Three years after the launch of the Osmo Pocket 3, DJI has launched its successor with the aptly titled Osmo Pocket 4.
DJI promises that the Osmo Pocket 4 is easier to use and can capture sharper shots than the Pocket 3, but how do the two compare? Are there enough new features with Osmo Pocket 4 to warrant an upgrade if you’re playing Osmo Pocket 3?
We’ve compared our Osmo Pocket 4 vs Osmo Pocket 3 review to help you decide if an upgrade is really necessary. If not, visit our list of the best blogging cameras and the best action cameras to see options for the likes of GoPro and Insta360.
Price and Availability
The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 is available for pre-order from today ahead of its official launch on April 22nd. There are several bundle options to choose from, but the cheapest is the Osmo Pocket 4 Essential Combo which has an RRP of £429/€479 and includes a USB-C to USB-C PD cable, a 1/4-inch wired handle and a carrying case.
Similarly, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 also comes with several different bundle options that include various accessories and tools. However, the Osmo Pocket 3 alone has an RRP of £389/€429.
Design
- The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is simple
- DJI Osmo Pocket 4 features a new analog joystick for “soft” shooting.
- The Pocket 4 includes two new buttons below the touchscreen
Although the Osmo Pocket 4 is slightly heavier at 190.5g compared to 179g, DJI has stuck to the same design as the Pocket 3. In fact, this design was first introduced with the original Osmo Pocket back in 2018.
However, there are several new features with the DJI Osmo Pocket 4. First, rotate the display of the Osmo Pocket 4 and you will find two new buttons. One is a toggle button to switch between zoom levels while the other is a customizable shortcut button.
DJI Osmo Pocket 4
DJI Osmo Pocket 3
These buttons complement the physical controls carried over from the Pocket 3, including a joystick to control panning and zooming. Having said that, even though the joystick looks the same, the Osmo Pocket 4’s is no longer a single speed mechanism so you can be more precise with your movements.
Finally, the Osmo Pocket 4 also introduces pogo connectors on the back of the gimbal head that allow the camera to pass power to attached accessories – such as the new LED fill light that snaps into the top of the Osmo Pocket 4. It’s a seemingly small feature, but it will make using compatible accessories a little easier.
Winner: DJI Osmo Pocket 4
Features
- The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 has 107GB of built-in storage
- The Osmo Pocket 4 has a larger battery, although that can be overlooked for its ability to shoot more power-hungry resolutions.
- Both include DJI’s ActiveTrack feature but the new Osmo Pocket 4 iteration
Both the Osmo Pocket 4 and Pocket 3 are undoubtedly feature-packed devices and can not only capture videos and photos in great detail (more on that later) but both also sport DJI’s ActiveTrack features. ActiveTrack is the company’s smart tracking technology that is easy to use and can fit any subject – whether it’s a person, animal or object.
The Osmo Pocket 4 actually benefits from the latest version of technology that promises smooth and reliable tracking. In addition, if you connect your Osmo Pocket 4 to a computer, turn on ActiveTrack 7.0 and select Webcam Mode during a business call or live stream, you’ll stay focused and focused on the frame again.
Another important improvement is that the Osmo Pocket 4 is equipped with 107GB of internal storage and also includes a microSD slot if you need it. That’s a huge improvement over the Osmo Pocket 3 which has no internal storage and requires users to purchase a microSD card separately.
In addition, DJI promises that the Osmo Pocket 4 is 10 times faster in transferring video files from the device to your computer.
That’s not where the new features end with the Osmo Pocket 4, as DJI has added Gesture Control to the camera that lets you start or stop recording with simple gestures. You can also control ActiveTrack with hand gestures.
Otherwise, although the Osmo Pocket 4 is equipped with a slightly larger battery compared to the Osmo Pocket 3, the actual battery life of the device depends on which features, resolutions and film levels you choose. For example, in our time with the Osmo Pocket 4, we found that shooting up to four minutes at 4K240p with ActiveTrack enabled drained about 6% of the battery which would suggest a runtime of less than 80 minutes.
Keep in mind that you can buy extra batteries separately, or as part of certain bundles, and that may be a worthwhile investment if you plan to shoot using the highest powered settings.
Winner: DJI Osmo Pocket 4
Image and video quality
- DJI Osmo Pocket 4 has a new 1 inch CMOS and 14-Stop Dynamic Range
- Both can record at 4K60p, but the Pocket 4 records in slow-mo up to 4K240p
- Both play excellent sound quality, but it is recommended to pair with a DJI microphone for better results
DJI promises that, thanks to the Osmo Pocket 4’s new 1-inch CMOS and 14-Stop Dynamic Range, the camera results in more detail, accurate color and clear night images as well.
Undoubtedly, the specs sound impressive but it’s important to note that we were really impressed with the video of the Osmo Pocket 3. In fact, we found that the Osmo Pocket 3 resulted in sharp and natural-looking recordings, and incredibly smooth video. Also, the Pocket 3’s CMOS sensor offers better low-light performance than its predecessor as well.
During our time with the Osmo Pocket 4, we found all videos to look sharp and make colors look vibrant and well-rounded, without looking artificial. Even at night we found that the camera did a good job of capturing images, however we would recommend holding on to Fill Light if you plan to shoot mostly during dark conditions. In fact, we’d also recommend Fill Light if you’re planning on taking selfies, as we’ve found that it does a great job of illuminating the face without looking too bright.
Both the Osmo Pocket 4 and Pocket 3 can take sharp photos, with the Pocket 4 sporting an edge over its predecessor, but we still wouldn’t recommend it if you’re really looking for a still camera.
Where the Osmo Pocket 4 mainly beats the Osmo Pocket 3 is the slow motion mode, as it can shoot up to 4K240p. We concluded that although this mode consumes battery, it is admirably stable, smooth and rich in colors too.
Otherwise, the Osmo Pocket 4 is now equipped with built-in beauty features that allow you to smooth the skin, lighten the complexion and adjust your skin tone. Whether you use this or not will depend on your preference.
Finally, and perhaps most surprisingly, both cameras support DJI microphones that are sold separately. Although both cameras are equipped with microphones to help reduce wind noise and enhance your voice, and you do a solid job there, we’d recommend adding an external microphone to your setup if you’re going to chat or interview.
Winner: DJI Osmo Pocket 4
The decision
With the advanced ActiveTrack 7.0 technology, the ability to shoot up to 4K240fps and 107GB of built-in storage, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 looks like an overall nice and meaningful upgrade from the Osmo Pocket 3.
That said, whether or not you really need to upgrade from the Osmo Pocket 3 depends on whether those extra features will help improve your shooting experience. For example, if you’re going to benefit from tighter tracking and better slow-mo technology then the upgrade doesn’t make sense.