DJI Osmo Pocket Review: A Handheld miniature camera with three-axis stabilisation
The DJI Osmo Pocket is not really an action camera, but can certainly be compared to one. In fact, it is a compact handheld miniature camera with three-axis stabilisation and the ability to shoot video in 4K. The Osmo Pocket will not just give you raw footage like with a DSLR and an external mic. Instead, the pocket camera is capable of recording super stabilised 4K video and fluidly moving time-lapses.
Up until this point, this functionality could only be brought to the table by a DSLR and other bulky camera gear. But thankfully, the DJI Osmo Pocket and its compact form factor, make it very easy to handle and will help you look a lot more skilful with the camera than you actually are. With the Osmo Pocket, shaky videos are a thing of the past.
What this camera is able to achieve and deliver is something noteworthy. But first, let’s delve into the DJI Osmo Pocket series and compare the two iterations of the pocket camera.
The DJI Osmo Pocket Series Overview
DJI Osmo Pocket
Let’s go over how the DJI Osmo Pocket functions. Basically, it’s a gimbal that adjusts according to your bouncy walking patterns and shaky hands and cancels out all the uneven movements with its own stabilising motion. The DJI Osmo Pocket can also pan and track shots with the small camera present atop the wand-shaped handle thanks to smart software and camera controls.
DJI Osmo Pocket 2
The DJI Osmo Pocket 2 is the best in the market at what it does. That happens to be vlogging, and the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 excels at it. It is an extremely compact vlogging camera with a brilliant stabilisation system for its size. The DJI Osmo Pocket 2 does everything the Osmo Pocket 1 does but is much better.
The 64 MP camera with a smartphone-style sensor will make it difficult to win over hardcore videographers who are judging simply based on looks. But pair that with DJI’s mastery of stabilisation and object tracking, and you have a very capable vlogging setup. What’s the best part? The entire setup fits in your pocket. The one-inch screen can be a little difficult to navigate, and the camera might struggle in case of very low lighting. But apart from that, the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 is by far the best camera of its kind.
About the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, DJI hasn’t revealed any specs or a particular launch date. But it is said to come out in Autumn 2022. Given DJI’s track record with innovation and breaking boundaries, there is a chance they might just decide to put in a one-inch sensor. And if that happens, other vlogging cameras will further fall behind. So stay tuned for more news about the DJI Osmo Pocket 3.
DJI Osmo Pocket Detailed Review: A Sneak Peak Into Its Key Features
The first thing we need to focus on is the stabilization of this tiny beast, and boy is it good. The miniature size of the DJI Osmo Pocket makes the level of stabilization it offers to seem unreal. To put things into perspective, the DJI Osmo Pocket can very well be compared to an old giant Hollywood crane that has been shrunk to the size of a flashlight. In essence, the Osmo Pocket series has some of the best vlogging cameras out there.
With a very evolved Youtube vlogging scenario these days, a unique cinematography style has arisen. Succinct monologues are made much more interesting with beautiful framed time-lapses as transitions. With a seamless time-lapse feature integrated into the DJI Osmo Pocket, shooting these transitions is now a piece of cake. The controls are very clever, and the footage is smooth and professional-looking even without the tripod.
The Osmo Pocket is somewhat similar to the GoPro Hero 8 in terms of stabilisation. But the Hero 8 can’t possibly come close to the Osmo Pocket in terms of durability. A DJI Osmo Pocket waterproof case and other DJI Osmo Pocket accessories can help you deal with this issue.
To properly understand why and how this camera performs so well, let’s delve into the features of DJI Osmo Pocket.
Camera system
Right off the bat, the camera system of the DJI Osmo Pocket can very well keep up with some of the best smartphone cameras in the market. A 1.2/3-inch sensor, an f/2.0 aperture, and 100Mbps max bitrate give it the boost it needs to hover over other vlogging camera systems.
This amalgamation gives way for super-stable 4K footage at 60 fps with seamless quality. With less barrel distortion and a tighter field of view (80 degrees), the DJI Osmo Pocket is the vlogging camera to choose. Be it cinematic-looking vacation video, short establishing shots, or time lapses; the Osmo Pocket can handle it all. Here are some of the features you should watch out for.
Face tracking
Press the power button three times, or press the recommended Control Wheel button, and simply witness spot-on face tracking. The camera system is able to track your face seamlessly, no matter how much you move around. The Osmo Pocket won’t falter unless you do some super-fast ninja-like movements to fool the camera intentionally.
Timelapse
Shoot beautiful 1080p time-lapses, set anywhere between two to four paths with the DJI Osmo Pocket. Moreover, the camera moves along a preset timelapse path, giving the result a very dynamic effect. The seven duration options offered are 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 5 hours and infinite.
Why Should You Buy?
Hands down, the DJI Pocket Osmo is the best vlogging camera out there. So if you are in the market for a great vlogging camera that fits right in your pocket and offers seamless stabilisation, is feature studded, and operates on smart software, the DJI Pocket Osmo will definitely be a treat for you.
