The DJI Pocket 4 arrives as the most significant leap in the Pocket series to date. Where the Pocket 3 refined the formula, the Pocket 4 rethinks the core hardware — larger sensor, new audio system, and upgraded stabilisation — while keeping the same D-Log M workflow that made the Pocket 3 a favourite for serious creators. After putting it through extensive real-world testing, here’s the full picture.
Pros
- 1/1.3-inch sensor — same class as Osmo Action 4, one full stop over Pocket 3
- D-Log M retained — all existing LUTs and grading workflows carry over
- 4K 120fps for genuine 4× slow motion at full resolution
- Upgraded 4-mic array with directional audio modes
- Improved ActiveTrack — faster lock, better occlusion handling
- 3-axis stabilisation now handles faster movement without micro-jitter
- Integrated ND filter option in creator accessories
- USB-C charging and data at USB 3.2 speeds
Cons
- Larger sensor slightly increases body depth vs Pocket 3
- 4K 120fps crops sensor and limits stabilisation range
- D-Log M still requires manual activation — not available in auto mode
- Price increase over Pocket 3 launch price
- Battery life drops noticeably at 4K 120fps
The Sensor Upgrade: Why It Matters
The single most impactful change in the Pocket 4 is its sensor. The Pocket 3 shipped with a 1/2-inch sensor that performed well outdoors but struggled in mixed lighting and interior environments. The Pocket 4’s 1/1.3-inch sensor changes this entirely.
That half-inch size difference translates to approximately one full stop of light-gathering advantage. In practice:
- Indoor shooting in available light produces significantly less noise
- Shadows retain colour and detail instead of crushing to grey
- Dynamic range is noticeably wider — you can expose for highlights without losing shadow information
- Evening and golden-hour footage requires less noise reduction in post
For creators who shoot vlog content in cafés, offices, or dim indoor settings, this upgrade alone changes what’s possible with the camera.
| Spec | DJI Pocket 4 | DJI Pocket 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Size | 1/1.3-inch | 1/2-inch |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K 120fps | 4K 60fps |
| Log Profile | D-Log M | D-Log M |
| Stabilisation | 3-axis, upgraded | 3-axis RockSteady |
| Microphones | 4-mic array | 3-mic array |
| Battery Life (4K 30fps) | ~140 min | ~130 min |
| Weight | ~165g | ~179g |
| Screen | 1.3-inch AMOLED touch | 1.3-inch OLED touch |
D-Log M: Everything Still Works
One of the most important things to know about the Pocket 4 if you’re coming from the Pocket 3: D-Log M encoding is identical. The same LUTs, the same grading workflows, the same DaVinci Resolve colour space settings — all of it carries over without any adjustment.
This is significant because it means:
- All LUT packs designed for Pocket 3 D-Log M work on Pocket 4 footage
- Colour grading presets built for Pocket 3 apply correctly
- If you’ve built a DaVinci Resolve project with Pocket 3 clips and add Pocket 4 footage, they match in grade
The free LUTs on this site were built for D-Log M and work identically on both cameras. No updates needed.
4K 120fps: Real Slow Motion
The jump from 60fps to 120fps at 4K is genuinely useful. At 4K 60fps (Pocket 3’s maximum), you get 2× slow motion when conformed to 30fps — smooth, but not dramatic. At 4K 120fps, the same conform produces 4× slow motion — the kind of footage where water droplets hang in air and motion blur disappears entirely.
In our testing, 4K 120fps footage held up well in outdoor light. The sensor crop at 120fps is approximately 1.3× — noticeable if you’re trying to match wide shots from lower frame rates, but manageable with awareness of framing.
The practical limit is indoor shooting: 4K 120fps needs good light. In our café tests, 120fps produced more noise than 4K 60fps in the same conditions.
Audio: The Most Underrated Upgrade
The Pocket 3’s 3-mic array was already strong for a pocket camera. The Pocket 4’s 4-mic array with upgraded directional modes takes this further. In our tests with the camera handheld and pointed at a single subject speaking:
- Wind noise rejection improved by a measurable amount in light breeze conditions
- The directional mic mode isolated subject audio more cleanly against background noise
- The “all-environment” capture mode gave richer ambient audio for travel and B-roll recording
For vloggers who use the Pocket’s built-in audio as their primary source, this is a noticeable step forward. For those who already use external mics, the improvement is less consequential.
Stabilisation: Refined, Not Reinvented
The 3-axis mechanical gimbal is still the Pocket’s defining advantage over sensor-stabilised cameras, and the Pocket 4’s implementation refines rather than reinvents it. We noticed:
- Faster correction response during walking — the slight bobbing that appeared in Pocket 3 walking shots is reduced
- Better performance during panning movements — the transition into and out of pan is smoother
- No change in the physical gimbal range or follow modes
ActiveTrack received the most meaningful update. Lock-on in our tests happened in approximately 0.4 seconds — faster than Pocket 3’s roughly 0.8 second acquisition. More importantly, tracking through partial occlusion (someone briefly walking between the subject and camera) recovered cleanly in the Pocket 4 where Pocket 3 often lost the subject entirely.
Who Should Upgrade from Pocket 3?
The honest answer depends on your shooting conditions:
Upgrade if you:
- Shoot frequently indoors or in mixed/low light
- Want 4K 120fps slow motion
- Use built-in audio as your primary sound source
- Do a lot of ActiveTrack/subject following
Wait if you:
- Shoot primarily outdoors in daylight
- Are happy with your current Pocket 3 footage quality
- Bought your Pocket 3 less than 12 months ago
The Pocket 4 is a meaningful upgrade — the sensor difference is real and the slow-motion capability is genuinely new. But the Pocket 3 remains an excellent camera for outdoor, daylight shooting. If you’re buying new, the Pocket 4 is clearly the right choice. If you’re upgrading, assess how much you feel limited by your Pocket 3’s performance today.
Final Score: 4.6 / 5
The DJI Pocket 4 is the best pocket camera ever made. The 1/1.3-inch sensor finally puts the Pocket series in the same sensor-size tier as serious action cameras, while keeping the mechanical gimbal advantage and D-Log M workflow that serious creators depend on. The 4K 120fps capability and improved audio make it a genuine all-in-one tool for creators who can’t carry a second camera. If you’re starting fresh, there’s no better pocket camera available today.