The rumor mill is churning, and for vloggers and content creators, the buzz is reaching a fever pitch. A fresh image has surfaced online, offering our clearest look yet at what appears to be the highly anticipated successor to DJI's popular handheld gimbal camera: the Osmo Pocket 4.
This new leak follows a growing pile of evidence suggesting that DJI is deep into the development phase, aiming to replace the now nearly two-year-old Osmo Pocket 3 (which was unveiled on October 25, 2023, and remains a best-seller at around $575 on Amazon).
The latest glimpse, which has sparked major discussions on forums and social media, points to a subtle but significant design refinement that could enhance the user experience.
A Quick Recap: The Twin-Sensor & Second Screen Rumors
To understand why this new leak is significant, let's rewind. Back in August, two separate leaks set the stage. The first showed a device with a familiar Osmo Pocket 3-like silhouette but with one glaring difference: it appeared to house two camera sensors instead of one. This sparked immediate speculation about potential zoom capabilities or a dedicated ultra-wide lens.
The second leak suggested another substantial upgrade: a secondary display on the front of the body. This would be a game-changer for framing shots without having to rotate the main screen, a common pain point for creators who frequently switch between filming themselves and their surroundings.
The New Leak: A Closer Look at a Streamlined Control Scheme
Now, a new prototype image has emerged, giving us a more concrete look at the device's potential layout. The photo, which you can see for yourself in a post from a known leaker on Weibo, shows a device that is unmistakably an Osmo Pocket.
The most immediate change visible in this shot is found just beneath the large, rotatable primary display. Where the current Osmo Pocket 3 simply has the 'Osmo' branding etched into the body, this new model features an extra set of physical buttons.
This is a clever design choice. As detailed in a comprehensive analysis over at The New Camera, these new buttons appear to be positioned perfectly for thumb control when holding the device. Furthermore, they would be neatly hidden from view when the display is folded closed against the body, maintaining the product's sleek, minimalist aesthetic.
What Could These New Buttons Do?
The million-dollar question remains: what functionality will these new buttons provide? At this stage, we can only speculate, but the possibilities are exciting for any creator:
- A Dedicated Zoom Rocker: This is a top contender. Having immediate physical control over optical or digital zoom would be a massive workflow improvement over touchscreen controls.
- Quick Access/Toggle Buttons: They could be programmed to quickly switch between photo, video, and slow-motion modes or to toggle on features like Subject Tracking or the product showcase mode.
- Manual Control Dials: For pro users, these could function as aperture or shutter speed dials when in manual mode, offering DSLR-like control in a palm-sized device.
The addition of more physical controls suggests DJI is listening to user feedback, aiming to make the Osmo Pocket 4 a more responsive and intuitive tool for capturing moments on the fly.
When Can We Expect the Official DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Release?
With leaks becoming more frequent and detailed, an official announcement seems to be drawing nearer. The fact that an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) document has also reportedly leaked indicates that DJI is likely sharing units with trusted creators for testing.
While the timeline is still unconfirmed, the flurry of activity suggests we could hear something from DJI before the end of the year. However, whether the company can ramp up production for a late 2025 release, perhaps in time for the holiday shopping season, is still unclear.
One thing is certain: the bar was set high by the excellent Osmo Pocket 3. If these leaks hold true, the Osmo Pocket 4 is shaping up to be a meaningful and powerful evolution, addressing key user desires with a dual-camera system, a potential second screen, and now, a more tactile control scheme.
For now, you can check out the current model that started it all to see what the hype is about.
What feature would you most like to see on the DJI Osmo Pocket 4? Let us know in the comments below!
Post a Comment