If you’ve been in the content game for more than a minute, you know the “Gear Struggle” all too well. I spent years convinced that to be a “real” professional, I needed to look the part. That meant the massive, spine-compressing backpack, the full-frame mirrorless body that cost as much as a small car, a trio of heavy glass lenses, and a gimbal that required a PhD and twenty minutes of balancing just to turn on.
It was exhausting! I’d get to a video shoot and be so drained from lugging 15 kilos of equipment across town that my creative energy was basically zapped before I even hit record. And for what? Most of what I create (and probably what you create too) is destined for the vertical world of social media.
The turning point for me was the Pocket 3. It was the first time I felt like I could actually breathe while working. I ditched the bulky bag, grabbed two Creator Packs, and suddenly my entire studio fit into two small pouches. It changed everything. My shots were more spontaneous, my workflow was lightning-fast, and the quality was so polished that people kept asking what “big camera” I used.
So, when the news dropped that the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 was here, I had a conflicted moment of genuine excitement and skepticism. How do you actually improve on perfection? I mean, the Pocket 3 was already the GOAT in my mind. After spending some time with the new device, I realised they managed to tweak enough that you essentially end up with the ultimate “all-in-one” filmmaking machine for the solo creator.
Why the Pocket 4 is the “One-Bag” Killer
The magic of the Osmo series has always been that 1-inch CMOS sensor. In the camera world, sensor size is king. It’s the difference between a video looking like a “phone clip” and looking like a “film.” The Pocket 4 keeps that massive sensor but cranks the internal processing right up.
This can now do 4K at 240fps. That is super-high-res slow motion that stays crisp even when you’re slowing it down to a crawl. So if you are capturing the spray of the ocean or a fast-paced transition for a reel, that frame rate is a literal game-changer. I used it this week on a scene showing some delicious prawns being cut and eaten and was really happy with the result.
It’s the “look” of the footage that really gets me. With 14 stops of dynamic range and 10-bit D-Log, the camera handles like like a beast. If you’re filming at “Golden Hour” usually you have to choose between a bright sky or a dark face. Not here. The Pocket 4 balances those extremes beautifully.
DJI has also tweaked the skin tone science. Straight out of the camera, everyone looks healthy and refined, which saves me a massive amount of time in the editing suite. I often get asked by a regular host I work with “will you be bringing the little camera?” because she “likes the way it captures her skin”. The 4 is even better so that there is far less time messing with colour sliders to make sure you don’t look like a ghost.
The Tracking: Like Having a Ghost Operator
One of the most annoying parts of being a solo creator is the “Vlogger’s Shuffle”, that being the awkward dance where you’re trying to keep the camera pointed at yourself while you walk, talk, and try not to trip over a curb.
The new ActiveTrack 7.0 is spooky good. It doesn’t just “follow” you, it seems to anticipate where you’re going. Even if you zoom in 4x, which is a lot for a gimbal this size. It stays locked on and is the best version I’ve seen of this in action. Even the 3 would occasionally lose you in the shot and just stop in it’s tracks. The 4 seems to really know where you are locks on, not letting go, even in a crowd of people.
You can actually “register” your own face (or a client’s). The camera will then prioritise you above everyone else in the frame. If you’re filming in a busy park, the camera knows you are the star, not the person walking their dog in the background regardless of how cute that puppy is.
Physical Tweaks That Make Sense
I love it when tech companies actually listen to the people using their gear (believe me when I say there are plenty who don’t). DJI clearly spent some time reading the forums.
First, the screen. It still has that satisfying “flick” to turn on, which always looks cool the first time people see it and is a great talking point. Now there are two dedicated physical buttons below it. One is a dedicated Zoom button. No more swiping the screen with your thumb and accidentally hitting the wrong setting. You can toggle between 1x, 2x lossless (which looks amazing), and then the 4x digital zoom with a single click.
The second is a Custom Preset button. I have mine set to my favourite slow-mo settings. One click and I’m ready for b-roll, another click and I’m back to 24fps for talking to the camera. It’s that kind of efficiency that you need on a run and gun style shoot.
And then there’s the 5D joystick. It gives you so much more tactile control over the gimbal head. You can flip the camera around, recenter the horizon, or do actual smooth manual pans with way more precision than the previous versions.
The New Back Pin Connector
This is the part that truly makes the Pocket 4 a “complete package.” If you look at the back of the camera, there is now a dedicated pin connector.
What’s that for? It’s for the brand-new Attachable Fill Light.
In the past, if you wanted to film in a dark bar or a dimly lit street, you had to rig up some awkward external light or hope for the best. Now, you just snap the light directly onto the back of the camera. It draws power from the device and provides a soft, natural glow that makes your face pop in low light. It even has three different brightness and temperature settings. It’s so integrated that it doesn’t feel like an “extra” piece of gear, it feels like part of the camera itself. This for me was the missing piece of the puzzle that makes this whole upgrade worth it.
What’s in the Box? (The Creator Combo Breakdown)
If you’re serious about this, you don’t just buy the camera, you get the Creator Combo. It’s the “studio in a box” I was talking about. Here is exactly what you get for your $959 AUD:
- The Osmo Pocket 4: Obviously.
- DJI Mic 3 Transmitter: This is the latest and greatest in audio. It clips on magnetically, and it’s basically bulletproof. They say people will forgive video, but won’t forgive poor audio, so this is a must.
- Mic Accessories: You get the magnetic clip, windscreens (dead cats), and the charging cable.
- Wide-Angle Lens: Perfect for those tight indoor shots or when you want to capture more of the landscape.
- The New Fill Light: The one that snaps onto the back pins.
- Osmo Mini Tripod: Great for time-lapses or set-and-forget shots.
- Battery Handle: It extends the grip and gives you even more juice.
- The Carrying Bag: A sleek, small bag that actually fits everything listed above.
When you look at that list, you realise you don’t need anything else. No extra mics, no extra lights, no extra tripods. It’s all right there, well… maybe a larger tripod, but you get the idea.
Built for the Grind: Storage and Battery
Let’s talk about the two things that usually ruin a shoot: a full SD card and a dead battery.
DJI has fixed the first one by putting 107GB of built-in storage directly into the camera. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten to a shoot only to realise I left my SD card in my laptop’s card reader. Now, even if I forget my cards, I’ve got enough space for a full day of shooting. With transfer speeds up to 800MB/s. That’s faster than most of the external drives I own.
As for the battery, the fast charging is borderline magic. You can go from 0 to 80% in 18 minutes. If you’re at a cafe between shoots, by the time you’ve finished your flat white, your camera is basically ready to go for another three hours. On a full charge, it’ll give you up to 240 minutes of shooting. That’s four hours of footage.
Part of the reason I orginally got 2 Pocket 3 combos was for multiple angles and so I could charge one and use the other on certain shoots, fast charge will make life so much easier here.
The Verdict: Is it Perfect?
Look, nothing is truly “perfect,” but the Osmo Pocket 4 is about as close as I’ve ever seen for someone in my position. It’s small enough that I can take it to a dinner with friends without looking like a toss. But it’s powerful enough that I can use it for high-end client work.
The move from the Pocket 3 to the 4 might seem like a luxury to some, but for me, the improved tracking, the built-in storage, and that genius light connector on the back make it a mandatory upgrade. It’s about more than just “better specs”, it’s about a better quality of life. I’m no longer the person carrying a 15kg bag; I’m the person with a camera in my pocket, ready to catch the world as it happens.
Osmo Pocket 4 is available for pre-order starting today through store.dji.com/au and authorised retail partners. Shipping will begin on Apr 22nd. Pricing and configurations are as follows:
The Osmo Pocket 4 Essential Combo retails for $749 AUD. It includes the Osmo Pocket 4, USB-C to USB-C PD Cable (USB 3.1), Osmo Pocket 4 Handle with 1/4″ Thread, and Osmo Pocket 4 Portable Carrying Pouch.
The Osmo Pocket 4 Standard Combo retails for $769 AUD. It includes the Osmo Pocket 4, USB-C to USB-C PD Cable (USB 3.1), Osmo Pocket 4 Gimbal Clamp, DJI Wrist Strap, Osmo Pocket 4 Handle with 1/4″ Thread, and Osmo Pocket 4 Portable Carrying Pouch.
The Osmo Pocket 4 Creator Combo retails for $959 AUD. It includes the Standard Combo plus the Osmo Pocket 3 Wide-Angle Lens, DJI Mic 3 Transmitter, DJI Mic 3 Magnetic Clip, two DJI Mic 3 Windscreens, DJI Mic 3 Magnet, DJI Mic 3 Transmitter Magnetic Charging Cable, Osmo Pocket 4 Fill Light, Osmo Mini Tripod, and Osmo Pocket 4 Carrying Bag.
