DJI Osmo Pocket 3 vs Pocket 2: The Newer Isn't Always The Better

By Naila Syifa
Updated November 2023

DJI Pocket series is one of the most popular lines of action cameras on the market, offering portability, versatility, and high-quality footage. The new Osmo Pocket 3 has some improvements over its predecessor Pocket 2, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the better choice.

Let's take a look at 6 important aspects to find out which one is better at what: price, design, image quality, audio quality, features, and battery life.

Specs	DJI Osmo Pocket 3	DJI Pocket 2
	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon
Price	$519	$349
Dimensions	139.7 x 42.2 x 33.5 mm	124.7 x 38.1 x 30 mm
Weight	179 g	117 g
Screen	Rotatable Touch (2”)	Touch (1”)
Max Video Resolution	4K/120 fps	4K/60 fps
Max Photo Resolution	9.4 MP	64 MP
Image Sensor	1”	1/1.7”
Image Stabilization	3-Axis Stabilization	3-Axis Stabilization
Audio	3 microphones	4 microphones
Live Streaming	Yes	No
Webcam	Yes	No
Timecode	Yes	No
Battery	1300 mAh	875 mAh
Storage	microSD card up to 512 GB	microSD card up to 256 GB

Key Takeaways

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 offers a higher video resolution, while the Pocket 2 offers a higher photo resolution. Pocket 3 also has a larger 1" sensor for excellent low-light imaging compared to Pocket 2's smaller 1/1.7" sensor. However, Pocket 2 has better zooming capabilities.

On our list

#1 Price

#2 Design

#3 Image Quality

#4 Audio Quality

#5 Features

#6 Battery Life

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

Versatile Gimbal Camera

✓ 1-inch CMOS Sensor
✓ 4K/120 fps Videos, 9.4 MP Photos
✓ Active Track 6.0
✓ Live Streaming, Webcam, Timecode

Buy on Amazon

DJI Pocket 2

Handheld Gimbal Camera

✓ 1/1.7-inch CMOS Sensor
✓ 4K/60 fps Videos, 64 MP Photos
✓ Active Track 3.0
✓ Story Mode

Buy on Amazon

#1 Price

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

As the newer model, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is more expensive at USD $519. The DJI Pocket 2, on the other hand, costs only USD $349, making it a more affordable option, especially for those who are more budget-conscious.

#2 Design

DJI Pocket 2

As the name suggests, both the Osmo Pocket 3 and Pocket 2 are pocket-sized, making them highly portable and easy to carry around. They share a similar shape and design, which allows for a comfortable grip and support for a single-handed operation.

The main difference between the two models when it comes to design is the screen. DJI Pocket 2 features a small 1-inch touchscreen, while the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 comes with a larger 2-inch rotatable OLED touchscreen that adapts to both vertical and horizontal shooting. This makes the Omso Pocket 3 more user-friendly and convenient for vloggers and content creators who need to monitor their shots while filming.

#3 Image Quality

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

When it comes to image quality, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has a few advantages. Its ultra-large 1-inch CMOS sensor allows for excellent low-light performance and detail-rich imaging compared to the smaller 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor of the Pocket 2.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 also has a maximum resolution of 4K/120 fps, which is higher than the Pocket 2 with a maximum resolution of 4K/60 fps. A higher frame rate enables stunning slow-motion videos that capture every detail of the action.

In addition, the Osmo Pocket 3 offers some imaging features unavailable in the Pocket 2, including 10-bit D-Log M and HLG color modes, which allow for more dynamic range and color grading flexibility in post-production, and Full-Pixel Fast Focusing, which enables faster and more accurate focusing even for moving subjects.

DJI Pocket 2

However, the Pocket 2 also has some edges over the Osmo Pocket 3. It can capture 64 MP photos, a much higher resolution compared to the Osmo Pocket 3 with approximately 9.4 MP resolution for still images.

In addition, the Pocket 2 offers a maximum of 8x digital zoom for photos and 2x zoom for 4K videos, while the Osmo Pocket 3 only allows a maximum of 2x digital zoom for photos and 2x zoom for 4K videos. A higher zoom range is useful for capturing distant objects or details in the scene.

Despite their differences in imaging performance, both the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Pocket 2 offer high-quality footage and share some common features, including the 3-Axis Stabilization for smooth and steady footage and ActiveTrack for accurate subject tracking. However, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 supports the more advanced ActiveTrack 6.0 compared to DJI Pocket 2's older generation of ActiveTrack 3.0.

#4 Audio Quality

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

Both gimbal cameras offer stereo recording, allowing you to capture sound from both left and right channels while minimizing background noise. Both models also share some common audio features, including Audio Zoom, which adjusts the audio focus according to the zoom settings, and Directional Audio, which focuses on the sound coming from a specific direction.

However, the DJI Pocket 2 has a more advanced audio system with four built-in microphones, compared to the DJI Osmo Pocket 3's three-microphone setup. This means, the Pocket 2 can capture a wider range of sound and produce higher-quality audio compared to the Pocket 3.

However, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 also stands out with its external wireless microphone support. With its built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module, the Osmo Pocket 3 can wirelessly connect to up to DJI Mic 2 transmitters, allowing for dual-person high-quality audio recording from a distance, which is perfect for vlogs, interviews, livestreams, and more. While the DJI Pocket 2 also supports an external microphone, such as the DJI Mic, a wireless connection is not supported. You will need to use a cable to connect the external microphone to the Pocket 2.

#5 Features

DJI Pocket 2

When it comes to additional features, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has more to offer. It has native support for HD live stream and webcam, and even has a built-in timecode function to synchronize the footage and audio for multi-camera productions.

DJI Pocket 2 doesn't directly support live streaming, but you may be able to do so with the available accessories, such as the DJI Pocket 2 Do-It-All Handle. The Pocket 2 also offers Story Mode feature, which provides pre-programmed templates for creating short and engaging videos, with background music and effects.

#6 Battery Life

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

DJI Osmo Pocket 3 offers a longer-lasting battery life. With a battery capacity of 1300 mAh, it can last for up to 166 minutes and also supports fast charging, achieving 80% in just 16 minutes of charging.

DJI Pocket 2, on the other hand, has a shorter battery life of up to 140 minutes. It has a smaller battery capacity of 875 mAh and takes about 73 minutes to charge fully.