The best all-round DJI Mavic 3 Pro video settings are Pro exposure, 10-bit D-Log M in H.265 at ISO 100, a shutter about double your frame rate, and ND filters in daylight. Use 5.1K or 4K on the Hasselblad camera at f/2.8 to f/5.6, and 4K on the 70 mm and 166 mm cameras. For photos, shoot RAW plus JPEG at ISO 100, with AEB for high-contrast scenes.
Video settings
| Setting | Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure | Pro (manual) | Lock ISO, shutter and white balance |
| Resolution | 5.1K at 24 to 50 fps, or 4K to 60 fps | Tele cameras top out at 4K/60 |
| Color | D-Log M | All three cameras support it |
| Codec | H.265 | Needed for 10-bit; ProRes on the Cine version |
| ISO | 100 | D-Log on the Hasselblad starts at 400 |
| Shutter | 1/50 at 24-25 fps, 1/60 at 30, 1/120 at 60 | Use ND filters |
| White balance | Manual, about 5500K in daylight | Same value on every camera |
Max bitrate is 200 Mbps on the Hasselblad camera and 160 Mbps on the tele cameras in H.264/H.265.
ISO ranges to know
From DJI's specs, video ISO is 100 to 6400 in Normal, 100 to 1600 in D-Log M and HLG, and 400 to 1600 in D-Log. Night mode runs 800 to 12800. DJI doesn't publish a native ISO, so the practical rule is the lowest ISO your profile allows: 100 for D-Log M, 400 for D-Log.
D-Log or D-Log M?
The Hasselblad camera records both. The 70 mm and 166 mm cameras record D-Log M and HLG, but not D-Log. If you plan to cut between cameras, shoot D-Log M on all three so one LUT and grade covers the whole project. See Mavic 3 Pro LUTs.
Aperture
Only the Hasselblad camera has an adjustable aperture (f/2.8 to f/11). Use f/2.8 in low light and f/4 to f/5.6 in daylight for the sharpest image. The 70 mm is fixed at f/2.8 and the 166 mm at f/3.4, so ND filters do all the light control on those.
Cinematic settings
- 24 or 25 fps, shutter 1/50 for natural motion blur.
- Cine flight mode for slower, smoother moves.
- Long lens, slow moves: the 166 mm compresses distance and magnifies shake, so fly slowly and in light wind.
- Slow motion: 4K at 120 fps on the Hasselblad camera only.
Photo settings
- Hasselblad: 20 MP RAW (DNG) at ISO 100, f/4 to f/5.6. AEB 3 or 5 frames at 0.7 EV for sunsets and interiors-to-sky shots.
- 70 mm: 48 MP in good light for detail, 12 MP in dim light for cleaner files.
- 166 mm: 12 MP. Keep the shutter fast to avoid blur from vibration.
- Long exposures: up to 8 s on the Hasselblad, 2 s on the tele cameras. Hover in calm air.
App settings worth changing
In DJI Fly, open Settings, Camera, and turn on the histogram, overexposure warning and peaking. Anti-Flicker helps under artificial lights, but in Pro mode it only works with auto shutter and ISO. In the control settings, use Gain and Expo tuning to slow yaw and gimbal tilt for smoother pans. Set RTH altitude above the tallest obstacle before every flight.
For low light, see Mavic 3 Pro night mode. For flight time and pricing, read our Mavic 3 Pro guide, or shop the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.
Related guides
- Best DJI Mavic 4 Pro camera settings for photo and video
- Best DJI Mavic 3 Classic camera settings for photo and video
- Best DJI Mini 4 Pro camera settings for photo and video
- Best DJI Mini 5 Pro camera settings for photo and video
- DJI Mavic 3 Pro photo and video quality: what to expect
- Which ND filters for the DJI Mavic 3 Pro? Settings guide
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