These are my initial thoughts based on the differences between these cameras. I'll be making more Pocket 3 content in the future showing its features in more depth.

These gears are meant for different scenarios. If you need to talk a lot to the camera, pocket3 is the go-to choice. It really enhances your on-screen charisma.😂

What an excellent review. Thanks for taking the time to do this 👍

Really great in-depth comparison of the two cameras! We've been going back and forth between the two and I think you made our decision much easier with the fact that the Action 4 can withstand the elements!

Thank you, I am in the process of deciding how to blow a tidy sum on filming kit for my own channel. I have been using a pocket 2 but I've outgrown it. Was looking at swopping that in for an Action 4 at Cex (pretty much a straight swop price wise) and then getting a full frame mirrorless for my main camera. Rain is definitely an issue for the pocket series, has been a real limiting factor last couple of years.

Thanks for this video, it's one of the best I've seen. Now that I also live in Ireland, where it's rainy and gray most of the time, it makes a huge difference on which camera to use

Great vid, I am a total hobbyist on a budget. I have a hero 9 and just forked out for an insta X3, then the pocket 3 just came out and I'm like ooooooohhh ahhhhhhh... but I don't need it, and you've helped me make that decision. Cheers, subbed.

I prefer the action 4. I like wide for travel vlogging. But the pocket is good, that device functionality can replace a camera for a ton of situations.

Discovered your channel recently because I'm hesitating between the Pocket 3, the Action 4 and the Insta360 X3: Love your videos! I already have a nice camera (a6600, very soon becoming the a6700) and a great combo of lenses. I want that no mas, no fuss tiny small camera I can carry anytime anywhere (motorbilke, hiking, camping with the kids). I live in the UK, so it's just as rainy as you in Ireland. You're making a crucial point regarding the Pocket 3 ! While I love the idea of 360 shots and the creative possibilities, the exposed easily scratchable lenses, as well as the slightly worst reliability, are making me lean more and more convincingly towards the Action 4... Keep up with the good content !

Nice video. Would be good to see the action put into narrow mode and compare. I know that’s only available at 2.7k but similar focal length.

Best comparison video at a great spot. ❤

just picked up the dii action 4 can't wait to start making content with it

The best choice would be to have both. I've used my Pocket 3 in the rain (heavy rain!) a few times, as well as during a snow fall and even hail! But... with an umbrella. Cumbersome, and just a small, old umbrella, but never any problem whatsoever with the Pocket 3- and that's here in Canada! Got a few drops of water on the lens, or other parts now and then, but nothing serious. By the way Steve, I'm assuming the Action 4 and the Insta360 Ace Pro are kind of similar. Is there one you would recommend over the other? Thanks!

A weather sealed gimbal on a Pocket camera would be awesome. I use these cameras for recording marathon videos. The races I run usually start in the dark and weather can be unpredictable. I've used my Pocket 1 for low light since the mechanical gimbal is better than digital stabilization in low light, and I've used gopros for bad weather and the replaceable batteries. Many races I've brought both. Now I have the Action 4 which is better in low light than my old gopros. Keeping the shutter speed above 1/120 and cleaning up the noise in post is my current plan. If weather wasn't an issue, The Pocket 3 would check all the boxes for me.

I think I'll wait for the Action 5. thanks for sharing.

Good video Thank you for doing this

Great video and some good observations to consider. Thank you! I was subconsciously breathing while watching to help you a little 😅

Thanks so much for making this. Excellent video with clear observations about these 2 cameras. It seems then that overall the Pocket 3 is more versatile, but won't cope when the weather turns Irish! By the way, as a Norn Iron bloke myself, I appreciate you not saying "cemera" for "camera", etc etc. We don't talk posh well! 😄👍

Excellent work ...!!! thank you ...!!! cheeeerrrsss ...!!!...you know after this a bought both ...!!!..mainly because I also do a lot of underwater filming. Again ,thank you , for a very useful review . 👍

thanks mate

exactly... for me i will hopefully find the funds to get the pocket 3 and use alongside the hero12. plenty of great use cases for me... but you are dead right.. if i could only choose one.. action camera all the way. but as an extra outside device for good weather.. it is fantastic

hello, What is the recording of both camera in 4k60fps in daylight with a single battery??

I have the P3 and the A4 and they are indeed different types of camera's, but I have a lot of fun with it and it is nice that they now have the same menu structure. Clear video, otherwise top.👍

I've already bought the P3 but that was an excellent comparison. The PD3 blows the A4 out of the water in every department, bar ruggedness/waterproofness. I'd say the PD3 is the ultimate vlogging camera, but I'm wondering if there's still a gap in the market for something like the ZV-1 but with a wider angle and better stabilisation. Otherwise we'll continue to pigeon hole action cams into vlogging cams.

Hi mate thanks a lot for this pretty detailed review ;) is there a way to disable the background blur on the pocket 3? By for example using a selfie stick ?

I think the A4 held up really well. The exposure would be even better if you held it up higher and filmed down on yourself a bit (less backlit scene). It's what I do with the A1 and it makes a huge difference. Since I do hiking videos, I will get the A4 once they're cheaper. Didn't like the form factor of the P2 but plan on using it for studio stuff.

like really good comparison!

I have the Pocket 3 combo with the mic, however when I attach the mic to my cloth the sound is too low. to have good sound I must get it as close to my mouth as possible . I am impressed with the sound quality of yours, did you increase the mic gain, or you improve it in post? you live in very beautiful place and great comparison . subscribed

So I bought the Pocket 3 and will sadly be returning it for the Action 4. Vertical/ Portrait mode is way better than the Pocket 3. Ive decided to start making shorts/ reels as that seems to be the way the world is going with attention spans getting shorter and shorter. The pocket 3 crops the image as you know thus not making it very wide. Thanks for the video

Good comparison

Interesting... I agree about the stabe on the ZV-1, but I think the Pocket 3 is doing a better job than Sony - at least from what I can tell. I usually have to go in and add stabilization [even with SteadyShot on Active] for my ZV-1 footage. It sure crops in a lot, ugh.

Glad to see a KZfaqr who has common sense and crop the footages to fill the whole 16 by 9 aspect ratio instead of leaving it uncropped with massive black bars on the top and bottom. Seriously what those people trying to achieve? KZfaq compresses the footage anyway so they're just wasting so many pixels.

Thank you! After that video I will keep my action 1 on my bag and buy a packet 3 for better quality 😁

I really like how well thenOA4 works, but the FOV perhaps a bit too wide. The GoPro 12 etc has slightly better (otherwise I lean more toward the OA4). OP3 better for vlogging IMO, OA4 for any outdoor adventures, especially if you want to get a better idea of your environment and less on you. Thought it did ok through most of the trees if not too dark, sometimes actually better. Well done btw! Liked the rain end!

Do you ever use the Action 4 internal audio, and if so, do you find it has a lot of handling noise? I find with the Action 4 it picks up all this noise through the mount, so any movement on what its attached to - so my hand moving on the selfie stick, or the backpack clip as I walk, sounds very loud, as though I'm directly touching the mics...this is not something I ever had issues with my GoPro 9. DJI tell me its normal but I've never heard anyone mention it.

damm near perfect comparison. YOU GOOO BOYYY. THIS IS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT. LESS HOGG WASH TALK AND MORE COMPARO 🤌🏾🤌🏾🤌🏾🤌🏾🤌🏾🤌🏾 VERY. WELL DONE MY GUY SHOUT FROM NYC🤙🏾

excellent, going to buy action 4

Just one question when it comes to editing do both camera footage blend good together if there both set to same setting thanks

i'm Currently using my S22 on a tripod with a wireless audio mic , with the mic attached to my lapel, i video myself in fishing matches and edit them and put them on my you tube channel . I now want to get a camera for doing this job, i am thinking Go pro 12 or DJ action 4 , or would the sony ZV-1F do the job . But i must be able to have a wireless Mic attachment as the camera will be away from me and there will be wind noise on some occasions . I also need to be able to hit record from a remote as i will be sitting on my seat box and i cant keep getting up and down during a match. And being a fisherman it could get damp from misty weather . i love the look of the Pocket 3 but worried it wont be as hardy etc . I basically need a camera i can stop and start from my seat box with out having to get up and re adjust . Any advice would be greatly appreciated .

great review, I have the Pocket 2 and am going to keep it rather than upgrade to the 3, must say the Action 4 really impressed, and it is also a bring anywhere camera I might invest thanks again

They are both fabulous cameras 😎

I chose the action 4 for now I def wouldnt mind the P3 but im really happy with the osmo and from this video in terms of quality it is no slouch

Great honest review 👍. When I had the pocket 2 was scared of dropping it up the mountains and also no use in the rain . 3 looks like a good job for vlogging on a nice dry day . Will stick with my GP 11 for the time being even though I like the way the action 4 makes your face look thinner which I could do with 😂😂😂

Does pocket 3 have less of a dynamic range, or is it just in this scenario that it looks like 3 is overexposed while the colours in 4 seem to have plenty of wiggle room in the grade?

The audio on the Action 4 is amazing

It's about the right tool for the right job. I'd like a weather sealed Pocket, but I'm finding the tracking in combo with the mobile app incredible for self shooting. The Action 4 is what I'd use for adventure sports or foul weather. The Pocket 3 is what I'd use for actual video making in good conditions where I want nice looking shots. They're two totally different products for very different purposes. Which camera to use if you only need one camera? Well, it depends. If you're nutters like us and want to film stuff in horizontal rain, then the Action 4 will clearly win. But this frames the Pocket 3 in the negative. It's a complex decision process, and ultimately, if someone is on a budget and can only have one camera, they need to get the one that suits what and where they will shoot the most. And that could be equally the Action 4 or the Pocket 3. Remember, most normal people aren't like us. They avoid the wet rainy stuff!

Any way to mount the dji pocket 3 onto the bike itself? Wonder how it handles vibrations, etc.

i have the action 4 and reallyl like a lot both the images and the video, although I love how amazing the pocket 3 is in low light, for some people it may be worth it paying more because if you record indoors with the AI tracking it will be like having your own camera man recording you all the time with great footage. It all depends on the use case scenario, but the action 4 is for any type of scenario so I got myself one.

Why my Action 3 is used most days and my original Pocket was sold on eBay, great camera but I drop things I’m old😬

Wide is problem in p3 because travellers are showing the view and background views best of action 4 maybe only brightness differences

Which one is better for recording outdoor cooking/camping videos, DJI Pocket 3 or Action 4 ?

I appreciate the "if i could have one camera" aspect of the review as I feel that is my #1 roadblock to making more videos... too many cameras, too much editing. One camera to rule them all. So I watched everything and for 90% I was completely confused as EVERY"box" was checked for Pocket 3. Only thing you gave the nod to on the Action was the "i dont like as sharp an image". So finally at the end you hit it with the waterproof aspect... which ugh feels a little misleading/unfair based on title. Maybe it should be "One reason why I dont use the P3"? My comment to folks callig out these "ya knew this going in" issues.... "Its like buying a Tesla being fully aware of the tech, and then doing a video to saying your going back to gas engines because I drive across the country and I have concerns over the battery range issues and waiting to charge". YA KNEW THAT GOING IN! ha thanks for the nicely done video. My P3 comes in this week and if anything your video makes me feel better about my purchase.

Well - I have the Action 1, the Action 2, the Fimi Palm 1, the Fimi Palm 2, the Pocket 1, the Pocket 2, and - nothing in the bank. So for the time being, I won't be getting either of these. But the Pocket 3 would suit my uses most - except for jazz gig recording, until someone else has tried that and confirms that it won't overheat. There's some mutterings about that from EU users mainly. And there are reports that the clever rotating screen goes inexplicable haywire after a few days for a few people. So I'm going to wait and see and save. Great video, thanks.

I have a 4 and debating whether to get the Pocket 3 as a second 📷 ( or first) for vlogging Can't make up my mind😢

AMEN to that. I was about to downvote the video lol.. until I fast forwarded the video for the answer. You were spot on with the issue of no weather sealing. I would suggest maybe putting that up front in the videos though vs 11 min in. I complained about this to DJI back in the pocket 1 days and when I got the pocket 2 as well. @DJI doesn't seem to listen to anyone but influencers. Same with #GOPRO removing the GPS module in the 12, they dont listen . Hopefully, they figure this out if they do another one!

The greatest thing about the pocket 3 is that it's ushering in 1 inch sensors.... hopefully!!!

I came to the same conclusion but its because of the background blur. Bokeh is great for portraits, interviews and products and despite what people seem to think DOESNT = instant professional look. I'm outside in landscapes and I want all of that in focus while I'm also in frame. Low light performance and a built in gimbal are great features but I still feel like I'm waiting for the perfect vlog setup to exist. I don't want to drop 1000+ CAD to not be able to be outside in rain and have 60% of my frame be a blurry blob. Probably going to buy another sony camera as I already have a gimbal and the action 4. If the A4 had the low light of the P3.. would anyone buy the P3?

They'e probably holding back the weathersealed one for the next version. (Other than the 'on a dark street') Both had similar image qualities in your footage. Would be interesting to see the PKT3 compared to an iPhone. 🙏🏽

Is there a way to turn off the background blur?

I could throw my GoPro on the ground and it would be fine, won’t be doing that with the pocket. We might get a good dry winter to get the pocket 3 out, surely. 🤔 Top notch comparison video 👍🏻

What the hell happened to that P3 footage? Did you record in 24 fps and rendered it as 25fps? The A4 footage is smooth but the P3 footage is a pain to watch.

From some1 who owned the Pocket 1 I despise the way the camera works and the way the video looks like, action camera all the way it just gives you a real fov perspective and you easily focus on what you want to shoot at.

Friend, I went to your video to finally see 1 reason not to buy the Pocket 3 but you gave me like 10 more to do so! Of course it's not an action camera!

The Pocket 3 is far less conspicuous than when holding up the Action 4 or a camera phone, this is good for many people who just want to film without grabbing too much attention from the general public

Action 4 for me bcoz of its audio quality, i dont have to attach a seperate mic. Its so crisp.

i would never sacrafice image quality for wet proofing.i just made a wee umbrella for it problem solved. cheers tho great video

Many rebiew said that Action 4 is worst in (extrem) dark place. But I think, Why do I record dark place? I want to shoot something, someplace. I want to record view, building, people. I don't need to go to extrem dark place if I want to make contents.

Wow pocket 3 amazing 😮

ok, take it and go

Its not a competition between these two. The true dji creator kit is pocket 3, action 4 and mini 4 pro drone

Thumbs up

Maybe I can put suran rap over the lenses

Nên mua sản phẩm nào ?

Quality is best p3

I feel like I am gonna strap an nd32 or 64 on that pocket

The pocket 3 is better in every way except rugged & weather sealed. If i coyld id get pocket 3.

Pocket is not meant to be a waterproof action camera, your conclusion is based on a false premise that the pocket need perform in harsh conditions. I'm a scuba diver, would I compare my pocket 3 to my Hero 11 with a protective housing used at depth? My M3 Cine in not waterproof either, should I compare that Hasselblad camera to the Action 4? Thanks for the click bait!!

Spoon, knives and forks ppl!

must say it is a shame that is not weather proof and it really doesn't help in most European environments during autumn.

Op3 all the way

The Pocket 3 is WAY too narrow, if you vlog all day your arm will fell off. A 20mm equivalent is an in-between that doesn't quite work well for vlogging nor for filming. After long consideration I think this why I will not buy it.

You must have terribly short arms, for me the Osmo Pocket 3 is not that close to my face. something is wrong here, maybe you have digital zoom turned on? It doesn't look like that for me unless I have an osmo within 1 foot of my face. You hold the osmo in your hand and the action is on a selfie stick - what is the point of this "test"?

Action 4 has very creepy pics

You look thinner on the action 4. As they say " The Pocket 3 adds 10 pounds"

The pocket 3 is worth to be bought just for the bigger sensor for low light footage but, I find it too expensive for such a delicate, little, badly designed stick - the idea is good but the conceptual design is flawed. The action camera is useless. I would rather just use my phone.

Action 4 is so dark

So the real answer is get both

Action 4 is too wide!

100% agree with you Steve. It's the biggest reason I purchased the Action 3 and stopped using my Pocket 2. Also the reason why I won't purchase the Pocket 3. Along with not being weather sealed, it's just too fragile to use in the outdoors for hiking, camping, etc. I had to return my Pocket 2 a couple of times for repair, because the gimble had problems after a small knock. Great video mate. 👍