DJI Osmo Pocket 3: The Best Pocket-Sized Travel Camera?

Is there such a thing as the perfect travel and vlogging camera?

DJI is trying to give an answer to that question with the Osmo Pocket 3, the most recent addition to their action cam lineup.

With an all new and powerful sensor, built-in gimbal and stabilisation, with the possibility of shooting amazing 4K 120fps slow-motion videos, the Osmo Pocket 3 promises a lot in a pretty affordable package.

With that said, the market is flooded with affordable travel cameras from high-end brands, so why should you choose this one over the other tried and tested alternatives?

Today we’ll take a look at the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, to see what it is really capable of and whether or not this new addition to the DJI lineup has a place in your gear setup.

So, let’s get started!

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, and as Amazon associates we may get a small commission from qualifying purchases. We believe in only advertising products we trust in and use ourselves!

# Design and Features

This is the third generation and new addition to the Osmo Pocket lineup, and there are definitely a few major changes when compared with the previous models:

Size and weight

Even if the difference is not massive when compared to the Osmo Pocket and the Osmo Pocket 2, at 179g the Osmo Pocket 3 does feel slightly bulkier and heavier out of the box.

Even then, it still is a really compact and discreet device, and will easily fit inside a pocket or a sling bag without any hassle. 

This makes it the perfect device for those of us that prefer to pack light, and don’t want to sacrifice weight when travelling.

The joystick

The removable joystick is now replaced with a much larger one that is fully integrated into the handle. While there was nothing wrong with the previous one, the new and larger joystick gives a lot more control over the gimbal.

Unlike previous models, the sensitivity of the joystick is now adjustable. This makes it a lot easier for you to perfect video zooms, tilts or slow pans!

Fast charging battery

Forgot to charge your camera? 

With a larger 1300 mAh battery providing up to 2 hours of shooting, the Osmo Pocket 3 can be recharged up to 80% in just over 15 minutes. 

On top of that, if you get the Creator Combo instead of just the camera, you get an extended battery handle for increased battery performance, as well as improved grip. Also, if you have larger hands, we’re sure you’ll appreciate the extra space!

The screen

First of all, the horizontal-only screen that was directly integrated into the handle is now gone, replaced instead with a larger, 2-inch rotating AMOLED screen.

The simple fact of not being forced to shoot horizontally adds a huge level of versatility to the Osmo Pocket 3, and we love it!

We don’t know about you, but with the previous Osmo Pocket cameras we sometimes struggled with seeing exactly what we were filming, due to the screen’s lack of resolution. This was also in part because they were supposed to be used in tandem with your smartphone, turning it into a large display.

Cool idea, except it really messed with the concept of a light and compact camera that you could just take out and use on the go.

The Osmo Pocket 3, with its new AMOLED screen is now much brighter and colourful than the tiny one we were used to.

You now get a bigger display, with a much higher level of detail that will allow you to have a better view of what you’re actually filming without having to rely on a secondary screen.

The lens

When it comes to the lens, not much has changed. The fixed aperture is still a thing, except it went went from f/1.8 to f/2.0. This won’t be a really notable difference for most users, and you’ll still get a nice shallow depth of field, with a blurry background and sharp subjects.

The fact that the aperture is still fixed is, however, a bit of a bummer.

As with previous models, it limits the Osmo Pocket 3 in the range of depth of field it is able to capture, and also means that you’ll have to rely on the shutter speed and ISO to adjust the brightness of your footage.

Video and photography 

When it comes to shooting videos, the Osmo Pocket 3 is a huge improvement over older versions, capable of shooting 4K video at 60fps or 1080p at 240fps, and even slow-motion up to 120fps in 4K!

This is due to the large 1 inch sensor, which also gives the Osmo Pocket 3 amazing low-light capabilities. The large sensor, coupled with the pretty impressive full-pixel AF autofocus, will also allow you to effectively shoot at higher shutter speeds without overly darkening your footage, giving you bright and dynamic videos. 

Face tracking is another feature that has been improved significantly in this new model. It is a lot more responsive than before, and perfect for those that solo travel and are a one-man-crew. The only big downside is that this feature reduces the quality of your videos, with active and face tracking not working in 4K videos at 60fps.

The Osmo Pocket 3 also comes with built-in omnidirectional microphones, providing some pretty good audio quality. If you’re planning on having natural audio on your video while recording outside, however, we do recommend getting an external mike, because you’ll definitely pick up a lot of background noise.

Pro-tip:

An external microphone is included in the Creator Combo, saving you the hassle of having to buy one separately.

If you are interested in photography, however, you should know that DJI definitely prioritised video capabilities with this new model. The Osmo Pocket 3 is a major step down compared to the previous version, with a measly 9.4MP versus 64 on the Osmo Pocket 2.

While we never relied on the Osmo Pocket for snapping photos, it’s still a noticeable downgrade that is bound to be a dealbreaker for some.

# Accessories 

While the Osmo Pocket 3 is also sold as a standalone, we definitely recommend considering purchasing the Creator Combo.

This package includes, among other things, a microphone with a windscreen, an extra battery handle and a compact tripod, which will all help you make the most out of your new camera.

Sure, it will cost you just over $100 dollars more, but we can see ourselves grabbing most of these accessories down the line anyway, and by purchasing the package you’ll avoid having to buy them at full price later.

# Pros & Cons

+ Still lightweight and compact

+ Built-in stabilisation and gimbal 

+ Large, fast charging battery

+ New AMOLED vertical and horizontal flip screen

+ New joystick gives allows for more control over the gimbal 

+ Fast auto-focus

+ Large, fast charging battery

+ Decent built-in microphones

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- No adjustable aperture

- Digital zoom only

- Face tracking available in low resolution only

- Poor photography capabilities 

© DJI

# Do you need the Osmo Pocket 3?

Whether or not you should buy an Osmo Pocket 3 really depends on what kind of footage you’re looking forward to record.

• For vloggers and travellers, it’s pretty amazing!

  It’s relatively light and compact, as pretty discreet since it doesn’t look like your typical high-end camera. The addition of an integrated gimbal and built-in stabilisation also means you don’t have to bother carrying extra gear around, the camera is ready to go out of the box.

  The shallow depth of field is perfect if you’re planning on filming yourself, and high-definition video will allow for some amazing footage to share with your viewers.

With that said, it is almost double the price of the Osmo Pocket 2, which still holds its own in the video department, and beats the new model when it comes to photography. 

All in all, if you’ve never owned or used an Osmo Pocket, you might want to consider waiting for its price to drop, or rent it and take one for a spin.

Alternatively, we would just stick with the Osmo Pocket 2. 

# Our Thoughts

Did DJI find the answer to question? Maybe.

The Osmo Pocket 3 is an amazing action camera, and is perfect for anyone looking for a compact and light option to carry around on their travels.

We’re just not sure we can recommend it at the current price if you already own a vlogging camera.

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