The DJI Mini 3 has five QuickShots: Dronie, Rocket, Circle, Helix and Boomerang. To use one, take off and hover at least 2 m (6.6 ft) up, tap the shooting mode icon in DJI Fly, choose QuickShots and a mode, tap or drag a box around your subject, and tap Start. The drone flies the move, records it, makes a short video and returns to its start point. The Mini 3 has no Asteroid, MasterShots, Hyperlapse or ActiveTrack.
What each QuickShot does
- Dronie: flies backward and climbs, camera locked on the subject. The classic reveal.
- Rocket: climbs straight up with the camera pointing down.
- Circle: circles around the subject. This is the Mini 3's orbit mode.
- Helix: climbs while spiraling around the subject.
- Boomerang: flies an oval path around the subject, climbing on the way out and descending on the way back. DJI says to allow at least 30 m (99 ft) of clear radius and 10 m (33 ft) above the drone.
How to use QuickShots
- Make sure the battery has enough charge, take off and hover at least 2 m above the ground.
- Tap the shooting mode icon and select QuickShots.
- Pick a mode, then tap the circle on your subject or drag a box around it. DJI recommends a person rather than a building as the subject.
- Tap Start. The drone flies, records and returns.
- Open playback to view the short video or the original clip, and edit or share it.
To stop: press the Flight Pause/RTH button once or tap the stop icon. Touching a control stick also ends the shot, and the drone hovers.
Orbit and circle "settings"
People searching for Mini 3 orbit or circle mode settings are usually looking for Point of Interest, which lets you set radius, height and speed. The Mini 3 doesn't have Point of Interest or FocusTrack. Its orbit is the Circle QuickShot, which flies a preset move around the subject you select. For a custom orbit, fly it manually: hold a gentle sideways roll and turn the drone toward the subject at the same time, ideally in Cine mode.
QuickShots not showing or not working?
Check these, from DJI's manual and common causes:
- Hover first. Take off and climb to at least 2 m before selecting QuickShots.
- GPS. Wait for a strong GPS signal. Near buildings or with weak GPS, DJI says the path becomes unstable, and in ATTI mode intelligent modes aren't available.
- Light. DJI says not to use QuickShots below 300 lux or above 10,000 lux. Dusk and very harsh light both cause trouble.
- Distance. Keep the subject within 50 m.
- Subject. Avoid subjects that blend into the background, are in the air or move fast.
- Battery. DJI says to make sure the battery is sufficiently charged first; a low-battery warning or RTH will cut the shot short.
- Updates. Update DJI Fly, the drone and the controller. See Mini 3 firmware update.
- Restart the drone, controller and app if the menu still won't respond.
Safety
QuickShots don't avoid obstacles. The Mini 3 senses only downward, so check the whole path for trees, wires and people before you tap Start. Keep the drone in sight, under 400 ft, and away from people who aren't part of the shot. DJI also reminds you to follow local privacy laws. See Mini 3 obstacle avoidance.
Other shooting modes on the Mini 3
- Panorama: Sphere, 180° and Wide Angle. See Mini 3 panorama.
- Photo: Single, 48 MP, AEB and Timed Shot.
- Video: up to 4K/30 with HDR. See Mini 3 best settings.
For a cross-model overview, see our DJI QuickShots guide. Want tracking and more automated modes? Compare Mini 3 vs Mini 4 Pro, or shop the DJI Mini 3.
Related guides
- DJI Mini 5 Pro QuickShots list and how to use them
- DJI Air 3 QuickShots list and how to use them
- DJI Air 3S QuickShots list and how to use them
- DJI Flip QuickShots, Smart Snaps and modes: full list and how to use them
- DJI Mavic 3 Classic QuickShots list and how to use them
- DJI Mavic 3 Pro QuickShots list and how to use them
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