The Best 4K Video Camera for Vlogging!
The Chinese manufacturer has recently announced its latest addition to the stabilized handheld camera market, which has been teased on their website for a few days.
The new camera offers 4K filming with HDR and several notable improvements. For those interested in the stabilized camera market, the release of the DJI Osmo Pocket in 2018 may have been missed. It remains to be seen how the DJI Osmo Action will progress, but the announcement of the DJI Pocket 2 has already caught the attention of video product enthusiasts.
It is worth noting that the new camera model has dropped the “Osmo” name from its reference.
DJI Pocket 2 vs Osmo Pocket | What has changed?
Before diving into the new features of DJI’s Pocket 2, let’s take a moment to examine its dimensions and ergonomics, which are quite similar to the original Osmo Pocket. The weight has only slightly increased from 116 grams to 117 grams, and the dimensions are 12.4 x 3.8 x 3 cm, which are just slightly larger than the Osmo Pocket’s 12.2 x 3.7 x 2.9 cm.
The battery life is also impressive, with an estimated 140 minutes, surpassing our previous estimate of 120 minutes during our testing of the Osmo Pocket.
The DJI Pocket 2 boasts of an improvement in video quality, offering 4K @ 60fps resolution, a significant upgrade from its predecessor. The camera also features a larger 1 / 1.7 ” 16 Mpixel CMOS sensor, compared to the previous 1 / 2.3 ” 12 Mpixel CMOS sensor.
This allows for stunningly crisp and detailed videos in 3840 x 2160 pixels, at up to 100 Mbits / s. Additionally, the camera can automatically combine several photos to produce high-resolution 16 or 64 Mpixels images. It achieves this by utilizing the classic “180 ° pan” mode, which stitches together four photos to create an impressive 180-degree panorama.
With the DJI Pocket 2, users can still control the device using different modes. The first one is through physically connecting it to an iOS or Android smartphone using the Lightning and USB Type-C adapters included in the package.
The second one is by connecting wirelessly with an optional module. And the latest addition is through a joystick, which promises to provide a responsive and precise control. With these options, using the handheld camera becomes much more convenient and easier compared to using a smartphone stabilizer.
Better sensitivity, four microphones, and an 8x zoom:
One of the significant upgrades in the Pocket 2 is the inclusion of a 20mm lens, which offers a wider field of view of 93 degrees, compared to the cramped 80 degrees of its predecessor. Additionally, DJI has improved the aperture of the base optic from F/2.0 to F/1.8, resulting in brighter, more contrasting, and dynamic images.
These enhancements also justify DJI’s announcement of 4K HDR and presumably sharper footage. Furthermore, the Pocket 2 offers an unknown wide-angle lens option.
The Pocket 2 boasts an advanced focusing technology, known as “Hybrid Autofocus 2”, which employs both phase and contrast detection to improve its responsiveness and precision. Furthermore, DJI has extended the ISO range from 100 to 6400, compared to the previous model’s 100 to 3200, enhancing the capture of photos and videos. However, it remains to be seen whether the digital noise management is flawless, which will be evaluated during testing.
In addition, the audio capabilities of the Pocket 2 have received significant upgrades, as DJI has integrated four microphones into the device. Using the DJI Matrix Stereo technology, the audio quality has been enhanced with sharper, more detailed, and clearer voice recordings that are directional, providing an improved audio experience.
The four-microphone system enables the Pocket 2 to capture sound from different directions, adding a professional touch to the recordings by providing an accurate representation of the audio source.
The device’s audio capabilities are further enhanced by features such as wind noise reduction, soundtracking that adapts based on the camera’s orientation, and an audio zoom function that operates in conjunction with the digital zoom. Together, these subtle improvements fine-tune the tone of the audio, resulting in high-quality recordings.
It remains to be seen during testing whether the placement of the four microphones, including one located between the joystick and trigger button, creates any issues such as accidental contact with fingers. DJI has also mentioned an x8 digital zoom, which is only available in the 64 Mpixel photo mode. However, in video modes, the zoom capabilities are limited, with a maximum of x4 when recording in Full HD, x3 in 2.7K, and x2 in 4K, depending on the mode being used.
The DJI Mimo app is also evolving:
Along with the Pocket 2, the DJI Mimo app has also been upgraded, and it remains to be seen during testing how effective these improvements are. The app includes all the necessary tools to create social media videos and simplify production processes.
The DJI Mimo app offers a Pro mode that allows manual control over exposure settings, ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. The app also facilitates the use of ActiveTrack 3.0 subject tracking technology, as well as pre-programmed functions like Timelapse, MotionLapse, and Hyperlapse. In addition, the app includes the ability to directly stream footage to social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube.
Prices and availability of the DJI Pocket 2
The DJI Pocket 2 will come in two versions and will be available starting from October 31st. The first pack includes the DJI Pocket 2, a mini joystick, and a tripod support, all priced at 369 euros. The second pack, called “Creator”, comes with a wide-angle lens (details are not yet provided), a wireless microphone with windscreen, and a multi-use handle, and is priced at $600.
The Review
DJI Pocket 2
A mini camera mounted on a gimbal which was already formidable in its time. Almost two years of existence, therefore: it was time to renew its product, especially since we were pining a little. We expected, for example, that the manufacturer responds to GoPro which launched its Hero 9 Black … but no! In any case, not for the moment.
DJI Pocket 2 DEALS
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