Spotlight is one of the most powerful intelligent modes on the Mini 5 Pro
As part of the Focus Track suite—alongside Point of Interest and Active Track—it enables smooth, precise movements while keeping a selected subject perfectly centered in the frame
It can also be used to track a moving target dynamically
In this article, I will show you how to make the most out of this excellent tool
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Other related articles you may find interesting:
- Mini 5 Pro video quality and functionalities
- Mini 5 Pro MasterShots
- Mini 5 Pro Hyperlapse
- Mini 5 Pro Photography
Settings
Unlike Quickshots, Mastershots, and Hyperlapse, the intelligent modes of Focus Track don’t appear in the Photo/Video menu
To access Spotlight with a static target, such as a building or landmark, simply draw a box around it. A small window in the lower part of the screen presents a choice among the three modes:
- Active Track
- Spotlight
- Point of Interest
Spotlight is the default one, so we are ready to go. The camera will lock on the target defined by green brackets. We can move the aircraft in any direction, and the target will remain in the same position in the frame; in other words, the orientation of the camera is no longer connected to the flight direction
Once a target is selected, the Focus Track icon on the left part of the screen turns to yellow, indicating that we are in one of the three Focus Track modes
In previous DJI lightweight models, like the Mini 4 Pro and the Flip, to select targets like people or vehicles, we had to activate Subject scanning in the Control tab of the Settings. The procedure has been simplified in the Mini 5 Pro
When the Active Track icon is active, the app recognizes people and vehicles, and displays a plus sign over them. Simply tap on the plus icon to select one of them as a target. Selecting fast-moving targets is much easier with the Mini 5 Pro compared to previous models
To exit Spotlight mode, tap on the Focus Track icon on the left, which will turn from yellow to white to indicate that we are back in normal video mode. An alternative way is to tap on the green X near the target
Spotlight mode can be applied to footage taken in portrait mode, which is handy for users involved in social media
It can be used in the 48mm Med Tele mode to apply a 2x zoom with a quality close to a true optical zoom, achieving an astonishing parallax effect. It also works with the continuous gimbal rotation for creative moves
In Spotlight mode, most of the video settings are available. It is possible to use Manual or Auto exposure and white balance
The resolution can be set to 1080p or 4k with frame rates up to 60fps. It is also possible to use it with the Video Slow Motion mode with a frame rate of 120fps and extreme slow motion. The three video color profiles are available: Normal, D-Log M, and HLG
Static Targets
Unlike the other two modes of Focus Track, in Spotlight, the drone doesn’t move autonomously. The movement is generated by the two sticks of the remote controller while the target remains in the same position on the frame; in other words, the camera is disconnected from the flight direction
After starting the move, the software will evaluate the target position for a few seconds. Then a smaller box appears on the target, and it is safe to start recording the footage, as the movement will be smoother
With static targets, Spotlight makes it easy to perform smooth, flowless moves that are difficult to control manually, especially when the two sticks of the controller and the dials for the gimbal are involved
A classic move is to advance diagonally to the target; the camera will remain locked to the subject, revealing the surroundings with interesting parallax effects
In this case, the camera is locked to this tiny lighthouse, and I can move the drone in all directions to reveal the width of this lovely bay and Mount Etna in the background
Here, the drone rises in altitude with the camera locked on this little hill despite the elevation change, revealing the bay of Catania in East Sicily in the background.
Spotlight mode is an excellent tool for real estate videography to show the surroundings of a property in a cinematic way
Another classic move, difficult to perform manually, is the crane shot, starting to the front of a landmark, rising in latitude, and advancing to reach a bird’s eye view. The reverse movement can also be quite spectacular, starting from the top view to reveal the surroundings.
Spotlight can also be used for dynamic orbiting moves around a landmark. On several occasions, similar results can be obtained using Point of Interest, as in this move, combining a reverse crane with the screwdriver effect. The choice of the tool depends on personal preference.
Moving targets
Spotlight mode is also a powerful tool for tracking moving targets, although it operates differently from Active Track
Active Track is the one to use for the so-called “follow me” situations, when it is not possible to use the remote controller, for example, when driving, walking, or cycling, and an operator is not available. In this mode, the drone will be able to track the target autonomously
When we can operate the remote controller, Spotlight can track a moving target in a very dynamic way, getting closer or farther away from it, moving sideways or changing elevation. Any time I can use the controller for tracking subjects other than myself, Spotlight is the tool I choose
When the drone is hovering, and a moving target is selected, the camera will move to maintain it in the same position on the frame, acting like a true Spotlight. This can be useful for targets moving in a confined space, like a match of tennis or boxing, or comedians or musicians on stage