I’m just a casual camera person hoping to get into stuff like vlogging, street interviews, self-recorded monologues, and photos. I want something better than a phone but not as bulky or expensive as a DSLR. My budget is around the cost of the DJI Action 4, and portability is really important.
At first, I was leaning toward the DJI Action 4 because it’s small, tough, and has great stabilization. But a friend keeps telling me that ‘2025 is the year of pocket cameras’ and says I should look at something like the DJI Pocket 3.
Here’s what I’ve been weighing:
Action Cam Pros: Tough build, wide shots, great stabilization. Action Cam Cons: No zoom, fixed lens, sound isn’t the best.
Pocket Cam Pros: Sharper footage, flip screen, mic ports. Pocket Cam Cons: More fragile, battery doesn’t last as long.
For filming myself and doing interviews outside, which one would work better? Or is there a better budget option I haven’t found yet?
If you’re only picking one, I’d go with the Action 5 Pro and grab the wireless mic too. The Pocket 3 does have better video quality and does better in low light, but it’s not made for the outdoors or rough use. If your budget’s tight, Action 5 Pro and Wireless Mic 2 is a solid combo.
Looking at your list—vlogs, interviews, monologues, photos—the Pocket 3 fits those better. The Action cams have super wide lenses, which might be too much for interviews unless you’re right in someone’s face. You probably don’t need the Action’s toughness for what you’re doing. And the Pocket 3 charges fast, and you can keep a power bank nearby if needed.
Depends a bit on your interview topics. Some might get heated, and a Pocket 3 is easier to damage if someone lashes out. That said, for your goals, most folks would say Pocket 3 is the way to go. I’ve got a couple of YouTube channels and still use action cams because they’re easy to throw in a gear case. That Pocket 3 gimbal needs a bit more care.
Whichever one you pick, DJI’s mics are excellent. I’ve used the Mic 2 on my Action 4 and the Mic Mini on my Action 5 Pro. Turn the camera and mic on, and you’re ready.
The Action cams do have zoom, but it’s not very helpful unless lighting is perfect. Pocket 3 doesn’t have optical zoom either.
Think about the kind of look you’re going for. Pocket 3 is a tighter frame, tracks your face, and has gimbal stabilization. Action cams have a locked-in shot, but good electronic stabilization and horizon leveling. Might be worth watching some sample videos online to compare the look. You can get decent mics for either one, so that’s not a huge deal.