Following months of rumors, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 has finally landed to succeed the best-selling Pocket 3 vlogging camera, and I expect it to be equally popular.
It’s not a huge upgrade; nonetheless, the Pocket 4 looks like a more polished vlogging camera that could be worth swapping out the Pocket 3 for. This article covers the 7 most notable improvements in the latest model.
And if you are on the hunt for your first vlogging camera, either model is well worth a look. I’ve shot plenty of content with the Pocket 4 ahead of its launch — look out for my in-depth review, coming soon — and consistently with its predecessor over the last two years, and they are excellent smartphone alternatives for video, combining an exceptionally discreet and tiny body with sharp, gimbal-stabilized 4K video, complete with the tools needed for clear vocals, especially using DJI’s own wireless mics.
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The Pocket 4 costs £429 / AU$749 for the Essential Combo, or £549 / AU$949 for the Creator Combo, which adds a battery handle, wireless mic, and a new magnetic fill light, among other extras. There’s no US pricing or availability at launch.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the key differences between the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and Pocket 3.
1. Video quality
The spec sheet suggests little change on the image quality front – like its predecessor, the Pocket 4 shoots 4K video and features a 1-inch sensor. However, DJI says the sensor is new, and its 4K video output is optimized with 14 stops of dynamic range which is further expands by 2 stops in the low light mode.
There’s also 10-bit color depth and a revised D-Log color profile available in the Pro setting. Want a baked-in look? There are six new film tones to choose from. There are a bunch of new beauty filters, too, if that’s your thing, found in the revised DJI Mimo app.
2. Slow motion
One of the headline-grabbing upgrades is 8x slo-mo recording in 4K – that’s 240fps, which is up from the Pocket 3’s maximum 120fps. Most other cameras that offer such slow frame rates, including the Pocket 3 tend to do so just for 1080p, but DJI has expanded these frame rates from 1080p to 4K in the latest model. The 2x zoom function (scroll down for more details) doesn’t work in this mode, mind you.
3. Subject tracking
DJI’s next-gen Active Track 7.0 features in the Pocket 4, for some of the stickiest subject tracking I’ve experienced. Simply double-tap your subject and the Pocket 4 will keep them in the centre of the frame, with support for people, vehicles, pets, and more.
Subject tracking works in photo mode, with the 2x lossless zoom and for the D-Log color profile, none of which is true of the Pocket 3’s Active Track 6.0 feature.
4. Photo skills
Photo resolution has been increased from 9.4 megapixels in the Pocket 3 and up to 37 megapixels in the Pocket 4 for more detailed snaps, provided you select the SuperPhoto mode. You’ll get the maximum resolution for 1:1 aspect stills, which drops to 33 megapixels in the 16:9 format. In the regular photo mode, the resolution is the same as before, being roughly equivalent to 4K.
Photos can be captured in JPEG or RAW format, or both simultaneously. The 2x lossless zoom can now be used in photo mode and when active track is in play, whereas this function is not available in the Pocket 3.
5. Controls
Less measurable on a spec sheet but of infinite help in actual use, the Pocket 4 has some welcome design tweaks.
The joystick, which controls the camera’s gimbal, has been upgraded, and the speed of its movement responds to how firmly you push it. There are also two new buttons under the screen, which are visible when the display is horizontal, providing shortcuts to useful controls such as zoom.
The gimbal arm has been fitted with electronic contacts and a magnetic surface, which can be used to pair a new magnetic fill light accessory, which is part of the Creator Combo kit. The light is powered by the camera and its output is minimal, only being of real use in dimly lit spaces or at night, but it’s certainly a useful extra.
6. Battery life
DJI has fitted a higher capacity 1,545mAh battery in the Pocket 4 – that’s 20% more juice compared to the Pocket 3’s 1,300mAh unit. With this new battery unit, the Pocket 4 has been tested for up to 4 hours run time, when recording 1080p video at 24fps and with wireless connections and screen turned off. 4K recording run time will be significantly less.
Charge time has been reduced, too. Using DJI’s 65W PD charger (sold separately), the Pocket 4 can gain a 100% charge in 32 minutes, or an 80% charge in just 18 minutes. We don’t have the numbers for regular USB-C charging.
7. Memory
The Pocket 4 features 107GB of built-in storage, which is sufficient for many hours of 4K video files, while the Pocket 3 has none. Both can record onto micro SD. Oh and praise be, DJI has added a protective door over the micro SD card slot, which is fully exposed in the Pocket 3.
There’s next-gen Wi-Fi 6 and USB 3.1 support in the Pocket 4 too, plus faster wired transfer speeds, making for a speedier workflow on the move.
There are a few more additional features in the Pocket 4, but those 7 are the big ones, and it feels like an all-around more polished vlogging cam.
What do you reckon, does the Pocket 4 sound like a vlogging camera worth upgrading for? Let me know in the comments below!
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