Full Review of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3: The Ideal Camera for Vloggers and Content Creators?

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a pocket-sized 4K video camera with a built-in three-axis stabilizer. It’s designed to deliver professional-quality video at a fraction of the cost of a traditional gimbal and video camera setup. As the name suggests, this product is the third generation in the Osmo Pocket series, reflecting DJI’s commitment to portable gimbal cameras.

The Pocket 3 introduces several significant improvements over its predecessor, the Pocket 2, in handling, interface, and overall performance. These upgrades make it a much more appealing option for vloggers and content creators—and even for professionals looking for a B-camera for supplementary footage.

See also: The best cameras for vlogging and YouTube

Bundles and Pricing

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 was released in October 2023 in two official configurations: the Standard Combo and the Creator Combo. In addition to these, there is the Vlogging Kit, which is not an official DJI bundle but is offered by some retailers.

Standard Combo: includes the camera, a protective case, a small extension handle (with accessory thread), a USB-C cable, and a wrist strap.
Creator Combo: includes everything in the basic bundle, plus a DJI Mic 2 wireless microphone, a wide-angle lens attachment, a battery grip, a mini tripod, and a carrying case. If purchased separately, these accessories would cost close to €800, making the creator combo a great value.
Vlogging Kit: includes two DJI Mic 2 transmitters, one DJI Mic 2 receiver, and a charging case. It’s designed for interviews and live streaming.

Item	Standard Combo	Creator Combo	Vlogging Kit^*
Osmo Pocket 3 Camera	✅	✅	✅
Protective Case	✅	✅	✅
Extension Handle with Thread	✅	✅	✅
USB-C Cable	✅	✅	✅
Wrist Strap	✅	✅	✅
DJI Mic 2 Wireless Microphone	❌	✅ (1 unit)	✅ (2 transmitters + 1 receiver)
Wide-Angle Lens	❌	✅	❌
Battery Grip	❌	✅	❌
Mini Tripod	❌	✅	❌
Carrying Case	❌	✅	❌
Charging Case for Microphones	❌	❌	✅
^*The Vlogging Kit is not an official DJI configuration but is available from some retailers.

It’s recommended to at least get a microphone and an extra battery grip. The wireless mic provides better sound quality and reduces wind noise. The extra battery extends recording time without the need to recharge. Although third-party microphones can be used, the Pocket 3 only works wirelessly with DJI mics, meaning a wired mic requires an adapter. In this regard, the creator combo stands out as the best option.

Check standart combo price on Amazon
Check creator combo price on Amazon

Design and Controls

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is compact, functional, and lightweight, featuring a matte black finish with orange accents. The build quality is excellent, combining metal and high-quality plastic. The 2-inch LCD touchscreen is a significant improvement over the 1-inch screen of the Pocket 2, making use and navigation easier. This new screen can also rotate 90 degrees.

The controls and ports are quite simple, designed for ease of use—just what you’d expect from a vlogging camera. It features one button, a joystick, a microSD slot, and a USB-C port. The user interface is intuitive. Anyone familiar with other DJI products will have no trouble adapting to the Pocket 3’s menu system.

Autofocus

The Pocket 3’s autofocus system, known as ActiveTrack 6.0, includes two main modes: face detection and subject tracking. The face detection mode works well for both close-up and distant shots, even in low-light conditions. Subject tracking allows you to select an area in the frame to follow, but it’s less accurate than face tracking and often loses the subject.

Video Image Quality

The Pocket 3 stands out for its image stabilization thanks to its 3-axis gimbal, which allows for smooth, professional-looking footage. The gimbal offers three different modes to suit various movements and scenarios: FPV mode for more dynamic shots, Follow mode for vlogging, and Tilt Lock mode for panoramic shots.

The Pocket 3 can record in 4K at 60 fps in horizontal mode, and up to 3K at 60 fps in vertical mode for social media content. For slow-motion footage, it supports 4K recording at 120 fps. However, extended use at high resolutions can lead to overheating; in continuous 4K/60p recording, the camera lasts about 70 minutes before overheating, which is quite good.

The Pocket 3 supports D-Log and 10-bit recording for better color grading in post-production, although it only records in MP4 format, which might be limiting for some professionals. Color reproduction is excellent, even in strong lighting or low-light conditions, though some noise is noticeable in darker settings. The camera also features a low-light mode that improves performance in challenging conditions.

Audio Quality

The internal microphone of the Pocket 3 is basic and tends to pick up wind noise. The DJI Mic 2 wireless microphone, included in the creator’s pack, offers a significant improvement in sound quality. The camera is designed to pair automatically and wirelessly with it, providing advanced features such as internal recording and backup audio.

Important: Compatibility and limitations with DJI external microphones

Previous DJI wireless microphones, such as the original DJI Mic or the Mic Mini, do not integrate the same way. Although their physical receiver can be connected to the Pocket 3 via USB-C, the camera does not officially recognize or properly manage them. This can cause issues like audio delays, disconnections, or loss of advanced features.

Therefore, if you have older DJI microphones, you will need to use adapters and deal with limitations that complicate recording. To avoid complications and get the most out of the Pocket 3, the best option is to use the DJI Mic 2.

App

The Pocket 3 connects to a smartphone via the DJI Mimo app. The app allows remote camera control and provides additional features such as hyperlapse, glamour effects, and live streaming. However, for more advanced video editing, DJI recommends using third-party apps, which can be inconvenient for some users as it requires a powerful computer.

Battery Life

DJI estimates that the Pocket 3 can record up to 166 minutes at 1080p/24p and 113 minutes of video at 4K/60p before the battery runs out. The Creator Combo includes a battery grip that provides 60% more charge, adding approximately one more hour of recording time. Additionally, the Pocket 3 supports fast charging, allowing 80% battery charge in just 16 minutes.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3: Conclusion

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is an excellent pocket camera, especially for vloggers and content creators. Although it has some limitations, such as proprietary microphone connectivity and a less advanced smartphone app, its advantages—like the 1-inch sensor and 2-inch touchscreen—make it a significant upgrade over the Pocket 2.

The Pocket 3 is an ideal camera for a wide range of users, from vloggers to professional videographers who need a compact B-camera for b-roll footage. The Creator Combo is the most recommended option due to the included accessories and the convenience it offers.