Both of these action cameras are able to record 4K and time-lapse videos, but that’s pretty much the only thing that they have in common. Design-wise, GoPro Hero8 Black vs DJI Osmo Pocket are very different. Choosing between these two models will depend on your preferences and circumstances. Continue reading to find out which camera that will suit you best!
After reading this discussion, you will understand better about:
- Whether these action cameras are portable enough or not
- Which action camera that is generally easier to use
- The video and still image features available on each model
- Which action camera that has better stabilization
- The mobile app of GoPro Hero8 Black vs DJI Osmo Pocket
- Which action camera that is generally better and more recommended
Contents
Design and Build Quality
At first, GoPro Hero8 Black may look similar to the previous model from the company. It is still rectangle-shaped with a touchscreen on the rear. However, the company actually has fine-tuned several aspects of the design; after a careful observation, you will notice that GoPro Hero8 Black is lighter and slightly thinner than its predecessor. See also: GoPro Fusion vs Hero 7
The body feels very solid and rugged. As usual, the body is given a rubberized finish so that it won’t slip away from your grip. The camera is waterproof to 33 feet without the additional housing, 196 feet with the additional housing
Another nice thing about GoPro Hero8 Black is the fact that it now doesn’t require a frame attachment in order to work with mounts or accessories. It has two fingers that can be pulled out from the base to attach any existing GoPro mount or accessory securely.
DJI Osmo Pocket has an unconventional design. It has been designed to be a handheld unit. The lens sits on the top, and the display, buttons, and connectors are on the handheld portion. The build quality is good, though it doesn’t really feel as premium as GoPro Hero8 Black.
It has an integrated gimbal to stabilize its shots. However, note that DJI Osmo Pocket is not waterproof. If you want to be able to use the camera under rain or in water, you have to purchase a special housing for the camera. The unconventional design of DJI Osmo Pocket means that you won’t be able to use a third-party housing easily.
| GoPro Hero8 Black | DJI Osmo Pocket | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Offer | click here | click here |
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| Product Dimensions | 1.1 x 1.9 x 2.6 inches | 1.4 x 1.1 x 4.8 inches |
| Item Weight | 11.2 ounces | 8.5 ounces |
Ease of Use
In terms of ease of use, GoPro Hero8 Black vs DJI Osmo Pocket have their own strengths and weaknesses. However, it should be noted that GoPro Hero8 Black is generally more versatile than DJI Osmo Pocket, as it can fulfill a wider range of needs and work properly in more scenarios.
It has been mentioned that GoPro Hero8 Black has a new design which enables the attachment of a mount or accessory without requiring a frame. This is very cool because the camera is now much more practical to use. You can easily swap mounts and accessories, as the attachment fingers are easy to work with.
In addition to the rear touchscreen, GoPro Hero8 Black also has a small front-facing vice screen which will show the resolution setting, recording duration, and remaining battery and storage. If you also want to see the recording preview from the front of the camera, there is an optional Display Mod accessory that will give you just that – though this accessory is not cheap.
DJI Osmo Pocket, on the other hand, feels quite nice if you want something that can be held in one hand. The unit is small and lightweight. You can hold it in one hand while using your other hand to do other things. Additionally, DJI Osmo Pocket can be attached to a compatible mobile device; this will allow you to send the shots directly to your mobile device for editing or sharing.
Unfortunately, the built-in display is really small. As the effect, watching the image preview through the built-in display is not convenient. Another limitation of DJI Osmo Pocket is that it doesn’t have a front-facing display. This is not a big problem, as the design of the camera will still allow you to vlog easily, but you won’t be able to see the recording duration or remaining battery without turning the camera around.
Video
If we compare the video quality of GoPro Hero8 Black vs DJI Osmo Pocket without considering the stabilization performance, they are actually quite comparable to each other. Both cameras are able to record videos in 4K/60fps. However, it should be noted that GoPro Hero8 Black is able to record with a higher bitrate than DJI Osmo Pocket. Both cameras are also able to record slow-motion videos in 1080p/24fps.
Another feature that they share in common is the time-lapse recording. With either camera, you can create a static video which is taken by firing the shutter at particular intervals over a length of time.
One feature that sets GoPro Hero8 Black apart is TimeWarp 2.0. This is a feature which will allow you to create stabilized time-warp sequences. You can use the automatic speed selection, or tap on the screen to speed it up or slow it down. This is a very cool feature, and people who want to create creative shots will love it very much. DJI Osmo Pocket does not have a feature like this.
Still Image
Next, we can talk about the still image features of GoPro Hero8 Black vs DJI Osmo Pocket. On paper, they both capture still images at 12MP. Yet, GoPro Hero8 Black has a wider range of capabilities than DJI Osmo Pocket.
Both cameras can take single shots and photo-burst shots. But, on GoPro Hero8 Black, there is a special feature called LiveBurst, which will record everything 1.5 seconds before and after the shutter is fired. As a result, you will be able to select still images from the entire sequence. This is useful if you are afraid to miss a good moment by a fraction of second, or if you are not really sure when to press the shutter.
GoPro Hero8 Black also has “digital lenses”, i.e. you can change the field of view through the menu instead of actually changing the physical lens. You can select the narrow, linear, wide, or SuperView setting. SuperView provides the widest angle with a slight fish-eye effect. DJI Osmo Pocket, on the other hand, has a fixed 80-degree field of view.
Last but not least, GoPro Hero8 Black comes with the SuperPhoto mode. When shooting in this mode, the camera will automatically enhance the image’s brightness and contrast to create an HDR-quality shot. The results are outstanding. With DJI Osmo Pocket, you will need to edit the image manually through the mobile app.
Stabilization
Of course, one big part of GoPro Hero8 Black is the HyperSmooth 2.0 image stabilization. The first generation on the camera’s predecessor was already very good. It is quite surprising that the company has managed to improve the image stabilization further.
HyperSmooth 2.0 is available on every resolution and frame rate. In addition, you can now select the level of the image stabilization – you can run it in High or Boost. While the High mode is already good enough to stabilize shots that are taken while walking, the Boost mode is suitable for shots that involve heavy shakes, such as when you are shooting while riding a bicycle over an off-road track.
DJI Osmo Pocket actually has a very good image stabilization. The lens is sitting on a 3-axis gimbal. The results are quite impressive. When taken while walking, the shots are consistently sharp and in focus. There is no blur or shakiness.
Another good thing is that, unlike digital stabilization, the stabilized shots of DJI Osmo Pocket don’t cut a part of the frame. However, the performance is not very good when dealing with heavy shakes and vibrations.
Mobile App
Nowadays, having an action camera is not only about the camera. Since these products are targeted at adventurers and sports enthusiasts who don’t have much time to sit in front of a computer, it is important to accompany the action camera with a powerful yet practical app. Both cameras here can connect to mobile devices for on-the-go editing.
The mobile app of GoPro Hero8 Black is arguably better because it has more robust features. The camera can connect to your smartphone wirelessly, and then you can adjust the camera’s settings through the mobile app. You can also import and edit footage. The QuikStory function will allow you to match cuts with music for shareable videos.
DJI Osmo Pocket needs to be physically connected to the mobile device in order to work with the mobile app, unless you buy the wireless accessory which is sold separately. The mobile app has great features, though not as many as the GoPro app. There is also a My Story mode which is similar to GoPro’s QuikStory, but it does not feel as intuitive to use.
GoPro Hero8 Black vs DJI Osmo Pocket
Conclusion
In general, GoPro Hero8 Black is the better action camera. It scores better in many aspects, such as build quality, ease of use, and features. This camera is waterproof, able to deliver awesome stabilized 4K videos, and accompanied with a powerful mobile app.