The DJI Pocket 3 simply turned my favourite digicam of 2024. It has unbelievable picture high quality, nice stabilization, and glorious audio choices, however what made this my favourite digicam truly didn’t should do with any of these. So, the query is: what makes the Pocket 3 so good, and is it price it in 2025?
By the way in which, this video isn’t sponsored by anyone. I bought this with my very own cash after my different one acquired destroyed as a result of it has been such a great tool for me over the past 12 months and a half—particularly for creating YouTube content material or simply capturing behind-the-scenes moments of shoots I’ve been on and stuff like that, which I’ll present you extra of right here in a minute. However first, we’re nearly to our vacation spot.
Energetic Observe: A Sport-Changer
Actually, one among my favourite options of the Pocket 3 is the Energetic Observe—the truth that I can have it monitor me round a scene like this and exhibit is de facto candy. Particularly should you work by your self and movie your self, it’s nearly like having someone who can movie you. That’s why I’ve been utilizing the Pocket 3 to movie a ton of my YouTube movies over the past 12 months and a half or so because it got here out—it simply made filming really easy. It’s not simply the truth that you need to use Energetic Observe, which is tremendous helpful, however you’ll be able to set it as much as monitor from one facet or the opposite or a selected space on the display screen to get the look that you really want. For instance, if you wish to lead one thing via a scene like this shot right here, it offers a bit extra weight to 1 facet or the opposite, which makes it look a bit higher than simply heart Energetic Observe like I’m proper now.
Even simply handheld, the Energetic Observe works extremely nicely as a result of it retains you within the body, and also you don’t actually have to fret about whether or not you’re holding it in the precise spot or turning it sufficient—it’s simply going to maintain you precisely the place you have to be within the body all the time. It takes a variety of work off you. Considered one of my favourite methods to make use of Energetic Observe is getting environmental scenic pictures of locations I’m strolling via—like this glacier right here or this one proper right here the place we’re proper now. By the way in which, that is the enterprise finish of a glacier, which implies that is the half that’s falling off because it strikes and flows downhill into water. Opposite to widespread perception, glaciers are all the time transferring—winter, summer time, it doesn’t matter—they’re all the time transferring. So, this may nonetheless have large items calve off whereas we’re right here. I wouldn’t get any nearer than the place I’m proper now; the truth is, this is likely to be just a bit too shut if a very giant piece comes off. In case you come out to a spot like this or get the possibility to go to a glacier feeding into water, don’t get too near the enterprise finish.
Area of View and Focus
One other factor I really like in regards to the Pocket 3 is the sector of view. You get this good 20mm subject of view—like proper now, about 3 ft away from the digicam—however you continue to get very nice environmental framing the place you’ll be able to see a variety of what’s happening round you, which is nice. The factor that makes the Pocket 3 seem like a way more costly digicam than it truly is, although, is that once I get shut, the background blurs out. You possibly can nonetheless see the background, however as a result of I’m in focus, it makes you deal with the topic—tremendous helpful. That’s a part of what makes the Pocket 3 such a terrific little digicam: it truly has this little focus system. If I’m standing farther away, every part’s in focus, and all of it appears good, however the nearer I get, the extra the background fades away and turns into a bit out of focus, which simply makes it look so significantly better than it ought to. That brings us to picture high quality.
Picture High quality of the DJI Pocket 3
Picture high quality is unbelievable for what it’s. You possibly can movie 4K as much as 120 frames per second in gradual movement; should you don’t need gradual movement, you’ll be able to movie 4K as much as 60 frames per second, which is tremendous helpful. It’s what I’ve been filming most of this video in as a result of it offers you actually, actually nice footage. The truth that it movies in 10-bit D-Log M offers you an enormous vary that you need to use to paint grade this digicam and make it match just about the rest you’re capturing with. Due to that, you may get actually nice, extremely wealthy, and daring colours out of this should you grade it nicely. If you would like one thing that’s very easy to grade, I do have a pack of LUTs that works rather well with the Pocket 3—they’re linked within the description.
That is the place we have to speak about dynamic vary. Whereas this digicam does have extremely good dynamic vary for what it’s, it’s nonetheless restricted—it’s a small sensor. However should you have a look at the shot right here, I’m strolling, and the digicam’s pointing straight on the solar. Straight out of the digicam, that is what it appears like—you possibly can expose it alternative ways should you needed to—however in publish, you’ll be able to convey the shadows or midtones up and make it look the way you need. Thus far, every part you’ve seen on this video has been recorded in D-Log M.
Curiously, shortly after launch, DJI added a traditional 10-bit possibility. That is regular 10-bit, which, should you don’t need to shade grade, appears nice—actually strong colours, very pure colours, a pleasant mix of contrasty and punchy, vibrant colours, however not excessive—very nice. If you wish to shoot in a better dynamic vary, that is HLG. Actually, I don’t see an enormous distinction between HLG and D-Log M, so I typically shoot in D-Log M, however should you’re somebody who likes to shoot in HLG, you’ve the choice.
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Stabilization
We’ll get into low mild in only a sec as a result of this digicam truly does very nicely in low mild, however earlier than we try this, we’ve to speak about stabilization. The way in which the Pocket 3 stabilizes—as a result of it has a bodily gimbal—means you get this actually extremely good, easy footage. This shot you’re seeing proper right here was me operating, holding the Pocket 3 behind John as he was biking. You possibly can see simply how secure it’s, which is insane as a result of I’m operating on ice, attempting to not fall, nevertheless it nonetheless offers you this superbly easy, extremely well-stabilized shot.
This comes into play while you’re working in low mild. A variety of motion cameras stabilize by analyzing the picture and utilizing gyro information, however this could result in bizarre blurry photographs or unusual actions and vibrations. The Pocket 3 will stabilize completely in low mild—it doesn’t matter—as a result of it has a gimbal. There may be one state of affairs the place this works towards the Pocket 3, although: in movement in automobiles. As a result of the Pocket 3 stabilizes based mostly on what the IMUs really feel—whether or not it’s being pulled left, proper, or straight up and down—it would are likely to drift by some means relying on what’s happening. So, should you’re driving in a automotive going round a nook, you’ll see the horizon begin to tilt by some means. It’s a minor inconvenience, however that’s the place motion cameras truly do some higher as a result of they’re bodily fastened cameras and don’t undergo from that very same drawback. Past that, the stabilization within the Pocket 3 is totally unbelievable for such a small digicam.
Stabilization is barely nearly as good as how nicely you maintain it, although. I’ve had lots of people ask me how I do away with the up-and-down movement, which you’ll be able to see a bit bit in my operating shot. The reply is: stroll softly as a lot as you’ll be able to, then maintain the Pocket 3 so you’ve some motion in your arm to counteract your movement. Attempt to maintain it as fluidly as doable so that you don’t get this as a lot, and also you get extra of a pleasant, easy shot.
Low Gentle Efficiency
Now for low mild—you need to be lifelike; that is nonetheless a small sensor digicam—however the Pocket 3 does rather well in low mild. Proper now, it’s fairly darn low mild in right here, and I’ve used this digicam approach past the place it in all probability ought to go. In case you set it at minus two sharpening and minus two noise discount, then sharpen and cut back noise in publish, you’ll be able to truly get some actually clear imagery all the way in which as much as about ISO 1600, possibly even 3200, relying on what you’re filming. The truth that this small digicam can provide you usable low mild in one thing like this—should you ever occur to be in a glacier ice cave or simply strolling across the streets at night time—is spectacular. For its measurement, the Pocket 3 has actually good low mild, largely because of that 1-inch sensor. How spectacular is that this ice cave? Additionally, it’s not the most secure one I’ve been in, so I believe possibly we should always exit.
Vertical Video
Now we have to speak about vertical video. I don’t shoot a variety of vertical video, however the Pocket 3 will shoot vertical video—like I’m doing proper now—the place it crops in on the sensor, providing you with a 3K picture, mainly as much as 60 frames per second. That’s a straightforward approach to shoot vertical; you don’t should mess with the gimbal in any respect. However you too can simply maintain the gimbal sideways, such as you see right here, and shoot vertical video that approach. There are a few benefits and drawbacks to doing that. The benefit is you get a wider subject of view—right here you’ll be able to see side-by-side the conventional vertical video, which is the cropped-in mode, and me holding the gimbal sideways. You possibly can see you get a a lot wider subject of view should you maintain the gimbal sideways. The draw back is that the gimbal’s meant to work in a sure orientation, so it doesn’t all the time do what you need while you’re holding it vertically. Methods to mitigate which might be to place it in observe mode and stuff like that, nevertheless it does shoot actually nice vertical video. After all, you’ll be able to Energetic Observe in vertical video mode and just about do every part else you’re doing in vertical video mode.
Audio Integration
Among the finest options of the Pocket 3 is the seamless integration with DJI’s microphones—the little wi-fi microphones they promote. In case you get the Creator Combo, you get the DJI Mic 2, however should you don’t need to spend that a lot, simply purchase a Mic Mini—they’re about 50 bucks. Proper now, you’re listening to the DJI Mic 2; I’m a pair hundred ft away with a lapel plugged in and sitting simply inside my hat right here. Among the finest issues they added was a Firmware Replace that allowed you to additionally report the inner mics on the similar time, which is what you’re listening to proper now. Now I’m again to the lapel mic and a mixture of the opposite audio as nicely. The very best factor I discovered this was set as much as be was a backup recording—so if one thing occurred, just like the DJI Mic battery died or one thing, you’d nonetheless have a recording. However I discovered it actually helpful for environmental noise. In case you simply need to get some good noise that feels like what it’s—like for ASMR-type movies or one thing—then this actually isn’t a nasty deal. Having good, clear, clear audio it doesn’t matter what with the DJI Mic 2, no matter how shut or distant from the digicam you might be, actually makes this a great tool. It’s just about all I’ve been utilizing to report most of my YouTube movies outdoor as a result of it’s such a terrific system and offers you such nice, clear audio whatever the wind or different situations I’m in.
Hey, should you’re having fun with or getting worth from this video, then take into account subscribing. I take a look at and examine filmmaking gear in probably the most rugged, real-world situations I can discover right here in Alaska, the place I stay, and I provide you with suggestions and tutorials on the best way to use it.
Photographs, Battery Life, and Sturdiness
Whereas this isn’t actually a photograph digicam—it solely takes 9-megapixel stills as a result of it’s a 1-inch sensor—these 9 megapixels are in all probability why you get such good low mild efficiency. The Pocket 3 does take fairly good pictures, they usually’re greater than sufficient for sharing on social media. All these pictures have been taken with the Pocket 3, and yeah, your cellphone will in all probability take higher pictures now as a result of you probably have a more moderen cellphone, all of them do. However the pictures popping out of the Pocket 3 are literally very nice. You are able to do these 180° panos and ultra-wide pictures, that are actually enjoyable while you’re in a spot like an ice cave and need to make it look actually large and vast. These ultra-wide pictures actually do come via, and the panos additionally look actually strong. They’re one among my favourite methods to do it since you get this tremendous superb, enormous subject of view utilizing the Pocket 3. It stitches them collectively for you, places them on the market, and then you definately’re good to go. Whereas I wouldn’t advocate this digicam should you’re going to do a variety of photograph work—I’d advocate one thing else—it does take good pictures.
That brings us to battery life and sturdiness. The Pocket 3 is far more sturdy than I first thought it was going to be. When DJI despatched me the unique one, I took mine into well-below-zero temperatures—it fell over a bunch, acquired moist inside glacier ice caves, acquired rained on and snowed on. Lastly, what messed it up was a shoot I used to be doing for Caterpillar—we have been utilizing it as an angle to seize these glass panes, and once they broke, all of the tempered glass hit it and mainly tousled the main focus system so it wouldn’t focus at infinity. I’m amazed at how a lot use my Pocket 3 acquired—it actually went in all places with me, in all probability flew one thing like 100,000 air miles, and withstood just about every part I threw at it and simply stored going, which is superb for a bit tiny gimbal digicam. It actually might deal with some critical abuse. That’s to not say that should you get it rained on in simply the precise spot, it wouldn’t completely cease working—it completely might. It’s digital, it’s a gimbal, it’s fragile—you need to watch out—however mine withstood loads.
As for battery life, it’s very subjective relying on what you’re doing with it—the body charges you’re filming in, how onerous the gimbal is working, how chilly it’s exterior (proper now it’s single-digit temperatures, so I’m not getting nice battery life). That being stated, I ran just about every part as much as just some minutes in the past on one battery deal with extension. Getting a few hours off the battery and the battery deal with extension works rather well—it would maintain the digicam battery charged and deplete the battery deal with first, then the digicam battery will begin to discharge. The cool factor is that you could additionally recharge the entire system quickly—as much as 80% in like 15 or 20 minutes (I don’t keep in mind precisely, however I’ll put it on the display screen right here)—so you may get again up and operating actually fast. I’ve acquired a USB energy financial institution in right here, and I simply plug the battery deal with in and get it charging with out it being connected to the digicam—it would cost all by itself. Tremendous good. Usually, once I exit and do stuff like this, except it’s tremendous chilly like it’s proper now, I simply run with one battery extension deal with, and that’s greater than sufficient for me to get every part I have to movie a whole YouTube video all through most of a day of mountaineering and operating round.
What Drives Me Loopy
You is likely to be considering the Pocket 3 may be very close to the right digicam—and it’s actually good—however there are some things that drive me loopy about it, and I need to be sure you’re conscious of these so should you’re seeking to purchase this digicam in 2025, you can also make up your thoughts. One is the main focus system—it’s not a monitoring focus system, so it simply form of goes based mostly on no matter’s in entrance of it, and it’s additionally very fast and jerky. I want there was a approach to gradual it down and have it’s a bit smoother in the way in which it goes from far focus to close focus. That’s fairly minor, and as long as you’ve someone or one thing within the body the place it needs to be towards the middle, you truly do get a very nice, managed focus—it’s just a bit quicker than I’d like.
The opposite factor that drives me loopy is that this message while you’re utilizing the transmitter—it stays on the display screen perpetually. I want it was like one or two seconds, and that’s it—that’s all I have to know the mic is linked. I don’t want a full 7 or 8 seconds of it telling me it’s linked. Whereas you are able to do a 2x zoom in-camera and it truly appears fairly first rate—mainly indistinguishable from me cropping in two instances in publish—nonetheless DJI is doing that, they’re doing a very good job. However I do want there was a approach to have extra highly effective focal lengths accessible. Possibly that’ll come within the Pocket 4—that might be actually cool if there was one thing like a 40 to 50mm focal size after which the 20mm.
Is It Value It in 2025?
So, is the DJI Pocket 3 price it in 2025? Sure, and right here’s why. Past every part I’ve proven you on this video, what makes this digicam so superb and unbelievable is the truth that it’s tremendous straightforward to make use of. That is precisely how I’ve been utilizing it for the final 12 months: pull it out, flip it on, and begin filming—no ND Filters, no nothing particular, no something I have to do. There are nice setup and tutorial movies about the best way to get probably the most out of this—lock your publicity, lock your white stability (which I didn’t even do in a few of this video)—however this digicam is simply one of many best cameras to run round, movie with, and get great-looking footage. With the ability to do all the opposite stuff I confirmed you on this video is de facto only a bonus.
In case you’re interested by choosing one up, there are hyperlinks within the description—they’re affiliate hyperlinks that assist me do what I do as a result of, like I stated, this video isn’t sponsored. There are another hyperlinks down there of different merchandise I exploit that you could try as nicely. Subsequent, you’re going to need to watch this video proper right here, which exhibits how the Pocket 3 and an Motion 5 examine to one another. I’ll see you over there. As all the time, you probably have questions, ask me within the feedback beneath or be a part of my livestream, which occurs most Wednesday nights at 4:00 p.m. Alaska time, 8:00 p.m. Japanese—no less than if I’m not out in a spot like this the place there’s no cellphone service. I’ll see you once more quickly within the subsequent one—simply acquired a fast three miles again.
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