DJI Osmo Pocket 4P review: The Pocket finally zooms in
DJI recently brought the Osmo Pocket 4P to Malaysia in a new Pearl White colourway, and admittedly, it caught my eye straight away.
As a long-time Pocket 3 user, I was naturally keen to see what DJI could do with two cameras on the same tiny gimbal. On paper, it promises a lot, with a new 3x telephoto camera, D-Log 2 and 37MP stills all packed into something that still fits in your pocket.
So I took it out for vlogs, night walks and everyday clips to see how it holds up.
A pretty Pocket that is still easy to carry
I have been using the Standard Combo, which comes with the camera, a handle, a fill light, a USB-C cable, a wrist strap and a pouch.
The Pearl White finish has a soft pearlescent sheen, giving it a more lifestyle-friendly look than the usual black. Measuring 159.5 x 63.3 x 33.5mm, it fits easily into a handbag or jacket pocket and is far easier to carry around than a mirrorless camera with two lenses.
However, portability comes with a small trade-off. At 230g, it feels heavier than my Pocket 3, with most of the weight concentrated in the gimbal head. This makes it slightly top-heavy, and my wrist tends to get tired faster during longer shooting sessions. Thankfully, the included handle helps improve the balance and makes it more comfortable to hold.
One thing I wish DJI had included, though, is a cover for the lenses and gimbal. These are the parts most likely to get knocked around, so I feel a little nervous tossing the camera into a packed bag without extra protection.
Two cameras, more ways to shoot
The main camera pairs a 1-inch sensor with a 20mm-equivalent f/2.0 lens. Below it sits a 60mm-equivalent f/1.8 telephoto camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, giving you 3x optical zoom rather than relying on a digital crop.
This makes a noticeable difference when shooting. Instead of having to get up close to someone, I can step back and switch to 3x for a more flattering shot with a softer, more blurred background. Digital zoom goes up to 12x, although the quality takes a noticeable hit beyond 6x. The 4P’s 37MP photos are also sharp enough for everyday needs.
To switch between cameras, DJI added a zoom button and a custom button beneath the screen. Unfortunately, the buttons do not work when the screen is rotated vertically.
Personally, that last part matters. The screen hinge on my Pocket 3 has loosened over time from frequent rotation. Because of that, I’m hesitant to rotate the 4P’s screen too often. Most of the time, I just switch the orientation through the on-screen settings instead, even though the display appears smaller that way.
Great image quality, day or night
The 10-bit D-Log 2 profile is one of the most hyped features here, with DJI claiming up to 17 stops of dynamic range from the main camera. In high-contrast scenes, highlights and shadows hold plenty of detail. The catch is that D-Log 2 only works at 1x, so you have to switch back to regular D-Log in the menu before using the telephoto camera.
For D-Log footage, you can grade your footage in the DJI Mimo app right on your phone, either using Color Recovery to bring back natural colours or applying one of the other LUTs available. If you do not want to deal with log footage, the built-in Film Tones and filters give your clips a polished look straight out of the camera.
Low-light performance is another strong point, with footage from the main camera staying clean and streetlights less likely to blow out, while a dedicated Low-Light Video mode helps in even darker scenes. The telephoto camera struggles more with highlights at night, so I mostly stuck with the main camera and used the Fill Light to keep my face lit.
Smarter tracking and handy everyday features
Tracking is another feature I found useful, especially when filming in busy places. The Registered Subject feature lets you save up to three faces, allowing the camera to keep you in focus even when there are people moving around you. It can also track groups of up to eight people and reframe automatically, which comes in handy when filming with friends or family.
For slow-motion footage, the 4P supports up to 4K at 240fps, although this is limited to the standard colour profile. Beyond that, the 103GB of built-in storage is something I appreciate more in everyday use, as I no longer have to worry about forgetting a microSD card and missing out on a shoot. The battery also lasts around two and a half hours, and when it runs low, a full charge takes just about 30 minutes.
Worth it for the second camera alone
The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P Pearl White is available in Malaysia via the DJI online store and authorised retailers, including Shopee and Lazada. The Standard Combo is priced at RM2,419, while the Vlog Combo goes for RM2,739 and adds a DJI Mic Mini 2 transmitter and a wireless remote.
Overall, the Pocket 4P is an impressive little camera. If you film people a lot, travel often or want more creative options without carrying extra gear, the Pocket 4P is well worth a look. The extra weight takes a little getting used to, but it is still light enough to bring along anywhere.
Read more of our articles below!
