DJI Osmo Pocket 4P vs Insta360 Luna Ultra: Auto Mode

Quick summary: Most people just hit record, so I compared the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P and the Insta360 Luna Ultra on auto settings. My only changes were 4K60 (4K30 for the night test) and the highest bitrate. No log, no grading, and straight-from-camera audio. My pick: the Insta360 Luna Ultra.

How I got them

I bought the Pocket 4P on AliExpress since it isn’t sold in the US. You can also find it on eBay. I bought the Luna Ultra at Best Buy so I’d have a warranty.

Daylight, zoom and backlight

I shot in low light indoors, then good light, then zoomed all the way in on my dog and an apple tree in the backyard. In good light the two are close. The Insta360 has a lighter, brighter profile, and the DJI has a moodier, darker tone. When I was backlit, the Insta360 adjusted faster and handled it better.

Night test

For the evening test I switched both to 4K30, because I read the DJI’s low-light enhancement might only kick in at 4K30. In the darker parts of my street, the Insta360 was brighter and better looking most of the time. It was fairly close, though.

Stabilization, focus and audio

• Stabilization: walking around my backyard, the Insta360 shook less and looked smoother.
• Audio: using only the built-in mics, I thought the Insta360 sounded a little better.
• Focus: in product-review style shots where I hold up a phone, the DJI focused better. It edges out the Insta360 a bit there.

Extras

I love the Insta360’s magnetic light, which draws power from the camera. DJI has a light too, but it needs its own power source, which is kind of annoying.

Verdict

Both look amazing and you won’t go wrong with either. I’d still pick the Insta360 Luna Ultra, and I’ll keep using the Pocket 4P. In the US, the Insta360 is the safer buy because you get a real warranty. I’d buy it at Best Buy and add their Total protection plan. With the DJI you’d basically need a third-party warranty.

• Insta360 Luna Ultra at Best Buy
• DJI Osmo Pocket 4P on eBay