DJI is finest recognized for its drones, however each land-based vlogger, streamer, and social video star ought to know concerning the new Osmo Pocket 3, a gimbal digital camera designed for video stars. DJI despatched Mashable its newest digital camera for testing, and after taking part in round with this 4K digital camera — which includes a new vertical video mode — I am able to share a full overview.
Let’s begin with a spoiler: the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is an exceptional gimbal digital camera (or as I say in my overenthusiastic video overview, “It is actually friggin’ cool”), and I actually do suppose it is near excellent. Right here at Mashable, we attempt to keep away from utilizing the phrase excellent when reviewing tech merchandise, however rattling it, that is the phrase that repeatedly got here to thoughts when taking part in round with this digital camera. The face monitoring, vertical video mode, movement stabilization, and wi-fi connectivity — I beloved all of it.
I am not knowledgeable videographer or photographer, however I do create movies for my overview content material, and I’ve produced movies as a journalist. For Mashable particularly, I’ve additionally examined out cameras such because the GoPro Hero 12 Black and the Fujifilm X100V, amongst others, so I do know my approach round a digital camera.
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 video overview
If you wish to see the brand new DJI digital camera in motion — and take a look at what the video appears to be like like — you may watch my full video overview on TikTok.
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 overview: The fundamentals
For this overview, I examined the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo, which is priced at $669 at Amazon and DJI. In case you solely need the digital camera, the bottom mannequin begins at $519. Both approach, this digital camera has some spectacular specs.
Unboxing the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal digital camera.
![Unboxing the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal camera.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/00lO8ebjvROTTvHaOzDPoMz/images-3.jpg)
Unboxing the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal digital camera.
Video High quality: 4K/120fpsSensor: 1-inch CMOSStabilization: 3-axis mechanical stabilizationScreen: 2-inch rotating touchscreenZoom: 2x digitalBattery Life: 166 minutesDimensions: 5.5 x 1.66 x 1.32 inchesWeight: 0.93 kilos
As you may see, this vlogging digital camera actually is pocket sized.
![](https://sm.mashable.com/mashable_in/photo/default/images-1_bv6z.jpg)
The Creator Combo comes with the next parts:
Osmo Pocket 3 cameraDJI Mic 2 TransmitterBattery handleOsmo mini TripodWrist strapCarrying case
You will additionally want a microSD card, however that is not included.
In comparison with the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 digital camera, the Pocket 3 now comes with a 1-inch CMOS sensor. It could shoot as much as 4K footage at 120 frames per second. You possibly can simply movie in vertical video mode for platforms similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels, then change immediately again to horizontal mode for YouTube. With the brand new 1-inch sensor, this digital camera can seize lovely and wealthy video, even in comparatively low gentle.
DJI Osmo Pocket 3: The setup course of
I used to be extraordinarily impressed with this digital camera, and that began proper from the unboxing. You do not have to be an skilled videographer to arrange and begin taking pictures with this digital camera.
Reasonably than creating an account with my electronic mail deal with, I used my Apple ID to arrange an account within the DJI Osmo account. The digital camera related instantly to my cellphone through Bluetooth. As soon as you’ve got inserted your microSD card, you can begin recording with the push of a button.
The wi-fi microphone additionally related immediately, and the digital camera routinely detected when the mic was close to the digital camera and turned on. The digital camera solely failed to connect with my cellphone as soon as, and just for a second. General, connectivity was actually painless.
Whenever you’re recording, you may watch the footage dwell in your cellphone by means of the DJI app. Options like Face Detection are automated, and the gimbal will begin monitoring your face instantly. If you wish to observe one thing else, you may pull up the app, click on and drag on the supposed point of interest, and the digital camera will observe that as an alternative. It actually could not be simpler.
![](https://sm.mashable.com/mashable_in/photo/default/images-4_ab2g.jpg)
Capturing, modifying, and posting content material is a breeze
You will in all probability need to obtain two apps to edit your footage. The DJI Mimo app and Lightcut, a free video modifying app really helpful by DJI (there is no watermark in your footage, which is appreciated). You should use video templates, however I discovered these have been fairly tacky and never value exploring. The video modifying course of was just like the TikTok app, with the flexibility to chop, click on and drag, and edit your movies and audio tracks. As soon as my first video was executed, the choice to share it to TikTok got here up instantly, and that is what I did.
If you wish to dive deeper into the video modifying instruments accessible to you, the DJI app has dozens of programs and tutorials you may entry by means of Mimo. For skilled creators, the educational curve is negligible.
![You can choose from templates within the Mimo app.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/00lO8ebjvROTTvHaOzDPoMz/images-5.png)
You possibly can select from templates inside the Mimo app.
![I used the Lightcut app to edit my footage.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/00lO8ebjvROTTvHaOzDPoMz/images-6.png)
I used the Lightcut app to edit my footage.
Equipment which might be (principally) value the additional value
I actually beloved a lot of the equipment that got here with the Creator Combo. I appreciated them sufficient that I might suggest forking over the additional money. The tripod battery attachment is especially good. An additional battery pack doubles as a tripod attachment, and so it extends the working time whilst you’re out taking pictures video. The microphone additionally recorded clear audio and by no means dropped its connection to the digital camera.
The included “tripod” that comes with the digital camera is a bit of underbaked, nonetheless. I would not actually name it a tripod. Whereas you should use it to prop up the digital camera on a desktop, it is lower than six inches tall at full extension. I used my very own tripod for this overview.
What I did not like concerning the digital camera
I haven’t got many negatives to report. The worth will certainly be an impediment for some, and that is why I might solely suggest this digital camera to creators who’re critical about vlogging and streaming. In case you’ll solely often use this digital camera or in order for you a video digital camera to seize reminiscences whereas touring, that is actually not what it is made to do.
In addition to the aforementioned “tripod” accent, I additionally seen the digital camera heated up whereas taking pictures within the solar, a typical downside with cameras like this.
A dream come true for streamers and vloggers
On the entire, it actually is tough for me to think about a greater digital camera for video content material creators. As a result of it might probably join wirelessly to your gadgets, you should use this for each recording video and livestreaming. The addition of vertical video mode (and the flexibility to immediately change to a horizontal side ratio), offers creators the flexibleness they should shoot movies for a selected app or objective.
And with the flexibility to shoot 4K video at as much as 120 frames per second, the video you document will look skilled high quality. The gimbal monitoring labored very effectively in my assessments, though there are limits to how rapidly it might probably observe and transfer.
Whereas in selfie mode, the face detection and monitoring may be very helpful, however this is not only for reverse POV movies (or common POV, relying in your technology). Whenever you aren’t taking pictures your individual lovely face, you should use the joystick-style toggle to regulate the gimbal. The DJI app additionally helps you to observe different folks as wanted. With all these instruments, will probably be straightforward to create your subsequent video.
How does the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 evaluate to the GoPro Hero 12 Black?
Having examined each of those merchandise, I can let you know that they are each high-quality cameras that really have so much in frequent. They each have intuitive touchscreen controls, wi-fi connectivity, vertical video mode, and spectacular movement stabilization. It isn’t that one digital camera is healthier than the opposite; moderately, they every have particular use instances.
![Shooting with the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal camera.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/00lO8ebjvROTTvHaOzDPoMz/images-8.jpg)
Capturing with the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal digital camera.
![Close-up of the GoPro Hero 12 Black action camera.](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/reviews/00lO8ebjvROTTvHaOzDPoMz/images-9.jpg)
Shut-up of the GoPro Hero 12 Black motion digital camera.
For motion sports activities and boisterous actions, the waterproofing and sturdiness of the GoPro has apparent benefits. GoPro additionally wins out by way of general movement stabilization, and it is not even shut. Nevertheless, the tremendous wide-angle view of the GoPro is not as very best for the common vlog, and for creators that are not leaping off cliffs or snowboarding down a mountain, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 will serve you higher.
Is the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 value it?
In two phrases: heck sure.
For the common particular person, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 may appear actually costly. In spite of everything, when you’ve got a pleasant, new cellphone, you may already shoot in 4K video. However the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is not for the common particular person. And in case you’re a full- or part-time video creator, livestreamer, or influencer, then the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is unquestionably definitely worth the value of admission, as is the $669 Creator Combo.
I actually cannot think about what else you may need in a vlogging digital camera. In case you prefer to stroll round filming content material, that is the closest you can get to a Steadicam (and it is infinitely higher than a physique mount). Even in case you’re merely mounting this on a tripod, the face detection and movement monitoring make sure that you (or your topic) is at all times the star of the present.
Lastly, because it’s really easy to add and edit your footage, you can rapidly share your content material to TikTok, Instagram Reels, Twitch, YouTube, or every other platform with ease. The identical goes for livestreaming.
For professionals taking pictures business footage or athletes taking their digital camera into moist and muddy situations, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 may have limitations. However for the remainder of us, that is the vlogging digital camera to get proper now.