The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is the 2023 addition to the popular line of handheld gimbal cameras from DJI. It boasts a 1-inch CMOS sensor, a 2-inch rotatable touchscreen, and 4K/120fps video recording. It also offers a range of intelligent features such as portrait mode, fast focus, timelapse, Motionlapse, and panorama.
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In this review, I will explore the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Osmo Pocket 3, and compare it to some of its competitors. I will also share my personal opinion and recommendation on whether you should buy this camera or not.
Features and Performance
The Osmo Pocket 3 is a compact and lightweight camera that measures 139.7 x 42.2 x 33.5mm and weighs 179g. It has a sleek and ergonomic design that fits comfortably in your hand or pocket. The camera has a 3-axis gimbal that stabilizes the footage and eliminates shaky movements. The gimbal can also tilt, pan, and roll to follow your subject or create dynamic effects.
The camera has a 1-inch CMOS sensor that captures 9.4MP stills and up to 4K/120fps video. The sensor is larger than the previous models, which means it can capture more light and detail, especially in low-light situations. The camera also has a fast-focus system that uses full-pixel phase detection to lock onto your subject quickly and accurately.
The camera has a 2-inch touchscreen that can rotate up to 180 degrees to switch between horizontal and vertical shooting modes. The touchscreen allows you to adjust settings, view live feeds, and access various modes and features. The screen is bright and responsive, but it can be hard to see in direct sunlight or when wearing gloves.
The camera has several modes and features that enhance your creativity and convenience. Some of the notable ones are:
- Portrait mode: This mode allows you to record videos in a vertical orientation, which is ideal for social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram Stories. You can also use this mode to take selfies or vlogs with the camera facing the front.
- Slow motion: This mode lets you record videos at up to 4K/120fps or 1080p/240fps for smooth and dramatic slow-motion effects. You can also adjust the playback speed in the DJI Mimo app.
- Timelapse and Motionlapse: These modes let you create stunning videos that show the passage of time in a short duration. You can set the interval, duration, and path of the camera movement for motionlapse.
- Panorama: This mode lets you capture wide-angle photos by stitching together multiple shots. You can choose from three options: 180-degree, 3×3, or sphere.
- Story mode: This mode lets you create short videos with preset templates that include music, transitions, filters, and effects. You can also customize your own templates in the DJI Mimo app.
- ActiveTrack: This feature lets you track a moving subject automatically by tapping on the screen or using the optional wireless microphone.
- FaceTrack: This feature lets you keep your face in the center of the frame automatically by using facial recognition technology.
- Glamour Effects: This feature lets you apply beauty filters and smooth skin tones to your selfies or vlogs.
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The camera has a built-in microphone that records decent audio quality, but it can also pick up wind noise or background sounds. You can use an external microphone with a USB-C adapter or a wireless microphone with the optional handle for better audio quality.
The camera has a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. It also supports microSD cards up to 256GB for storage. The battery life is rated at up to 166 minutes of continuous recording at 1080p/30fps or up to 140 minutes at 4K/30fps. You can extend the battery life with the optional handle that has an extra battery inside.
The camera works with the DJI Mimo app on your smartphone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. The app allows you to control the camera remotely, edit your photos and videos, share them online, update firmware, and access more features and settings.
Benefits and Drawbacks
The Osmo Pocket 3 is a powerful and portable vlogging camera that offers many benefits for content creators and enthusiasts. Some of the benefits are:
- It delivers high-quality video and photo performance with a large sensor, fast focus, and gimbal stabilization.
- It has a rotatable touchscreen that supports portrait mode for social media platforms.
- It has a range of intelligent features that enhance your creativity and convenience.
- It works with the DJI Mimo app that provides more functions and options.
- It is compact and lightweight enough to carry around or fit in your pocket.
However, the Osmo Pocket 3 also has some drawbacks that you should consider before buying it. Some of the drawbacks are:
- It is more expensive than its predecessors and competitors.
- It can get hot when recording for a long time or in high temperatures.
- It has no built-in storage and requires a microSD card.
- It has a limited battery life and requires frequent charging or an extra battery.
- It has a small screen that can be hard to see or use in some situations.
Comparison to Similar Products
The Osmo Pocket 3 is not the only handheld gimbal camera on the market. There are some similar products that you can compare it to, such as:
- DJI Pocket 2: This is the previous model of the Osmo Pocket 3. It has a smaller sensor, a smaller screen, and no portrait mode. However, it is cheaper, lighter, and has a higher photo resolution.
- GoPro Hero 12 Black: This is the 2023 action camera from GoPro. It has a similar sensor size, video resolution, and slow-motion capabilities as the Osmo Pocket 3. However, it has some new features that make it stand out, such as HDR video, Bluetooth audio support, timecode sync, and GP-Log. It is also more rugged, waterproof, and versatile with various accessories and mounts.
- Insta360 Go 3: This is a tiny action camera that can be attached to various places with magnetic accessories. It has a similar sensor size, video resolution, and slow-motion capabilities as the Osmo Pocket 3. However, it has some unique features such as FlowState stabilization that mimics a gimbal effect, HDR video, and FreeFrame video that lets you reframe your shots in post-production. It is also waterproof, shockproof, and very easy to use.
Personal Opinion and Recommendation
In my personal opinion, the Osmo Pocket 3 is a great camera for vlogging and content creation. It offers impressive video quality, smooth stabilization, and convenient features that make it easy and fun to use. I especially like the portrait mode, the slow-motion mode, and the timelapse mode which allow me to create different types of videos for different platforms. I also like the rotatable touchscreen that lets me switch between horizontal and vertical shooting modes quickly.
However, I also think that the Osmo Pocket 3 is not perfect. It is quite expensive compared to other cameras with similar features. It can also get hot and drain the battery fast when recording at high resolutions or frame rates. It also requires a microSD card and an external microphone for optimal performance.
Therefore, I would recommend the Osmo Pocket 3 to anyone who is looking for a powerful and portable vlogging camera that can capture high-quality videos in various modes and orientations. However, I would also suggest that you consider your budget, your needs, and your preferences before buying it. You might find other cameras that suit you better or offer more value for money.
If you are interested in buying the Osmo Pocket 3 or learning more about it, you can check out the official website or read some user reviews.
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You can also watch some sample videos on YouTube to see how it performs in different situations.
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I use my Pocket 2 to record bands/music, probably the only person doing this. Marty Sender You Tube. good job review.