(Pocket-lint) – DJI’s newest motion digicam marks a return to its unique GoPro-inspired kind issue, and its unique naming, too.
Whereas final yr’s Motion 2 impressed us with its modularity and distinctive design, the weird digicam introduced with it some critical compromises. There have been simply too many workarounds required for the digicam’s tiny chassis, and overheating points had been pretty widespread.
With the Osmo Motion 3, DJI appears to have discovered from its errors and has returned to a safer design that ought to be way more user-friendly and sturdy.
On paper, it looks like it might show to be an actual rival to GoPro’s market dominance, so let’s learn the way it shapes up.
The Osmo Motion 3 is a critical GoPro competitor, with an interesting value level and loads of options.
It might not be an enormous leap ahead in picture high quality, but it surely’s a particularly succesful motion digicam that may produce beautiful outcomes. That is one thing that is solely set to enhance when 10-bit color is added in future firmware.
The Motion 3 is a delight to make use of, with an intuitive menu, responsive twin contact screens, quick charging and a velocity mounting resolution.
In order for you the perfect picture, GoPro continues to be the way in which to go, however this digicam proves that DJI is not far behind – and with a value like this, it would simply be the higher buy.
DJI Osmo Motion 3
4.5 stars – Pocket-lint beneficial
- Tremendous-wide subject of view
- Quick charging
- Superior magnetic mounting system
- Barely smaller and lighter than a GoPro
- Finest-in-class waterproofing
- Entrance touchscreen
- The rubber lens protector seems like an afterthought
- Vertical taking pictures requires a bracket
- The Motion 2 modular system is probably going deserted
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Design
- Weight: 145 grams
- Waterproof as much as 16m (52.5ft) with out housing
- Entrance-facing touchscreen, magnetic mounting system
At first look, the Osmo Motion 3 appears nearly precisely like the unique Osmo Motion – nonetheless, as you look nearer, there are quite a few modifications to be discovered. One of many first issues we observed was that the Motion 2’s superior magnetic quick-release mounting system makes an look on the digicam’s base. What’s extra, it has been up to date for this launch, providing a safer locking mechanism than earlier than.
On the unique Osmo Motion, you wanted to place the digicam in a body to make use of it with any type of mounting resolution. This improve brings the digicam extra in-line with GoPro’s built-in mounting tabs. With that mentioned, there’s nonetheless a body included within the field, and that is used for mounting the digicam in a vertical orientation. It is a disgrace that the vertical mount could not be built-in into the physique, however on condition that it could intrude with the battery door, the choice is sensible.
The Motion 3 encompasses a touchscreen show on the entrance of the digicam, so you’ll be able to change settings while not having to entry the rear. We might see this being helpful when the digicam is mounted in a hard-to-reach location, and it might additionally show helpful for vloggers wanting to modify settings on the fly.
There’s a big facet door that flips out similarly to the GoPro Hero 10 Black, and this hides the battery and microSD card slot. On the alternative facet, there is a door for the USB-C. The buttons have shifted to match GoPro’s configuration, too, whereas beforehand each the facility/menu button and document button had been on the highest of the system.
We had been very comfortable to see the return of the replaceable lens cowl, which was absent on the Motion 2. In our opinion, a replaceable lens cowl is just about important on any system that is designed for motion sports activities use. The form makes the protector a lot simpler to take away than on a GoPro, which may be comparatively fairly troublesome. There are some uncommon issues happening with its design, although.
The lens protector itself is constructed from glass with an aluminium knurled ring across the edge. It comes fitted with a rubber bumper across the edge to guard the aluminium. It is simple to see why the rubber ring could be vital, however the truth that it is a separate piece means you could possibly simply lose it. To us, it looks like a little bit of an afterthought, and it could make extra sense for the lens protector to be manufactured from a extra sturdy materials that does not want a canopy.
One other fascinating side of the design is that DJI has used the “O” within the Motion 3 emblem to accommodate a small color temperature sensor. We thought this was a intelligent contact, and though we do not recall seeing an exterior color temperature sensor on an motion digicam earlier than, it’s going to be fascinating to see what impact it has in use.
Options and battery
- Swappable 1770mAh battery, 30W quick charging
- Wi-Fi stay streaming and webcam help
- InvisiStick for Snowboarding function
The battery is what DJI calls a 1770mAh Excessive Battery, and it is basically the model’s reply to GoPro’s Enduro battery. In comparison with GoPro’s resolution, it gives an extra 50mAh of juice and might face up to temperatures right down to -20 celsius (in comparison with -10 on the Enduro). In our expertise, the battery carried out beautifully, steadily outlasting our Hero 11 Black.
When it does run out, you may be again up and operating very quickly due to its quick charging help that offers you an 80 per cent cost in simply 18 minutes. Flat-to-full takes round 50 minutes with DJI’s 30W USB-C charger, which is bought individually – solely a USB-C cable is equipped within the field.
The bundle that we’re testing got here with a three-bay battery charging case, which is a neat little resolution for fast-charging a number of batteries directly. We love that the case has a few microSD card slots on the lid for holding your storage helpful, too. It additionally capabilities as an influence financial institution, so you’ll be able to high up your telephone when you have an acceptable cable.
The Osmo Motion 3 can be utilized as a USB webcam and in addition helps stay streaming over Wi-Fi, which is just about anticipated of a high-end motion cam in 2022. It is good to have the webcam performance however the extraordinarily broad subject of view implies that it will not appear to be a traditional webcam, even within the Dewarp setting. Relying in your use case, this could possibly be a optimistic or a unfavorable, but it surely’s most likely the widest, most distorted webcam you may get your arms on.
A extra distinctive function is one thing known as InvisiStick for Snowboarding. This masks over a selfie stick, creating an invisible stick impact that is usually solely achievable with a 360 digicam. DJI says this solely works with snow sports activities, and sadly, snow is kind of laborious to return by at this second, but it surely could possibly be very helpful if it really works as marketed.
Video and photograph seize
- Video decision: 4K/120fps, 2.7K/120fps, 1080p/240fps
- Photograph decision: 12MP
- RockSteady 3.0, HorizonBalancing, HorizonSteady
The plain comparability in relation to photograph and video efficiency is the GoPro Hero 11 Black, and simply by trying on the specs, we are able to see that DJI cannot match the top-dog in relation to decision and body charges. Nevertheless, the Osmo Motion 3 comes at a considerably lower cost level, so it does not actually need to match the GoPro to be a compelling possibility.
Video captured by the Motion 3 is sharp and detailed whereas the colors seem pure and correct. It is on the contrast-y facet, and in the event you examine it side-by-side with the Hero 11, it does not have fairly as a lot dynamic vary, but it surely’s nonetheless a really pleasing picture straight from the digicam. In case you’re judging the picture by itself deserves, with out the comparability, we doubt you’d discover a lot to complain about.
On the time of writing, the Motion 3 lacks 10-bit color seize however DJI insists that it will be coming through a firmware replace sooner or later. This can enable for extra flexibility in color grading and make the DJI digicam extra of a viable GoPro different for skilled work.
One of many issues we instantly observed is that the DJI Osmo Motion 3 gives a particularly broad subject of view, much like that of the Motion 2. The extraordinarily broad lens was considered one of our favorite issues about final yr’s digicam, so we’re very comfortable to see it make its method right here, too.
In comparison with GoPro’s new HyperView mode, DJI’s Extremely Extensive gives an identical horizontal width, however HyperView offers somewhat extra on the vertical axis due to the digicam’s 8:7 sensor. Both method, in the event you’re in search of that distorted extra-wide FOV, each cameras ship the products.
As with earlier DJI cameras, the movement is tremendous easy due to the superb onboard RockSteady stabilisation. The digicam can do full 360 horizon locking, too, however solely at as much as 2.7K decision, whereas the GoPro gives all of it the way in which as much as 5.3k.
Vertical taking pictures help is new on this mannequin, and given how vital the format has develop into, with the recognition of TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, we’re happy to see it included.
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With a return to its unique kind issue and interesting pricing, the Osmo Motion 3 is a critical challenger to GoPro’s market dominance. It is simple to make use of, produces a wonderful picture and has an awesome battery with speedy charging. GoPro nonetheless has a slight edge in picture constancy, however for lots of people, the Motion 3 is a greater deal.
Writing by Luke Baker. Enhancing by Verity Burns.
