2 Years with the DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Why it’s still in my pocket everywhere I go
I bought the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 back in 2024 before heading out to travel around Asia.
At the time, I wasn’t looking for the “best” camera. I just wanted something that made filming easier. Something I’d actually use day to day without thinking about it too much.
Two years later, not much has changed.
I’m still travelling.
Still filming on the go.
And I’m still using the Pocket 3 for exactly the same reason.
That’s probably the clearest sign it got something right.
It took away the friction
Most cameras come with decisions.
What lens.
Do I need a gimbal.
Is it worth setting this up right now.
The Pocket 3 removed all of that.
You open it, it powers on, and you’re shooting stable footage straight away thanks to the built-in 3-axis gimbal and fast focusing system
That sounds simple, but over time it changes your behaviour.
You stop hesitating.
You just film.
It made solo filming feel natural
Travelling and filming alone can feel clunky.
You’re constantly checking framing, redoing shots, or second guessing whether you’re even in focus.
The rotating screen fixed that for me.
You flip it, see exactly what you’re doing, and carry on.
And because it’s small, people don’t react to it the same way they do to a bigger setup. It doesn’t interrupt the moment. It doesn’t make things feel staged.
It just lets you exist and document at the same time.
A still used for a recent thumbnail with the Pocket 3 - absolute quality!
It changed how I shoot
The gimbal is the real difference.
Not just because it stabilises footage, but because it changes how you move.
You start walking through scenes instead of standing still.
You follow moments instead of setting them up.
It becomes more observational, which suits travel perfectly.
Vertical finally feels intentional
I’ve never liked the idea of cropping later.
With the Pocket 3, the screen physically rotates, so you’re composing properly for vertical from the start
If you’re posting content regularly, it just makes everything cleaner.
No reframing. No compromise.
The audio setup keeps things simple
You can connect DJI mics directly to the camera, even two at once, without needing a separate recorder
That matters more than it sounds.
It means conversations, quick interviews, or even just cleaner voice audio don’t become a whole extra setup.
Again, it comes back to the same thing.
Less friction. More filming.
It’s like having a second person with you
The tracking is one of those features you don’t think you’ll rely on.
But you do.
You can put the camera down, walk into frame, and it follows you. Keeps you centred. Adjusts as you move.
For solo work, that’s a big shift.
It’s not perfect, but it’s reliable enough that you trust it.
The downsides that haven’t changed
After two years, the same cons still apply.
It’s not weather sealed.
And it’s not a rugged camera.
The gimbal is incredible, but it also makes the whole thing more delicate. If you drop it, there’s a real chance something goes wrong
So you do have to be a bit mindful with it.
Rain, rough conditions, throwing it loose in a bag. It’s not built for that.
Where the Osmo Action 5 fits in
DJI Osmo Action 5
More recently, I picked up the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro.
And it’s solid.
It’s waterproof up to 20 metres without a case, built to take knocks, and far more suited to harsher environments
But it serves a different role.
The image quality just doesn’t compare.
The Pocket 3 has a larger 1-inch sensor, which gives you better low light performance, more depth, and a more natural look overall
The Action 5 is practical.
The Pocket 3 is cinematic.
So for me, it’s simple.
Action 5 when I need durability.
Pocket 3 when I care about how it looks.
Specs and pricing (simple and clear)
DJI Osmo Pocket 3
1-inch CMOS sensor
4K video up to 120fps
3-axis mechanical stabilisation
2-inch rotating touchscreen
ActiveTrack and fast autofocus
Price (approx):
£350–£500
$499 (standard)
€500–€550
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
1/1.3-inch sensor
Waterproof to 20m without case
Dual screens (front and rear)
Designed for durability and action use
Price (approx):
£300–£420
$319–$419
€350–€480
Final thought
Two years on, I’m still using the Pocket 3 in the exact same way I started.
Not because it’s perfect.
Not because it replaces everything else.
But because it makes filming easy.
And when you’re travelling, moving and trying to actually live your life while documenting it, that’s the thing that matters most.
It’s not the camera you overthink.
It’s the one you reach for.
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