Yes, the Osmo Pocket 3 can zoom, but only digitally; the lens itself is a fixed 20 mm equivalent. In video you get up to 2x at 4K, 3x at 2.7K and 4x at 1080p, and photos go up to 2x. To zoom, push the joystick up or down, or drag the on-screen slider. Since a 2025 firmware update, Med-Tele mode gives a cleaner 2x (40 mm-equivalent) view at 4K.
How to zoom
With the joystick or slider
The on-screen slider and the 5D joystick share two jobs: zoom and tilt. One does zoom, the other does tilt.
- If the slider shows a zoom number (like 1.0x), drag it to zoom; the joystick's up and down tilt the camera.
- If the slider shows only arrows, it tilts the camera; push the joystick up or down to zoom.
Tap the zoom icon on the screen, or go to Settings > Slider Control, to swap them.
In DJI Mimo, pinch on the live view to zoom.
Zoom speed: Settings > Joystick Speed controls how quickly the joystick zooms.
Zoom range
| Mode | Max zoom |
|---|---|
| Photo | 2x |
| Video, 4K | 2x |
| Video, 2.7K | 3x |
| Video, 1080p | 4x |
| Webcam and livestream, 1080p | 4x |
| Slow Motion and Timelapse | Not available |
Med-Tele mode: the better 2x
DJI's February 2025 firmware added Med-Tele mode. In Video mode, tap the <> icon at the bottom of the screen. It gives a 2x, 40 mm-equivalent view at up to 4K, and DJI says it preserves noticeably more detail than regular digital zoom. Limits: maximum ISO drops to 1600, and ActiveTrack isn't supported.
Use it for head-and-shoulders talking shots, food, and details without walking closer.
How good is the zoom?
Digital zoom crops the sensor, so you lose detail as you zoom in. At 2x in 4K the result is fine for social media; at 4x in 1080p it looks noticeably soft. For the best quality:
- Use Med-Tele for 2x shots.
- Move closer whenever you can. The lens focuses down to 20 cm.
- Zoom in good light. In dim light, Med-Tele's ISO cap and the crop both add noise.
Audio Zoom is on by default: as you zoom, the built-in mics automatically adjust their gain to match the zoom ratio.
Pocket 3 can't zoom or won't zoom? Try this
- Check the mode. Zoom isn't available in Slow Motion or Timelapse.
- Swap the slider. If the joystick only tilts, tap the zoom icon or change Slider Control in Settings.
- Check the resolution. At 4K you top out at 2x; switch to 2.7K or 1080p for more.
- Exit ActiveTrack if it's fighting your input.
- Update firmware in DJI Mimo; Med-Tele needs the February 2025 firmware or later. See Pocket 3 firmware update.
- Restart the camera. If it still won't respond, try a reset.
Need real optical zoom?
The Pocket 3 is a wide-angle camera by design. If you need telephoto, a camera with a zoom lens on a gimbal like the DJI RS 4 Mini is the step up. To go wider instead, see the Pocket 3 wide-angle lens.
Get more from it with our best Osmo Pocket 3 settings, or shop the DJI Osmo Pocket 3.
Related guides
- Is the Osmo Pocket 3 good for podcasts and live streaming?
- Is the Osmo Pocket 3 good for sports?
- Best microphone for the Osmo Pocket 3 (DJI Mic 2 setup)
- Best Osmo Pocket 3 accessories worth buying
- Best SD card for the Osmo Pocket 3 (and does it need one?)
- Can the Osmo Pocket 3 take photos? Photo quality and settings
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