REVIEW: DJI Osmo Pocket 2 -The Ideal Travel Vlog Setup?

Looking for an epic travel vlog setup? Here’s how the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 (aka the Pocket 2) stacks up – inc if the Creator Combo is worth it!

The DJI Osmo Pocket 2 – or DJI Pocket 2 as its now known – is the eagerly awaited follow up to DJIs breakthrough travel vlog setup. Now the original has been my go to vlogging setup for the last few years and has helped me capture some incredible footage across South Africa, The Mentawai Islands, Solomon Island and beyond.

But 3 years after the originals release, how does the DJI Pocket 2 stack up, what’s new and should you consider upgrading?

Well whether your a dedicate Osmo fan or looking for a compact travel vlog setup to get started, here’s my full review…

REVIEW: DJI Osmo Pocket 2 – The Ideal Travel Vlog Setup?

What’s New?

So what’s new with the DJI Pocket 2 v the original DJI Osmo Pocket?

• Slightly larger form factor (very minimal and only 1g difference)
• Larger sensor (1/1.7″ v 1/1.23″)
• 64MP still v 12MP
• Wider, lower aperture lens – 93° field of vision, F1.8 – equivalent to 20mm (v originals 80°, F2.8, 26mm)
• Larger ISO range on video (6400 v 3200)
• HDR video option
• 8x slow mo (1080 @ 240FPS) v the originals 4x slow mo
• Updated motionlapse modes
• Slightly increased controllable gimbal range
• Modular design for add ons like the “Do It All” handle

…oh and the Pocket 2 also has a red bezel around the lens, which is pretty much the only visual clue that its the latest version!

What Does That All Mean For The Everyday User?

It”s all well and good boasting upgraded specs, sensors and what not, but how does that transfer to user experience?

Well to be honest there’s very little difference in the way the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 handles compared with the original for the average user.

Sure the lowlight performance is improved a jump owing to the slightly larger sensor and ability to bump the ISO up to 6400 (although I wouldn’t recommend that due to the amount of noise it’ll create), but on the whole it’s very same same in terms of performance and userability.

Unless you’re shooting still images – which have been significantly improved from 12MP to 64MP – the average user won’t notice a huge difference.

The biggest 2 difference between the 2 are actually the wider lens and the option to add on the “Do It All” handle – both of which are actually really useful and I’ll get to in more detail shortly…

Wider Lens

One of the biggest gripes pretty much everyone had with the original DJI Osmo Pocket was the rather narrow field of vision – especially since it was heavily marketed as a vlogging camera. Some third part accessories eventually came out which helped boost it to a wider angle, but obviously this wasn’t ideal.

Although the change from a 26mm lens equivalent to a 20mm might not seems like a huge deal (unless you know your wide angle lenses!) it’s actually one of the most useful updates to the DJI Pocket 2.

Added to this is the magnetic, wide angle lens adaptor which then bumps this even further to a 15mm field of vision and you can capture the entire background scene in a similar setup that the GoPro Hero 9 offers.

The Creator Combo + Do It All Handle

For me, the biggest upgrade that the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 has to offer is the Creator Combo, or more specifically the compatibility with the Do It All Handle.

DJI tend to offer a bundle deal alongside most of their products which offer a whole heap of accessories and on the whole are solid value for money and they’ve been my go to options for things like my Mavic Air 2 drone.

The DJI Pocket 2 Creator Combo is firmly aimed at the vlogger market and includes the following extras:

• Mini Control Stick
• Tripod Mount
• Do It All Handle
• Wireless Microphone Transmitter
• Microphone Wind Protector
• Wide Angle Lens
• Mini Tripod

Essentially this includes everything you need to start vlogging with the Pocket 2 and is a truly epic travel vlog setup.

Do It All Handle

The biggest component is the Do It All Handle – which replaces, and build on, the wireless adaptor of the orignal.

This clips onto the base of the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 and enables 2 awesome features – bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone and instant connectivity to the included wireless mic.

Now I’m going to talk about the mic in a bit (it deserves its own section!) but the wireless connectivity to your smartphone allows you to easily control the setting in Pro mode via your phone, giving you much more real estate to tweak all all your settings and frame up your shot.

Sure you can also achieve this using the smartphone adaptor – but I’ve already used this wireless function a lot when shooting studio based vlogs, when the Pocket 2 is mounted out of reach.

And on top of this it also includes a tripod adaptor as well – winning!

Hang On – Isn’t It Pretty Big?

One of the biggest things a lot of people flag up about the Pocket to with the Do It All Handle is the overall size. Yes it does increase the length of the overall device, however for me I actually think this is a slight improvement!

Sure one of the best things about the Pocket is the fact it’s lightweight and literally fits in your pocket, however in reality, shooting with it did feel a bit…ummm…squashed! That extra length with the handle attached does actually make for a better shooting experience in my opinion and although I remove it to pack it down the few seconds it takes to clip on is worth the better shooting flow.

Wireless Mic

So one of the biggest boasts on the Creator Combo launch was the new DJI Wireless mic. Now, having tested it out myself and shot a few vlogs already using it as my setup I’m super stoked on it.

Audio wise it rivals the Rode Wireless Go I usually use for my audio, the range and reliability on it is pretty freaking impressive and the fact it connects so quickly makes the transition from setup to shooting pretty flawless.

A couple of things I’d like to highlight here – which were my main questions when checking out other reviews – is that yes, you can plug a lav mic (like the Rode Lav Go) into the wireless mic, for a more pro setup.

I also clocked that it also includes a remote shutter too – so you can easily start and stop recording, even if the Pocket 2 is mounted on a tripod, out of arms reach, which is a really useful and under mentioned addition for using it as a vlog setup.

Battery Life

Now lets talk battery life – the make or break of most tech these days, especially when it comes to compact setups.

Unfortunately DJI didn’t improve the battery life on the Pocket 2, however it still has up to 140 minutes of battery life, which is pretty solid.

Another slight disappointment is the fact the Pocket 2 also doesn’t have interchangeable batteries either. For those vlogging on the go having a few full charge batteries to cover a whole days shooting is pretty useful and the lack of interchangeable batteries is certainly one of the DJI Osmo ranges biggest limitations.

That being said though you can recharge on the go with a portable battery pack and you can still shoot whilst charging. It’s not the perfect setup, but it can be done.

DJI Pocket 2 Pricing

Ok so what will the DJI Pocket 2 set you back?

Well for the standard, camera only setup you’ll be looking at US$349 / £339 / AU$599

Or you can opt for the Creator Combo – which will set you back US$499 / £469 / AU$799

To be honest, the Creator Combo is solid value and would be my recommendation as it includes absolutely everything you need, and the mic alone if worth the upgrade price!

Now for those looking for a vlog setup, to put everything into perspective the GoPro Hero 9 vlog setup (Hero 9, Media Mod, Max Lens Mod and Rode Wireless Go) would set you back nearly 25% more. Granted you then also gain the waterproofing of the GoPro, but as an everyday or travel vlog setup, the DJI Pocket 2 is much better suited.

Click here for more info and to buy

Should you upgrade?

For those who have already invested into their original DJI Osmo Pocket travel vlog setups (especially expensive external mic setups like the Rode Wireless Go or Rode Lav Mic) it’s a tough call, especially if your Osmo is still in full working order!

But with the original cameras now being 3 years old and potentially looking to be replaced (whether through wear and tear, damage or just wanting a fresh setup) the DJI Pocket 2 is everything you know and love about the original, but refined and with that Creator Combo goodness on offer.

Final Thoughts

Sure the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 was anticipated to have a bigger sensor upgrade, built in wireless and even a foldable design – but I think we have to accept that tech companies (including the likes of GoPro and Apple) are now firmly focusing on smaller hardware upgrades, but are instead baiting people into upgrading with the compatability of “must have” accessories and add ons.

For GoPro thats the Max Lens Mod, and for the DJI Pocket 2 it’s the Do It All Handle.

To be honest, the DJI Pocket 2 really should’ve included the tech of the Do It All Handle in the main camera body and added a 3.5mm headphone jack (many of DJIs competitors have achieved this already), but instead we have the Do It All Handle and Creator Combo upgrades to tempt us instead.

Even though I’ve come at this in a rather negative angle the DJI Pocket 2 (aka the DJI Osmo Pocket 2!) is a solid piece of kit and the Creator Combo bundle really is a great setup – especially for those looking at their first travel vlog setup or looking for a compact vlog setup.