Travel Vlogging

I photograph professionally and video as a hobbyist, particularly for documenting travels and family moments like chasing after a toddler hiking through a rugged park. I had tried using my photography experience to film through the coordination of steady hands, a breathing pattern, and taking careful steps, and that worked to some extent. Next, I tried using a $100 gimbal to help with image stabilization, and that was a big improvement, but I kept running into issues like having to recalibrate from time to time, or movement not having been as smooth as I’d have liked. So, I asked my professional videography friends for their recommendation for use with smartphones, GoPros, and my Sony Alpha A6500. They said with an overwhelming majority: DJI Ronin or the slightly less expensive, but just as capable, Zhiyun Crane. I purchased the Zhiyun Crane M-2 for use with the Sony, but ended up not really using it much for my personal life because it was far easier to take out a cell phone to video your children than to carry a relatively bulky DSLR. For my commercial work, however, the Crane M-2 performs VERY well.

Pocket Gimbals

Extension Pole /Feiyu

To see if more portable gimbals would be better suited for my needs, I tried the Zhiyun Smooth X, a $60 gimbal for the smartphone next. I absolutely found its use and range too limiting, and needing to mount/unmount the phone every time was not very appealing. I went back to my videography friends for recommendations on something VERY portable (easy to keep in the pocket) with great image stabilization, and once again they came with two recommendations: DJI Osmo Pocket ($400) or Feiyu Pocket ($300 or $250 with coupon). They described them as a GoPro and gimbal built as one product — in other words, no smartphone or DSLR camera needed! Interesting! I never knew that product type existed! Apparently, the DJI came out with the product first, and Feiyu became its first, serious competitor.

Feiyu Pocket vs DJI Osmo Pocket

Selfie Mode /Feiyu

Visually, both the Feiyu and DJI look VERY much the same — down to the case design. In looking over the specifications and features, I went with the Feiyu: far better pricing, more modern features, and extra accessories included. My friends told me that for amateur and enthusiast use, the Feiyu was indeed the better value and choice over the older DJI, and after researching both products, I agree. Where the DJI outshines the Feiyu, however, is in its smoother stabilization and better image quality due to its larger CMOS sensor. Let’s dive into the Feiyu Pocket details.

What’s Good? What’s Bad?

Pros

• Surprisingly VERY small, compact, lightweight design, making it far easier to bring on trips
  • Built-in Camera with built-in image stabilization
  • No smartphone needs to be attached (though the Pocket’s functionality can be enhanced with an iOS/Android app, the “Feiyu Cam”, via WiFi)
  • Suitable for vlogging and image-stabilized action recording
  • Like the DJI Osmo Pocket, weighs only 4oz and measures 5″ x 1.5″ x 1.2″
  • DJI charges extra for WiFi functionality (which also uses up the USB-C port, preventing the Osmo from being charged while remotely controlled via WiFi, such as time lapses — Feiyu did the DJI better in this area)
• Stabilization worked VERY well
  • Enabled by a 3-axis mechanical and 3-axis electronic stabilization
    • DJI only has the mechanical one
  • Bounces and FAST movements worked without a glitch
  • Axes: -140 to 140 degree tilt, -90 to 90 roll, -254 to 60 pan ranges
  • Self-calibrates (and can be reset/re-centered with the push of a button)
• Amazing 4K/2.7K/1080p video quality with f/2.8 lens
  • 1/2.5″ Sony CMOS sensor is top-notch (and what Sony is known for)
  • Smooth, 8x slow motion recording (DJI’s doesn’t do 8x slow-mo)
  • With a 120 degree wide angle, it rivals the GoPro
    • DJI Osmo Pocket only goes 80 degrees (with a faster f/2 lens)
  • Frame rates
    • 4K: 60 fps max
    • 2.7K: 60 fps max
    • 1080p: 120 fps max
    • 720p: 240 fps max (DJI doesn’t offer this)
• Built-in 1.3″ touchscreen LCD (240×240) for live viewing and recordings
  • Responsive touch processing
• MUCH lower cost than DJI Osmo Pocket who (until now) enjoyed no competition

• Quiet motor
  • VERY responsive, fast motor torque with quick auto focus
• Can be oriented in 360 degrees
• Multiple shooting modes
  • Object/Face tracking to follow the subject, allowing you to vlog or record without much intervention. The Pocket’s camera literally follows you around when set on a table
  • 360 degree POV All-Follow mode
  • Timelapse with motion
  • Selfie (invoked by triple-tapping the Mode button) with “Beauty enhancement”
  • Like the DJI Osmo Pocket, the Panorama mode can stitch several photos together as one seamless image
• Built-in microphone and Wi-Fi
• Writes to max 512GB microSD card (U3 speed or faster is recommended)
  • SanDisk and Kingston are my two, top recommendations for reliable memory cards
    • SanDisk Extreme line provides for lifetime warranty
  • I always recommend 2 smaller cards over 1 larger one. If one card fails, you won’t lose everything
• Material feels, looks, and is packaged professionally
• Built-in Battery lasts about 3.5-4.5 hours, depending on recording mode
  • Rechargeable via USB (including battery banks)
  • Pocket can be charged while in its protective case
• When powered off, camera tucks itself for storage in the protective case
• Wrist strap attaches to the Feiyu Pocket
  • DJI’s wrist strap goes onto the protective case, NOT the Osmo Pocket itself! (Odd design choice, DJI!)
• FeiYu App includes built-in video editing
  • With the app, you can place the Pocket on an extension rod and remotely record/do long-distance selfie/vlogging
  • Motion-sync with phone (move the phone, and the Pocket camera moves the same way)
• Built-in 1/4″ tripod mount (DJI charges extra for this)
• Full manual can be downloaded from the website, helping to save some trees

Feiyu Pocket /Feiyu

Cons

• My videographer friend owns both the DJI Osmo Pocket and Feiyu Pocket and said the DJI stabilizes slightly better, but the difference won’t be noticeable for most consumers
  • DJI Osmo Pocket’s CMOS sensor operates at f/2 vs Feiyu’s f/2.8 (lower number is better, especially for low light shooting)
• Recording 4K at 50 fps, the Osmo Pocket’s video quality is considerably better than Feiyu’s
• Still images are only 8.5MP (DJI’s is 12MP)
• LCD is not OLED
• Battery not replaceable
• Not waterproof or water resistant
• Camera tucks away when powered off, ready for safe keeping in the protective case. However, the axes don’t lock in place. You’ll have to hold the camera steady to properly put it into the case

Included Items

• Feiyu Pocket (gimbal/camera)
• Smartphone mount (for phone-based control of the Pocket without having to separately hold the phone)
• Mini tripod (screws onto 1/4″ bottom of the Pocket)
• Pocket wrist strap
• USB-C to USB-A charging cable
• Quickstart guide

Smartphone Mount and Mini Tripod /Feiyu

Tips/Notes

• Be sure to update to the latest firmware to fix any issues that existed with older versions of the gimbal software

Buttons

• Power
  • Long press 1 sec: Power on/off
  • 1 tap: Switch between video/photo mode or to return to previous menu
• Shutter
  • 1 tap: Start/stop video, take photo, or return to main menu
  • Long press 3 sec: WiFi on/off
• Mode/Function
  • 1 tap: Switch shooting mode – Follow (Default), All-Follow, Pan
  • 2 tap: Reset gimbal orientation
  • 3 tap: Selfie/Non-Selfie
  • Press and hold: Lock on/off

Touch Screen Control

Swipe in the listed direction:

• Left: Switch shooting mode
• Right: Gallery view
• Up: Gimbal control
• Down: Settings

Who Is FeiyuTech?

Feiyu, according to its website, specializes in “video stabilization technology [and] research” and carries a product portfolio for action cameras, smartphones, and still cameras. The Guilin, China, based company was founded in 2007 and originally focused on drone and automation industries, including “flight stabilization systems [and] autopilots” (Source: Wikipedia). This may be where “Fei” in “Feiyu” came from: it translates to “Flying” in Chinese.

Final Thoughts

Credit: Feiyu

Overall, for a hobbyist and enthusiast, this camera/gimbal combination makes for a GREAT, portable vlogging system. It gives the DJI Osmo Pocket — a new product category that DJI pioneered — a run for its money with more included accessories and features for a much lower price. The performance is not as fast as the older DJI in some areas, but as my videographer friend attested: most people will not know the difference. By far, I have found myself recording with the Feiyu Pocket more than with a standalone gimbal/smartphone combination — simply because it is very compact, starts up quick, and focuses very fast. I am really happy that my friends pointed me at this new product type instead of depending on a dedicated gimbal that is so cumbersome to carry around (not to mention to mount the phone onto.)

Feiyu has improved upon — with its later release — some of the DJI Osmo Pocket’s many shortcomings, and combine that with a much lower price point, the Feiyu is an EASY recommendation.

See our new Feiyu Pocket 2S / Pocket 2 Review and how they compare to the DJI Pocket 2.

Where To Buy

• Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer
  • Feiyu Pocket / DJI Osmo Pocket
• Smartphone Gimbal: Zhiyun Smooth X
• DSLR/Mirrorless Gimbals
  • DJI Ronin / Zhiyun Crane / Zhiyun Crane M-2

Related Posts

• Feiyu Pocket 2S / 2 vs Pocket vs DJI (2-in-1 Gimbal Camera)