DJI Osmo Pocket 3 vs Sony ZV-1
Apr 22, 2024I Have Owned the ZV-1 for almost 4 years - Is it time to replace it with the Osmo Pocket 3? As a content creator, having the right camera is essential. For almost four years, I have been using the Sony ZV-1 for everything from client shoots to YouTube videos to fun, hobby videos. It has been my go-to camera, and it has never let me down. It has sat in the front pouch of my camera bag for many years, and I have used it extensively.
However, recently, I came across the Osmo Pocket 3, and I must say, I'm impressed. The OP3 boasts impressive image quality performance, compactness, and a gimbal stabilization system. As someone who shoots videos on the go, these features are essential, and the OP3 seems to have them all. The question is, will I replace the ZV-1 with the Osmo Pocket 3? That will be revealed, but first, let me tell you about both cameras.
Both cameras have a 1” sensor, which is great for low light situations. However, I want to see how well the 8-bit footage on the ZV-1 holds up compared to the 10-bit footage on the OP3. I'm hoping the ZV-1 does well, coming in almost $230 more than the OP3, with no accessories, but I'm not holding my breath. To test both cameras, I took them out into the streets to see how they perform in real-world situations and inside a studio setting where we can’t make any excuses. I wanted to get a baseline of what each camera can do before comparing them head to head. If by this post you still don't know which camera is better for you, I made a free camera quiz that may put you on the right track, https://www.thefilmalliance.com/quiz
Pricing
For now, let's talk about pricing and release dates. The OP3 body only is currently selling for $519 US, and the Sony ZV-1 was released in May of 2020, and currently, at the time I wrote this post is selling for $748 US body only. Well, I shouldn’t say body only because you get a few accessories with both boxes but not much. You can also pick up the creator combo kit for the OP3, which will run you an extra $150 US that comes with the DJI Mic2, an extra battery, a wide-angle adapter, and a few other accessories. This kit is great if you want to get the most out of your OP3.
Overview
Both the Sony ZV-1 and DJI Osmo Pocket 3 would be considered beginner cameras and have fixed lenses, meaning they come with a lens that cannot be removed. Both are marketed towards beginners, vloggers, and content creators, but don't think for one second that's all you could use them for. As I've mentioned previously, I’ve used a ZV-1 for client headshots, and I would absolutely use the Osmo Pocket 3 if I needed to. Both are very capable cameras. From here on out, I'm calling the Osmo Pocket Three, the Pocket 3.
The Pocket 3 has active track, and the ZV-1 has touch tracking. Active track will allow you to lock onto something in the frame like your face if you're filming or a product, if you're doing a slider shot and it will keep the subject in the center of the frame moving the gimbal. The ZV-1 does not have such a feature because it's not a gimbal, but it does have touch tracking so you touch the screen, and it will focus on whatever the box is focused on. If you’re a slow-motion shooter, then I would go with the ZV-1 because it has something called HFR mode or high frame rate mode where you can shoot in 960 frames per second. Now your resolution will go down to 720, but as long as you set your image properly, you will not have too much of an issue because you can always upscale that to 4K and post-production. You can shoot in 4K up to 120 with the Pocket 3, and that will give you a slow-motion effect, but it’s not as slow as 960 frames per second.
You can manually expose both cameras, but the only way to expose the Pocket 3 is through the display and then you change the settings with the touchscreen. With the ZV-1, you can do this through the buttons on the outside of the camera.
A lot of people prefer using physical buttons and dials rather than having to jump into the display or menu system. I find it easier to use the ZV-1 when it comes to controlling my exposure.
Also, when it comes to exposure, the ZV-1 has different exposure tools like the histogram, whereas if you want to use the histogram with the Pocket 3, you’ll have to connect a smartphone and use the Memo app.
Image Quality
Which camera produces better image quality? Taking a look at all the image quality shots I've taken with these two cameras in various lighting environments. It's up to you to decide which one produces a better-looking image, but personally, I think the OP three does.
The sensor and the way it handles blacks make a significant difference. In low light or nighttime environments, the difference between the two cameras is quite noticeable. Even in a controlled lighting environment, I noticed a significant difference in colors while filming my color board.
The OP3 shoots 10-bit footage, which is better than the ZV-1's 8-bit footage. However, the ZV-1 has a built-in ND filter that you can use in super sunny environments without having to mess around with your exposure settings too much.
If you want to use ND filters with the OP three, you'll have to buy some third-party ones. However, you'd need to make sure that they're slim enough to fit into the gap between the head and the back gimbal arm, or you'd have to put them on and take them off every time you use the camera.
I found some slim filters that fit, and I'll leave the proper-sized ND filters at the bottom of this post.
One downside of external ND filters is that they're easy to lose, whereas you won't lose the ND for the ZV-1 because it's internal.
Both cameras produce great image quality, but the Pocket 3 has the edge when it comes to color and low light performance. However, the ZV-1 has a built-in ND filter, which is a huge plus for shooting in bright sunlight without affecting your exposure settings. Ultimately, it depends on what type of shooting you'll be doing and what features are more important to you.
Camera Bodies
Aside from the price, one of the most significant differences between these two cameras is the number of buttons and level of customization they offer. The OP3 only has a joystick and one record button, while the ZV-1 has many more buttons and customization options.
For more control over your exposure without having to jump into the menu system, the ZV-1 is your best bet. You can set up almost everything from the outside of the camera, and the function menu rarely requires you to dive into the menu system.
While I don't have to dive into the menu system on the OP3 often, sometimes unforeseen circumstances require me to do so, and that takes a little longer. With the ZV-1, everything I need is on the outside, giving me more exposure control.
The OP3 is much thinner, and you can hold it vertically while still filming horizontally, making it less conspicuous than the point-and-shoot ZV-1.
If you prefer simplicity and want to pull your camera straight out of the box and start shooting, then the OP3 is the camera for you. The lack of buttons and dials makes it very straightforward to use while filming.
The OP3 has a fixed 20mm lens and a fixed aperture of F2.0, while the Sony ZV-1 has a 24-70mm zoom lens with an F1.4. This makes a huge difference when it comes to what you're filming and whether or not you need to get close to your subject. That's why I love the ZV-1 so much; I can stand in one spot and still zoom in on certain things when I need to. If you can't get too close to your subject, the OP3's wide lens will do just fine.
Let's not forget that you can purchase multiple batteries cheaply for the ZV-1 compared to purchasing extra batteries for the Pocket 3. However, the battery on the OP3 lasts way longer.
Conclusion
If you're after a camera that offers more customization on the outside and easier control over exposure, then the Sony ZV-1 is for you.
However, if you want something small, compact, easy to use, and produces great image quality, then the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is the clear winner.
Both cameras are versatile and suitable for different purposes, but the Pocket 3 Creator Combo takes it to the next level. Its tracking feature is perfect for solo creators, and I've used it on a manual slider for product shots with amazing results. The DJI Mic 2's 32-bit float audio recording directly to its onboard storage is just the icing on the cake.
Personally, I prefer the Pocket 3 because it offers more creative freedom, 10-bit footage, and is less conspicuous in public. So, despite being a ZV-1 fan, I have to say that the Pocket 3 will be replacing my ZV-1.
I hope that you found this information helpful. As a user of the OP3 myself, I've linked some accessories that I personally use and recommend. Peace!
Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm - https://geni.us/KlIE
Belkin RockStar In-Ear Headphones with USB Type-C - https://geni.us/V0ijB
OP3 Screen Protectors - https://geni.us/zcqgA6o
Powerbank for OP3- https://geni.us/uqonE
These SD cards will work for your OP3
64 GB SD Card - https://geni.us/g2BE3M
128 GB Sd Card - https://geni.us/gpjD
256 GB Card - https://geni.us/W6dEjSZ
NEEWER Magnetic ND & CPL Filter Kit Compatible with DJI OSMO Pocket 3 - https://geni.us/cNuBB
