Shooting A Car Review Using DJI Action 3: A Quick Review

Technology evolves rapidly and content creators are reaping the benefits. The days of struggling with bulky setups might finally be behind us. While DSLRs still hold their ground against mirrorless cameras and large vlogging rigs seem irreplaceable, one category has quietly risen to the top: action cameras.

Compact, durable and versatile, they’ve become the heroes for dynamic content creation, especially when it comes to vehicle reviews.

Recently, while shooting a review of the Tata Nexon iCNG, we hit a familiar roadblock—finding the perfect spot to mount our big Sony Alpha A7SIII. Capturing both the driver and passenger was already tricky and it was almost impossible with the Sony Camera. It felt like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Frustrated but determined, we kept experimenting until inspiration struck, the tiny DJI Action 3 sitting in our gear bag.

We decided to give it a shot by mounting it right on the dashboard. To our surprise, it was a game-changer. Its ultra-wide sensor easily captured the car’s interior and its electronic image stabilization (EIS) worked so well that we didn’t even need a gimbal. Bumps and potholes? The footage barely flinched. It was as if this little device was custom-built for scenarios like this.

Watching it perform felt like discovering a hidden superpower. The DJI Action 3, one of the most affordable options from a top-tier brand, punched well above its weight. Sure, there’s the GoPro Hero 12 MINI but in our opinion, it’s more of a sidekick with its share of “mini” limitations.

Of course, not even superheroes are perfect and the DJI Action 3 has its flaws. But in the world of action cameras, it’s hard to find a better balance of price, performance and durability. It is one of the cheapest but it has the same charm as DJI Action 4, 5 Pro, Go Pro 12, 13 and the Insta Ace Pro 2 series of cameras.

If you’re a content creator, especially one diving into car and motorcycle reviews, action cameras like this are your best ally. They’re small, smart and capable of delivering stunning results with minimal fuss. So, the next time you’re gearing up for a shoot, don’t overlook these tiny marvels—they just might save the day.

Plus points of our DJI ACTION 3 

Versatile mounting

While most action cameras are lightweight, DJI's action cameras offer additional benefits.  but the DJI Action 3, 4 and 5 Pro come with magnetic clips. This feature allows you to mount the camera vertically as well as horizontally.

Wide-angle views

Most action cameras have wide-angle lenses that can capture the entire cabin or dramatic exterior shots. The DJI Action 3 offers standard (dewarp), wide and ultra-wide field-of-view modes. We noticed that the DJI Action 3 doesn’t show any distortion in the footage, just like the GoPro 12 and 13.

Durability

These cameras are built to handle vibrations, weather and rough conditions, making them reliable for on and off-road reviews. When shooting a car review, durability matters a lot. The DJI Action 3 is waterproof up to 16 meters and its main lens is protected by a rubber lens cover.

Affordability

Compared to professional setups, action cameras are more budget-friendly while still delivering impressive 4K video quality. Slow-motion video is really important when shooting cinematic car videos and the maximum fps you can achieve with this camera is 120fps.

Considering all that, the DJI Action 3 for INR 19,999 seems like a steal. 

Ease of use

Action cameras are easy to carry and handle, giving you the freedom to hold them in any direction. In fact, our cinematographer took some shots through the sunroof and boot and mounted them on the side of the car to capture tracking shots. All you need is the right mount.

If you want to mount it on a helmet, you’ll need a helmet mount. For the dashboard, you’ll need a mount with 9mm tape or a suction mount. If you’re more adventurous and want to mount it on the side of the car, a suction cup mount will work perfectly, allowing you to track other cars without any gimbal or stabiliser accessories.

Features

Shooting timelapse and hyper-lapse videos is usually challenging but when shooting the cinematics of the Nexon i-CNG, we accessed these features with just a single click. The DJI Action 3 also supports ND filters, offering a decent look with balanced exposure even in harsh sunlight conditions.

Smartphone compatibility

What if I told you that you can attach the camera anywhere and still preview the footage on your smartphone?

The DJI Action 3 supports the DJI Mimo app, which is available on both iOS and Android. Users can install the app and connect their DJI camera to their smartphone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to preview footage directly in the app. Users can also control the camera's settings and functions through the app.

Microphone

Most car review setups require large microphones but the DJI Action 3 comes with a built-in microphone. Hence, you can say goodbye to bulky setups.

The built-in mic is powerful enough to capture both exhaust notes and the creator's voice clearly. Additionally, the DJI Action 3 supports external microphones via a Type-C connector or Bluetooth connectivity.

Dual screen

The DJI Action 3 features dual screens—one on the front and one on the rear. The front screen is fully functional, allowing you to see yourself in the tiny display while also adjusting settings for better footage.

Limitations of Action Cameras

Of course, every rose has its thorns and the DJI Action 3 is no exception. Here are some limitations we noticed during our review:

Battery life

The DJI Action 3 comes with a small 1770mAh battery, offering approximately 120 minutes of usage. During our review shoot, we had to cancel some timelapse plans because of the battery running out. Although this is a major disadvantage, extra batteries and a charging case are readily available to extend shooting time.

No real zoom capability

Like most action cameras, the DJI Action 3 doesn’t include zoom functionality. To work around this, you need to maintain the proper distance from your subject while shooting.

Low-light performance

Here’s a nightmare we encountered: while shooting the car’s user experience in low light, the footage looked fine on the small screen. But when we transferred it to a desktop, it was full of horrible grains. Keep in mind that the small sensor in the DJI Action 3 struggles in low-light conditions. It’s best to use this camera in daylight for optimal results.

To overcome these limitations, we completed most of our review during daylight. We also invested in two extra batteries and a Rode microphone to make our review video more engaging. Despite its drawbacks, the DJI Action 3 justifies its price-to-performance ratio, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious creators looking for versatility and quality.