The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is my favourite gadget of 2023

We focus lots on Android telephones right here at Android Authority. To cap off yearly, we hand out an Editor’s Alternative award for what we expect is the perfect cellphone. We additionally run a multi-day occasion the place you decide the Reader’s Alternative award winner. Nonetheless, we don’t do some of these occasions for all of the product classes we cowl, which left me nowhere to speak about my private favourite general gadget of the yr: the DJI Osmo Pocket 3.

After I say “favourite general gadget,” I imply it. Nothing else has launched this yr that’s excited me as a lot because the Osmo Pocket 3. Positive, I used to be pumped concerning the Pixel 8 Professional and the Pixel Watch 2, each of which I purchased and love. The developments with foldable telephones have been fairly unbelievable, particularly with the shock smash hit within the OnePlus Open. I used to be additionally thrilled concerning the ASUS Zenbook Professional 14 OLED, which has turn out to be my favourite laptop computer. However none of this stuff solved a number of issues in my life, gave me excess of I used to be anticipating, or made me really stay up for utilizing it day in and time out. The Osmo Pocket 3 did, although.

In fact, no machine is ever good, and the Pocket 3 might use a number of tweaks. However if you wish to know why I like this factor a lot, let me inform you all about it!

Like the 2 fashions earlier than it, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a three-axis stabilized digicam that actually suits in your pocket. It lets you shortly file easy video even whilst you or your topic are shifting.

The Osmo Pocket sequence has at all times been an anomaly in the marketplace. DJI and dozens of different firms make smartphone gimbals, for instance, which cowl lots of the similar bases because the Osmo Pocket sequence. Nonetheless, because of needing to assist a smartphone, gimbals are typically fairly giant, irrespective of how onerous firms attempt to shrink them down. Moreover, gimbals have to work with each Android and iOS units, which brings in quite a few compatibility points. This often consists of, sadly, sure options that solely work on iPhones.

The Osmo Pocket sequence, although, does away with most of those issues as a result of it’s a self-contained machine. It may be a lot smaller than a conventional smartphone gimbal with far fewer compatibility limitations since you don’t have to snap a cellphone into it.

As with all new gadget mannequin, the Pocket 3 introduces quite a few new capabilities, most notably a a lot bigger touchscreen show that may flip to file both portrait or panorama footage. It additionally, for the primary time, has a 1-inch CMOS sensor. Whereas there are smartphones in the marketplace with 1-inch sensors, it’s extremely unlikely the folks studying this personal one. Even the mighty Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely doesn’t have a 1-inch sensor. This helps the Osmo Pocket 3 not solely match the standard of many smartphone cameras however even surpass them below supreme circumstances.

There are a number of different notable upgrades, together with its means to behave as a webcam, a a lot bigger battery, and assist for 512GB microSD playing cards (the Pocket 2 might solely go as excessive as 256GB).

When you’ve been watching the Android Authority YouTube channel or trying out our Instagram Story feed over the previous few months, you’ve doubtless seen me greater than common. A part of the rationale I’ve been in a position to make extra movies is how simple it’s been to file them with the Pocket 3 when in comparison with the perfect digicam telephones or perhaps a conventional digicam. The Osmo Pocket 3 units up in seconds and can at all times file ultra-stable footage, whether or not I’m utilizing a tripod or holding it in my hand, permitting me to go from the thought stage to filming in a matter of seconds. It additionally gained’t overheat on its highest settings, in contrast to some telephones (cough Pixels cough).

Likewise, out of the field, the “Regular” setting works nice for just about each situation. Nonetheless, if I wish to get explicit, I can shoot in numerous colour modes — together with D-Log, which permits for correct colour correction in put up — and even management issues like shutter pace, white steadiness, and extra. It’s really easy to dial in these settings that I will be up and capturing in a fraction of the time it might take me to take action with a conventional digicam.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo additionally comes with a wi-fi microphone. This routinely connects to the Pocket 3 as quickly as you flip it on. With this, I’m in a position to get terrific audio, which is equally as essential because the video itself. I also can, crucially, begin/cease recording from the wi-fi mic, permitting me to set the Pocket 3 up after which not contact it till I’m able to pack up. With a latest software program replace, the Pocket 3 additionally bought the flexibility to file a “security” observe from the digicam, giving me two sources of audio recordings simply in case the wi-fi mic fails. That is invaluable for fast-paced recording conditions, the likes of which I’ll be going through in a number of weeks at CES 2024.

I do know I discussed that you just don’t want a smartphone for the Pocket 3, however you’ll be able to wirelessly join your cellphone to it if you need. This offers you a wi-fi viewfinder, a further distant begin/cease button, and the flexibility to vary settings, framing, audio sources, and extra, all out of your cellphone. As soon as once more, this permits me to arrange the Pocket 3, put myself in place, after which not want to maneuver from that spot till recording is full. What’s extra, after I’m completed, I can wirelessly export the recorded footage at full high quality straight to my cellphone. It’s quick, too, with the switch of a one-minute clip at 4K/60 taking about 10 seconds.

Lastly — and I can’t overstate this half sufficient — the whole lot I would like suits into the tiny little bag you see within the picture above. Altogether, the bag weighs 510g, or a bit of over a pound. That is one thing {that a} conventional digicam simply can’t provide and is a large promoting level for a man whose backpack appears to get heavier every year.

As a lot as I adore it, although, there’s nonetheless loads of room for the inevitable Osmo Pocket 4 to up the ante.

Though DJI improved nearly each aspect of the Pocket 2 when it made the Pocket 3, it did really downgrade a number of options. Most notably, it eliminated one of many exterior microphones, which implies the Pocket 3 has three mics to the Pocket 2’s 4. The wi-fi mic within the Creator Combo makes up for this in my eyes, however anybody who doesn’t wish to shell out for the Combo (or prefers to not use the mic) will in all probability be dissatisfied with this modification.

Regardless of how small and lightweight the Pocket 3 is, it’s really considerably heavier than the Pocket 2. At 179g, the Pocket 3 is about 35% heavier than the 117g Pocket 2. Clearly, the larger battery is an element right here, which can doubtless be trade-off for most individuals (I do know it’s for me). But when low weight is a very powerful factor you’re factoring into your shopping for determination, the Pocket 2 will win on this regard.

The Mimo app additionally continues to be a headache. It’s not out there on the Play Retailer, which implies you’ll want to sideload it. Updating the firmware for the Pocket 3 and its equipment can also be not tremendous easy.

This can be a minor quibble, however the microSD card slot might use a redesign. Getting the cardboard out and in of the Pocket 3 is an actual ache (see picture above). Fortunately, I don’t want to try this too usually with wi-fi transfers to my cellphone, however after I do, I fumble with it for a number of seconds each time. I hope DJI can repair this on the following mannequin.

Lastly, the worth of the Pocket 3 jumped up — lots. The usual version ($519 at Amazon) with out the wi-fi mic or different equipment is considerably greater than the same package deal for the Pocket 2 ($349 at Amazon). The Creator Combo ($669 at Amazon) bumps that up much more. These costs are notably off-putting, contemplating the target market for this product is first-time digicam patrons, not professionals. I hope DJI places this on sale usually.

Earlier than utilizing the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, I dreaded making video content material. Conventional cameras have so many knobs and tweaks you can also make, to say nothing of all of the out there lenses. I at all times felt overwhelmed and, frankly, dumb. Filming with one simply by no means felt pure. Likewise, filming with my smartphone at all times seems to be shoddy. Irrespective of how new or “professional” my cellphone is, the footage by no means seems to be pretty much as good as I believe it’s going to.

The Pocket 3 is the right center floor for me. It’s easy sufficient that I solely have to run a number of tweaks, if any in any respect, to get what I would like. Concurrently, it’s skilled sufficient that the standard that comes out of it makes me really feel assured about what I’m creating. It makes what was a nerve-racking course of into one thing extra akin to enjoyable (it’s nonetheless work, although).

That is the largest motive the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is my favourite gadget of the yr. It’s made my life higher. It’s given me a brand new solution to get pleasure from my work and be ok with what I do. For the primary time, I really feel like I could make video content material that gained’t make me cringe after I play it again. No different gadget has made me really feel this manner this yr — or any latest yr, the truth is.

I perceive that this can be a area of interest product. Individuals outdoors my line of labor may not see any motive to personal this, and should you’re a seasoned videographer you doubtless gained’t want one. However for anybody on the market who thinks the Pocket 3 may match properly into their life ultimately, heed my recommendation and get it. It was a game-changer for me and sure will probably be for you, too.