Distinctions - The feature suite of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is packed with both intuitive and competent pieces of software and hardware engineering. The rotating 2-inch touchscreen provides a crisp and vivid venue for adjusting features like the multiple shooting modes, including a very good slow motion mode, solid time-lapse and the obligatory photo and video modes. In addition to variable frame rate, which, by the way, maintains 4K all the way to 120fps, the Osmo Pocket 3 offers automatic shooting mode adjustments, including even the way you hold the device to improve comfort and visibility of the screen when shooting objects directly in front of you, straight ahead of you while moving, or even a selfie mode with automatic hardware face-tracking. DJI has also provided the option for seamless integration of their creator bundle of accessories, which includes a rechargeable lavalier mic that automatically syncs with the Osmo Pocket 3 to create a perfect solution for on the go interviews, vlogging or action audio. Their ‘fast-focusing’, an upgrade from the previous Osmo 2, is also very effective, even through partially obscured windows, changing lighting and fast-moving subjects.

Criticisms - Unfortunately, the pocket-sized nature of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 renders it best used for more personal movement settings. Software video stabilization attempts to compensate for the lower range of motion in the physical gimbal, but with large bumps or multiple-G movements, both hardware and software won’t be able to keep up (However, compared to less engineered brushless motors, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 will tap out before burn out against stronger resistance). While not particularly exceeded by many peers, the photo quality of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is just okay, with fairly flat pictures and a mediocre digital shutter speed.

Distinctions - DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has tremendous engineering quality, from the brushless motors of the actual gimbal, to the satisfying and weighty rotating touchscreen, to even simple elements like button and joystick feedback and weight. The touchscreen is crisp, low latency even under more extreme conditions, and was fairly scratch resistant even under prolonged heavy use. Despite the number of moving parts, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 kept pushing at 100 percent through regular normal use for the bulk of our testing.

Criticisms - Unfortunately the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is not nearly as rugged as some of its peers for the intended use cases. Outdoor action sports, particularly snow-sports are where the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 suffered. Battery insulation is not great, and with minimal accessories available that specifically cater to a rougher use-case, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 did not perform well or for long in many cold-weather scenarios. Similarly, while certain peers like GoPro’s HERO are specifically engineered to survive collisions, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is engineered for comfort of use in the user’s hand, meaning when it suffers a collision the damage is often enough to render it needing repair or completely inoperable. This can even happen during fairly mundane use, from drops less than a story in height.

Distinctions - The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has a solid look to it, with lots of fine details that add to the overall feeling that every part has been thoughtfully engineered. The 2-inch rotating touchscreen is extremely crisp and bright, making playback on the device itself fairly appealing. The matte finish of most of the exterior elements also gives an air of professionalism that allows the use of the camera to not be a distraction.

Criticisms - DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is not incredibly sleek, and accessories on the market from DJI and others are also not particularly good at adding many elements of customization that might attract a demographic outside of older, more professional users.

Distinctions - The greatest element of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is just how small of a package it provides premium features in. The next best alternative to the video quality and stability would require either a small DSLR or a premium smartphone coupled with a 2-5 pound gimbal rig, with the best results probably costing 3-4 times the MSRP of DJI Osmo Pocket 3, with a physical footprint 5-10 times the weight.

Criticisms - The downside to an all-in-one package is that when one element breaks, the whole product is down and out. DJI Osmo Pocket 3 does not have a lot of use if any element is not working to full capacity, and with very limited warranty service or third-party repair, the lifespan of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is visibly finite. With hardware also involved, compared to some software stabilization-only peers, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has shorter than average battery life, in both use-time and lifetime cycles.

Distinctions - DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is the best version of more premium packages available on a lower budget, with great stabilization, great image quality, great processing power all in a tiny package. Comparable gimbal and action camera combos are pricier, larger, and likely less easy to use on the go than DJI Osmo Pocket 3, all while not offering some of the thoughtful software integrations onboard the Osmo. For the space, finding a single item that offers comparable use and features for the price is nigh impossible.

Criticisms - The MSRP of DJI Osmo Pocket 3 puts it regrettably in contention with more premium camera equipment, both gimbals and actual cameras, meaning comparison is inevitable. The Osmo is not as good at stabilization as more premium offerings from known brands, including DJI, the picture quality does also lack the more premium depth of field provided by DSLRs or full-frame video cameras, however, the price tag rivals some of those offerings individually. Those looking for particularly one of those attributes or the other will likely find the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 disappointing in its individual limitations.