Pocket cameras have evolved from simple alternatives to smartphones and action cameras into capable filmmaking tools. DJI has been at the forefront of that evolution since the first Osmo Pocket, and the new DJI Osmo Pocket 4P continues to push the category forward. It retains the compact design and signature three-axis mechanical gimbal that made the series popular, but this generation brings meaningful upgrades that promise better image quality, more versatility, and a smoother shooting experience.
That raises a few important questions. Can a pocket-sized camera really replace your mirrorless setup? Is it worth upgrading from the Osmo Pocket 3? Can it deliver professional-looking videos without the bulk of a traditional camera? More importantly, who is it really for?
I spent several days using the Osmo Pocket 4P for videos, portraits, low-light scenes, and everyday content creation to find out. After putting it through different shooting conditions, I came away impressed. Join me in this review and find out about DJI's most complete pocket gimbal camera yet.
Unboxing + Design: Small Camera, Big Upgrade
If you've used any Osmo Pocket before, the design immediately feels familiar. It still fits comfortably in one hand, slips into a jacket pocket, and takes almost no space inside a backpack. I tested the creator combo and I could tell that it's slightly larger than the recently released Pocket 4, even its accessories are bigger.
DJI packs a generous set of accessories in its Vlog Combo. With this, you can start shooting right away without buying additional essentials. Inside the box, you'll find the Osmo Pocket 4P, a FrameTap remote, a wireless transmitter (microphone) with a magnetic charging cable and a magnetic fill light. There's also a carrying bag, a portable carrying pouch, a USB-C 3.1 cable, a mini tripod, a handle with a standard 1/4-inch thread, a magnetic clip, a magnet, two magnetic front covers, two wrist straps, a windscreen for the transmitter, and a magnetic charging cable for the FrameTap.
It's a well-rounded bundle with accessories that improve portability, audio recording, handheld shooting, and quick setup straight out of the box. The FrameTap is very useful for solo creators because it allows you to frame yourself even if you're away from the camera.
Still, At just around 230 grams, the Pocket 4P remains light enough to carry throughout the day without becoming a burden. The familiar form factor is actually one of its biggest strengths. Unlike mirrorless cameras that often require extra lenses and accessories, the Osmo Pocket 4P is always ready to shoot which I like the most.
We still have the 2-inch rotatable OLED touchscreen that can reach up to 1000 nits of peak brightness. This screen feels responsive, the menus are straightforward, and switching between video modes doesn't require digging through complicated settings. Even if this is your first dedicated camera, the learning curve is surprisingly short.
We also have new button as seen on the Pocket 4. There's a dedicate Zoom button to quickly toggle from 1x to 3x zoom up single press. Double pressing this button will toggle the zoom from 3x and 6x. You can gradually zoom to between incremental magnifications by long pressing this button. There's also a custom button wherein you can map specific frequently used function. In my case, I mapped the photo to video switching function in single press, and camera panning to zoom in double press action.
The back portion of the gimbal also has magnetic contacts for the magnetic fill light. speaking of fill light, it's a very useful accessory. You can change from cool to warm light and adjust its intensity. The classic joystick and command button are still in their proper places.
Overall, Osmo Pocket 4P's design simply made sense. The user interface is also easy to navigate. Changing focal lengths, adjusting exposure and activating Pro features are very easy. That ease of use makes a huge difference. Instead of worrying about camera settings, I could focus on finding interesting shots.
Dual Cameras Add More Creative Freedom
The biggest upgrade comes from the new dual-camera system. Previous Osmo Pocket models relied on a single wide-angle lens. The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P now has a dual-camera system that combines a 1-inch CMOS main sensor with LOFIC technology and a 20mm equivalent f/2.0 lens, alongside a 60mm equivalent telephoto camera with a larger 1/1.28-inch sensor and a bright f/1.8 aperture. To me, the device's flexibility without adding interchangeable lenses is a big deal.
The wide camera remains excellent for landscapes, travel videos, architecture, and handheld walk-throughs. It captures plenty of detail while maintaining a natural perspective. The telephoto camera, however, completely changes how I approached shooting. I found myself reaching for the 3x lens far more often than expected.
Portraits immediately looked cleaner because the telephoto lens naturally separates the subject from the background. Busy streets suddenly became soft backdrops instead of visual distractions. Faces also looked more natural thanks to the longer focal length. The difference becomes obvious once you compare footage from both cameras.
DJI also allows digital zoom up to 12x. While I mostly stayed with the optical range for maximum quality, having the extra reach proved useful for distant buildings and tighter compositions during travel.
Great Image Quality in Almost Any Situation
As mentioned, DJI pairs the new dual-camera system with an upgraded 1-inch CMOS sensor. The company claims up to 17 stops of dynamic range, and after using the camera in different lighting conditions, I can confidently say that image quality is one of its strongest selling points.
During bright afternoons, the camera retained cloud detail without turning shadows into dark patches. When I shot against the sun, facial details remained visible while the sky kept its color and texture. Most pocket cameras struggle in these situations because they either expose for the sky or the subject. The Osmo Pocket 4P balanced both remarkably well. Check out this sample videos captured in our raw vlog:
DJI didn't push saturation too far. I love that colors looked vibrant without becoming unrealistic, while skin tones stayed natural across different lighting conditions. That consistency gave me less work during editing.
Meanwhile, the device exceeds expectations in low-light. Night footage retained impressive detail while keeping image noise under control. Street lights looked clean instead of blowing out, while darker areas still preserved enough texture to maintain depth. Check out this sample videos captured in our raw vlog over our Youtube channel:
I also appreciated how the camera handled mixed lighting. I took a stroll into a local mall where Restaurants, cafés, shopping districts, and neon signs often confuse smaller sensors. The Osmo Pocket 4P maintained accurate white balance while preserving natural-looking skin tones.
The 17-stop dynamic range recover highlights and shadows during editing without degrading image quality. I think low-light shooting will be popular for creators who frequently shoot travel content or city nightlife will appreciate this improvement.
DJI Finally Nails Portrait Video
One feature surprised me more than anything else. The new 60mm telephoto camera completely transforms portrait shooting. The longer focal length naturally compresses the background, which creates much better subject separation. Portraits immediately gain a more cinematic look without relying on artificial processing.
This became my favorite lens throughout the review period. It works exceptionally well for interviews, lifestyle videos, product shots, and talking-head content. I tried shifting from the wide lens to telephone, and it instantly blur the background of the ice cream cup that I was holding. I think this single feature alone makes the upgrade worthwhile.
Performance: Autofocus, Stabilization
The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P is also a winner in terms of autofocus. Face detection locks onto the subject almost instantly, while eye tracking remains consistent even when the subject moves around the frame. During my tests, I locked the focus on a building and moved around but the gimbal stays locked to the subject creating a parallax effect.
DJI also upgrades ActiveTrack to version 8.0, and the improvements are noticeable. Subject tracking feels more confident, especially when using the new 3x telephoto lens. The camera keeps the subject centered without sudden movements, which helps produce footage that looks polished right out of the camera.
For solo creators, this feature is a huge advantage. I could set the camera on a tripod, start recording, and simply focus on delivering my lines. The Osmo Pocket 4P handled the framing and focus on its own.
When it comes to stabilization, the three-axis mechanical gimbal produces incredibly smooth footage without making movements look robotic. Just like the Pocket 4, walking shots still retain a natural motion, while pans and tilts stay fluid from start to finish.
I used the camera in different scenarios: walking through busy streets, climbing stairs, and exploring uneven paths. Every clip came out stable enough that I rarely felt the need to stabilize it again during editing. This is one of those features that quietly improves every shot. You don't have to think about camera shake because the gimbal takes care of it.
Plenty of Headroom for Video Creators
The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P supports up to 4K at 240 frames per second, which creates dramatic slow-motion clips while maintaining enough detail. I used this mode to capture moving vehicles, water fountains, and people in motion. The results looked crisp and smooth without sacrificing image quality.
DJI also introduces D-Log 2, which gives creators more flexibility during post-production. The flatter profile preserves additional highlight and shadow information, making it easier to color grade footage without breaking the image. This is a different mode from the D-Log which I find easier to color grade.
If you already edit videos in DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro, you'll appreciate the extra latitude this profile provides. For quick uploads, though, the standard color profile already produces attractive colors without requiring any additional work. I think this is a very good set of options for this camera as it fit different workflows, from fast social media uploads to polished YouTube productions.
Small Features That Improve Everyday Use
DJI also refined the overall shooting experience through several thoughtful additions. The Osmo Pocket 4P includes more than 107GB of built-in storage, so I never felt pressured to install a memory card before heading out. That's useful during spontaneous trips or events where I simply want to grab the camera and start recording.
File transfers also happen much faster through USB 3.1 and Wi-Fi 6 support. Large 4K files moved to my mac in just a few minutes, which helped shorten my editing workflow. The camera can also capture 37MP still photos, and while I primarily used it for video, the photo quality proved more than capable for social media and travel documentation.
DJI's optional magnetic fill light also deserves mention. It provides softer illumination for selfies and portraits at night while matching the movement of the gimbal. It's a practical accessory for creators who often shoot indoors or after sunset.
Battery Life
Battery life turned out better than I expected. During my review period, the Osmo Pocket 4P consistently lasted between three and four hours depending on my recording settings. Shooting at higher resolutions and frame rates naturally consumed more power, but the camera still managed several recording sessions before needing a recharge.
For travel, events, and day trips, I rarely worried about running out of battery. Carrying a compact power bank is more than enough for longer shoots.
Recording high-resolution video always generates heat, and the Osmo Pocket 4P is no exception. After long 4K recording sessions, I noticed the camera becoming warm. Fortunately, the heat remained within comfortable levels throughout my testing. It never became too hot to hold, nor did it interrupt my recording sessions. Considering the amount of processing required for 4K video, the thermal management is quite good.
What I Like
The dual-camera system changes how I shoot. The dedicated telephoto camera opens creative possibilities that simply weren't available on previous Osmo Pocket models. Image quality is excellent across different lighting conditions.
The new sensor delivers impressive dynamic range, while low-light performance exceeded my expectations. Autofocus is fast and reliable. The three-axis gimbal continues to set the benchmark for stabilization. Battery life comfortably lasts through several hours of recording.
The compact design also remains one of the biggest reasons to own this camera. I carried it almost everywhere because it never felt bulky.
Room for Improvement
No camera is perfect. The Osmo Pocket 4P still accumulates some heat during extended 4K recording, although it never reached uncomfortable levels in my experience.
I also hope DJI continues expanding its ecosystem of accessories. The camera already works well on its own, but more first-party mounting options would give creators additional flexibility.
Lastly, the premium price may discourage casual users. However, the upgrades become easier to justify once you experience the improvements in image quality and versatility.
Verdict
So, can the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P replace your mirrorless camera? For some creators, yes. If your work revolves around travel, vlogging, social media, journalism, or capturing high-quality videos without carrying bulky gear, the Osmo Pocket 4P is more than capable. It delivers excellent image quality, dependable autofocus, class-leading stabilization, and a compact design that encourages you to bring it everywhere.
The dual-camera system is the highlight of the experience. The dedicated 3x telephoto lens produces beautiful portraits with natural background separation, while the upgraded 1-inch sensor captures excellent detail in both bright and challenging lighting conditions. The 17-stop dynamic range also gives you more flexibility during color grading, making it easier to recover highlights and shadows in post.
After spending time with the Osmo Pocket 4P, I can confidently say this is the best pocket gimbal camera DJI has released so far. At Php 37,790, it's one of the easiest cameras I've used. Instead of worrying about focus, stabilization, or settings, I could concentrate on framing the shot and telling the story. If that's the kind of shooting experience you're after, the Osmo Pocket 4P deserves a spot on your shortlist.
