The comparison between the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and the Sony ZV-1 II is a classic battle between an innovative, all-in-one gimbal camera and a traditional, high-quality compact vlogging camera.

The "Top Vlogging Camera of 2024" depends entirely on your primary style of content creation.

The Verdict: Pick Your Vlogging Style

Camera   Best For   Key Advantage
DJI Osmo Pocket 3   Active, on-the-go, travel, action, vertical, and discrete vlogging.   Incredible, built-in 3-axis gimbal stabilization.
Sony ZV-1 II   Sit-down vlogs, cinematic B-roll, control over depth-of-field, and varied framing.   Superior lens flexibility (zoom) and more manual control.

Head-to-Head Feature Comparison

Feature   DJI Osmo Pocket 3   Sony ZV-1 II
Stabilization   Best-in-Class 3-Axis Mechanical Gimbal. Footage is buttery smooth, even when running.   Digital/Optical Hybrid. Better than an average camera, but no match for a gimbal.
Portability   Extremely Portable. Literally pocketable. Swiveling screen powers it on/off.   Highly Portable (Compact Camera). Larger than the Pocket 3, but still small.
Sensor   1-inch CMOS (9.4MP effective for video)   1-inch Exmor RS CMOS (20.1MP)
Video Quality   Excellent. Shoots 4K/120fps and 10-bit D-Log M color. Great low-light performance.   Excellent. Shoots 4K/30fps. Features Log color profiles. Image is highly flexible for editing.
Lens   Fixed 20mm equivalent (f/2.0). Wide and good for hand-held vlogging distance.   18-50mm equivalent zoom (f/1.8−4.0). Allows for varied framing (wide to telephoto).
Audio   Excellent built-in mics. Seamless connectivity with the superb DJI Mic 2 (included in Creator Combo).   Excellent directional 3-capsule mic. Has a 3.5mm mic jack for connecting external mics.
Autofocus/Tracking   ActiveTrack 6.0. Unmatched, cinematic subject tracking that uses the gimbal motor.   Sony Real-time AF. Industry-leading face/eye tracking. Product Showcase mode.
Vlogging Features   Rotating touchscreen (vertical/horizontal shooting). Native vertical video.   Flip-out screen. Soft Skin Effect, Background Defocus (Bokeh) switch.
Battery   Superior Battery Life. Fast charging.   Standard battery. Shorter life but swappable for spares.
Price   Base price is generally lower than the ZV-1 II.   Base price is generally higher than the Pocket 3.

Detailed Breakdown for Vlogging

1. For Ultimate Smoothness and Travel (Pocket 3 Wins)

If your vlog involves walking, hiking, travel, or any dynamic movement, the Pocket 3 is the clear winner. The integrated 3-axis mechanical gimbal provides stabilization that no camera with digital/optical stabilization (like the ZV-1 II) can match, making your footage look professional and effortless.

2. For Cinematic Look and Control (ZV-1 II Wins)

If you value a shallow depth-of-field (bokeh) and the ability to zoom and manually control your shot:

    Zoom Versatility: The ZV-1 II's 18-50mm zoom lens is a massive advantage for composition flexibility.

    Depth of Field: Its faster f/1.8 aperture at the wide end, combined with the zoom, gives you greater control over background blur compared to the Pocket 3's fixed f/2.0.

    Low Light: While the Pocket 3's low-light is great for its size, the ZV-1 II has a reputation for better overall image quality and detail, especially in well-controlled lighting.

3. Ease of Use and Workflow

DJI Osmo Pocket 3   Sony ZV-1 II
Simpler. Flip the screen to turn it on and start recording. ActiveTrack handles the focus for you.   More Complex. Sony's menus are famously deep. Requires more setup and knowledge of settings.
Native Vertical. The rotating screen makes shooting vertical for TikTok/Shorts seamless.   Shoots horizontal. Vertical format is a cropped aspect ratio in post-production.

Conclusion

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is the best all-in-one vlogging device of 2024. It provides professional-level image quality and stabilization in a pocket-friendly form factor that is genuinely fun and easy to use.

The Sony ZV-1 II is the better compact camera for a serious videographer who requires a flexible zoom lens, more manual control, and prioritizes cinematic quality over effortless portability and stabilization.