8 Reasons Why the DJI Osmo Pocket Sucks For Underwater Videography

Okay, so as much as I love the DJI OSMO Pocket, and as much as I wanted to love it for underwater use, I’ve now used it on several dives and here is the final conclusion—I HATE IT! The DJI Osmo Pocket might be the worst camera for underwater videography ever!

Now, this does not mean that it is a bad camera, because like I said, I love the camera and use it all the time on the surface. But I will never again even try to use it underwater for diving. It just plain sucks.

Let me tell you 8 reasons why the DJI Osmo Pocket sucks royally for scuba diving and underwater videography:

1. You can’t easily swap out the battery.

This is a big deal. When you’re diving, you have to swap out batteries in your camera after a dive or two. The OSMO Pocket has no batter to swap. This means you have to bring a charging device with you. Not only is this cumbersome, but you might not have enough time during a service interval to charge it all the way.

2. The shape is cumbersome to carry with you.

This is a big one. The shape of the OSMO Pocket inside of its underwater carrying case is very cumbersome to carry along with you. It wastes space and is not easily tucked snugly in any bag. This is only an annoyance, but when there are better options, why deal with annoyances?

3. The screen is too small for framing.

This is a big one. The screen on the OSMO Pocket is so small that it is difficult to see and difficult to frame your shot, especially when you’re underwater and there are glares from the sun.

4. The stabilization is not as good as on the Osmo Action.

The main competitor to the DJI Osmo Pocket, is the DJI Osmo Action. The Osmo Action is superior to the OSMO Pocket for underwater use in every single way. And this is the one that shocked me the most—the digital image stabilization on the Osmo Action is actually superior to the 3-axis gimbal on the DJI Osmo Pocket. Check out this comparison video to see for yourself.

5. The color processing underwater is just not very good.

I was shocked at how poor the color processing was underwater. It was atrocious, actually. I don’t know how or why, but the Osmo Action is so much better, that it is embarrassing. Check out this video to see what the Osmo Action's color looks like RAW from the camera.

6. Focusing is a problem.

Underwater, the Osmo Action has a focusing problem. It just can’t keep focus on things. It is really strange because other than the Osmo Action, DJI’s focusing is fantastic. And the Osmo Action, has no problem focusing on the surface, but underwater it is just pitiful.

7. The field of view is not as functional underwater.

The field of view on the Osmo Action is much narrower than on other underwater cameras. This is actually a negative as it doesn’t allow you to capture as much of your scene as you typically would like. Since this is not adjustable, you’re stuck with what you’ve got.

8. The case does not feel rugged enough for the stress of scuba.

Maybe I’m nitpicking on this one, but the case is really cheap and chintsy feeling. Scuba Diving is a rough sport as for as equipment is concerned. Things need to be made out of military grade plastic or metal. Not only does it need to be able to handle the rigors of other scuba equipment, but the salt water from the ocean is world famous for destroying anything that is not made to the highest standards. DJI bombed on this one.

So what’s the bottom line? As I already said, the DJI Osmo Pocket sucks for underwater videography. Don’t bother with it. Instead, buy the DJI Osmo Action—it is the best underwater camera in the price range. In fact, the DJI Osmo Action as of right now, in January of 2020, is without a doubt the best underwater scuba camera for recreational divers, period.

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