DJI Osmo Pocket Review | 3-Axis Camera for Vloggers

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DJI, a brand which is known for manufacturing drones for capturing videos, photos etc. Using the Gimbal which goes into the drones for recording smooth footage, DJI has released it’s another Gimbal product known as DJI Osmo Pocket. Unlike the previous Osmos, this one comes in a small form factor with a Gimbal and a camera mounted on top of it. While the setup is necessary, the usability is questionable. So, we reviewed the Osmo Pocket and to see what it can really do, check out the review below.

Specifications

• 1-inch Touchscreen
• USB Type-C charging port
• 3 axis motor for stabilization
• 4k video recording @ 60fps
• 12 MP still images
• MicroSD card slot
• 875 mAh battery
• Announced on 28 November and shipping starts on 15 December

DJI Osmo Pocket: Portable and Sturdy

DJI Osmo made the Osmo pocket so portable that it looks nothing big than a chocolate bar. It is a miniaturized version of the previous DJI Osmo models. There is a 3-axis Gimbal up to where the camera is mounted providing stability during video recording. Apart from that, there is a 1inch touch screen and two buttons out of which, one is to turn the camera On or Off while the other one is to Start or Stop video recording.

There is a modular connector which can be used to connect Android or iOS smartphones to extend the controls and viewfinder to the mobile screen. However, you have to hold the phone as well as the Osmo Pocket since the weight of the smartphone might cause it to slip out to the ground. There is also an SD card slot which is on the left side.

The DJI Osmo pocket is definitely portable with 121.9mm x 28.6mm x 36.9mm dimensions which make it compact and easy to handle with a weight of 116 grams unless you connect any accessories or smartphone. Talking about the accessories, there are many but you have to purchase them separately since it comes with Type-C and lightning connectors and a protective case only.

Camera and Features

DJI Osmo Pocket comes with a 1/2.3 inch sensor which is attached to a gimbal. The gimbal consists of three motors- Tilt motor, Pan motor, and Roll motor. What these motors do is they counteract your movements to provide smooth and stable video footage which is what the gimbal is all about unlike the GoPro which uses Electronic Image Stabilization for smooth videos. We personally preferred the Gimbal over the EIS on GoPro.

The Osmo Pocket is capable of recording videos in 4k @ 60 fps in 100mbps and can also capture stills in 12 Megapixel resolution. It comes with dual embedded microphones with noise canceling algorithms for recording high-quality audio. Not only that, the Osmo Pocket allows you to go full manual while recording videos to control elements like ISOs, Focus etc.

While the video recording capabilities are great and the videos itself are pretty impressive, the audio recording quality could’ve been better. Daytime shots look great with solid colors and stabilization but night-time shots aren’t super impressive or anything. Apart from the video recording, there are options for Time-lapse, Slow-motion, etc.

There are 3 Gimbal modes-

• Follow- In this mode, the Gimbal moves with you to cancel out uneven movements.
• FPV- In this mode the camera trices to mimic an action camera by following you every turn, tilt or rotation.
• Gimbal Lock-In this mode, the gimbal lock itself in a horizontal position which is great for up/down movements.

While using the DJI Osmo Pocket without the smartphone, the various functions can be used to enhance the video recording experience. Some of them are-

• ActiveTrack- With this feature, the camera tracks the object of choices like a Face or something using smart image recognition algorithm which is helpful while recording videos of a baby or pet.
• FastTrack- This mode is an enhanced version of the ActiveTrack and what it basically does is to lock the human face in the middle of the frame and keep it locked there despite the movements. Though, the camera isn’t able to differentiate between faces but keep the one locked in the middle.
• 3x3 Panorama- In this mode, the camera takes 9 phone and stitches them together to create a breathtaking panorama of the scene.
• 180° Panorama- In this mode, the camera takes 4 images and stitch them up together automatically.

There are more features too which makes Osmo Pocket, fun to use. However, if a smartphone is attached to the Camera, the DJI app on the smartphone provides some extra features like-

• Pro Mode- This mode allows more granular control while recording videos like ISO, exposure, focus etc allowing you to capture scenes, however, you want to. Using the right settings will help you capture the long exposed night photos or perfectly exposed videos.
• Story Mode- This allows editing of videos using various preset sound, transitions, and colors, also you can choose from various templates to use and create your own story which can also be shared.

Accessories

Here are some of the accessories which you can use with the Osmo Pocket to extend its capabilities

• Wireless Module

The Wireless module is for wireless transmission between the Osmo Pocket and the smartphone through WiFi or Bluetooth. It comes in handy when you want to record motion-lapse or timelapse providing camera feed to your smartphone with the ability to control the camera remotely.

• ND Filter Set

These attach to the front of the camera and reduces the light hitting the sensor. There are various levels of darkness allowing more control on the camera’s exposure time, aperture, and sensor sensitivity settings.

• 3.5mm Adapter

This 3.5mm audio adapter will allow using an external microphone with the Osmo Pocket which isn’t possible under this adapter is released. Although, it records good quality audio but it’s always the personal preference.

• Extension Rod

The Extension Rod can extend up to 31 inches unlocking a whole new level of creativity. It can be easily connected through the USB Type-C or Lightning port and there are controls on the handle to remotely control the Gimbal and Camera. Also, there is a tripod at the end of the extension rod which further increases its usability.

• Charging Case

Just like the name suggest it is a protective case which also chargers the Osmo Pocket, extending its usability time. There are dedicated slots for microSD card and ND filters which makes it dynamic and ready to use anytime.

There are a couple of more fun accessories to choose from which is impressive and makes Osmo Pocket, a great choice for video recordings.

Battery Life

DJI Osmo Pocket comes with an 875 mAh battery inside which isn’t removable. For starters, it can last around w hours while recording in 1080 @ 60 fps, although, you can get some more out of the battery by recording at some lower resolution. There is also a Charging case for portable charging during recordings or you can always use a Power bank to recharge the battery on the go.

Our Verdict

DJI Osmo Pocket is not actually an action camera but it’s a great choice for vloggers. Since it uses an actual Gimbal rather than software for stabilization, the video doesn’t get cropped and the videos are super good. However, while it does record great video, the audio recording could have been better as the audio quality isn’t good during windy times but it’s still far from being a problem.

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