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Posts Tagged ‘Pocket’

DPReview TV: DJI Pocket 2 review

13 Nov

DJI’s second generation Pocket camera includes many useful upgrades and is lots of fun. It may even get used behind the scenes to help produce our DPReview TV videos. Watch our review to learn more about this versatile little camera.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.

  • Introduction
  • A wider
  • Low light performance
  • Dynamic range
  • Audio
  • Photography
  • Slow motion
  • Rolling shutter
  • ActiveTrack 3.0
  • Add-ons
  • Who's it for?

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Review: The DJI Pocket 2 is a vlogging machine you can take anywhere (even in your pocket)

09 Nov

DJI Pocket 2
$ 349 | DJI.com

The DJI Pocket 2 is a second-generation all-in-one camera with a built-in three-axis stabilizer. A follow up to the Osmo Pocket, the camera remains roughly the same size as the original but features a larger sensor, a wider lens, an improved autofocus system, more microphones, and the ability to shoot higher-quality photos and videos.

The camera remains incredibly easy to use and is a great option for vloggers and content-creators who need to capture stabilized video and don’t want to be weighed down with lots of gear.

Sample Photos | Specifications & Design | Video | Photos | Conclusion

Sample photos

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View our DJI Pocket 2 sample gallery

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Key Specifications:

  • 1/1.7” CMOS sensor
  • 20mm (equiv.) F1.8 lens
  • 64MP and 16MP photo modes
  • Video: 4K/60p, 2.7K/60p, 1080/60p
  • 8x zoom (64MP mode), 4x lossless zoom in 1080p or 16MP mode
  • Panorama modes in 3×3 and 180°
  • 4 microphones with directional audio and sound tracking
  • Micro SD slot up to 256 GB
  • 140 min. battery life (1080/24p)
  • Weight: 117 g
  • Dimensions: 124.7×38.1×30 mm
  • HDR Video: 2.7K/30p (arriving in a future firmware update)

Body and design

The exterior design of the Pocket 2 is similar to the original but now includes a Mini Control Stick that slides into the area previously reserved for a smartphone connection. If you’re using the Mini Control Stick, the buttons to control the Pocket increase to five from the original two. Although there are some changes with the button layout, the operation remains familiar to the original.

The Mini Control Stick (just below the screen at left) makes the Pocket 2 easier to operate than the original.

The Pocket’s power button sits on the right side of the camera, and the micro SD card slides into a slot on the left. The bottom left record button records video or shoots stills, and the button next to it allows you to swap between the two modes easily. The Pocket 2 now has the ability to pause recording while shooting video by pressing and holding the record button.

If you’ve slid the Mini Control Stick into position, you will be able to customize the joystick to Zoom or Tilt and switch between Tilt Lock, FPV, and Follow using the button on the top right. Touchscreen controls allow you to access additional shooting modes (slow-mo, timelapse, pano, HDR Video), customize the Mini Control Stick settings, select recording resolution, review files, and access Pro Mode.

Some Pocket 2 accessories: Do-It-All handle (attached to the base of camera), a wireless mic with windscreen, tripod mount and smartphone connectors.

The Pocket 2 has been redesigned so that the wrist strap can attach to the camera instead of just the carrying case. It’s a subtle upgrade but a useful one. The Pocket now has a detachable base that can be swapped out for a base with a tripod mount or an accessory called the Do-It-All handle ($ 99), which turns the Pocket into a live streaming tool and allows you to use it with the DJI Mimo app without attaching your phone to the camera. The Do-It-All handle increases the total size a bit, but the benefits that come with this tool make that extra bulk worth it.

The Pocket still comes with accessories to connect to your smartphone without that Do-It-All handle, but doing so requires that you remove your phone case to make the connection, and the setup feels unbalanced. You’ll also have to control zoom and tilt through the app, which isn’t as intuitive as that new Mini Control Stick. The Do-It-All handle is really the way to go if you want to use your phone as a monitor or use the Pocket for live streaming. You’ll need to use the Mimo app and the Do-It-All handle if you intend to go live with the Pocket.

ISO 100 | 1/120 sec | F1.8

The majority of the time, I used the Pocket as a standalone product. The Pocket’s real genius is its simplicity and small size, and if you’re shooting with a smartphone connected, it makes things a bit more complicated. Having the Do-It-All handle attached to the Pocket and reviewing images and videos through the Mimo app was quite helpful, though.

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Video

When the original Pocket launched last year, it was clearly aimed at vloggers who needed stabilized footage while they walked-and-talked. Still, the original lens was a 25.7mm F2, resulting in shots that featured a whole lot of face and required relatively bright conditions. The new version has a wider 20mm F1.8 lens and a larger sensor, making it a much better option for those who need stabilized footage of themselves.

The Pocket 2 adds two additional mics, bringing the total to four, and features directional audio. With a future update, a new feature called SoundTrack will allow those microphones to follow whatever is making noise in a scene. The SoundTrack feature wasn’t available during our time with the Pocket, so we haven’t evaluated it, but DJI says it will arrive by way of a firmware update.

This Pocket 2 sample reel includes 4K/60p footage shot in New York City.

The audio quality on the original Pocket left something to be desired. The additional mics and new audio features make for recordings that sound better than what you might be able to get with a smartphone. The new Pocket also comes with an optional wireless mic accessory that communicates with the Do-It-All handle for even cleaner audio—a great choice for interviews done on the fly or capturing voices in noisy locations.

The Pocket 2 features hybrid AF, which uses both phase-detect autofocus and contrast-detect autofocus. We found that it did a nice job grabbing onto subjects and moving with them, like the kids dancing at a hardcore show and the band’s lead singer moving around the street. The Pocket 2 can now record 4K video up to 60fps at a 100Mbps bitrate.

The Pocket’s stabilization remains one of its most impressive features.

The Pocket’s stabilization remains one of its most impressive features. The Pocket 2 is much easier to use than larger gimbals but just as reliable. I’d never be able to ride my bike while holding a stabilizer and a traditional camera. With the Pocket, it’s possible, and it delivered footage that was remarkably smooth as I cruised around, although it did struggle as I rolled over some New York City potholes.

The camera is drop-aware, and although I didn’t intentionally drop the Pocket, it does seem sensitive. It will shut itself off if it thinks the gimbal is in danger. I tried and failed to record footage while biking over the Williamsburg bridge with the Pocket zipped into the front pocket of my jacket with the lens sticking out and the gimbal locked, but apparently, that ride was just a bit too bumpy for the Pocket 2 to feel safe and secure.

ISO 100 | 1/60 sec | F1.8

Eventually, the Pocket 2 will also shoot HDR video similar to the Mavic 2 Air drone, but according to DJI, the firmware to enable this feature won’t ship until later in 2020.

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Photos

Still image quality is noticeably improved compared to the original Osmo Pocket, partly due to the larger 1/1.7” sensor and faster F1.8 lens. Regular JPEGs top out at 16MP, but if you’re shooting in high-resolution mode, you can get 64MP files. If you swap the camera into PRO mode, you can capture Raw DNG files that clock in around 127.7 MB each. It’s a big leap in quality from the 12MP files on the original Pocket.

One interesting quirk we discovered is that the Pocket 2 won’t let you record Raw+JPEG images simultaneously—it’s an either/or decision.

The RAW files have a lot of flexibility in editing, although we noticed some chromatic aberration when zoomed in. According to DJI, the Pocket offers 8x zoom and 4x lossless zoom. In our experience, photos look crisp when the camera is at its widest vantage point, but as you zoom in, it becomes harder to nail sharp focus and the loss of quality becomes noticeable.

Boo!
ISO 100 | 1/40 sec | F1.8

The Pocket 2 has the ability to shoot 3×3 panoramas in addition to the 180º panoramas. The 180º panorama shoots four photos and stitches them into one long image, while the 3×3 panorama mode shoots 9 images and then stitches them into a 5×7 image. The process is fast, and stitching is all done within the Mimo app. A tripod comes in handy with 3×3 panoramas to limit camera shake.

The second-generation Pocket does a slightly better job capturing action, but this probably isn’t the tool you want to shoot sports photos. It does a decent job grabbing and holding focus on musicians and wiggly pets, though.

Thankfully, the ergonomic changes to the buttons on the second-generation Pocket make it nearly impossible to accidentally swap between shooting modes, which was an issue with the original.

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Conclusion:

The Pocket 2 addresses many of the original Osmo Pocket’s shortcomings, which was a great tool to capture stabilized video footage quickly, but which had notable limitations. The larger sensor, faster and wider lens, improved autofocus capabilities, and additional mics make this a more robust tool for content creators, vloggers, and possibly even professional shooters looking to capture supplementary footage for big jobs.

The controls have gotten more intuitive, and it’s no longer easy to swap between shooting modes accidentally. The zooming capabilities and the Mini Control Stick accessory are incredibly useful—the same goes for the interchangeable grips. Although the Do-It-All handle is an accessory that needs to be purchased at an additional cost, we really think it’s worth paying extra. It performs well and makes it easy to use your smartphone to monitor, review, and download footage on the go and use the Pocket as a tool for live streams—something that we only see becoming more common as large in-person events are on hold.

It’s possible to control the Pocket 2 through your smartphone, but it feels unbalanced and requires you to adjust tilt and zoom from your phone’s screen. We much prefer using the Do-It-All handle ($ 99) with the Mini Control Stick.

The ability to shoot 64MP Raw images with the Pocket is a massive leap from the original, but the loss in quality at 8x zoom is noticeable, and at the end of the day, we think the Pocket is best suited as a video tool. The Pocket is nice for capturing candid moments and unique perspectives, but realistically we think people are more likely to use their smartphone to capture those. The Panorama modes do offer something unique. Unlike smartphones, the Pocket doesn’t necessarily have to rely on steady human hands to move in a straight line to create a perfectly stitched together image.

The Pocket remains small and simple to operate and isn’t nearly as intimidating to use as larger gimbals on the market—for us, that’s a win.

What we like:

  • Stabilized 4K video footage
  • Mini Control Stick with zoom capabilities
  • Optional Do-It-All handle
  • Live streaming capability (requires Do-It-All handle)
  • Improved audio quality
  • Improved autofocus
  • Redesigned control buttons
  • Responsive touchscreen controls

What we don’t:

  • Image quality drops when zoomed
  • Still feels unbalanced when a smartphone is attached

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Insta360 ONE X2 is an image-stabilized 5.7K 360-degree camera that fits in your pocket

29 Oct

Insta360 has announced the ONE X2, a new waterproof 360-degree camera that features stabilized 5.7K recording, a round touchscreen display and built-in editing tools.

The overall shape of the ONE X2 is similar to the Insta360 ONE X, but instead of a black and white OLED display, the ONE X2 features a full-color display that can be used to both compose your shots and navigate through the camera’s settings.

The ONE X2 features four shooting modes: 360, Steady Cam, InstaPano and MultiView. In 360 mode, the camera will capture and stitch together a 5.7K 360-degree video. Steady Cam makes it possible to compose your shot — from the whole 360-degree view — and capture digitally-stabilized video that’s ready to share off the bat. InstaPano is a new mode that captures full panoramas of a scene with a single tap. Lastly, MultiView allows you to capture two angles at once, enabling you to capture both the scene in front of you as well as yourself in two separate videos.

Powering the image stabilization in both the 360 and Steady Cam shooting modes is Insta360’s updated FlowState technology, which is now ‘better than ever’ with improved stabilization performance. Also new is Deep Track, a new algorithm-powered feature that makes it easy to track subjects with a voice command or tap of the screen. Once the video is offloaded into the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio, the program will automatically adjsut the video to track humans, animals and other moving objects, keeping them in the center of the frame.

Insta360 has also improved the Shot Lab functionality inside its app, making it easier to create videos with a single tap using built-in templates such as Dolly Zoom, Stop Motion and more.

The ONE X2 is IPX8 rated, meaning you can use it without a case down to 10m (33ft) and down to 45m 9148ft) with the optional Dive Case. To help improve the quality of underwater images, Insta360 has included AquaVision, a specialized shooting mode that auto-balances colors to create a more natural-looking scene. For low-light situations, the ONE X2 features PureShot, a mode that will capture and merge multiple images to increase dynamic range and reduce noise.

Insta360 has packed inside a larger (compared to the Insta360 ONE) 1630mAh battery, which is rated for shooting up to 80 minutes.

Being we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic, Insta360 has also added a webcam option for video conferencing apps such as Zoom, Google Hangouts and more. The usual live video streaming features for Facebook, YouTube and other platforms is also available.

The Insta360 ONE X2 is available to order today through Insta360’s online shop and authorized retailers (Adorama, B&H) for $ 430.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DJI’s new Pocket 2 three-axis-stabilized mini camera offers larger sensor, wider lens and more

21 Oct

DJI has announced the release of its new DJI Pocket 2, a second-generation three-axis mini camera.

The updated camera drops the Osmo nomenclature its predecessor bore and improves its performance across the board. Despite keeping its compact size, weighing just 117g (4.2oz), the Pocket 2 has a larger sensor and wider lens than the Osmo Pocket, which DJI claims has dramatically improve image quality for both photos and video.

The new 1/1.7” sensor (Osmo Pocket had a 1/2.3” sensor) works in tandem with a new 20mm (equivalent) F1.8 lens to capture 16MP photos in standard mode and up to 64MP images in high-resolution mode. The Pocket 2 can record 4K video at up to 60fps at a 100Mbps bitrate. DJI has added HDR recording and the device now offers up to 8x zoom using the 64MP high-resolution mode or 4x lossless zoom when shooting at 16MP or in 1080p.

DJI has also improved the focus system, which should make it easily to track moving subjects faster and more accurately than with the Osmo Mobile. The Hybrid 2.0 AF feature uses a combination of contrast and phase detection to deliver these performance improvements.

DJI Matrix Stereo also improves upon one of the weakest points of the Osmo Mobile—audio. The new audio system uses an array of four microphones to capture what DJI calls an ‘immersive audio experience.’ DJI has added a number of audio features, including Directional Audio, SoundTrack and Audio Zoom. Below is a description of the new features straight from DJI:

’Directional Audio enhances sound recording from those microphones to pick up as much detail as possible, with SoundTrack adjusting the audio based on where the camera is facing, while Audio Zoom narrows the sound field when zooming the camera in. To further filter out unwanted background sounds, an optional wind noise reduction helps keep the audio clean in outdoor settings.’

As with nearly all of DJI’s products, there’s a handful of pre-programmed shooting modes included with the Pocket 2:

  • Pro Mode: Control advanced camera settings such as ISO, shutter speed, EV, and focus mode.
  • ActiveTrack 3.0: Select a subject and let DJI Pocket 2 keep it in the frame automatically.
  • Slow Motion: Capture the fast-moving world in slow motion with a max speed and resolution of 8x at 1080p.
  • Timelapse, Hyperlapse, Motionlapse: Speed up the world around you with the varying effects of three different time-lapse operations. Hyperlapse automatically integrates Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for added smoothness. Users have the ability to save individual images separately, record in RAW format, and use ActiveTrack 3.0.
  • Panoramas:
    • 180° Pano: Captures four photos for sweeping landscape images.
    • 3×3 Pano: Merges nine images for a wide and detailed view.
  • Livestreaming: Livestream directly to Facebook, YouTube, or RTMP.
  • Story Mode: Preset camera movements, color profiles, and music make it easier to choose a template, record the moment, and share to social media instantly.

Other features include a new Fast Wake option that will instantly turn on the device so you don’t miss any action, a Drop Aware function that will ‘take preventative measures when it senses the gimbal falling’ and a Pause Recording feature that will quickly pause video recordings.

With new hardware comes new accessories, including a charging case, wireless microphone set, waterproof housing, a more compact control wheel, an extension rod, a (more) wide-angle lens attachment, a wireless module and a smartphone support system. All of the above features and more can be controlled with the free DJI Mimo smartphone app, available on both Android and iOS.

The DJI Pocket 2 can be purchased in two configurations: the DJI Pocket 2 with the Mini Control Stick and Tripod mount for $ 349, or the DJI Pocket 2 Creator Combo, which includes the Mini Control Sitck, tripod mount, wide-angle lens attachment, wireless microphone with windscreen, the do-it-all handle and the micro tripod for $ 499. Units can be purchased through DJI’s online store and authorized DJI retailers.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Canon PowerShot Zoom fits in your pocket and zooms to 400mm

14 Oct

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Canon has just released the details on the PowerShot Zoom, an extremely compact digital monocular. Users can view scenes through an electronic viewfinder at switchable 100mm or 400mm focal lengths, and then digitally zoom to 800mm (all 35mm-equivalent).

Of course, a modest sensor and aperture make it possible to cram all that reach into your pocket, and the Zoom has a 1/3″ sensor capable of taking 12MP JPEG images (no Raw capture is supported) or 1080/30p video through the F5.6-6.3 lens. The ISO ranges from 100 to 3200, and we’d expect the Zoom to be best-suited for daytime use with plenty of light. There’s also optical image stabilization and AF tracking with face detection, and the Zoom will focus down to 1m (3.28ft) at 100mm and 4.5m (14.76ft) at 400mm.

Sample images

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Given the stills and video specs, it’s not surprising that Canon is pitching the Zoom mostly as a ‘viewer,’ allowing users up-close and personal looks at wildlife, sports matches, live music or general travel use. However, a familiar PowerShot user interface and wireless connectivity do make it easy to send supertelephoto images to your phone for quick sharing. You can also save them to a MicroSD card.

On its built-in USB-C chargeable battery, the PowerShot Zoom will run for around 70 minutes as a viewer and capture around 150 images before running out of power. Movie clips top out at 9:59 before needing to restart a new clip. The PowerShot Zoom comes with no claims of environmental sealing.

The PowerShot Zoom will be available in November 2020 for $ 299 USD.

Press release:

Canon debuts the company’s first-ever, Compact Telephoto Monocular, the PowerShot ZOOM

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 14, 2020 –– Hiking, birdwatching and nature gazing, consumers are embracing the beauty of the outdoors this season and beyond. With this in mind, it is important to have a convenient and intuitive imaging tool to explore the world. Developed to showcase an impressive telephoto reach in a user friendly, compact design, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today launches the PowerShot ZOOM, the company’s first telephoto monocular.

The lightweight telephoto monocular sports 100mm, 400mm and 800mm telephoto viewing capability1 with a one-touch switch, and is equipped with impressive instant zoom capability to help users view distant subjects. Additionally, the monocular can capture images and videos to a micro SD card, and by pairing it with a compatible smart device2 and the Canon Camera Connect app3, these files can easily be downloaded. This pairing feature transforms the PowerShot ZOOM monocular into a friendly companion to compatible smartphones for viewing and capturing super-telephoto scenes.

“In today’s ever-changing world, consumers are looking for intuitive and portable imaging tools to view telephoto scenes up close and with ease,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of the Imaging Technologies & Communications Group of Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Built for those users who enjoy outdoor activities, the PowerShot ZOOM monocular delivers a small, compact viewer with a long focal length. We are eager to see how consumers use this tool and the convenience it will add to their daily lives.”

In addition to its zoom capability, compact size and ability to pair with compatible smartphones, the PowerShot ZOOM telephoto monocular also features:

  • Auto focus when viewing through the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and recording images and video with face tracking
  • Optical Image Stabilization for shake correction
  • 39 inches, 2.36 million dots EVF
  • 12-megapixel still-image capture
  • Full HD video capture up to 30p (29.97)
  • Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® connection with the Canon Camera Connect app and use of compatible mobile devices2
  • Live view and download of photos and videos with the use of the Canon Camera Connect app3
  • USB C terminal for charging and supplying power
  • Micro SD memory card slot

???Price & Availability

???????Available in white, the Canon PowerShot ZOOM compact telephoto monocular is scheduled to be available in late November 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 299.99*. For more information, please visit usa.canon.com.

*Availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.

1 35mm film equivalent focal length. Both 100mm and 400mm uses optical lens and 800mm uses 2x digital zoom.

2 Compatible with iOS® versions 12.4/13.7, Android™ smartphone and tablet versions 6.0/7.0/7.1/8.0/8.1/9.0/10. Data charges may apply with the download of the free Canon Camera Connect app.

3 This app helps enable you to upload images to social media services. Please note that image files may contain personally identifiable information that may implicate privacy laws. Canon disclaims and has no responsibility for your use of such images. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this app. Compatible with select smartphone and tablet devices (Android™ version 5.0 or later and the following iOS® devices: iPhone 4s or later, iPad 3rd gen. or later, iPod Touch 5th gen.or later) equipped with Bluetooth® version 4.1 or later and the Camera Connect App Ver. 2.7.10. This application is not guaranteed to operate on all listed devices, even if minimum requirements are met.

Canon PowerShot Zoom specifications

Price
MSRP $ 299
Body type
Body type Compact
Sensor
Max resolution 4000 x 3000
Image ratio w:h 4:3
Effective pixels 12 megapixels
Sensor size 1/3" (4.8 x 3.6 mm)
Sensor type CMOS
Image
Image stabilization Optical
Uncompressed format No
File format
  • JPEG
Optics & Focus
Focal length (equiv.) 100–400 mm
Optical zoom 4×
Maximum aperture F5.6–6.3
Digital zoom Yes (2x)
Normal focus range 100 cm (39.37″)
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD No
Viewfinder type Electronic
Videography features
Format MPEG-4, H.264
Modes
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 30 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Microphone Stereo
Storage
Storage types MicroSD
Connectivity
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless Built-In
Physical
Environmentally sealed No
Battery Built-in
Battery description 800 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 150
Weight (inc. batteries) 145 g (0.32 lb / 5.11 oz)
Dimensions 33 x 51 x 103 mm (1.31 x 2 x 4.06″)

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Blackmagic Design’s Pocket Cinema Camera 6K now costs $1,995 after permanent price drop

24 Apr

Blackmagic Design has announced it’s dropping the price of its Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (BMPCC6K) by $ 500, bringing the retail price down to $ 1,995.

Although Blackmagic Design doesn’t explicitly say the price drop is due to the current COVID-19 pandemic in the press release, it does suggest the decision was made alongside the release of its ATEM Mini switchers to help the current demand for at-home livestreaming efforts, saying ‘With the current demand for multi camera live streaming from home broadcast studios, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K makes a perfect studio camera when combined with the recent studio camera software update!’

The BMPCC6K offers 6K30p recording on its Super 35 sensor (6144 x 3456 pixels), up to 13 stops of dynamic range, built-in SD UHS-II and CFast card slots, HDMI output, an expandable USB-C port, a built-in 5” touchscreen and Blackmagic OS to run it all. All of that is packed inside the carbon fiber polycarbonate composite frame, which comes with a built-in Canon EF mount.

You can find the new price live at retailers around the globe, including Adorama and B&H.

Press release:

Blackmagic Design Announces New Low Price for Pocket Cinema Camera 6K

Fremont, CA, USA – Friday, 24 April 2020 – Blackmagic Design today announced a new lower price for the popular Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K of US$ 1,995. This is a reduction of $ 500 which will help make this camera more affordable for users working on digital film as well as live production with the new ATEM Mini switchers. With the current demand for multi camera live streaming from home broadcast studios, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K makes a perfect studio camera when combined with the recent studio camera software update!

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is available immediately from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for US$ 1,995.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera now works as a studio camera for live production when used with ATEM Mini. Video and control is via the HDMI connection, which is available as soon as customers plug the cameras in. The record light becomes a tally light so customers can see which camera is on air. The ATEM Software Control camera page has a camera control unit (CCU) style interface for adjusting and matching their cameras. Move the CCU control vertically for iris and left to right to adjust black level. It’s the same as a broadcast CCU. There are also controls for color tint to balance camera as well as focus, gain and shutter speed. Customers can even ISO record Blackmagic RAW in the camera for editing later.

The elegant design of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera packs an incredible number of high end digital film features into a miniaturized, handheld design. Made from lightweight carbon fiber polycarbonate composite, the camera features a multifunction handgrip with all controls for recording, ISO, WB and shutter angle right at their fingertips.

Featuring a larger 6144 x 3456 Super 35 sensor and EF lens mount, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K model lets customers use larger EF photographic lenses to create cinematic images with shallower depth of field, allowing creative defocussed backgrounds and gorgeous bokeh effects.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras have an incredible 13 stops of dynamic range which means they preserve more detail in the lightest and darkest areas of an image than simple video cameras can. This allows customers to set exposure for an indoor scene and still retain the details of bright outdoor light coming through a window.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features built in CFast and SD UHS-II card recorders, and a USB-C expansion port for recording direct to an external media disk. Customers can use regular SD cards for HD or higher performance UHS-II and CFast cards for native 4K or 6K when using Blackmagic RAW. Imagine capturing over an hour of full resolution 6K images on a single 256GB SD UHS-II card. The ProRes and Blackmagic RAW files work with all video software.

Blackmagic RAW is a revolutionary new format designed to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from their camera. Video formats such as H.264 are highly compressed, plus add noise and artifacts, causing original sensor detail to be lost forever. Blackmagic RAW eliminates this problem and gives customers stunning images with incredible detail and color throughout the production pipeline from camera to edit, color and mastering. It also saves camera settings as metadata so customers can set ISO, white balance and exposure in camera or override them later while editing, all without any loss of quality. Blackmagic RAW files are also small and fast to use making them easy to work with.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features a large, bright 5 inch touchscreen that makes it easy for customers to frame shots and accurately focus. The touchscreen displays critical information while users are shooting, menus for setting up the camera and intuitive touch to focus controls. On screen overlays show status, a histogram, focus and peaking indicators, levels, frame guides, playback controls and more.

With the advanced Blackmagic OS, customers get an intuitive and user friendly camera operating system based on the latest technology. The interface uses simple tap and swipe gestures to adjust settings, add metadata and view recording status. Customers also get full control over advanced camera features such as on screen focus and exposure tools, 3D LUTs, HDR, metadata entry, timecode, Blackmagic RAW settings and more.

Both Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera models feature a mini XLR input with 48 volts of phantom power for connecting professional microphones such as lapel mics and booms. The four built in microphones have an extremely low noise floor and are shock and wind resistant, allowing customers to capture great sound in any location. There’s also a 3.5mm audio input for connecting video camera style microphones, along with a built in speaker for playback and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

“We have worked very hard to build this camera at lower cost, and we think even more people will be able to take advantage of this price reduction to move into a more advanced and much higher quality digital film workflow,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “This has become more important with COVID-19. Many broadcasters have been setting up home studios for presenters, which have used ATEM Mini switchers and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras. We think with the recent software updates for switcher control of the Pocket Cinema Cameras from the ATEM Mini switchers, combined with this more affordable price it will greatly help this workflow.”

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Features

  • Works as a studio camera when connected to ATEM Mini.
  • Designed from carbon fiber polycarbonate composite.
  • Wide 13 stops of dynamic range for film looks.
  • Built in SD, UHS-II and CFast card recorders.
  • Features incredible quality Blackmagic RAW recording.
  • Built in 5″ touchscreen allows accurate focus when shooting 6K.
  • Blackmagic OS as used in URSA Mini and URSA Broadcast cameras.
  • Professional mini XLR input with 48 volt phantom power.

Availability and Price

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is available now for US$ 1,995, excluding local duties and taxes, from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.

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FeiyuTech’s new 4K Feiyu Pocket camera is a more affordable clone of the DJI Osmo Pocket

02 Apr

FeiyuTech has unveiled the Feiyu Pocket, a small 4K gimbal camera that bears a very striking resemblance to DJI’s Osmo Pocket.

Externally, the Feiyu Pocket appears to be a carbon copy of the Osmo Pocket with the only noticeable differences being a lack of an expansion port (Feiyu opted for a single integrated USB-C port on the side) and a slightly larger screen compared to the Osmo Pocket (1.3in compared to 1in, respectively). Aside from the branding and those differences, the two units are essentially identical in both shape and size, complete with a 360-degree rotating head and two buttons on user-facing side for controlling the camera.

Moving onto the internals and detailed specifications, things do start to differ a bit more. Rather than the F2 lens with an 80-degree field of view on the Osmo Pocket, the Feiyu Pocket features a slightly slower F2.8 120-degree ultrawide lens. The Feiyu Pocket also uses a 1/2.5” CMOS sensor instead of the 2/3” sensor inside of the Osmo Pocket, but both cameras output 4K (3840 x 2160 pixel) video at up to 60 frames per second. The Feiyu Pocket outputs only 8.5MP stills though, compared to the 12MP stills possible with the Osmo Mobile.

As for stabilization, the Feiyu Pocket uses a similar three-axis gimbal to the Osmo Pocket, but also throws in what FeiyuTech is calling six-axis ‘hybrid image stabilization’ that appears to combine the three-axis optical stabilization as well as another three-axis digital compensation.

FeiyuTech says the batter is rated for up to 3.5 hours of runtime when capturing 4K video at 30 fps and up to 4.5 hours when shooting 1080p video at 60 fps. the internal battery is charged using the integrated USB-C port and FeiyuTech says a 10W charger will recharge the device from empty in 80 minutes. As for storage, an integrated MicroSD card slot can support cards with up to 512GB of storage.

The Feiyu Pocket offers multiple shooting modes, including a 360-degree POV all-follow mode, a motion timelapse (hyperlapse) mode, multiple auto-panorama modes, a dedicated beauty mode for selfies and an intelligent sync motion mode that will sync the gimbal with your hand movements. The Feiyu Pocket syncs with FeiyuTech’s Android and iOS app to offer liveview and controls for changing the various settings of the camera.

Despite being very similar in shape, size and specs, the Feiyu Pocket comes in at $ 249 (Adorama, B&H), a whipping $ 120 cheaper than the DJI Osmo Pocket. Y

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Blackmagic Camera Setup 6.8 improves start time and performance for 4K, 6K Pocket Cinema Cameras

04 Feb

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K

Blackmagic has released an update for its Blackmagic Camera models that adds a number of new features, bug fixes and other improvements to the systems.

On both the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K) and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (BMPCC6K), Blackmagic Camera Setup 6.8 improves startup time, improves the USB PTP control performance and fixes an issue with ‘slow mounting of media containing a large number of clips.’

The update also increases 4K 2.40:1 recording pixel height from 1712 to 1720 pixels on the BMPCC4K and fixes an ‘issue where EF lens stabilization cannot be turned on if the camera is started with lens IS turned off’ on the BMPCC6K.

The update also includes Blackmagic RAW 1.6.1, which adds support for Blackmagic’s URSA Broadcast. Other ‘general performance and stability improvements have been made for Blackmagic’s RAW plugin for Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro.

You can download the latest update through Blackmagic’s support page.

Update details:

Blackmagic Camera Setup 6.8

Welcome to the Blackmagic Camera Setup!

This software package allows you to update your Blackmagic Camera to the latest software release for new features, bug fixes and other enhancements.

The software installer no longer installs the Desktop Video or UltraScope applications and they will need to be downloaded separately from the Blackmagic Design website: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support

To use UltraScope via Thunderbolt with Blackmagic Cinema Camera or Production Camera 4K, download and install the Blackmagic UltraScope software. If you want to use Media Express with the supported cameras, download and install the Blackmagic Desktop Video software.

Please ensure that your device is plugged into mains power before running the software update. To update Blackmagic Camera Fiber Converter you will need to ensure that the unit is powered from the camera using the URSA 12V power supply rather than SMPTE fiber during the update.

Please update your camera before attaching the Blackmagic Camera Battery Grip.

For updating Blackmagic Cameras from Camera 4.0 or above it is advisable to export your presets and LUTs onto a card as they will be removed during this update.

What’s new in Blackmagic Camera Setup 6.8

New features for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

  • Improve camera startup time.
  • Improved USB PTP control performance.
  • Increase 4K 2.40:1 recording pixel height from 1712 to 1720.
  • Fixed issue with slow mounting of media containing large number of clips.

New features for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K

  • Improve camera startup time.
  • Improved USB PTP control performance.
  • Fixed issue with slow mounting of media containing large number of clips.
  • Fixed issue where EF lens stabilization cannot be turned on if camera is started with lens IS turned off.

No new features in 6.8 for other camera models.

What’s new in Blackmagic RAW 1.6.1

  • Added Blackmagic URSA Broadcast support.
  • Blackmagic RAW Avid Media Composer plugin general performance and stability improvements.
  • Blackmagic RAW Adobe Premiere Pro plugin general performance and stability improvements.

Minimum system requirements for Blackmagic Camera Setup on macOS

  • macOS Catalina 10.15 or later
  • macOS Mojave 10.14 or later
  • A suitable USB 2.0 port

Minimum system requirements for Blackmagic RAW on macOS

  • macOS Catalina 10.15 or later
  • macOS Mojave 10.14 or later
  • AVX, AVX2, or SSE compatible chipset
  • Adobe CC 2019 or later for Adobe Premiere Pro plug-ins
  • Avid Media Composer 2018 for Avid Media Composer AMA plug-in

Minimum system requirements for Blackmagic Camera Setup on Windows

  • Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit or later
  • A suitable USB 2.0 port

Minimum system requirements for Blackmagic RAW on Windows

  • Windows 10 or later
  • AVX, AVX2, or SSE compatible chipset
  • Adobe CC 2019 or later for Adobe Premiere Pro plug-ins
  • Avid Media Composer 2018 for Avid Media Composer AMA plug-in

Installing Blackmagic Camera Utility

Before installing the software, we recommend that you run “Uninstall Blackmagic Camera Setup” first.

While installing Camera Update on URSA Mini and URSA Mini Pro you may notice a pause around the 10% mark in the install process, this is normal and will continue installing after around 20 seconds.

While installing Camera Update on Pocket Cinema Camera 4K you may notice a pause around the 70% mark in the install process, this is normal. Please do not power off the camera as it may still be in the middle of the update process. When the update is completed, the camera will restart into its normal operating state.

After loading the software on the Blackmagic Cinema Camera PL, EF or MFT, you may notice a slight flickering on the built-in LCD screen. This is normal and expected behavior. The flickering will go away after a few minutes of operation.

The Blackmagic Camera Installer package installs:

  • Blackmagic Camera Setup
  • Blackmagic RAW SDK
  • Blackmagic RAW Player
  • Blackmagic RAW Speed Test
  • Blackmagic RAW plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Blackmagic RAW plugin for Avid Media Composer
  • Uninstall Blackmagic Camera Setup
  • User Manuals

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Blackmagic Camera 6.6 adds new features, functionality to 4K, 6K Pocket Cinema Cameras

24 Oct

Blackmagic Design has announced a new firmware update for its Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 6K systems. that brings new features and functionality. Blackmagic Camera 6.6 mainly focuses on the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K), but also adds a few features to the newer Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (BMPCC6K) camera as well.

For the BMPCC6K, the Blackmagic Camera 6.6 update adds support for the Blackmagic Pocket Battery Grip, language localization, a built-in camera horizon tool, ‘pinch-to-zoom’ magnification up to 8x, USB PTP control support, the ability to type in customized frame guide ratio and improved autofocus performance.

The BMPCC4K receives all of the above features the BMPCC6K received with the Blackmagic Camera 6.6 update, as well as a slew of other new features. Below is a full list of the new features in the update for the BMPCC4K:

• Added support for 4K 2.4:1 4096 x 1712 recording in Blackmagic RAW up to 75 fps.
• Added support for 2.6K 2688 x 1512 up to 120 fps recording in Blackmagic RAW suitable for Super16mm lenses.
• Added support for 2.8K 4:3 2880 x 2160 recording in Blackmagic RAW up to 80 fps for anamorphic lenses.
• Added support for 2x desqueeze preview when recording 4K 4:3.
• Added support for 1.33x desqueeze preview.
• Added support for pinch to zoom up to 8x magnification.
• Added USB PTP control support.
• Added ability to embed custom 3D LUTs in Blackmagic RAW clips as metadata.
• Added common off-speed frame rate options above slider when changing frames.
• Added common ISO options above slider when changing ISO settings.
• Added 1:1 and 4:5 frame guide options.
• Added ability to monitor voltage level when powering via 12V DC connector.

The Blackmagic Camera 6.6 update is available to download for free through Blackmagic’s support page. You can find the links about half-way down the page under the far-left section that reads ‘Latest Downloads.’

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Review: Mikme Pocket wireless microphone with audio-sync

01 Sep

Mikme Pocket
From $ 387 | mikme.com

The Mikme Pocket Pro and App, a simple high quality wireless audio for your smartphone?

There are a lot of lapel microphones out there, and a lot of recorders to plug them into, so any new product designed to compete in this space either needs to have standout performance or do something unique. In the case of the Mikme Pocket, it does a bit of each.

A common challenge with wireless microphones is signal dropout, usually as a result of moving out of range or working in areas with a lot of radio congestion. This is where the Pocket has a trick up its sleeve. It uses Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone (using your phone as the receiver/recorder) and records to both the phone and its own internal memory. If you experience a dropped connection during recording, the Pocket automatically syncs and uploads any missing audio as soon as it comes back within range.

It works with a companion app which allows quick and easy setup. However, you can use the main functions of the Pocket without the app. (At the time of writing it’s only available for iOS; an Android version is promised for later in the year.)

The company is squarely targeting video shooters who use smartphones as their camera, although because it records internally it can also be used with mirrorless cameras and DSLRs to sync audio in post production.

The Pocket is available in two versions: a more expensive Pro variant that includes a higher quality microphone and lifetime subscription to its PRO app ($ 719) as well as a less expensive version with a standard microphone and no app subscription ($ 387). Mikme initially launched the Pocket on Kickstarter, and after a successful campaign have launched on Indiegogo as well (where discounted crowd-funding prices remain in effect).

Key Features

  • Simultaneous internal and wireless audio recording via Bluetooth
  • Automatic wireless sync of audio if the connection is dropped
  • Lapel microphone with locking connection
  • Choice of app or direct device control
  • Auto or manual audio level control
  • 16GB internal storage for 30+ hours of recording
The large central button enables multiple functions and encompasses a multi color status LED.

The Mikme Pocket offers features I’ve not seen before and I was keen to test it out. This little box, measuring 78 x 66 x 22 mm, includes a lapel mic. The pre-production version of the Pocket Pro I tested included the somewhat smaller pro mic option.

The unit I had for testing records .m4a files (at 44.1Khz) or uncompressed .wav files (44.1, 48 or 96Khz at 24bit) to its built-in 16 GB storage. At the highest quality this allows just over 30 hours of audio to be stored. The higher quality WAV files are only available if you’re using it with with a device that doesn’t have Bluetooth. If you’re using a smartphone you are limited to m4a files.

The mic connection is via a locking mini XLR

When using the Pocket with a smartphone over Bluetooth the auto sync function is enabled. This ensures that even if you manage to move out of range (approximately 10 m, or 30 ft.), the audio will automatically be downloaded and synchronized when the connection is re-established. This feature means that transmission range is not a problem as it is with traditional wireless mics, although you do lose the ability to monitor the audio on your phone when the Pocket is out of range.

The bottom edge houses most of the controls (not final labeling).

As with a lot of things these days it’s an app based product. However, I was pleased to see that you could achieve some functionality without the need to use the app all the time. The main button on the body of the pocket serves several functions. You can use it to start and stop recording, start playback of the last recorded file and switch between auto and manual audio levels. It houses a multi-color status LED that blinks when the audio level is clipping so that you can adjust it, which is achieved either using the 2 buttons on the body of the pocket itself or in the app. The body of the pocket also has a built in 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring.

If you experience a dropped connection during recording, the Pocket automatically syncs and uploads any missing audio as soon as it comes back within range

The preferable way to control the unit is with its associated app as it adds a lot more functionality. You can select 3 recording modes: audio, video or remote. You can use it to select sample rate and set recording levels. It also lets you monitor battery life and remaining storage capacity, which is updated live as you record.

It’s early days for the app and I’ve been using the Pro version in beta that includes some extra functionality that will only be available by subscription. This will include the ability to use more than one Pocket at the same time as well as the ability to add pre- and post-roll videos and watermarks. It will also offer movable windows to select areas used for exposure metering and auto focus points as well as some other features.

There is also basic version of the app which includes what you would need for day to day operation, missing out on some of the extras above.

The included mic and adapter protrude quite a bit, which might cause issues when worn next to the body.

Recording Quality

When I tested audio quality I was pleasantly surprised; the sound of the included microphone in the pro package was very good. It’s an omni directional mic with a drop in high frequency sensitivity to the rear (cable entry side), which is to be expected, and very useful for inverted mounting to reduce sibilance and plosives.

It’s not quite up to one of the industry standard Sanken Cos-11 mics, but to have something like this included for the price was a real bonus. The mic itself uses a Micon to mini 3 pin XLR adapter to connect to the Pocket and the main body connection is a mini 3 pin XLR.

I’m pleased to say that the killer function of this mic – the auto sync function – worked perfectly every time I tried it

Unfortunately, I don’t have the ability to give you accurate figures for the noise floor of this microphone as my anechoic chamber is only in the planning stages. My room tone currently bottoms out around -56 dB and the self noise was not evident above this level (this is without any filtering). The self noise seems to be below about 180Hz and a configurable high pass filter will tame it. Mikme told me that this is something that will be selectable in a future version of the app. The low end response is great for some vocals but will prove a problem with wind noise if the capsule isn’t properly protected. It may also cause issues when used in vehicles due to subsonic resonances.

All this is subject to change, however, as the final version of the hardware and software has not yet been confirmed.

The included pro lapel mic is high quality and a lot smaller than some of it’s competitors.

I’m pleased to say that the killer function of this mic – the auto sync function – worked perfectly every time I tried it. Not only that, but the audio syncs faster than real time, although I would think that if you are in a high traffic area for wireless signals this might slow things down a bit.

When recording, I thought I’d spotted a bug with the audio while I was testing. If I stopped a recording using the button on the pocket I would end up loosing about 0.2 seconds off the end. Not a big issue but I did report it, and it turns out that this is deliberate so that the mic itself doesn’t record the click of the physical button. Nice thinking.

The supplied Pro lavalier mic uses a Micon to XLR adapter.

The Pocket also has some wider appeal as it offers the ability to offload the files via USB. It can even be used as a USB microphone if required. It was immediately detected in Windows once the Pocket had been switched into USB Audio device mode by a combination of connecting it without the Bluetooth transmitter enabled.

The Pocket can even be used as a USB microphone if required

It takes about three hours to charge the built-in battery via micro USB and a full charge lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes in my tests. This was with Bluetooth switched on; without it you can get around an additional 15 minutes, but then you loose the key selling point of this mic. I’d really like to see longer battery life, although you can use it while charging with an external battery pack.

Minor issues

I encountered a few niggles in testing, which is to be expected with pre-production units. There’s a small issue with the fact that the included foam wind shield does not locate snugly onto the microphone capsule itself and it’s sure to go missing while shooting. I also saw a little bug in the app regarding the update rate for the amount of storage left on the device. It was not updating as quickly as I would like, causing some alarm when it reported 0% and I had only been recording for 20 minutes.

I contacted Mikme about these test results, and I’m assured that most, if not all, of my observations are being looked at – after all, that’s what beta testing is designed for.

Conclusion

Having a wireless lav mic that records to itself is not new, and that function has been available for a few years, albeit at different price points and feature sets with products from Zaxcom and Sennheiser.

What Mikme has achieved with the Pocket is the integration of a number of useful features not seen before in a single product. The internal recording together with auto-syncing of audio, manual and auto level control and the additional app functions all work well together. This makes recording good wireless audio much easier than with traditional products, especially with a smartphone or tablet.

What we like

  • Easy to use
  • Audio syncing prevents audio loss that sometimes occurs on lavalier mics
  • Included high quality mic (Pro version)
  • Comprehensive control via app (not always required)
  • USB microphone function
  • Headphone monitoring on device and on smartphone

What we’d like to see improved before shipping

  • Improved reporting of remaining memory
  • Addition of a switchable high pass filter
  • Addition of level control in app in Remote mode
  • Addition of strain relief to mic capsule
  • Lower profile connection between mic and body

(Based on a pre-production model)

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

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