Seduced by the camera hype

I have two YouTube channels, this one a record of traveling in the south west of Western Australia:

https://www.youtube.com/@meanderinglight/videos

Also this one, an introspective journey:

https://www.youtube.com/@explore-sadhana/videos

...ok, that last one not everyone's cup of tea!

I started off by using my Moto G75 phone, held in a bracket, convertible to a tripod. Works OK, but jerkiness when panning, and a lot of waviness while walking. Got the idea that to fix these issues, need to have a gimbal camera; this is where I got seduced by the hype.

Yes, watched lots of YouTube videos, decided that needed a DJI Osmo Pocket gimbal camera. Bought the Pocket 3, not the latest (Pocket 4); this one:

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/dji-osmo-pocket-3-4k-3-axis-gimbal-camera-combo

...yes, AU$789!!!

It's OK, still has waviness, up and down motion while walking, that the 3-axis gimbal cannot fix. Apart from that, there is one big problem; it is very delicate. Can't just stuff it in a trouser pocket, nor throw into my carryon travel bag.

So, watched more YouTube videos, also viewed the excellent videos produced by other vloggers, such as Wayne:

https://www.youtube.com/@fiascodagama1

...he has a GoPro action camera.

I had previously shied away from action cameras, as they are fixed focus. I had fixated on the need for auto-focus, as my phone has. Fixed focus requires a fairly small lens aperture, so as to get sufficient depth of focus. Also, cannot get up close, needs a macro-lens for close-up focus. I also imagined that the small aperture meant poor low-light performance.

A point about auto-focus; while vlogging, the auto-focus can sometimes be seen shifting what it is locked onto, which can be disconcerting in the resultant video.

Then I saw an advert for a DJI Action 4 action camera, on sale for only AU$278. That is remarkably cheap, and watching YouTube videos convinced me that this is the one to have for vlogging. Here are some of those videos:

"Is The DJI Osmo Action 4 Still Worth Buying in 2025?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPSnzjxpr2E

"DJI Action 4 Is The Most Underrated Camera In 2026!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqS64_3DxYE

"DJI Osmo Action 4: Is It Still Worth Buying in 2026?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo8kGySN6cA

"DJI Osmo Action 4: Is It Still Worth Buying?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlicbMl1d3w

"Everyone Is Buying the Wrong Action Camera in 2026... Why I Bought the DJI Osmo Action 4"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCnNu92qVUA

The Action 4 came out in 2023, and now superseded by the 5 and 6; at considerably higher prices. But I was convinced that for my vlogging needs, the 4 is excellent. So bought it, just before the sale-price ended:

https://www.harveynorman.com.au/dji-osmo-action-4-standard-combo.html

Also bought a stick/tripod thingy:

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/dji-osmo-action-mini-extension-rod-action-5-pro-action-4-action-3

I have been playing with it, amazed how good the videos are turning out. Also surprised how sharp images are up-close, less than a foot away.

Might sometimes still use the Pocket 3. Not a complete waste of money though, as the external microphone (DJI Mic2) that came with the Pocket 3 combo, pairs with the Action 4; that on its own is sold for about AU$120.   

Tags: nomad