The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 is Fantastic – but DON’T Buy It Yet

The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 landed in April, and it’s everything we hoped for – a pocket-sized powerhouse that redefines what a handheld gimbal camera can do. But before you smash that “buy now” button, there’s a plot twist unfolding in the compact camera space that might make you reconsider. Two other handheld gimbal cameras are about to shake up the entire category, and one of them might even come from DJI itself.

The Osmo Pocket 4: A Spec Sheet That Doesn’t Quit

Let’s be clear: the Osmo Pocket 4 is an absolute monster in a tiny package. Here’s what makes it so desirable:

Sensor & Image Quality

• 1-inch CMOS sensor – a massive upgrade that puts it in the same league as premium compacts
• 14 stops of dynamic range – capturing detail in both shadows and highlights that was previously impossible in this form factor
• 10-bit D-Log M recording – giving you latitude in post-production
• F2 aperture – excellent low-light performance for a gimbal camera

Video Performance

• 4K at 240fps in Slow Motion mode – delivering ultra-smooth 10× slow-motion playback (when played back at 24fps) or 8× at 30fps
• 4K at 60fps for normal video – with additional support for 3K and 1080p at various frame rates
• 2× lossless zoom – crop in without sacrificing quality
• Multiple aspect ratio support for social media creators

Tactile Controls That Actually Matter

Beyond the specs, DJI finally nailed the ergonomics with a 5D joystick and two dedicated buttons that make one-handed operation genuinely practical. The joystick lets you pan and tilt the gimbal with your thumb, press once to go back, twice to recenter, or three times to flip the camera forward or backward. The two new buttons below the touchscreen are game-changers: a dedicated Zoom button (one press for 2×, two presses for 4×) and a customisable preset button you can map to your most-used function. No more fumbling through touchscreen menus while you’re trying to catch a shot – these physical controls mean you can adjust everything without taking your eyes off your subject.

And there’s more . . .

• ActiveTrack 7.0 – DJI’s latest AI-powered subject tracking that actually works
• 3-axis mechanical gimbal – silky-smooth footage even when you’re running
• 107GB of built-in storage right out of the box
• 800MB/s transfer speeds

In a nutshell: The Osmo Pocket 4 is essentially a full production rig that fits in your jeans pocket. For vloggers, travel creators, and anyone who needs broadcast-quality footage without lugging around a backpack full of gear, it’s borderline perfect.

Insta360 Said ‘Hold My Leica’

Here’s where things get interesting. Insta360 just previewed their Luna Series at NAB Show 2026 – the world’s largest broadcasting and media technology trade show held in Las Vegas – and they’re coming in hot with Leica-engineered optics. Content creators at NAB got to play with the Insta 360 Luna but no images were released to the public yet. The Luna lineup includes two models: the Luna Pro (single-lens) and the Luna Ultra with a dual-lens system. That latter model is the Osmo Pocket killer everyone’s whispering about.

The Luna Ultra’s Headline Features

Dual-lens system is co-engineered with Leica – we’re talking about the same Leica that’s been perfecting optics for over a century. The dual-lens setup promises enhanced telephoto performance, giving creators true optical zoom versatility in a gimbal camera for the first time.

It alsa has:

• 1-inch sensor with F1.8 aperture – matching the Pocket 4’s sensor size and light-gathering capability
• Variable focal length – switch between wide and telephoto on the fly
• 10-bit colour support – professional colour grading capabilities
• The Luna Ultra is still in preview/beta phase (official release dates haven’t been confirmed), but the fact that Insta360 partnered with Leica for the glass is huge. We’re not just talking about lens branding here – this is a full co-engineering partnership announced back in November 2023, aimed at bringing “state-of-the-art imaging quality” to compact cameras. If the Luna Ultra delivers on that Leica promise, the dual-lens system could fundamentally change how creators think about focal length flexibility in gimbal cameras.

The Ghost in the Machine: Osmo Pocket 4 Pro

Here’s the curveball: rumour mills are churning about a DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro variant potentially featuring Hasselblad-tuned optics. While DJI hasn’t officially confirmed this (and we should treat it as speculation), multiple leaks throughout late 2025 and early 2026 suggested a “Pro” model with:

Dual-camera system (wide + telephoto setup), similar to the Insta 360 Luna

Hasselblad lens tuning or co-branding – similar to DJI’s partnership on their Mavic/Inspire drone lines

Enhanced sensor capabilities beyond the already-impressive standard Pocket 4

Given DJI’s existing relationship with Hasselblad and the competitive pressure from the Leica-equipped Luna Ultra, a Pocket 4 Pro would make strategic sense. If it materialises, we’d be looking at a dual-lens pocket gimbal with medium-format photography heritage guiding the colour science and optical design. That’s not just an incremental upgrade – that’s a different class of imaging entirely.

These aren’t just iterative updates. Each camera represents a fundamental rethinking of what mobile creators can achieve without compromise.

The Best Problem to Have

This is the kind of conundrum tech geeks dream about. We’re potentially looking at three phenomenal pocket gimbal cameras – the already-available DJI Osmo Pocket 4, the Insta360 Luna Ultra with Leica optics, and the rumoured Osmo Pocket 4 Pro with possible Hasselblad integration – each bringing serious optical engineering pedigree to a device that fits in your palm.

These aren’t just iterative updates. Each camera represents a fundamental rethinking of what mobile creators can achieve without compromise. The Pocket 4’s 1-inch sensor and 4K/240fps capabilities are already pushing boundaries. The Luna Ultra’s dual-Leica lens system promises optical versatility we’ve never had in this form factor. And if the Pocket 4 Pro rumours are true, Hasselblad’s legendary colour science in a gimbal camera would be absolutely game-changing.

The real winner here? Creators. Because no matter which camera you choose, the pocket gimbal category just evolved from “cool gadget” to “legitimate production tool”. The question isn’t whether you should buy one – it’s which one matches your shooting style best. And right now, with the Luna Ultra still incoming and the Pocket 4 Pro unconfirmed, the smartest move might be to wait just a little longer and see how this incredible three-way battle plays out.

The future of mobile cinematography just got very, very interesting.