DJI Mini 3 Pro: How to Use Hyperlapse (Video Guide)

In a few short months, the Mini 3 Pro will be having its 1-year anniversary. As such, it remains quite a popular drone.

Packed with many of the Pro features from DJI drones twice its size and weight, the Mini 3 Pro is the go-to drone for travel vloggers and content creators.

One Pro feature that cannot be found on the newer, lower-priced DJI Mini 3 is the Hyperlapse function.

This article and the included YouTube video will serve as a video guide explaining the various Hyperlapse modes the Mini 3 Pro has to offer, as well as how to perform them.

What is a Hyperlapse? #

Simply put, a Hyperlapse, done by a drone, is basically a timelapse, but instead of staying stationary while taking interval photos, the drone moves around a fixed subject or tracks from one location to the next while taking still pictures in various intervals, to be compiled into a timelapse video.

Mini 3 Pro Hyperlapse Modes (Guide) #

Prior to performing any of the four Mini 3 Pro Hyperlapse modes, the Mini 3 Pro must be in the air.

Once in the air, to get to the Hyperlapse modes, select the movie icon and you will then be presented with:

• Mastershots
• Quickshots
• Hyperlapse
• Pano

Choose Hyperlapse. The Hyperlapse options are Free, Circle, Courselock, and Waypoints.

Note: Because the different Hyperlapse modes may take a bit of time to perform, it is advisable that you fly the different modes on fully charged batteries. We also suggest using the Plus variety batteries, if you have them.

Free #

Free Mode allows you to pilot the Mini 3 Pro in any direction while performing a Hyperlapse.

After choosing the Free Hyperlapse, click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen and you will see options to adjust the Interval, Length, and Max speed.

• Interval allows you to modify how often you’d like to take a photo in seconds.

• Length allows you to change how long the Hyperlapse is in seconds, which subsequently changes the number of pictures needed for that video length. ie: a 5-second Hyperlapse will take 4 minutes, shooting 125 frames.

• Max Speed lets you choose how fast the Mini 3 Pro will fly, up to 6.7 mph.

After you have chosen the Free Hyperlapse options, it is time to set your photo options for the shoot.

To change your photo/video options, such as the video resolution and the photo formats, choose Format on the bottom right of the screen. I generally use 4k Res (resolution) and RAW. If you aren’t planning on doing much with the file in post-production, JPEG should be sufficient.

Note: If you’d like further control of the images being shot, go into Pro Mode to change ISO, White Balance, and Shutter Speed.

To start the Free Hyperlapse mode, press the record button on the right and simply move the drone in the direction(s) you’d like to shoot.

To preview the Free Hyperlapse after it has been completed:

STEP 1: Press the play button, underneath the record button. This will bring you into the Mini 3 Pro album.

STEP 2: Choose your Hyperlapse, under Today, if shot today, or scroll down to find your file if shot another day. Hit Play.

Circle #

Circle Mode allows you to do a “spotlight” or POI (point of interest) Hyperlapse on an object or structure of your choosing.

To choose your subject, like with active-track, simply drag a box over the area of interest.

In addition to the Interval, Length, and Speed, there is another parameter: Rotation, which lets you set the rotation in a clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) motion.

After you have set the parameters to your liking, to start the Circle Hyperlapse mode, press the record button on the right and the Mini 3 Pro will run the Hyperlapse.

Course Lock #

This Hyperlapse mode lets you set the direction you’d like the Mini 3 Pro to go and it will automatically create a Hyerlapse going in that direction while staying on that course.

Different than the previous Hyperlapse Modes is the Lock Course arrow.

Point the Mini 3 Pro in the direction you’d like to fly, then tap the Lock Course dropdown, and then set the Interval, Length, and Speed of the Hyperlapse.

After this, press the lock to “lock in” the settings, and you are all set to go.

To start the Course Lock Hyperlapse mode, press the record button on the right and the Mini 3 Pro will run the Hyperlapse.

Waypoints #

Waypoint Hyperlapse mode is a mode that many drone owners like, even outside of the Mini 3 Pro.

The Waypoint Hyperlapse uses waypoints, which you’ll manually fly to and set, to create the Hyperlapse. Depending on how many waypoints you add, or the distance between the waypoints, a lot of battery power can be used.

To start a Waypoint Hyperlapse:

STEP 1: When you enter the Waypoint Hyperlapse mode and head to the bottom options, you’ll see a Set Waypoint area with a +.

Fly to your starting point. This will be your 1st waypoint. Manually fly to your needed height and set the camera angle. Tap the + and your first waypoint is now set.

STEP 2: Fly to your second spot and adjust your camera angle, the app will tell you that your camera angle is “good”. Hit the + symbol and continue flying to your next waypoint.

STEP 3: Continue flying around and setting the waypoints as needed.

When you are done setting up the waypoints, to start the Waypoint Hyperlapse mode, press the record button on the right.

The Mini 3 Pro will then fly to the 1st waypoint and run the Hyperlapse.

As with all of the modes, to preview the Waypoint Hyperlapse after completion:

STEP 1: press the play button, underneath the record button. This will bring you into the Mini 3 Pro album.

STEP 2: Choose your Hyperlapse, under Today, if shot today, or scroll down to find your file if shot another day. Hit Play.