After two years with the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, I'm convinced this will be remembered as a legendary camera—one that fundamentally changed what's possible in a pocket-sized package. Every time I review footage, I'm genuinely amazed at how smooth and cinematic the shots look. That's almost entirely thanks to the built-in stabilization system.
This isn't sponsored content. I bought this camera with my own money, used it exclusively for personal projects over two years, and I'm sharing real experiences—the good, the limitations, and everything between.
Why the Osmo Pocket 3 Feels Like Cheating
Every camera has trade-offs. For video-first creators, stabilization is usually the main compromise. The Pocket 3 eliminates that problem completely.
The gimbal stabilization produces footage that looks like it was shot on cinema equipment. I've captured tracking shots, crane movements, and handheld sequences that would typically require thousands of dollars in gear. Instead, it's all happening in a device that fits in my palm.
Two Years of Real-World Testing
I've owned this camera since early 2024, and here's what matters: zero frame drops, zero corrupted files, zero overheating issues. It has never shut down on me for any reason during extended recording sessions.
Reliability matters more than specs. After two years of heavy use, the Pocket 3 simply works every single time.
I know people worry about its delicate nature. I've dropped it several times—once from waist height onto carpet, another time while shooting a piano tracking shot when I didn't secure it properly to my pole rig. Both times, I panicked. Both times, everything kept working perfectly.
The Screen Upgrade Nobody Talks About Enough
Coming from the original Osmo Pocket with its tiny screen, then renting the Pocket 2, I immediately recognized how transformative the larger flip screen is on the Pocket 3.
It's not just bigger—it flips horizontally for proper landscape monitoring. The brightness and touch sensitivity improved dramatically over previous versions. While it doesn't match iPhone-level responsiveness (I often need multiple swipes before the Pocket 3 recognizes my input), carrying a microfiber cloth solves most sensitivity issues.
This represents a solid workaround, but better touch sensitivity would be welcome in the Pocket 4.
Form Factor That Actually Matters
The design brilliance becomes obvious when you're in the field. It's infinitely easier to carry than full-size cameras because you only need one hand. You can hold it vertically while still shooting horizontally.
It's remarkable that something this small produces such high-quality video. The camera shoots native vertical 3K, but here's the trick: turn the Pocket 3 sideways, power it on, and it automatically switches to vertical 4K 24fps. You can see it rotate on the screen.
Getting Shots Impossible with Traditional Cameras
One of my favorite uses involves capturing difficult angles that would never work with larger cameras like the Sony a6700 or a7S III.
I assembled an extension pole with a boom arm (originally used as a microphone stand) and attached accessories that let me not only view the Pocket 3 screen through the Mimo app, but also extend the camera 12-16 feet in the air depending on your height.
I'll link all the accessories I used in the description for anyone wanting to build something similar, but it genuinely helps you capture incredible shots.
The boom arm technique works brilliantly for high shots that simulate drone footage, but also for clearing obstacles like ledges. I captured a shot eight floors up looking down using this pole acrobatics setup. While there, I also used the pole for gorgeous staircase dolly shots that had amazing effect.
360-Degree Spins and Creative Movements
The smart rotation shot mode will rotate the camera 90 or 180 degrees. For full 360-degree spins, you'll need to do it manually and try to be as smooth as possible.
But when you execute shots like these using accessories with the Pocket 3, you can genuinely make your videos more cinematic—things you'd see in actual films.
Hyperlapse and Timelapse Mastery
I've used the Pocket 3 extensively as a hyperlapse camera. When you shoot timelapses correctly, they create truly remarkable effects in edits.
There are several different ways to capture hyperlapse videos. You can use the actual hyperlapse mode inside the Pocket 3, or you can use video mode. I explain in detail how I shoot hyperlapses, timelapses, and motion timelapse videos in my course—I could make an entire video on that topic alone.
While all the timelapse modes are easy and straightforward to use, there are specific things you must do correctly for timelapse videos to look 100% perfect.
Among all the cameras I've ever owned, the Pocket 3 is definitely the easiest to use—whether you're a beginner or someone experienced who wants gorgeous-looking timelapse videos.
One great feature: after capturing timelapse videos, the Pocket 3 will stitch them together so you can see how they look in post-production immediately, or transfer the file to your phone (which I've done in the past) to easily add it to whatever you're editing.
Mastering Different Lighting Conditions
I've shot in all types of lighting environments with the Pocket 3, and I'm extremely confident knowing exactly how to expose this camera for the best visual performance in different lighting scenarios.
I've used ND filters during outdoor shooting, but only when it's extremely bright outside. There's a threshold to consider when using ND filters—when to use them and when not to.
I don't think you should just throw on ND filters because it's bright outside. Certain thresholds must be met before using ND filters, because ND filters will saturate your image. Your sky becomes bluer, grass looks greener, and reds appear more red.
If you're not using any filter at all, I'm a proponent of taking shutter speed higher to a certain point before throwing on an ND filter. There's a fine line determining where you can get shutter speed to a point where it won't look overly digital, and where you just need to wear an ND filter.
I also cover everything about this in great detail in my course, but this is just an overview.
Slow Motion That Actually Looks Good
I've done lots of great-looking slow motion shots at 1080p 240fps and 4K 120fps. The 4K 120fps looks significantly better than 1080p 240fps. But 240fps slow motion looks genuinely good as long as the subject is properly lit.
I completely believe you can shoot 1080p 240fps then upscale that to 4K in post-production for a 4K file.
The Playback Advantage
Something brilliant about slow motion mode in the Pocket 3: when you play it back, it actually plays in slow motion. With 4K 120fps on other cameras, you need to manually slow it down in post-production.
I can watch that slow motion shot directly from the screen and playback mode on the Pocket 3. The same applies to 1080p 240fps—it displays the scene in slow motion so you can see what it truly looks like while in the field, making sure everything is sharp.
I've noticed that at 1080p 240fps, things tend to not be quite as fast when it comes to autofocus—maybe not quick enough, or maybe the resolution isn't sufficient where it doesn't recognize focus well. You need to make sure your focus is locked before hitting the record button when shooting 1080p 240fps.
The Workflow Limitation
The only downside: you can't shoot slow motion while in video mode. You need to actually switch modes to slow motion, which is an extra step in my workflow. I wish you could do everything from one video mode, but maybe that's something we'll see in the Pocket 4.
Important reminder when shooting slow motion with the Pocket 3: make sure shutter speeds are correct. Just follow the 180-degree shutter rule and you're good to go.
That said, I won't use 1080p 240fps in low light because I tried it and it's extremely noisy. You need ideal lighting if I'm going to 1080p 240fps.
Vlogging and Face Tracking
I've used the Osmo Pocket 3 as a dedicated vlogging camera. It has several different modes including automatic face detection and face tracking. But using these modes consumes more battery power.
I prefer using follow mode because it gives me more control over where the camera is pointed and uses less battery power.
10-Bit Performance in Controlled Lighting
Because it's a 10-bit camera, it performs exceptionally well in low-light environments and controlled lighting situations. I definitely use this as an overhead camera for product shots as long as my subject is properly lit and I keep ISO below 800—typically 400 or below—and my footage looks absolutely gorgeous with minimal noise in the shadows.
If you're a YouTuber or someone shooting overhead product shots, the Osmo Pocket 3 is excellent for that, primarily due to image quality.
I could clearly notice the difference when comparing the Osmo Pocket 3 to 8-bit cameras like the ZV-E10, ZV-1, and Pocket 2. The Osmo Pocket 3 consistently outperformed those cameras, especially in controlled lighting environments when I had to raise ISO.
Green Screen Keying Advantage
Another great benefit of being a 10-bit camera: you can do genuinely good-looking green screen work as long as your green screen is evenly lit.
Typically, when shooting green screens with 8-bit cameras, you can almost see green spilling around the subject in the green screen, whereas with a 10-bit camera, there's so much data that you don't get as much green spilling onto your subject.
Low-Angle Shooting Challenges (And Solutions)
One difficult thing when shooting with the Pocket 3 in the field: capturing low-angle shots is extremely hard. It's difficult to see the screen because it doesn't tilt at all.
That's when I'd pull out the Mimo app on my phone to capture those low-angle shots—not only to see the screen on my phone, but also to make sure my frame is correct and I'm not under or overexposed.
The Mimo app has been incredibly helpful for me in those hard-to-reach places where I can't see the display clearly. But it also has two extremely important tools you don't get natively inside the Osmo Pocket 3: zebras (also known as overexposure alert) and histogram.
These tools make it easier to expose my image to make sure nothing is overexposed. I like to expose for highlights, so I can easily see how the image looks and adjust using exposure settings inside the app rather than trying to eyeball it on the Pocket 3 display.
Color Profiles: D-Log M vs Normal vs HLG
I've shot extensively with the three different color profiles—D-Log M, HLG, and Normal color profile. All three have their advantages and disadvantages.
I don't mean to keep directing you back to the course, but I'll cover all three of those color profiles intensively, and I could produce an entire video series about color profiles using the Pocket 3 on when and when not to use each of them.
My Personal Preference
In short, I prefer shooting in D-Log M so I can color match with other cameras I'm using shooting in the same scene, rather than shooting in normal color profile where my colors are baked into the components.
That's only if I'm shooting with two or three cameras. If I'm using only the Pocket 3 for shooting, normal color profile is perfect for me 90% of the time.
HLG is an option, but it comes with some caveats you also need to be aware of before going out and shooting a full day with it—mainly what you plan to export your video to and whether it's an HDR screen or not.
Photography Capabilities: The 9MP Reality
I know it's a 9-megapixel camera, but when you expose it correctly, you can get genuinely good-looking still images. I'm not going to resize any of these shots in post-production—you need to make sure your frame is correct because it's only 9 megapixels.
But I find when I expose and make light reflect off my subject properly, I've gotten some great shots.
My Photography Approach
My favorite style when it comes to photography with the Pocket 3: underexpose by one full stop as long as we're not in extremely low-light environments.
I actually did a sharpness test using the Pocket 3 when it comes to photography. See how the image gets fuzzier the more you expand the scale. As you can see now, the more you zoom in, the more pixelation gets visible—that's proof of 9 megapixels.
That's why I say make sure you get your frame and exposure correct before you take your shot because you won't have the ability to do much in post-production. But as long as you follow these two steps, you'll get genuinely great shots.
While doing this, I also shot some panoramic images, which were extremely easy to use and had wonderful results. I highly recommend using panorama mode if you're a real estate photographer and want to make your spaces look more expansive.
Technical Performance: The Numbers That Matter
If you're interested in the different tests I conducted, I'll post them on screen now, but basically I calculated the amount of shooting time you'll get with a 64GB memory card when completely empty.
Then you can go from there to determine how much shooting time you'll get with whatever card you have. For example, if you have a 128GB memory card, then double that time.
Temperature and Battery Performance
Regarding temperature, I recorded at 4K 60fps and checked temperature periodically throughout up to 45 minutes. Interestingly, temperature rose fairly quickly but reached a certain point where it leveled off. Maybe that's why it never overheated on me. I don't know why this happens, but I thought it was pretty cool.
I also tested battery drain speed in a studio environment like this where I'm just pressing the record button and letting it run. And also when I was outside shooting with it in the field, I got about three-quarters of a day primarily at 4K 60fps without using any smart auto-drive modes.
That's pretty good compared to other cameras I've used in the past. It lasts significantly longer than I'm typically used to.
The 21-Minute Charging Miracle
You can't change the battery in the Pocket 3, but you can attach an extra battery pack included with the Creator Combo, or you can purchase this product separately from Amazon and it will fill your battery approximately 60%.
But the real benefit of the Pocket 3 when you plug it into the USB-C charging port: it charges from zero to 100% in 21 minutes. That's insane considering how long the battery actually lasts while shooting outside with it.
In 21 minutes, that gives me about three-quarters of a day. I can't think of another battery use that gives me this much shooting time. It's a game-changer for run-and-gun work.
Audio Solutions: From Basic to Professional
The native audio coming out of the Osmo Pocket 3 isn't anything special. But if you connect USB-C headphones to the Pocket 3, you'll not only get better audio, but you'll also be able to monitor audio on the screen.
That little bar up top will tell you whether you're peaking or whether you're talking too loud, or maybe you should move the microphone away from your mouth because you keep hitting red. So you can actually monitor your audio.
I thought that was pretty cool. If you're trying to save some money and can't purchase the Creator Combo or DJI Mic 2 and you're doing some vlogging, just get headphones like these for $20 on Amazon.
The Creator Combo Advantage
When I bought the Creator Combo, it comes with the DJI Mic 2 that provides wonderful audio, and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to create vlogs. If you're going to be beyond just arm's reach, definitely get the Creator Combo because I think it's worth its value.
Another reason the Creator Combo is good: it comes with that extra battery we talked about, and it includes a slightly wide-angle lens. The wide-angle lens gives you a slight fisheye look to the frame but still widens your shots, and I think if you're a real estate shooter, you should definitely get that little wide-angle lens because it will make your real estate footage look wider.
Who Should Buy the Osmo Pocket 3?
Perfect for:
- Vloggers who need reliable face tracking
- Travel creators who want cinema-quality without bulk
- Real estate photographers/videographers
- Content creators shooting solo without crew
- Anyone wanting gimbal stabilization without carrying a gimbal
- Beginners learning video fundamentals
- Experienced creators wanting a reliable B-cam or BTS camera
Consider alternatives if:
- You need professional audio without accessories
- Photography is your primary focus (9MP limitation)
- You require extensive manual control beyond the app
- Your editing setup can't handle 4K 120fps 10-bit footage
The Editing Consideration Nobody Mentions
Before buying the Pocket 3 and going out shooting all day at 4K 120fps or 4K 60fps 10-bit, make sure your editing rig can handle those files.
I have an iMac Studio, but I know for certain if I were editing this footage on my 2019 iMac, it wouldn't be able to handle those files and I'd need to create proxies for it.
Creating proxies isn't difficult now and you can do it, but it's an extra step in your workflow and something you don't want to face when you go to edit your footage and weren't expecting it.
That's why I cover shooting 1080p because it's extremely important for many people who want to shoot 1080p because that's all their editing rigs can handle. Then they might upscale the image to 4K on export.
But the fact that it can shoot 4K 120fps and 10-bit color depth is absolutely incredible for the size and form factor. You'll get significantly better dynamic range than you would with previous versions of Osmo Pocket cameras and smaller sensors like those in iPhones.
Final Verdict: A Camera I'll Keep Forever
This is my review of the Pocket 3. I love this camera. I think it's amazing. I think it's great for beginners. I think it's great for experts, people who want to get BTS footage, or people who want to use this as their main camera.
Whatever you're doing, this Pocket 3 is something I love. I'll keep it in my camera bag permanently, and I'd encourage you to take my course so you can learn more about it because the more I learned about it, the more I loved it.
After two years of ownership, zero regrets. The Osmo Pocket 3 delivers cinema-quality footage in a package that disappears into your pocket. That combination of portability, reliability, and image quality doesn't exist anywhere else at this price point.
Years from now, after the Pocket 4, 5, and 6 emerge, people will remember the Pocket 3 as the camera that changed everything. The one that proved you don't need thousands of dollars in gear to create professional content.
Sometimes the best tool isn't the biggest or most expensive. Sometimes it's just the one that works every single time, fits in your palm, and inspires you to go shoot instead of making excuses.
That's the Osmo Pocket 3 for me.
Have you used the Osmo Pocket 3? What's been your experience with gimbal cameras versus traditional setups? Share your thoughts below—I'd love to hear what's working for your content creation workflow.