Explainer

What is D-Log M, and how do you colour grade it?

Updated September 30, 2026

Short answer

D-Log M is a flat, 10-bit colour profile that DJI puts on drones and cameras such as the Mini 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, Air 3, Air 3S, Avata 2 and Osmo Action. It records more highlight and shadow detail than the Normal profile, so the footage looks grey straight out of the camera. To grade it, first convert it to normal Rec.709 colour with DJI's free D-Log M LUT for your model, then add a creative look such as a drone LUT on top.

Why the footage looks grey

Log profiles squeeze the camera's full brightness range into the file using a flat curve. That keeps detail in bright skies and dark shadows, but the image has low contrast and muted colour until you grade it. This is normal: it is a starting point, not a finished picture.

D-Log M vs D-Log vs Normal

Normal: finished colour straight from the drone. Easiest; less room to adjust.
D-Log M: DJI's log profile for its smaller-sensor drones and cameras. 10-bit, flat, easier to grade than full D-Log.
D-Log: the original, flatter log on larger-sensor models such as the Mavic 3 and 4 series, Inspire and older Phantoms. Most dynamic range, most grading work.
HLG: for HDR screens. Not meant for LUT grading to standard video.

How to grade D-Log M in three steps

Convert: apply DJI's D-Log M to Rec.709 LUT for your drone (free from the drone's download page on dji.com), or use your editor's colour management. The clip should now look like normal video.
Correct: fix exposure and white balance.
Add the look: apply a creative LUT after the conversion, on its own layer or node, and set the strength to taste.

Our DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro guides show exactly where each LUT goes.

Should you shoot D-Log M or Normal?

Shoot D-Log M when the scene has bright skies and deep shadows (sunrise, sunset, snow, cities at night), or when you want to grade. Shoot Normal when you need a finished clip fast or edit on a phone app that cannot load LUTs. Our looks work on both: on Normal footage you skip the conversion step.

Which conversion LUT is in the Drone LUTs packs?

Both packs include a UTILITY folder with conversion LUTs for the original DJI D-Log (Phantom 4, Mavic Pro and generic D-Log), GoPro Protune and generic flat footage. For D-Log M, HLG and other log formats, use the free conversion LUT your camera maker publishes, or your editor's colour management.