Compact and handheld, the Osmo Pocket 3 initially doesn't look so sophisticated. In fact, its build looks more like a concealed weapon, and in the right photographer's or videographer's hands, it is sure to be incredibly lethal (at least in regards to the quality of taken shots). I've had the Osmo Pocket 3 now for going on three weeks, and in that time it has proven itself as one of the very best handheld vlogging cameras on the market.
Leveraging a powerful 1-inch CMOS camera sensor in tandem with a sophisticated gimbal, the Osmo Pocket 3 allows for a wide range of varied photography and videography. My initial thoughts when first testing the device were its superiority for such events as CES, auto or boat shows, and even music performances. The impeccable camera range on top of the smooth and immediate control one has with its gimbal makes for a powerful combo that is currently unmatched.
The Osmo Pocket 3's gimbal can hit pans of up to negative 235 degrees to 58 degrees, tilts of up to negative 120 degrees to 70 degrees, and rolls of up to negative 45 degrees and 45 degrees, allowing users to reach the most ample angles and viewing positions as is possible. When viewing video, the camera remains stable as can be, keeping whatever you want as the focus in focus no matter where you move.
The device also comes equipped with three main modes: Spin Shot, Dynamic Framing, and Face auto-detect. The latter I found to be a bit finicky sometimes, as it wouldn't remain on my face if the camera moved out of position too much, despite having a gimbal, but I found Dynamic Framing to be the best of the bunch. Spin shot, for me, seemed more like an interesting way to invigorate transitions if need be, but you won't exactly be using it as often as Dynamic Framing.
Even in darker settings, the Pocket 3 shines with incredible quality and imagery. I took a darkly-lit shot of the NYC skyline by the Light rail station in Hoboken and it came out beautifully, even despite my little to no knowledge of photography on the whole. Users can capture photos in both 16:9 or 1:1, and videos in 1080p 60fps, 2.7k 60fps, or 4K 60 fps.
The Osmo Pocket 3 comes equipped with a handy 2-inch touchscreen at a 314 x 556 resolution, which can easily swivel from vertical to landscape on the fly, making mobile-based content creation a breeze for those who may want a more powerful option for Snapchat, TikTok, and/or YouTube Shorts. At the 9:16 scale, creators can take video at 3K resolution 60 fps, 2.7K 60fps, and 1080p 60fps (and anything below that 60 fps threshold).
Having that functionality of easily switching to a 9:16 ratio, in addition to all of its potential for filmmaking alone when it comes to specific FPS counts and its gimbal, makes the Pocket 3 a stellar companion for any creator. It can also be connected to a PC or laptop and used as a webcam quite simply, giving it an unrivaled edge for potential streaming and at-home content creation, as well.
Using the gimbal is quite easy, too. There are a select number of easy gimbal management systems, like a triple press on the analog stick for rotations, and a double click for precise centering. These can be done on the fly and while recording, which can make for some awesome creative purposes.
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The Pocket 3 can also take some awesome timelapse and hyperlapse videos mostly at or around 3ofps and up to 4K resolution. There's also motion lapse potential, which supports four positions, allowing a breadth of potential for creators of all kinds. Sound quality is also quite amazing, thanks in large part to the three microphones on the device.
I never ran into any issues when it comes to battery life, but one thing to note is that the battery can sometimes deplete even when turned off. The firm advertises that the Pocket 3's 1300 mAh battery has an operation time of 166 minutes depending on temperature and mode of use. For the most part, the Pocket 3 stayed well-equipped for shooting battery-wise for a good four-hour window.
DJI sent me the full Creator kit, which is quite possibly the best bundle on the market. In it, you get the DJI Mic 2 transmitter for impeccable sound quality when speaking to the camera, an attachable wide-angle lens, a mini tripod, a battery handle for even more longevity on shoots, and a nice carrying bag (which I found to be quite handy, but is hard to fit everything inside).
It's hard to find any real disadvantages to the Osmo Pocket 3, as it really does check all the boxes. One thing I think that could be an issue is its build design, as you could be stopped potentially at the airport or otherwise by someone thinking the camera is a weapon. Regular firmware updates will also keep the device well-situated in the software category, ensuring that it remains in working order.
I'd also like to see some better ways to protect the gimbal or even the camera lens when it's not in use. It does come with a handy cover that keeps the screen relatively safe, but when setting the camera down in really any scenario, you're left leaving the gimbal and camera lens in a precarious situation. Just be smart about where you're setting the Pocket 3 down and ensure the lens is safe from any harmful surfaces.
I can't stress enough how much I love this thing and will definitely be buying one myself. The Pocket 3 offers loads and loads of potential not just for the everyday content creator, but also videographers, journalists, real estate agents, and so much more. As I said earlier, this will be a major tool for those looking to get the absolute best shots and videos amid events like CES, where products, cars, and the like can be shown with ample fluidity and clarity.
Thus, here at Tech Times, we are awarding the Osmo Pocket 3 by DJI a 10 out of 10 for its impeccable build quality and immense potential across the board. There are definitely some things DJI can do to make this device even more special, but as it stands now the Pocket 3 is a camera worthy of any videographer's toolset.
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