Portable cameras keep promising more range, more color, and more convenience. The latest example is DJI’s new Pocket 4P, which adds a second lens and bigger dynamic range claims to the familiar gimbal body. My view is simple. The extra lens matters more than the headline numbers. If you care about getting the shot, the 3x lens on the 4P is the real reason to upgrade.
What The 4P Changes
The 4P keeps the small, go-anywhere design and adds a new 1-inch sensor on the main camera. DJI says it can reach up to 17 stops of dynamic range. It also brings a 3x, 60 mm equivalent lens that focuses as close as 0.3 meters. That pairing gives you a true two-camera setup in one pocket rig.
The kit options matter too. The Creator Combo includes a wireless mic that pairs directly to the camera, a remote that doubles as a stand, a small light, and two carry cases. It is a complete run-and-gun package. I like that the camera can track subjects on a table without extra gear. That is practical design.
- Main lens: 20 mm, f/2.0, 4K at up to 240 fps.
- Tele lens: 60 mm, about f/1.8, 4K at up to 200 fps.
- Log capture: D-Log 2 on the main lens only.
- ActiveTrack 8.0 with multi-person support, now usable on the tele lens.
- Weight: about 230 g for 4P vs 190.5 g for Pocket 4.
These changes read well on paper. The real test is how they help when light is harsh and subjects do not wait.
Where The Extra Lens Wins
The speaker’s field test made one point I cannot ignore. Reach beats theory in the moment. A wary coyote wandered into frame. With the Pocket 4, there was no safe way to get close. With the 4P’s 3x, the shot was easy and safe. That single clip explains why a second lens belongs on every pocket camera.
“The 3x gives you that flexibility to essentially make shots you wouldn’t otherwise have made.”
We hear claims about dynamic range all the time. Here, the 4P did show more skin detail indoors and better bark texture outdoors without blowing the sky. Leaves stayed green instead of turning black. The difference was real, if subtle. Even the reviewer hedged:
“Are we looking at significantly more dynamic range? I don’t know. Maybe.”
That is honest. And it is why I put the zoom ahead of the marketing line. More range helps in grading. But reach often decides whether there is anything worth grading at all.
The Tradeoffs
D-Log 2 is a serious tool, but it only works on the main lens. If you switch to 3x, you lose it. That will frustrate some shooters. Storage is oddly lower on the 4P, about 103 GB compared to about 107 GB on the Pocket 4. Transfer speeds and battery capacity match. The 4P is heavier to fit the bigger camera unit, though the difference is manageable.
Still, the everyday wins stack up in favor of the 4P. Tracking is smarter, the remote stand is handy, and the mic integration cuts clutter. Those are small edges that save time in real shoots.
My Take On Value
Do not buy a camera for a number on a spec sheet. Buy it for the shots you can bring home. Here, the 4P’s two-lens setup changes what a pocket rig can do. I would pick it for travel, events, and street work where distance and safety matter.
“You got the shot.”
That sentence is the whole point. If your budget is tight, the Pocket 4 still delivers clean 4K, fast slow motion, and easy handling. It is a solid value pick. But if you can stretch, the 4P earns its place in the bag.
Conclusion
The smartphone market showed the pattern. One second lens became standard, then three, then four. Pocket cameras are heading the same way. The 4P is the first clear step. If you care about flexibility more than bragging rights, choose the model with reach and workable log. Ask for more vendors to add real optical options, not just software tricks. Then go out and make the shot before it walks away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who should choose the Pocket 4P over the Pocket 4?
Pick the 4P if you want the 3x lens and shoot subjects you cannot approach. It also suits users who grade footage and will use D-Log 2 on the main lens.
Q: How big is the dynamic range difference in real scenes?
The 4P showed more highlight and shadow detail, but the gain looked modest. It helps in harsh light, yet it is not night-and-day in every frame.
Q: Does losing D-Log 2 on the 3x lens hurt?
It can for strict color workflows. Many users will accept standard color on the tele lens, since the reach often matters more than a flat profile.
Q: Are the accessory kits worth it?
Yes. The Creator Combo’s mic, remote stand, and cases speed up setup and reduce add-ons. It is practical for solo shooters and travelers.
Q: Is the extra weight of the 4P noticeable?
It is slightly heavier, but still very portable. The benefits of the second lens and improved tracking outweigh the small bump in mass for most users.
