DJI vs. Insta360
It was only this past weekend that news broke of DJI filing several lawsuits against Insta360 in the US. The reason is none other than the new Luna Ultra (we reported), which, according to DJI, infringes both protected design features of the Osmo Pocket series and various patents related to gimbal control. Insta360 denies the allegations and has since filed a countersuit. In its countersuit, the company accuses DJI of patent infringement concerning gimbal stabilization, tracking, and panorama technologies.
While the two manufacturers are battling it out in court, they are simultaneously engaging in increasingly direct competition in the compact gimbal camera market. With the Osmo Pocket 4P and the Luna Ultra, two technically very similar high-end models are facing off for the first time.
DJI is focusing on a dual-camera system and higher video quality.
The Osmo Pocket 4P is the direct successor to the Osmo Pocket 4 and, for the first time, adopts a concept also used by the Luna Ultra. In addition to a main camera, it features a dedicated telephoto camera.
It features a 1-inch CMOS sensor with a 20mm wide-angle lens and f/2.0 aperture, as well as a second camera with a 60mm focal length, f/1.8 aperture and a 1/1,28-inch sensor.
With its video features, DJI focuses less on maximum resolution and more on image quality and flexibility. The camera records video at up to 4K60, supports 4K slow motion at up to 240 frames per second, and achieves a maximum video bitrate of 180 Mbps. It also supports DJI's D-Log 2 color profile for maximum dynamic range and 10-bit color depth.
In addition, it features a special low-light mode with ISO values up to 51.200, 103 GB of integrated storage, and support for microSD cards with up to 1 TB capacity.
Direct comparison: Osmo Pocket 4P vs. Luna Ultra
It's quite obvious that DJI has been closely observing the Luna Ultra. The technical specifications of both cameras are strikingly similar.
| feature | DJI Osmo Pocket 4P | Insta360 Luna Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 1 inch | 1 inch |
| Telecamera | 1 / 1,28 inches | 1 / 1,3 inches |
| Main lens | 20 mm, f/2.0 | 20 mm, f/1.8 |
| Telephoto lens | 60 mm, f/1.8 | 60 mm, f/2.0 |
| Maximum video resolution | 4K at up to 60 fps | 8K at up to 30 fps |
| slow motion | 4K at up to 240 fps | 4K at up to 120 fps |
| Low-light mode | 4K at up to 30 fps, ISO up to 51.200 | PureVideo with up to 4K60 |
| Maximum video bitrate | 180 MBit / s | 120 MBit / s |
| picture resolution | approx. 37 MP | up to 37 MP |
| Internal memory | 103 GB | 47 GB |
| microSD | up to 1 TB | up to 1 TB |
| Display | 2-inch touchscreen, permanently installed | 2-inch OLED, detachable |
| Microphones | 3 | 4 |
| Battery life | up to 210 minutes | up to 240 minutes |
| Quick shop | 80% in 18 minutes, 100% in 32 minutes | 80% in 23 minutes |
| Weight | 230 gr | 233 to 235g |
| Dimensions | 159,5 × 63,3 × 33,5 mm | 169,9 × 52,4 × 38,5 mm |
Different focus areas
Although the technical foundations are very similar, DJI and Insta360 focus on different areas.
Insta360 positions the Luna Ultra as a particularly innovative creator camera. Key selling points include 8K recording, Dolby Vision, 10-bit I-Log, AI-powered image processing, and the detachable display, which can also be used as a remote control.
DJI, on the other hand, takes a more traditional approach. Instead of advertising maximum resolutions, the Osmo Pocket 4P focuses on high data rates, faster slow-motion functions, larger internal storage, and features that are generally more geared towards professional video recording.
The maximum bitrate of 180 Mbit/s is particularly noteworthy. It is significantly higher than the 120 Mbit/s of the Luna Ultra and could offer advantages in post-production for more demanding productions.
The most exciting comparison is still to come.
On paper, both cameras are neck and neck. Which one is ultimately better, however, will only be revealed in independent tests. Especially regarding image quality, dynamic range, autofocus, tracking performance, heat generation, and low-light performance, the differences are difficult to assess based solely on a data sheet.
However, it's already clear that the pocket gimbal camera market was long a one-man show for DJI. With the Luna Ultra, Insta360 launched its first serious competitor. The newly unveiled Osmo Pocket 4P shows that DJI is taking this challenge seriously, not only in the market but also in court.
