The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is my favorite gadget of 2023

We focus quite a bit on Android telephones right here at Android Authority. To cap off yearly, we hand out an Editor’s Selection award for what we expect is the most effective cellphone. We additionally run a multi-day occasion the place you choose the Reader’s Selection award winner. Nevertheless, 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 total gadget of the yr: the DJI Osmo Pocket 3.

After I say “favourite total 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 in regards to the Pixel 8 Professional and the Pixel Watch 2, each of which I purchased and love. The developments with foldable telephones had been fairly unbelievable, particularly with the shock smash hit within the OnePlus Open. I used to be additionally thrilled in regards to the ASUS Zenbook Professional 14 OLED, which has grow to be my favourite laptop computer. However none of these things solved a number of issues in my life, gave me way over I used to be anticipating, or made me really stay up for utilizing it day in and day trip. The Osmo Pocket 3 did, although.

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

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

The Osmo Pocket sequence has at all times been an anomaly available on the market. DJI and dozens of different firms make smartphone gimbals, for instance, which cowl lots of the similar bases because the Osmo Pocket sequence. Nevertheless, because of needing to assist a smartphone, gimbals are usually fairly massive, regardless of how arduous firms attempt to shrink them down. Moreover, gimbals have to work with each Android and iOS gadgets, which brings in quite a few compatibility points. This often contains, 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 gadget. 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 report both portrait or panorama footage. It additionally, for the primary time, has a 1-inch CMOS sensor. Whereas there are smartphones available on the market with 1-inch sensors, it’s extremely unlikely the individuals 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 very best situations.

There are a couple of different notable upgrades, together with its capacity 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).

For those who’ve been watching the Android Authority YouTube channel or testing our Instagram Story feed over the previous few months, you’ve probably seen me greater than normal. A part of the explanation I’ve been in a position to make extra movies is how straightforward it’s been to report them with the Pocket 3 when in comparison with the most effective digicam telephones or perhaps a conventional digicam. The Osmo Pocket 3 units up in seconds and can at all times report ultra-stable footage, whether or not I’m utilizing a tripod or holding it in my hand, permitting me to go from the concept stage to filming in a matter of seconds. It additionally received’t overheat on its highest settings, not like some telephones (cough Pixels cough).

Likewise, out of the field, the “Regular” setting works nice for just about each situation. Nevertheless, if I need to get specific, I can shoot in varied shade modes — together with D-Log, which permits for correct shade 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 could be up and capturing in a fraction of the time it could take me to take action with a conventional digicam.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo additionally comes with a wi-fi microphone. This robotically 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 may, 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 acquired the flexibility to report a “security” monitor 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 couple of weeks at CES 2024.

I do know I discussed that you simply don’t want a smartphone for the Pocket 3, however you’ll be able to wirelessly join your cellphone to it if you’d like. This offers you a wi-fi viewfinder, a further distant begin/cease button, and the flexibility to alter settings, framing, audio sources, and extra, all out of your cellphone. As soon as once more, this enables 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, once 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 — every part I would like matches 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 supply and is a large promoting level for a man whose backpack appears to get heavier every year.

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

Though DJI improved virtually each side of the Pocket 2 when it made the Pocket 3, it did really downgrade a couple of options. Most notably, it eliminated one of many exterior microphones, which suggests 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 need to shell out for the Combo (or prefers to not use the mic) will in all probability be disillusioned 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 is able to probably be a superb 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 resolution, the Pocket 2 will win on this regard.

The Mimo app additionally continues to be a headache. It’s not obtainable on the Play Retailer, which suggests that you must 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 do this too typically with wi-fi transfers to my cellphone, however once I do, I fumble with it for a couple of seconds each time. I hope DJI can repair this on the subsequent mannequin.

Lastly, the worth of the Pocket 3 jumped up — quite a bit. The usual version ($519 at Amazon) with out the wi-fi mic or different equipment is considerably greater than the same bundle 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 audience for this product is first-time digicam consumers, not execs. I hope DJI places this on sale typically.

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 obtainable 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 appears to be like shoddy. Regardless of how new or “professional” my cellphone is, the footage by no means appears to be like pretty much as good as I believe it is going to.

The Pocket 3 is the proper center floor for me. It’s easy sufficient that I solely have to run a couple 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 most important purpose 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 option to take pleasure in my work and be ok with what I do. For the primary time, I really feel like I could make video content material that received’t make me cringe once 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 won’t see any purpose to personal this, and for those who’re a seasoned videographer you probably received’t want one. However for anybody on the market who thinks the Pocket 3 may match effectively into their life in a roundabout way, heed my recommendation and get it. It was a game-changer for me and certain can be for you, too.