. If you want automated thermal inspection, the Matrice 5TD on Dock 4 is the stronger option. At Sphere we pair both Dock 3 and Dock 4 with our HubX and HubT systems and run them through Curo.
The Matrice 5TD flies longer than any Matrice 4, at up to 59 minutes. It also works from −40 °C to 50 °C, so it handles Pilbara summers and alpine winters alike.
Obstacle sensing is a different class. Every Matrice 4 uses omnidirectional vision sensors, with LiDAR and radar available as an add-on module for the dock versions. The Matrice 5TD has a rotating LiDAR and millimetre-wave radar built in, which keep working in low light, dust and light rain where cameras struggle.
The laser rangefinder reaches 3,000 m, up from 1,800 m across the Matrice 4 Series. That's useful for locating a person or a hazard precisely without flying closer.
The Matrice 5TD also carries a built-in flight termination system and supports DJI's AP1 parachute. Both make it easier to build a safety case for BVLOS approvals. Sphere already holds CASA BVLOS approvals, so we can fly for you under ours if you'd rather not run your own.
Thermal inspection from a dock. Choose the Matrice 5TD. Its sharper thermal and longer tele lens pick up hot spots on conveyors, transmission lines, substations and solar farms earlier, from a safer distance.
Security and search and rescue. Choose the Matrice 5TD. AI detection covers 17 target types including people, vehicles, smoke and fire, and the 3,000 m rangefinder pins down where they are, day or night.
Mapping and surveying. Choose the Matrice 4D on Dock 3 for automated surveys, or the Matrice 4E if you'd rather fly manually. Both have the mechanical shutter needed for precise mapping.
Thermal work with a pilot on site. Choose the Matrice 4T. It's light, quick to deploy from a ute and covers most daytime and night inspection jobs.
An existing Dock 3 thermal setup. The Matrice 4TD is still current and still a capable aircraft. Many sites will run Dock 3 for mapping and Dock 4 for inspection side by side.
Comparing docks as well? See our DJI Dock 4 vs Dock 3 comparison.
The thermal camera. The Matrice 5TD has a native 1280×1024 thermal sensor, four times the pixels of the 640×512 sensor on the Matrice 4T and 4TD. It also has LiDAR and radar obstacle sensing built in and a 3,000 m laser rangefinder.
Not outright. Dock 4 and the Matrice 5TD are the go-to for inspection and search and rescue, while Dock 3 stays in the line-up. The Matrice 4TD is still current, and the Matrice 4D remains the pick for surveying.
Not for precise mapping. It uses an electronic shutter, so the Matrice 4D or 4E with a mechanical shutter is the better choice for survey-grade outputs.
In light rain, yes. The Matrice 4D, 4TD and 5TD are all IP55 rated and handle winds up to 12 m/s.
Yes. DJI Dock 3 and Dock 4 both work with Curo, Sphere's platform for planning, flying and managing automated drone operations.
Not sure which aircraft fits your site? Get in touch with our team, call 1800 119 111 or email info@spheredrones.com.au. We can also fly it for you from our Remote Operations Centre.
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