Capturing the Intimate Instants: An Examination of DJI Pocket 2
The DJI Pocket 2 is a pocket-sized, gimbal-stabilized handheld camera that has been making waves in the world of vlogging and personal filmmaking. Yasmine Salha, inspired by Joan Didion's essay "On Keeping a Notebook," recently purchased one on Ebay with the goal of capturing small slices of life and immortalizing moments that give them character.
Key Features of the DJI Pocket 2
The DJI Pocket 2 offers distinct advantages over smartphone footage for vlogging and capturing personal moments. Its 3-axis mechanical gimbal provides smooth, stable footage far superior to typical smartphone digital stabilization, especially useful for walk-and-talk vlogs or action shots.
The device features a relatively large 1/1.7-inch sensor and can shoot up to 4K at 60fps, delivering higher quality video than many smartphones. The Pocket 2 also comes with a hard shell case for safe transport and a compact design optimized for handheld use without needing to hold a phone.
Modes and Controls
The DJI Pocket 2 offers four shooting modes: FPV, Follow, Tilt Locked, and Lock. In FPV mode, the camera rotates across all three axes, corresponding directly to the hand movements of the cameraperson. In Follow mode, the camera only rotates along the tilt and pan axes, and locks on the roll axis. In Tilt Locked mode, only movement left and right is detected. Lock mode, accessed by holding a button down for a duration of a bit over a second, locks all three axes, best used when the cameraperson wants to focus on a stationary subject or stretch of landscape.
The Pocket 2 also has a joystick on its body that controls the gimbal-mounted camera, allowing smooth tilting up and down, and panning left and right. Additionally, the device can be connected to a smartphone via an attachment or a Bluetooth attachment, allowing for a larger monitor and remote control of pans and tilts through the DJI Mimo app.
Pros and Cons
While the DJI Pocket 2 excels at smooth, cinematic video with better stabilization and image quality for dedicated vlogging or capturing personal moments with professional polish, it does have some drawbacks. The small 1-inch screen can make menu navigation and framing challenging, often necessitating use with the smartphone Mimo app. Additionally, while the device offers good subject tracking capabilities, smartphones often provide more comprehensive controls, color profiles (like Apple Log), and editing ecosystems.
Smartphones also serve multiple functions beyond video capture, reducing the need to carry a separate device. For casual, quick capture, smartphones may be more convenient. However, for those who are adventurers, storytellers, or those who want to improve their filmmaking skills, the DJI Pocket 2 is a worthy investment.
[1] DJI Pocket 2 Official Website [2] DJI Pocket 2 User Manual [3] DJI Pocket 2 Review by The Verge
