Family trips, a weekend out and the small moments as children grow up are the reasons I want to carry a camera. A phone is convenient, but stabilisation, framing and the ability to get closer to a subject still matter when putting together a vlog. The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P brings a second lens to a compact camera with a mechanical gimbal, making it an interesting option for that kind of everyday filming.
Watch our real-life Osmo Pocket 4P camera test.
Two lenses for different parts of the day
The Pocket 4P pairs a 20mm f/2.0 wide-angle lens with a 60mm f/1.8 lens. The wider view suits scenery, family group shots and a selfie vlog, while the longer lens gives you a tighter view of a person and a more natural-looking blurred background.
On a day out with children, that gives you the option to show the surroundings, then switch to a closer view of an expression. It’s a useful way to vary the footage without carrying additional lenses. DJI also lists zoom up to 12x, though that maximum should be distinguished from the two lenses’ native focal lengths.
A larger sensor for backlit scenes and evenings
The new 1-inch CMOS sensor uses LOFIC technology, with DJI claiming up to 17 stops of dynamic range. For a family vlog, the appeal is retaining more detail in bright skies and shadowed faces when filming against a sunset, or handling the mixed lighting of an evening street scene.
HDR 10-bit recording and D-Log 2 are available if you want more room to adjust colour afterwards. For simpler edits, the built-in Film Tone options let you choose a look before recording.
The gimbal takes some effort out of walking shots
The three-axis mechanical gimbal remains central to the Pocket’s appeal. It helps reduce shake while walking, which is useful when you’re following family members instead of standing still to compose every shot.
ActiveTrack 8.0 adds automatic tracking of people and pets, with support for multiple subjects. It can reduce the amount of manual reframing needed when the subject moves. For solo vlogging, being able to let the camera follow you is another practical benefit.
Slow motion for the moments that pass quickly
The wide camera supports up to 4K 240fps slow-motion recording. A child jumping, splashing water or a pet running past can make a short sequence worth slowing down in a family video.
Six Film Tone options include Fresh, Warm, Cinema and Retro. They offer a quick way to give clips a different atmosphere without building a colour grade from scratch. That fits the way many casual vloggers want to work: capture the day, make a short edit and share it.
230g, built-in storage and a quicker path to the phone
At approximately 230g, the Pocket 4P combines its lenses, gimbal and screen in a body that is easy to carry. It has 103GB of internal storage, so you can start recording without fitting a memory card.
Auto Media Transfer can send selected clips to a compatible iPhone while the camera is switched off, once paired and configured. That could make the evening edit easier after a day of filming. Compatibility depends on the iPhone model and software version, so check DJI’s current requirements. The feature described here is for supported iPhones.
Verdict: an appealing camera for family vlogs
The Pocket 4P brings together flexible framing, mechanical stabilisation and subject tracking in a small camera. The second lens gives you more variety in a sequence, while slow motion and Film Tone options make it easier to give everyday clips a more considered look.
For someone who wants to record family life and travel without carrying a larger camera kit, that combination is appealing. How much it adds to your own setup will depend on whether you regularly use the gimbal, tracking and second lens. Our linked camera test gives you a chance to judge the footage before deciding.
Adapted from MDROID’s original review.
