Yes, the DJI Mavic 3 Classic has a follow-me mode. It's called FocusTrack and includes three modes: ActiveTrack 5.0, which follows a moving subject on its own; Spotlight 2.0, which keeps the camera locked on the subject while you fly; and Point of Interest 3.0, which circles a subject. ActiveTrack follows people, vehicles and boats at up to 12 m/s (about 27 mph) and steers around obstacles using the drone's omnidirectional vision sensors.
The three FocusTrack modes
| Mode | What the drone does | Who flies |
|---|---|---|
| ActiveTrack 5.0 | Follows the subject at a set distance and angle | The drone, you adjust |
| Spotlight 2.0 | Keeps the camera locked on the subject | You fly manually |
| Point of Interest 3.0 | Circles the subject at a set radius and speed | The drone, you adjust |
ActiveTrack has two styles:
- Trace: follows from a fixed direction. DJI lists eight directions (front, back, left, right and the four diagonals). Back is the default, and you can change the direction while tracking once the subject moves steadily.
- Parallel: flies alongside the subject at a constant angle and distance.
In ActiveTrack and Point of Interest, the Classic bypasses obstacles regardless of your obstacle avoidance setting, as long as the vision systems are working. In Spotlight it stops and hovers when it detects an obstacle. Vision sensing is off in Sport mode.
Tracking distances
From DJI's manual:
| Subject | Distance | Altitude | Best results |
|---|---|---|---|
| People | 4 to 20 m | 2 to 20 m | 5 to 10 m away, 2 to 10 m up |
| Vehicles and boats | 6 to 100 m | 6 to 100 m | 20 to 50 m away, 10 to 50 m up |
If you start outside these ranges, the drone flies into range first.
How to use it
- Take off.
- Drag a box around the subject in DJI Fly, or turn on Subject Scanning in the control settings and tap a recognized subject.
- Spotlight starts by default. Tap to switch to ActiveTrack or POI.
- In ActiveTrack, choose Trace or Parallel and use the direction wheel to set Trace's direction.
- Tap GO, then start recording.
- To stop, tap Stop or press the Flight Pause button.
During tracking, the sticks still work: roll circles the subject, pitch changes distance, throttle changes height and pan adjusts framing. FocusTrack supports up to 3x zoom.
When tracking isn't available
- On the ground.
- When recording 5.1K or 120fps and above.
- With DJI Goggles.
- Near flight limits or in GEO zones (it may not work properly).
- In low light, ActiveTrack switches off. Spotlight and POI can still be used on static subjects, but without obstacle sensing.
Tips for better tracking
- Track in open spaces, away from thin branches, power lines, glass and water.
- DJI recommends tracking adults, vehicles and boats, not children or RC models.
- Watch out when the subject climbs or descends steeply, changes shape, or blends into the background.
- Keep light between about 300 and 10,000 lux; very dark or very bright scenes reduce reliability.
- Stay ready to take over. You remain the pilot in command, and the drone must stay in your line of sight.
More general guidance in our DJI ActiveTrack guide. For circling shots and quick automated clips, see Mavic 3 Classic QuickShots, and for how sensing works, Mavic 3 Classic obstacle avoidance.
Want a tracking drone with a big 4/3 sensor? See the DJI Mavic 3 Classic, or compare it in Mavic 3 Classic vs Air 3S.
Related guides
- DJI Mavic 3 Pro ActiveTrack and follow-me modes explained
- DJI Mavic 4 Pro ActiveTrack and follow-me modes explained
- DJI Air 3 ActiveTrack and follow-me modes explained
- DJI Air 3S ActiveTrack and follow-me modes explained
- DJI Flip ActiveTrack and follow-me modes explained
- DJI Mini 4 Pro ActiveTrack and follow-me modes explained
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