DJI has officially launched an updated version of its popular Osmo Pocket gimbal camera.
Dropping “Osmo” from its name, the diminutive device for stabilized video footage and stills is now called the DJI Pocket 2.
Learning plenty from the first-generation Pocket, the new version brings a slew of improvements and new features that could catch the eye of serious vloggers.
First up, the DJI Pocket 2 comes with a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor, larger than the 1/2.3-inch sensor that shipped with its predecessor. It can also take images at 64 megapixels, up from 12 megapixels.
One complaint with the original Pocket was that its 80-degree field of view was too narrow for selfie videos, though admittedly this could be adjusted using a lens adapter. The Pocket 2 fixes that with a wider 93-degree field of view.
The new f/1.8 lens is also brighter than before, and therefore combined with the larger sensor should produce better results in low-light conditions.
The upgraded Pocket camera shoots stabilized 4K/60p video at 100Mbps and now comes with an HDR mode for improved dynamic range, while a new attachable joystick offers easier control of the camera.
Another complaint about the first Pocket was its lackluster audio quality that deteriorated further when your hand accidentally covered the microphone while recording. DJI says it’s performed a “complete rework of the audio system,” adding four microphones that have been “strategically placed” away from your hands. Wireless microphones are also an option.
The tiny display remains, but you can pair the Pocket 2 with your smartphone via the DJI Mimo app for a better view and more control.
Something else that stays the same is the operating time on a single charge, which remains at 140 minutes when shooting video.
DJI is selling the new Pocket 2 in a couple of packages — basic and the “Creator Combo.” The basic offering costs $349 and comes with the joystick, a cover, a tripod mount, a wrist strap, a smartphone adapter, and a power cable.
The combo, at $499, comes with all of the above plus a wireless microphone transmitter and cover to reduce wind noise, a “do-it-all handle” for extra accessories, a wide-angle lens, and a tripod.
The DJI Pocket 2 goes on sale on November 1, 2020.
Interested in vlogging but want a more advanced camera? Then check out Digital Trends’ recommended devices.
