For the past couple of years, DJI has been steadily improving its lineup of handheld stabilised camera systems. The company has launched a new Ronin DSLR stabiliser this year, and the popular Osmo Mobile (which uses your phone's camera), also got a refresh. But, it's what it's been working on in secret over the past few years that's arguably the most interesting.
At an event in Times Square, New York, DJI unveiled its latest Osmo product, but this one has its own built-in camera, like some of the older models, but unlike those older models, it's very, very small.
Miniature Osmo
- 121.9 × 36.9 × 28.6 mm
- 116 grams
- Small 1-inch touchscreen viewfinder
- Modular connector
- Type-C port
- Built-on camera
One of DJI's biggest developments over the past few years, on the drone side, has been its mechanical gimbal system that stabilises cameras. It's been slowly making it smaller and smaller, to fit products like the Mavic Air. This new Osmo Pocket, then, has a camera and gimbal system that looks immediately familiar.
The camera fitted to the top looks very similar to something you'd find on the front of one of DJI's smaller drones, as does the sturdy mechanical gimbal that holds it in place. This then attaches to the main body of the Osmo Pocket.
Size wise, from top to bottom, it's much shorter than a smartphone. It's a good centimeter or so shorter than the Google Pixel 3, which in itself isn't the biggest of devices. It's also less than half the width, making it incredibly portable, and deserving of its "Pocket" moniker. We could comfortably fit it in a jeans pocket alongside a smartphone without any trouble at all.
On the front you'll find everything you need to control the camera system. There's the small LCD touchscreen on the top, and just beaneath that is a slide-off plastic tab that hides the four connector points for using modular slide-on accessories. You can connect a physical scroll wheel accessory (and optional extra), which is great for controlling the camera's pan and title functions, or connect a smartphone and use your phone's much bigger touchscreen as both control and monitor.
The only real downside to these modular clip-ons is the size of them. The small cover that slides over the contact points to protect them is no larger than a fingernail, and we anticipate many, many of them will get lost. As will the type-C and Lightning connectors you can use to connect your smartphone.
Underneath that are two physical buttons for powering on the camera, and recording, as well as switching quickly between functions and re-centering.
The entire handle, or case, is built from plastic with a texturised, almost sand-like finish that makes it grippy and easy to hold, while also ensuring that it's light and portable. The only other design elements worth noting are the Type-C port and the MicroSD card slot which sit on the bottom edge, and left edge, respectively.
Another part of what might make this camera so appealing is the announced list of accessories. There's waterproof housing on the way to enable you to take the gimbal snorkeling, as well as mounts and accessories for attaching to helmets and backpacks, or even your wrist. There's going to be a wireless module for connecting it to your smartphone via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, a set of ND filters and a really cool-looking charging case that can keep it topped up on the go.
Tech-filled tiny treat
- Auto face-tracking
- ActiveTrack object tracking
- FPV mode
As well as having some of the best mechanical gimbals and drone hardware in its portfolio, part of what has made DJI such a success is its advancements in auto-tracking features and various shooting modes, all controlled by algorithms. With this Osmo Pocket, some of those - plus some new ones - have been put into the companies smallest device so far.
With face-tracking, the camera can automatically lock onto a person's face - without any input from the user - and automatically adjusts and moves the camera to keep it in frame. Combined with the automatic mechanical gimbal, that means you not only get smooth video constantly, but also, the subject never leaves the shot.
Similarly, the ActiveTrack used on most of DJI's other products is here too, and lets you select the subject/object on screen and it'll automatically keep them in frame, even as you move the Osmo around. And in contrast, there's FPV mode that - instead of keeping locked on a single horizon - follows your moves smoothly, giving a new edge to mobile camera movement.
In addition, using mobile apps, there are various quick editing modes for cutting the footage to music and adding transitions. Called Mimo, this story mode is very similar in theory to GoPro's QuikStory feature that pulls in your video and adds effects, cuts, transitions, without you having to do very much of anything.
Powerful snapper
- 4K video up to 60fps
- 1/2.3-inch sensor
- 12MP stills
With a camera this small you'd assume there was a compromise somewhere in video resolution and frame-rate, but somewhat surprisingly, this little video camera packs a serious punch. It can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. Obviously, the battery won't last as long if you do, but if that's your main concern, switching down to 30 frames-per-second can get you up to two hours of capturing.
Of course, there's a plethora of other frame-rates available in both 1080p and 4K resolution. You can record the following frame-rates in both resolutions: 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60 fps. In addition, if you'd like fine-tuned control over exposure, white balance and other elements, there's a Pro mode you can enable.
You can record in widescreen or square modes depending on what you're shooting for, and shooting with the camera tilted sideways enables vertical video, if you're into your Instagram Stories. What's more, it can even auto-rotate footage in a so-called "Underslung" mode, allowing you to - for instance - hold the camera low to the ground when you're shooting skateboarding footage.
As for photos, the 12-megapixel still camera has its own set of features, including an auto-stitched panorama option that can take a series of four horizontal photos, or a 3x3 grid, depending on whether you want that traditional long panorama, or a more immersive, almost 360-degree-like view.
from Pocket-lint : Cameras https://ift.tt/2Si3ptz
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