DJI Pocket 2 v DJI Osmo Pocket

November 2018. New York. DJI announced the ground-breaking Osmo Pocket; a teeny-tiny handheld gimbal stabiliser.

A dream for vloggers and content creators on the go, the mini device was every bit as popular as it was revolutionary.

But now, almost two years later, DJI has announced the next generation in its miniature camera range.

The DJI Pocket 2. A rebranded, revamped and upgraded version of its predecessor, packed with new features and intelligent functions.

But is it enough of an upgrade? And should you consider replacing your original Osmo Pocket with this new kid on the block?

Find out in our comparison review.

Pocket 2 v Osmo Pocket - Design And Performance

In terms of appearance, there isn't much separating the Pocket 2 and the Osmo Pocket.

Both are tiny single-handed 3-axis gimbal stabilisers; the Pocket 2 weighing 117g, and the original Pocket 116g.

In both cases, the camera sits at the top of the grip. The DJI Pocket 2's camera has a red stripe around it, but that looks to be a way of distinguishing the two products.

The Pocket 2 and Osmo Pocket have a one-inch touchscreen for intuitive user control, and they can also be integrated with a smartphone.

They also both afford 140 minutes of battery life.

However, the Pocket 2 does benefit from a new modular design, which lets users remove the bottom part of the grip to attach accessories. It also has a new external port.

Camera

Perhaps the most important thing for a content creation tool like the Pocket is the camera.

And there are clear differences between the Pocket 2 and Osmo Pocket; with DJI's new release helping to capture enhanced quality photo and video.

Firstly, the Pocket 2 comes with a larger sensor and a wider lens.

The 1/1.7" image sensor of the Pocket 2 trumps the Osmo Pocket's 1/2.3” CMOS sensor.

As for the lens, the Pocket 2 has a 93° FOV, 20mm focal length - ideal for making cinematic vlogs and videos - and an aperture of f1/8 for low-light shooting.

In comparison, the Osmo Pocket has an 80° FOV, f/2.0 aperture and a format equivalent 26mm focal length.

The latest version in the series also has a superior and updated ISO range, spanning 100-6400 for photo and video. The Osmo Pocket is limited to 100-3200 (photo), and 100-3200 (video).

Using the Pocket 2, capture 16MP or 64MP images with high-resolution mode, compared to the 12MP image capture on the original Pocket.

This is the highest-resolution currently available on the market for this camera size.

Both gimbals can shoot video in 4K/60fps at 100Mbps, but the Pocket 2 features an upgraded performance with HDR Video and Hybrid AF 2.0.

HDR Video will make your videos pop with vivid colours, while the revamped autofocus increases speed and accuracy, thanks to Hybrid 2.0 AF's blend of phase and contrast.

The Pocket 2 also benefits from a new zoom feature; 8x zoom in 64MP photo mode, and 4x lossless zoom in 16MP/1080p.

Pocket 2 v Osmo Pocket - Audio System

As a content creator, there are few things more frustrating than capturing quality footage, only to be let down by the audio.

Whether that's noise interference, such as gusting winds or passing traffic, or perhaps your subject's interview has come out too quiet.

Thankfully, the Pocket 2 has undergone an upgrade to address such issues, with vastly improved audio functions such as DJI Matrix Stereo, Directional Audio, Sound Tracking, Audio Zoom and Wind Noise Reduction.

So, what do they do?

Well, in a nutshell:

• DJI Matrix Stereo: Four microphones which offer better audio effects and various sound functions, resulting in immersive audio that enhances the footage.

• Directional Audio: Pocket 2 can pick up sounds in various ways, some from all directions and some from the combinations of particular directions.

• SoundTrack: Adjusts the direction of audio-enhancing, based on the direction of the camera.

• Wind Noise Reduction: Cuts down the potential wind noise recorded by the built-in microphones.

• Audio Zoom: Enhances the audio as the camera is zoomed.

These are great features which will make a difference to the quality of the audio.

Intelligent Modes

The Osmo Pocket is blessed with intelligent modes, such as ActiveTrack, 3x3 Panorame, Motionlapse, and NightShot.

But the Pocket 2 expands on these capabilities to give content creators an even broader and upgraded suite of features.

These include:

• FastWake: Turns Pocket 2 on instantly and begins filming so you don't miss catching any moment.

• DropAware: Gimbal locks itself in a safe position when detecting the Pocket 2 falling. This was previously featured in the original Pocket but has been improved by 30%.

• Gimbal Locked: Camera locks onto specific area and keeps camera focused in that direction.

• Pause Recording: Shoot, pause and resume video recording easily.

• ActiveTrack 3.0: The original Pocket had ActiveTrack, but Pocket 2 features ActiveTrack 3.0. This fully upgraded system comes with AI facial/object recognition that allows users to track faces, people and pets.

• Slow Motion: The Osmo Pocket had slo-mo up to 4x. The Pocket 2 has 4x, plus 8x.

Pocket 2 users can also benefit from familiar features such as Story Mode, Timelapse, Motionlapse, Hyperlapse, 180° Panorama and 3×3 Panorama.

Mimo App

The Mimo app was engineered for the DJI Pocket series, with both the Osmo Pocket and Pocket 2 compatible with it.

However, there are new features on release of the Pocket 2 to make content creation through Mimo easier than before.

This includes the new Live Streaming feature to transmit video directly to popular social media channels.

Livestreaming requires the Wireless Module/Do-It-All Handle to be attached to the Pocket 2.

There are also new exciting editing features in the Mimo app such as Batch Select, AI Editor, Trimming and an updated Glamour Effect mode.

Accessories

Content creators can push their ideas further with a range of accessories which are available for the Pocket 2 and Osmo Pocket.

Some of the accessories can be used with both gimbals, but others are designed exclusively for either the Pocket 2 or the Osmo Pocket.

Check out what can and can't be used with this compatibility guide.

Click to view Pocket 2 accessories, or view the Osmo Pocket accessory range.

Pocket 2 v Osmo Pocket - Summary

It has been almost two years since the launch of the original Osmo Pocket, so enough time has definitely lapsed for a series upgrade.

And it seems that DJI has used this period wisely, making valid upgrades to the Pocket 2 which justifies a product launch.

There are certainly some key improvements which will enhance content creation.

These include the wider lens, larger sensor, higher-resolution imagery, upgraded audio system, and upgraded smart modes and functions.

Whether you're buying a Pocket for the first time, or looking to upgrade your original, the Pocket 2 has enough about it to seriously consider adding it to your content creation tool kit.