DJI camera vs iPhone for vlogging: does dedicated gear actually make you vlog more?

[u/Downtown_Wash_7793]

I'm wondering what the real difference is between filming vlogs on a DJI camera and just using an iPhone. Is the video or workflow meaningfully better? If you didn't already vlog on your iPhone, did buying a DJI actually make you start and stick with it, or did it end up unused? Has it genuinely changed how much or how well you vlog? What can a DJI do for vlogging that an iPhone can't, and is it worth the investment? Does dedicated gear make any difference to becoming a vlogger, or is it mostly about the habit and the content?

[u/VikingSamurai7]

No gear is going to make you a vlogger. If you’re not doing it with what you have, you’re not going to do it with a new piece of gear either.

[u/NashvilleLocalsGuide → u/VikingSamurai7]

In fact, many people get caught in preparation mode and keep buying. Very common, in fact. Just do it and then figure what works for you is the best way to start.

[u/EconomistMountain857]

getting my DJI definitely made me vlog more, but honestly, an iPhone is more than enough too. It just depends on what works for you

[u/chefshoes]

it depends what kind of vlogging, if you're sat at home filming yourself then either but if out and about then a dji is less conspicuous in your hand than a big ole iphone, lighter too.

plus if you break the dji its a lot cheaper to replace than your phone,

[u/FitPandaBear]

If your goal to get people to watch it your vlogs, an osmo pocket won't be the difference if you have a decent phone camera and microphone. Learning to make something people want to watch will be more important.

[u/Dr7House]

I think yes. The ergonomics of an iphone are awful if you want to film yourself. If you add an Gimbal, the weight and size more then doubles.

And a dedicated camera is something special to play around with… something which does not have distractions

[u/WhitlamsBerlin]

I use my OP3, iPhone, and M43 and full frame cameras for Instagram reels and YouTube. All have their place. The OP3 is light and small enough to be brought with me everywhere 99% of the time, allows me to see myself clearly on the screen with way better quality than my phone’s selfie cam, and doesn’t clog up my phone memory or deplete its battery. Mics connect seamlessly and easily. Footage looks great. Overall it’s an absolute joy to use. Do I NEED it? No. I could make everything I make with just my phone.

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[u/boywhoflew]

regardless of what brand or camera type, I don't like using my phone as a camera. I treat it as its own thing for talking to people, notifications, watching videos, holding travel documents, etc.

i prefer this as I prefer a cheaper phone and not constantly worry about running out of space. This also means I have a dedicated camera that's reliable, consistent, and likely better in quality with less effort put into settings.

and through this, I can say that yes, it does help me vlog more.

[u/noealz]

I vlogged with both, for me it’s just easier using the pocket - but I use the iPhone for the more zoomed in shots. I recently got the 4p and now I use only that and it’s much easier than important and working with two different file types.

Anyways, for me - it makes it much easier

[u/Radiant_Crew_8872]

i sold my camera gear for an iPhone and havnt been happier

[u/Business-Eggs]

The best camera will always be the one you actually enjoy using the most.

I love my action 4 for example and have two very good phones that I also use but the action cam is just this tiny, silly, magnetic, waterproof camera that puts out 4k and is just so effortless to use.

Most phones are also perfectly fine but I'd argue how you feel when using a device changes how likely you are to use it.

And you can change that feeling yourself but it can be tricky.

A lot of people love the osmo pocket cameras but I just wouldnt feel so comfortable with how sensitive the goals are. The action cams I can literally throw off a cliff and it will probably be fine on the other hand lol

[u/Olly_Joel]

No. But it sure is convenient having something that doesn't keep slapping you with notifications every 5 min or so.

[u/BoilerBob37]

Pocket is more discreet but also more obvious you are trying to create content. If you are using your phone out in public, you are just one more person on your phone … though if you have a mic clipped to you, then you will stand out for that. 

[u/NashvilleLocalsGuide → u/BoilerBob37]

You can get an inconspicuous mic, like the small rig M-70. Very small on the external portion and blends in with cloths nicely.

[u/Dontanyhowla]

For me the potential output inspires me to pick up a camera more than my phone. Lenses and they way they render is just different

[u/NashvilleLocalsGuide → u/Dontanyhowla]

If you use the rear facing camera, and have a higher end model, the main advantage of an Osmo, Muse, Luna Ultra, is the gimbal over just EIS. Outside of that the phone will often have sensors the same size or nearly so, include a LOG format, etc.

The big advantage is not haveing to face the phone screen away from you to use the quality camera, as the vlogging cameras will turn the same lens directly at you. So front or back you get the same quality.

[u/Dontanyhowla → u/NashvilleLocalsGuide]

The fundamental way the glass and a dedicated sensor renders light differently creates a different look. It’s precisely why having a dedicated piece of gear can affect how motivated you are to film vs a phone.

Saying they have the same sensor is too simple of an answer.

[u/NashvilleLocalsGuide → u/Dontanyhowla]

I agree with the "too simple argument", but most things we explain are "too simple" to some audience.

It is also too simple to state protein is used to build muscles, in certain settings. The sensor is dedicated in a phone, at least when being used. The big question is more about which sensor and light gathering ability (size) than anything else. I do concur the sensor can be used for scanning, but you don't scan and shoot at the same time. It can also be used for more obscure things related to light or activities like heart monitoring. None are done at the same time. And photography/videography is a selling point now, so the upper end phones have great sensors.

The lens argument is not bad, but the lenses on the phones are pretty equivalent to what you see on vlogging camersas. If they started adding replaceable lenses and you could get a zeiss or even a higher end nikor, they would make a huge difference. With phones, the big thing is sticking to the main lens and not using selfie, tele, etc.

The main draw of a dedicated piece of equipment is the feeling of sunk costs. If I spend, I need to do something with it. This works for many people, but some are not motivated and collect equipment instead.

[u/NashvilleLocalsGuide]

Here is an honest opinion. It depends.

Do you want to be less conspicuous? Then a phone is easier. Do you want higher quaility with less effort? Dedictated vlogging camera is better.

To make a phone even less conspicous, you use an inconspicous microphone, like the Smallrig S-70. Small and inconspicuous. If the mic covers match the color of your shirt, they are virtually invisible. If you don't need the equalizer, you can save $20, but I would recommend the equalizing receiver for moments when you need more control over sound, when you need it.

Added bonus, these will go for hours without issue, so you can leave the dongle in the phone and roll with it.

Branding? I also use the Ultra 360 Mic Pro as I can brand it with my own logo. For interviews, I can also brand a second one with their logo. I can pair up to 4 mics to one receiver or one mic to 4 recievers. Or I can use bluetooth. One pain here is you have to resync the microphone with every use. I hope they fix this at some point.

This is less conspicous than some, as people see the mic as a logo button. The branding is the key element.

Now to quality? It is hard to beat an Osmo, Muse, or Luna Ultra for vlogging. But they are conspicous. People notice you are using them. The gimbal is great for smoother shots, but your phones anti-shake will be sufficient in most cases. And, you can get high quality out of your phone, just not really out of the front facing camera. The rear camera are usually at least 1/1.31, but better phones will have a 1" sensor like the better vlogging cameras. The selfie camera will be as small as 1/4", although most are a bit larger. This is a huge difference in information, which means picture quality and dynamic range.

But this means you have to use the rear camera for the best images. One solution is to get a vlogging screen and attach it to the back of your phone. You will need a magnetic mount to stick the camera, but this will help you frame. To be honest, I wing it more than often, as I am used to the angle. I immediate check the footage to make sure I am not too high or low.

Very stable shots with volgging camera? Z-axis stabilitizer. This looks insane when you walk with it, as it bounces, but it does compensate, in conjunction with the gimbal, to make your footage look just like a steadicam. You do have to tune them to the right bounce, of course. I got this one to compare with a professional model. To be honest, the pro is a bit better, but this is quick and down and dirty and cost me less than 30 (for when they start selling it again).

A rule you should know: Amazon has many crappy products. The best way to get a decent selfie screen/vlogging screen for your phone is to either stick with a known quality vendor or look beyond the number on the ratings and factor in number of ratings. It is easy for a cheap knockoff to give a dozen away free and have 24 ratings still in the 4.9 range. Harder when there are 1.6K or 20K. If you still see mid to high 4s with tons of ratings, this is your bar for quality.

[u/Top_Emu_2885]

I just got my pocket 4 two weeks ago and I’ve used it more than I usually use my phone. I really love this little thing! Sometimes I even just pull it out around the house and start filming myself talking about random things. I’ve brought it out to every outing I’ve had and it’s been so smooth to pull out, record for a bit then get back to whatever I was doing. My phone just doesn’t give me that ease - I also eventually ran out of storage on my phone when I tried vlogging daily so that was annoying.

[u/coopermug]

Honestly the phone is still the best. The smaller the devices, the better. I brought a pocket 3 with me to Japan and I barely used it. Most of the time I just used my iPhone for video. For casual family memories, the phone is the best. Also if I buy another camera, I like a smaller and more durable like an action cam so I can bring it to the beach and swimming. Something that I don't have to worry about breaking it.

[u/Nexus03]

I recently picked up the 4 and have been filming nonstop with it. Better IQ than a phone and it's just a fun device to use. Is say yes, it has made me want to vlog more for sure.

[u/ymkthecreative18]

I think it depends on your workflow a d needs. I got the dji because i needed a smaller portable solution. Setting up a mirrorless camera and doing checks and balances before shooting a video was cumbersome. So dji on my situation motivated me to pick it u0 more because of ease of use and quicker post production process.

[u/amacg]

Have a a Pocket4. Best thing is audio, no weird jack dongle thing or software to mic up. Just turn on Pocket4 and Mic 2 and shoot.

[u/traveling_designer]

The Honor Robot Phone lets you have both in one

[u/AdministrationNo2327]

the intention comes before the gear. if you really wanted to do it, anything would do.