Professional drone settings for cinematic quality footage
Create professional drone videos with a cinematic look through correct settings for motion blur, colour profiles, and flight movements. This guide covers everything from 24fps cinematic aesthetics to smooth gimbal movements.
Compact drones for cinematic video
Video
4K/30fps
Aperture
f/1.7
Profile
D-Cinelike
Resolution: 4K/30fps or 2.7K/60fps
Frame Rate: 24fps for cinematic look
Shutter: 1/50s (180° rule)
ISO: 100–200
WB: 5600K (daylight)
ND Filter: ND16–ND64
Gimbal: Smooth mode
PRESET
4K/24fps – D-Cinelike – 1/50s – ISO 100 – ND32
Video
4K/60fps
Aperture
f/1.7
Profile
D-Cinelike
Resolution: 4K/60fps for slow-mo
Frame Rate: 24fps cinematic
Shutter: 1/50s (180° rule)
ISO: 100–200
WB: 5600K (daylight)
ND Filter: ND16–ND64
Gimbal: Cinematic mode
PRESET
4K/24fps – D-Cinelike – 1/50s – ISO 100 – ND32
Video
4K/100fps
Aperture
f/1.7
Profile
D-Log M
Resolution: 4K/60fps or 4K/100fps slow-mo
Frame Rate: 24fps cinematic
Shutter: 1/50s (180° rule)
ISO: 100–200
Colour Profile: D-Log M
WB: 5600K
ND Filter: ND16–ND64
PRESET
4K/24fps – D-Log M – 1/50s – ISO 100 – ND32
Video
4K/120fps
Aperture
f/1.7
Profile
D-Log M
Resolution: 4K/60fps or 4K/120fps slow-mo
Frame Rate: 24fps cinematic
Shutter: 1/50s (180° rule)
ISO: 100–200
Colour Profile: D-Log M
WB: 5600K
ND Filter: ND16–ND64
PRESET
4K/24fps – D-Log M – 1/50s – ISO 100 – ND32
Versatile drones for cinematic video
Video
5.4K/30fps
Aperture
f/2.8
Profile
D-Log
Resolution: 5.4K/30fps or 4K/60fps
Frame Rate: 24fps cinematic
Shutter: 1/50s (180° rule)
ISO: 100–200
Colour Profile: D-Log
WB: 5600K
ND Filter: ND16–ND64
PRESET
5.4K/24fps – D-Log – 1/50s – ISO 100 – ND32
Video
4K/100fps
Aperture
f/1.7
Profile
D-Log M
Lens: Wide 24mm or Tele 70mm
Resolution: 4K/60fps or 4K/100fps
Shutter: 1/50s (180° rule)
ISO: 100–200
Colour Profile: D-Log M
WB: 5600K
ND Filter: ND16–ND64
PRESET
4K/24fps – D-Log M – 1/50s – ISO 100 – ND32
Video
4K/120fps
Aperture
f/1.8
Profile
D-Log M
Lens: Wide (1" sensor) or Tele
Resolution: 4K/60fps or 4K/120fps slow-mo
Shutter: 1/50s (180° rule)
ISO: 100–200
Colour Profile: D-Log M
WB: 5600K
ND Filter: ND16–ND64
PRESET
4K/24fps – D-Log M – 1/50s – ISO 100 – ND32
Professional drones for cinematic quality
Video
5.1K/50fps
Aperture
f/2.8–11
Profile
D-Log
Resolution: 5.1K/50fps or 4K/120fps
Frame Rate: 24fps cinematic
Aperture: f/2.8–f/5.6
Shutter: 1/50s (180° rule)
ISO: 100–200
Colour Profile: D-Log
ND Filter: ND8–ND32
PRESET
5.1K/24fps – f/4 – D-Log – 1/50s – ISO 100
Video
5.1K/50fps
Aperture
f/2.8–11
Profile
ProRes
Lens: Hasselblad Wide + Medium + Tele
Resolution: 5.1K/50fps or 4K/120fps
Aperture: f/2.8–f/5.6
Shutter: 1/50s (180° rule)
Codec: ProRes 422 HQ (Cine)
ISO: 100–200
ND Filter: ND8–ND32
PRESET
5.1K/24fps – f/4 – ProRes – 1/50s – ISO 100
Video
8K/30fps
Aperture
Variable
Profile
D-Log M+
Resolution: 8K/30fps or 4K/120fps
Frame Rate: 24fps cinematic
Aperture: f/2.8–f/8
Shutter: 1/50s (180° rule)
Colour Profile: D-Log M+
ISO: 100
ND Filter: ND8–ND64
PRESET
4K/24fps – f/4 – D-Log M+ – 1/50s – ISO 100
Common recommendations for all models
Shutter = double frame rate (24fps = 1/50s) for natural motion blur
Essential to maintain 180° rule in daylight - ND16-ND64
Use Cinematic or Smooth mode for slow, flowing movements
Record in D-Log/D-Log M for max dynamic range in post
2.39:1 letterbox in post for true cinematic look
Slow speed (5-10 km/h) and combine movements (reveal, orbit)
This guide is also available in Danish