Osmo Pocket Gimbal Camera - Long Term Review
It's been a few months since I took on a camera review. Viewing figures had indicated that these videos were no longer as popular as the retro-tech ones. However in recent months the retro-tech videos aren't really hitting either.
So rather than chasing viewers, which is almost certainly a race to the bottom, I'll just continue making videos about the things I find interesting - one of which is niche cameras, like the DJI Osmo Pocket.
Also, just a bit of a heads up about April. My video output might be a bit less than a typical month. I could really do with taking the occasional day off now that the weather is getting better. I feel like I've been shut inside the house for months. I only mention this now to temper expectations because at one point in March there was a ten day gap between new videos getting released on YouTube and when the next video went up someone commented - " Nice to see new content, I thought you might have quit YT!"
In other news - thanks for the votes last week regarding the ramble videos. A few people commented that if these videos are a chore to make I shouldn't feel obligated to make them. That's never been an issue, I tend to shoot them on a day when I don't feel in the mood to start a new project or I'm waiting for something which is preventing me from progressing on a video - e.g. a wire from Amazon or some Epoxy Resin to set on a broken device. I do enjoy making them and without wanting to sound too cliched, it can be almost therapeutic to talk through some things that have been bouncing around my head for a month.
As far as what I'm going to do with the Pat-ex videos in the future...well I'm not sure. I can see that a good number of people thought they should be more like 15-20 minutes long. I agree, but as it takes up to an hour to set up the camera and lights each time, I don't know if it's worth it for a 15 minute video. Another suggestion was to make them audio only as watching youtube for that long isn't ideal. Whilst I don't plan on doing a podcast that could go out to anyone and everyone I noticed that Patreon has an option to post an audio file, so perhaps that's something I should try - at least once. I'm not sure if that would be any more convenient though. Anyway you'll know what I'm doing as soon I know, but it was helpful to see so many people voting, so thank you again for that.
Comments (46)
Your best videos are the ones where you talk about what you love.
Keswick seems to be a centre for unusual animal experiences. Maybe this could be your next one: 'Lemoga': Lake District hotel offers yoga with lemurs as partners <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/apr/02/lemoga-lake-district-hotel-offers-yoga-with-lemurs-as-partners" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/apr/02/lemoga-lake-district-hotel-offers-yoga-with-lemurs-as-partners</a>
I'll have to show that to the Mrs. The Yoga part is a non-starter as I can barely touch my knees with my dodgy back. Perhaps they have a Watch TV with a Lemur experience.
So can we expect John Lennon to strike this video as well due to your selfie with him?
I really wouldn’t be surprised. The latest content grab I got this week was for a 3 second clip! I’ll explain more in a future video.
It does seem bizarre that they haven't added a little joystick on it. I can't imagine it would've been that difficult and would've made for some nice smooth pans and tilts. Also, the lack of a wider angle lens is weird, too. I'd love to see this thing when it's got all the accessories attached. It would look like some kind of plastic transformer that cost more than you would think. Oh well - maybe they'll release something a bit more market ready in the future.
Such a shame that the 'gigapan' 3x3 panorama feature doesn't work as you would expect, it's a perfect use for this camera.
Someone suggested that you can stitch the photos in an external desktop app - which of course you can, but it’s not exactly convenient.
Thanks Mat.
How did you get those shots of the camera software in action (around 13:30)? Is that a screen capture from your iPhone using the new feature in the latest iOS?
Yes I used the screen capture feature. Although I synced it with the audio from the video captured with the Osmo. It was a bit of a complicated segment - i’m glad you noticed.
Those missing features are there to help you appreciate the "Osmo Pocket II" when it comes out, demonstrating that DJI listen to their customers...
Thanks for the Cavern shot.
Matt, if you were buying this class of camera for all-around outdoor use, would you choose a larger but time-tested and nearly-bulletproof GoPro model over the Osmo Pocket? Or is the Osmo's compact size that much of an advantage? Thanks for your opinion!
I’d go with the GoPro - it’s also got 4K stabilisation in the most recent version.
Thanks! I could have used a camera like this when I went to Germany a couple of weeks ago. I didn't even know these existed. The narrow field of view does have advantages. One thing I hate about action cameras with wide angles is the barrel distortion you get. This doesn't appear to have any of that.
I noticed some very nice drone shots in your Germany video. Did one of the other people attending shoot those?
I've grown to the perception that having a Youtube audience probably makes you, in a way, "the slave of the crowd." It must be difficult and I wish you the best.
I think my paucity of ambition is a help here as I don’t feel a need to grow - I’m too old to think this is going to develop into something bigger - this is it and I’m fine with that.
Thanks for all your work Mat!
Hi Mat! Thanks for the new video! I think (hope) we will se a lot more products like this on the market! A steadycam in you pocket is just unbelievable! But I'm hoping to se other manufactures join in. Wouldn't mind a model from Sony.. I other news, I am very happy to hear you are not chasing views! I've seen too many youtubers go down by keep doing the same stuff, in which they have lost all interest. Their new videos are just a pain to watch. There are so many things that makes your videos great, but the most important part is you! You need to keep the spark, by keeping you interested! And rested! Glad to hear you will slow down in april! You need to take some time off! And fully deserved it is! We can and will wait! Take care! Christian
Actually, Sony's newer action cameras do have a built-in balanced optical stabilizer. It's performed just as good as (and sometimes even better than) gimbals at stabilizing video as it's much more nimble.
Jörg asked who you were fleeing from, which made me chuckle because I too wondered why you seem to be walking so quickly. One of those dark alpacas does a pretty mean Nutty Professor imitation.
That’s the one I took for a walk - he had dodgy teeth as his mother was kept as a house pet (!) and didn’t get sufficient nutrients. They’re all rescue animals of some sort - or where people have given then up because they weren’t up to the job of looking after them. Paying to take them out for a walk helps to pay the costs of looking after them.
Alpacas are awesome!!
Indeed they are. If I were a rich man with a large property in the country I definitely own a few alpacas. They’re just such a pleasant animal.
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed videos you've done like the helmet cam reviews even though I've no plans to ride a motorbike, and don't even own a bike. Exploring something in detail with a good sense of humor, it turns out, is entertaining to me no matter what the topic. If I could cast a vote for a "more of ____" request, the kitchen gadget videos were great fun. As always, thanks for reading. 😉
I’d love to do more kitchen silly kitchen gadget stuff - but that product category seemingly died around the same time as music megastores.
Hi Mat - really enjoyed that. I am really in the market for a camera like this. Hope DJI or competitor will bring will bring out an out-of-box finished version - I know I’d lose all those bits and pieces that are presently required in no time! Lots of people are offering feedback on your channel at present. My view is don’t change a thing - take it in whatever direction interests you, yet create content at a rate that keeps you both happy and in profit. I don’t understand the science of YouTube clicks - I am part of your “base” that also watches LGR, 8-bit guy, tech connections. I hope your view counts increase - I would watch you review/explain pretty much any consumer item. (Don’t take that as a challenge!)
I don’t understand the science of YouTube clicks either. I’ll just keep doing what I do...and stick with my Field Of Dreams system of video making. ‘If you film it, they may (or may not) watch”
Nice video, Mat. I think for my picky nature I would prefer the OSMO Mobile 2. Since I have a Samsung Galaxy S10, the camera is much better than the Pocket and gives me a lot more capability. And it costs $210 less. Don't know all the things the Mobile 2 can do, though. I'd love to see you do a review of that.
you mention DJI is taking a Apple look at dongle prices but really that's not true the Apple Type C to Mic/headset is only £9 actually cheaper then many other options for that type of adapter
Along with religion, one topic where jokes are forbidden is electronics manufacturers. However as someone who spent £49 to attach an iPad to an HDMI cable <a href="https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MD826ZM/A/lightning-digital-av-adapter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MD826ZM/A/lightning-digital-av-adapter</a> I feel justified in my light humorous aside at a trillion dollar organisation.
I am more interested now, than before I saw your video (second video on the subject I have watched) ... my big issue is the stabilization...or lack thereof. Their drones do a much better job of image stabilization.
Excellent follow up review Mat. As it was playing I was thinking ‘that looks great, I wonder what it would be like on a motorbike...’ and you’d thought of that too. I won’t be trying to recreate MotoGP coverage anytime soon I’m sorry. I hope this one does well for views for you.
I love how it makes an innocent walk around an xmas market look like something from a console 1st person shooter game!
I'd enjoy the "ramble audio".
About audio only rambles and increased convenience: I’d be super happy with those too, Patreon even offer a way to make a members only podcast (or like you say an audio post). For your convenience, you could record those when you’re out on a walk, that gets you out of the house, and you’ll be productive at the same time. I do this when I’m out on my bike, kills two birds with one stone. Just a thought :-)
With your ramble videos, please keep doing them. They don't take away from anything and I love them. I think the divide is because you are from England (and so am I) and you also worked in an office (which I also currently do) and your ramble videos are very reminiscent of those small gaps in time where your co-workers really gets to moan about their work, get stuff of their chest, before seeing the manager come and turn back around. I also get your moaning sense of British humour, which again may not be picked up by the USA crowd as they don't have the same sense of irony. They think because you moan about something, that's it. It's shit. When that is not the case, most of the time its both for humor and to release steam. Love you dude.
Where do I go to walk Llama's around on a lead?
These were Alpacas - but you can also walk a Llama if you’d prefer. They’re the coolest animal, so chilled out. They enjoy going for a walk because they love having a look around. Here’s where I went. <a href="https://www.alpacalyeverafter.co.uk/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.alpacalyeverafter.co.uk/</a>
I found the quality of the video about 12:20 min. quite good. The background was good stabilised, only you were shaking a lot, because of your very fast walking - what were you fleeing from? ;-)
Addendum: I can imagine that there will be an Osmo Pocket 2 in (near?) future with thumbstick, wifi, mic-in and a tripod mount.
Wow, that's a high quality camera so far. Completely kills my DSLR.
Long time viewer and new patron here. No problem at all with a dip in frequency, quality over quantity every time. Whilst I m guilty of preferring the retro videos over cameras, I found your Dolby Atmos videos useful and enlightening for my imminent upgrade from 5.1 to Atmos. Take the time out that you need, especially with the weather improving.
I've noticed that many creators, that make high-quality videos, are not outputting videos as much as the others. I don't think anyone would mind if you'd post videos at your own leisure. Keep doing awesome content <3