DJI has long been the undisputed king of stabilized, pocket-sized cameras. With the release of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P, the company is aiming to solidify that reputation by answering one of the biggest requests from content creators: high-quality optical zoom. By integrating a second lens into the already capable Osmo Pocket 4 chassis, DJI has created a versatile powerhouse for vloggers and filmmakers alike. However, there is a significant catch for North American fans—this impressive piece of hardware won’t be launching in the United States.
The Power of a Second Lens
The core proposition of the Osmo Pocket 4P is simple yet transformative: it takes the standard Pocket 4 and adds a secondary 3x telephoto lens. For years, vlogging cameras of this size relied heavily on digital zoom, which often resulted in pixelated, noisy, and unusable footage. The inclusion of a dedicated optical telephoto lens changes the game entirely for pocket-sized gimbals.
Whether you are trying to capture a distant subject, compress the background for a more cinematic portrait shot, or simply grab some high-quality B-roll without invading someone’s personal space, the 3x lens delivers impressive clarity. The ability to seamlessly switch between a wide-angle view and a tight telephoto shot on a 3-axis mechanical gimbal opens up a world of creative possibilities that single-lens cameras simply cannot match.
Size, Weight, and the Trade-Offs
Naturally, adding a second camera module to a device designed to fit in your pocket raises questions about portability. Is the extra lens worth the added size, weight, and cost relative to the regular Pocket 4?
The Pocket 4P is undeniably slightly bulkier and heavier than its single-lens sibling, and it carries a higher price tag to match the upgraded hardware. But for most prospective buyers—especially travel vloggers, documentary shooters, and independent filmmakers—the trade-off is more than worth it. The added versatility of having two distinct focal lengths on a stabilized platform far outweighs the marginal increase in its physical footprint. You are essentially carrying a two-lens camera bag in the palm of your hand.
DJI vs. Insta360: Undercutting the Competition
The Pocket 4P doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Its most direct rival on the market is the Insta360 Luna Ultra, another dual-lens stabilized camera that has been turning heads in the creator community. When comparing the two side-by-side, DJI’s offering presents a highly compelling case.
- Pricing: DJI has managed to aggressively undercut Insta360 on price, making the Pocket 4P a much more accessible option for everyday creators.
- Image Quality: Despite the lower price point, DJI manages to at least match—and in some scenarios, exceed—the image quality of the Luna Ultra, particularly when it comes to color science and stabilization.
While the Insta360 device still holds its own unique advantages, DJI’s aggressive pricing strategy and proven gimbal technology make the Pocket 4P the better buy for the average consumer looking for dual-lens capabilities.
The Catch: No US Launch
But here is the unfortunate reality for American creators: you can’t officially buy it. Following a frustrating trend seen with other recent DJI product releases, the Osmo Pocket 4P is not slated for a US launch.
While the exact reasons remain tied up in ongoing trade complexities and regulatory scrutiny surrounding Chinese technology companies, the result is the same. US-based creators will either have to look toward the Insta360 Luna Ultra or resort to importing the Pocket 4P through third-party international retailers, which often means sacrificing standard warranty support and customer service.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P is a triumph of miniaturized engineering. It takes a beloved form factor and adds genuine, professional-grade utility with its secondary telephoto lens. If you live in a region where the Pocket 4P is available, it is easily one of the best compact video cameras on the market today. For everyone else, it remains a tantalizing glimpse at the future of vlogging gear.
This article is based on reporting and a review originally published by The Verge.