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Why the popular DJI Osmo Pocket 3 isn't the best value for talking head content creators, and how to get professional results for half the price using your iPhone and smart accessories.

Hey everyone! Today we're talking about what camera you should buy as a content creator - specifically for those of you who are talking content creators and speakers. This isn't for fancy cinematography or product shoots; this is for people like me who want to talk in front of the camera and post on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

Let me tell you a bit about myself first. My usual subscribers might be wondering why I'm suddenly talking about cameras. I'm actually a real estate investor - that's my main business. I invest in real estate, coach people on purchasing their first investment properties, and create content about it. Because content creation is essential for my business, I needed a camera setup to communicate with you all.

What I love doing in real estate (and now with camera gear) is digging deep into the market to understand the best deals available. I love shopping for good deals - who doesn't? There are many fancy options out there, but today we're focusing on the best bang for your buck.

Now, I did extensive research before settling on my current setup, but I encourage you to do your own research too. Prices vary, you might find better local deals, or have family members with gear access. I'm just sharing what I went through and how I see it.

If you ask the average YouTuber what camera to recommend in 2025, they'll likely suggest the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. And yes, it's a great camera - fantastic even. It's small, has a built-in gimbal for stability, films in 4K, and works great outdoors. YouTubers love it because one of the most important parts for talking head content is the microphone, and the Osmo Pocket 3 with a great mic has excellent audio. People can forgive low-quality video, but poor audio is very hard to understand.

Here's the problem: tariffs have bumped up prices significantly. The Osmo Pocket 3 used to cost around $600 for the combo kit, but now even the base model costs $700+ in the US, and even more expensive in Europe where I'm currently traveling as a digital nomad.

The Osmo Pocket 3. Photo by Alin Gavriliuc on Unsplash

The Better Budget Alternative

What these YouTube "experts" don't tell you is that you can buy a top-of-the-line gimbal for $159 - specifically the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro Gimbal - and turn your phone into an Osmo Pocket 3.

Why don't they mention this? It's not because they want to harm you or forgot to mention it. It's because this approach involves "friction." The Osmo Pocket 3 is simple - turn it on, turn the mic on, and start recording. With a gimbal setup, you need to mount your phone, maybe download an app, and deal with file storage on your phone.

But here's the thing: if you have an iPhone 11 or Higher, you already have the best mobile video camera that fits in your pocket. It's better than the Osmo Pocket 3 in many ways (though this is debatable - some prefer the Osmo, some prefer iPhone).

When you finish shooting with an Osmo Pocket 3, don't you still need to transfer files to your phone to post on social media? That's friction too, just at a different point in the process.

If we're talking about a price difference of $700-800 for just an Osmo Pocket 3, versus buying a gimbal and using your iPhone for the same (or arguably superior) video quality, why not save the money?

Solving the Audio Problem

The gimbal solution leaves us with the microphone issue. The same company I use for my current setup - Hollyland - makes an A1 microphone specifically for mobile devices. From what I've seen (I just ordered one), it has the same sound quality as my current professional setup.

How much does this mobile microphone cost? Just $69 for the fancy version, or $39 for the basic version that sounds the same.

Pro tip: If you don't have a USB-C device yet and still use Lightning, buy the version with both USB-C and Lightning connectors. When you upgrade, you'll still have a compatible microphone. Learn from my mistake - I made the error of buying one that only works with one connection type.

What If You Don't Have an iPhone?

I didn't have an iPhone when I started filming - I only got one two months ago. I was resistant to Apple devices because of the cost, but I realized they're simply the best for content creation.

Here's what I did: I bought a second-hand iPhone 11 for around $200-300. It's fantastic, films 4K on both front and rear cameras, and the quality is comparable to my girlfriend's iPhone 14. Even in 2025, the iPhone 11 delivers amazing footage.

If your current phone is full of storage, even if you have an iPhone already, consider buying an old iPhone 11 dedicated to content creation.

Important note: When buying second-hand iPhones, check the battery health. Talk to ChatGPT about what to check when buying used iPhones - battery percentage is crucial for device longevity.

You don't have to stick with the iPhone 11 - go with whatever good deal you find on iPhone 11 or above, whether that's a 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16.

My Current Professional Setup

me and my Sony ZV-E10

While I recommend the iPhone + gimbal + mic combo for beginners, I also invested in a more professional setup for my content. I'm currently filming with a Sony ZV-E10 Camera (showing camera to audience) with professional lighting.

I bought this for around $600-700 because they've released the ZV-1 Mark II, so prices on the original dropped. I paired it with a Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Lens rather than the kit lens (which I knew I wouldn't use and just increases the price).

This whole combo costs under $1,000 and delivers professional quality. If you're looking for gear you can grow with and add better lenses later when your YouTube channel generates revenue, this is a solid investment.

I also pair this setup with the Hollyland Lark M2 Microphone for superb wireless audio.

My Recommendations

For beginners/budget-conscious creators:

For those wanting professional gear:

Final Tips

Learn about lighting from YouTube videos - proper lighting arrangement will significantly improve your content quality regardless of your camera choice.

If you're going to spend $700+ on an Osmo Pocket 3, consider investing that money in a real camera instead. If you don't want to spend that much, the iPhone setup I described will serve you incredibly well.

That's it! If you found value in this video, let me know in the comments. Share your own experiences, questions, or thoughts. If you want to support me, I've included affiliate links to my recommended devices below - you don't pay extra, but I get a small commission.

Thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the future!

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