30 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Camera and Gimbal 

This section provides the technical 

specifications of the camera and 

explains the gimbal’s operation modes.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 31

Gimbal Camera

Camera and Gimbal 

Camera Profile

The on-board camera uses the 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor to capture video (up to 4096x2160p at 24fps or 

4K at up to 30fps with the Phantom 3 Professional) and 12 megapixel stills. You may choose to record 

the video in either MOV or MP4 format. Available picture shooting modes include burst, continuous, and 

time-lapse mode. A live preview of what the camera sees can be monitored on the connected mobile 

device via the DJI GO app. 

Camera Micro-SD Card Slot

To store your photos and videos, insert the Micro-SD card into the slot, as shown below, before 

turning on the Phantom 3 Professional. The Phantom 3 Professional comes with a 16 GB Micro-SD 

card and supports Micro-SD cards up to 64 GB. A UHS-1 Micro-SD card is recommended due to 

their fast read and write speeds allowing you to save high-resolution video data.

Do not remove the Micro-SD card from the Phantom 3 Professional when it is turned on.

Camera Data Port

Turn on the Phantom 3 Professional and connect a USB cable to the Camera Data Port to download 

photos and videos to your computer.

The aircraft must be turned on before attempting to access the files on the Micro-SD card.
32 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Gimbal Camera

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Camera Operation

Use the Shutter and Video Recording buttons on the remote controller to shoot the images or videos 

through the DJI GO app. For more information about how to use these buttons, refer to “Controlling the 

Camera Page 24”.

Camera LED Indicator

Camera LED Indicator lights up after the flight battery is powered on. It provides information on the 

working status of the camera.

Camera LED Indicator Camera status

 Green Fast Blink (0.2s off, 0.1s on ) System is warming up. 

 Green Blink Once (0.5s off, 0.4s on ) Taking a single picture.

 Green Blink 3 Times (0.3s off, 0.1s on ) Taking 3 or 5 photos per shot. 

 Slow Red Blink (1.6s on, 0.8s off ) Recording.

 Fast Red Blink (0.5s off, 0.2s on ) SD card error.

 Double Red Blink (0.1s on, 0.1s off, 0.1s on, 0.1s off) Overheated Camera

Solid Red System error. 

Green and Red Blink (0.8s green on, 0.8s red on) Firmware Upgrading

Gimbal

Gimbal Profile

The 3-axis gimbal provides a steady platform for the attached camera, allowing you to capture clear, 

stable images and video. The gimbal can tilt the camera within a 120 ̊ range.

Use the gimbal dial on the remote controller to control the tilt movement of the camera. 

-90°

0°

30°
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 33

Gimbal Camera

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Gimbal Operation Modes

Two gimbal operation modes are available. Switch between the different operation modes on the 

camera settings page of the DJI GO app. Note that your mobile device must be connected to the remote 

controller for changes to take effect. Refer to the table below for details:

Follow Mode The angle between gimbal’s orientation and aircraft’s nose remains 

constant at all times.

FPV Mode The gimbal will synchronize with the movement of the aircraft to provide a 

first-person perspective flying experience. 

 

A gimbal motor error may occur in these situations: (1) the aircraft is placed on uneven ground 

or the gimbal’s motion is obstructed (2) the gimbal has been subjected to an excessive 

external force, such as a collision. Please take off from flat, open ground and protect the gimbal 

at all times. 

Flying in heavy fog or clouds may make the gimbal wet, leading to temporary failure. The 

gimbal will recover full functionality after it dries.

 

2

1

3

Anti-Drop Kit

The anti-drop kit helps keep the gimbal and camera connected to the aircraft. Two pins have been 

mounted prior to shipping. If new or additional pins are required, see the diagram below. Press Part 

1 through the hole of the vibration absorber and into the center hole of Part 2 , then lock them together 

as shown 3 . Mounting the anti-drop kit pins diagonally from each other is recommended. 
34 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

DJI GO app 

This section introduces the four main 

functions of the DJI GO app.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 35

DJI Pilot App 

DJI GO app

The DJI GO app is a mobile application designed specifically for the Phantom 3 Professional. Use this 

app to control the gimbal, camera, and other aircraft functions. The app also features Map, Academy, 

and User Center, which are used for configuring your aircraft and sharing your photos and videos with 

others. It is recommended that you use a tablet for the best experience.

Camera

The Camera page contains a live HD video feed from the Phantom 3 Professional’s camera. You can also 

configure various camera parameters from the Camera page. 

Connect your Aircraft, Take to the Skies

iPad

PHANTOM 3

Equipment Library Discorvery Me

PROFESSIONAL

Learn More>

Use AEB shoot to get more dynanic image

Enter Camera View

PHANTOM

80%

CL Safe to Fly (GPS)

ISO 100 1/320 EV 0 4821 JPEG

P-GPS

H: D:

V.S

M/S M/S

H.S

2.3 4.2

39M 210M

232M

[14]

[15]

[13]

[10]

[9]

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

[18]

[17]

[16]

[12] [11]
36 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

DJI Pilot App 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

[1] Flight Mode

: The text next to this icon indicates the current flight mode. 

Tap to configure the MC (Main Controller) Settings. These settings allow you to modify flight limits and 

set the gain values. 

The aircraft is set to “Beginner Mode” by default. The aircraft cannot fly 30 meters (98 feet) higher 

and beyond the recorded Home Point under beginner mode. Disable this mode in the MODE 

setting page. 

[2] GPS Signal Strength

 : This icon shows the current strength of GPS signals. Green bars indicate adequate GPS 

strength. 

[3] IOC Settings

CL : This icon displays the IOC setting when the aircraft has entered F-mode. Tap to view the IOC 

settings menu and select the desired IOC setting.

[4] System Status 

 : This icon indicates the current aircraft system status and GPS signal strength.

[5] Battery Level Indicator 

 : The battery level indicator provides a dynamic display of the battery level. The colored 

zones on the battery level indicator represent the power levels needed to carry out different functions.

[6] Remote Controller Signal 

 : This icon shows the strength of remote controller’s signal.

[7] HD Video Link Signal Strength 

 : This icon shows the strength of the HD video downlink connection between the aircraft and 

the remote controller.

[8] Battery Level

: This icon shows the current battery level.

Tap to view the battery information menu, set the various battery warning thresholds, and view the 

battery warning history.

[9] General Settings

: Tap this icon to view the General Settings page. From this page, you can set flight parameters, 

reset the camera, enable the quick view feature, adjust the gimbal roll value, and toggle the flight 

route display.

[10] Camera Operation Bar

 Shutter and Recording Settings

 : Tap to enter various camera value settings, including color space for the recording, resolution 

of the videos, image size and so on. 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 37

DJI Pilot App 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

 Shutter

 : Tap this button to take a single photo. Press and hold this button to select single shot, triple shot 

or time-lapsed shooting modes.

Record

 : Tap once to start recording video, then tap again to stop recording. You can also press the 

Video Recording Button on the remote controller, which has the same functionality.

Playback

: Tap to enter the playback page. You can preview photos and videos as soon as they are 

captured.

Camera Settings

: Tap to set ISO, shutter and auto exposure values of the camera.

[11] Map

Display the flight path of the current flight. Tap to switch from the Camera GUI to the Map GUI.

[12] Vision Positioning

 : The distance of the aircraft from the Home Point. When the aircraft is near the ground, this icon 

will change to to display the height the Vision Position System’s sensors from the ground.

[13] Flight Telemetry

The Vision Positioning Status icon is highlighted when the Vision Positioning is in operation.

Flight attitude is indicated by the flight attitude icon. 

(1) The red arrow shows which direction the aircraft is facing.

(2) Light blue and dark blue areas indicate pitch.

(3) The angle of the boundary between the light blue and dark blue areas indicates the roll angle.

[14] Dynamic Home Point

 : Press this button to enable the dynamic home point feature, the home point then will be reset to 

position of the mobile device.

[15] Return to Home (RTH)

 : Initiate RTH home procedure. Tap to have the aircraft return to the last recorded home point.

H: D:

V.S

M/S M/S

H.S

2.3 4.2

39M 210M
38 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

DJI Pilot App 

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Director 

Director is an automatic video editor built into the DJI GO app. After recording several video clips, simply 

tap “Director” from the app’s home screen. You can then select a template and a specified number of 

clips, which are automatically combined to create a short film that can be shared immediately.

Store

Tap “Store” to visit the official DJI Online Store to see the latest information about DJI products and easily 

buy new products.

Discovery

Sync pictures and videos to your mobile device, view flight logs, and check your DJI account status in 

"Discovery". Use your registered DJI account to login to "Discovery".

[16] Auto Takeoff/Landing 

 / : Tap to initiate auto takeoff or landing.

[17] Livestream 

 : Livestream icon indicates the current video feed is broadcasting live on YouTube. Be sure the 

mobile data service is available on the mobile device. 

[18] Back

 : Tap to return to the main GUI.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 39

Flight

This section describes safe flight 

practices and flight restrictions.
40 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Flight

Flight

Once pre-flight preparation is complete, it is recommended that you use the flight simulator in the DJI GO 

app to hone your flight skills and practice flying safely. Ensure that all flights are carried out in an open 

area.

Flight Environment Requirements

1. Do not use the aircraft in severe weather conditions. These include wind speeds exceeding 10 m/s , 

snow, rain and fog.

2. Only fly in open areas. Tall structures and large metal structures may affect the accuracy of the onboard compass and GPS system.

3. Avoid obstacles, crowds, high voltage power lines, trees, and bodies of water.

4. Minimize interference by avoiding areas with high levels of electromagnetism, including base stations 

and radio transmission towers. 

5. Aircraft and battery performance is subject to environmental factors such as air density and 

temperature.Be very careful when flying at altitudes greater than 19, 685 feet (6000 meters) above sea 

level, as the performance of the battery and aircraft may be affected.

6. The Phantom 3 Professional cannot operate within the polar areas.

Flight Limits and No-Fly Zones

All unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators should abide by all regulations set forth by government and 

regulatory agencies including the ICAO and the FAA. For safety reasons, flights are limited by default, 

which helps users operate this product safely and legally. Flight limitations include height limits, distance 

limits, and No-Fly Zones.

When operating in P-mode, height limits, distance limits, and No-Fly Zones function concurrently to 

manage flight safety. In A-mode, only height limits are in effect, which by default prevent the aircraft 

altitude from exceeding 1640 feet (500 m) .

Maximum flight altitude & Radius Limits

Maximum flight altitude and radius limits may be changed in the DJI GO app. Be aware that the maximum 

flight altitude cannot exceed 1640 feet (500 meters). In accordance with these settings, your Phantom 3 

Professional will fly in a restricted cylinder, as shown below: 

Maximum Flight Altitude Max Radius

Home Point

Height of aircraft 

when turned on
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 41

Flight

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

GPS Signal Weak Blinking Yellow

Flight Limits DJI GO app Aircraft Status Indicator 

Maximum 

Flight 

Altitude

Height is restricted to 400 

feet. (120m) and under.

Warning: Height limit 

reached. None.

Max Radius No limits

 If you fly out of the limit, you can still control the Phantom 3, but cannot fly it any father. If the 

Phantom 3 flies out of the max radius in Ready to Fly (non-GPS) mode, it will fly back within 

range automatically.

 If the Phantom 3 flies out of the max radius in Ready to Fly (non-GPS) mode, it will fly back 

within range automatically. 

No-Fly Zones 

All No-Fly Zones are listed on the DJI official website at http://flysafe.dji.com/no-fly. No-Fly Zones are 

divided into Airports and Restricted Areas. Airports include major airports and flying fields where manned 

aircraft operate at low altitudes. Restricted Areas include border lines between countries or sensitive 

institute. The details of the No-Fly Zones are explained as follow:

Airport

(1) Airport No-Fly Zone are comprised of Take-off Restricted zones and Restricted Altitude Zones. Each 

zone features circles of various sizes. 

(2) R1 miles (value of the R1 depends on the size and shape of the airport) around the airport is a Takeoff restricted zone, inside of which take off is prevented. 

(3) From R1 mile to R1 + 1 mile around the airport the flight altitude is limited to a 15 degree inclination.

Starting at 65 feet (20 meters) from the edge of airport and radiating outward. The flight altitude is 

limited to 1640 feet (500 meters) at R1+1 mile

(4) When the aircraft enters within 320 feet (100 meters) of No-Fly Zones, a warning message will appear 

on the DJI GO app. 

GPS Signal Strong Blinking Green 

Flight Limits DJI GO app Aircraft Status Indicator 

Maximum Flight 

Altitude

Aircraft's altitude cannot 

exceed the specified value.

Warning: Height 

limit reached. None.

Max Radius Flight distance must be within 

the max radius.

Warning: Distance 

limit reached.

Rapid red flashing 

 when close to the 

max radius limit.
42 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Flight

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Restricted Area

(1) Restricted Areas does not have flight altitude restrictions. 

(2) R miles around the designated restriction area is a Take-off Restricted area. Aircraft cannot take off 

within this zone. The value of R varies based on the definition of the restricted areas. 

(3) A “warning zone” has been set around the Restricted Area. When the aircraft approaches within 0.062 

miles (100 m) of this zone, a warning message will appear on the DJI GO app. 

R1

66 feet

1 mile

320 feet R2

1640 

feet

100m R

R1

66 feet

1 mile

320 feet R2

1640 

feet

100 m R
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 43

Flight

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

GPS Signal Strong Blinking Green 

Zone Restriction DJI GO app Prompt 

Aircraft 

Status 

Indicator

 No-fly Zone

Motors will not start. Warning: You are in a No-fly 

zone. Take off prohibited.

Red flashing

If the aircraft enters the 

restricted area in A-mode, but is 

switched to P-mode, the aircraft 

will automatically descend, land, 

and stop its motors. 

Warning: You are in a no-fly zone. 

Automatic landing has begun. 

Restrictedaltitude flight 

zone

If the aircraft enters the restricted 

area in A-mode, but is switched 

to P-mode, it will descend to an 

appropriate altitude and hover 

15 feet below the altitude limit.

R1: Warning: You are in a 

restricted zone. Descending to 

safe altitude. 

R2: Warning: You are in a 

restricted zone. Maximum flight 

altitude is restricted to between 

20m and 500m. Fly cautiously.

Warning zone No flight restriction applies, but 

there will be a warning .

Warning: You are approaching a 

restricted zone, Fly cautiously.

Free zone

No restrictions. None. None.

Semi-automatic descent: All stick commands are available except the throttle stick command 

during the descent and landing process. Motors will stop automatically after landing. 

 When flying in a safety zone, the aircraft's status indicator will blink red rapidly and continue 

for 3 seconds, then switch to indicate current flying status and continue for 5 seconds at which 

point it will switch back to blinking red.

 For safety reasons, please do not fly close to airports, highways, railway stations, railway lines, 

city centers, or other sensitive areas. Fly the aircraft only within your line of sight. 
44 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Flight

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Preflight Checklist

1. Remote controller, Intelligent Flight Battery, and mobile device are fully charged.

2. Propellers are mounted correctly and firmly.

3. Micro-SD card has been inserted, if necessary.

4. Gimbal is functioning normally.

5. Motors can start and are functioning normally.

6. The DJI GO app is successfully connected to the aircraft.

Calibrating the Compass

IMPORTANT: Always calibrate the compass in every new flight location. The compass is very sensitive 

to electromagnetic interference, which can produce abnormal compass data and lead to poor flight 

performance or flight failure. Regular calibration is required for optimal performance.

 Do not calibrate your compass where there is any possibility of strong magnetic interference. 

Sources of potential interference include magnetite, parking structures, and subterranean 

metal structures

 Do not carry ferromagnetic materials with you during calibration such as keys or cellular 

phones.

 Do not calibrate in direct proximity to large metal objects. 

 DO NOT calibrate indoors.

Calibration Procedures

Choose an open area to carry out the following procedures. 

1. Ensure that the compass is calibrated. If you did not calibrate the compass as part of your pre-flight 

preparations, or if you have moved to a new location since the last calibration, tap the Aircraft Status 

Bar in the app and select “Calibrate”, then follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Hold the aircraft horizontally and rotate 360 degrees. The Aircraft Status Indicators will display a solid 

green light.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 45

Flight

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

3. Hold the aircraft vertically, with nose pointing downward, and rotate it 360 degrees around the center 

axis. Recalibrate the compass if the Aircraft Status Indicator glows solid red.

If the Aircraft Status Indicator blinks red and yellow after the calibration procedure, move your 

aircraft to a different location and try again.

Calibrate the compass before each flight. Launch the DJI GO app and follow the on-screen 

instructions to calibrate the compass. DO NOT calibrate the compass near metal objects such 

as a metal bridge, cars, scaffolding.

When to Recalibrate

1.When compass data is abnormal and the Aircraft Status Indicator is blinking green and yellow.

2.When flying in a new location or in a location that is different from the most recent flight.

3.When the mechanical or physical structure of the Phantom 3 Professional has been changed.

4.When severe drifting occurs in flight, i.e. Phantom 3 Professional does not fly in straight line.

Auto Takeoff and Auto Landing

Auto Takeoff

Use auto takeoff only if the Aircraft Status Indicators are blinking green. Follow the steps below to use the 

auto takeoff feature:

1. Launch the DJI GO app, and enter “Camera” page. 

2. Ensure the aircraft is in P- mode.

3. Complete all steps on the pre-flight checklist.

4. Tap“ ”, and confirm that conditions are safe for flight. Slide the icon to confirm and takeoff.

5. Aircraft takes off and hovers at (1.2 meters) above ground. 

Aircraft Status Indicator blinks rapidly when it is using the Vision Position System for stabilization. 

The aircraft will automatically hover below 3 meters. It is recommended to wait until there is 

sufficient GPS lock before using the Auto Take-off feature. 
46 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Flight

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Flight Test 

Takeoff/Landing Procedures

1. Place the aircraft in an open, flat area with the battery level indicators facing towards you.

2. Turn on the remote controller and your mobile device, then turn on the Intelligent Flight Battery.

3. Launch the DJI GO app and enter the Camera page.

4. Wait until the Aircraft Indicators blink green. This means the Home Point is recorded and it is now safe 

to fly. If they flash yellow, the Home Point has not been recorded.

5. Push the throttle up slowly to take off or use Auto Takeoff.

6. Shoot photos and videos using the DJI GO app.

7. To land, hover over a level surface and gently pull down on the throttle to descend.

8. After landing, execute the CSC command or hold the throttle at its lowest position until the motors stop.

9. Turn off the Intelligent Flight Battery first, then the Remote Controller. 

Stopping the Motors

There are two methods to stop the motors.

Method 1: When Phantom 3 Professional has landed, push the throttle down , then conduct the same 

CSC that was used to start the motors, as described above . Motors will stop immediately. Release both 

sticks once motors stop.

Method 2: When the aircraft has landed, push and hold the throttle down. The motors will stop after three 

seconds.

Auto-Landing 

Use auto-landing only if the Aircraft Status Indicators are blinking green. Follow the steps below to use the 

auto-landing feature:

1. Ensure the aircraft is in P- mode.

2. Check the landing area condition before tapping “ ”, to begin landing. Then follow the on-screen 

instructions. 

Starting/Stopping the Motors

Starting the Motors

A Combination Stick Command (CSC) is used to start the motors. Push both sticks to the bottom 

inner or outer corners to start the motors. Once the motors have started spinning, release both sticks 

simultaneously.

OR

Method 1

OR

Method 2

Do not perform a CSC when the aircraft is in midair, otherwise the motors will suddently stop. 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 47

Flight

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

When the Aircraft Status Indicators blink yellow rapidly during flight, the aircraft has entered Failsafe 

mode.

A low battery level warning is indicated by the Aircraft Status Indicators blinking red slowly or 

rapidly during flight.

Watch our video tutorials for more flight information.

Video Suggestions and Tips

1. Go through the full pre-flight checklist before each flight.

2. Select the desired gimbal operation mode in the DJI GO app.

3. Only shoot video when flying in P-mode.

4. Always fly in good weather and avoid flying in rain or heavy wind.

5. Choose the camera settings that suit your needs. Settings include photo format and exposure compensation.

6. Perform flight tests to establish flight routes and preview scenes.

7. Push the control sticks gently to keep the aircraft’s movement smooth and stable.
48 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

FAQ
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 49

FAQ

Troubleshooting (FAQ)

What is the difference between the Phantom 3 Professional and the Phantom 3 Advanced?

The biggest difference between the Phantom 3 Professional and the Phantom 3 Advanced is in the 

camera. The Phantom 3 Professional is capable of shooting spectacular 4K video at up to 30 frames per 

second, and the Phantom 3 Advanced is capable of shooting at resolutions up to 1080p60. Both models 

shoot 12 megapixel photos.

The other main difference is the Intelligent Flight Battery charger. The Phantom 3 Advanced comes with a 

57-watt charging unit and the Phantom 3 Professional comes with a 100-watt charger, the latter of which 

allows for shorter charging times.

Can I remove the camera and attach my own?

No. The cameras that come with both models are permanently attached. Attempting to remove, replace, or 

modify the camera may damage the product and will void your warranty. 

Can I charge my Remote Controller and Intelligent Flight Battery at the same time?

While the Remote Controller charger and Intelligent Flight Battery charger have been integrated into one 

unit for your convenience, it is recommended that you only charge one item at a time. We recommend that 

you never charge both items using the same charger at the same time. 

What are the buttons on the back of my Remote Controller for?

The two buttons on the back of the Remote Controller can be customized and assigned to function as you 

choose through the DJI GO app. Refer to the manual for more information. 

How far can I fly my Phantom 3?

The signal transmission distance will vary depending on environmental conditions, but the Phantom 3 

series can reach distances of up to 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) away from the pilot. 

What app should I use with my Phantom 3?

The Phantom 3 is compatible with the DJI GO app for iOS and Android, which is already used with the DJI 

Inspire. The app will detect which aircraft is connected and automatically adjust accordingly. 

Which mobile devices are compatible with the app?

The DJI GO app is only compatible with devices running iOS 8.0 or later or Android v4.1.2 or later.

The following devices are recommended:

iOS: iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi 

+ Cellular, iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 3, and iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular. This app is 

optimized for iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus

Android: Samsung S5, Note 3, Sony Z3 EXPERIA, Google Nexus 7 II, Google Nexus 9, Mi 3, Nubia Z7 mini

Support for additional Android devices will become available as testing and development continues.
50 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

FAQ

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

How do I use the Director automatic video editor?

Director is an automatic video editor built into the DJI GO app. After recording several video clips, simply 

tap “Director” from the app’s home screen. You can then select a template and a specified number of 

clips, which are automatically combined to create a short film that can be shared immediately.

How do I change the control mode of my Phantom 3?

By default, the Remote Controller is set to Mode 2. This means that the right control stick controls the 

movement of the aircraft and the left control stick controls the throttle and orientation of the aircraft. These 

controls can be changed to Mode 1 or set to a customized configuration in the DJI GO app. This is only 

recommended for advanced users.

Can I use a Phantom 2 Remote Controller with the Phantom 3?

No. The Phantom 2 Remote Controller operates on a different frequency. The Phantom 2 Remote Controller 

operates at 5.8 GHz and the new Phantom 3 Remote Controller operates at 2.4 GHz. 

Can I use a Phantom 2 Intelligent Flight Battery with the Phantom 3?

No. The Phantom 3 uses a newly designed Intelligent Flight Battery with greater power. The Phantom 3 has 

a 4 cell battery with a capacity of 4480 mAh and a voltage of 15.2 V. 

My Phantom 3 does not turn off right away, is something wrong?

This is normal. After you attempt to power off the Intelligent Flight Battery, it may remain on for a few 

seconds as any video data is saved to the Micro SD card. This helps prevent your data from being lost or 

corrupted. 

Do I have to buy the Remote Controller separately?

No, there is no need to buy a separate Remote Controller. Your Phantom 3 comes with a Remote Controller 

that is already linked to the aircraft. 

Does my Phantom 3 support dual Remote Controllers?

No. The included Remote Controller can be used to control both the aircraft and the gimbal tilt at the same 

time.

What does the “P, A, F” switch on the Remote Controller do?

This switch, called the Flight Mode Switch, allows you to toggle different flight modes:

P-mode, or Positioning mode, indicates that both GPS and the Vision Positioning System are active and 

your Phantom 3 will attempt to stabilize using both.

In A-mode, or Attitude mode, the aircraft does not use GPS or the Vision Positioning System. Only the 

barometer is used for stabilization. The aircraft can still return to the Home Point as long as a sufficient GPS 

signal is available.

F-mode, or Function mode, activates Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC) functionality. Refer to the IOC 

section in the Appendix of the User Manual.

By default, only P-mode may be used. Refer to your user manual for instructions on unlocking the other 

modes.
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 51

FAQ

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

What is the Phantom 3 flight time?

Flight times will vary depending on environmental conditions and usage patterns, but the Intelligent Flight 

Battery is designed to provide up to 23 minutes of uninterrupted flight time when fully charged.

How can I restore a video file if the power is turned off during recording? 

Do not remove the Micro-SD card from the camera. If it has been removed, place it back in the camera. 

Turn the Phantom 3 on and wait approximately 30 seconds as the video file is restored.

How can I ensure that my pictures and videos will be synchronized to my iOS album?

You may need to adjust the settings of your mobile device. Open the Settings menu, select the Privacy tab, 

select the Photos tab, and then toggle the switch next to the DJI GO app icon. If the GO app has not been 

granted access to your albums, the photos and videos cannot be synchronized.

What should I do to land my Phantom 3 smoothly as possible? 

Hover the aircraft over a flat, level surface. Slowly pull the throttle stick down until the aircraft touches the 

ground.

Why is the discharge time of the battery not zero, even though I have never used it?

Every battery is tested prior to being packaged and shipped. This affects the discharge time of a new 

battery and is the reason that the discharge time is not zero. The battery is safe to use.

Can the mobile device holder be used on the Phantom 2 series Remote Controller? 

No, it cannot.

How to safely operate the aircraft when encountering compass error?

A compass error may occur when the aircraft is flying close to strong electric magnetic sources (e.g. 

power transmission lines). Aircraft Status Indicators blink red and yellow rapidly when a compass error 

occurs and the DJI GO app will display one of the following messages:

• Compass error, calibration required

This warning message indicates the aircraft is receiving abnormal compass readings. It is recommended 

to power off the aircraft and re-calibrate the compass at a different location and then resume the flight.

• Compass error, exit P-GPS Mode

This warning message indicates that the aircraft is drifting severely. Bring the aircraft to a higher altitude 

to gain enough GPS satellite locks when this warning message is prompted. The flight controller will 

automatically adjust the orientation of the aircraft in the midair to mitigate the drifts. The aircraft will switch 

back to P-GPS mode when the automatic adjustment is completed.

How to troubleshoot aircraft initialization error?

If you observe the following symptoms, it indicates the aircraft has failed to initialized:

• The aircraft status indicator display flashing red, yellow and green. Even the aircraft is stationed on the 

flat surface. 

• The System Status Bar in the app prompts “Initialization Error”.

• No resistance drive if felt on the gimbal.
52 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

FAQ

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Various factors contribute to the aircraft initialization error, try resolve the issue by following the suggestions 

listed below:

• Sensor performance degraded. This may be due to the excessive bias detected from the IMU or the 

compass reading is interfered. Try restarting and calibrating the IMU and compass to resolve this issue. 

• Sensor is defective. If the sensors remains unchanged at all time and the problem persist even when the 

aircraft is restarted, it indicates the sensor is not working normally. Users should return the aircraft to DJI 

for repairing.

• Minor vibration is detected during aircraft initialization. Put the aircraft on the flat surface, power on the 

aircraft and ensure the aircraft is stationed for more than 5 seconds to resolve the issue. 

• Serious vibration is detected during aircraft initialization. This instance generally occurs when the aircraft 

is being initialization on the violent moving surface, for instance, ships that are on the rough sea. Do not 

attempt to power on the aircraft in this scenario. 
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 53

Appendix
54 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Appendix

Appendix

Specifications

Aircraft

Weight (Battery & Propellers 

Included) 1280 g

Max. Ascent Speed 5 m/s

Max. Descent Speed 3 m/s

Max. Speed 16 m/s (ATTI mode, no wind)

Max Service Ceiling Above 

Sea Level

6000 m (Software altitude limit: 120 m above takeoff point)

Max. Flight Time Approximately 23 minutes

Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C

GPS Mode GPS/GLONASS

Gimbal 

Controllable Range Pitch: - 90° to + 30°

Vision Positioning

Velocity Range < 8 m/s (2 m above ground)

Altitude Range 30 cm-300 cm

Operating Range 30 cm-300 cm

Operating Environment Brightly lit (lux > 15) patterned surfaces

Camera

Sensor Sony EXMOR 1/2.3” Effective pixels:12.4 M (total pixels: 12.76 M)

Lens FOV 94° 20mm(35mm format equivalent ) f/2.8

ISO Range 100-3200(video) 100-1600(photo)

Electronic Shutter Speed 8s -1/8000s

Image Max. Size 4000 x 3000

Still Photography Modes

Single shot

Burst shooting: 3/5/7 frames

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 

Bracketed frames at 0.7EV Bias

Time-lapse

Supported SD Card Types

Micro SD

Max. capacity: 64 GB. Class 10 or UHS-1 rating required

Video Recording Modes

UHD : 4096x2160p 24/25, 3840x2160p24/25/30 

FHD:1920x1080p 24/25/30/48/50/60 

HD:1280x720p 24/25/30/48/50/60

Max. Bitrate Of Video Storage 60 Mbps

Supported File Formats

FAT32/exFAT

Photo: JPEG, DNG

Video: MP4/MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)

Operating Temperature Range 0°C to 40°C
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 55

Appendix

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Remote Controller 

Operating Frequency 2.400 GHz-2.483 GHz

Transmitting Distance 

Up to 5.0 km or 3.1 miles (unobstructed, free of interferences and 

FCC compliant) when it is FCC compliant

Up to 3.5 km or 2.1 miles (unobstructed, free of interferences) 

when it is CE compliant

Video Output Port USB

Operating Temperature Range 0°C- 40°C

Battery 6000 mAh LiPo 2S

Mobile Device Holder Tablets and smartphones 

Transmitter Power(EIRP) FCC: 20 dbm; CE:16 dbm

Working Voltage 1.2 A @7.4 V

Charger

Voltage 17.4 V

Rated Power 100 W 

Intelligent Flight Battery ( PH3-4480 mAh-15.2 V )

Capacity 4480 mAh

Voltage 15.2 V

Battery Type LiPo 4S

Energy 68 Wh

Net Weight 365 g

Operating Temperature -10°C- 40°C

Max. Charging Power 100 W

Aircraft Status Indicator Description

Normal

 Red, Green and Yellow Flash 

Alternatively Turning on and Self-Diagnostics

 Green and Yellow Flash Alternatively Aircraft Warming Up

 Green Flashes Slowly Safe to Fly (P-mode with GPS and Vision Positioning)

X2 Green Flashes Twice Safe to Fly (P-mode with Vision Positioning but without GPS)

 Yellow Flashes Slowly Safe to Fly (A-mode but No GPS and Vision Positioning)

Warning

 Fast Yellow Flashing Remote Controller Signal Lost

 Slow Red Flashing Low Battery Warning

 Fast Red Flashing Critical Battery Warning

 Red Flashing Alternatively IMU Error 

— Solid Red Critical Error 

 Red and Yellow Flash Alternatively Compass Calibration Required
56 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Appendix

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

Firmwares Update

Use Micro SD card to update the aircraft and Intelligent Flight Battery. Connect to the Internet, 

launch the DJI GO app. The DJI GO app will start checking for available firmware updates 

automatically. Follow the on-screen instruction to update the latest firmware for the aircraft, remote 

controller and intelligent flight battery.

Intelligent Flight Mode 

Intelligent Flight mode includes Course Lock, Home Lock, Point of Interest (POI), Follow Me and 

Waypoints features to assist users to create professional shoots during the flight. Course Lock and Home 

Point lock helps to lock the orientation of aircraft so that the user can focus more on other operations. 

Point of Interest, Follow Me and Waypoints mode enable aircraft to fly automatically according to the 

pre-set flight maneuvers.

Course Lock Lock the current nose direction as the aircraft’s forward direction. The aircraft will 

move in the locked directions regardless of its orientation (yaw angle). 

Home Lock Pull the pitch stick backward to move the aircraft toward its recorderd Home Point. 

Point of Interest The aircraft will orbit around the subject automatically to allow the operator can be 

more focus on framing their shoot on the subject in Point of Interest.

Follow Me 

A virtual tether is created between the aircraft and the mobile device so that the 

aircraft can track your movement as you move. Note that Follow Me performance is 

subject to the GPS accuracy on the mobile device. 

Waypoints

Record a flight path, then the aircraft will fly along the same path repeatedly while 

you control the camera and orientation. The flight path can be saved and re-apply 

in the future.

Enable Multiple Flight Mode by launching the DJI GO app > Camera View > > Advanced Settings > 

Mulitple Flight Mode before using the Intelligent Flight Mode for the first time.

After-Sales Information

Visit the following pages to learn more about After-sales policy and warranty information:

1. After-sales Policy: http://www.dji.com/service

2. Refund Policy: http://www.dji.com/service/refund-return

3. Paid Repair Service: http://www.dji.com/service/repair-service

4. Warranty Service: http://www.dji.com/service/warranty-service
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 57

Appendix

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

FCC Compliance

FCC Compliance

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and

(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired 

operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the 

user's authority to operate the equipment.

Compliance Information

FCC Warning Message

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void 

the user’s authority to operate the equipment. 

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference 

received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Radiation Exposure Statement: 

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. 

This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator& 

your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or 

transmitter. 

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, 

pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against 

harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio 

frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful 

interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in 

a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, 

which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct 

the interference by one or more of the following measures: 

—Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. 

—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. 

—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. 

—Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. 

IC RSS warning

This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard (s). Operation is subject to the 

following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any 

interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Le présent areil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada licables aux areils radio exempts de licence.

L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes:

(1) l'areil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et

(2) l'utilisateur de l'areil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est 
58 © 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved. 

Appendix

Phantom 3 Professional User Manual

susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.

IC Radiation Exposure Statement:

This equipment complies with IC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. 

This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator& 

your body.

Any Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could 

void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

KCC Warning Message

“해당무선설비는 운용 중 전파혼신 가능성이 있으므로 인명안전과 관련된 서비스는 할 수 없습니다 .” 

“해당 무선설비는 운용 중 전파혼신 가능성이 있음”

NCC Warning Message

低功率電波輻射性電機管理辦法

第十二條經型式認證合格之低功率射頻電機,非經許可,公司、商號或使用者均不得擅自變更頻率、加

大功率或變更原設計之特性及功能。

第十四條低功率射頻電機之使用不得影響飛航安全及干擾合法通信;經發現有干擾現象時,應改善至無

干擾時方得繼續使用。前項合法通信,指依電信法規定作業之無線電通信。低功率射頻電機須忍受合法

通信或工業、科學及醫療用電波輻射性電機設備之干擾。
© 2015 DJI. All Rights Reserved.

This content is subject to change.

Download the latest version from

http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-3

If you have any questions about this document, please contact DJI by 

sending a message to DocSupport@dji.com.