Optimal drone settings for golden hour photography
Preserve the natural colours of the sky by avoiding auto exposure and adjusting the white balance manually. This guide helps you capture the dramatic colours and soft light transitions that define golden hour – the magical minutes around sunrise and sunset.
Compact drones under 249g for golden hour
Sensor
1/1.3"
Aperture
f/1.7
Max Shutter
2s
Mode: Photo → PRO
Format: RAW · 12 MP
Shutter: 1/125–1/250s
ISO: 100–200
WB: 5500–6500K
Focus: ∞
Altitude: 30–80 m
PRESET
1/160s – ISO 100 – WB 5800K
Sensor
1/1.3"
Aperture
f/1.7
Max Shutter
2s
Mode: Photo → PRO
Format: RAW · 48 MP
Shutter: 1/125–1/250s
ISO: 100–200
WB: 5500–6500K
Focus: ∞
Altitude: 30–100 m
PRESET
1/160s – ISO 100 – WB 5800K
Sensor
1/1.3"
Aperture
f/1.7
Max Shutter
2s
Mode: Photo → PRO
Format: RAW · 48 MP
Shutter: 1/100–1/200s
ISO: 100–200
WB: 5500–6500K
Focus: AFC or ∞
Altitude: 30–100 m
PRESET
1/125s – ISO 100 – WB 5800K
Sensor
1/1.3"+
Aperture
f/1.7
Max Shutter
2s
Mode: Photo → PRO
Format: RAW · 50 MP
Shutter: 1/100–1/200s
ISO: 100–200
WB: 5500–6500K
Focus: AFC
Altitude: 30–100 m
PRESET
1/125s – ISO 100 – WB 5800K
Versatile drones with dual cameras for golden hour
Sensor
1"
Aperture
f/2.8
Max Shutter
8s
Mode: Photo → PRO
Format: RAW · 20 MP
Shutter: 1/60–1/125s
ISO: 100–200
WB: 5500–6500K
Focus: ∞
Altitude: 40–100 m
PRESET
1/100s – ISO 100 – WB 5800K
Sensor
Dual 1/1.3"
Aperture
f/1.7
Max Shutter
2s
Lens: Wide preferred
Format: RAW · 48 MP
Shutter: 1/100–1/200s
ISO: 100–200
WB: 5500–6500K
Focus: AFC
Altitude: 40–100 m
PRESET
1/125s – ISO 100 – WB 5800K
Sensor
1" Wide
Aperture
f/1.8
Max Shutter
2.5s (PRO)
Mode: Photo → PRO
Format: RAW · 50 MP
Shutter: 1/60–1/125s
ISO: 100–200
WB: 5500–6500K
Focus: AFC or ∞
Altitude: 40–120 m
PRESET
1/100s – ISO 100 – WB 5800K
Professional drones with Micro Four Thirds sensor
Sensor
MFT
Aperture
f/2.8–11
Max Shutter
8s+
Mode: Photo → Manual
Format: RAW · 20 MP
Aperture: f/5.6–f/8
Shutter: 1/60–1/125s
ISO: 100
WB: 5500–6500K
Altitude: 50–120 m
PRESET
f/5.6 – 1/100s – ISO 100 – WB 5800K
Sensor
MFT (Wide)
Aperture
f/2.8–11
Max Shutter
8s+
Lens: Hasselblad Wide
Format: RAW · 20 MP
Aperture: f/5.6–f/8
Shutter: 1/60–1/125s
ISO: 100
WB: 5500–6500K
Altitude: 50–150 m
PRESET
f/5.6 – 1/100s – ISO 100 – WB 5800K
Sensor
New Gen Pro
Aperture
Variable
Max Shutter
8s+
Mode: Photo → Manual
Format: RAW · Max resolution
Aperture: f/4–f/8
Shutter: 1/60–1/125s
ISO: 100
WB: 5500–6500K
Altitude: 50–150 m
PRESET
f/5.6 – 1/100s – ISO 100 – WB 5800K
Common recommendations for all models
Arrive 20-30 min before sunrise or stay 30 min after sunset for best colours
Use ND8-ND32 to avoid overexposure in bright light
Use exposure bracketing for HDR compositing in post-processing
Flying towards the sun or at 45 degrees creates dramatic silhouettes
Manual WB (5500-6500K) preserves warm colours better than auto
Slightly underexpose (-0.7 to -1.0 EV) to preserve highlight details
This guide is also available in Danish