DJI Osmo 360 vs Osmo Pocket 3: The Ultimate Pocket Camera Showdown

• Form & Durability: Osmo 360 is DJI’s first rugged 360° action camera with dual 1-inch sensors, an IP68 waterproof build, and swappable batteries reddit.com dpreview.com. Osmo Pocket 3 is a compact gimbal camera with a single 1-inch sensor and mechanical 3-axis stabilization, but no weather sealing (handle with care) reddit.com.
• Image Quality: Pocket 3 delivers outstanding 4K video quality that rivals larger cameras, thanks to its large sensor and 10-bit D-Log M color, excelling in low light theverge.com. Osmo 360 shoots immersive 8K 360° footage and 120MP panoramas – the highest resolution in its class – though per-angle detail is slightly lower than Pocket 3’s more focused footage dpreview.com reddit.com.
• Stabilization & AI: Pocket 3’s 3-axis gimbal provides silky-smooth stabilization with no cropping or digital artifacts reddit.com, plus ActiveTrack 6.0 subject tracking for vlogging amazon.com. Osmo 360 uses RockSteady 3.0 EIS and HorizonSteady to keep 360° videos level dpreview.com, and offers 360° subject tracking, voice control, and gesture control for hands-free shooting dpreview.com.
• Screens & Controls: Both feature 2-inch touchscreens for live view and settings. Pocket 3’s screen rotates for easy horizontal/vertical shooting amazon.com, whereas Osmo 360’s screen is fixed but paired with a magnetic quick-release mount that tilts the camera 68° for comfortable selfie angles provideocoalition.com. Pocket 3’s interface is simple – power on by flipping the screen open, then one-thumb control of shooting theverge.com. Osmo 360’s interface allows mode switching between 360 and single-lens views via touch menu provideocoalition.com.
• Battery & Storage: Osmo 360 runs up to ~100 minutes per charge even at 8K dpreview.com dpreview.com, with swappable 1950 mAh batteries (Adventure Combo includes 3 and a charging case) amazon.com. It fast-charges to 50% in ~12 minutes dpreview.com. Pocket 3 has a built-in 1300 mAh battery (~2 hours at 1080p) and supports 32-minute fast charging (80% in ~16 min) – non-removable but extendable via an optional battery grip that adds ~1.5 hours amazon.com. Osmo 360 also boasts 105 GB of built-in storage for 8K footage dpreview.com, whereas Pocket 3 relies on microSD cards (both support up to 1 TB cards).
• Audio: Pocket 3 has stereo microphones (3 mics) and integrates seamlessly with DJI’s wireless Mic 2 system for crisp vlog audio amazon.com. Reviewers found its internal mics handle loud events impressively, capturing clean sound without distortion theverge.com. Osmo 360 uses four mics to record 360° surround audio, with switchable mono/stereo modes and wind noise reduction amazon.com amazon.com. It also supports DJI Mic transmitters via OsmoAudio for high-quality audio capture in any direction dji.com.
• Price & Value: Osmo 360 launched at $549.99 (Standard) and $699.99 (Adventure Combo) theverge.com. However, it’s not officially sold by DJI in the U.S. (available via retailers) theverge.com. Osmo Pocket 3 debuted at $519 base / $669 Creator Combo dpreview.com, but due to tariffs DJI later hiked the U.S. price to $799 (a 54% increase) theverge.com. In other markets it remains closer to original pricing. Pocket 3’s higher price now edges into mirrorless camera territory, but it includes advanced features (1″ sensor, gimbal, mic system) that many creators find worth the cost theverge.com.
• Portability & Accessories: Both are pocket-sized and under 180 g. Pocket 3 is slender (≈14 cm tall) – truly pocketable but a tight fit in small pockets theverge.com. Osmo 360 is shorter and blockier, easy to toss in a bag. DJI has outfitted Osmo 360 with a full accessory ecosystem: invisible selfie sticks (1m, 2.5m) for “drone-like” shots, helmet/bike mounts, a magnetic tripod mount, waterproof case, lens protectors and more theverge.com theverge.com. Pocket 3’s accessories focus on creative shooting: the Creator Combo includes the DJI Mic 2 wireless mic, a mini tripod, wide-angle lens attachment, and the battery handle dpreview.com. Pocket 3 can mount on tripods or poles via its 1/4″ thread, but it’s not built for high-impact mounting (gimbal mechanics are delicate) reddit.com. Osmo 360, by contrast, is action-ready – drop-resistant and waterproof – making it ideal for mounting on bikes, helmets, or a surfboard without worry reddit.com.

Overall Comparison: Osmo 360 vs Osmo Pocket 3

DJI’s Osmo 360 and Osmo Pocket 3 are both innovative “pocket” cameras, but they serve very different creative needs. Osmo 360 is DJI’s first 360° action camera, capable of capturing everything around you in immersive 8K resolution. It’s essentially a rugged dual-lens action cam that can also double as a wide-angle single-lens shooter. In contrast, Osmo Pocket 3 is a third-generation handheld gimbal camera – a tiny all-in-one video camera on a 3-axis stabilizer, built for smooth, cinematic footage on the go.

Use Case Orientation: The core difference lies in their capture style. The Osmo 360 sees in every direction at once. It’s designed for reframing later – you can film first and choose your angle after the fact reddit.com. This makes it fantastic for action sports, travel adventures, and creative angles (like invisible drone-like shots using a selfie stick). On the other hand, the Osmo Pocket 3 is a more deliberate shooter. You point its lens at what you want to film, like a traditional camera reddit.com. It excels at producing focused, cinematic shots in-camera, making it a favorite for vloggers and filmmakers who want high quality without complex setup. As one user aptly summarized, “The 360 is like an action camera on steroids… whereas the Pocket is definitely a more deliberate video device” reddit.com reddit.com.

Build and Durability: Osmo 360 is built for rough-and-tumble use. It carries an IP68 rating – waterproof to 10 m, dustproof, and shock-resistant reddit.com reddit.com. You can literally take it swimming or into a mud-splashing bike ride with confidence. By contrast, Osmo Pocket 3 has no official IP rating; it’s not sealed against water or dust reddit.com. Its exposed micro-gimbal means it’s more vulnerable to drops or grit. DJI markets Pocket 3 as a creative vlogging camera, not an action cam, and users confirm you should treat it gently reddit.com. For adventurous shooting, the Osmo 360 (or DJI’s Osmo Action series) is purpose-built, whereas the Pocket 3 is for more controlled environments or casual use where you can keep it safe and dry.

Sensors and Optics: Both cameras push the envelope on imaging for their size, but in different ways. The Pocket 3 has a single 1-inch CMOS sensor – unusually large for a device that literally fits in your palm dpreview.com. This sensor (around 9.3 MP effective for video) gives it excellent light-gathering ability and image quality on par with much larger cameras dpreview.com theverge.com. The Osmo 360 actually has two image sensors, each behind an ultrawide fisheye lens. DJI says that combined, those sensors approximate the surface area of a 1-inch sensor dpreview.com. In fact, the Osmo 360 uses an “industry-first” square 360° HDR sensor design, with the goal of maximizing image quality in a 360 camera dpreview.com. The dual-lens setup lets it capture full spherical images (front and back) for VR or reframing.

Who Are They For? In summary, Osmo 360 is geared toward adventurers, 360° content creators, and anyone who wants maximum flexibility in framing (you never miss the action because it’s capturing every angle). Osmo Pocket 3 targets solo content creators, travelers, vloggers, and filmmakers who want cinematic video quality with minimal gear. It’s telling that Pocket 3 has been hugely popular among YouTubers, Instagrammers, and even indie filmmakers since its release theverge.com. Many creators praise how it “transcends amateur vlogging” and even use it for shooting weddings or short films in a pinch theverge.com. In fact, one Verge editor noted he picks up the Pocket 3 more often than his full-frame mirrorless cameras because it’s so convenient yet capable theverge.com theverge.com. Meanwhile, early Osmo 360 users note that it “upped the game” for 360 cams, delivering higher video quality than competing 360 devices (like Insta360’s) – enough that it can complement a Pocket 3 rather than replace it reddit.com. Some enthusiast creators actually carry both: using the Pocket 3 for straight-on vlogging and the Osmo 360 for epic 360° shots or difficult perspectives, as together they cover all bases.

Video and Photo Quality

Both cameras deliver impressive visuals, but they have different strengths. DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is all about producing high-quality, focused footage straight out of camera. Its 1″ sensor (20 mm f/2.0 lens) provides a sharp, clean image with great dynamic range and low-light performance for a pocket device theverge.com. It can record up to 4K at 120 fps for buttery smooth slow-motion, and even 1080p at 240 fps for super-slow shots theverge.com. Thanks to those big 1″-type pixels (only ~9 MP, meaning large pixel size), the Pocket 3 excels in dim conditions where smaller-sensor cameras (or smartphones) struggle. Reviewers noted that its video quality “often comes close” to footage from a full-frame Sony mirrorless camera and is noticeably better than a smartphone’s, especially in challenging light theverge.com. Colors and dynamic range are bolstered by DJI’s D-Log M 10-bit recording mode, which preserves more detail in shadows and highlights for grading dji.com dji.com. In practice, this means sunsets, city night scenes, or high-contrast environments look more natural and offer editing flexibility – a level of image quality previously unheard of in a pocket gimbal cam.

DJI Osmo 360, on the other hand, is pushing the envelope in the 360° imagery realm. It promises “the sharpest photos possible on the 360 camera market” dpreview.com and breaks new ground as the first 360 camera to shoot 8K at 50 fps (most 360 cams top out at 8K 30). In 360 mode, it captures 7680×3840 video (that’s full 8K) with an impressive 13.5 stops of dynamic range on its dual-lens HDR sensor system dpreview.com. The f/1.9 aperture lenses and advanced processing yield vibrant, crisp spherical footage even in low-light scenes like city nights or dark interiors amazon.com amazon.com. For reference, 8K 360 video contains a tremendous amount of data – when you “reframe” a normal 16:9 view out of it, you’re effectively looking at 1080p–4K detail depending on the crop. Users report that the Osmo 360’s video quality is a notable step up from other 360 cams (like Insta360’s X series), narrowing the gap between 360 cams and traditional cameras reddit.com. When not using full spherical capture, the Osmo 360 can operate in single-lens mode: here it behaves like a ultrawide action cam. In single-lens regular video it can shoot up to 5K 60 fps with a 155° field of view, or drop to 4K 120 fps in a special Boost mode that uses a 170° field of view for extreme wide-angle slow-mo dpreview.com. This flexibility lets you trade resolution for an even wider perspective or higher frame rates, depending on the shot. Note that single-lens footage from Osmo 360 (even at 5K) will generally look less detailed than Pocket 3’s 4K footage because Pocket 3’s optics are not fisheye and its entire sensor is devoted to that view. Indeed, experienced users find Pocket 3’s “flat” video (non-fisheye) appears sharper and with less distortion than the Osmo 360’s output when both are framed similarly reddit.com. It’s essentially the difference between a specialized 360 tool and a dedicated forward-facing camera.

Photo Capabilities: Osmo 360 blows past Pocket 3 in raw photo resolution. It can snap 120 MP 360° still photos (stitched in-camera) – that’s 15520×7760 pixels dji.com, which produce incredibly detailed panoramic images. In single-lens mode it captures 30 MP stills (approximately 6400×4800) dji.com. These huge photos are great for reframing or extracting traditional images from a 360 shot. The Pocket 3, by contrast, is limited by its 9.4 MP sensor for stills carmarthencameras.com. In practice, that yields about 4000×2160 resolution for a 16:9 frame or 3072×3072 for square carmarthencameras.com – fine for social media and small prints, but obviously not as detailed as a high-res smartphone or the Osmo 360’s panoramas. Pocket 3 does offer a 3×3 panorama mode, stitching 9 images into one (which can give a larger composite photo) d1store.com.au, but it’s still not reaching anywhere near 120 MP. Where Pocket 3 shines for photos is convenience and low-light – you can get clean shots in dark scenes thanks to the big sensor and even use automated exposure bracketing or D-Log for challenging lighting. But if your goal is immersive photography or huge landscape panoramas, the Osmo 360 clearly has the edge.

Color and Profiles: Both cameras support 10-bit color depth and flat profiles for advanced editing. Pocket 3 includes D-Log M and even HLG HDR video modes dji.com, letting professionals capture up to a billion colors and extended dynamic range for post-processing. Osmo 360 likewise offers 10-bit capture in all modes and a D-Log M option for maximum quality provideocoalition.com. This means both devices can be integrated into professional workflows – you can color grade their footage to match other cameras and retain detail in skies or shadows. Not long ago, neither 360 cams nor tiny gimbal cams offered such capabilities, so this is a significant advancement for creators.

In short, Osmo Pocket 3 is tuned for quality over quantity – its video looks phenomenal for a pocket device, with rich detail and great low-light performance, but it’s “only” up to 4K resolution and ~9 MP stills. Osmo 360 offers quantity and quality in its domain – it captures massive 8K vistas and 120 MP images, setting a new benchmark for 360 cameras dpreview.com, though a single perspective from it won’t quite match the clarity of Pocket 3’s dedicated forward shot reddit.com. Depending on whether you prioritize sheer resolution and all-angle coverage (Osmo 360) or classical image fidelity in one direction (Pocket 3), you’ll favor one over the other.

Stabilization and AI Features

Stabilization is a foundational feature for both of these cameras, but they approach it differently: mechanical vs. electronic. The Osmo Pocket 3 uses a 3-axis mechanical gimbal – the tiny camera unit is literally mounted on motors that actively counteract your hand movements in real time. This gives ultra-smooth footage, even when walking or running, without the need for digital post-processing. The big advantage is that no image cropping is needed to stabilize – you get the full field of view and sensor quality, and there are no warping artifacts from electronic stabilization algorithms dpreview.com reddit.com. As one user pointed out, because the Pocket’s lens itself moves, it doesn’t require high shutter speeds or digital trickery to steady the shot dpreview.com. The result is natural-looking motion, akin to a miniature Steadicam. The gimbal can also do things like active panning/tilting: it will smoothly follow your intentional motions or locked on a subject, which creates a very cinematic feel.

The Osmo 360 cannot use a mechanical gimbal (since it must capture all directions at once), so it relies on electronic stabilization. DJI employs its RockSteady 3.0 EIS, which analyzes the 360° footage and crops/levels it to eliminate shake dpreview.com. Additionally, because the camera sees the entire horizon, it offers HorizonSteady, meaning it can keep the horizon line perfectly level even if you rotate the camera around or mount it at odd angles dpreview.com. This is similar to the horizon-lock features in other action cams, but here you have the full sphere to work with. The stabilization performance is generally excellent – even when the Osmo 360 is mounted on a mountain bike or a skier’s pole, the video comes out smooth and watchable. However, as with all digital stabilization, there can be minor jello or warping artifacts during aggressive motion or low-light (when shutter speeds are slower) reddit.com. Users note that quick rotations or complex vibrations might produce some “weird visual artifacts” on the Osmo 360 reddit.com. The Pocket 3’s mechanical gimbal doesn’t suffer those, but of course a gimbal has its physical limits – very sharp jolts or reaching the end of its travel can’t be stabilized further. In normal use, both systems produce remarkably stable footage; the Pocket might have an edge in extreme low-light moving shots (since the gimbal can stabilize even when motion blur is present, whereas EIS cannot).

Intelligent Features (AI): Both cameras integrate DJI’s latest intelligent shooting modes to make capturing tricky shots easier:

• Subject Tracking: Osmo Pocket 3 introduces ActiveTrack 6.0, DJI’s advanced subject tracking algorithm amazon.com. It can detect and follow a subject (like your face or a moving person/pet) by automatically panning/tilting the gimbal to keep them centered. This is fantastic for vlogging – you can set the Pocket 3 on a tripod and it will physically swivel to follow you as you move around the frame amazon.com. In practice, ActiveTrack 6.0 is much improved from earlier versions, but it’s not infallible. Reviewers found it generally “fast and accurate” at locking onto subjects amazon.com, though in some scenarios (very fast subjects, or if something passes between you and the camera) it can lose the lock. One long-term test noted tracking can be hit-or-miss: sometimes perfect, other times letting the subject drift before catching up redsharknews.com. There is a setting to adjust how aggressively it follows movement, but even on slower settings it may occasionally overreact to small movements redsharknews.com. Overall, though, for typical vlog or interview uses, it’s a game-changer – you effectively have a camera person panning to follow you. The Osmo 360 has a similar capability called Intelligent Tracking. Since it has no gimbal, what it does is track a subject within the 360° field of view and later allows you to export a reframed video where that subject stays centered dpreview.com. In the DJI Mimo app or desktop software, you can select a person, pet, vehicle, etc., and the software will “follow” them by dynamically reframing the wide 360 shot. It’s even possible in-camera in some modes – for instance, if you only want to use one lens (170° view) and have the camera crop within that to follow something. The benefit here is you never worry about the camera missing something; you can always adjust the framing after. The downside is this is done in post or requires cropping, so it’s not live movement of the lens like Pocket 3. For action sports or unpredictable motion, 360 tracking is incredibly useful – you can ride a mountain bike and later have the camera “pan” to all the exciting angles, following you or your friends around without you directing it in the moment reddit.com.
• Gesture & Voice Control: Osmo 360 includes hands-free control options. You can start/stop recording or take a photo with simple hand gestures, and it also supports basic voice commands dpreview.com. This is tailored to its action cam nature – e.g. you’ve mounted it on a helmet or a car and can’t reach it, you can say a trigger phrase or wave to initiate recording. Pocket 3 does not have voice control, and its gesture control is limited (previous DJI Pockets had some selfie gesture features, but Pocket 3’s main draw is the flip screen and front-facing camera for vlog selfies). In short, Osmo 360’s hands-free controls make it easier to use when it’s mounted out of reach.
• Other Creative Modes: Both devices offer timelapse/hyperlapse, panoramas, and slow-motion modes. Pocket 3 can do motionlapse with its gimbal (panning during a timelapse) and hyperlapse (moving through space). Osmo 360 can do spectacular 360° timelapses (including a fun “ghost-free” hyperlapse using the 360 view) and even a “third-person” perspective effect where the invisible selfie stick footage makes it look like a floating camera is trailing you. They each also offer HDR video modes (Pocket has an HDR mode up to 4K30, Osmo 360’s default is an HDR sensor so essentially all footage is HDR). One unique mode on Osmo 360 is something called “Vortex” slow-mo: it can do a 360° spin slow-motion at 4K or 6K (essentially an effect where the video rotates as it plays – niche but cool for certain shots) dji.com.

In terms of stabilization outcome: when simply walking and filming, both will give you ultra-smooth video. Pocket 3’s mechanical gimbal is arguably more optically perfect (no crop, no warping) while Osmo 360’s ultra-wide capture and EIS is more forgiving (you can rotate it any which way, stick it in wild positions, and still get a stable, leveled shot). Also, because Osmo 360 can stabilize in post, you have the freedom to choose the angle later – you could be skiing with the camera on a pole and only later decide “I want the video to focus forward” or “look at me” or “pan around,” and it’s all stabilized and ready. With Pocket 3, you must decide framing in the moment, but you get a more refined look for that framing.

Finally, note that Pocket 3’s gimbal has some physical movement limits (it can’t spin 360 endlessly on one axis; yaw is limited to about ±230° mechanically carmarthencameras.com). Osmo 360 obviously can capture a full 360 view without limit. So for doing a full panorama video (spinning around), Pocket 3’s gimbal would hit a stop and have to unwind – not an issue for Osmo 360.

User Interface and Design

Using these cameras feels very different in hand. Osmo Pocket 3 looks like a tiny mini-camcorder: a slender handheld stick with a camera-eye on top. The grip has a built-in 2.0-inch touchscreen that can rotate 90° – you flip it up for vertical shooting or down for horizontal amazon.com. The rotating mechanism is one of Pocket 3’s hallmark design features, making it effortless to switch aspect ratios (great for creators who bounce between widescreen and portrait content). The screen itself is reasonably bright (about 700 nits) and sharp carmarthencameras.com, a huge improvement over the tiny 1-inch screen on the Pocket 2. The interface is touch-driven: swipe and tap through modes, settings, and even gimbal angle controls. There are also a couple of physical buttons – typically a power/function button and a record/shutter button – placed for easy thumb access. The user experience is praised for its simplicity: you can literally power it on by swiveling the screen open (which boots the device quickly), hit record, and you’re filming theverge.com. Changing modes (video, photo, slow-mo, etc.) or settings is a swipe or two away, making it very quick to operate one-handed. DJI also includes on-screen joystick controls (virtual joystick) for manually panning the gimbal if needed, since the Pocket 3 doesn’t have a physical joystick wheel attachment like older models. The lack of a bulky interface contributes to it being so pocketable.

By contrast, Osmo 360 has a more typical action cam form factor, albeit with a twist. It’s a small rectangular block with a lens on the front and back. It also features a 2.0-inch touchscreen (314×556 resolution) on its side dji.com – since the camera is often used upright, the screen is vertical. The UI is similar to other DJI cameras (and Insta360 cameras): swipe to change shooting mode, adjust settings, start/stop recording with an on-screen button or the physical shutter button. One difference is because Osmo 360 can operate in two fundamental modes (360 or single-lens), the menu includes a toggle for that. According to a reviewer, you have to use the touchscreen menu to switch between 360° capture and single-lens mode – there isn’t a dedicated external switch for it provideocoalition.com. The camera does have a Power/Mode button you can press to cycle through preset modes, but that won’t swap the lens mode without using the screen. It’s a minor quirk in UI, but something to be aware of.

Handling: Pocket 3 is tall and narrow (about 14 cm high, 4.2 cm wide) carmarthencameras.com, basically the size of a chocolate bar. It truly can slip into a jacket or pants pocket, though as The Verge humorously noted, “despite its name, the Pocket 3 isn’t exactly comfortable in tighter pockets” theverge.com – if you’re wearing skinny jeans, you’ll feel the bulge! The gimbal head protrudes on top, which can snag if you pocket it quickly; DJI provides a snug plastic cover to protect the gimbal and lens when not in use. Many users carry it in that cover for safety. Operating it is usually two-handed if you need to touch settings, but one-handed filming and panning is doable due to its light weight (179 g) d1store.com.au. One downside: the small size means limited physical controls and sometimes fiddling with a small touchscreen under bright sunlight (700 nit screen is decent, though a bit less bright than Osmo 360’s 800 nit screen dji.com). Still, the overall design is about maximizing portability and stability – and it nails that for most people.

Osmo 360 is shorter and wider (approx 8 cm tall, 6 cm long, 3.6 cm thick) dji.com. It’s more like a GoPro or Insta360 X3 in feel, though a bit heavier at 183 g dji.com. The lens domes protrude on both sides, so you have to be a tad careful setting it down – the Adventure Combo includes lens protectors and a rubber cap, which are wise to use to avoid scratching those fisheyes. The body has a swappable battery compartment at the bottom and a USB-C port (with a cover) for charging/data. One of Osmo 360’s coolest design elements is its magnetic quick-release mounting system. The base of the camera can snap onto various mounts with a secure magnetic latch. For example, there’s a standard action cam adapter that magnetically attaches, which includes a hinge that can lock the camera at either 0° (vertical) or a 68° tilt for a more forward-facing angle provideocoalition.com. It’s foolproof (magnets only allow the correct orientation) and super fast to attach/detach the camera from mounts by pressing two side latches provideocoalition.com. This ecosystem, inherited from DJI’s Osmo Action cameras, means you can mix and match accessories easily – e.g., go from a chest mount to a selfie stick to a tripod in seconds, no screwing needed. It also enables accessories like the Battery Extension Rod, which is a combined grip, extra battery, and control handle that snaps on magnetically provideocoalition.com provideocoalition.com. Users love this rod, as it effectively turns the Osmo 360 into a taller selfie-stick-style camera with handy buttons and much longer runtime provideocoalition.com provideocoalition.com. In terms of UI on the rod, it even duplicates some controls (record, mode switch) through electronic contacts when attached provideocoalition.com.

Delicate vs. Durable: We touched on this earlier, but design-wise: Pocket 3’s gimbal is a marvel of miniaturization, but it’s inherently a delicate mechanism. You wouldn’t want to drop it – a strong knock could misalign the gimbal or damage the ribbon cables. The camera head on Pocket can’t get wet or dusty either due to its moving parts. In contrast, Osmo 360 is like a little tank. It’s fully sealed (as long as the port and battery covers are closed tight) and can survive in wet, sandy, or rough conditions. If you drop Osmo 360, you might scuff the case or lens protector, but it’s less likely to outright break. This fundamental design difference means the Osmo 360 is better suited for risky shots – you can mount it on the outside of a car or take it in heavy rain. Pocket 3 is more for everyday shooting, travel diaries, or controlled environments. One reviewer noted the only potential drawback to Pocket 3’s system was “the lack of weatherproofing” – using it in rain is not advised, even if some users have done so briefly without issue redsharknews.com. It’s just not designed as an “action” device in that sense.

Ecosystem & Compatibility: Interestingly, DJI has started to unify some aspects of their Osmo lineup. For example, Osmo 360’s batteries are cross-compatible with other DJI cameras – it appears the 1950 mAh Extreme Battery Plus is the same used in the Osmo Action 5 Pro camera provideocoalition.com. The magnetic mounting system is also compatible: the Osmo 360’s magnetic mounts can be used with DJI’s Osmo Action series and vice versa provideocoalition.com. Even the DJI Mic wireless system works seamlessly across Pocket 3, Osmo 360, and others. This means if you are invested in DJI’s ecosystem, these products complement each other nicely. For instance, you could use the same wireless mic on Pocket 3 for a talking segment and then clip it on and connect to Osmo 360 for an action segment – all with the audio synced through DJI’s system.

To sum up, Pocket 3’s design prioritizes compactness and user-friendly operation for content creation (with that unique rotating touch display), while Osmo 360’s design emphasizes versatility and robustness (with modular mounting and a tough waterproof build). The interfaces are both intuitive, but Pocket 3’s gimbal adds a layer of physical control (smooth motion) that Osmo 360 doesn’t have – instead, Osmo relies on software. Depending on your shooting style, you might prefer the tactile charm of physically steering a tiny gimbal camera (Pocket 3) or the set-and-forget simplicity of capturing everything and worrying about framing later (Osmo 360).

Battery Life and Storage

When it comes to endurance, both devices pack a lot in small packages, but the Osmo 360 has an edge in flexibility thanks to its swappable batteries. Let’s break it down:

Osmo Pocket 3: The Pocket 3 has an internal 1300 mAh LiPo battery (about 10 Wh) carmarthencameras.com that is not user-removable in the field. In real-world terms, this gives roughly 2 hours of continuous shooting at standard 4K/30 video settings jayducker.com. In more demanding modes (4K/60, 4K/120) the battery will drain faster – users often report around 1 to 1.5 hours in high-frame-rate or high-brightness usage. DJI’s specs cite about 166 minutes (2h 46m) max under ideal conditions (probably 1080p/24 fps) amazon.com, which aligns with ~2 hours in typical use. One of Pocket 3’s improvements is very fast charging: it supports PD fast charge that can fill it from 0 to 100% in about 32 minutes (80% in ~16 min) according to DJI’s documentation and retailer info costco.com. This is incredibly quick – meaning a brief break or battery pack top-up can get you back up and running fast. However, since you can’t swap batteries on the go, extended shoots require either pausing to recharge or using an external power bank.

DJI addressed that somewhat by offering the Battery Handle accessory (included in the Creator Combo) dpreview.com. This handle attaches to the Pocket 3’s base and contains an extra 950 mAh battery module amazon.com. When connected, it powers the Pocket and effectively extends the runtime by up to ~1.5 hours (DJI cites going from ~140 min to ~269 min of 1080p recording with the handle) amazon.com. The battery handle also improves grip and has a tripod mount, so it’s a handy add-on for long shooting sessions. There are even third-party battery extender grips with larger capacities (e.g. 4000 mAh) if one needs more amazon.com. Still, those add bulk and Pocket 3 remains less field-serviceable than a camera with hot-swappable batteries.

For storage, Pocket 3 relies on a microSD card slot (supporting cards up to 512 GB officially, though 1 TB cards reportedly work too) carmarthencameras.com dji.com. It has no built-in internal storage beyond maybe a tiny cache (the previous Pocket 2 had none, requiring a card to shoot). This means you need to remember to insert a fast microSD card; luckily these are inexpensive and you can carry spares.

Osmo 360: The Osmo 360, by virtue of its action cam-style design, has a removable 1950 mAh battery. In the Standard Combo you get one battery; the Adventure Combo packs three of them plus a charging case theverge.com amazon.com. This system is fantastic for all-day use – you can keep two batteries charging in the case (which itself can recharge via USB-C) while shooting with the third, and swap as needed. Each battery is rated for up to 100 minutes of continuous recording at 8K/30 fps dpreview.com dpreview.com, which is extremely good by 360 camera standards (many older 360 cams struggled to hit 60 minutes at high res). This 100-min figure is likely under optimal conditions (moderate temperature, no Wi-Fi). In colder environments, DJI notes it can still manage over 1.5 hours even at -20 °C dpreview.com, thanks to improved battery chemistry and perhaps internal heating. For lighter modes (say 4K single-lens or standby time), a battery can last longer.

Additionally, if you use the optional Battery Extension Rod (which has an integrated bigger battery in the grip), the Osmo 360 can run up to 180 minutes (3 hours) continuously on a charge dpreview.com. That accessory essentially doubles as a power bank; combined with a fresh internal battery, you get marathon recording times for timelapses or extended events. Charging the Osmo 360’s batteries is also very fast – DJI claims about 50% charge in 12 minutes (likely on a single cell) with the appropriate fast charger dpreview.com. The multi-battery charging case in the Adventure Combo can charge all three sequentially and even serve as a power bank for other devices. This kind of hot-swap capability means if you have spare batteries, you effectively don’t have to worry about “running out” during a shoot – just swap in a charged one and keep going, similar to how you’d operate a traditional camera.

Where Osmo 360 really stands out is it has internal storage built-in: 105 GB of flash memory dpreview.com. This is unusual and very welcome on a 360 cam – it ensures you always have some storage even without an SD card. That 105 GB can store roughly on the order of an hour+ of 8K footage (depending on bitrate – Osmo 360’s 8K at 30 fps is likely around 120 Mb/s or more, which would be ~15 MB/s; 105 GB gives ~7000 seconds at 15 MB/s, i.e. ~116 minutes). So it’s no coincidence that 105 GB covers the 100-min continuous recording spec. For many users, this means you might not need a memory card at all for casual use; but you can still add a microSD (up to 1 TB supported) for additional storage or easier file transfer dpreview.com dji.com. The internal storage is convenient – you can shoot 360 video immediately out-of-box, and later connect the camera to a computer via USB-C to drag files off at high speed (likely faster than most microSD cards). It’s worth noting that if you shoot a lot of 8K or 120 fps 4K, files will be large, so an SD card is good for overflow.

Heat and longevity: Both devices, when recording high resolutions/framerates, will generate heat. DJI has engineered them to handle their maximum settings without overheating within those battery durations. The metal bodies also act as heat sinks. Typically, the Osmo 360’s larger body might dissipate heat better, but also 8K is intensive. DJI’s continuous recording spec of 100 min at 8K30 dpreview.com implies it won’t overheat in that timeframe, which is impressive. Pocket 3 at 4K120 might get warm, but since the battery will die in ~60-70 min at that mode anyway, it likely doesn’t overheat either in one go. None of the credible reviews reported thermal shutdowns in normal use, so battery is the limiting factor rather than heat, which is good news.

Practical takeaways: If you need to shoot all day or on extended adventures, the Osmo 360’s swappable batteries and charging case are a godsend – you can record for hours (literally all afternoon) with minimal downtime. In contrast, the Pocket 3 will need a recharge or an external power source after a couple hours of continuous use. You can use a USB-C power bank with Pocket 3 while shooting (it will run/charge simultaneously), effectively treating it like an external battery, but that tethers you a bit or adds bulk. The Pocket’s quick internal charging does mitigate downtime if you can plug in occasionally.

For short clips, travel vlogs, and general everyday use, both have enough battery to get through typical shooting segments (a bunch of 1-3 minute clips across a day). But for, say, an all-morning action sports session or a long timelapse, Osmo 360 is built to outlast via swaps.

In terms of storage workflow, Osmo 360 having internal storage means one less point of failure (forgetting an SD card). Many users have been bitten by turning on a camera only to see “No SD – cannot record”; Osmo 360 won’t let that happen since it always has 100+ GB ready. Pocket 3 absolutely requires that microSD – so one should carry spares.

Finally, both cameras use high-speed USB-C ports for data. You can offload footage by plugging them in. Pocket 3 can even act as a webcam/UVC device if needed carmarthencameras.com, outputting 1080p for live streams, which is a neat bonus feature leveraging its USB-C.

Audio Quality and Microphone Performance

Good audio can make or break video content, and DJI clearly paid attention to audio on these devices – especially for the Pocket 3, knowing its target demographic of vloggers and creators.

Osmo Pocket 3’s Audio: The Pocket 3 has three built-in microphones strategically placed around the device d1store.com.au. This array allows it to capture stereo sound and possibly do some noise reduction by comparing mic inputs (for example, one mic might be rear-facing to help cancel out unwanted noise behind the camera). In practice, the internal mics on Pocket 3 are reported to be quite decent for a small camera – you get clear voice pickup when talking to it and a reasonable stereo image of ambient sounds. One area where Pocket 3 impressed reviewers was handling loud environments. At a live arena event (WWE show), the Pocket 3’s mics “did a better job at taming the loud audio levels” than an iPhone’s mics, without overly compressing or muffling the sound theverge.com. This means DJI likely implemented good automatic gain control and maybe a limiter to prevent clipping, while still preserving the “acoustic character” of the scene (crowd cheers, music, etc.) theverge.com. The result was audio that wasn’t distorted by the high volume, yet still felt rich and full – a tough balance that many small cameras and phones struggle with.

For more controlled audio, the Pocket 3 is designed to seamlessly integrate with DJI’s wireless microphone systems. The Creator Combo includes a DJI Mic 2 transmitter – a tiny clip-on wireless mic – and notably, no separate receiver module is needed on the camera dpreview.com. Pocket 3 has DJI’s proprietary OsmoAudio receiver built-in, allowing up to two DJI Mic 2 or Mic Mini transmitters to connect directly amazon.com dji.com. This is a fantastic feature: you can mic yourself (and another person, if needed) with high-quality lapel mics and the audio feeds straight into the Pocket’s recording, without any adapters or dangling dongles. It keeps the rig minimal and audio quality high (DJI Mic is known to produce clear, broadcast-quality sound). This system effectively gives you dual-channel wireless audio for interviews or dialogues, which is incredible for a camera of this size. Additionally, the Pocket 3’s USB-C port supports external audio input – users have reported you can plug in USB-C microphones or use adapters for 3.5 mm mics if desired dpreview.com. With USB mics (digital input), the Pocket 3 even allows manual control of audio levels in the settings dpreview.com (though oddly, you can’t manually set levels for the internal mics, it handles that automatically).

DJI also touts “Stereo Recording” mode on Pocket 3 where it uses those 3 mics to capture immersive sound dji.com. For vlogging, this means if you’re speaking, the camera will capture your voice clearly while still getting some ambient stereo (like street noise, nature sounds) for context. If using the wireless mic, creators often use that for primary voice and let the camera mics take a backseat.

In summary, Pocket 3’s audio is very strong for a pocket cam: good built-in mics for casual use, and top-notch audio when used with the DJI Mic system (which is basically plug-and-play). It’s not exaggeration to say DJI considered audio “the glue that holds the whole system together” for creators redsharknews.com – one reviewer noted the wireless mic included was the game-changer that made his workflow so easy compared to juggling separate audio recorders redsharknews.com.

Osmo 360’s Audio: The Osmo 360 is built to capture spatial audio. It has four microphones on its body dji.com, one on each side presumably. This allows it to record 360° audio – picking up sound from all directions to complement the 360 video. When you play back a 360 video with proper software, the audio can be immersive (you hear things from the direction they were in reality). DJI provides options to use either Stereo or Mono modes amazon.com. Stereo mode probably uses the mics to produce a left-right sound field (maybe front-facing bias for standard videos), while Mono might mix all equally (perhaps useful if you only care about one channel or for consistency when reframing video). They also have implemented wind noise reduction in the Osmo 360’s audio system amazon.com, important because 360 cams are often used in fast-motion or windy outdoor scenarios. Wind reduction likely filters low-frequency rumble from the mics when wind is blowing over them, improving clarity.

Early user feedback indicates the Osmo 360’s internal mics are quite capable for capturing ambient sound and action audio. If, for example, you’re skiing down a slope, it’ll record the swoosh of the snow, your voice, and the shouts of your friends around, giving a sense of presence in the final footage. However, if you need focused dialog or narration, an on-camera 360 mic will pick up everything (including noise behind the camera). This is where, again, DJI’s ecosystem helps: the Osmo 360 supports OsmoAudio direct connection dji.com, meaning it can pair with the same DJI Mic transmitters wirelessly. You could wear a lapel mic and have the Osmo 360 record that clean audio channel, while still recording the ambient with its onboard mics if desired. This flexibility is excellent – you can get the best of both worlds (immersive sound plus crystal-clear voice).

One more thing: The Osmo 360 also has a USB-C port that could accept external mics (wired). DJI even lists a 3.5 mm mic adapter accessory for its cameras that likely works here too. And since Osmo 360 is often mounted away from the user, having a wireless mic is a popular approach (for example, motorcyclists using it might hide a mic in their helmet connected to a DJI Mic transmitter to capture their voice).

Audio Verdict: For everyday uses like talking to the camera, Pocket 3’s built-in stereo will do fine indoors or in quiet settings, but a windy day or noisy city might overwhelm them – that’s when the wireless mic shines. The Verge’s experience at a loud event showing the Pocket 3 mics performed better than expected theverge.com suggests DJI tuned them well. Still, serious creators will likely lean on the wireless mic for consistent voice audio.

The Osmo 360’s audio is more about capturing the atmosphere and all-around sound, which it does well. It’s ideal if you want viewers to feel like they’re “there” in your 360 video. But if you’re narrating action, you’d benefit from using an external mic. Thankfully, both cameras make it very easy to up the audio game with DJI Mic or other accessories – no cumbersome setups required (unlike GoPros in the past which needed bulky adapters).

To illustrate the attention to audio: DJI branded their integration as “OsmoAudio” on both devices dji.com dji.com, emphasizing they know creators care about sound. As a result, either camera can deliver surprisingly good soundtracks for your footage with minimal effort, which is a big plus for a public audience who might not want to do heavy audio post-processing.

Price and Value for Money

Pricing is an area where things have been a bit fluid, especially for the Osmo Pocket 3 in the U.S. Let’s lay out the numbers (as of current 2025 info) and what you get for the money:

• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 launched in late 2023 with a base price of $519 USD for the standard package dpreview.com. That includes the Pocket 3 camera, a protective cover, and a USB-C cable – basically just the essentials to get started. The more popular Creator Combo was initially $669 USD dpreview.com, and it bundles a lot of extras: the Battery Handle grip, DJI Mic 2 wireless transmitter (with magnet clip and windscreen), a wide-angle lens adapter, an Osmo mini tripod, and a carrying bag dpreview.com. Considering the Mic system alone retails for around $150 and the battery handle ~$50, the combo was a pretty good value for those needing those accessories. However, due to import tariffs and U.S.–China trade issues, DJI made a surprising move a few months after release: they hiked the Pocket 3’s US price from $519 to $799 theverge.com. This is a huge jump (54% increase theverge.com) that took effect by early 2024. It means if you buy from DJI in the US now, the base Pocket 3 is $799, the Creator Combo around $979, and there was also a Vlog Combo in between at about $898 store.dji.com (the Vlog Combo seems to be Pocket 3 + one Mic 3 transmitter, slightly different from the full Creator kit). This price increase stirred quite a debate about value – at $799, the Pocket 3 now costs as much as some mid-range mirrorless cameras or premium smartphones. NoFilmSchool humorously noted it as an “absurd price increase,” pointing out DJI effectively raised the price by $280 after launch nofilmschool.com. The cause is likely tariffs on Chinese electronics, which DJI may be passing on to consumers. Outside the U.S., the Pocket 3’s price remained closer to the original. In Europe for example, it was around €529 at launch (including VAT) for base. So value depends where you are. If you can get it near the original $519, it’s considered a good deal for the tech inside – remember, it’s a 1″ sensor camera with a gimbal and advanced features that would otherwise require a camera + gimbal combo (e.g., a Sony RX100 + handheld gimbal would be bulkier and still cost more than $519). Many reviewers and users felt at $519 the Pocket 3 was “more than honest cost for what it can do” dpreview.com dpreview.com. One user comment even said it bordered on perfection for its price bracket dpreview.com. At $799, the equation is tougher. Yet, creators who rely on its unique capabilities still find it worth it – the convenience and quality in one device is unmatched. It’s telling that the Pocket 3 became Japan’s best-selling video camera in late 2023 redsharknews.com, indicating strong value perception among consumers there.
• DJI Osmo 360 comes in two configurations. The Standard Combo (camera + 1 battery + basic selfie stick + maybe pouch) launched at $549.99 USD theverge.com. The Adventure Combo (camera + 3 batteries + charging case + tilt mount + extended selfie stick, etc.) is $699.99 USD theverge.com. If you break that down, for an extra $150 you get two extra batteries (worth ~$80 together), the triple charger case, and some mounts – a pretty reasonable upgrade for power users. Notably, DJI did not directly sell Osmo 360 on the U.S. DJI Store due to the same import issues. But it allowed retailers like B&H and Adorama to take pre-orders at those prices theverge.com. In Europe, DJI listed it at €480 for Standard and €630 for Adventure dpreview.com, which is actually a bit lower equivalent (480 € is roughly $520). In Canada, it was about $580 CAD for Adventure according to DPReview (which if that’s CAD, is an even better deal) dpreview.com. The pricing seems quite aggressive – likely because of competition with Insta360 and GoPro in the action/360 space. At $549, Osmo 360 is in line with what a high-end 360 camera costs (Insta360 X3 was ~$450, Insta360 X5 is a bit more, GoPro Max was $499). And Osmo 360 offers superior specs (1″ sensors, 8K, etc.), so DJI clearly wanted to entice 360 enthusiasts.

Value considerations: If we consider value for money in terms of what you get:

• Pocket 3 gives you almost everything to be a one-person film crew: stabilized 4K camera, big sensor quality, and with the combo, pro-grade audio and extra battery. It essentially replaces a camera, a gimbal, and a wireless audio kit in one. For travel vloggers or content creators, that consolidation has huge value (less gear to carry or break). At the original price, it was a steal; at the higher price, it’s more of a premium buy, and some might weigh it against alternatives like a dedicated camera + gimbal or even smartphones (though no phone has a mechanical gimbal or such a large sensor paired with one). The unique selling point is that silky smooth gimbal footage + top-notch image quality in a truly pocket form. If those are crucial to you, then even at $799 it might be worth it. But if your needs are more casual and you don’t require the absolute best low-light or 4K120, there are cheaper options (e.g., DJI’s older Pocket 2 at ~$349, or action cams in the $300-500 range) – albeit none will give quite the same results as Pocket 3.
• Osmo 360’s value is easier to justify in its category: you simply cannot get another 360 camera with these specs at this price right now. It’s basically the flagship 360 camera in terms of image quality, and it’s priced reasonably for that status. Insta360’s latest model (the X5) is a direct competitor and has similar pricing, but slightly different focus (Insta360 tends to emphasize software tricks and maybe ease of use, whereas DJI hit hard with pure image quality and battery life). If you have $550 and want a 360 camera, the Osmo 360 is arguably the best bang for buck in 2025 given those industry-first features and the bundle of accessories. The Adventure Combo at $699 is also a great value if you plan to do a lot with it – extra batteries and the charger alone nearly account for the price difference, plus you get the mounts. Considering a single GoPro battery is ~$20 and a GoPro itself $400-500 for far less resolution (and not 360), DJI pricing looks competitive.

It is also worth noting the long-term value: Both cameras are DJI products, meaning they’ll get firmware updates and support for a while. DJI did increase Pocket 3’s price which frustrated some, but those who already bought in early got a bargain. The Osmo 360’s lack of direct US availability is a slight ding (if you must import, you might pay a bit of a premium or face warranty uncertainties), but many retailers are covering that gap.

One more angle: Resale and longevity. Tech like this can depreciate as new models come, but devices that are unique often hold value. Pocket 3 will likely serve a user for years; its predecessor Pocket 2 is still used by many and still competitive. Osmo 360 being DJI’s first could also remain useful for a long time because 8K360 is not going to be outdated quickly (many platforms can’t even show 8K yet, so it’s future-proof in a sense).

In conclusion, if evaluating pure specs-per-dollar: Osmo 360 offers more “power” per dollar (for $549 you get dual 1” sensors and an entire 360 kit). Pocket 3 offers a specialized solution that, if you need it, is almost priceless in convenience – but its price jump means it’s an investment. For creators who will exploit its capabilities (vloggers, travel bloggers, etc.), it’s absolutely worth it. For a general consumer who just wants a fun camera, the Pocket 3 might be overkill at $800, whereas the Osmo 360 could be justifiable for someone wanting to experiment with 360 and standard action shots (two functions in one) at $549.

Finally, consider bundle deals and sales: Since release, Pocket 3 has sometimes been bundled or had slight discounts (especially outside the US). Osmo 360 might also be part of kits. Always check what’s included – e.g., the B&H bundle might throw in a microSD card or spare accessories, which can tilt the value proposition further in favor. Also, as newer models appear on the horizon (see upcoming models section), prices might adjust.

Portability and Accessories

Both the Osmo 360 and Pocket 3 are designed to be highly portable, but their form-factors differ, leading to different carrying experiences and accessory ecosystems.

Portability:

• Osmo Pocket 3: True to its name, it’s pocket-sized – roughly a small stick or handgrip shape. At 179 g and about 14 cm tall d1store.com.au carmarthencameras.com, it’s similar in weight to a smartphone but more compact in shape. You can slip it into a jacket or cargo pants pocket easily, though as mentioned it’s a tad awkward in tight pants pockets due to the camera head protruding theverge.com. DJI includes a hard protective sleeve that covers the gimbal and screen, making it safe to carry loose without damaging the lens or motors. With that case, it’s a bit thicker but still very portable. Many users carry the Pocket 3 on a wrist strap or in a small pouch to be extra safe. Its advantage is that you don’t need any additional gear to capture stable footage – no external gimbal or tripod required for basic use. It can literally live in your pocket ready to pull out for a quick shot of a street performance, a scenic view, or a family moment.
• Osmo 360: The Osmo 360 is also very compact for what it is (183 g, dimensions ~6×3.6×8 cm) dji.com dji.com, but because of the dual lenses, you’d typically carry it in a protective case or lens cap. DJI provides a semi-rigid case in the Adventure Combo which holds the camera and maybe some small accessories. It won’t fit comfortably in a pants pocket (too thick and lens domes can snag); it’s more like GoPro-size, so it’ll go in a small camera bag, purse, or jacket pocket. It’s absolutely portable compared to traditional cameras – you can bring it anywhere without feeling weighed down. If you bring the selfie stick or other mounts, that’s extra, but those can go in a backpack easily. One neat aspect: because you can remove the battery, you could carry spares without carrying multiple cameras – just extra little battery packs.

Accessories:

DJI has developed extensive accessory line-ups for both, but especially for Osmo 360 given its action/360 nature. Here’s a rundown of notable accessories and add-ons:

• Osmo Pocket 3 Accessories:
  • Battery Handle: As discussed, it extends battery life and provides a larger grip and a 1/4″ tripod thread amazon.com. It’s included in higher combos or sold separately. It’s a must for longer stationary shots (e.g., time-lapses, interviews) because it keeps the Pocket powered and stable on a tripod.
  • Wide-Angle Lens: A magnetic snap-on lens that widens the field of view of the Pocket 3’s camera (from 20 mm to something like ~15 mm equivalent). This is great for vlogging (fits more in frame) or indoor shots where you want a wider perspective. It likely introduces a bit of distortion, but the Pocket will auto-correct when it detects the lens.
  • ND Filters: Though not mentioned explicitly in our sources, typically DJI offers neutral density filter sets that magnetically attach to the camera, useful for maintaining proper shutter speeds in bright conditions (for cinematic motion blur).
  • Tripod/Extension Pole: The combo’s mini tripod is handy for static shots. There are also extension poles available if you want to use Pocket 3 like a selfie stick – you can mount it and control with the DJI Mimo app remotely. Some third-party makers even provide long extension poles with Bluetooth remotes for Pockets.
  • Controller Wheel (?): For Pocket 2 there was a physical control wheel accessory. Pocket 3, with its bigger screen, might not have a dedicated one, but some third-party or future accessory could provide more tactile control.
  • Wireless Module: Actually, Pocket 3 has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connecting to your phone (the “For Moving Moments” tagline suggests it’s integrated). Pocket 2 needed a separate base for wireless. Pocket 3 can likely connect to the DJI Mimo app out-of-the-box, which is an accessory in itself as it unlocks more control (bigger live view on phone, finer settings, editing on phone, etc.).
  • Audio: The DJI Mic 2 is essentially an accessory (though also a standalone product). Additional transmitters can be purchased (it supports two channels). Also, a DJI Mic Mini was mentioned – possibly a smaller wireless mic – which is also compatible dji.com. You could also use other USB-C mics if desired.
  • Protective case and straps: Basic but important – carrying cases (like the included cover or aftermarket pouches), lanyards to secure it, etc., are common accessories to keep it safe during travel.
  The general theme with Pocket 3 accessories is enhancing shooting convenience (tripods, extension, filters) and supporting creative needs (wider lens, better audio).
• Osmo 360 Accessories: (Many listed in The Verge piece theverge.com theverge.com and others)
  DJI essentially turned Osmo 360 into a modular action cam. Key accessories include:
  • Invisible Selfie Stick: A staple for 360 cams. It attaches to the camera (via magnetic mount or a standard 1/4″ thread) and, when you film, the stick does not appear in the shot (the camera’s two lenses effectively see around it and DJI’s software erases it). They have it in different lengths: a regular one (~70 cm), a 1 m carbon fiber stick, and a super long 2.5 m stick for drone-like aerial shots theverge.com. The 2.5 m (about 8 feet) allows incredible perspectives as if the camera is flying. These sticks are lightweight and portable (they collapse).
  • Tripod Selfie Stick Combo: A selfie stick that has tripod legs – useful for setting the camera down for 360 photos or group shots theverge.com.
  • Magnetic Mount (Tilting Mount): The quick-release base that clips the camera and offers a pivot (0° or 68°) provideocoalition.com. I believe one is included in Adventure Combo. It has the standard 2-prong action mount interface so you can attach it to any GoPro-compatible mount (helmet mounts, chest harness, suction cups, etc.).
  • Invisible Selfie Stick + Mount Combo: They even sell a bundle of the stick + mount theverge.com.
  • Battery Extension Rod: As mentioned, this is a combo of a long grip with built-in big battery, a tilting head, and integrated control buttons provideocoalition.com. It essentially can replace the need for Adventure Combo if you buy it separately, since it gives extra life and comfortable selfie use. It’s excellent for travel and vlogging since you can record yourself with the camera a bit further out, and use the rod’s buttons to start/stop and switch views provideocoalition.com.
  • Lens Protectors: Transparent covers that go over the fisheye lenses to prevent scratches theverge.com. A must if you’re doing any risky activity – scratched lens on a 360 cam can ruin image quality. They slightly can reduce sharpness or cause flare, but better than a ruined lens.
  • Waterproof Case: The camera body itself is waterproof to 10 m, but for deeper diving or to avoid refraction issues underwater, DJI offers a dedicated waterproof housing theverge.com. This likely allows going to 20-30 m depth for scuba diving 360 shots. The case might also help with stitching by keeping water off the lens directly.
  • Mounts for sports: They have specific mounts like a helmet mount (third-person) that extends the camera above or behind a helmet theverge.com – great for getting “third person” POV in activities like skiing or motorcycling. A neck hanging mount theverge.com (imagine wearing the camera like a pendant at chest level, for hands-free filming). A motorcycle handlebar or bike tube mount theverge.com to put the camera on bikes. A dual clamp (maybe to mount both Osmo 360 and another cam side by side) theverge.com – or possibly to clamp the selfie stick to something. DJI basically covered a wide range of mounting scenarios, similar to the ecosystem that GoPro and Insta360 have nurtured.
  • Carrying cases: There are aftermarket and DJI cases (we saw on Amazon offerings like hard cases, small pouch, etc.) amazon.com amazon.com, to organize the camera and its many small accessories.
  • Microphones: Not an “accessory” per se, but using DJI Mic or other external mic is part of the system if you need it.

Given these accessories, Osmo 360 can transform: one moment it’s on a huge pole capturing an aerial view, the next it’s strapped to a helmet, then it’s on a tripod shooting a time-lapse. Pocket 3 is a bit more limited physically – you wouldn’t strap it to a helmet (the gimbal would flail, and it’s not rugged enough). You also can’t really extend Pocket 3 too far up without losing control (though the Mimo app remote view helps for some distance).

Travel and packing: If you travel, Pocket 3 is all-in-one and you’ll likely bring maybe the wireless mic and a mini tripod. That could all fit in a small case like the size of a glasses case. Osmo 360, if you go full kit, you might bring the selfie stick, extra batteries, mounts – that’s a bit more gear to pack, though each item is small. If space is super tight, you could just take the camera and one stick and be fine too.

One user’s perspective: A reviewer from ProVideoCoalition said “The Osmo 360 with a Battery Extension Rod is my new favorite travel camera”, noting that quality in single-lens mode is very good and he can capture everything he sees without staring at a screen provideocoalition.com. That speaks to how the 360’s portability + accessories (extension rod) make it great for travel logs – you hold it out, enjoy the moment, and know it’s all recorded for later editing. Conversely, travel vloggers have lauded the Pocket 3 for being so unobtrusive and easy that it “did not disturb but rather complemented and supported a vacation” – one filmmaker said using Pocket 3 on holiday allowed him to capture memories without irritating his family or taking them out of the moment cined.com. That’s a big portability win – it’s small and quick enough that it doesn’t interfere with real life experiences.

In summary, both devices score high on portability but in different ways. The Pocket 3 is the king of “grab-and-go” minimalism for high-quality video. The Osmo 360 is ultra-versatile for creative shots with a bit more gear. If you’re someone who loves accessories and experimenting with camera placement, Osmo 360 will delight you with its add-ons. If you prefer to carry just one tiny camera and nothing else, Pocket 3 fits that bill better.

Expert Opinions and Quotes

Technology reviewers and camera experts have had high praise for both of these DJI devices, often highlighting how they break new ground in their respective categories. Here are some notable expert observations and quotes:

• On Osmo Pocket 3’s breakthrough design: “The DJI Pocket 3 is not really an action camera… What it is is a breakthrough video camera… with no compromises.” – bing041, DPReview Forums dpreview.com dpreview.com. This enthusiast review lauded the Pocket 3’s combination of 3-axis gimbal, 1″ sensor, and advanced features as something truly unique. He pointed out that thanks to the gimbal, you get stable footage with no quality loss, and the large sensor’s 9.3 MP resolution is “more than enough for 4K video” while delivering better low-light than any previous 1″ sensor camera because of the larger pixels dpreview.com. The sentiment is that Pocket 3 pushed the frontier of small camera capabilities.
• Image quality comparable to bigger cameras: “I fully understood the hype. The video quality often comes close to my full-frame Sony mirrorless… and is very noticeably better than my phone. The original Pockets couldn’t make those boasts, but the Pocket 3 is a cut above.” – Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge theverge.com. In his piece titled “The DJI Pocket 3 is almost everything I wanted my iPhone camera to be”, Quentyn expresses surprise at how far DJI upped the image quality in the Pocket 3. He also listed a litany of upgrades: “Its larger one-inch sensor is now bigger than those in most phones, with better low-light performance and more reliable autofocusing… It has a much bigger display, longer battery life, faster charge time, more microphones — the list goes on” theverge.com. This quote underscores that many aspects (from imaging to usability) received major boosts, making it a favorite gadget for him and others at The Verge.
• On Osmo 360’s impact in the 360 cam market: “DJI has announced a 360 camera… The Osmo 360 promises ‘the sharpest photos possible on the 360 camera market.’ It also claims a few firsts, including the first 360 camera to shoot 8K 50fps… and the only 360 camera capable of recording continuously for 100 minutes in 8K.” – Abby Ferguson, DPReview dpreview.com. This commentary from DPReview’s news article highlights how Osmo 360 leapfrogs existing 360 cameras. Achieving those specs (8K50, long 8K recording) was unheard of previously, signaling DJI’s intent to set a new benchmark.
• Reviewer’s personal take (Osmo 360): “The Osmo 360 with a Battery Extension Rod is my new favorite travel camera. Quality in single lens mode is very good, stability is great, and I can capture what I’m seeing without staring at a screen all day.” – Iain Anderson, ProVideo Coalition provideocoalition.com. This quote gives a real-world endorsement: a professional reviewer finding that Osmo 360 enhanced his travel shooting experience by letting him live in the moment (pointing the camera generally and knowing he can frame later). He also implicitly praises the image quality (“very good”) and the stabilization.
• Popularity and reception (Pocket 3): “The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 was launched to great reception in the latter half of 2023, and has gone on to be the best selling video camera of them all in Japan since. With its 1-inch sensor, surprisingly good image quality, built-in gimbal and seamless connection to the DJI Mic 2 system it has proven to be one of the most popular cameras of recent times.” – Simon Wyndham, RedShark News redsharknews.com. This summation by a tech journalist reinforces how well the Pocket 3’s feature set resonated with consumers and creators, leading to record sales in some markets. It highlights the key selling points: big sensor, image quality, gimbal, and audio integration.
• Vlogging camera verdict: “DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 brings big improvements… Maybe the only vlogging camera you need.” – Engadget review title paraphrase engadget.com. Engadget’s review (titled “Maybe the only vlogging camera you need”) points out that for a lot of content creators, the Pocket 3 can single-handedly cover their needs. They cited its simplicity, small size, and maneuverability in tight spaces as major positives engadget.com.
• Innovation recognition: Noted camera reviewer Tyler Stalman and YouTuber Camera Conspiracies both commented that Pocket 3 is a wake-up call to bigger camera manufacturers. According to a forum post, “Tony & Chelsea Northrup put out a video basically saying watch out Sony/Canon… and Camera Conspiracies said about the same thing” because the Pocket 3 shows real innovation in a stagnant market dpreview.com. This indicates the expert community sees DJI as pushing boundaries where traditional camera companies have not (like putting a 1″ sensor on a gimbal in a pocket device).
• Audio praise: We’d be remiss not to include an audio-related expert note: “Its microphones did a better job at taming the loud audio levels [at an event] without overly dampening the sound” – The Verge theverge.com. While not a standalone quote, it’s an expert observation that the Pocket 3’s audio recording is well above typical small-camera quality.

In essence, experts admire the Osmo Pocket 3 for how it essentially created a new category of do-it-all pocket cinema camera, and they commend the Osmo 360 for raising the bar in 360° capture. Both have been described with superlatives – “breakthrough”, “revolutionary”, “game-changer” – within their reviews. Professional vloggers and filmmakers have started incorporating these tools and even evangelizing them as must-haves for certain use cases.

It’s not all rosy – experts also note limitations (Pocket 3’s non-removable battery and lack of optical zoom, Osmo 360’s necessity of post-processing for 360 videos, etc.) dpreview.com – but the overall tone is that DJI delivered something special in both products that pushes consumer camera tech forward.

Use Cases: Which to Choose for Vlogging, Travel, Sports, etc.

Depending on what you want to film, one device may be more suitable than the other – or you might even use them together. Let’s explore common use scenarios:

Vlogging & Selfie Videos: For talking to the camera, walking around city streets, or doing pieces-to-camera, the Osmo Pocket 3 is arguably ideal. Its advantages for vlogging include the front-facing rotatable screen (so you can frame yourself easily), the ActiveTrack that keeps you in frame as you move amazon.com, and the superior internal mic or wireless mic support for capturing your voice clearly. The mechanical gimbal stabilization means you get that “floating camera” effect as you walk and talk – smooth footage that looks very professional, with no jitter. The one limitation is a 20 mm lens can be a bit tight in close-up; however, with the wide-angle adapter it becomes more comfortable for handheld selfie framing (more background in shot). Many travel vloggers have adopted the Pocket series because it’s discreet – you can vlog in public without a big rig attracting attention – and the Pocket 3 makes it even easier with its flip screen and improved quality. In contrast, Osmo 360 can be used for vlogging, but in a different way. If you hold it on a short pole, it will capture an ultra-wide (or even 360) view that includes you and everything around you. The cool part is you don’t need to worry about pointing it – you can literally capture yourself and the scenery simultaneously, then later edit the footage to cut or pan to whatever perspective you want reddit.com. Some creators mount a 360 cam like Osmo 360 above them or off to the side to get a “third-person” view (like a drone following them). Osmo 360 also excels at group vlogging – say you have two or three people talking on camera, a 360 cam in the middle can record everyone and you can choose whose angle to show. However, the audio might be trickier (360 mic picks up all directions, so ambient noise might be an issue – external mics recommended). If the priority is a polished, ready-to-upload vlog with minimal editing, Pocket 3 is the winner – it gives you a nicely framed, stabilized video of you talking, out of the box. If the priority is a dynamic, interactive or VR-style vlog, or capturing yourself in an environment with flexibility to reframe, Osmo 360 offers creative possibilities (like Tiny Planet effects, 360 pans, etc., which can make vlogs more engaging visually).

Travel & Tourism: Traveling often entails a mix of capturing yourself, capturing landscapes, and moving through interesting scenes (markets, hikes, etc.). Both cameras are excellent travel companions but serve slightly different roles. Pocket 3 is great for travelogues where you narrate or want artistic B-roll – its footage will look cinematic, and you can easily switch to slow motion for waterfalls or action, do timelapses of sunsets, etc. It’s small enough to always have on you for spontaneous moments. Also, if you visit places like museums or concerts that restrict “professional cameras,” the Pocket often slides under the radar (as one Verge writer found, he could bring it into an event where a larger camera would be barred theverge.com). On the other hand, Osmo 360 shines in travel for capturing immersive memories. If you’re at the summit of a mountain or in a picturesque piazza, a 360 photo or video can capture the entire scene – letting you later relive it in VR or show friends a view in any direction. It’s like taking a slice of the place home with you. Also, for solo travelers, the Osmo 360 on a selfie stick can capture you and the environment without needing someone else to hold the camera – and it can do those drone-like “pull out” shots over a landscape (with the 2.5 m stick, it looks like a aerial view). For activities like snorkeling, Osmo 360 (with waterproof case) can capture underwater 360 views which Pocket 3 cannot (Pocket isn’t waterproof and has no case available). If you’re backpacking light, you might choose one device: many travel bloggers now actually carry both a pocket gimbal camera and a 360 cam to cover all bases. If you had to choose: for storytelling and ease, Pocket 3; for creative versatility and unique shots, Osmo 360.

Adventure Sports & Extreme Activities: This is squarely the domain of the Osmo 360 (and action cams). If you’re doing sports like skiing, mountain biking, skydiving, surfing, etc., the Osmo 360 is built for that. You can mount it securely and not worry about water or impact. Its 360 capture means you don’t have to aim – great for fast action where keeping a subject in frame is hard. Later you can find the best angles. For example, mount Osmo 360 on your bike helmet – it will record every direction, and you can edit to show either your POV or your face or a sweeping view around you. The Pocket 3 is not suited to most high-impact sports: it’s not rugged and the gimbal could even be damaged by too much force or rapid motion (plus without an IP rating, one crash in mud or a dunk in a river and it’s done). One might use Pocket 3 in gentler activities – e.g., walking a trail (it’s great for hiking footage), or maybe on a smooth kayak ride for cinematic water-level shots (with caution re: water). But for anything rough, you’d leave the Pocket in your bag and use Osmo 360 or an Osmo Action camera. Osmo 360 also can do FPV-style shots – like stick it out of a car sunroof or on a bumper, capturing crazy angles, and the stabilization/horizon lock will keep the footage usable. Many Insta360 users do this for motor sports; Osmo 360 with its superior image quality would do it even better.

Family and Everyday Life: If your use case is recording family moments, events, kids, etc., both can work well. Pocket 3 is almost like a camcorder replacement but with cinematic flair – you can capture a child’s birthday with smooth moves and good audio, or take it to a school play and zoom (digitally 2x) a bit if needed theverge.com. It’s small so kids won’t be intimidated by it, and you can get on their level easily. Osmo 360 might be overkill for casual family videos unless you specifically want 360 memories or the ability to choose angles (which could be fun – e.g., recording a family gathering in 360 so later you can see everyone’s interactions, not just who you pointed at). For travel theme parks or beach days, note Pocket 3 must be kept dry/clean, whereas Osmo 360 can handle sand and splashes. So families that do a lot of outdoors might find Osmo 360 more robust (just mind the lenses). However, one could argue that the average person will find Pocket 3 footage easier to deal with (no reframing required, easy to share straight away).

Professional Filmmaking & B-roll: Content creators sometimes use these devices as secondary cameras. Pocket 3 can act as a B-cam for interviews (on a mini tripod capturing a wide shot with its large sensor – it even has decent depth-of-field for closeups due to the 1″ sensor). Its D-Log and 10-bit let pros color match with main footage dpreview.com. Osmo 360 can be used for specialty shots that would be hard otherwise – e.g., a director could use it to capture a 360 establishing shot of a location, or for visual effects (you can get drone-like swoops in tight spaces where a real drone can’t fly). It’s also useful for sports analysis or creative re-edits, since you can generate multiple different 16:9 videos from one 360 recording (like one camera capturing an entire scene that you later cut between angles). We even saw mention that a Sundance-hopeful short film used Pocket 3 for some scenes theverge.com – showing that quality is high enough to mix with high-end footage if done carefully.

Social Media & Vertical Content: If you’re primarily making TikToks, Instagram Reels, etc., Pocket 3 has you covered because of its built-in vertical shooting mode (the screen rotates and it records natively vertical, 2160×3840 for 9:16) dji.com. It can do all the fancy things in vertical – slow-mo, glamor effects (beauty filters) dji.com, tracking, etc., making it a powerful tool for solo creators on social. Osmo 360 can also produce vertical videos; one way is to export a reframed vertical shot from the 360 footage (DJI’s app likely has templates for that). But it’s a more involved process. If you want quick turnaround vertical content, Pocket is simpler. If you want eye-popping unique shots (like 360 Tiny Planet effects or the ability for viewers to pan around on Facebook 360 posts), then Osmo 360 is unique.

Complementary Use: There’s a reason some reviews frame it not as Osmo 360 vs Pocket 3, but as a “perfect pair” youtube.com. They really do different things well. In fact, one Redditor on r/osmopocket asked if there’s any point to the 360 if he already loves his Pocket 3 – and the consensus was that they are different tools: “360 is more action-oriented… quality-wise Pocket 3 is still superior for cinematic shots” reddit.com. But the Osmo 360 offers the flexibility of reframing and durability for action that Pocket can’t reddit.com reddit.com. Another user described the benefit of having both: “A 360 camera allows you to capture nearly your whole view and decide later how to edit it. The main downsides… has always been quality compared to a dedicated video camera like the Pocket. The Osmo 360 seems to be upping the game though.” reddit.com reddit.com. This suggests that Osmo 360’s video quality got closer to acceptable for serious use, while Pocket 3 retains an edge in sheer image fidelity.

So, if your use case is:

• “I want to document my travels and make a vlog/travel film”: Pocket 3 is probably your primary, possibly supplemented by a 360 cam for special shots.
• “I do crazy outdoor sports and want immersive footage”: Osmo 360 (or Action cam) is primary; Pocket can handle the calmer in-between moments if you want.
• “I’m a content creator who does a bit of everything (talking, action, creative angles)”: Honestly, you’d benefit from both – use Pocket 3 whenever you need directed storytelling and great audio, use Osmo 360 for stunts, unique perspectives, or secondary angles.

One final note: VR content – obviously only Osmo 360 can produce true VR/immersive videos or photos. If you want to create content for VR headsets or interactive 360° videos on YouTube/Facebook, then Osmo 360 (or any 360 cam) is required. Pocket 3 cannot do that (it’s a single perspective device).

Current News and Updates

As of 2025, both the Osmo 360 and Pocket 3 are mature products with a number of updates and newsworthy items around them:

• Osmo 360 U.S. Availability: Perhaps the biggest news around the Osmo 360’s launch was DJI’s decision not to sell it directly in the United States initially. On July 31, 2025 (launch day), DJI confirmed it was skipping the U.S. market via official channels due to unspecified “multiple reasons” theverge.com theverge.com. This likely ties into the ongoing U.S. trade restrictions and tariffs on DJI products (as previously happened with some of their drones). However, the device is still obtainable in the U.S. through retailers – B&H and Adorama started taking pre-orders at launch theverge.com, and by now you can actually find the Osmo 360 on Amazon and other outlets via resellers theverge.com. For example, The Verge reported that those retailers were offering it at the standard $549.99 and $699.99 combo prices theverge.com. The catch for consumers is warranty might be a grey area if DJI isn’t officially distributing it – though presumably DJI will still honor warranties, they just made a quiet launch. So news-wise: if you’re in the U.S., you won’t see Osmo 360 at the DJI Store, but you can indeed get your hands on one (and many have by now). This situation is reminiscent of what happened with DJI’s Mavic 4 Pro drone skipping direct U.S. sales theverge.com. No update yet on if/when DJI will officially bring Osmo 360 to the U.S. market – their spokesperson said “no timeline on when or if” it’ll be available officially theverge.com.
• Pocket 3 Price Hikes: In early 2024, news broke that DJI raised the Pocket 3’s price in the U.S. significantly theverge.com. In fact, The Verge ran a piece highlighting back-to-back price hikes – originally $519, then up to $599, then finally $799 by around February 2024 theverge.com. This was indeed tied to U.S. tariffs on Chinese tech (DJI was hit with import duties that made it costly to sell at the old price). The community reaction was mixed – some early buyers felt lucky, others who waited were frustrated. Reddit threads popped up weighing whether it’s still worth it at the new price or if one should wait for a possible Pocket 4 reddit.com. Internationally, the price remained stable, but in the U.S. this was a notable development. It also fueled speculation about DJI’s strategy: they might be bracing for continued trade issues (as evidenced by Osmo 360’s no-official-US-launch).
• Firmware Updates: Both cameras have received firmware updates improving features. For instance, not long after Pocket 3’s release, a firmware update enabled 10-bit D-Log M and HLG for 4K 120fps slow-mo (initially it might have been limited) – an Engadget note references that youtube.com. Updates also fine-tuned ActiveTrack and autofocus. Osmo 360 likely got updates to optimize stitching, maybe add features in the Mimo app or integration with DJI’s desktop software (DJI Studio). DJI often listens to user feedback to add functionality; for example, if people requested interval shooting improvements or new hyperlapse speeds, those could come in updates. It’s worth checking DJI’s release notes; as of late 2025, both should be pretty polished.
• Software & App: A current note for Android users: DJI’s Mimo app was removed from Google Play due to some compatibility issues amazon.com. DJI directs users to download it from their site. This applies to all DJI handhelds (Pocket, Osmo Action, Osmo 360) using Mimo. It’s not a huge issue, but a news tidbit to be aware of – you have to sideload the app on Android now (likely due to some Google policy compliance thing – DJI had similar with their Fly app). The iOS App Store version is unaffected.
• Competitor Moves: The landscape around these devices has news too. On the 360 front, Insta360 launched new models (like Insta360 X5 around mid-2025) and even announced they’re entering drone cameras dpreview.com. This was right when DJI launched Osmo 360 – essentially the two companies encroaching on each other’s turf. Tech outlets like DPReview and The Verge commented on this timing, framing it as “drone giant DJI enters 360 cams just as 360 cam leader enters drones” dpreview.com. It’s interesting industry news showing competition heating up – which is good for consumers as it spurs innovation.
• Supply and Stock: There were some reports of Pocket 3 being sold out at times (possibly after the price hike, ironically, or due to high demand). For example, a YouTube video from early 2024 noted “The DJI Pocket 3 is SOLD OUT, here are alternatives…” youtube.com. That suggests stock shortages possibly when DJI halted US shipments during tariff adjustments. By now, supply seems normal.
• Content Creator Adoption: Not “news” in a traditional sense, but it’s noteworthy: many YouTubers and influencers have been raving about these devices. For instance, Vjeran Pavic from The Verge called Pocket 3 his favorite gadget of 2023 theverge.com. That’s significant because it indicates widespread professional adoption. Also, if you search social media, you’ll find creators using Osmo 360 for creative shots (some comparing it with Insta360 in depth).
• DJI’s Osmo Line Evolution: On the Osmo branding front, DJI used 2023–2025 to re-embrace “Osmo” for handhelds (Pocket 3 is officially Osmo Pocket 3, Action cams renamed Osmo Action, etc.). This unified the lineup. The current Osmo lineup as of 2025 includes: Osmo Mobile (OM phone gimbals), Osmo Pocket 3, Osmo Action series (Action 4, Action 5 Pro), Osmo 360, and DJI Mic (audio). DJI even put out a blog or media content summarizing these as tools for creators (one DJI page lists “Osmo 360, Osmo Pocket 3, Osmo Action 5 Pro… capture smooth video; audio products like DJI Mic…” dji.com). This suggests DJI is going all-in catering to the creator market.
• Legal Considerations: Unlike drones, these handheld cameras don’t face heavy regulation. One soft news item: because Osmo 360 can hide a selfie stick and simulate drone shots, some people joked it’s a way to “bypass drone restrictions.” If drones are banned somewhere, you could use a 360 cam on a pole to get a similar shot. We saw a mention of using a long pole “where a drone would be unsafe or illegal” provideocoalition.com. It’s not exactly news, but an interesting workaround note.

Overall, current updates show both products are being supported and are carving out strong user bases, but also dealing with the external challenge of US–China trade issues. Consumers should be aware of the price changes and availability quirks, but also that these devices are pretty much state-of-the-art in late 2025 for their categories, with no major new replacement announced yet (see next section for rumors).

Upcoming Models and Rumors in the Osmo Line

DJI’s Osmo line has expanded rapidly, and of course, tech enthusiasts are always curious about what’s next. Here’s what we know or can speculate, with sources:

• Osmo Action 5 Pro and Osmo Action 6: DJI released the Osmo Action 5 Pro in September 2024 dronexl.co. This was an upgraded action camera (the successor to Osmo Action 4). According to DroneXL, it launched on Sept 19, 2024, featuring a 1/1.3″ sensor, improved low-light, possibly higher frame rates, and new accessories dronexl.co. It was seen as a significant upgrade targeting adventurers and competing with GoPro Hero12. Now, rumors are already swirling about an Osmo Action 6 (or Action 6 Pro) for late 2025 loyaltydrones.com. A “leaks and rumors” site claimed an Action 6 with 8K capabilities is rumored for Fall 2025 loyaltydrones.com. If true, that could incorporate some tech from the Osmo 360 (maybe the sensor or processing) to leapfrog GoPro. This suggests DJI isn’t slowing down on action cams – they might unify Action 6 with similar 10-bit, D-Log profiles and perhaps even compatibility with Osmo 360 batteries or mounts. So for Osmo line fans: keep an eye out Q3/Q4 2025 for a new action cam possibly boasting 8K (which would match the GoPro Max’s 5.6K 360 but in a single-lens device – interesting rumor).
• Osmo Pocket 4: As of now, there is no official word on Pocket 4. DJI doesn’t update the Pocket line annually like phones; there was a 3-year gap between Pocket 2 (2020) and Pocket 3 (late 2023). Given the major jump in Pocket 3, many believe Pocket 4 is at least a couple of years off (possibly 2025 or 2026). However, some early adopters are speculating if they should “wait for a Pocket 4.” For instance, a Reddit thread in 2025 had a user asking if they should get Pocket 3 now or hold off for Pocket 4 reddit.com. The consensus was that Pocket 4 isn’t on the immediate horizon, especially since Pocket 3’s US price just went up (DJI would likely stick with it to recoup that). If any rumors exist, they are very scarce – nothing concrete has leaked. One interesting tidbit: Canon patented a similar concept – a compact gimbal camera with possibly interchangeable lenses dpreview.com. If Canon or others enter this space, DJI might accelerate Pocket 4 development to maintain lead. For now, though, no known rumors of Pocket 4 features or dates. It’s likely at least a year away, and would probably build on Pocket 3 (maybe adding an optical zoom or even larger sensor if tech allows, but that’s pure conjecture).
• Osmo 360 – future versions: The Osmo 360 just launched in mid-2025, so it’s brand new. No rumors yet about an Osmo 360 “2” or variant. DJI will probably gauge its success. If anything, they might consider a lower-cost 360 or a variant tailored to consumers if the current one is seen as prosumer. But no credible leaks on that yet.
• Osmo Nano (Rumored): This is an intriguing one – leaks have pointed to an upcoming device called DJI Osmo Nano, expected to be a modular mini action camera akin to the Insta360 GO series or a successor to DJI’s own Action 2 (which was modular) techradar.com digitalcameraworld.com. TechRadar and DigitalCameraWorld wrote that “DJI looks set to rival Insta360 with a new modular mini cam” and that Osmo Nano leaks show a tiny camera module with magnetic snap-on parts techradar.com digitalcameraworld.com. Pricing was rumored around $369–$399 (for 64 GB and 128 GB versions) dronexl.co, indicating it’s a small device with built-in storage. The Nano is expected to be very light and wearable, possibly an evolution of the DJI Action 2 concept but improved. Some leaked images and descriptions show a camera that might be used for hands-free POV shots, vlogging in a more casual way, or as an always-on wearable. It could compete with Insta360 GO 3 or GoPro’s new tiny models. The rumor mill suggests a release perhaps in late 2025, but DJI hasn’t confirmed anything yet. If Osmo Nano comes, it extends the Osmo line further, giving creators another tool – something between an action cam and an FPV cam.
• DJI Mic 3 / Audio gear: While not a camera, DJI’s audio gear is part of the ecosystem. DJI Mic 2 came out with Pocket 3 (the new dual-channel kit). There was mention of a DJI Mic 3 in some YouTube rumor discussions youtube.com, perhaps a future iteration or a mini version. If DJI keeps up, we might see even smaller mic transmitters (the “Mic Mini” is already out by 2025) or higher quality audio options.
• Osmo Mobile / Phone Gimbals: DJI typically releases a new Osmo Mobile (smartphone gimbal) every year. As of 2025, the OM7 or OM8 might be around. They often incorporate some of the tracking tech improvements. While not directly asked, in the Osmo line that’s an upcoming model to watch each year – but they’re relatively minor upgrades.
• Drones named Osmo? No – Osmo branding is for handhelds, drones remain Mavic, Mini, etc. One upcoming drone rumored was Mini 5 Pro around July 2025 thenewcamera.com, but that’s outside our scope.

Summarizing rumored timeline:

• Confirmed: Osmo Action 5 Pro (Sept 2024) – already out dronexl.co.
• Expected: Osmo Action 6 or Action 6 Pro in late 2025 with possible 8K and other upgrades loyaltydrones.com.
• Rumored: Osmo Nano (a new category of mini camera) possibly soon, given multiple leaks in 2025 thenewcamera.com digitalcameraworld.com.
• Speculative: Osmo Pocket 4 likely in a year or two, but no solid info; just that DJI historically might wait 2-3 years for a major Pocket upgrade.
• Other Osmo expansions: DJI could also integrate AI more (maybe future devices with on-board AI editing, etc., but that’s speculation).

Each of these would come with sources or press at launch. For instance, if Action 6 is leaked by loyaltydrones.com (as cited loyaltydrones.com), that’s a sign it might be on the roadmap.

For now, if someone is deciding whether to buy Osmo 360 or Pocket 3, the good news is that neither has a direct successor announced at this moment – so they won’t be immediately outdated. The Osmo 360 is the first of its line; any Osmo 360 “2” is likely a couple years off. Pocket 3 is less than two years old and still top-of-class; Pocket 4 is not imminent by any rumor. So investing in them now is still sound. The next likely Osmo to actually hit the market is the rumored Osmo Nano for a different use-case, and the confirmed new action cam (Action 5 Pro, already out, and possibly Action 6 in 2025).

We will certainly keep our eyes on DJI’s Media Center for official announcements dji.com – DJI often teases new product events, and leakers on Twitter or forums (like @DealsDrone or @OsitaLV) often spill details ahead of time. But as of this writing, Pocket 3 and Osmo 360 remain the cutting-edge offerings in their niches.

Sources: The information above was gathered from hands-on reviews, official specs, and credible tech news outlets such as DPReview, The Verge, and DroneXL, as well as community discussions on Reddit. Key sources are cited inline (for example, DPReview’s news on Osmo 360 dpreview.com, The Verge’s Pocket 3 impressions theverge.com, and Reddit user insights reddit.com) for verification and further reading. Each provides additional context on the capabilities and reception of the Osmo 360 and Osmo Pocket 3.