Redefining Cinematic Creation - DJI Advertorial

interview and copy written for DJI in Screen Daily P24 Screen Dailies 

Since pioneering the gimbal camera category in 2015 and introducing the world’s first pocket-sized gimbal camera in 2018, DJI has continuously redefined how creators capture motion and tell stories. DJI is making its most visible move yet into the professional cinema space as it brings its new Osmo Pocket 4P camera to the Cannes Film Festival.

The decision to launch at Cannes reflects DJI’s growing heritage in professional production. The company has spent more than a decade building a presence in the film industry, with its technologies contributing to Oscar‑ and Emmy‑winning productions including F1: The Movie, Dune, and limited series Shōgun. It has also been awarded a technical Emmy.

With the Pocket 4P, DJI is spearheading a new era of cinematic excellence in handheld gimbal systems, where professional-grade filmmaking capabilities meet true pocket-sized portability.

Pocket 4P builds on a growing movement in which compact cameras are reshaping how stories are created and shared. Its Cannes debut highlights its potential to influence the future of cinematic vlogging, inspire a new generation of mobile-first filmmakers, and lead global trends in portrait-driven visual storytelling.

The device represents the convergence of high-end film technology and extreme portability.  Featuring a 1-inch CMOS sensor and dual lenses for portraiture and zoom, Pocket 4P is capable of cinematically smooth slow motion at 240 fps in full 4K glory.

There are two headline specifications that DJI believes sets the camera apart from other compact systems.

The first is its 17 stops of dynamic range, a level typically associated with high‑end mirrorless or cinema cameras. DJI claims the Pocket 4P is the only compact zoom‑lens camera currently reaching that benchmark. At the event in Cannes, guests are invited to see how its advanced sensor technology and refined imaging algorithms ensure clear, detailed footage, making it possible to shoot confidently in challenging conditions from nighttime cityscapes to indoor scenes.

Dynamic range remains one of the most important indicators of image quality, and DJI is clearly aiming to position the Pocket 4P as a serious tool for cinematographers who need flexibility on set and in post.

Major colour‑science upgrade

The second major feature of the Osmo Pocket 4P is the introduction of 10-bit D‑Log 2, DJI’s professional colour science profile. This marks the first time the company has upgraded its log system since the launch of the Ronin 4D, which was used as the main camera on Alex Garland’s Civil War. DJI describes D‑Log 2 as a “huge leap” in grading flexibility, offering a richer colour‑space and more robust data for post‑production workflows.

Its enhanced portrait capabilities deliver natural skin tones and cinematic depth, enabling more emotionally engaging storytelling across interviews, vlogs, and narrative content. Improved zoom functionality expands creative possibilities, allowing creators to capture distant subjects while maintaining image integrity.

At Cannes, DJI will deepen its relationships with cinematographers. The company confirmed that several DPs attended the Pocket 4P showcase, including Christopher Blauvelt, who shot recent Cannes competition entry May December, and Rodney Charters, ASC (the lead DP on Fox series 24).

Its compact form, paired with cinematic imaging performance, positions the Pocket 4P as a compelling companion for independent filmmakers and a powerful storytelling device for documentary work - whether as a main camera or as a flexible companion device to augment coverage of any scene.

While drones remain its most recognisable product category, DJI says its imaging systems are now becoming the default choice in several Asian markets. In Japan and China, the company claims its Pocket 3 camera has effectively become the “camcorder of choice” surpassing traditional brands like Sony and Nikon.

The Pocket 4P is the next step in that evolution. It is designed to appeal to both Hollywood‑level cinematographers and ‘elite creators’ who want uncompromising image quality for personal projects. DJI frames this as part of its mission to democratise technology, making advanced imaging tools accessible to a wider audience.

By unveiling Osmo Pocket 4P at one of the most prestigious stages in global filmmaking, DJI reinforces the idea that cinematic storytelling is no longer confined to large-scale rigs, but can now exist in a device small enough to carry anywhere.