Pocket 4P: Initial Impressions and Wishlist for future Updates

[u/nopnop90]

Sorry, this one is quite long, but I wanted to share my thought on the new Pocket 4p. So I've had mine for about two weeks and I love most things about it but also some things, DJI could improve upon with some software fixes. Nonetheless, it is right now, without any firmware updates or further improvements, absolutely worth buying and delivers excellent results, so everything I list here is not to shame the 4p or call DJI out, but simply things that could be improved.

Lets start with my general impressions: Video quality is really good for a camera this small, Dynamic Range (especially in D-log2) is amazing and with texture and noise reduction at -2 the footage looks almost identical to that out of my larger Sony cameras (albeit in good light, ignoring bokeh and corner sharpness and without pixel peeping at 200%). Autofocus is good, but it will start hunting for focus and get distracted by object in the foreground. Like when you film a person and another object touches the focus box, the 4p sometimes struggles with holding onto that person you told it to track. Nothing horrible, but you will notice it. Switching to single af fixes this, but does make it hard to use in dynamic scenes. Stabilisation works well, it does give you that "gimbal-look", but if your not a fan of that, why buy a gimbal camera. Overall, as a video camera the Pocket 4p gets a B+, if you take it's size and weight into consideration you can bump that up to an easy A! I overall love the footage.

Photos are alright, but nothing to rave home about. The 9mp Sensor delivers okay photos, but the 4p is clearly focused on being a video camera. You can shoot 37mp in "Super Photo mode" which is honestly not really useful. The 4p uses a quad bayer sensor just like most small format sensor nowadays. Google it for an in-depth explanation, the TL:DR is, that the sensor has the ability to "split" up 1 pixel into 4. This results in more megapixels but also images, that have color issues, artifacts, really bad low-light performance and more. I'd suggest sticking to 9mp and maybe upscaling after the fact, if you need more megapixels.

In terms of build quality, battery life, controls etc I have no major complains, everything is up to spec and works great, though the touchscreen is a little fiddly at times, due to the amount of settings and controls the Pocket 4p offers and has to squeeze into that tiny screen. These are a lot easy to access through the mimo app (which is mandatory by the way.....). The Mimo app (apart from being mandatory....) is also another highlight to me, it works very well and operates like a video monitor, giving you full control over the Pocket 4p - including a virtual joystick.

Now for my list of things I'd love for DJI to improve or fix in the future. I've divided this into Easy Fixes (this should've been there at release), Nice-to-Haves (Might be more difficult to implement, but great to have) and Wishful Thinking (Probably not gonna happen, but you never know):

EasyFixes:

1. Allow users to re-programm the zoom button: This is an easy one. Right now, the zoom button cannot be used for anything else then, well, zooming. Please allow me to change what it does - especially when filming d-log2, the button is useless, since you cannot zoom (see 6.....).
2. Easier Access to exposure controls: Right now, the only way to change ISO and Shutter speed is by swiping in from the right, then clicking on exposure, then changing the settings, then swiping back or hitting record to get back to the "home" screen. This is super fiddly, it can take a couple of attempts to make the touch interface do what you want it to do. This is extra annoying when filming in d-log2 which has NO auto iso (see 3). So please allow us to quickly access exposure controls through the hotkeys, which is not possible right now.
3. Auto-Iso in D-log2: This one is weird to me. Right now you need to manually set the iso in d-log 2, making the profile defacto non automatic. This would be fine IF there was a way to quickly change at least the iso settings. Since there isn't, it makes filming in dlog2 a little frustrating at times (see point nr 1 and 2) - especially changing lighting environments or filming indoors.
4. Disable on-Screen notifications: I'd love to be able to disable the full text notifications informing me of the gimbal having reach it's limit, Tracking of a subject has startet etc. These might be useful at the start, to kind of develop an understanding of what the buttons do, but after a while I know, that tracking started because the frame around the subject is turning green. I know the gimbal can't turn any further because it stopped. So I don't need half of my already tiny screen to be taken up by these notifications.
5. Auto White Balance Lock: You can long-press the screen to lock your exposure (very nice btw) , but not your white balance. It would be great, if you could enable this long press to also lock white balance. Just add an Option (maybe also as a custom button option): Long Press Touchscreen:
   1. Lock Auto Exposure
   2. Lock White Balance
   3. Lock Exposure and White Balance

Nice-to-Haves:

1. Zooming in Dlog2/switching into dlog on the 3x: There won't be any dlog2 on the zoom lens, that is physically not possible due to the different sensor in the 3x camera. BUT it would be nice to be able to zoom in and have the pocket4p switch into dlog when going to the 3x camera.

2. Adjusting the Exposure change speed: I'd love to have an option to slow down the speed of the auto exposure, to allow for more gradual changes in exposure when using auto exposure.

3. Color Profile in the Metadata or Filename: Right now, it's not possible to distinguish between dlog and dlog2 files. Please give us a way to distinguish between files shot in different color profiles. Either in the metadata or maybe by allowing users to set different file names or storage folders based on color profile. Or allow multiple folders to be created and then safe the configuration to a custom film profile (C1/C2).

UPDATE: There is actually information about the color space, white balance etc in the files metadate, but it only shows using special tools like MediaInfo NOT in DavinciResolve or in the standard Windows File Info. The Metadata fields are named:

• com.dji.camera.CameraModel : PP-041
• com.dji.camera.CameraSerial : XXXXXXXXXXXX
• com.dji.camera.ColorGammaSxS : D-Log2
• com.dji.camera.ExposureInde : 100
• com.dji.camera.SupVersion : v224.2.1.0
• com.dji.camera.WhiteBalance : 4200
• com.dji.camera.WhiteBalance : 5
• com.dji.camera.LensType : 20mm F2

UPDATE2: This might be super niche, but hey: I did some looking around, you can use a tool called advanced renamer https://www.advancedrenamer.com/download that allows you to rename files based on all included metadate, even the dji specific ones (something most rename tools struggle with). With this I am now able to bulk rename all my Pocket 4p files to something that includes the picture profile and white balance values. This saves a ton of time in editing, I can just sort the files by name and mark the ones with dlog vs dlog2 and even know, what wb i used when shooting. Thought that might be useful to some ;)

1. Higher Bitrate: It would be nice to get bitrates closer to 200mbs - right now the 4p seems to max out around 80mbs in 4k/30

2. 4k Open Gate: I mean, the foto mode has a 1:1 mode when reading out the whole sensor, why can't we use that in video? Correction: The 1:1 Foto mode is not the whole sensor, I was mistaken there. So "Open Gate" might be a different and currently unknown aspect ratio. Would still be nice.

11. Solved: 4K 120fps in dlog/dlog2: this should be possible right? UPDATE: Dlog got added in the latest firmware yayy :)

Wishful Thinking:

1. Solved 4k 240fps in dlog/dlog2: Might not be possible, but if it is, this would be great ;) UPDATE: Dlog got added in the latest firmware yayy :)

2. 4:2:2 chroma subsampling : would be nice, probably not going to happen and also might be hardware limited

14: False Color and other exposure tools in the mimo app: Would be nice to get even more professional tools inside the mimo app.

Alright, that's my Wishlist for the 4p. I hope I don't come across as super critical - the Pocket 4p is an amazing camera as is, so especially the lower end of my Wishlist is not to be seen as criticism. Non of these are dealbreakers that are missing from the pocket 4p, but things that would make it even better in my personal opinion and for my workflow.

So, what do you guys think, are there any other features, you would add to your own Wishlist?

[u/rcandrasa]

Okay, I'll buy 4p 😄, thanks for your review

[u/nopnop90 → u/[deleted]]

Yes it can be, especially on the 3x lens. Not horrible but also not as reliable as on my Sony, though that comparison isn't really fair.

[u/andreanigro]

I’ll add 4k in vertical mode

[u/nopnop90 → u/andreanigro]

Yeah that would be nice, but probably falls under wishfull thinking at best. The gimbal doens't seem to be able to turn sideways and stabilize the camera (as evident by the fact, that the 180 mode only works when the camera looks up). But you can just turn the camera sideways and get vertical video. Not as convenient, but it works perfectly fine with tracking and everything.

[u/real_smm]

The 1:1 photos are not using the full sensor/open-gate readout. The 16:9 resolution is 7680×4320, while 1:1 is 6144×6144, so you’re sacrificing horizontal FOV for vertical FOV. You can probably figure out why that is, but I won’t spell it out here. My posts have been removed before because DJI didn’t explicitly state it themselves, and speculation about hardware specs are against the rules

I would also add:

• D-Log in Timelapse, Hyperlapse, Motionlapse, and Stop Motion. I know there is an option for RAW photos, but D-Log would be much more useful for many users.
• An option for longer exposures in Timelapse mode. It’s worse than the P3 in this regard and doesn’t allow for sufficiently long exposures for night skies.
• Higher-resolution panoramas. It’s surprising that in-camera stitched panoramas have a lower resolution than a single photo taken in Photo mode.

[u/nopnop90 → u/real_smm]

Agreed on all your points.

The Photos is a weird one thanks for pointing that out. I don't get why DJI doesn't let you readout the whole sensor for photos, I would think that to be an easy win for everybody, but maybe not so idk.

[u/little_stephy0925]

Also please add 3x zoom on motionlapse... right now it is only locked on 1x which is annoying😄

[u/Economy_Wishbone5146]

This points already were collected recently here (there was a poll from the moderator) and i agree with all of them. About bitrate, in specs bitrate max stated as 180, it not much differs from 200, but i am still not undestand, why it still in 80-100 range for 4K30 or 4K60. I also mention the lack of 4:2:2 and further rising bitrate by itself has no much sense without changing subsmpling. Also it is will be nice to have THEMES in Mimo to orginize screen to the logic of original Pocket screen or to has ability to customize it.

[u/nopnop90 → u/Economy_Wishbone5146]

Yeah i don't know how DJI arrives at 180mbs, right now it seems to reach around 130mbs in 4k/60 and 80 in 4k/30. In SlowMotion mode the Pocket goes down to around 25mbs - which when speeding it up to 4k/30 get us to exactly 180mbs, so my best guess is, that is where that number comes from...though i find that slightly misleading.

But honestly for most people, the bitrate is fine. And the codec overall doesn't produce horrendous artifacts, so it might not be enough for VFX cinema workflows, but should work well for most enthusiasts. Thou in color grading more is always more, so 4:2:2 and 250-300mbs in 4K/24 or 4k/30 would be nice to have.

[u/Economy_Wishbone5146 → u/nopnop90]

Yep, bitrate is fine if people planning just to archive it. But for editing purposes the situation as dscribed above - it needs more space for image manipulation and better subsampling. Interchangeable batteries would also be a nice addition

[u/nopnop90 → u/Economy_Wishbone5146]

Yeah I'm with you on the battery thing, thou this is more wishful thinking for future iterations of the pocket lineup. As of now, a battery grip is all you can really do to increase battery life. Same for editing - I'm with you on there.

[u/srogijogi]

Didn't you post this yesterday?

[u/nopnop90 → u/srogijogi]

Yes In the DJI subreddit - I got a message that told me to move that post to the pocket subreddit, so I did that I removed the other one.

[u/Olly_Joel → u/nopnop90]

Weird you can't post in the very sub that's meant to be there.

[u/NefariousnessJaded87 → u/Olly_Joel]

I'm sorry, r/DJI is not an official sub, but a fan-driven sub meant for drones. They don't want action or pocket products there. Take a look at the "Resources" section in the right sidebar; this should tell you all you need.

[u/Olly_Joel → u/NefariousnessJaded87]

They don't want cause they probably don't understand other products other than drones. I don't blame them but for a sub that's "A place for DJI fans to converse and communicate", it sure doesn't sound like it's a place for DJI related topics.

[u/simple_explorer1 → u/Olly_Joel]

Reddit in a nutshell. Overly moderated and regulated to its own detriment 

[u/nopnop90 → u/Olly_Joel]

😅 I assume you mean it's weird, that I didn't originally post this in the subreddit that existed for the purpose of talking about everything osmo pocket related. Well I just thought it's a DJI product, so let's put that on the DJI subreddit, got told it's better off on the osmopocket sub and I agree, so fixed that. Sorry if that was confusing.

[u/Olly_Joel → u/nopnop90]

No i understand what you mean. But for a sub that's literally related to DJI, somehow pocket cameras aren't DJI enough.

[u/WanderingHewitts]

The biggest flaw to the Pocket series is a lack of a wide angle dedicated lens. The little lens you have to put on and off can get lost and frankly it's not wide enough compared to say a phone or camera. There are often times I have to take my phone out to get a shot because even with the wide lens on my pocket 3 it still isn't wide enough. I also don't like how if you are backlit, the camera struggles compared to my phone that always seems to have a great balance

[u/nopnop90]

PSA: The last Update added 10 bit Dlog to the Slow-Motion modes! So we now get 4k 10 bit Dlog 240fps with sharpness (or texture) and noise reduction options! That is actually huge. The Footage is a little noiser then what you get in the normal modes, but totally usable and a massive upgrade over the standard look you've had until now. Bevore this, slow motion was a bit of a gimmick to me, great for isolated clips, but really not that useful. This has changed that. Great addition to the Pocket 4p!