Pocket 3: Chest Mount

Follow Mode is the default mode and suitable for most shooting scenarios like vlogs and selfies. The pan and tilt axes are unlocked, allowing the camera to follow your movements left/right and up/down. In the Tilt Lock Mode the tilt axis is locked, maintaining an absolute horizontal orientation. You can pan the camera left and right, but it won’t tilt up or down.

I think the problem with today’s video was the gimbal rotational speed. I had it set on fast and the slow setting would have given me slower, smoother movement.

Pocket 3 Gimbal Settings

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has three main gimbal modes – Follow, Tilt Locked, and FPV. Today I shot a few minutes of video with the gimbal in the tilt-lock mode. The tilt-lock gimbal setting is designed to maintain the camera’s horizontal orientation while allowing for panning movements. This mode is particularly useful for scenarios where you want to keep the horizon level, such as when filming landscapes or during activities that involve lateral movements.

It’s hard to miss the up-and-down motion caused by my walking. The solution to this –according to most of the videos I’ve watched– is the “ninja walk.” A  bent-knee, heel-to-toe walk that is supposed to keep the camera level. Don’t think I’m going to be doing that in public.

The follow mode is the default mode and suitable for most shooting scenarios like vlogs and selfies. The pan and tilt axes are unlocked, allowing the camera to follow your movements left/right and up/down. However, the rotation axis is locked, preventing the camera from rotating/twisting around its own axis.

The two minute video below was shot with the gimbal in follow mode but I’m not sure that was the best setting. There are several places where the video is jerky (when compared to what I get with the iPhone). This is very likely operator error.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3: Face tracking and remote mic

In this 3 1/2 minute video I play with face tracking features of the Pocket 3 and the sound quality of the remote microphone.

Face tracking feels like magic. To be able to move around and have the camera follow and keep me in frame creates a lot of possibilities. As far as I can recall, every video I ever recorded was a solo effort which meant the camera had to be stationary and I couldn’t move around. This feature should make for more interesting shots.

As for the remote mic… I’m impressed. I’ll have to figure out the best levels and settings but the quality is as good as anything I’ve ever used. And I’ve used a lot of microphones.

I’m looking forward to recording a uke song with this camera/mic. If I can get good audio from the uke as well as my voice, I can try some stuff. Still lots to learn about the Pocket 3.

Every time I power on this camera I discover some new and useful feature. If you noticed me looking at my iPhone in the video, I was using the DJI app to monitor and control the camera on the other side of the room. Additionally, the tiny remote mic can also control certain settings on the camera. It’s easy to see why this camera is so popular with vloggers.

Final thought: At 76 years of age, close-ups are not kind to me. This is about the right distance.

Barb’s Garden (May 2024)


The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has scores of features and hundreds of settings but I’ve been reduced to just capturing a few minutes of straight-on video. (I’m just guessing about the number of features and settings because I’m still discovering new ones every time I turn the camera on)

All of those options allow one (who knows what they’re doing) to create amazing cinematic shots. If you don’t know how to configure and use this camera, it is frustrating. Even with countless how-to videos on YouTube. I’m determined to get comfortable with this camera but I know there will be times when I’m tempted to just grab my iPhone and start recording. Shoot, I haven’t scratched the surface of what the iPhone camera can do. This is probably what it would feel like to take your first flying lesson in an F35.

Osmo Pocket 3: Big Ass Rock

Trying to get the hang of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera. The camera is on a selfie stick about four feet above the deck. I’m using the remote mic which works great. I try to stay out of the videos I shoot because I look older than Keith Richards. I like the distance I get with the Pocket 3 face-tracking. And the audio with the remote mic is exceptional.

At the 3:08 mark I refer to another rock formation on the other side of the house.

Bittersweet Garden Party


Barb is very active in the local garden club and today they held a fund-raising event that seemed like a good place to try out my new DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera. The camera has more features than I can count and they’re all good ones but I’ve had trouble getting started. Today I just turned the camera on started recording. I’ll talk more about the features as I use and understand them.

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

I purchased this camera back in January but a busted arm and cold weather prevented me from plunging in as I usually do with a new toy. Additionally, I found myself overwhelmed by the number of features and settings. All excellent features, but there are so many of them. I couldn’t find a place to start. So yesterday I turned the camera on and headed into the woods, paying to attention to settings. The video below was shot at 1080/30fps. I’ve reset to 4K/60fps for the next shoot. Watch this space. (PS: A YouTube search will tell you all you might want to know about this little gadget.)