The new standard for mobile video: DJI Osmo Pocket 4
Since the launch of the Osmo Pocket line, DJI has achieved a feat: making cinema-quality mechanical stabilization accessible to everyone, all in a format that fits in a jeans pocket. This May 2026, the Chinese firm returns with the DJI Osmo Pocket 4. After a Pocket 3 that had already set the bar very high with its 1-inch sensor, we were entitled to ask: what is left to improve? Spoiler: quite a few things.
A technological upgrade
Make no mistake, the Pocket 4 is not just a simple cosmetic update. While the general ergonomics remain familiar with its signature rotating screen, DJI has revised the internal architecture. We still find the 1-inch sensor that works wonders in low light, but with a new stacked pixel architecture allowing for an extended dynamic range (HDR) that is much more natural, even in high-contrast conditions.
The real revolution of this year 2026 is the integration of the AI-Core 2.0 chip. It no longer just follows your face. It analyzes the scene in real-time to intelligently adjust exposure, focus, and even propose automatic cinematic framing. For a solo creator, it is literally like having a professional cameraman in your pocket.
Technical specs: the numbers that count
- Sensor: 1-inch CMOS with new high-dynamic image processing.
- Video: 4K up to 120 fps, native 10-bit D-Log M recording.
- AI: ActiveTrack 7.0 with advanced object recognition and motion prediction.
- Audio: Quad-directional mic system with AI-enhanced active noise cancellation.
- Battery life: Increased to 180 minutes of continuous capture.
My expert opinion: is it really necessary?
After having it in my hands for a week of intensive testing, my verdict is clear: yes. DJI has solved the minor teething issues of the previous model. The touchscreen responsiveness is instantaneous, the heat—formerly a topic of discussion—has been drastically reduced thanks to a new magnesium alloy heat sink, and the sound quality is stunning for such a compact device.
Of course, you will have to count on an entry price around 559 euros for the standard pack. It is an investment, especially when looking at the competition. For while the Pocket 4 dominates the market, players like Insta360 with its modular solutions or even high-end smartphones of 2026 are starting to nibble away at market share. However, for anyone looking to produce quality content without carrying a DSLR, DJI's mechanical stabilization remains, to this day, unmatched by the digital processing of phones.
An ultra-competitive market
The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 arrives in a saturated market. Facing it, we find the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 which bets everything on its ruggedness and raw image quality, as well as ultra-premium smartphones like the iPhone 18 Pro or the Galaxy S26 Ultra which integrate increasingly advanced video modes. Yet, the Pocket 4 keeps that distinct advantage: the immediate "ready to film" aspect. No need to unlock your phone, deal with notifications, or worry about your main smartphone's battery.
In short, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 is the ultimate tool for the modern vlogger, the field journalist, or simply the lover of beautiful memories who no longer wants to compromise between portability and image quality. It is, without a doubt, the device to own in 2026.