The DJI Pocket 3 is, by almost all accounts, one of the most important cameras to have been released in the last decade, because it fundamentally altered the landscape for solo filmmaking, at a time when more and more people are trying to film videos.

And so the DJI Pocket 4P, which brings significantly improved image quality and versatility, should be an easy smash hit. But alas, being a gigantic tech company in 2026 means dealing with intense competition and politics. The Pocket 4P comes at a time when the DJI brand is being barred from selling in the U.S. on unproven allegations, and rival Insta360 has released a “copycat” product that is very, very good.

Still, after using the DJI Pocket 4P for nearly two months, I can say it is a worthy successor that drastically improves the self-filming experience for solo video makers.

The Pocket 4P looks very similar to the Pocket 3 and 4, except the “head” — the gimbal camera — is much bulkier than before. This is due to the new second camera, a 60mm zoom lens, which accompanies the 1-inch 20mm main camera.

Both camera sensors are relatively large for such a compact body: the 20mm main camera uses a 1-inch Sony CMOS sensor, while the 60mm zoom lens is built on a 1/1.3-inch sensor. The large sensors allow excellent light intake ability – much better than, say, the latest iPhone cameras – and they also support up to 17 stops of dynamic range, which is more than what any other compact camera supports.

Weighing 230g and with dimensions of 159.5×63.3×33.5 mm, the camera is bigger than previous generations, but I believe the extra bulk is worth it for getting a proper telephoto lens. A 60mm lens recreates a perspective that’s closer to what the human eye sees than a 20mm, which is wider than usual and results in slight distortion. A 60mm lens also produces stronger natural bokeh and background compression – it’s just a more aesthetically pleasing lens for shooting human faces or objects up close. Of course, the 20mm lens is still needed because it is ideal for vlog-style walk-and-talk videos.

The 2-inch touchscreen remains the same as in the Pocket 4, and is brighter than the Pocket 3’s screen. It features the same swivel setup that allows the display to show in vertical or landscape formats.

As usual, DJI sells the Pocket 4P in different packages with different accessories. The vlog combo I have includes a DJI Mic 3 receiver, which pairs with the Pocket 4P seamlessly, a tripod leg, a fill light accessory, and most importantly, a remote control called the FrameTap.

The latter is important, because it mostly erases an advantage offered by the rival Insta360 Luna Ultra.

As mentioned in my Luna Ultra review , that camera’s display and control panel can be detached from the main body, and once detached, it doubles as a remote control. At the time when I reviewed the Luna Ultra last month, DJI had not announced the FrameTap yet, so I mentioned that as a clear advantage in Insta360’s favor, because being able to control the camera from a distance drastically improves the solo shooting experience.

The Pocket 4P can shoot videos at up to 4K resolution and up to 120 fps, or slow motion at up to 240fps. The zoom lens can digitally zoom up to 12X, though I think at 12X, details are a bit soft. But at optical 3X or 6X, you get some excellent images and videos with real background compression. See sample footage in the video below.

I also used the DJI Pocket 4P to shoot my last several videos, including the below video, where 100% of the footage was captured by the Pocket 4P. So the DJI Pocket 4P has made my work bag significantly lighter, because I no longer have to film with a full-frame mirrorless camera (which also needs a bigger tripod).

So how does the Pocket 4P stack up against the Luna Ultra?

The Pocket 4P is going against tough competition in the Luna Ultra, an excellent gimbal camera from Insta360 that does the exact same thing as the Pocket 4P. Even the dual-lens system shares nearly identical sensor sizes and focal lengths. DJI, however, is clearly the pioneer of this product, and Insta360 has clearly taken some inspiration from the Luna Ultra’s design.

But picking a winner between the two is no easy task, as each device has clear pros and cons. When shooting video in easy lighting conditions in normal mode, both cameras produce similarly excellent footage. Some may even prefer the Insta360’s Leica-branded colors. But the Pocket 4P’s LOG capabilities are superior, allowing for wider dynamic range. So if you take color grading seriously, the Pocket 4P’s footage is slightly superior. DJI’s joystick to control the gimbal is also far more precise than Insta360’s – I can pan slowly or quickly with the DJI joystick, whereas the Insta360 joystick has only one speed.

But the Luna Ultra's detachable screen is a brilliant idea that’s easier to use than DJI’s FrameTap because it isn’t a separate accessory that requires its own charging cable. Luna Ultra’s battery handle also has built-in tripod legs, while DJI’s camera requires yet another tripod accessory.

So if I have to sum it up, I would say the DJI Pocket 4P is better at filming – slightly better controls and footage – but the Insta360 Luna Ultra feels easier to use, without all the extra accessories and cables needed. You can charge the Luna Ultra and Insta360 microphone all with one cable. I need three separate cables to charge the Pocket 4P, the FrameTap Remote, and the DJI Mic 3.

In a vacuum, the DJI Pocket 4P is an easy no-brainer recommendation for anyone who was using the Pocket 3 and wants an upgrade, or anyone who is venturing into making videos. But considering the Insta360 Luna Ultra can sell in the US and has some clever features in its favor, I think it will be quite a heated competition on store shelves across Asia and Europe this year.

I must say, the DJI Pocket 4P’s slightly superior footage, plus the fact that it is the originator of this product category gives it a slight edge in my book.