The DJI Mavic 3 Pro doesn't have a portrait mode or true vertical shooting. Its gimbal doesn't rotate 90 degrees, and DJI lists only horizontal video formats. To make vertical clips, record 5.1K on the Hasselblad camera or 4K on either tele, then crop a 9:16 frame in your editor. Each camera has enough resolution for a sharp 1080×1920 export.
Why there's no vertical mode
Drones like the Mini 4 Pro roll their camera 90 degrees for full-sensor vertical video, and the newer Mavic 4 Pro does the same with its Infinity Gimbal. The Mavic 3 Pro's three-camera gimbal can't do that, and DJI's own comparison lists true vertical shooting as not supported on the Mavic 3 Pro. All video modes record 16:9 or wider.
How to shoot for a vertical crop
- Choose the highest resolution. 5.1K on the Hasselblad camera gives a 2700-pixel-tall frame. The 70 mm and 166 mm top out at 4K, which is 2160 pixels tall.
- Turn on gridlines in Settings, Camera, and keep your subject near the center third.
- Leave space above and below the subject, since you'll lose the sides, not the top.
- Edit on a 1080×1920 timeline. Scale and position the clip, or keyframe the crop to follow the subject.
- Export at 1080×1920 for Reels, TikTok and Shorts.
Which camera crops best
- Hasselblad 24 mm at 5.1K: the most room to reframe. Good for reveals, landscapes and top-down shots.
- 70 mm at 4K: a natural fit for people, cars and single buildings. The longer lens already isolates the subject, so the narrow crop looks intentional.
- 166 mm at 4K: works for distant subjects like a lighthouse or summit. Any wind shake looks bigger in the crop, so fly in calm air.
Vertical photos
- Crop a still. A 9:16 crop from a 20 MP Hasselblad photo is about 2225×3956 pixels, around 9 MP. From a 48 MP 70 mm photo (8064×6048), it's about 3402×6048, around 20 MP.
- Use Vertical Pano on the Hasselblad camera for tall scenes. In DJI Fly, go to Shooting Modes, Pano, Vertical. See Mavic 3 Pro panoramas.
Tips for vertical-first footage
- Fly vertical moves. Rising reveals and top-down pull-backs suit the tall frame.
- Slow down sideways moves. They feel faster and jumpier in a narrow crop.
- Keep text space clear. Social apps cover the top and bottom with buttons and captions.
- Grade first. Apply the Mavic 3 Pro LUT, then reframe.
If vertical is your main output
Cropping works well for occasional posts, but composing on a horizontal screen takes practice. If most of your work is vertical, a drone with true vertical shooting is easier. The Mavic 4 Pro records 4K vertical on its main camera, and the 249 g Mini 4 Pro rotates its camera too. More ideas in how to shoot vertical drone video.
For other settings, see best Mavic 3 Pro settings, or shop the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.
Related guides
- How to shoot vertical video with the DJI Mavic 4 Pro
- Best DJI Mavic 3 Pro camera settings for photo and video
- DJI Mavic 3 Pro night mode and low-light video: what to expect
- DJI Mavic 3 Pro photo and video quality: what to expect
- How to shoot a hyperlapse with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro
- How to shoot panoramas with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro
Not sure which to pick?
Tell us what you'll fly and your budget. One of our drone pilots will reply with a recommendation.
Buying drones for a business, agency or store? Get wholesale pricing →
