With the recent Osmo Pocket announcement, DJI and GoPro have instantly become direct competitors in the action camera segment as now both companies have an enticing offering for aspiring filmmakers and sports enthusiasts to get their hands on.
GoPro HERO7 Black is still one of the best action cameras out there with a rugged beast built, enhanced image stabilization and drastically improved video quality over its predecessors whereas the Osmo Pocket aims to rival the competition with its tiny 3-axis gimbal stabilized camera, ease of use, and gimbal stabilization technology unseen on any other action camera before.
With two great small-form-factor camera options to opt for, choosing which side to stand by as a content creator can be quite challenging. To sort things out, Dave Altizer of Kinotika puts each contender to the test, thus helping you pick the camera that’s right for you.
Going over the basic specifications, both cameras feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have multiple recording options. This includes shooting at 4K 60fps or 1080p at up to a staggering 120fps for high-speed slow motion. Furthermore, while the GoPro features an in-body stabilization system, the Osmo Pocket is designed with a camera mounted onto a mini gimbal for optical video stabilization.
Altizer also notes that these two cameras differ in terms of aperture settings. For the GoPro, it’s f/2.8 whereas the Osmo Pocket offers a wider aperture of f/2. Theoretically, this should result in better low-light performance with the Osmo Pocket, though that opinion is up to your interpretation of the captured footage.
Looking at the image above, there seems to be a considerable difference between the two cameras. While both the HERO 7 and Osmo Pocket produce sharp-looking footage, the aesthetic of each camera differs in terms of focal length, stabilization, and color.
When talking about focal length, HERO 7 has a significantly wider field of view than the Osmo Pocket, even when switched to the narrow field-of-view mode. While this is GoPro’s trademark visual style, this may be off-putting for some videographers looking for a more standard focal length.
Regarding color science, the HERO 7 produced well-saturated, emphasizing the warmth of the sand and vivid blues of the sea and sky. However, for professionals seeking a more flexible color profile for post-color grading, the footage of the Osmo Pocket may look superior due to its slightly flatter, more balanced aesthetic.
Lastly, in terms of stabilization, the Osmo Pocket’s use of a gimbal far outperforms the HyperSmooth stabilization technology in the HERO7. While GoPro has undeniably improved image stabilization with their latest action camera, nothing quite compares to the use of an actual gimbal.
All in all, each product seems to have its own specific purpose. If you’re planning to shoot a lot of action sports and/or need a camera that can take a brutal beating, HERO7 is without a doubt the best fit for you. For more easy-going shooters, the Osmo Pocket is a similarly priced yet equally well-performing alternative that could hardly be beaten when it comes to built-in image stabilization especially when you can consider its small and lightweight form factor.
[source: Kinotika]
Order Links:
DJI Osmo Pocket Gimbal (B&H)
GoPro HERO7 Black (B&H, Amazon)
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