"We owe quite a few people an apology..." says Xtra. An unusal message from a camera company, but then it might have an even more unusual reason behind it...

Xtra Muse 2 Pro against a pale background
(Image credit: Xtra Technology)

Xtra has used its official social feed to share a release with an apology for the delay in the promised Muse 2 and Muse 2 Pro, cameras which were trailed on August 13 but have yet to appear on sale.

The US-based camera and drone company seems to be trying to fill the gap in the market that is being left as the American government clamps down on free trade in general and Chinese company DJI specifically, which has meant the recent DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and Pocket 4P have been released everywhere except America.

The Muse 2 Pro pocket gimbal camera seems to offer very similar specifications to the Pocket 4P (as, some have observed, the original Muse did the Pocket 3). Indeed Xtra has taken the opportunity not just to make its apology, but to point out that the original Muse is still available and an appealing prospect at its current price.

Latest Videos FromDigital Camera World

If you're planning on waiting, it's worth remembering that while Xtra's last re-iteration of the launch was in August, it actually showed the Muse 2 Pro in July at a launch event, which is a long time to not release a product.

Even before that, DJI is being clamped down on by the US government, so any connection between the companies (and the technological similarities are undeniable). At first what was just a ban on drones now seems to cover all new DJI products in 2026, while the FCC – which imposed that ban – expanded its investigation to include Xtra. This was based on a claim that the XTRA devices were exact hardware copies.

Xtra has also issued refunds to pre-orders made after that announcement, around the same time the FCC proposed a $25,000 penalty to Xtra, partly because it didn't respond to the Commission's investigations.

Many saw the Muse series as the way round the DJI ban, but clearly that was a temporary phenomenon at best.

That said, those looking for the best action cameras and the best pocket gimbal cameras may now be more interested by the Insta360 Luna Ultra as a credible alternative to the chimaera of a Muse 2 Pro – it is already on sale (and I was thoroughly impressed in my review).

TOPICS
Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones.

Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones.

He is the author of a number of books, including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook.

x: @AdamJuniper | Instagram: @juniperific

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.