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If you are looking for the best camera for smooth video footage, you have come to the right place. After years of working with larger cameras and equipment to get the same effect, we found the DJI Osmo Pocket and haven’t looked back.
WHY IT’S IN OUR CAMERA BAG
Gimbals are a tool to help you get smooth and steady video footage. The Osmo Pocket does just that, but it’s only about the size of a candy bar. Yes, you read that right. It’s so small, you can always find room for it in your bag (or purse)! You never know when you might want to use it, so keep it with you whenever you can.
To save on space, we actually purchased a gimbal for our iPhone in the hopes it would be the answer to always having smooth movement for video within our reach. We sent it back the day after we received it. Without going into too much detail, the optical image stabilization built into the phone and the gimbal don’t play well together and create a “jitter” to your footage that in my opinion makes it almost unusable. Trust us…the Osmo Pocket is far superior than using a gimbal for your phone!
WHAT WE USE IT FOR
This camera is not for the person who likes to just stand still and capture moments. The Osmo is meant to be used while moving! Want to get smooth footage while on a boat at sea or while you’re running? This little guy will yield great results in just about every situation!
Why would you want movement? Adding movement to your footage will add a whole new level of interest and story-telling that you didn’t even know was missing until you see what a difference it makes.
PROS
It’s so compact, you can fit it in your pocket or purse. It packs a punch for its size providing great 4K footage and even full HD slow motion footage! You can even control this gimbal wirelessly with your iPhone with the right accessories (see below).
CONS
It doesn’t do fantastic in low light. Although you can use the Osmo Pocket without attaching your mobile phone to it, but the tiny screen on the camera is so small it’s almost impossible to see what your footage actually looks like.
INVESTMENT
This is technology that’s been available for a little while now, so the price has come down considerably. You can now get it for under $300!
ACCESSORIES
Extension Rod & Wireless Module – These allow you to use your Pocket easily from low and high angles while using your phone as a monitor and to control your settings easily within reach. You also need both of these in order to use your phone to control your Pocket wirelessly as mentioned above.
ND Filter Set – When shooting video it is important to shoot at the proper shutter speed. Using a set of ND filters allows you to do that when it’s bright and sunny by darkening the image allowing you to shoot at the proper settings. It’s basically like sun glasses for your lens.
Wide Angle Lens – The original Osmo we owned had a very wide field of view which is fantastic for movement and capturing spaces well. The Osmo Pocket is a huge leap forward in size (much smaller), but the field of view is a little more narrow. Using this wide angle lens adapter brings back that wide angle view that shows much more of your surroundings.
If you are looking for the best camera for smooth video, this one has our vote. It’s compact, making it great for travel and everyday adventures. We highly recommend capturing movement as much as possible to add variety to your footage and quicken the pacing and tempo of any edited product on the back end, and the Osmo Pocket is a sure-fire winner for doing that while still getting smooth footage. We highly recommend it!
As always, please feel free to check in with any questions about this camera and its related gear. We want to make sure that you are confident with the best tools to tell your story!
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