DJI Pocket 2 Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts
The Pocket 2 is a small, handheld 4K camera that can shoot 4K 60 frames per second with tracking and a mechanical gimbal. It’s a great camera whether you want to take quick photos and videos, or you’re shooting more scripted content. After using the original Osmo Pocket and this update Pocket 2, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks that can help you shoot better video and get more out of this camera.
This video is an extension of my original Osmo Pocket tips and tricks video and article. That video is still applicable to this camera, and I’ll leave a link to it at the end of this video. I’ve made sure not to overlap too many tips and tricks for the Pocket cameras, this video will focus on the Pocket 2 obviously, but be sure to check that video out after this one.
I’ll also be giving you some rapid-fire shortcuts I thought were the most helpful while using the Pocket 2 as well, but for now let’s get into the tips and tricks.
1. Take The Pocket 2 Everywhere With You
My first tip for the Pocket 2 is to keep it with you all the time. The size and weight of this camera make it so easy to throw into your backpack or bag and forget about it until you need it. Apart from the small footprint of this camera, it also starts up quickly and is ready to shoot. Before the world shut down, I kept my Osmo Pocket in my backpack that I took to work and wouldn’t it and a few accessories were in my bag until I saw a shot I wanted to get. That “the best camera is the one you have with you” rings true with the Pocket 2 - and I tend to use it over my phone’s camera when I have the option between the two.
2. DJI Pocket 2 Manual Camera Settings with Pro Mode
My next tip is to enable pro mode. Enabling Pro Mode is the only way to manually adjust your camera settings. I’m not sure why DJI doesn’t just call this Manual and Auto mode like every other camera that’s ever existed. The Osmo Pocket uses this terminology as well, not sure why they thought this was a good idea. But switch over to pro mode to manually adjust your camera settings, the auto settings are ok but not great.
3. Turn Off Battery Saver Mode and Shoot in High-Quality Mode
This next tip is an opinionated one, so use your best judgment here. For best results, do not use battery saver mode. The battery saver mode reduces the bitrate to preserve battery life, using high quality will deplete the battery faster and heat up the camera, but give you a higher bitrate and a more usable shot to work with. If you’re shooting a quick clip for Instagram, this isn’t a huge deal - but if you’re editing and color grading your footage be sure to use High Quality Mode.
One thing to note, not all frame rates and resolutions are compatible with High-Quality mode. As of right now 4K60 and other high resolution and frame rate options aren’t available. I’ve done some testing and at the time of recording, these are the resolutions and frame rates that are compatible with the High-Quality mode. This may change in the future, if it does I’ll update the pinned comment below.
4. Zoom & Reframe Your Shots
My 4th tip for the Pocket 2 is to zoom in on your footage, but if it’s possible move closer and don't use the zoom.
A new feature of the Pocket 2 is the ability to zoom in on your footage, but this isn’t an optical zoom, you’re digitally zooming in on your footage, so you’re not really gaining any image quality here - but if you just want to zoom in on your footage and not do this in post-production, it’s a great feature. It’s also great to make adjustments in camera if you’re sharing these posts directly from the camera where you don’t necessarily have the chance to edit on a computer before posting.
Zooming is a nice feature to have, and if you’re able to physically move closer to your subject or you don’t want to zoom in post-production, this is a great feature. And the zooming is actually pretty smooth.
5. Configure the Scroll Bar on the Screen
The next tip piggybacks off of the previous tip, and that is to configure the scroll bar on the screen of the Pocket 2. The scroll bar on the screen can be configured to either tilt the camera or zoom in on your footage. Depending on what you want to do. I’ll mention how to quickly switch between the functions at the end of the video.
Now that we're halfway through the Pocket 2 tips and tricks, I just want to say I’ve been looking at my analytics lately and only 5% of my viewers are subscribed to my channel. We gotta pump those numbers up, those are rookie numbers in this racket. So if you’re enjoying the content, make sure to subscribe and like the video. If you’re a returning part of the 5%, thank you and welcome back.
6. Use A Phone Mount for Steadier Footage
My sixth tip for the Pocket 2 is to mount your phone to the camera if you’re able to. This is the most common way I use my Pocket 2. Not only does your phone add a larger screen and make it easier to adjust settings quickly, but it makes the overall camera larger and easier to hold. You'd think that having a smaller camera would be better, but the camera is so light find myself moving the Pocket 2 around a lot while filming with it without my phone or any other accessories attached.
It sounds counterintuitive at first, but if you’re having issues with keeping your footage steady, try adding your phone and a phone holder to your Pocket 2.
7. Get the Do-It-All Handle
My seventh tip for the Pocket 2 is to use the Do-it-all handle. I find myself using the Do-It-All handle frequently to use my Pocket 2 with my phone via Bluetooth, and it also makes the camera easier to hold in your hand without accidentally touching the screen.
It also allows you to charge the Pocket 2 while it’s standing up since the handle has a USB-C port on the back. This is great for time-lapses and longer-form content. It also has a tripod mount on the bottom, the speaker in the front, and a mic in or headphones out port on the side.
The Do-It-All handle also fits within the DJI case that comes with the camera, however, it doesn’t fit in the Pocket 2 charging case. I used the charging case with my Osmo Pocket all the time and loved it. I often forgot to charge the camera and having the case that would charge the camera is pretty nice. I don’t have the Pocket 2 charging case because it’s sold out everywhere, but will be picking one up when they come in stock again.
It seems weird to have to buy an external device to get Bluetooth, wifi, mic in/headphones out, speaker, and a tripod mount on the device. Just saying that is a mouthful and seems like all of that should have just been included in the camera itself. Maybe this was a cost-saving measure to keep the base kit cost lower? I’m not sure, but either way, adding the Do-it-all handle unlocks a lot of features for this camera, I just wish these were included in the camera itself.
8. Use the Wireless or Wired Mic
My next tip for the Pocket 2 should honestly be a video in itself, but know which audio source you want to use based on your situation. The audio on the original Osmo Pocket wasn’t the greatest but the Pocket 2’s updated onboard microphones are a big improvement. The addition of a wireless mic that gets embedded directly into your video is a huge benefit of using the Pocket 2. It’s also extremely easy to use, just attach the do it all handle to your Pocket 2, turn on the Wireless Mic and they paired immediately. The first time I paired them together, the Pocket 2 automatically installed an update for the wireless transmitter in about 30 seconds.
You can also plug a microphone directly into the do-it-all handle on the Pocket 2 itself. This is great for a shotgun mic and a phone mount, or if you’re just filming yourself, a lav mic attached to your collar.
A test I did with the Wireless Mic, was to start recording, then turn the transmitter off and see if it would switch over to the sound on the Pocket 2, just in case I’m recording and don’t realize my Wireless transmitter dies - will it ruin my audio? Well, I’m glad to report that the audio did switch over from the wireless transmitter to the internal microphones of the Pocket 2 on the same clip. This is great, since I know I’ll have at least some audio if the transmitter turns off accidentally or the battery dies. The Audio won’t be as good, but it will still be there on the clip.
I like the wireless microphone transmitter, and there are two ways to use it. You can either clip the microphone to yourself or my preferred way is to attach a lav mic and plug the lav into the transmitter. The wireless mic is good, but using it as a lav mic it’s pretty bulky and distracting. A lav mic lets you conceal the microphone more so the viewer won't be as distracted. That’s my personal preference, the wireless mic is great quality but just too bulky for my taste.
9. Use Active Track But Understand Its Limitations
My next tip for the Pocket 2 is to use ActiveTrack but understand its limitations. ActiveTrack on the Pocket 2 is pretty good, but it’s not a perfect tracking mode just yet. It’s able to track subjects moving pretty quickly in ideal lighting conditions, but it struggles in low light. It seems to jump around between tracking points more in low-light situations and can ruin your shot if you move too quickly. The more light you have, the more you can get away with.
I have an entire section in my Osmo Pocket tips and tricks video dedicated to Active Track, so be sure to check that video out after this one. I’ll leave a link to it at the end of the video.
10. Don’t Crank The ISO Too Far
My next tip for the Pocket 2, is to keep the ISO as low as possible. The camera’s sensor is slightly better than the Osmo Pocket, but it’s still not large enough to handle low-light situations. Keeping the ISO as low as possible is going to give you the best results. From my tests, 100 is best, 200-400 is workable, 800 is pretty noticeable, 1600 is very noticeable, 3200 is distracting, 6400 is unusable.
That being said, this is relative though, if you’re using this camera to just capture moments to have preserved, I don’t mind the higher ISO’s, but if you’re looking to have the cleanest image possible and color grade a little bit try to keep your ISO under 400.
11. Should you use the Normal or D-Cinelike color profiles?
My next tip is for people looking to get the best quality footage out of their Pocket 2, and that is to know what color, resolution, and frame rates you’re going to be shooting in. Right now, the Pocket 2 can’t record 4K 60 in D-Cinelike, but it can record D-Cinelike in 4K 24 frames per second. Speaking from experience, it’s easy to start shooting in 4k 24 in D-cinelike, then switch to 4K 60, and the camera automatically switches to the Normal color mode. Matching multiple color profiles while your editing process more complicated, so if you plan on shooting your video with multiple frame rates, it’s better to use the Normal color profile.
DJI Pocket 2 Shortcuts
Now for some shortcuts I’ve used while using the Pocket 2. There may be more shortcuts and controls, but these are the ones that I found myself using most often.
While using the Pocket 2 on its own,
To quickly turn on the Pocket 2, instead of holding the button on the side, press and hold the right button on the back. It’s not much of a speed difference, but it also doesn’t turn around into selfie mode first before you start filming.
To change between photo and video modes, single tap the right button on the back of the Pocket 2.
To lock the gimbal, press and hold the right button.
To recenter the gimbal, double-tap the right button.
To turn the gimbal around to selfie mode, triple tap the right button.
A few touch screen controls I’ve used a lot were:
A single tap on the screen will focus the camera.
Double-tapping the screen will turn on ActiveTrack. I typically single tap to focus, then double-tap to start tracking for best results.
To switch the recording mode swipe from the right side, to further adjust the settings swipe from the right again.
To quickly view images, swipe from the left side, but you can favorite or delete clips quickly by swiping from the right again.
Swipe up to adjust the gimbal mode and follow speeds.
To recenter and flip the camera, just use the right button combinations. It’s faster.
To adjust settings quickly, swipe from the top.
The first setting adjusts the on-screen slider between zoom and gimbal tilt.
The second page is general settings, which I don’t use much.
Third, are glamour effects that I’ve never touched.
Fourth toggles between battery saver and high quality.
The last page enables or disables pro mode. I always leave this on.
If you haven’t checked out my Osmo Pocket tips and tricks, be sure to check that out here. This video (and article) is an extension of that video, so there is a lot of helpful information in that video that is still applicable to the Pocket 2.