DJI Osmo Motion 3 overview: Let’s strive that once more
DJI’s newest motion digital camera marks a return to its unique GoPro-inspired type issue, and its unique naming, too.
Whereas 2021’s Motion 2 impressed us with its modularity and distinctive design, the weird digital camera introduced with it some severe compromises. There have been simply too many workarounds required for the digital camera’s tiny chassis, and overheating points had been pretty widespread.
With the Osmo Motion 3, DJI appears to have realized from its errors and has returned to a safer design that ought to be much more user-friendly and strong.
On paper, it looks like it may show to be an actual rival to GoPro’s market dominance, so let’s learn the way it shapes up.
DJI Osmo Motion 3
Advisable
The Osmo Motion 3 marks DJI’s return to the GoPro-style type issue, and with it comes huge enhancements in usability and flexibility.
- Tremendous-wide subject of view
- Superior magnetic mounting system
- Barely smaller and lighter than a GoPro
- Greatest-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
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 to be like 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 seen was that the Motion 2’s superior magnetic quick-release mounting system makes an look on the digital camera’s base. What’s extra, it has been up to date for this launch, providing a safer locking mechanism than earlier than.
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On the unique Osmo Motion, you wanted to place the digital camera in a body to make use of it with any sort of mounting answer. This improve brings the digital camera 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 digital camera in a vertical orientation. It is a disgrace that the vertical mount could not be built-in into the physique, however provided that it will intrude with the battery door, the choice is smart.
The Motion 3 incorporates a touchscreen show on the entrance of the digital camera, so you may change settings with no need to entry the rear. We may see this being helpful when the digital camera is mounted in a hard-to-reach location, and it might additionally show helpful for vloggers wanting to change settings on the fly.
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There’s a big aspect door that flips out similarly to the GoPro Hero 10 Black, and this hides the battery and microSD card slot. On the alternative aspect, 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 file button had been on the highest of the machine.
We had been very blissful 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 machine 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 tough. There are some uncommon issues happening with its design, although.
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The lens protector itself is comprised of 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 easy to see why the rubber ring could be needed, 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 will 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 digital camera 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 reside 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 answer, it presents a further 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 fantastically, steadily outlasting our Hero 11 Black.
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When it does run out, you may be again up and working 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 answer for fast-charging a number of batteries directly. We love that the case has a few microSD card slots on the lid for retaining your storage helpful, too. It additionally features as an influence financial institution, so you may prime up your telephone you probably have an acceptable cable.
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The Osmo Motion 3 can be utilized as a USB webcam and in addition helps reside 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 extensive subject of view signifies that it will not seem like a traditional webcam, even within the Dewarp setting. Relying in your use case, this may very well be a constructive or a damaging, nevertheless it’s most likely the widest, most distorted webcam you may get your palms 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 digital camera. DJI says this solely works with snow sports activities, and sadly, snow is sort of onerous to return by at this second, nevertheless it may very well be very helpful if it really works as marketed.
Video and picture seize
- Video decision: 4K/120fps, 2.7K/120fps, 1080p/240fps
- Picture decision: 12MP
- RockSteady 3.0, HorizonBalancing, HorizonSteady
The plain comparability in terms of picture and video efficiency is the GoPro Hero 11 Black, and simply by wanting on the specs, we are able to see that DJI cannot match the highest canine in terms of decision and body charges. Nonetheless, the Osmo Motion 3 comes at a considerably cheaper price level, so it would not really want to match the GoPro to be a compelling choice.
Video captured by the Motion 3 is sharp and detailed whereas the colors seem pure and correct. It is on the contrasty aspect, and when you evaluate it side-by-side with the Hero 11, it would not have fairly as a lot dynamic vary, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a really pleasing picture straight from the digital camera. When you’re judging the picture by itself deserves, with out the comparability, we doubt you’d discover a lot to complain about.
Throughout our testing, the Motion 3 lacked 10-bit color seize however DJI has added this by way of firmware replace within the time since. Movies shot within the D-Cinelike profile at the moment are 10-bit and permit for extra flexibility in color grading.
One of many issues we instantly seen is that the DJI Osmo Motion 3 presents a particularly extensive subject of view, just like that of the Motion 2. The extraordinarily extensive lens was one in every of our favorite issues about final yr’s digital camera, so we’re very blissful to see it make its manner right here, too.
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In comparison with GoPro’s new HyperView mode, DJI’s Extremely Broad presents an analogous horizontal width, however HyperView offers somewhat extra on the vertical axis due to the digital camera’s 8:7 sensor. Both manner, when 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 digital camera can do full 360 horizon locking, too, however solely at as much as 2.7K decision, whereas the GoPro presents all of it the best way as much as 5.3k.
Vertical taking pictures help is new on this mannequin, and given how vital the format has grow to be, with the recognition of TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, we’re happy to see it included.
Verdict
The Osmo Motion 3 is a severe GoPro competitor, with an interesting worth level and loads of options.
It is probably not an enormous leap ahead in picture high quality, nevertheless it’s a particularly succesful motion digital camera that may produce beautiful outcomes. That is one thing that is solely improved since 10-bit color has been added.
The Motion 3 is a delight to make use of, with an intuitive menu, responsive twin contact screens, quick charging and a velocity mounting answer.
If you would like one of the best picture, GoPro continues to be the best way to go, however this digital camera proves that DJI is not far behind – and with a worth like this, it’d simply be the higher buy.
