MINI TESTS
especially on big phones like an iPhone XS Max. A better option is to splash out on the accessory Wi-Fi unit that plugs into the bottom of the DJI and links to your phone via Bluetooth. Of course, you then have to juggle two bits of kit, but it means you can control the camera remotely with ease. Controlling the Osmo is simplicity itself, as it only has two buttons. One is the on/off button, which also allows you to toggle through settings. The other is the Rec On button or shutter release, if you are shooting stills. The app lets you set frame rate, white-balance, exposure, ISO and shutter speed. If you disconnect the phone, the settings remain until you change them, but no control over aperture means no cinematic- style shallow depth-of-field. You get a wide-angle view with lots in focus. ND filters would help and are available, but we didn’t get a chance to test them. You can also set anti-flicker, a histogram, change the focus move from single shot to continuous, have overexposure warnings and set a grid on the screen to aid composition. To move the camera up or down, you just push it with your fingers
into the desired position, or you can use the tiny touchscreen and move it from there – if your digits are small enough. It’s basic but it works. The DJI Osmo Pocket comes with a tiny microphone that works surprisingly well for its size, but of course is very limited in control. It just sets itself automatically, or you can set one of three audio levels, but is quite badly affected by wind noise. There is also no way of simply plugging in a better mic, but you can use DJI’s USB-C connector that has an input for a 3.5mmmic jack. If you understand the limitations of what the DJI Osmo Pocket can do – and the huge benefit of having a tiny stabilised camera in your pocket at all times to catch footage other cameras might miss – then it’s a great bit of kit. And, especially for the price, it makes a great addition to your armoury of gear. AD PROMOVIEMAKERRATING: 9/10 It’s an incredibly small camera that packs a real punch for filmmakers who want B roll gimbal shots Pros: Tiny size and image quality in good light Cons: NoWi-Fi built in, tiny screen, no tripodmount
You can just use the DJI Osmo Pocket right out of the box, but the £99/$109 expansion kit makes it so much more useable, it should be considered an essential purchase. First, it comes with a 32GB Samsung Evo microSD card and the plug-inWi-Fi base unit that means you can use the app wirelessly on your phone. The Osmo Pocket can’t be fixed to a tripod or other mount, but the expansion kit comes with an accessorymount that is designed to be ideal for tweaking in post. This is not yet available but will be in a free firmware update soon. With the new GoPro Hero7 offering incredible image stabilisation and a more rugged build, it has its fans. But the motorised stability of the DJI compared to the digital image stabilisation of the GoPro, which crops the image, is in a different league. And the DJI offers a wide field of view rather than the extreme super-wide that gives the GoPro its unique look that not everyone wants. The DJI has an internal battery that’s charged via USB and provides around two hours of filming in 4K. You can charge it from your laptop, a mains-style USB adapter or even a phone-style battery power pack. The camera has a one-inch touchscreen that you use to change settings and see the image – it’s very small but does give a useful approximation. The DJI Osmo Pocket has its own dedicated DJI Mimo app, which means you can use your phone to see a bigger image, tap to focus and set face tracking and have more professional controls. The Osmo comes with a choice of two adapters (for iPhone and Android) that your phone plugs into. This makes it a bit unwieldy though,
ABOVE Using the dedicated DJI Mimo app, your phone can be used as a bigger screen
EXPANSION KIT IS A MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY
clips around the outside and lets you use standard GoPro-fit accessories like tripod mounts, helmet mounts and more. The best part is the controller wheel that plugs into the camera and allows you to use a thumbwheel to move the camera in either tilt or pan motions. This makes it much more useable as a real gimbal. Accessories such as waterproof housings and a variety of cases are also available to make the camera useful for many applications.
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SPRING 2019 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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