Updated on • 8 Oct 2024
How to Use the New DJI Mavic 3 Camera Functions
An in-depth guide on how to best utilise the camera features of your DJI Mavic 3 drone.
The DJI Mavic 3 features a dual-camera system, providing you with more professional and fun camera functions to effortlessly shoot like a pro.
This in-depth, step-by-step guide will help you utilise these camera functions.
Mavic 3 Camera: Auto/Manual Focusing
DJI Mavic 3 supports Auto Focusing (AF) and Manual Focusing (MF). By default the camera uses AF to automatically adjust focus based on distance from the subject.
When autofocus is not enough to get the shot you want, try manual focus.
Tap the AF icon in the live view of the DJI Fly app and then drag the parameter bar to manually adjust focus.
Parameter Settings
The parameters of DJI Mavic 3 can be adjusted in Auto mode and Pro mode.
Auto Mode
Auto mode only displays certain parameters around the outside of the flight interface.
Tap the parameter to open the setting.
Change the storage path from internal, SSD and SD card storage.
Change video formats and frame rate.
Change EV (Exposure Value) to adjust image exposure settings.
Pro mode
In Pro mode the camera view displays more detailed parameters.
Tap the parameters at the bottom of the screen to open settings.
Pro mode allows you to also change parameters such as white balance.
Pro mode allows you to also change parameters such as white balance and aperture.
Pro mode also allows you to customise shutter speed and ISO, giving you full control of your Mavic 3 camera.
How to Use AE (Automatic Exposure) on the Mavic 3
Enter Auto mode when DJI Mavic 3 is in Photo or Video mode.
Tap the camera view once and the metering box will appear.
Drag the sun icon next to the box upward or downward to adjust EV.
You can also tap the box and hold to enable AE Lock.
Exit AE Lock either by tapping another area of the camera view or by manually changing the EV value.
Explore Mode
Explore mode enables the tele lens of Mavic 3, providing a safer way to explore and plan shots.
Tap the telescope icon next to the Photo or Video button to enter Explore mode.
In Explore mode you can use Mavic 3’s hybrid zoom in any of the following five ways:
Tap the zoom button under the telescope to switch between a series of zooms including 1x, 2x, 4x, 7x, 14x and 28x.
Tap and hold the zoom button in the flight interface of the DJI Fly app to drag up and down to adjust camera zoom.
Pinch to zoom in and out on the screen with two fingers.
When using the RC-N1 remote controller press the Fn button and hold.
While holding turn the gimbal dial to zoom in or out.
When using the DJI RC Pro use the dial on the right side of the controller to zoom in or out.
60fps Transmission Frame Rate
DJI Mavic 3 supports video transmission at 1080p/60fps. Video is automatically transmitted at 1080p/60fps in Photo mode and when recording at 60fps or 120fps in Video mode the video transmission will automatically switch to 1080p/60fps.
Tap Twice to Change Camera View.
During flight you can tap the target view on the screen and the camera will automatically set it in the centre of the frame.
Coding Format
DJI Mavic 3 supports H.264 and H.265 encoding, and DJI Mavic 3 Cine even offers additional support for Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding.
Before recording with Apple ProRes 422 don’t forget to set the video resolution to 4K or above and select ProRes D-log Color Mode - D-log allows you to shoot videos with higher dynamic colour range resulting in greater flexibility when post-processing.
D-log colour mode
When recording videos in D-log colour mode you can enable Color Display Assist where the camera view will switch to a more natural colour contrast and display.
This will display your footage in more natural colours in real-time, which is helpful for composition and focusing.
written by
James Willoughby
James joined heliguy™ in 2018 following a 13-year stint in print and online journalism, having worked on regional and weekly newspaper titles. He is responsible for spearheading heliguy™'s content strategy and social media delivery. James collaborates with DJI Enterprise's European marketing team to coordinate and produce case studies and helps organise events and webinars.