Best DJI Mavic 3 Classic camera settings for photo and video

The best all-round DJI Mavic 3 Classic video settings are 5.1K at 24 to 50 fps or 4K at up to 60 fps, 10-bit D-Log M in H.265, ISO 100, aperture between f/2.8 and f/5.6, and a shutter about double your frame rate with an ND filter in daylight. For photos, shoot 20 MP RAW (DNG) at ISO 100 and around f/4 to f/5.6, with AEB for high-contrast scenes.

Mavic 3 Classic starting settings — Daylight starting settings for the Mavic 3 Classic's Four Thirds Hasselblad camera. The adjustable aperture plus ND filters let you hold a natural shutter speed.

Best Mavic 3 Classic video settings

Setting	Recommendation	Notes
Resolution	5.1K (5120×2700) or 4K	5.1K at 24 to 50 fps; DCI or UHD 4K to 60 fps, 120 fps slow motion
Color	D-Log M	Easier to grade than D-Log, with a lower ISO floor
Codec	H.265	For 10-bit color
ISO	100 in D-Log M	D-Log M: 100 to 1600. D-Log: 400 to 1600
Aperture	f/2.8 to f/5.6	Adjustable from f/2.8 to f/11
Shutter	1/50 at 24 or 25 fps, 1/60 at 30, 1/120 at 60	Use ND filters
Bitrate	Highest	Up to 200 Mbps

5.1K gives room to crop and reframe in a 4K timeline. Choose DCI 4K (4096×2160) for a slightly wider cinema frame or UHD (3840×2160) for standard 16:9 delivery.

What is the Mavic 3 Classic's native ISO?

DJI doesn't publish a native ISO. What it does publish are the ISO floors: D-Log starts at ISO 400, while D-Log M and HLG start at ISO 100. That's one reason many pilots prefer D-Log M on the Classic: you can shoot at ISO 100 and need less ND in bright light. If you use D-Log, set ISO 400. In Night mode, ISO starts at 800.

D-Log M, D-Log, HLG or Normal?

D-Log M: best balance of dynamic range and easy grading. DJI added it in an April 2023 firmware update.
D-Log: the flattest profile and the most grading latitude, but needs more work and starts at ISO 400.
HLG: for HDR delivery to HDR screens.
Normal: finished-looking footage with no grading.

DJI's conversion LUTs for both log profiles are covered in Mavic 3 Classic LUTs.

Aperture: the Classic's advantage

Unlike Air and Mini drones, the Mavic 3 Classic has an adjustable aperture from f/2.8 to f/11. Use it:

f/2.8 in low light.
f/4 to f/5.6 in daylight, for sharpness and to cut light before reaching for a stronger filter.
f/8 to f/11 sparingly. Small apertures soften fine detail through diffraction.

Best Mavic 3 Classic photo settings

Format: RAW (DNG) plus JPEG at 20 MP.
ISO: 100. Photo ISO reaches 6400.
Aperture: f/4 to f/5.6 for landscapes.
AEB: 3 or 5 frames at 0.7 EV steps for sunsets and real estate.
Burst: 3, 5 or 7 frames. Timed: every 2 to 60 seconds.
Long exposure: shutter goes as slow as 8 seconds. Hover in calm air.

Helpful app settings

In DJI Fly, open Settings, Camera, and turn on the histogram, overexposure warning and peaking. Use Gain and Expo Tuning under control settings to slow max speed, yaw and gimbal tilt for smoother camera moves, and fly in Cine mode for reveals.

For flight time, range and price, see our Mavic 3 Classic guide, or shop the DJI Mavic 3 Classic.