Using an external mic with the DJI Osmo Mobile 3

Image credit: DJI

Using an external mic with the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 would be a huge deal, you would essentially have a budget, no hassle, portable one man shooting set up. This would give you the option to not only mount a shotgun mic, you could even have a wireless lapel mic set up.

Can you use an external mic with the DJI Osmo Mobile 3

Unfortunately right now you can’t use a external mic on Android and you can’t choose all available frame rates. The frame rate restrictions are tied to the phone manufacturers and it is up to them to open their camera apis to DJI. This may never happen. If you have an iPhone you can skip straight down to my top choices of microphone for the Osmo Mobile 3.

Using Filmic Pro with the DJI Osmo Mobile 3

Filmic Pro has always been an alternative to bypass some of the cameras restrictions and get full manual control. They still don’t offer a full range of frame rates on Android but they offer 24, 25 and 30fps as well as 240fps on certain handsets but only in HD. So no 4k 60 support for Android users, even if your native camera app does support that. But Filmic Pro does offer external mic support which is a big plus. You can test your phones capabilities using this tool from Filmic.

Why can’t I use an external mic now?

Unfortunately there is currently no support for Filmic Pro with the DJI Osmo Mobile 3. You can use the phone on the gimbal using Filmic Pro but you would lose the tracking and shooting features of the Mimo app.

Will we get external mic support in the future?

DJI are notoriously poor at the Android app side of their business and that is why it makes sense for them to just let apps like Fimic Pro to handle those problems for them. But they have put a lot of time and marketing in to the Mimo app and they will want people to keep using it.

Which app will get tracking and external mic functionality first?

I think the future is essentially going to be that the DJI Mimo app does get external mic support and that Filmic will get access to some of the Osmo Mobile 3’s features. But which will come first? My bet is that DJI will be trying to get some new features in to the Mimo app before letting Filmic swoop in an take its user base.

The DJI Mimo app does have some great functionality, the panorama, hyperlapse and timelapse modes are fantastic and don’t require a mic to use them anyway.

If either one of them can bring external mic support and tracking in to one app in the near future then its a huge win for DJI Osmo Mobile 3 users.

Best microphone for the Osmo Mobile 3 (iPhone only ATM)

My favourite wireless mic for the Osmo Mobile 3

Mounting a microphone or other accessories to the Osmo Mobile 3

You can do this the DIY way with some velcro pads but below are some more flexible options for mounting an external microphone or light to the Osmo Mobile 3. If you want to learn more about some affordable and portable lights to use with the Osmo Mobile 3, you can see them here.

Cold shoe baseplate