DJI Pocket 3 vs Sony ZV-1 - Which is best?

Review of the new DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and comparison to the Sony ZV-1. Includes side-by-side video and audio comparison tests under different filming conditions. Look out for additional videos focused on DJI Pocket 3 tracking capabilities, low-light capabilities, as well as an in-depth comparison against the DJI Pocket 2.

Keywords:
DJI Osmo Pocket 3, Sony ZV-1, gimbal camera, 4K, stabilization, 1” sensor

Chapters:

00:00 - 03:50 Introduction
03:50 - 06:40 Indoor / “Studio” Tests
06:40 - 08:05 Outdoor / “B-Roll” Tests
08:05 - 11:55 Outdoor Walk & Talk Tests
11:55 - 13:00 Low Light Tests
13:00 - 16:50 Conclusion / Wrap-Up

Product Links (I may earn a commission):

[bradenandre]

This is a great review! Thanks for making it.

[vantripinoz]

such a good comparison. I'm gwtting my pocket 3 Tuesday. Thanks so much for your help

[fernasim]

This is an awesome video! Thanks very much :)

[siamosht]

Brilliant job and shows how much the DJI Pocket is improved.

[pairojvejchapipat]

I also have Sony ZV-1 and DJI Pocket 3. The Pocket 3 blows ZV-1 away, in terms of video, convenience, stabilizer, horizon lock, low light situation, wider angel lenses.

[torturePNJ_industrie]

thanks this the test whom i need for my choice

[WolfsHaven]

I bought the original ZV-1 shortly after it came out. I have loved it. My biggest problems with it was the mount/battery compartment issue and the telephoto. While vlogers wanted wider, as someone who normally films others, I wanted longer.

Prior to the ZV-1 I purchased the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS mainly because of the 24 to 960mm zoom at 4k 30. It even has decent image stability. Overall I love it, that telephoto is amazing, but you have no manual control, the 4k is only 30pfs, no 24 or 60, no mic jack, or place to mount one if it did. When I use it I also have to carry some form of offboard audio. At the time it was the Zoom H1n but now that we have reasonably priced wireless mics with onboard recording, I'd probably go that route.

Looking at the Pocket 3, I am blown away. The extra contrast and dynamic range makes the ZV-1 look way softer and the sky was abysmal in comparison. I just wish there was a way to put more telephoto in it. The audio, without headphones was quite similar even without the wireless mics. I will end up buying one early next year. At this point in the year, I am solely focused on getting gifts for others.

[kllaskas]

Sony looks so much more natural. The weird tint shifting in dji devices is too weird

[EvanReinheimer]

Perfect tests, exactly what I was curious about. Would have liked to see a test between the zooms of both cameras.

[angryrabbitproductions]

DJI stole this market. Zero reason to purchase any other camera for this purpose at this point. I love mine… just received the Freewell mega filter kit. This little pocket camera is one of my all time favorites right now. I take it everywhere… much like my Ricoh GRIII. I think the audio issues are either a mic problem, or settings issue. I can hear your audio clipping. Also, you can enable an in transmitter 32 bit float backup recording… which essentially cannot clip and even quiet recordings can be cleanly boosted in post. FYI: Audio is very clean on mine. Keep in mind, I’m something of an audiophile.

[Jevole-Paramoteur]

Thanks a lot for this video, I have a ZV1 and I love it but the difference is so incredible, that I will buy the Pocket 3 for sure! :) For the audio, it's not a problem: now the signal to noise is very small, so you'd better let the sound at the middle, and boost it (normalize) while your video editing. The sound that you have in this video is clipping! And notice that the DJI Mic 2 can record in the microphone, and in 32 bits, so your signal to noise will be ridiculous and the clipping will be almost impossible :) (i'm an amateur sound engineer) Cheers and Thanks once again from France :)

[jrperezphotography]

Outstanding review thank you. How about photo quality?

[TheBrownDude]

A good video made for me. As i have zv-1 and want to upgrade to something that is not expensive

[beeissima]

I appreciate your honest reviews - so many reviews are biased due to sponsorships etcetera. I am totally new to the game, and have just bought a Sony zv1 mark II. I will be mainly doing talking head content so am wondering if I should keep my sony or exchange it for the DJI? I have only just received my sony today so haven't unboxed it yet!!! Any advice is greatly appreciated....

[dhk]

There was a bit of audio distortion at the beginning of the video and alot more in the conclusion part were you said the mic was boosted by +8. Is there a gain control on the microphone and a separate one on the pocket 3? It would be interesting to know how far up the audio meters were hitting on the pocket 3's screen as there should be no distortion if they are not hitting into the very right hand side. If the meters are not hitting there then I would think the distortion is coming from an overload in the gain on the microphone its self.

[uthixo]

I ordered my Pocket 3 now. I already have the Pocket 2. I thought about ZV1 but it really makes no sense.
Can someone tell me why on the Pocket 3 the sound with wireless and the inside mic are always in super low volume?! Why? I don't want to raise the audio for every single video. It should be possible to maybe change it in the Pocket? Or they should fix that weird bug. I watched like 20 Videos about the Pocket 3 and in every one you can see that the volume is super low if you do not raise it.

[Moes_Prep_and_Tech]

I like the Ability of the Z1f to be able to hook the camera into a larger display so you can see what your shooting better, I wish the pocket 3 had this feature but sadly it does not

[gigihanmandarin]

What's up with the popping noises in the conclusion section? Too high gain?

[Planet-ICELAND]

what do you think about the new ACE Pro remote?

[washimhossain]

Amazing...but I HV one question..can extra lenses be added to DJI just like Sony??