How to shoot vertical video with the DJI Mini 4 Pro (portrait mode)

The DJI Mini 4 Pro has a true portrait mode. Tap the Landscape/Portrait switch in the DJI Fly camera view and the gimbal rolls the camera to -90 degrees, so vertical photos and video use the full sensor with no cropping. You can also assign the switch to a controller button. Portrait mode doesn't work with Pano or the Asteroid QuickShot.

How to switch to portrait

In DJI Fly: tap the Landscape/Portrait Mode Switch icon in the camera view. Tap again to go back.
DJI RC 2: press the C2 button, if it's set to switch orientation. Set it in Settings, Control, Button Customization.
DJI RC-N2: press the customizable button twice. Same setting in Button Customization.

The live view turns vertical, so you compose exactly what you'll get.

What you can shoot vertically

Video: vertical 4K. DJI's specs don't list separate vertical resolutions because the camera simply rotates; check the resolution and frame rate menu in DJI Fly after switching.
Photos: 12 MP and 48 MP portrait stills.
Not available: Pano and the Asteroid QuickShot. Switch back to landscape for those.

Because the full sensor is used, a 4K vertical clip is 2160×3840 pixels. That leaves room to reframe before exporting at 1080×1920 for Reels, TikTok and Shorts.

Best settings for vertical

Pro mode, ISO 100, shutter double your frame rate.
ND filters in daylight for smooth motion.
24 to 30 fps for cinematic clips, 60 fps for action you may slow down.
D-Log M if you'll grade; Normal for quick posting.
Cine mode for slow, steady moves.

Vertical shot ideas

Rising reveal: start low behind a wall or tree line and climb to show the view.
Top-down pull-back: camera straight down over a person, pool or pattern, rising slowly.
Slow push-in toward a tall subject: lighthouse, waterfall, skyscraper.
Slow orbit: circle a single subject, such as a person on a rock, keeping them centered.

Tips

Keep the subject in the middle. Social apps cover the top and bottom with text and buttons.
Fly vertical moves more than sideways passes. Lateral moves feel jumpy in a narrow frame.
Shoot both orientations if you need horizontal and vertical edits; flying twice beats cropping.
Recheck horizon. After switching, make sure the frame is level before you record.

How it compares

Most larger drones crop their sensor for vertical video. The Air 3S records 2.7K vertical by cropping, and the Mavic 3 Pro has no vertical mode. The Mini 4 Pro's rotating camera is one reason it's popular with creators. More ideas in how to shoot vertical drone video, and compare models in best drone for content creators.

For your full camera setup, see best Mini 4 Pro settings, or shop the DJI Mini 4 Pro.