New DJI Mavic 3 Firmware Update Enables All the Features We’ve Been Waiting For
BY Zacc Dukowitz
27 January 2022When the Mavic 3 was launched last November you could tell it was pushed out a little early, probably so DJI could get more sales during the winter holiday shopping season.
How could you tell? Because some of the most important features weren’t available yet—ActiveTrack 5.0, MasterShots, Panorama Mode, QuickShots, and QuickTransfer were all missing at the time of launch.
Credit: DJI
At the time, DJI promised it would release a firmware update in January of 2022 to correct this.
To appease those who were disappointed, it released a surprise update in December that added a few missing features, including TimeLapse for time lapse modes, MasterShots for cinematic presets, FocusTrack for subject tracking (this included ActiveTrack 5.0 mode, Spotlight mode, and POI mode), and the ability to shoot in RAW format.
And now, as promised, DJI has finally released a new firmware update that brings the Mavic 3 up to its full potential.
[Related read: We Can’t Get Enough of These Videos Shot with the DJI Mavic 3]
Get the Update Now
You can install the Aircraft Firmware v01.00.0500 and the Remote Controller v04.13.0500 by updating your DJI Fly App to v1.5.8 for iOS or Android. Alternately, you can get the update on your desktop with DJI Assistant 2.
And if you have the DJI RC Pro controller, you can update that to the new v03.01.0500.
Note: USB mode will be disabled after you update the firmware on your Mavic 3, but you can enable it again from the DJI Fly App.
Watch this video for more information on how to update the firmware on a DJI drone:
So What’s Been Updated?
Here are some of the biggest features released in the new Mavic 3 firmware update:
Panorama mode
Panorama mode lets you shoot panoramas in high resolution, allowing you to process and stitch pictures directly with the Mavic 3 without needing to use the DJI Fly App.
QuickShots
QuickShots are automated flight modes, which let you automatically shoot high quality cinematic clips. QuickShots comes with five modes—Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle, and Boomerang. Each of these modes programs the Mavic 3 to operate in a preset flight pattern so you can capture beautiful shots, whether or not you have the piloting chops of an experienced aerial cinematographer.
QuickTransfer
QuickTransfer lets you connect your phone to the Mavic 3 via WiFi, allowing you to store and process your images and video on your mobile device without having to link to the remote control. QuickTransfer speeds up data transmission, allowing the Mavic 3 to automatically choose the fastest way to transmit data based on the wireless environment.
Credit: DJI
Want the Full List of Updates?
Here’s a full list of everything that was added to the Mavic 3 with the new firmware update (excluding the three features listed above):
- Accuracy of color correction optimized
- Adds support to set RTH altitude for Advanced RTH
- Burst shooting
- Digital zoom for normal video mode
- D-Log update gives you a preview of graded footage with Color Display Assist
- FocusTrack got zoom and D-Log additions for recording video
- Image sharpness was increased for the Tele camera when shooting at high magnification
- Image area for TimeLapse photos was optimized
- MasterShots got 4K/60fps and manual Exposure Index (EI) adjustments
- USB mode lets you copy data on the Mavic 3 Cine
Credit: DJI
And here are the updates for the DJI RC Pro controller:
- Adds support to output clean HDMI footage.
- Adds support to cache video and download original video to an external SD card.
- Adds support so the DJI RC Pro can be used with the DJI Air 2S.
Of course, DJI will continue releasing firmware updates for the Mavic 3—but there probably won’t be any nearly as big as this one.
About the Mavic 3
When the Mavic 3 came out late last year, it was one of the most highly anticipated releases not just of 2021, but arguably of the last several years.
The Mavic 3 comes with two high-quality cameras, and it features upgrades in almost every area when compared with the Mavic 2 Pro.
Here’s an overview of the Mavic 3’s specs:
- Two cameras. A Hasselblad camera with a 4/3″ sensor and a Tele camera with a 1/2″ sensor.
- Weight. 1.97 pounds (895 grams)—just a little less than the Mavic 2’s 1.99 pounds (907 grams).
- Flight time. 46 minutes—a big upgrade from the 31 minutes you get with the Mavic 2 Pro or the Air 2S.
- Speed. 47 mph—just a slight uptick from the Mavic 2 Pro’s 45 mph.
- Range. 9.3 miles (15km)—almost double the 4.98 (8km) range of the Mavic 2 Pro.
