DJI’s pocket cameras have always had one clear mission—give creators a powerful, stabilised camera they can literally carry anywhere. With the new Pocket 4, it feels like DJI has taken that idea and pushed it much further. This isn’t just a yearly refresh—it’s a proper step up.
After spending some time looking through what it offers, here’s what really stands out.
Unboxing
The unboxing experience is pretty straightforward, but in a good way. Everything inside actually feels useful: the Osmo Pocket 4, USB-C to USB-C PD cable, gimbal clamp, wrist strap, handle with a 1/4” thread, a carrying pouch, and the DJI Mic 3. What’s nice is that it’s basically ready to go straight out of the box. The included mic already gives you a solid audio setup without needing to spend extra.
One of the biggest changes is the move to a 1-inch sensor. That’s a big deal for something this small. In real-world use, it means better low-light performance, cleaner night footage, and overall improved image quality. If you’ve ever struggled shooting in dim restaurants or night streets, this alone makes a noticeable difference.
Then there’s 4K at 240fps, which honestly sounds overkill for a pocket camera—but in a good way. It opens up incredibly smooth slow-motion shots without sacrificing resolution. You might not use it all the time, but when you do, it really stands out.
On top of that, you’re getting 14 stops of dynamic range and 10-bit D-Log. Practically, that gives you more flexibility when editing. Highlights are better controlled, shadows retain more detail, and if you like colour grading, you’ll have much more room to work with.
The 2x lossless zoom is another feature that feels genuinely useful rather than just a spec sheet addition. It lets you frame your shots more tightly without degrading image quality, which is great when you’re shooting on the move and can’t physically get closer.
The stabilisation remains one of the key strengths. The 3-axis gimbal keeps footage smooth even while walking, and it still feels like one of the easiest ways to get stable video without extra gear. The rotatable touchscreen also makes a difference—it’s quick to switch between vertical and horizontal shooting, which is perfect if you’re creating for both social media and YouTube.
Free 107 GB of built in Storage
One underrated upgrade is the built-in storage. With 107GB onboard, you don’t need a microSD card to start filming. You can just pick it up and go. And when it’s time to transfer your footage, the 800 MB/s speeds make the process fast enough that it doesn’t become a hassle.
Audio is where things get surprisingly serious. The Pocket 4 supports 4-channel audio recording and works with DJI mic transmitters, which means you can handle interviews or multi-person setups much more easily. The fact that editing software can directly process all four channels also simplifies post-production quite a bit.
For solo creators, the smarter tracking features are a big help. ActiveTrack 7.0 feels more reliable, with better subject locking and the ability to switch subjects easily. There’s even a priority system if you want the camera to focus on a specific person. Gesture controls also make an appearance—simple hand signals like showing your palm or a “V” sign can trigger tracking or recording. It might sound gimmicky at first, but it’s actually pretty convenient when you’re filming alone.
DJI also included a few creative features that round out the experience. There’s a Film Tone option for more cinematic colours, built-in beautify effects, and an adjustable fill light with different colour temperatures. These are especially handy if you do a lot of talking-head or selfie-style content, particularly in tricky lighting.
Battery Life extended
Comparing it to the Pocket 3, the improvements are quite clear. Battery life jumps to 240 minutes from 166, which makes a big difference for longer shoots. The addition of built-in storage removes the need for extra purchases, and while charging is slightly slower, it’s barely noticeable in real use.
Low-light performance is better across the board, thanks to improved ISO ranges, and the jump in photo resolution from 9.4MP to 37MP is massive if you care about stills. Video options are also more flexible now, supporting both 16:9 and 9:16 formats in 4K and 1080p, making it much easier to shoot for different platforms. Photos are somewhat a bit too bright and overexposed when shooting night scenes.
Even the controls feel more refined. The new 5D joystick and additional buttons make navigation faster and more intuitive. Simple actions like recentering the gimbal, flipping the camera, or switching zoom levels can be done quickly without digging through menus, and the custom preset button is a nice touch for quick access to your favourite settings.