DJI Just Released Its Most Ambitious Pocket Camera. The US Can't Have It
DJI's new dual-lens Pocket 4P is the most capable pocket gimbal ever made. Here's what it does, why US creators can't buy it, and how the Insta360 Luna Ultra changes everything.
DJI launched the Osmo Pocket 4P — the first Pocket series camera with a dual-lens system, pairing a 1-inch main sensor with a dedicated 3x optical telephoto. First real-world unboxings landed this week. The specs are genuinely impressive.
The problem: DJI was added to the FCC's Covered List in December 2025, meaning neither the standard Pocket 4 nor the 4P can be sold through official US retail. American creators are watching international buyers post footage while they wait on a ban with no clear end date. Meanwhile, Insta360 is about to launch the Luna Ultra — a direct rival that can be sold in the US — and the timing couldn't be more interesting.
What's in the Box (Standard Combo)
- DJI Osmo Pocket 4P dual-lens gimbal camera
- Magnetic fill light (new — useful for low-light vlogging straight out of the box)
- Handle with 1/4" tripod thread
- USB-C to USB-C PD cable (USB 3.1 high-speed data)
- Gimbal clamp/guard, wrist strap, carrying pouch
Notable omission: no wide-angle converter or external mic in the Standard Combo — those are Creator Combo territory.
Full Spec Breakdown
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main sensor | 1-inch CMOS, ~20mm equivalent, variable aperture f/1.7–f/2.8 |
| Telephoto | 3x optical (~70mm equivalent), 1/1.5-inch sensor |
| Video | 4K/240fps, 6K/60fps, 10-bit D-Log2 |
| Dynamic range | Up to 17 stops + HDR |
| Stabilization | 3-axis mechanical gimbal + ActiveTrack 7.0 |
| Screen | 2.0" rotatable OLED, 1000 nits, 100% P3 |
| Audio | 4-channel OsmoAudio |
| Weight | ~190g |
| Price | ~$733 USD equivalent |
Heads-up from early hands-on:
- D-Log2 mode locks zoom to 1x only — no D-Log at telephoto
- Portrait mode capped at 3K/60fps (no slow-mo or night mode)
- Slightly top-heavy feel due to dual-lens module
The US Ban — Explained Plainly
The restriction comes from the 2024/2025 National Defense Authorization Act and the FCC's Covered List. Any DJI device with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and a camera is classified as "communications or video surveillance equipment" — even a handheld gimbal that has never been near a drone. The standard Pocket 4 had FCC filings before the December 2025 cutoff but they were moved to pending status and never finalized. The 4P landed entirely on the wrong side of the line.
One piece of good news: on May 28, DJI released an independent security audit by US firm OnDefend covering two drone models — zero critical, high, or medium-risk security issues found, no backdoors, no unauthorized data transmissions. It strengthens DJI's ongoing FCC lawsuit but doesn't cover the Pocket series directly, so the ban stands for now.
"The Osmo Pocket 4 will not be available in the U.S. market at launch due to pending FCC authorisation." — DJI official statement
Gray-market and personal imports are legal to own and use in the US, but carry risks: customs seizure, no US warranty, potential firmware issues. Proceed with eyes open.
The Bigger Battle: DJI vs. Insta360 for the Pocket Gimbal Market
The Pocket 4P doesn't exist in a vacuum. Insta360 — long known for its 360° X-series and Leica-engineered Ace Pro action cameras — is making its first entry into the pocket gimbal category with the Luna series, announced at NAB 2026. The timing is no accident: DJI rushed the standard Pocket 4 out the door at NAB specifically to own the review cycle and YouTube comparison traffic before Insta360 could ship.
The Luna Ultra is the direct 4P rival, and on paper it's a serious contender:
| DJI Osmo Pocket 4P | Insta360 Luna Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 1-inch, f/1.7–f/2.8 variable | 1-inch Leica Summicron, f/1.8 fixed |
| Telephoto | 3x optical, 1/1.5-inch sensor | 3x optical, 1/1.3-inch sensor |
| Max video | 6K/60fps | 8K/30fps |
| Slow motion | 4K/240fps | 4K/240fps |
| Color science | Hasselblad-tuned D-Log2 | Leica-tuned i-Log |
| Screen | Rotatable OLED | Detachable wireless touchscreen |
| Audio | 4-channel OsmoAudio | Detachable wireless mic module |
| US availability | Banned (FCC Covered List) | Available |
| Pre-orders | Gray market only | Live in China since May 18; US rollout imminent |
The Luna Ultra's detachable screen that doubles as a wireless mic is a genuinely clever piece of design. The 8K ceiling is a spec win on paper. And crucially — it can actually be sold in America.
For US-based creators, the Luna Ultra may end up being the de facto choice simply by default. For international creators, the 4P's larger telephoto sensor and variable aperture give it a real edge in low light.
- Geeky Gadgets — 4P vs Luna Ultra Full Comparison — Side-by-side breakdown of every major spec difference
- BIKMAN Tech — Deep Dive Comparison — Most technical comparison available; good for spec-focused creators
- PetaPixel — Luna Series Announcement — Context on why Insta360 is making this move now
- New Camera — Luna Ultra US Launch Update — Pre-order demand and US rollout timing
- YouTube — Luna Ultra vs Pocket 4P Hands-On Comparison — First video comparison, posted this week
- YouTube — Luna Ultra vs Pocket 4P Spec Breakdown — Pre-release analysis of where each camera wins
Resources & Reads
- New Camera — First Unboxing (June 2) — Most detailed first look available; full box contents and build impressions
- New Camera — US Ban Explainer (May 31) — Best plain-English breakdown of the FCC situation and what it means for US buyers
- RedShark News — Specs & Release Date Tracker — Ongoing coverage with honest uncertainty flagged; good running reference
- DroneXL — FCC Covered List Breakdown — Covers the absurdity of a gimbal camera caught in drone-specific national security legislation
- ErikNaso — Broadcast DP Take — Professional perspective on whether upgrading from Pocket 3 makes sense
- Fstoppers — Pocket 4 Standard Full Review — Full review of the base model; useful context for what the 4P builds on
The Signal in the Noise
The pocket gimbal market just got genuinely competitive for the first time in years. Both the Pocket 4P and the Luna Ultra represent a meaningful leap over anything available 12 months ago — and the competition between them is going to drive both companies to keep pushing.
If you're a solo filmmaker, documentary creator, travel videographer, or content creator who needs professional-quality stabilized footage without a full rig, here's where things stand: the 4P is the better spec sheet if you can get one. The Luna Ultra is the smarter buy if you're in the US and can't wait. Either way, the era of "DJI or nothing" in this category is over — and that's good for everyone building a career with a camera.
Watch the Luna Ultra US launch closely. That's the story that matters most for creators in the next 30 days.
