The compact camera sits among the photography industry’s biggest trends – but a new report suggests that there’s actually a non-pro, compact category that may be outselling the viral point-and-shoot: the gimbal camera.

A new report from market research firm IDC hints that brands have sold nearly 2.8 million gimbal cameras in the second quarter of 2026 alone, a massive 87 percent increase over the same time last year.

Looking at data from the Camera and Imaging Products Association – which only tallies numbers from participating Japanese brands – the number of compact cameras sold in all of 2025 numbered 2.3 million.

That means that, globally, gimbal cameras sold more in three months than compact cameras from Japanese camera brands for all of last year.

Comparing the numbers that only come from Japanese brands and a global report is a bit like comparing apples to oranges. CIPA data includes the biggest camera makers from Japan, but in the compact camera category in particular, that’s going to exclude point-and-shoots like those from Kodak. Some Kodak-branded cameras have been particularly popular, like the viral Kodak Charmera, so excluding brands outside Japan may skew the numbers more than just a little bit.

Regardless, the numbers are staggering and suggest explosive growth for the gimbal camera category. The gimbal camera was first popularized by the DJI Pocket series, but the viral success of cameras like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 – now on its fourth generation with the Pocket 4 and 4P – has led to an uptick in competition, such as the Insta360 Luna Ultra and the upcoming Hohem Eyepic.

The report predicts that gimbal cameras, together with action cameras and 360 cameras, could reach 41 million cameras sold annually by 2030 – and the gimbal camera is currently the largest of those three categories.

According to the report, gimbal cameras outnumbered the more standard action camera category in the second quarter as well, selling 2.8 million compared to 2.55 million action cameras. “Panoramic cameras” – better known as 360 cameras – grew four percent but numbered far fewer at 530,000 in that three-month period.

I immediately understood the draw of the gimbal category after first trying one out. Gimbal cameras are built for stabilized video without the complexity of pro rigs, but beyond that, they can track moving subjects and simplify cinematic camera moves. Video tends to be the medium with the most engagement on social media in recent years, likely adding even more to the appeal of a capable but uncomplicated video camera.

Another relatively new camera format is also rising in popularity, according to the report. IDC says that “thumb cameras,” tiny action cameras that detach from a larger base, have grown 300 percent compared to the same time frame last year. The category includes tiny wearable cameras like the Insta360 Go 3S and the DJI Osmo Nano.

The report also offers an unusual look at what brands are dominating those three camera categories. DJI remains the dominant player, responsible for 73 percent of the cameras in those categories shipped in the second quarter. While DJI has led the segment for some time, IDC says that’s a record high and an 11 percent jump from the same time last year.

While DJI is responsible for nearly three out of every four cameras in those categories, Insta360 follows with around one in five. Perhaps even more interesting is that other brands, including GoPro, account for only around ten percent.

That data highlights GoPro’s recent financial struggles as the action camera maker finalizes plans to merge with another company to pay off its debts. IDC suggests that GoPro’s second-quarter camera sales declined 49 percent compared to the same time last year.

But several recent changes will make it interesting to see where future reports put the camera known for creating the action camera category in the first place. First, GoPro has now launched a new larger sensor series, the GoPro Mission 1. The camera is arguably less unusual than the introduction of DJI’s Pocket series, but brings a long-awaited larger sensor as well as a more niche mirrorless camera.

The other factor that will be interesting to watch play out is shipments to the US. DJI’s newly announced products – including the Pocket 4 and Osmo 360 II – can’t get the necessary FCC approval to be officially sold in the US. The IDC data suggests that 65 percent of GoPro’s sales are already focused on the Americas.

The report predicts that the “handheld smart camera” category that includes everything from gimbal cameras and action cameras to thumb cameras and 360 cameras will grow to 41 million by 2030, a one million camera increase over IDC’s prediction from earlier this year.

You may also like

Browse the best gimbal cameras or the best action cameras.

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.

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).

If you’ve been waiting for a genuinely pocket-sized camera that can produce professional-looking video, this is a standout bargain for anyone who wants to turn family holiday footage into something far more polished, or for creators who want to vlog their everyday life with a genuinely professional finish.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has dropped to just £262 at Wex, down from its usual £489 price tag. That gives you a substantial £227 saving and, more importantly, takes one of the best compact video cameras on the market down to its lowest-ever price.

DJI designed the Osmo Pocket 3 for creators who want excellent video quality without carrying a conventional camera, lens, and stabilizer setup. Despite its tiny size, it features a large 1-inch sensor alongside a built-in three-axis mechanical gimbal, helping it produce smooth, stabilised footage whether you’re walking through a city, filming while travelling, or simply capturing everyday life.

It is that combination of image quality and convenience that separates the Pocket 3 from many traditional action cameras. It can record detailed 4K footage at high frame rates, while DJI’s intelligent subject tracking makes it particularly useful for vloggers and solo creators who need the camera to keep them framed automatically. Its rotating 2-inch touchscreen also makes switching between horizontal and vertical shooting incredibly straightforward, which is particularly useful if you regularly create content for different social platforms.

In use, the Osmo Pocket 3 feels far more like a miniature professional video camera than a novelty gadget. The stabilisation is superb, autofocus is fast and dependable, and the entire camera is small enough to disappear into a jacket pocket when you’re finished shooting. For travel filmmakers, vloggers or anyone who wants to document their day without carrying a full camera rig, that combination is very difficult to beat.

At its normal price, the Pocket 3 already offers an impressive amount of technology for the money, but at £262 it becomes considerably more tempting. DJI’s more recent creator cameras do not tend to receive reductions this substantial very often, particularly while they remain current and popular, so this is the sort of deal that could disappear quickly once stock begins to move.

If you want a lightweight vlogging camera that produces beautifully stabilised 4K footage with almost no setup, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is already one of the easiest cameras to recommend. At £262, however, it becomes one of the most compelling creator-camera deals I’ve seen in this sale.

DJI has opened pre-orders for its new Osmo 360 II, and while there are several different ways to buy the company’s latest 360-degree camera, there is one bundle that immediately stands out to me.

The DJI Osmo 360 II Adventure Combo is available to pre-order in the UK for £639 at Wex, Clifton Cameras, and Park Cameras. I think this is easily the package to go for.

At the time of writing, those wanting the cheaper Standard Combo will have to head directly to DJI, where it is priced at £509.

That additional £130 for the Adventure Combo might initially sound like quite a jump, but you are getting accessories that I suspect most serious Osmo 360 II users would end up buying anyway. The package includes three Osmo Extreme Battery Plus batteries in total, the Osmo Multifunctional Battery Case 3 and a 1.2m Dual-Direction Quick-Release Invisible Selfie Stick, alongside the protective pouch, lens cap and other essentials.

For action, travel or longer days of filming, having three batteries ready to go is going to be considerably more useful than relying on a single battery, while the Invisible Selfie Stick is almost an essential part of getting the most from a 360 camera. Bought separately, those additions quickly add up, which is why I think the £639 Adventure Combo represents the better overall deal.

The camera itself is also a significant step forward. The Osmo 360 II offers what DJI describes as 1-inch 360-degree imaging and can now record native 8K 360-degree footage at up to 60fps, giving creators considerably more flexibility when reframing footage after it has been captured.

DJI is also quoting up to 14.5 stops of dynamic range, while the camera can capture 120MP HDR 360-degree still images and offers 10-bit recording with D-Log M for anyone who wants greater control over colour grading. There is an f/1.9 aperture alongside the new AI SuperNight 2.0 mode for low-light shooting too, making this a camera designed to work well beyond bright daytime action footage.

One of the biggest practical improvements, however, might have nothing to do with resolution. The Osmo 360 II now uses ultra-hard, scratch-resistant lenses that you can replace if they get damaged, which is a huge improvement for a camera designed to attach to bikes, helmets, cars, selfie sticks, and just about anything else you can think of.

It also offers 105GB of usable built-in storage, NFC Quick Connect, DJI’s Spotlight Follow subject framing, and up to 100 minutes of 8K recording, while weighing just 183g. DJI has also retained compatibility with its wider Osmo ecosystem, including its quick-release accessories and direct connection with OsmoAudio products.

If you simply want the Osmo 360 II itself and already have compatible accessories, the Standard Combo makes sense, and at £509 it saves a decent amount of money. But for anyone buying into DJI’s 360 system for the first time, I would spend the extra and go straight for the Adventure Combo.

At £639 from Wex, Clifton Cameras, Park Cameras and DJI, the additional batteries, charging case and Invisible Selfie Stick turn it into a much more complete package straight out of the box. With native 8K/60fps capture, replaceable lenses and a much stronger set of accessories, the Osmo 360 II Adventure Combo looks like the version that really shows what DJI’s new 360 camera can do.

Japan's camera market is an important one to watch for photography industry trends. Now, major retailer Map Camera has published its latest camera popularity ranking for August 2026, and four compact cameras feature in Japan's Top 10 alongside the latest mirrorless models.

Sony's A7 V takes the No.1 spot, continuing its strong run since launching in December 2025. But just behind is the Ricoh GR IV – a cult compact available in three versions tailored to different photographic styles: the standard GR IV, GR IV HDF and GR IV Monochrome. Another variant, the Ricoh GR IVx, is currently under development.

The Fujifilm X100VI is also near the top despite ongoing supply constraints. Meanwhile, Canon's PowerShot SX749 HS / Lite and PowerShot G7X Mark III make the Top 10 – compacts that have been around for years but are still proving popular with buyers, offering a genuinely straightforward shooting experience. Interestingly, a twin-lens pocket gimbal camera also made the chart.

Map Camera's Top 10 cameras, August 2026

1. Sony A7 V | Mirrorless camera
2. Ricoh GR IV | Compact camera
3. Fujifilm X100VI | Compact camera
4. Canon PowerShot SX740 HS / Lite | Compact camera
5. Sony a6700 | Mirrorless camera
6. Fujifilm X-M5 | Mirrorless camera
7. DJI Osmo Pocket 4P | Pocket gimbal camera
8. Fujifilm X-T30 III | Mirrorless camera
9. Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III | Compact camera
10. Canon EOS R6 Mark II | Mirrorless camera

You might like...

Browse the best full-frame cameras, the best mirrorless cameras, and the best compact cameras.

The DJI Neo has dropped to just £109 at Wex, down from £169 and saving you an impressive £69 on one of the smallest and most approachable camera drones in DJI’s lineup.

For anyone looking to capture aerial footage without carrying a large drone or learning a complicated control system, this is a deal that immediately demands attention. The Neo is compact, lightweight, and designed to make getting into the air as straightforward as possible.

Its ability to take off from the palm of your hand is a major part of the appeal. Intelligent flight modes can automatically follow and film you, allowing the drone to capture walking, cycling, travel, and outdoor adventures without requiring someone else to operate the camera.

Despite its tiny size, the DJI Neo can record stabilised 4K video, producing smooth and detailed footage that is ready to share. It is particularly well suited to social media creators, families, travellers, and anyone who wants a simple way to add aerial perspectives to their content.

The protected propeller design also makes the Neo feel less intimidating than many traditional drones, while its lightweight construction means it can easily slip into a small bag. It is the kind of camera you can take almost anywhere without having to plan your entire day around carrying additional equipment.

DJI's second offering in the 360-degree camera space is hot on the heels of arch-rival Insta360's X6. In theory DJI is still playing catch up – the X6 represented a 10th anniversary – but this camera has specs which could turn the eye of any 360-degree creator, not least the 10-bit recording across all modes and 1-inch image sensor.

Bringing the same 8K resolution for video as most other 360-degree cameras, there are a few boosts – including a 16K timelapse mode and, excitingly for many, 8K60fps (beating the Insta360 X6's maximum 8K50fps.

There is also some AI introduced in the software, with DJI Studio now including frame interpolation which can create up to 8K/480fps, or 64x slow motion in post, and on-camera AI boosting the night mode to a 'SuperNight 2.0'.

Is this enough to lift the camera to the top of our best 360-degree camera guide (after we've only just put the new X6 there)? Let's see...

DJI Osmo 360 II: Price

The Osmo 360 II launches in a Standard Combo for £509 / AU$929, and an "Adventure Combo" for £639 / AU$1,099. There are no US prices as the product will not be officially sold in the USA.

DJI Osmo 360 II: Specs

DJI Osmo 360 II: Build and handling

The Osmo 360 II doesn't feel a million miles away from its predecessor in design, a squarer and more boxy design than Insta360's despite the recent ensquarification of the X series with the new shorter X6.

The case design features have changed a bit on closer inspection though. There is a bigger microphone guard on the 'front' (the side without the display) of the camera, and the case appears to be screwed together.

The rugged plastic is also an even darker black, whereas the Osmo 360 (1) had a smooth front – no screws in the corners – as well as a prominent white DJI logo on a very dark gray surface. The new 360 II features a gloss black logo on a matt black background, and it's that bit more black.

The base of both cameras features for contacts for pogo pins in accessories, and the standard DJI action camera connector.

The touchscreen side has also changed slightly, with red and gray physical buttons below the screens, but in essence we're looking at a camera with back-to-back lenses which have nearly 1-inch sensors. The marketing team tends to refer to them as 1-inch sensors since they are square, and the upshot is that they deliver as much size as a traditional rectangular sensor would in the same circumstances (and, until recently, that is how 360-degree cameras were made – simply losing a significant percentage of the chip's surface area because the optics resulted in their being disused).

Like its predecessors, the camera has replaceable lenses, which should boost its appeal to action camera users.

DJI has also added the option for a double-rotate to initate shooting, which might make a lot of sense to gloved users (winter sports etc.)

DJI Osmo 360 II: Performance

When I powered up both cameras to test, the 360 II was notably faster, although the screen layout – with icons in each corner – seems remarkably unchanged.

Image quality – never really an issue on the previous model – is better here, and it was possible for me to detect evidence of the claimed 14.5-stop dynamic range, especially where light was mixed.

The desktop software still didn't feel as polished as Insta360's tools to me. It was able to find clips and download them, as well as tweak the lens effects, so to some extent I could just be being a stick in the mud.

I must admit that, in my testing (which, admittedly, was in different locations – York for this camera and New York for the X6), I felt that the Insta360 X6's microphone setup had the advantage when it came to operation without a worn wireless mic. This, however, is not a setup many folks should be using!

DJI Osmo 360 II: First Impressions

I've taken the camera out on a couple of trips, both before the final firmware was released, so I cannot offer a full verdict yet – this page will be updated in the coming days.

What I can say is that the camera produces surprisingly good results, and feels as robust as I needed in my hands. I am just as confident about its ability in low light as I am with the Insta360 X6, and I can see that the color science is going to need further examination.

In both cases, the presence of a 10-bit recording mode means that 360-degree video can be used more freely with other professionally graded content, and that should mean 360-degree video can be part of something

It's also pleasing to see that DJI has stuck to the goal of keeping the camera robust

If, like me, you're one of the millions who bought a DJI Osmo Pocket gimbal camera – or you're thinking about it – checking out the accessories is a good idea.

A good line of accessories can make or break a pocket gimbal camera's long-term usefulness, so it's already a good start that sales have been high; that means there are millions of reasons out there to offer accessories!

This guide covers both the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Osmo Pocket 4, as the devices have a lot in common. The connection at the base with a USB-C port and clips is the same, as is the magnetic lens attachment (except for the 4P, which boasts an extra lens and thus needs different covers). Where there are crucial differences, I've noted them.

The other reason you might be looking for accessories is that there are a lot of bargains around, especially for the older Pocket 3 model. As I've said elsewhere, of the Pocket 3 vs Pocket 4, the available bargain bundles often leave you wondering what accessories you need – or don't.

That's why I compiled my list of core accessories for these cameras and picked out the most useful ones, and why.

Best accessories for the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Pocket 4: Microphones

In essence there are two approaches to wireless microphones out there, depending on your budget and needs, and the Osmo Pocket cameras are equipped to make both work. All things being equal, the most convenient is normally going to be the winner.

DJI's Mic Mini 2 system includes a receiver (RX) that plugs into a USB-C socket on a phone, but if you only want the wireless mic (TX) for your Osmo Pocket you don't even need the RX: Osmo Pocket cameras have a built-in receiver (RX) for DJI's own microphone system.

That means you can record from the 11g TX (microphone with transmitter) straight onto video as you go, with no need for editing. Light and convenient to carry, too, as you can just keep the tiny mic with the camera.

Where you do need more quality and backup recording for editing emergencies, the DJI Mic Mini 2S or DJI Mic 3 series are steps up the range. They can both record 32-bit float (the audio equivalent of a RAW file) directly onto the microphone so, if anything goes wrong, you have rescue room.

If you just get one mic, when you need to charge it, it drops onto a magnetic adapter that plugs into a USB-C port – for the 2S this is also how you download files. All you need to do is not lose it.

There are pricier bundles with charging cases and connectors for a full range of cameras it can charge in the case, too. That gives you more flexibility with the microphone if you sometimes prefer to use it with your phone camera.

You can see my full review of the Mic Mini 2 and Mic Mini 2S.

Best accessories for the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Pocket 4: Battery Handle

The Osmo Pocket's battery handle is hot-swappable and – crucially, for the big-handed like me – improves the camera's ergonomics by extending the handle. There is one for each camera series, but they are cross-compatible (up to a point).

At best, shooting at 4K 60fps, you'll see under 2 hours without the battery handle – and realistically less, as the battery does slightly drain all the time. Add the battery and you should see that surpass 3 hours (officially it's 116 to 186 minutes, a 62% improvement).

It also adds a tripod thread at the base, rather than a USB-C port, which is handy in a lot of scenarios. Otherwise, you need to attach the shorter cube-like base that is shipped with the standard Pocket just to be able to attach a tripod.

In other words, you have an accessory a bit like this already, so why not get the bigger one that'll grant you longer shooting time?

For me the answer is easy. The benefit of this depends entirely on whether you're able to top up the charge as you go – if you already carry a big power pack, this might be unnecessary. As I said, though, the longer grip can make the device feel.

Incidentally, the Pocket 3 battery handle has 950mAh and the Pocket 4 battery has a little more oomph with 1,080mAh. My first instinct might be to opt for the cheapest on the day, but getting the correct one for your camera's generation also means the battery charge level can be detected by the device – and other features that rely on subtleties of the USB (fast transfer, microphone pass-through) can be affected.

See the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Battery Handle details at the DJI store.

Best accessories for the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Pocket 4: Lens Filters

DJI's simple set of three filters attaches magnetically and is compatible with both the Pocket 3 and Pocket 4 cameras, so there is little to complain about.

They help you achieve a cinematic look with a slower shutter speed on a bright day, even if you let the camera itself handle the settings in auto mode.

Brands like Neewer offer an even more extensive range – including bundles with lens adapters for wide-angle and tele, but we haven't had the opportunity to review it yet at DCW. If you just need a simple set of the core options, however, then DJI's own offering is ideal.

DJI's hard-shell plastic with high-quality foam also feels thoroughly convincing, a great balance between low weight (retaining the portability the device is known for) and a good level of protection.

Best accessories for the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Pocket 4: Tripod base

What makes DJI's own-brand tripod base appealing is that it color-matches the camera, it's solidly built and it manages to be very lightweight and yet sturdy at the same time.

It is not solid plastic, but the molding of each fold-out leg is an ABS-style plastic with a pattern of triangular beams for structural strength – and each has a rubber foot, so you can place the tripod on a flat surface like a glass table without worry of it slipping.

The hinges, too, have a nice feel to them. When I open and close them they stay exactly where I leave them, which just feels premium (in so far as any product in this category can).

Remember, by the way, you need to attach either the Battery Handle or standard Handle extension as these have the 1/4-inch thread needed.

Oh, and this is included in some of DJI's bundles, like the Creator Combo, so make sure you're not getting it already!

Best accessories for the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Pocket 4: Fill light

There are times when a little extra light is a good thing. While this isn't the equivalent of professional studio lighting, it is a handy addition that can overcome a difficult shadow or add some sparkle in the subject's eye.

Weighing just 16g and offering a trio of brightness settings (12, 25, or 40lux) and color temperature options (warm, neutral or cool), this is ideal. It also takes very little space and, because it mounts to the gimbal, it turns with the camera lens(es).

I tested the fill light when I reviewed the camera, and I found myself making use of it and enjoying how easy it was to pop on and off. The buttons make it easy to cycle through the settings, and there are neither too few or too many. Since it fits in the camera bag, it's hard to argue with this design (and it's nice that I can use it on both the 4 and 4P)

Compatibility

As I mentioned, the Pocket 3 and Pocket 4 series (made up of the Pocket 4 and Pocket 4P) share a lot of common elements and specs.

All the lower attachments – handles and grips – that work with the Pocket 3 and Pocket 4 will work with the other – but the software might not always recognize it.

DJI did improve the battery handle between generations, for example, but the Pocket 3 might have trouble working out the power remaining on a Pocket 4 handle.

Where things differ is at the top. Both the 4 and 4P, but not the 3, have a set of pogo pins on the side of the gimbal where the fill light accessory can be mounted, and perhaps others to come. These aren't compatible with the 3 because it doesn't have this connector.

The other difference is the magnetic lens mounts. These are the same between the 3 and 4, but (perhaps obviously) not the 4 and 4P, which have different camera setups.

The GoPro Mission 1 Pro, DJI Osmo Action 6 and Insta360 Ace Pro 2 are three action cameras that all go in a slightly different direction.

GoPro has gone all-in on raw resolution and frame rate, cramming a 1-inch sensor into a body that shoots 8K 60fps. DJI has gone the other way, prioritizing real-world image quality with an adjustable aperture and swappable lenses on a square sensor. Insta360 sits in-between, pairing an 8K sensor with Leica color-tuning and a flip-out screen built for vloggers.

At the same time, they also have a lot of common. Each camera is waterproof without a housing. Each shoots serious slow-motion. And each supports some kind of interchangeable optics, whether that's GoPro's identifying lens adaptors, DJI's screw-on FOV Boost and Macro lenses, or Insta360's more conventional fixed lens with software-driven crops.

So, how to choose? Read on to learn more about where each camera pulls ahead of the other, and where and when the differences actually matter. Let's get into the GoPro Mission 1 Pro vs DJI Osmo Action 6 vs Insta360 Ace Pro 2 rumble…

GoPro Mission 1 Pro vs DJI Osmo Action 6 vs Insta360 Ace Pro 2: Specifications

GoPro Mission 1 Pro vs DJI Osmo Action 6 vs Insta360 Ace Pro 2: Photo and video quality

On paper, the GoPro Mission 1 Pro looks the most impressive when it comes to image and video quality.

It's the only one of the three that shoots 8K at 60fps, the only one with an open gate 4:3 mode at full 8K resolution, and its slow-motion ceiling of FullHD 480fps (with a 960fps burst mode) comfortably beats the Ace Pro 2's FullHD 240fps. Stills are equally strong, with a genuine 50MP mode pulled from the full sensor.

The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 isn't far behind on the spec sheet: it also shoots 8K, tops out at 50MP stills and adds Leica color science that gives footage a more graded, polished look straight out of the camera. Where it falls short is slow-motion, capping at FullHD 240fps against the GoPro's much higher ceiling, and it sticks to 8-bit color rather than the Mission 1 Pro's 10-bit GP-Log2.

The DJI Osmo Action 6 was the odd one out at launch, but a firmware update unlocked an 8K 30fps mode and pushed the photos to 38MP. This was possible because, despite launching as a 4K-limited camera, DJI's larger sensor and adjustable aperture give it a clear advantage in low light.

The square sensor also means footage can be reframed between portrait and landscape after recording, without sacrificing the sensor's low-light advantage. In real-world low-light terms, then, it's arguably the most capable imaging system of the three, even with the smallest numbers on the page.

🏆: DJI Osmo Action 6

GoPro Mission 1 Pro vs DJI Osmo Action 6 vs Insta360 Ace Pro 2: Design and handling

Each camera solves handling differently. The GoPro Mission 1 Pro sticks closest to the traditional action camera formula: a rugged block with a removable lens cover that accepts identifying adaptors, plus a new point-and-shoot grip accessory for anyone who wants to hold it more like a compact camera. It's also the heaviest of the three at 212g, and the only one without any built-in storage.

The DJI Osmo Action 6 introduces swappable lenses, including a FOV Boost lens for a wider field of view and a forthcoming macro option, both of which the camera automatically detects when fitted. Its adjustable aperture is unique among this trio and it's also the only one with 50GB of built-in storage – so it's usable even without a memory card. At 149g, it's comfortably the lightest and most compact.

The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 takes a different approach entirely with its 180° flip-up touchscreen, which makes it the most natural choice for vlogging or any shot where you need to see yourself in frame. It's the heaviest to hold in the hand relative to its size and the hinge is one more moving part to worry about – but the flexibility it offers for framing is something neither of the other two can match.

🏆: Draw

GoPro Mission 1 Pro vs DJI Osmo Action 6 vs Insta360 Ace Pro 2: Price

The GoPro Mission 1 Pro is comfortably the most expensive of the three at $699.99 / AU$1,099, dropping to $599.99 / AU$949.95 only if you already hold a GoPro subscription. The DJI Osmo Action 6 sits in the middle at around $433 / AU$669 for the standard combo or around $546 / AU$839 for the Adventure Combo bundle that includes a selfie stick and extra batteries.

The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 undercuts both, launching at $399 / AU$551 for a single battery bundle, and it's since become considerably cheaper still in some markets. At the time of writing, it's been discounted to as little as $367 at US retailers – its lowest price of the year. For buyers working to a budget, that makes the Ace Pro 2 hard to argue with on value alone.

🏆: Insta360 Ace Pro 2

GoPro Mission 1 Pro vs DJI Osmo Action 6 vs Insta360 Ace Pro 2: How to choose

There isn't a single winner here, because these three cameras are built around different priorities. If you want the highest resolution, the fastest slow-motion and the most rugged, no-nonsense action camera experience, the GoPro Mission 1 Pro leads on specs – but you'll pay the most for it.

If real-world image quality matters more than numbers on a spec sheet, the DJI Osmo Action 6's adjustable aperture, swappable lenses and square sensor make it the most genuinely versatile camera of the three, and the one I'd reach for most often day-to-day. It's still very rugged, too – it was the one chosen to go on the outside of the rocket in China's reusable rocket space shot, and survived, which tells you something.

If you're working to a budget, or you shoot a lot of vlogging and talking-to-camera content where a flip screen actually matters, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 offers 8K, 50MP stills and Leica-tuned color for meaningfully less money than either rival.

There's no wrong answer, only the wrong camera for what you actually shoot.

The pocket gimbal camera has been a DJI category since the original Osmo Pocket, but the launch of the Insta360 Luna Ultra is the first time it's had real competition at the high end.

The latter landed within days of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P. Both pair a 1-inch wide-angle lens with a second telephoto camera aAnd both target the same buyer: a creator who wants a pocketable, gimbal-stabilized camera capable of a proper piece to camera without a crew.

Beyond that, DJI has stuck close to the established Pocket formula by adding a second 60mm lens to a body that still handles much like the Pocket 3 and Pocket 4 before it.

Insta360 has gone further, building a detachable remote control with its own screen and microphone into the Luna Ultra, along with built-in fold-out tripod legs and an 8K video mode that DJI's camera can't match.

So which should you buy? That's the question we'll explore as I pit the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P vs the Insta360 Luna Ultra.

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P vs Insta360 Luna Ultra: Specifications

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P vs Insta360 Luna Ultra: Video and photo quality

The Insta360 Luna Ultra has the more impressive spec sheet here.

It shoots 8K at 30fps, while the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P caps out at 4K (albeit at up to 240fps for slow-motion). Insta360's I-Log 10-bit profile is also consistent across both the 20mm and 60mm lenses, and there's a 200MP stitched panorama mode alongside a more conventional 37MP UltraPhoto setting.

DJI, however, counters with LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacity) tech on its 20mm sensor, a system that adds extra capacitors to capture more highlight detail and reduce the risk of blown-out skies.

The catch is that DJI's newer D-Log 2 color profile only works on the wide lens: switch to the 60mm telephoto and you're dropped back to standard D-Log, which makes matching footage between the lenses fiddly.

In practice, both cameras produce natural, filmic color with minimal grading required, and the difference in dynamic range between the two is small enough that it rarely matters day-to-day.

🏆: Insta360 Luna Ultra

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P vs Insta360 Luna Ultra: Design and handling

Both cameras use the wand-and-rotating-screen design pioneered by DJI's own Pocket 3. Neither is particularly rugged, as both rely on exposed gimbal mechanisms that aren't suited to sand or water.

The Luna Ultra comes with a detachable remote, which pulls away from the gimbal body complete with its own screen, physical controls and a built-in mic.

This means you can set the camera down, walk away, and frame and monitor a shot from a distance. That's something neither the Pocket 4P nor any previous pocket gimbal camera can do without a phone app – and phone apps are never as quick, simple or tactile.

It also boasts fold-out metal tripod legs, while you still need a separate screw-in tripod accessory for the Pocket 4P. Plus the separate physical zoom controller is easier to use by feel than DJI's default setup, which relies on a single 5D joystick that has to be switched between panning and zooming via an on-screen icon.

The Osmo Pocket 4P does has the advantage, though, of familiarity and backwards-compatibility. The existing Pocket 3 battery will fit it and its accessory ecosystem is well established. It has been built on, too, in the Pocket 4 generation with a new magnetic mount on the gimbal for a fill light.

🏆: Insta360 Luna Ultra

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P vs Insta360 Luna Ultra: Battery and accessories

Both cameras claim an identical battery life of up to four hours. In real-world use, though, the two diverged sharply. The DJI consistently delivered around 210 minutes in testing, while the Insta360 tended to run closer to 120 minutes (especially when shooting in its 8K mode) and ran out entirely mid-interview on one occasion.

In practice, it's also worth noting that both will overheat and power down sooner on a continuous shot at top specs (8K 30 for the Luna or 4K 60 for DJI) – though in Adam's tests it was the Luna Ultra that went first. But most of the time you won't want very long continuous shots, so this is only a concern in some scenarios.

DJI's fast charging is another strength, topping up to 80% in under 20 minutes thanks to USB 3.1 support, and the WiFi 6 connection makes offloading large video files quick. Insta360 charges over USB-C, too, and spare battery handles are available, but there's less margin for error if you're relying on the battery for a full day.

🏆: DJI Osmo Pocket 4P

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P vs Insta360 Luna Ultra: Price

The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P is the cheaper of the two at $710 / AU$959 for the Standard Combo. The Insta360 Luna Ultra starts higher at $769.99 / AU$1,099.99 for its Standard Bundle, with a pricier Creator Bundle available that adds a Mic Pro wireless microphone, a wide-angle lens and an extended battery.

🏆: DJI Osmo Pocket 4P

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P vs Insta360 Luna Ultra: How to choose

Overall, choosing between these cameras is a close call. The Insta360 Luna Ultra is the more ambitious camera: 8K video, a detachable remote that changes how you can shoot solo and built-in tripod legs that DJI still makes you buy separately.

If you're a content creator who values flexibility and composing shots from a distance, it's worth the extra money.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P is the safer, cheaper choice, with better real-world battery life, faster charging and a mature accessory ecosystem that rewards anyone already invested in DJI's Pocket line. Its 60mm lens alone is reason enough to upgrade from a single-camera Pocket.

If price and reliable battery life matter most to you, buy the DJI. If you want the most capable, most flexible pocket gimbal camera money can buy, buy the Insta360 Luna Ultra.

The first successful launch of China's new self-landing reusable rocket, the Landspace Zhuque-3, was filmed by 12 DJI "consumer grade" cameras including the upcoming Osmo 360 II – making aerospace history, according to the company.

While consumer action cameras have flown to space before, the Osmo Action 6 was able to withstand the 932°F / 500°C conditions and return to Earth without any physical alterations. DJI has shared unedited footage of the nine-minute flight in which the rocket takes off, travels to space and lands – and as you can see, it's utterly captivating:

ABOVE: Watch the rocket launch, shot on DJI cameras

That's not to say the cameras were stuck on with off-the-shelf mounts, mind you. The team built mounts for the rockets that could withstand the high-frequency, high-intensity vibration as well as the extreme heat of space flight.

Inside the mount, the camera – an off-the-shelf, mass produced model – recorded the whole flight in 4K (including, of course, through the re-entry blackout zone where no direct communication is possible).

It brought back video that can be used to assess the journey by the engineers, who are hoping to repeat the flight again within six months as they strive to catch up with SpaceX and Blue Origin.

The Osmo Action 6's normal image stabilization algorithm handled it all. I should also add that, as a journalist, I've heard some other companies criticize the potential vulnerability of DJI's adjustable aperture mechanism (one they don't offer on their own action cameras), but it clearly survived a trip with significant G-force.

The camera also has a 1/1.1-inch sensor, which is evident in details picked up in other shots – includng the paddles that control the rocket's flight.

A lot of other DJI cameras were used to capture details of the launch, including the as-yet-unreleased Osmo 360 II, already teased by the company, the Mavic 4 Pro for aerials and the DJI Matrice 4TD for thermal shots, all of which give a new perspective on a space shot.

The 216ft / 66m high Zhuque-3 rocket is China's answer to the SpaceX Falcon 9, a reusable rocket that can lift satellites into low-earth orbit. It has a payload of 14.2 tonnes – less than the Falcon 9's 22.8 – but both aim to be workhorses.

This flight, on August 19, was the second attempt with the Zhuque-3 (the first, 8 months ago, fell back and exploded on the pad).

It is a big leap for China, though, because previous efforts at a reusable rocket required some kind of net or catching device. So, despite the smaller payload, the speed of development is impressive and the inclusion of off-the-shelf tech highlights the race to make space cheaper and more sustainable than the original space race.

You might also like...

The DJI Osmo Action 6 is currently my choice for best action cameras, despite recent efforts from GoPro, and these videos go some way to showing why. Some of the drones used also appear in our guide to the best camera drones, including the spectacular Mavic 4 Pro, which I tested myself.

After submitting his first-ever photo to the prestigious Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year, photographer and drone pilot Matt Deakin has been crowned the competition's Overall Winner. His ghost-like image Ethereal Encounter stood out to the judges, capturing a critically endangered green sawfish swimming alongside a green turtle in the waters off the Pilbara in the far north of his home State.

This year's competition attracted 2,129 entries from 501 photographers across 17 countries. Deakin took the 2026 title with an image so surreal that people keep asking him whether it's AI. He says, " That’s not an insult though, because it just doesn’t seem real."

But capturing the winning shot had Deakin feeling the nerves. His drone – the DJI Mavic 3 Pro – was around 2.5km offshore as the light began to fade, and its battery warning was beeping. Then, a sawfish emerged from the deep water. "I just said 'wow'," he explains.

"I pushed the drone as long as I could to get the pictures."

'Ethereal Encounter' – Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Tech info
Drone: DJI Mavic 3 Pro

Deakin shares on Instagram, "On a remote part of the WA coastline, I saw a spectral shape moving through the shallow water from the drone.

"As I hovered over the area, the shape emerged from cloudy water, revealing itself as a critically endangered Green Sawfish.

"To see and capture such a large one in the wild was a privilege, but what made this encounter even more special was that the sawfish was swimming through an area full of turtles.

"With the light fading and the drone battery beeping, I waited patiently for this exact moment before bringing the drone back to land at a critical 3%, all while being eaten by mozzies and sand flies to maintain connection!!"

Winner announcement and exhibition

The winners of the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year, were revealed by video announcement, and an exhibition featuring the 100 shortlisted images opens at the South Australian Museum on August 29 and runs until February 14, 2027.

A People’s Choice award will be announced in early January.

The full gallery of photographs from this year’s competition can be found on the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year website.

Find out more about the exhibition on the South Australian Museum website.

You might like...

Browse the best camera drones for aerial photography and video, and the best drones for beginners.

Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from August 2026 to January 2027.

The Mini 3 is not DJI's latest beginner-friendly drone - but thanks to a new $100 price drop, it is now at the lowest price that we have ever seen it at. And at just $319, with the basic RC-N1, this is a bargain – particularly with prices of other things heading upwards, and the ongoing difficulties of getting some DJI products in the US.

This little drone weighs in at 248g, meeting the all-important 249g (0.55 pound) threshold. And while subsequent Mini releases, including the Mini Pro range, have expanded upon the DJI Mini 3’s capabilities, it’s still a very usable little drone for content creators. I’m also very much of the opinion that first-time drone owners are better off purchasing a decent drone they can use to capture content, without spending big on a device that hopefully won’t (but sadly can) end up plunging into the drink or veering into a tree.

What you get with the DJI Mini 3 is a 1/1.3-inch sensor with dual native ISO, the ability to capture stills up to 48MP, and video footage up to 4K / 30p and 2.7K / 60p. A three-axis mechanical gimbal works to keep shots steady, while also enabling True Vertical Shooting (a boon for short-form creators). Level five wind resistance is to be expected in this price range, and the max flight time is rated for 38 mins. It can be expanded to 51 mins with the separately sold Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, at the expense of a higher weight. Do be aware that the Mini 3 doesn’t feature the subject tracking or collision sensors of higher-end DJI Mini drones.

Check our guide to the…
Best camera drones
Best DJI drones
Best cheap drones

DJI’s next 360 camera will arrive in a September 3 announcement, according to official teasers.

In a teaser shared on August 25, DJI shared a video with the tagline “All Angles. All Epic” alongside a September 3 announcement date. The hashtags accompanying the social media posts make it clear what’s coming: The DJI Osmo 360 II.

The teaser may not come as a surprise for the most dedicated DJI fans – DJI had previously teased its next generation 360 camera earlier this summer, but only in China.

The latest teaser indicates that the 360 camera will be announced outside of China on September 03. With Federal Communications Commission regulations in the US, however, the upcoming camera is unlikely to arrive in the US any time soon.

While the Osmo 360 II’s China-only teaser means the camera doesn’t come as a surprise, DJI’s second generation 360 camera arrives just a little more than a year after the company launched its first entry into the immersive camera space. The original Osmo 360 launched on July 31, 2025.

DJI’s new teaser doesn’t offer many hints as to what’s coming to the Osmo 360 II. The teaser starts with a close-up of the sensor, and showcases a brief glimpse of the lens before offering a glimpse of part of the camera’s exterior.

The original Osmo 360 launched with an unusually large pair of one-inch square sensors. The camera was DJI’s first entry into the 360 camera space, but DCW reviewer Adam Juniper called it “not just a brilliant first 360-degree camera, a new ‘one to beat.’”

That leaves the second generation with a lot to live up to – and barely a year has passed since the first generation launched.

Luckily, DJI fans won’t have to wait too long. DJI says the launch is happening on September 03 at 7 AM EDT / Noon BST.

You may also like

Take a look at the best 360 cameras, or read the original DJI Osmo 360 review.

This new Mic Mini 2S – aimed at content creators using phones, serious cameras, and DJI products – steps into an already respected range and ups the game.

Instead of choosing from a simple wireless mic to send sound to your device (via a receiver, built-in or plug-in) or a high-end mic with a premium receiver, DJI seems to be doing two things at once.

The Mic Mini 2S retains most of the styling of the cheaper Mini but brings the ability to record on board – hence the 'S' in the name, meaning storage.

There is a compromise, of course (or the premium line would be in trouble), but it's not that significant – essentially the RX (Receiver) isn't as sophisticated, with no levels monitors and the like.

These days, though, 'less sophisticated' still means the ability to handle up to four channels at once, so this looks a promising option for many creators. I've put this through its paces for some video recording, and even a podcast, and here is my verdict.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Price

The asking price for the Mic Mini 2S unit I tested – with 2 TX (mics) and 1 RX (receiver), as well as the charging case is a not insignificant £169, but £59 will buy you a single 2S TX (mic), and £79 a bundle with a 1 TX and 1 RX which can plug into a phone (or more or less any suitable USB-C device.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Specs

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Build and handling

I tested the Mic Mini 2S 2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case bundle, which gave me access to the full feature set. It's not the first time I've used devices from the DJI Mic series (as folk who have seen some of my video reviews will attest), so I'm familiar with them, but I don't think it'd take anyone long to master the basics.

There are two buttons on the side of each TX (mic), and they engage the power and can be used to start and stop recording. They're also used for pairing.

The correct button presses can be used to set the mic up to begin recording automatically when it connects to the RX to prevent forgetting, and the mic will record on a loop, so the last 28 hours are stored.

DJI's color caps – which clip on magnetically – are a significant addition to this series of mics, which is otherwise a rather chic translucent white. There is the tiniest of recesses at the baser of the mic to unclip the microphone afterward.

I found popping the color caps on very easy – the magnets (which you see as dots) easily hook onto a draw the cover into just the right place. Taking it off was not quite as easy because there is only a small recess at the bottom.

This is, of course, ideal (you don't want the thing just being knocked off), but it feels a little fiddly at first.

The full kit comes with a nicely weighted box that has a sprung hinge, a USB-C port on the rear for both charging and file transfer, and 4 lights to indicate the level of charge.

Inside it, there are two mics (though you can connect up to four), and the RX. This has a single plastic dial to increase or decrease the levels by one or two steps either way – a handy solution so long as the device you're connected to provides levels feedback (there is none on the RX or the TX).

The case also has room for the clips / magnets for the mics and the cables, which was not the case for the previous edition. A nice pro touch. If you pop the mics back in the case after use, and don't go more than about 10 hours at a time (and that is a long time), then you should have 40 hours of recording time before topping up your charge.

The RX in the box version of the kit has an interchangeable shoe that can either be a USB-C or fit a camera's shoe mount with a cable to a mic socket.

There is also the option of a smaller RX for phones with only a USB-C; this is in the same fetching translucent plastic that the mic is in (though for obvious reasons there is no color changing option!)

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Performance

I was thoroughly impressed with the audio quality, which is clean and clear.

I was also impressed that the RX works just as easily with a Mac's USB-C socket as with the phone. The Mics can connect to DJI's assorted Osmo devices without the need for a separate RX, too.

If found that the system handled background noise with aplomb, though I would always suggest using that feature with caution if you can, not because it isn't good, but why risk it?

If I had to find an irritation, it'd be the file-naming convention. The system records files of around 250MB before moving on, so if you record for over that time, as my wife and I did for the test, then you'll end up with multiple files.

In our circumstances – we were sending the files as a safety track – a more simple file numbering system would have been a bit easier.

DJI Mic Mini 2S: Overall verdict

The Mic Mini 2S is an excellent device, with more than a day's power available and simple options.

The most obvious competitor if you're into your action camera brands is probably the Insta360 Mic Air – which is even lighter, but a little less discreet (and doesn't offer color covers).

Perhaps, though, of wireless microphones, the Rode Go Gen 3 is the more obvious competitor. I've seen it offered in colors other than the traditional black (pink, in fact) and it has monitors on the RX. It does cost more, and lacks noise reduction, however, and the TX (mics) are undeniably bulkier.

If color is important to you, then Insta360's Pro option might be a more interesting alternative, with a built-in eInk display you can add your own logo rather than just a different color around DJI's.

So, in terms of sound quality, simplicity, and practicality, this is a refined device which looks and feels great, doesn't pull on the clothing, and seems to have the competition (especially in its price bracket) soundly beaten. The only slight letdown to my mind is the build quality of the RX, which just felt a bit 'cheap', partly because it's lightweight, I imagine.

Alternatives

How I tested the DJI Mic Mini 2S

I tested the Mic Mini 2S over a few weeks, recording speaking and singing voices and recording devices. I connected to a Sony A7 III, an iPhone 17 Pro Max, a MacBook Pro, and a DJI Osmo Pocket 4.

In my experience, DJI keeps an eye on any issues and reliably offer firmware updates following the release.

New cameras often sit at the top of the best-seller list, but this three-year-old mirrorless camera is still so popular that it ranks in the top three on both the new and used sales lists in Japan: the Sony A7C II.

In the latest data from Japanese retailer Map Camera, the Sony A7C II sits at the very top of the used camera rankings. But the camera also ranks third among the new camera sales for July 2026.

The data highlights the A7C II’s longstanding popularity. Released in 2023, it puts a full-frame Sony sensor into a smaller, rangefinder-inspired camera body.

Mixing parts from other Sony cameras into a smaller body, in his Sony A7C II review my colleague Gareth said it's “still one of your best bets” for creators looking for pro features in a small body.

While the A7C II isn’t cheap, the $2,499 / £2,099 / AU$2,999 / CA$2,999 price point makes it not only a more portable option but also a more affordable one than full-frame cameras like the new Sony A7 V or the A7R VI.

While the A7C II continues to trend in Japan, it isn’t the only camera that hits both new and used lists: joining it are the Canon EOS R6 Mark II and Fujifilm X-E5.

Perhaps even more interesting, however, are the cameras that are trending used – but not as popular among new-in-box sales. The Fujifilm X-T5 sits in the second-place spot on the used list, but not on the new list despite being a current model.

Map Camera, however, says that Fujifilm is facing some supply issues in Japan. The X-T5, the store says, is readily available used.

The Nikon Z50 II sits in the third-place spot on the list of trending used cameras, but doesn’t feature among the new options – though its full-frame sibling, the Z5 II, does.

The Z50 II is one of Nikon’s most affordable mirrorless cameras, but it adopts some of the autofocus features of Nikon’s pricier bodies in a smaller crop-sensor camera.

While Nikon only appears once in the top ten list for new cameras, it hits three times on the used trends list. Besides the Z50 II, the Nikon Zf ranks eighth. And appearing on the used top ten for the first time is the Nikon Z8, which Map Camera says has always tended to be overshadowed by the retro Zf.

The list also highlights how new releases bring older models back into the spotlight among shoppers looking for a used deal. The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 ranks in seventh place on the list, in part due to some users trading up for the newly announced DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and Osmo Pocket 4P.

Trending used cameras at Map Camera for July 2026

1. Sony A7C II
2. Fujifilm X-T5
3. Nikon Z50 II
4. Canon EOS R6 Mark II
5. Sony A7 III
6. Fujifilm X-E5
7. DJI Osmo Pocket 3
8. Nikon Zf
9. Canon EOS R7
10. Nikon Z8

You may also like

Don't buy a camera just because it's trendy – these are the best mirrorless cameras, as picked and tested by expert photographers.

DJI has been fighting the US Department of Defense’s label as a "Chinese military company" since late 2022 – and now the drone maker has just earned a small win in the US Court of Appeals with a partial reversal.

On Friday, the US Court of Appeals reaffirmed some of the lower court’s decision in DJI’s lawsuit over its placement on the Department of Defense blacklist.

While the court did not agree with DJI’s claims over a violation of due process and claims of selectively enforcing rules, the court did give it some hope on one key issue: whether or not DJI "contributes to the Chinese defense industrial base."

The US Court of Appeals decision, importantly, doesn’t explicitly agree with DJI, but sent the case back to the lower courts because the earlier case did not consider classified documents, using instead the unclassified report that had every word in the section entitled "DJI Contributes to the Chinese Defense Industrial Base" redacted.

"There is, in other words, no publicly stated rationale for why the Secretary believes DJI contributes to the Chinese defense industrial base," the court's opinion reads.

While the courts have only granted a partial reversal and sent the case back for further consideration, DJI says that it welcomed the decision.

"The Court’s finding that the public record contained insufficient evidence is a significant step toward correcting an unjustified designation," A DJI representative said in a statement.

"The decision reinforces what DJI has consistently maintained: DJI is not a military company.

"We are a privately held company that has revolutionized the consumer and commercial drone markets, consistently condemned the use of our products in combat, and taken active steps to prevent it.

"We remain committed to the responsible development of civilian technologies, from drones to handheld imaging products. We look forward to continuing to set the record straight as the case moves forward."

The court case stems from a 2022 decision to place DJI on the Department of Defense blacklist, which prevents some government agencies from using DJI products.

The case isn’t the only US legal battle that DJI is facing.

The drone-maker has also filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission restrictions that prevent new DJI products from obtaining the necessary approval to be sold in the US.

You may also like…

Browse the best drones for photography and videography, or the best drones for beginners.

Newly launched foreign-made drones aren’t allowed into the US under Federal Communications Commission restrictions – but now the drones that are allowed are about to be hit with higher import taxes. On August 13, US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs across several categories of drones in a move that will likely raise prices for aerial photographers and videographers.

The largest tariffs in the measure are the oversized military drones that weigh more than 25 kg, which will soon face a 100 percent tariff. But the smaller drones built for photo and video will also be affected, as smaller drones will face a 25 percent tariff.

Drones from certain regions will have a lower import tax, with a 15 percent tariff on drones coming from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan. The lowest tariff rate is a 10 percent tariff applied to drones from the United Kingdom, provided that a majority of the hardware and software also originates from the UK.

I’m an American and a licensed drone pilot and photographer. The additional tariffs are a devastating blow to an already hurting aerial photography and videography industry.

The FCC restrictions on foreign drones already in place mean that the newest drones don’t get the necessary approval to be sold in the US. But the tariffs – which are set to be put in place 21 days from the announcement – are likely to make the drones that are available in the US more expensive.

Under the new measures, previously announced drones, including those from DJI, that are still available with the FCC restrictions would see a 25 percent increase in import taxes.

Photographers have already seen what increased tariffs do to camera prices, as several camera brands raised prices last year amid last year’s tariffs. Some of those tariffs were turned down by the Supreme Court.

The tariffs come as the FCC considers revoking the authorization for previously approved drones that meet a certain set of features, including using LiDAR. A handful of popular consumer drones use LiDAR, including the DJI Mini 5 Pro and the DJI Avata 360. The FCC is seeking public comment on the possible move until September 02.

While new DJI and other foreign-made drones are no longer eligible to obtain the necessary FCC authorization to launch in the US, DJI has filed a lawsuit over the ban, a legal battle that remains ongoing.

Both the tariffs and the FCC restrictions are meant to strengthen US drone production. The White House says that relying on foreign sources for UAVs “poses significant risk to US national security and creates cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”

The challenge for drone photographers, as well as general consumers and first responders using consumer-grade drones, is that the US companies that build drones offer devices for military, agriculture, inspection, and Hollywood-level films, but American drone companies do not yet offer consumer-grade drones after Skydio dropped out of the consumer market.

Another key challenge to building a US-based supply chain is that many components are heavily sourced overseas, including the rare earth magnets used in drone motors and lithium used in batteries.

You may also like

Browse the best drones for aerial photography and videography or the best drones for beginners.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 went viral for its vlogging capabilities and unusual gimbal-focused design – but thanks to FCC restrictions, the new DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and Osmo Pocket 4P won’t be arriving in the US from DJI’s official list of authorized resellers.

However, not only is the earlier DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is still available in the US – it's also more affordable than before, as the Creator Combo drops to a new lowest-ever price and the camera-only bundle sits just above the lowest-ever price.

In December, the Federal Communications Commission added DJI to the “Covered List” that prevents the manufacturer from getting the necessary approval to sell in the US.

That means that both the newly launched Pocket 4 and Pocket 4P aren’t available through official channels in the US – though a handful of sellers that aren’t on DJI’s list of authorized resellers do list the Osmo Pocket 4.

While the popular Osmo Pocket 4 and 4P have been caught in the crossfire of the US’ foreign drone security concerns, despite its inability to fly, the Pocket 3 is readily available in the US.

That means the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is readily available – and thanks to the launch of the new model, the price on the 2023 gimbal camera has dropped. The Creator Combo – which bundles the camera with the $235 DJI Mic 2 – has never been lower at $499.

The camera-only without the mic sits at $399 – just a little higher than the lowest-ever price of $379.

While those in the US can’t find the newest version from authorized resellers, the Pocket 3 and Pocket 4 series both still share the same size one-inch sensor. The latest version adds more dynamic range, faster 240 fps frame rates, 37MP still photos, along with improved battery life and tracking.

But while the Pocket 4 has several improvements, the Pocket 3 still carries the key features that have given the series its viral success. The one-inch sensor boosts low-light performance over action cameras and compact cameras with the more typical smaller sensors, and the built-in gimbal powers rock-steady video and tracking without the bulk and complexity of a separate gimbal.

At $399, I’m tempted to add one to my collection for shooting social videos when I don’t want to bring along a tripod. That price is all the more tempting considering that, in the peak of the Pocket 3’s popularity, the camera was going for $799. Now, the latest discount puts the camera only at half that, and the Creator Combo with a mic at the lowest price that I’ve seen yet.

You may also like

Browse the best vlogging cameras or the best compact cameras.

After preventing all newly announced foreign-made drones from hitting US shelves last December, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing a move that would remove some existing drones from the market – including popular consumer models like the DJI Mini 5 Pro and the DJI Avata 360.

Last year, the FCC added DJI and all foreign-made drones to the “Covered List,” effectively preventing all newly announced consumer drones from entering the US, as no US brands currently build consumer drones.

While the move was a devastating blow for drone pilots, the FCC may be about to expand the ban to include some “military-grade” features in a move that would retroactively remove previously approved drones from store shelves.

While the move would revoke FCC approval for those models to be sold in the US, current pilots using those models would be allowed to continue to fly them.

The FCC is currently proposing to retroactively ban foreign-made drones that fall under a list of “military-grade” drone features. That list of military features includes drones capable of spraying aerosol, thermal drones, drone docking stations, and drones that weigh 55 pounds or more.

But the proposal also lists one key feature that could effectively remove several popular consumer-grade drones from the market: LiDAR.

LiDAR technology uses pulses of light to measure distance. Some high-end LiDAR drones are used for 3D mapping but, importantly, several consumer-grade drones use LiDAR for obstacle avoidance.

LiDAR is a key safety feature used to prevent drone crashes on popular consumer models, including the DJI Mini 5 Pro, the DJI Avata 360, and the DJI Air 3S.

As a licensed American drone pilot, I believe the FCC’s proposed “military-grade” ban would seriously impact the drones used by photographers, videographers, and beginner drone pilots.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is the model that I’ve been eyeing for some time, with its 50MP 1-inch sensor and obstacle avoidance packed inside a drone that’s still lightweight and relatively affordable.

LiDAR on consumer drones is a key safety feature. Using LiDAR, drones can detect and ultimately avoid obstacles – preventing not just damage to the drone but to property and even the people on the ground.

New foreign-made drones are no longer making it to store shelves after the FCC added DJI and all foreign-made drones to the Covered List, effectively preventing new models from getting the approval needed to be sold in the US.

But while there are a handful of US-based drone companies, these brands build military-grade, commercial, and Hollywood-level drones – US drone companies don’t currently offer consumer-grade drones.

Expanding the drone ban to include features like LiDAR and thermal would further limit Americans’ access to the latest drone technology.

The rare earth components used in motors and lithium used in batteries are largely sourced from China, and creating a US-based drone supply chain – while the goal is admirable – will be a long and difficult process.

Removing pre-approved drones from shelves would only exaggerate the problem. Yes, pilots could go out and buy drones like the DJI Mini 5 Pro ahead of the ban, but even with LiDAR obstacle avoidance, crashes happen – and pilots would be left without a suitable replacement.

But I’m not just a licensed drone pilot. I’m the granddaughter of a farmer, and the proposed ban on drones with spraying capabilities could increase costs for farmers, as drones are becoming an increasingly common alternative to crop-sprayer airplanes.

The thermal drone designation in the proposed retroactive ban could also affect the drone fleets used by first responders for search-and-rescue missions – and that affects everyone, not just photographers bummed about the lack of flying camera options.

Drone-maker DJI says that “the FCC’s proposed definition is broad enough to capture many of the civilian drones Americans rely on every day. It could even include consumer models used by hobbyists simply because they use LiDAR to improve positioning and obstacle avoidance – a safety feature, not a military capability.”

The FCC is currently seeking public comments on the proposed drone ban by September 02. The Drone Advocacy Alliance lists detailed instructions for filing a public comment on the proposal.

You may also like

Browse the best drones for photography or the best drones for beginners.

A not-so mysterious teaser has appeared on the DJI website that is clearly regarding the much-anticipated DJI Osmo 360 II. The page, which is only available if your region is set to Hong Kong, is entitled “All Angles. All Epic.” Along with a date of August 13 2026, 12PM GMT.

This appears to contradict other teasers, with a second teaser posted on DJI’s Instagram, stating: “DJI Osmo 360 II will be available for pre-order starting at 8:00PM on August 7th.” (translated using Google Lens). This would appear to corroborate another post that surfaced on Chinese social media and was reported on by Asobinet stating that the 360 camera would be “unveiled on August 7th.” However, as of yet, I haven’t seen any more information regarding the 360 camera’s launch...

The second Instagram teaser is a showreel of 360 footage, captured on the DJI Osmo 360 II, showing POV shots of mountain biking, dancing, skiing and more. When the teaser ends, it simply states: “Coming soon”.

A slightly earlier teaser was released, which features the same video present on DJI’s Hong Kong website. It starts with a top-down view of a square sensor, with the camera pulling back to reveal a lens and then the top of the camera itself. A fisheye lens is then overlaid over the top.

DJI hasn’t yet revealed any specs. However, I’m expecting some juicy upgrades from the Osmo 360’s already very impressive 8K / 50p and 6K / 60p video, 120MP panoramic stills, and 105GB available storage. It would appear that a few commenters are having fun coming up with some entirely unachievable specs, with one ‘hoping for’ “24k resolution, 2000fps open gate global shutter”.

News of the Osmo 360 II comes at a time when both DJI and its customer base face growing uncertainty when it comes to product availability in the US. Government restrictions targeting Chinese-made drones are well documented, but other DJI products have faced scrutiny, including the new DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and 4P. As such, it seems likely the Osmo 360 II will not be available in the US at launch.

Still, the DJI Osmo 360 II is releasing elsewhere and DJI’s teasers will have definitely put its competitors on notice. As soon as we know more about this impending release, we’ll be posting about it right here on Digital Camera World.

You might also like...

Into 360 cameras? Check out the Insta360 X5. Perhaps you're looking for a slightly more conventional action camera like the new GoPro Mission 1 Pro?

DJI did something rare with the Osmo Pocket series – created a new kind of camera. The company fused the lightweight gimbal technology used to keep cameras steady on its dominant range of drones with a simple 'wand' so it could be used handheld, essentially creating a compact camera that was akin to a serious professional Stedicam setup.

Almost inevitably, the world went crazy for what we've called the 'pocket gimbal camera', and DJI company kept refining their offering – the DJI Pocket 3 sold by the millions. The recently released Pocket 4 added a raft of refinements, but stuck to the single camera system and same sized image sensor. For those already equipped with a Pocket 3 there wasn't a "big thing" to upgrade for.

The Pocket 4P, though, is another matter. It brings all the refinements of the Pocket 4 and, crucially, a second camera. mimicking the multi-camera approach used by premium phones to improve telephoto range. Is it the "pocket cinema camera" that is suggested? How does it hold up against the new competitor in town (the Insta360 Luna Ultra)? I've been testing both and here is my verdict...

DJI Pocket 4P Value

When released globally on July 30 (except the USA because of legal issues), the Osmo Pocket 4P had a starting price of £529 (around $710), which represents solid value, considering that the Pocket 4 comes in at £445.

DJI Pocket 4P Specs

DJI Pocket 4P Build and handling

The DJI Pocket 4P feels a lot like its predecessors, which is to say that the handle is superbly well-built of tough plastics with a very convincing grip.

Atop it is a new feature for DJI – a dual camera system with a 20mm EFL camera boasting a 1-inch CMOS sensor with LOFIC (this is a system which adds capacitors to capture additional highlight detail, reducing the chance of over-exposure). The 60mm one is a more standard 1/1.28-inch.

The screen is on a rotating mechanism that also serves as the on-off switch, an elegant piece of design on the Pocket 3, which has been stepped up a level with the arrival of two customisable buttons that are revealed when the camera is active. The left of these is a 'zoom' button by default, quickly switching from the 20mm to the 60mm view (though with a half-second 'zoom' rather than an instant jump).

You can also turn the screen back to vertical and tap the screen before it powers off to easily switch to vertical shooting. This won't actually rotate the camera – but will give you a larger view (at the expense of hiding those two new buttons!)

Control is by those physical buttons, a '5D' thumb joystick, and that OLED touchscreen, the 1,000 nits of brightness serving well even in bright daylight.

The size of the screen is just big enough that it's possible to put a button in each corner and for them to be easy to press. In addition, swiping from the sides reveals features like playback (from the left), settings, resolutions, or the Pro options.

Described like this, it might sound overwhelming, but they are neatly categorised and relatively soon become second nature. For me there was one exception: the thumbstick is switched between operating the camera direction and the zoom level with an icon on the screen. A separate physical zoom slider (as seen on the Luna Ultra) would be a lot easier, ergonomically.

Much of the time, too, you can rely on the camera's ActiveTrack 8.0 feature to keep your subject in shot; it can recognise people and other objects and keep them in frame with the gimbal. This is the true appeal to a solo operator.

Using the same grip makes it compatible with most of the same accessories, but it does mean that it is notably 'top-heavy'. To be honest, I think this is fine, and since I found myself using the battery handle (an added accessory, but one I'd recommend) that is completely offset anyway.

A nice touch is that DJI has stuck to the handle dimensions of the Pocket 3, so if you have the battery handle accessory from that generation, it'll work. It won't deliver quite as much power as the new one, but it'll fit, and it'll work.

The battery life is a solid 210 minutes, about half an hour less than the Pocket 4 standard because of the heavier gimbal, though it will come down if you move around more.

DJI Pocket 4P Performance

Image quality from the Pocket 4P is striking, and I have no complaints about the mechanical stabilization.

The 4K video quality is excellent with natural colors, and I shot in D-Log, D-Log 2 (the new color profile which takes advantage of the LOFIC sensor) and the normal modes.

It was a little irksome that the camera's new D-Log 2 color profile is only available for some of the shooting modes, easily explained by the fact only the 1-inch sensor on the 20mm camera has the LOFIC tech, but less so by some of the other modes that won't play ball, like slo-mo.

Regardless the 60mm telephoto lens is perfect for achieving the background compression from real depth of field, not the horrible simulated alternative offered digitally by phones, and it looks great.

Paired with the camera's ability to act as a receiver for a DJI Mic (all part of the ecosystem), it takes seconds to set up an on-location piece to camera which is then recorded with synced sound.

Battery life is impressive, and the refinements to the newer battery handle are appreciated, That said, I did a lot of my testing in 4K60fps and it will plough through the power notable faster. Hyperlapse and slow-mo had similar issues.

On a long days shooting I found myself topping up the charge with my portable power station, but it wasn't an issue – it fast-charges to 80% in under 20 minutes. Copying files from the device is also pleasingly painless thanks to DJI's Wi-Fi 6 and USB 3.1 support so even 200kbps videos flow off very quickly.

DJI's default shooting modes produce very natural color, and significantly better image quality than a phone. The 60mm lens is f/1.8, so it's very much like a classic portrait lens, but it's also worth remembering that 2x is effectively lossless at 4K (as is 6x zoom). There is even 12x zoom and that does show signs of digital zoom but I was impressed that not only is it 'good enough' when needed, but the subject tracking was still easily able to cope at this distance.

While the D-Log and D-Log 2 confusion is an irritation, it isn't a tragic loss. The camera makes very sensible choices if you shoot in normal mode. If you are determined to use the best possible color science for each shot as you'll need to switch between them in the menus, and ideally a different LUT for each.

The other crucial factor, focus, is generally pretty reliable, too. The camera generally stays on the selected subject or main face in the shot which is crucial for a pocket gimbal camera as it isn't a control you'd want to be handling, given how much movement can be going on. I was genuinely surprised how rarely the camera focused on anything other than my choice of subject – meaning it'd probably make a great choice for product photographers too.

DJI Pocket 4P Overall Verdict

As soon as I knew there was a 4th generation of DJI's Pocket coming along, this was the camera I wanted. First came the Pocket 4, though, and I found myself complaining: "Where is the other lens, from all the rumors?" As someone who wants to be able to put the camera a little way away, trust the camera's subject tracking, and shoot pieces to camera while out alone, this was the upgrade I was waiting for.

So here it is and, honestly, there are very few frustrations. Admittedly, I'd prefer the new Log 2 mode to be available across the lenses, and I still find the 5D joystick somewhat fiddly (especially now I've used the Luna Ultra and know there is an alternative approach).

And I still don't fully understand why there isn't a tripod thread on the standard camera – just a USB-C socket in the base and a plug-in box/handle extension (I get that USB is also the means to connect to accessories, but why not use something like the pogo-pin contacts on the gimbal head, leaving room for a tripod thread?

This, though, was not an issue for the success of the previous generation and, to be honest, if your hands are the size of mine, leaving the handle extension on all the time (except when you have the battery handle) improves the ergonomics anyway.

Would I upgrade for the extra dynamic range and the Log-2? No. But that doesn't matter – the 60mm lens is reason enough.

Alternatives

How I test?

I've tested multiple generations of this camera and other gimbal cameras, and many drones and gimbals, so have built up years of expertise. I've found that the best thing to do is to use it in 'real life' circumstances, so, for the Pocket 4 series, that involved taking the device out into the world and shooting videos, some of which you can see cut into the video at the top of this piece.

I tested with a device DJI loaned me before the release, giving me something of a head start. In that time I was also able to I compare it to the Pocket 3, the Pocket 4 and the Insta360 Luna Ultra.

The DJI Mic Mini 2S has landed and it’s DJI’s first mini wireless microphone to feature internal recording. And not just any internal recording, because the DJI Mic Mini 2S’s 14.5GB of onboard storage boasts up to 28 hours of 32-bit float audio (at 24-bit).

On top of that, it comes with two levels of AI noise canceling, Basic and Strong, which reduces background noise and increases clarity. The former is more suited to tidying up persistent hums, such as air conditioning, while the latter is reserved for noisier environments.

Think of 32-bit float as a RAW file for audio, allowing you to capture as much audio data as possible for maximum pliability in post and a much more limited chance of clipping. The mic also features automatic attenuation in the form of Clipping Control, while maintaining consistent audio output via Loudness Balance. You can even ‘shape’ your voice by applying three voice-tone presets: Regular, Bright and Rich.

For those looking to record multiple audio sources simultaneously, a single DJI Mic Mini 2S RX (receiver) can be connected to up to four TX (transmitters). Existing DJI Mic owners will be pleased to know that this latest mic is compatible with both DJI Mic Mini and DJI Mic Mini 2 transmitters and the DJI Mic Series Mobile Receiver.

Each transmitter weighs just 12g and features clip or magnetic attachments. In a world where many creators proudly attach wireless microphones visibly on clothing and cap brims or simply hold them, you can add a little pizazz to the DJI Mic Mini 2S via a set of eight Multi-Color Magnetic Front Covers as well as four Time Series Magnetic Front Covers that have been designed in collaboration with artist Victo Ngai.

The DJI Mic Mini 2S is compatible with DJI’s extensive ecosystem. A range of compatible Osmo cameras can be connected to a mic via DJI’s OsmoAudio Direct Connection, capturing 48kHz 24-bit audio without the need for a receiver.

DJI’s latest microphone is available today and starts from £59 for the transmitter only. A single transmitter, receiver and charging case costs £79, with packages maxing out at £183 for two transmitters, one receiver, one mobile receiver, a charging case, and the Multi-Color Magnetic Front Covers set. USA availability has not been announced, due to import restrictions on new DJI products.

You might also like...

If you're into DJI then you're probably interested in the best camera drones and the best action cameras. Plus, DJI Osmo Pocket 3 vs Pocket 4 - I've tried them both and I know which one I'd buy.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P is now officially available, bringing a dual-camera system to DJI’s pocket gimbal camera range for the first time. Where you can actually buy, however, one depends heavily on where you live, with UK and European shoppers receiving considerably better access than customers in the United States.

In the UK, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P is available to buy directly from DJI and selected authorized retail partners. The Standard Combo costs £529, while the more comprehensive Vlog Combo is priced at £605.

Both versions are available in black or pearl white, although stock levels may vary between colors and retailers.

Where to buy the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P?

UK Retailers

The Standard Combo is the most affordable way to get started and includes the Osmo Pocket 4P, a fill light, a carrying pouch and a handle with a quarter-inch tripod thread.

It should provide everything that most casual filmmakers, travellers and content creators need to begin shooting straight away, particularly if they already own a compatible wireless microphone or small tripod.

For anyone planning to use the Pocket 4P regularly for vlogging or professional content, the £605 Vlog Combo is likely to offer better overall value.

Alongside the camera, it includes the FrameTap remote controller, DJI Mic Mini 2 transmitter, compact tripod, larger carrying case and additional accessories. The remote screen is particularly useful when filming alone, as it enables the camera and gimbal to be controlled from a distance.

The situation is very different in the United States. At the time of writing, no authorized US retailer currently has official DJI Osmo Pocket 4P stock – and DJI has not announced a formal US launch. This means you will not find an officially supplied US model at the major camera retailers where DJI products would ordinarily be sold.

Third-party and imported listings may occasionally appear through online marketplaces, but these should not be confused with an official US release. Anyone considering an imported model should check the seller carefully and confirm the warranty, returns policy, regional compatibility and possible import charges before placing an order.

We have seen DJI products that were initially unavailable in the United States appear through US retailers at a later date, so the situation may still change. Should the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P officially reach the US market, or become available through a recognized US retailer, we will update this page with the latest prices and buying options.

The Osmo Pocket 4P is more than a modest update to the standard Pocket 4. Its main camera combines a 20mm equivalent f/2 lens with a 1-inch CMOS sensor, while a second 60mm equivalent f/1.8 camera introduces a genuine 3x telephoto perspective.

This gives filmmakers far greater control over composition and makes the camera particularly attractive for portraits, interviews, product videos and more cinematic-looking footage.

DJI has also introduced 10-bit D-Log 2 recording and claims up to 17 stops of dynamic range from the main camera. Video can be captured at up to 4K 60p during normal recording, while the wide-angle camera offers 4K slow-motion at up to 240fps.

A 3-axis mechanical stabilization system, ActiveTrack 8.0 and the rotating 2-inch screen complete what is easily the most ambitious Osmo Pocket camera DJI has produced so far.

You might like...

See how the 4P compares to the best pocket gimbal cameras, and decide whether you might be better off with one of the best cameras for vlogging or even one of the best action cameras.

DJI’s newest products are becoming increasingly difficult to find in the US, but there are still some excellent options available for shoppers who know where to look. Several of the company’s most popular cameras and drones remain in stock, and some are now available with worthwhile discounts that make them even more appealing.

The deals include the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo, the standard DJI Osmo Pocket 3, the DJI Neo Fly More Combo, the DJI Flip with RC 2 Screen Remote Controller and the affordable DJI Mini 4K. While these may not all be the latest products in DJI’s growing range, they remain highly capable choices for vloggers, content creators and drone enthusiasts alike.

With newer DJI releases proving harder to come by in the US, these discounted models could offer one of the best opportunities to add a DJI camera or drone to your kit without paying full price.

When the US government agencies first brought up security concerns over the world’s largest drone maker’s ties to China, the conversation centered on drones. But when the Federal Communications Commission added all foreign-made drones to its Covered List late last year, the group specifically called out DJI, effectively banning not just its future drones but its cameras and accessories as well.

One of the most popular vlogging cameras has gotten caught in the crossfire between DJI and the US government – and now even its lookalikes are getting held back. The new DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and 4P won’t be coming to the US, and now lookalikes Xtra Muse 2 and Muse 2 Pro have pulled pre-orders from the US.

The DJI Osmo Pocket series may look strange, but the camera’s gimbal-camera-in-one combo has proven successful for vloggers and content creators. After the Osmo Pocket 3 launched in 2023, the camera’s unusual design and features quickly went viral on social media, leading to a months-long waiting list to find one in stock.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has now been replaced by the DJI Osmo Action 4 and the more advanced 4P. But the vlogging camera arrived after the FCC ban, and as such, the update to the popular vlogging camera isn’t coming to the States.

Now, even the popular Pocket camera’s copycats are becoming difficult to find in the US. After the FCC fined Xtra for failing to respond to inquiries, the agency is seeking public comment over potentially adding the company – as well as eight others selling suspected copies of tech from banned companies – to the Covered List.

Unlike DJI’s addition to the list, the FCC is considering a retroactive ban, which would revoke FCC approval for previously announced products, not just prevent future cameras from getting the necessary approval.

In the meantime, it appears that Xtra has started refunding US pre-orders for the new Xtra Muse 2 and Muse 2 Pro, along with removing the products from the website and halting pre-orders.

The Xtra Muse 2 is a key example of the drone ban’s effects beyond the cameras destined for the skies. The decision to add all “foreign-made drones” to the covered List is a move that effectively puts drone tech on pause in the US. While there are a handful of American drone companies, none of them make consumer drones for hobbyists, beginners, or pro photographers and videographers beyond multi-million dollar budget Hollywood films.

But, DJI is explicitly named on the Covered List. The “all foreign-made drones” addition would have effectively kept DJI’s future China-made drones out of the US, but specifically naming the company also prevents DJI’s non-aerial cameras from entering the US. (Previously existing DJI products are still legal to buy and use in the US; the FCC Covered List currently only prevents future products announced after the ban from receiving FCC approval).

As an American drone pilot, the foreign-made drone ban is a frustrating pause that will prevent me from accessing the latest drone technology until either a US company emerges or regulations change.

But perhaps the most frustrating aspect is that the DJI ban came without a security review – and encompasses far more than drones. The National Defense Authorization Act gave DJI a year to pass a security review or face an automatic ban, but the legislation failed to name what government agency would even be responsible – and then the review never actually happened.

DJI has already been placed on the FCC Covered List, but the turmoil over DJI-branded products (and lookalikes) in the US is far from over. The FCC is currently seeking public comments on the proposed ban for the companies selling products with similarities to those on the Covered List, including Xtra.

DJI’s fight isn’t over either – the drone-maker has filed a lawsuit against the FCC over banning the company without a security review. The lawsuit is ongoing.

You may also like

The DJI Pocket 3 is still available in the US – and the new Insta360 Luna is also available in the US.

DJI has a range of BIG power packs for powering camping holidays or keeping your drones and camera equipment charged up in the field. We saw some great discounts on thesearlier in the season, but now Wex has dropped the ticket price on its mid-range 1kWh model down to a new low.

Wex Photo Video is offering £410 off the DJI Power 1000, which reduces the cost of this to just £469 – the lowest ever price we have ever seen for this monster power bank.

I've fully tested the DJI Power 1000 in my review, and it was impressive. Moreover, DJI has extended the functionality with accessories for any situation that allow you to work with multiple DJI batteries, and charge quickly using a vehicle. so it makes sense to snap some more up even if you already have one.

These are obviously useful if you're out camping or you're our flying. Drone batteries aren't cheap and – if you charge as you go – then you don't need to buy as many batteries to have a fruitful day flying, but DJI will also cover you if you're worried about a collapsing power grid!

I have also seen these devices popular with professional content creators who need to keep topping up on the go and with pilots of fun craft like the Avata 2 drone which, if we're honest, burns through batteries faster when you're having more fun!

You might also like

Check our guide to the best laptop power banks and the best camera drones. (Wanna check the competition – check the Anker Solix C1000).

A decision late last year effectively banned all new DJI products from entering the US while keeping older models on the shelves – but the Federal Communications Commission is considering even harsher restrictions for brands selling DJI lookalikes.

The FCC has released a statement and is looking for public comment on a proposal that would retroactively ban drones and cameras from a handful of companies accused of selling re-branded DJI products.

The companies that could soon see an FCC ban include the brands behind drones like the Skyrover X1 (A DJI Mini 4 lookalike linked to the WaveGo and SZ Knowact brands) and cameras like the Xtra Muse (a DJI Pocket 3 lookalike). The list of targeted brands includes Cogito, Fikaxo, Lyno Dynamics, Skyhigh Tech, Spatial Hover, SZ Knowact, WaveGo, Xtra and XAG.

Notably, brands like Xtra are known for creating more affordable action cameras and gimbal cameras that have several similarities with popular options from DJI. Earlier this month, the FCC proposed a fine when those companies failed to respond to the agency’s request for additional details over whether or not those products source tech from brands on the FCC Covered List, such as DJI.

Unlike the existing limitations on DJI, the proposal could remove those brand’s exsisting products from the shelves rather than just preventing new models from entering the US. The FCC proposal isn’t yet a finalized decision, as the proposal is currently open to public comment over the potential ban.

When the FCC added DJI – as well as all foreign-made drones – to its Covered List late last year, the agency effectively barred new DJI drones, cameras, and accessories from entering the US.

However, while the move effectively “banned” new DJI products, the move did not pull existing DJI products from the shelves, leaving previously approved drones and cameras still available – and legal – to use in the US. Ironically, that means that some lookalikes may be banned when the competing DJI models like the DJI Mini 4 Pro remain on the shelves.

The proposal against the DJI lookalike brands, however, if passed, would be the first time the FCC uses a new ability to retroactively ban previously approved devices. In October 2025, the FCC approved a change that gives the agency the ability to revoke a product’s FCC approval, which would effectively remove that product from US shelves.

The FCC is seeking public comment on the proposal.

DJI has filed a lawsuit over the FCC ban; the case is still ongoing.

You may also like

Read more about what the US drone means for American drone pilots, or browse the best drones for beginners.

I don't want to sound like a DJI apologist, but when a corner of the internet laid into the camera company for an AI-generated ad for its 'Mic Mini', I wondered if it might be quite such a terrible thing?

Don't get me wrong. It's unsettling enough to think that the creative industry I love is at risk of being replaced by AI, and when a company that is meant to support creatives (or, at least, provide products for creatives) gets in on the act, that is more of a worry.

I fully understand why podcasters took the opportunity to jump up and down on the incident and create as much controversy as possible, and it certainly can't have done creators any harm in the short term.

At the same time, though, if we're absolutely honest, posting an AI-generated (so not real) TikTok person showing the DJI Mic is probably not the most serious of crimes.

It definitely sounds more worrying for us all that it was a so-called "dark post" – there is just something about that phrase. In truth, that only means it was a paid ad, so delivered to targeted users (people that fitted target demographics), rather than appearing on DJI's own feed.

Sure, that means it's harder to find after the fact, but Jakob Owens / @buffnerdsmedia managed to record it and share it.

In terms of openness, it was clearly labelled 'AI-generated', so it certainly wasn't 'dark' in that sense.

Perhaps a more serious worry for the future is that – had it been without a label – no one might have spotted it at all.

But there are two positives I can see.

First, the backlash that resulted in the commercial being promptly deleted by the camera firm will undoubtedly keep humans in work for a little longer, and, as a human, I do feel the need to keep back the rise of the machines (and not just because Terminator 2 was the better movie).

Secondly, well, as a consumer, if DJI want to avoid paying an influencer a pile of money for a video, I'm not actually as upset as all that.

I don't especially love photographers and videographers losing out on paid work, but when the shot is a camera (or a phone) in a fixed position and someone talking to it, I'm uncertain just how much creativity would have been involved had it not been AI-generated.

When I'm buying cameras, there are two kinds of content I want to be able to access. One is impartial reviews, ideally from a traditional source.

I'm not just saying that because I write reviews (and participate in some video ones). It is because it's important to me to learn about a device from testers who are entirely outside the company's budget. Call me old-fashioned, but if they're sponsored by the company, they're not really reviews so they're not guidance.

On the other hand, when it comes to usability, I'm perfectly happy for the company to show me how to use a device.

Videos that show features, settings and reveal functions are uesful and, to be honest, if that can be generated by A.I. I don't find that upsetting at all.

In fact, given that influencers can ask for surprisingly large amounts that I'd prefer a company spend on R&D for the next exciting product, I don't really mind A.I. for that specific scenario at all.

But that's just me.

You can see some of our impartial ratings of DJI products in the best action cameras and best camera drones guides.

When I first started at Digital Camera World earlier this year, I wrote an opinion piece shooting down drone photography – to the displeasure of many readers.

Well, since then, I’ve seen so many fantastic images taken with drones that my opinion has gradually shifted, but this image from US-based professional photographer Kah-Wai Lin has me fully converted.

Lin’s image was recently awarded third place in the single image category at the 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year (IAPOTY) Awards. This was the second edition of the competition, and Lin walked away with $250 (approximately £190 / AU$360) and will be featured in the awards book showcasing all 101 finalists.

I think the top-down drone perspective is what makes this shot so special. Yes, you could easily capture the essence of this image with a frame taken at eye level, but it wouldn’t depict the immersive nature of the dust cloud surrounding the herd of wild horses, nor the ethereal, golden-yellow sunlight illuminating the scene.

Lin captured this image using a DJI Mini 4 Pro in Cappadocia, Turkey. Yılkı (wild) horses have been domesticated for over a millennium in the Anatolia region – formerly known as Asia Minor – which makes up a large portion of modern-day Turkey.

Since ancient times, Turkish villagers have tamed wild horses for agricultural work and transportation, the traditional enduring today mainly for tourism purposes.

The photographer opted for a 6.7mm focal length (24mm full-frame equivalent), f/1.7, ISO 100 and a 1/160 sec shutter speed, which I think perfectly balances freezing the animals’ movement while allowing a sliver of motion blur which almost leaves a dry, dusty sensation in your mouth.

Congratulations to Kah-Wai Lin on his commended image. The composition really is outstanding and it’s given me a fresh perspective on drone photography.

This year’s overall AIPOTY winner was Azim Khan Ronnie, who snagged the competition crown with a majestic series headlined by a fantastic shot of a fisherman among a colony of feeding migratory birds.

You might also like…

Here’s our expert pick of the best camera drones for capturing photos and video from the sky!

Amid the Federal Communications Commission’s DJI ban in the US, speculation has run rampant over several lookalike companies offering products with eerily similar specifications. But recent documents suggest that the FCC is investigating several companies under suspicion of bringing components of the banned tech into the US.

DJI and all foreign-made drones were placed on the FCC Covered List in December 2025, effectively barring future models from getting the necessary approval to be sold in the US. Now, recent communications from the FCC reveal that the organization has been investigating companies such as Xtra over allegations of using part of the banned technology.

The FCC has been investigating Xtra and other companies since March 2026, but they have not responded to the Commission’s requests, sparking a proposed $25,000 (approximately £18,600 / AU$35,800) fine over failure to respond.

The investigation stems from an article published in The Verge in October 2025, which claimed that Xtra’s line of products contained “exact hardware copies” of DJI’s products.

(While that article came before the FCC ban, DJI was already under threat at that time over legislation requiring the company to pass a security review. Such a review never happened.)

The article isn’t the only factor that sparked the FCC investigation, as the organization is now looking into several companies after a security researcher developed a program to detect hardware copies of the communications equipment listed on that Covered List.

The full list of companies that the FCC has now sent investigation letters to and subsequently fined for failing to respond includes Cogito Tech, Fikaxo Technology, Lyno Dynamics, Skyhigh Tech, Spatial Hover, SZ Knowact Robot, WaveGo Tech, and Xtra Technology.

On July 10, the FCC sent several notices proposing $25,000 penalties for failing to respond to the FCC’s request for more information.

The letters detail only a proposed fine and do not make any moves to place those companies next to DJI on the Covered List. However, the letters clearly suggest that the FCC is looking into whether any brands have ties to DJI’s communications technology.

All foreign-made drones have been placed on the FCC-covered list, so even DJI lookalikes from another brand won’t help unless that brand manufactures in the US.

But, the Covered List specifically calls out DJI, preventing all DJI’s future products from getting FCC approval – including action cameras and the popular Pocket gimbal cameras, not just DJI drones.

“[T]he Commission has a duty to investigate allegations involving potential statutory and regulatory violations and will not tolerate a failure to respond to investigative inquiries, particularly when an investigation may involve risks to national security,” the FCC letter to Xtra reads.

Those named companies have 30 days to either pay the fine or file a statement seeking a delay or cancellation, but also have just 10 days to respond to the FCC’s request for information.

While the letters are, for now, only part of an investigation into whether or not those companies use DJI technology, the investigation suggests that the FCC won’t allow even borrowed DJI components from another brand to enter the US.

Xtra – whose About page lists a Delaware location – offers both action cameras and gimbal cameras.

DJI has filed a lawsuit to fight the FCC ban; legal proceedings are still ongoing.

You may also like

I asked DJI all my biggest questions about what the FCC ban means. Or, read about the best action cameras.

Bangladesh photographer Azim Khan Ronnie has spent more than a decade building an extraordinary international reputation, earning over 800 photography awards throughout his career.

Now, Ronnie has added another major title to that list, winning the International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2026 competition. Using DJI drones, Ronnie's winning images transform familiar scenes across Switzerland, Bangladesh and India into dramatic aerial compositions.

But beyond the awards and mesmerizing visuals, Ronnie's latest achievement carries a wider message about photography itself. At a time when AI-generated images and digital manipulation are raising new questions about trust, the award-winning photographer says protecting the integrity of photography remains central in his work.

International Aerial Photographer of the Year

The story behind the award-winning series
Each of the locations in his award-winning portfolio has a unique story to tell, whether it was the quiet simplicity of rowing on Lake Zurich in Switzerland or the spiritual atmosphere of the Rakher Upobash ritual in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

He explains, "I visited these locations while working on documentary and travel photography projects, and I chose them because I saw the potential to transform everyday scenes into compelling visual narratives.

"Behind each photograph was patience, waiting for the right light, the perfect arrangement of people, or a fleeting moment when everything came together. Those brief moments are what make aerial photography so rewarding."

Ronnie's trusted aerial gear
“For aerial photography, I use the DJI Mavic 4 Pro and DJI Mavic 3 Classic, allowing me to create images that reveal scale, patterns and perspectives impossible to capture from the ground," he explains.

Photography's integrity matters

Ronnie explains, "My post-processing philosophy is based on enhancement rather than manipulation. I believe editing should strengthen an image without altering its truth or narrative.

"Every adjustment is made with the goal of accurately reflecting the atmosphere, light and emotion I experienced when I pressed the shutter.

"Especially in my documentary and photojournalistic work, I am committed to ethical editing practices that preserve the integrity of the photograph.

"For me, post-production is the final step in realising the image I envisioned in the field, not creating a different reality."

You might like...

Browse the best drones for aerial photography and video, the best drones for beginners, and the best travel drones.

Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from July 2026 to January 2027.

Dual drone cooling

Getting a drone to hover over you to keep you cool sounds risky, but YouTuber @FlyWithAdrien is one of many who claims to have done it successfully. As the drone expert – with experience flying all the major drones on the market – I can't help but offer my thoughts on some of the viral videos of people cooling themselves with flying fans.

I'll get to the best in one second, but first I'll start with the most drones at once!

This effort from @imransaleemvlogs seems a bit risky to my mind. This drone enthusiast, or drone fan, has cooled himself with a ducted (cinewhoop) drone from the DJI Avata series, and another with completely exposed propeller blades.

Perhaps he's added that blanket to protect himself, but that seems to detract a little from the benefit of the drones?

The DJI Avata 2 or DJI Avata 360 would be the safest and most powerful of the two in this pairing, but the irritation might be that the batteries would run out at different times – and there would be a lot of getting up to deal with the drones, even if they safely navigated themselves to a nearby automatic landing site.

The smaller DJI Mini 4K would at least hover longer, for about 25 minutes before landing itself as the battery was nearing exhaustion.

Best choice

If you're feeling warm, there is no reason to wait. I'll start with the best!

The DJI Neo is a great choice because it's not that expensive, has a safety cage, but it offers "follow-me" style tracking.

That means it can fly nice and near you, so you can feel the air movement from the propellers just like fans, and the drone will automatically follow you if you move.

Big drone

These guys are using a mix of big drones and small, but no prop guards. One big advantage of the larger drones – like the DJI Mavic 4 Pro – is that it has big batteries offering a long flight or hover time. Handy if you want to chill out for longer without swapping batteries (or, worse, waiting for them to charge!).

It also has safety sensors, but so do many drones – and, honestly, not all work that well indoors. Caution might be the way forward!

Is this fake?

This definitely looks fake – I mean, where do those motors and propellers hide – but it has been doing the rounds as well. Drone-inspired design and AI video, I'd say. Perhaps look further up for something actually achievable, though!

Big drone indoors

In this clip, we don't exactly see Adrien McGill risking getting under the drone himself, but then he has to walk around it to capture video.

I would, again, offer caution that bigger drones designed for longer flight times are heavy, and if anything were to go wrong, they can cause more damage to you or your possessions.

Machine cooling

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is being used here indoors to keep machines cool. I'd not suggest this is the best way to do so… but better than having it fail, I suppose?

We've all had tech feeling a little too warm in the summer heat – but do make sure that you know your drone's maximum operating temperature, too. Lithium batteries don't always love getting too warm, and indoor hovering will have less draft than when flying around.

Safety tips

If you really are going to try this, here is my safety advice. Protecting the propellers is essential:

• Ideally, use a drone with a ducted design (DJI Neo, Avata) or a safety cage (HoverAir).
• Alternatively, buy propeller guards. These will slightly reduce hover time from the advertised figures, but also protect anyone from the ends of the whirling propellers.
• Keep the area light – especially indoors – with a textured floor, so the drone's sensors have the best chance of 'seeing' stable objects and not drifting.
• Keep the controller near you and be ready to land and keep checking the remaining battery. Keep a few percent for the landing.

Remember, drones have other uses! If you also like a bit of photo and video, check our guides to the best beginner drone and the best camera drone.

360-degree cameras mean you can capture the whole scene, then decide what to focus on later. The DJI Osmo 360 has got a massive discount even though it has some of the best tech – so it's definitely time to check the deals:

Personally I’d say that the era of the 360-degree camera has truly come. If you only have one action camera, you should probably get a 360-degree one.

Why? Because they let you do anything a traditional ‘GoPro’ or equivalent can, but can record footage in every direction at once OR act as a traditional camera. You can choose.

If you opt to record every direction in the moment it saves worrying about where the camera is pointing, and allows you to crop in on and re-direct the footage later.

DJI was not the first company to sell a 360-degree camera; Insta360 has 5 generations of its leading model under its belt, while GoPro is also in the game. The OSMO 360, however, is right up there with the latest and greatest when it comes to specs.

It also has some significant advantages. It has relatively large image sensors, so it’s great in low light. It is at the premium end of resolution with 8K (4K from each side). And, for the many DJI-users out there – it is compatible with DJI OSMO batteries.

The quality of the video was very evident when I tested it for my review.

One of my two main complaints was the price – and of course this deal more than resolves that. My other worry is that DJI’s software isn’t quite as good as the more established Insta360. Now since then there have been some revisions and the features are definitely easier to use and more complete.

And they were always good anyway – especially in the phone app, which also has the advantage of being very fast to download files wirelessly from the camera to.

In other words, this camera was always a tempting choice for someone wanting to start a 360-degree photo / video journey. (And I think you should, by the way.) Now it is even more so.

I've held the new white version of the new flagship DJI OSMO Pocket 4P in one hand, and the black in the other, but I still can't tell you the release date or price!

DJI showed the Osmo Pocket 4P White Edition at a "Product Premiere," so now we're just waiting on the price and release date – and it's time to start putting the pieces together.

It is now a few weeks after the black model was put in my hands at the Cannes film festival hands-on. That suggests we're getting closer to a final on-sale date.

On the price side, there is evidence to suggest that it might be lower than its new arch-enemy (and competitor for top spot in the pocket gimbal camera guide): the newly-launched Insta360 Luna Ultra.

Finally, in China, DJI is accepting orders at CNY 3,799 (around $525) ffor the Pocket 4P already.

Not only does this suggest the moment is very nearly upon us worldwide, but even allowing for higher taxes and the costs DJI will face shipping from China – that's still likely to convert to a figure lower than the Luna Ultra, which went on sale at prices starting at $769.

That's a reasonably steep price, reflecting Insta360's confidence in the product, but that the pocket gimbal camera is a new contender and isn't without the odd hint of being a first-generation product.

DJI has got history in the field (hence the iterative number 4).

The key difference between the Pocket 4P and the recently released Pocket 4 is the addition of a second camera covering 60mm EFL. The Pocket 4 was an incremental update to the already impressive Pocket 3, and only had the 20mm camera with 1-inch sensor.

That sensor affords the camera a 17-stop dynamic range according to the company, and DJI has introduced a new D-Log 2 profile.

Something also worth noting is the effect that all this has had on the price of the Pocket 4's predecessor, especially as Amazon's Prime Day sale is still on today.

One of the other side effects isn't to say that there aren't good deals on the Osmo Pocket 3.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 already has a history of going viral thanks to its portable form factor and tripod-free steady video. But now an Amazon Prime Day deal has been so popular that the major retailer has already sold out. Thankfully, a handful of other retailers still have stock available at the lowest-ever price.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is an unusual camera in that it’s a camera that’s built right into a gimbal. That's part of why the camera went viral. The gimbal not only creates smooth video but also allows the camera to track your movement, perfect for vlogging and recording action.

The other reason that the Pocket 3 has been so successful? The camera uses a larger one-inch sensor, so the video and photo quality are excellent for the price.

The camera’s popularity drove up the price to as high as $799, thanks to a mix of trends and tariffs. But now with Prime Day plus DJI’s recent launch of the Pocket 4, the price has dropped to a record low.

The Osmo Pocket 3’s $378 deal has been so popular that Amazon has sold out, and the listing now warns of a “high price” thanks to surging demand. But, I’ve found that several US retailers still have that $378 price with the camera in stock.

B&H Photo Video has matched Amazon’s earlier price at $378, plus it adds a free one-year extended warranty and, as of this writing, has the camera in stock and ready to ship.

Photo retailer Adorama has the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 in stock and ready to go with free two-day shipping.

Electronics giant Best Buy also has the Pocket 3 listed as in stock at the discounted price.

Another option? The Creator Combo includes a wireless mic with the camera and has dropped down to $512.

DJI has recently launched the Pocket 4, but the camera can be more challenging to find in the US – not to mention more expensive. Of all the Prime Day deals that I’ve been following, the Pocket 3 discount is the most tempting to me personally – partially because it’s the lowest ever price and partially because I’d love the ability to auto-track when creating social media videos.

You may also like...

For more steep camera discounts, browse the best Amazon Prime Day 2026 deals on cameras. Or, take a look at the best cameras for vlogging.

The DJI Flip drone kit has just dropped to the lowest price we have ever seen it in the US - and can be snapped up for $509 in the Amazon Prime Day sale.

The DJI Flip is a lightweight drone, weighing under 249g, making it travel-friendly and exempt from registration in many regions. It features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor capable of capturing stunning 48MP photos and 4K/60fps HDR videos. With up to 31 minutes of flight time, you can capture more footage without interruption.

This drone is equipped with AI subject tracking, ensuring your subject stays perfectly framed, even during dynamic activities. The foldable full-coverage propeller guard enhances safety during flight, making it ideal for novice pilots. Additionally, the DJI Flip supports palm takeoff, enabling on-the-go selfie captures without the need for a remote controller.

See other Prime Day drone deals that we recommend

I've been flying drones – and sharing secrets about them – ever since the early days, so you can rest assured that I know all the best models out there. This Prime Day I've been checking out the deals on offer and I can confidently say that, while they're available, these are definitely the best.

Prime Day is a bit longer than a day now – it's four days of deals and offers, exclusive to Amazon, that runs from June 23-26. My colleagues and Digital Camera World and I keep looking for the best deals on all cameras, drones, and the devices we cover during the sale and share them with you.

We've been doing this a few years, and one thing we've learned is that the deals come and go quickly – sometimes things sell out – so what I'd suggest is that if you're keen on picking up a drone in the next few days but you don't see what you want just yet, bookmark this page and check back often over the next few days.

Without further ado, here are the best drone deals that I'd buy right now. Beneath each one I've added a little explainer as to why I personally think it's a really good choice right now.

Amazon Prime: Best drone deals

I'd choose this drone because – although there is an upgraded sequel in the form of the DJI Neo 2 – this gives you so much capability for a surprisingly little amount of money in the drone world. It's also incredibly upgradeable.

The Neo 2 also tends to come from 2nd-party resellers, whereas the original Neo is still sold by DJI.

Out of the box, it can use AI tracking to follow you and orbit you, or it can be piloted using a phone – but you can add radio remote control for long-distance flying, or even FPV goggles and a 'wand' controller (also heavily discounted for Prime) to fly it as if you're a pilot sat inside. A lot of capability in a very small, very safe design, even before you acknowledge the pleasing price.

This Mini 3 is a great choice for photographers, and this upgraded control option means you don't need to go rummaging around and connect your phone to the remote with a cable.

What makes this drone very useful for a lot of people is that it's the cheapest drone in which the gimbal (the piece that holds and steadies the camera) can rotate the camera to a vertical position.

That makes it the cheapest drone that offers true portrait mode shooting. Given this is the correct way around for TikTok, Instagram video and YouTube Shorts – and so much other social media – it's easy to see why this would have appeal.

Starting with the aim of shooting photo and video on a drone? The camera on this drone is more than capable. Why such a big discount here? I think it is so big because outside the USA a slightly newer model has come out (it's called Lito) but you can't get it here and it looks more or less the same anyway, so there is a lot to be said for the "Why spend more?" argument if you want 4K video.

The Antigravity A1 is not the cheapest drone, so a price drop is welcome, but the 360-degree camera is extremely impressive and is doubly excellent thanks to the inclusion of Insta360's post-processing software, which is the best in the business in my view. I reviewed this drone and I not only enjoyed flying it, but I found it a breeze to go back after flying and turn the recording into varied and engaging edits from the comfort of my laptop.

Amazon's best deals across Photo & Video

Today's top Amazon deal - up to 40% off!

Best lens deals - Save up to £300 off

Best video deals - up to 15% saving

Best photo printer deals - huge savings across a massive range

The truth is, the Pocket line always had potential - but it wasn’t until the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 that DJI finally cracked the code for everyday creators. The formula? A genuinely pocketable gimbal camera that feels as simple as a phone, yet looks like you brought a cinematographer on holiday - and it's now just £277 in the Amazon Prime Sale!

The jump to a 1-inch sensor, effortless stabilization, and that clever 2-inch rotatable touchscreen made it the first Pocket that didn’t just appeal to early adopters - it converted casual travellers, parents, and first-time vloggers en masse. Suddenly, “grab-and-go 4K” wasn’t a compromise. It was the point.

Specs alone don’t make culture, but the Pocket 3’s 4K/120 option, 10-bit profiles (D-Log M/HLG), and full-pixel PDAF meant creators could shoot fast and grade later without their footage falling apart. Pair that with DJI’s proven 3-axis gimbal and ActiveTrack updates, and you get footage that looks professional even when you’re sprinting for a train or chasing a toddler down the beach. It’s the rare camera that forgives real life.

Crucially, DJI fixed the friction. The screen flips between vertical and horizontal with a twist, menus are obvious, and the camera talks neatly to the Mimo app for control and updates. Even livestreaming to YouTube is baked in, which quietly turned this tiny stick into a one-hand studio for travel vloggers and city-break storytellers. You don’t need a rig. You don’t need a learning curve. You press record and get on with the day.

That ease-of-use is why the Pocket 3 became the “must-have” travel companion. YouTubers loved the pro-leaning colour and slow-motion headroom; holidaymakers loved that it slips into a jeans pocket and charges fast; families loved that it nails faces and stays steady when little hands are waving at the lens. The Creator Combo sealed it - clean audio, better control, fewer excuses. It’s hard to overstate the impact a zero-fuss, pro-looking camera has when the alternative is juggling a phone, a gimbal, and a mic.

Timing helped. As phone video plateaued for many creators, the Pocket 3 arrived, offering a visible step-up without the bulk of a mirrorless body. Firmware support has kept it fresh, and long-term reviewers still rate its image quality and stabilisation in 2025 - proof that this wasn’t a hype cycle, but a genuine shift in how people capture travel and family life. The Pocket line always promised “cinema in your pocket”; the Pocket 3 finally delivered it in a way that stuck.

So yes, the Pocket range brought new faces into the fold - but it was the Osmo Pocket 3 that turned curiosity into a movement. By making “professional-looking” the default setting, it redefined what vacation videos, city vlogs, and family reels could look like—and who felt confident creating them. The big camera stayed home. The phone stayed as a backup. The Pocket 3 took the trip, and with a $300 discount at B&H, now is the time to take the plunge into amazing holiday videos with a super holiday savings!

The DJI Neo has dropped back to just $139, down from $199 and getting you a 4K camera drone for an incredible price to start off your aerial imaging adventures

For anyone looking to capture aerial footage without carrying a large drone or learning a complicated control system, this is a deal that immediately demands attention. The Neo is compact, lightweight, and designed to make getting into the air as straightforward as possible.

Its ability to take off from the palm of your hand is a major part of the appeal. Intelligent flight modes can automatically follow and film you, allowing the drone to capture walking, cycling, travel, and outdoor adventures without requiring someone else to operate the camera.

Despite its tiny size, the first-generation DJI Neo can record stabilized 4K video, producing smooth and detailed footage that is ready to share. It is particularly well suited to social media creators, families, travellers, and anyone who wants a simple way to add aerial perspectives to their content.

The protected propeller design also makes the Neo feel less intimidating than many traditional drones, while its lightweight construction means it can easily slip into a small bag. It is the kind of camera you can take almost anywhere without having to plan your entire day around carrying additional equipment.

Amazon Prime Day is now in full swing, with the sale running across four packed days. We have been searching through the offers to uncover the strongest camera discounts, and some of the most tempting savings we have found so far are on DJI products in both the US and the UK.

Whether you have been waiting for a DJI drone, a Pocket gimbal camera, an action camera, or a 360-degree model, this is an excellent time to start looking. Not every product has received a discount, but there are more than enough worthwhile reductions across the range to make the sale well worth exploring.

Below, we have rounded up the best DJI deals available so far. We will continue updating the page as prices fall, stock changes, and fresh offers appear throughout the event.

🇺🇸 US DJI Prime Day deals

🇬🇧 UK DJI Prime Day deals

The truth is, the Pocket line always had potential - but it wasn’t until the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 that DJI finally cracked the code for everyday creators. The formula? A genuinely pocketable gimbal camera that feels as simple as a phone, yet looks like you brought a cinematographer on holiday - and it's now just $378 in the Amazon Prime Sale!

The jump to a 1-inch sensor, effortless stabilization, and that clever 2-inch rotatable touchscreen made it the first Pocket that didn’t just appeal to early adopters - it converted casual travellers, parents, and first-time vloggers en masse. Suddenly, “grab-and-go 4K” wasn’t a compromise. It was the point.

Specs alone don’t make culture, but the Pocket 3’s 4K/120 option, 10-bit profiles (D-Log M/HLG), and full-pixel PDAF meant creators could shoot fast and grade later without their footage falling apart. Pair that with DJI’s proven 3-axis gimbal and ActiveTrack updates, and you get footage that looks professional even when you’re sprinting for a train or chasing a toddler down the beach. It’s the rare camera that forgives real life.

Crucially, DJI fixed the friction. The screen flips between vertical and horizontal with a twist, menus are obvious, and the camera talks neatly to the Mimo app for control and updates. Even livestreaming to YouTube is baked in, which quietly turned this tiny stick into a one-hand studio for travel vloggers and city-break storytellers. You don’t need a rig. You don’t need a learning curve. You press record and get on with the day.

That ease-of-use is why the Pocket 3 became the “must-have” travel companion. YouTubers loved the pro-leaning colour and slow-motion headroom; holidaymakers loved that it slips into a jeans pocket and charges fast; families loved that it nails faces and stays steady when little hands are waving at the lens. The Creator Combo sealed it - clean audio, better control, fewer excuses. It’s hard to overstate the impact a zero-fuss, pro-looking camera has when the alternative is juggling a phone, a gimbal, and a mic.

Timing helped. As phone video plateaued for many creators, the Pocket 3 arrived, offering a visible step-up without the bulk of a mirrorless body. Firmware support has kept it fresh, and long-term reviewers still rate its image quality and stabilisation in 2025 - proof that this wasn’t a hype cycle, but a genuine shift in how people capture travel and family life. The Pocket line always promised “cinema in your pocket”; the Pocket 3 finally delivered it in a way that stuck.

So yes, the Pocket range brought new faces into the fold - but it was the Osmo Pocket 3 that turned curiosity into a movement. By making “professional-looking” the default setting, it redefined what vacation videos, city vlogs, and family reels could look like—and who felt confident creating them. The big camera stayed home. The phone stayed as a backup. The Pocket 3 took the trip, and with a $300 discount at B&H, now is the time to take the plunge into amazing holiday videos with a super holiday savings!

I've been flying drones – and sharing secrets about them – ever since the early days, so you can rest assured that I know all the best models out there. This Prime Day I've been checking out the deals on offer and I can confidently say that, while they're available, these are definitely the best.

Prime Day is a bit longer than a day now – it's four days of deals and offers, exclusive to Amazon, that runs from June 23-26. My colleagues and Digital Camera World and I keep looking for the best deals on all cameras, drones, and the devices we cover during the sale and share them with you.

We've been doing this a few years, and one thing we've learned is that the deals come and go quickly – sometimes things sell out – so what I'd suggest is that if you're keen on picking up a drone in the next few days but you don't see what you want just yet, bookmark this page and check back often over the next few days.

Without further ado, here are the best drone deals that I'd buy right now. Beneath each one I've added a little explainer as to why I personally think it's a really good choice right now.

Amazon Prime: Best drone deals

I'd choose this drone because – although there is an upgraded sequel in the form of the DJI Neo 2 – this gives you so much capability for a surprisingly little amount of money in the drone world. It's also incredibly upgradeable. Out of the box it can use AI tracking to follow you and orbit you, or it can be piloted using a phone – but you can add radio remote control for long-distance flying, or even FPV goggles to fly it as if you're a pilot sat inside. A lot of capability in a very small, very safe design, even before you acknowledge the pleasing price.

This Mini 3 is a great choice for photographers, and the RC-N1 is the cheapest control option. What makes this drone coast a little more is that the gimbal (the piece that holds and steadies the camera) features the option to rotate the camera to a vertical position – this being the cheapest drone that offers true portrait mode shooting. Given this is the correct way around for TikTok, Instagram video and YouTube Shorts – and so much other social media – it's easy to see why this would have appeal.

Starting our with the aim of shooting photo and video on a drone? The camera on this drone is more than capable. Why such a big discount here? I think it is so big because of the arrival of the new, but similar-looking Lito series in the UK, but there is a lot to be said for the "Why spend more?" argument if you want 4K video.

The Antigravity A1 is not the cheapest drone, so a price drop is welcome, but the 360-degree camera is extremely impressive and is doubly excellent thanks to the inclusion of Insta360's post-processing software, which is the best in the business in my view. I reviewed this drone and I not only enjoyed flying it, but I found it a breeze to go back after flying and turn the recording into varied and engaging edits from the comfort of my laptop.

Amazon's best deals across Photo & Video

Today's top Amazon deal - up to 40% off!

Best lens deals - Save up to £300 off

Best video deals - up to 15% saving

Best photo printer deals - huge savings across a massive range

If you’ve been looking for a pocket-sized camera that delivers genuinely professional-looking video, the Amazon Prime Sale has produced a tempting Prime member-exclusive offer on the ever-popular Pocket 3 camera.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Comboahas dropped to just $512, down from its usual $629 price tag, giving you a $117 saving on one of the most capable compact video cameras currently available.

Be warned that the sale ends midnight ET, and the offer on the Pocket 3 on its own has already sold out - so don't dither if you are interested.

DJI designed the Osmo Pocket 3 specifically for creators who want high-quality footage without carrying around a full camera rig. Despite its tiny footprint, it packs serious imaging power thanks to a large 1-inch sensor and a built-in three-axis mechanical gimbal that keeps footage incredibly smooth even when you’re walking or shooting on the move.

What makes the Pocket 3 stand out from typical action cameras is its focus on video quality and usability. It can record detailed 4K footage at high frame rates and features intelligent subject tracking, making it ideal for vloggers, travel creators, and anyone filming solo content. The rotating 2-inch touchscreen also makes it easy to switch between horizontal and vertical shooting depending on where your footage will be shared.

In practice, the Osmo Pocket 3 feels like a tiny professional camera rather than a gadget. The stabilization is exceptional, the autofocus is quick and reliable, and the whole thing slips into a jacket pocket without a second thought. For travel shooters or creators documenting everyday life, that level of convenience is hard to beat.

Check out our guide to the best pocket gimbal cameras

The DJI Osmo Action 7 could be less than 12 weeks away, according to this product history – but some people have suggested that there might be something even sooner than that.

Looking at the number of days that each of the Osmo Action cameras has spent in DJI's list as the flagship before being superseded by a new model, we can see that – at the moment – a life of somewhere between 322 and 425 days seems realistic. We are already at 216.

The first iteration, admittedly, had a very different 896 days. But that was an Action camera during the days of a global pandemic, so there was likely no hurry for a replacement – and there were some unavoidable delaying factors.

For several generations, DJI has comfortably sat at the top of my best action cameras guide thanks to the company's superior low-light capabilities and, frankly, better pricing than the iconic GoPro brand.

The latest GoPro Mission 1 Pro has upped the game for action cameras in several respects, at least for the American brand, by delivering 8K. DJI, however, was already offering most of this – for a lower price. So what can it do, on the technical side at least, to stay ahead of the game?

Bigger sensors have been part of DJI's path before, but there might be a sensible limit in action cameras. DJI has already included a variable aperture in the Action 6, a "feature" that GoPro resisted.

The other most obvious upgrade would be 8K 60fps video, since 8K has been a widely promoted feature not only of the GoPro but also the AcePro 2 from Insta360.

I would anticipate, too, iterative updates to what might be considered 'AI' software – electronic image stabilization, horizon steadying and face tracking.

The real difference for customers, though, will likely still be the lack of first-party support for the DJI camera in the US. DJI has not sold it directly in the US since the company was added to the covered list, though we know that it is still fighting this decision…

If you’ve been looking for a pocket-sized camera that delivers genuinely professional-looking video, the Amazon Prime Sale has produced a tempting Prime member-exclusive offer.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has dropped to just £289, down from its usual £389 price tag, giving you a tidy £100 saving on one of the most capable compact video cameras currently available.

DJI designed the Osmo Pocket 3 specifically for creators who want high-quality footage without carrying around a full camera rig. Despite its tiny footprint, it packs serious imaging power thanks to a large 1-inch sensor and a built-in three-axis mechanical gimbal that keeps footage incredibly smooth even when you’re walking or shooting on the move.

What makes the Pocket 3 stand out from typical action cameras is its focus on video quality and usability. It can record detailed 4K footage at high frame rates and features intelligent subject tracking, making it ideal for vloggers, travel creators, and anyone filming solo content. The rotating 2-inch touchscreen also makes it easy to switch between horizontal and vertical shooting depending on where your footage will be shared.

In practice, the Osmo Pocket 3 feels like a tiny professional camera rather than a gadget. The stabilisation is exceptional, the autofocus is quick and reliable, and the whole thing slips into a jacket pocket without a second thought. For travel shooters or creators documenting everyday life, that level of convenience is hard to beat.

At its normal price the Pocket 3 already represents good value for what it offers, but seeing it fall to £289 (or £384 for the comoc deal) during the Amazon Prime Sale makes it a particularly attractive buy. Deals on DJI’s newer creator tools don’t appear all that often, so when they do, they tend to attract plenty of attention.

If you’re looking for a lightweight vlogging camera that delivers stabilised 4K footage with almost zero setup time, this Amazon Spring deal on the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is easily one of the most compelling creator bargains of the sale.

The US Federal Communications Commission has loosened the restriction on foreign-made drones – but the change isn’t one that will allow drone photographers and videographers to celebrate.

This week, the FCC announced that it will allow certain toy drones made in China to be imported, loosening a restriction put in place in December 2025 that effectively prevents all newly announced drones from receiving the necessary FCC approval to be sold in the US.

The FCC, however, narrowly defines what constitutes a “toy drone” – and one of the key limitations is that the drone can’t have a camera at all. The drone also can’t weigh more than 150g (5.29 oz), and it can’t have network capability or more than ten minutes of flight time.

The idea is that these toy drones don’t threaten national security without the technology to even take photos or communicate with a network. But, as an American photographer with a Part 107 drone license, the change only adds to my frustration.

If a toy drone without the physical ability to connect to a network doesn’t cause any security concerns, why can’t camera drones without network capabilities be permitted? Even existing DJI drones don’t need a network to fly. An internet connection is required for the initial setup, but DJI’s Local Data Mode allows pilots to fly without any network connection at all.

This disables features like the on-screen map, firmware updates, and some real-time safety features – like when I’m flying and get an alert that an aircraft is in the area. But, the mode severs any network connection, leaving the drone only connected with the controller.

If data transmission is still a concern – although a recent third-party security review of two DJI drones found no unexpected data transmissions – DJI drones can also be flown with third-party apps. And, yes, there are apps like this from American companies.

The US drone ban is about more than concern over inadvertently sending photos of US infrastructure to foreign countries, however. The government has also expressed concern that the US does not have a supply chain in place and, in the event of a war, wouldn’t be able to secure parts or build military drones.

The problem with banning all foreign-made drones is that there are currently no American companies that are building consumer drones for photographers and videographers. The handful of US drone companies focus on military drones, expensive Hollywood-level shooters, and quadcopters for commercial and agricultural applications.

Until a US drone company can build a consumer drone, aerial photographers and videographers will be relegated to using older drones launched before the ban. The US currently doesn’t have the supply chain in place for many drone components, but the FCC previously eased the foreign-made drone restriction by allowing drones that are made with at least 65% US components.

The drones that launched before the FCC ban are still legal to purchase and fly in the US. Six months after the drone ban, there’s still plenty of earlier launches to choose from. The DJI Avata 360, for example, had started the FCC approval process ahead of launch in time for those drones to launch in the US. But, eventually, US pilots will only have older consumer drones available to them.

Droe photographers are not the only ones affected by the ban – first responders, small businesses, hobbyist pilots, and others are also impacted. When the FCC called for public comments, it received more than 3,000, a number that’s far higher than the usual number of comments on similar FCC actions.

In February, DJI filed a lawsuit against the FCC ban in the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Notably, the FCC ban includes all foreign-made drones as well as targeting all of DJI’s newly launched products with wireless communication, which affects the brand’s action cameras and Pocket gimbal cameras, as well as flying cameras. The court case is still ongoing.

You may also like...

I asked DJI all my pressing questions about the drone ban and shared them here. Or, browse the best camera drones or the best drones for beginners.

If you’ve been thinking about getting into aerial photography without spending a fortune, this early Prime Day deal on Amazon is very enticing

The DJI Mini 4K Camera Drone has dropped to just £169, down from £329, giving you a tidy £100 saving on one of the most accessible camera drones currently on the market.

• See all of today's early best Prime Day deals

DJI has long dominated the consumer drone world, and the Mini 4K sits firmly in that sweet spot where affordability meets serious performance. It’s designed as an entry-level drone, but one that still delivers the sort of image quality and stability that has made DJI such a trusted name among content creators and hobby pilots alike.

Despite its compact size, the Mini 4K packs a capable camera able to capture crisp 4K video and 12MP stills, stabilised by a three-axis gimbal that keeps footage smooth even when conditions aren’t perfect. The drone weighs just 246g, keeping it under the key 249g threshold that often avoids more complicated drone registration rules in many regions.

Flight performance is also impressive for a drone in this price bracket. The Mini 4K offers up to around 31 minutes of flight time and long-range video transmission of up to 10km, allowing pilots to explore landscapes and capture sweeping aerial shots with confidence.

DJI’s intelligent flight features also make it particularly beginner-friendly. Automated QuickShots modes such as Rocket, Circle and Helix can create cinematic aerial sequences with just a tap, while safety systems like GPS Return-to-Home help bring the drone safely back if the signal drops or the battery runs low.

The Mini 3 is not DJI's latest beginner-friendly drone - but thanks to an overnight price drop, it is now at the lowest price that we have ever seen it at. And at just £219, with the basic RC-N1, this is a brilliant early Prime Day camera deal (and you don't even need to be a Prime member).

This little drone weighs in at 248g, meeting the all-important 249g (0.55 pound) threshold. And while subsequent Mini releases, including the Mini Pro range, have expanded upon the DJI Mini 3’s capabilities, it’s still a very usable little drone for content creators. I’m also very much of the opinion that first-time drone owners are better off purchasing a decent drone they can use to capture content, without spending big on a device that hopefully won’t (but sadly can) end up plunging into the drink or veering into a tree.

What you get with the DJI Mini 3 is a 1/1.3-inch sensor with dual native ISO, the ability to capture stills up to 48MP, and video footage up to 4K / 30p and 2.7K / 60p. A three-axis mechanical gimbal works to keep shots steady, while also enabling True Vertical Shooting (a boon for short-form creators). Level five wind resistance is to be expected in this price range, and the max flight time is rated for 38 mins. It can be expanded to 51 mins with the separately sold Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, at the expense of a higher weight. Do be aware that the Mini 3 doesn’t feature the subject tracking or collision sensors of higher-end DJI Mini drones.

Check our guide to the…
Best camera drones
Best DJI drones
Best cheap drones

Insta360 has struck back against DJI with five patent claims covering gimbals and 360 degree-cameras – this in apparent retaliation for DJI's patent lawsuit launched the same day Insta360 launched the Luna Ultra gimbal camera.

What will this actually mean. First, of course, we'll get to hear a lot of posturing from the two companies. Insta360's founder JK Liu said "At Insta360, we prefer to let our products do the talking. But we are not afraid of a legal battle when challenged."

The patents that Insta360 has asserted as its own are, according to the company, being used by DJI in a number of its major product lines, including the Osmo Pocket series (the center of the storm, of course), the Ronin/RS series of camera gimbals, the Osmo Mobile series of phone gimbals, and the Osmo 360.

Other than the Ronins, these are all product categories that Insta360 now has at least one competing product in since the June 10 launch of the Luna.

That launch was strong, with the Luna Ultra ranking as the best-selling camcorder in Amazon USA in the 24 hours after launch.

Insta360 has been clear that the Luna Ultra is not a response to DJI's product (though the similarities are evident to me as a reviewer). JK added "Development began in 2020, with earlier Insta360 products including the ONE R, Link Series webcams, and Flow Series gimbals helping shape the technology and design direction behind Luna Ultra. DJI filing lawsuits on the same day we launched Luna Ultra speaks volumes—exposing their fear of competition from a highly competitive product."

Though it may not be related, and I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions, it is interesting that the date of launch on Insta360's side was something of a surprise for those of us covering the industry – coming a little sooner than first anticipated. At the time, I thought it was because some retailers accidentally leaked it.

Crucially, the product will not be disappearing from the shelves, and nor are we expecting to see any changes in the timeline of DJI's product launch.

In many cases, new DJI products have become available through different retailers in the USA – buying the Pocket 4 in the USA is possible – before appearing on DJI's own store anyway, and the Pocket 4 is one of those, so the Pocket 4P may be one of them too.

In these cases, the demand for the products of both companies, which appears global and present now, is likely to result in a behind-the-scenes settlement even should a court decide that a patent belongs to one or other company.

Such a decision, if contested, will be some years away, and neither company will suspect product sales in the meantime. The legal solution, should the court decide it is appropriate, will be one of restitution (in other words, paying the money that was lost).

In the meantime, check our guide to the best pocket gimbal camera.