Best ND Filters for DJI Osmo Pocket 4 - Magnetic Sets for Sunny Days

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Best ND filters for DJI Osmo Pocket 4? Magnetic ND8-ND32 set

For the Osmo Pocket 4, buy a magnetic ND filter set in the ND8-ND32 range that explicitly lists Pocket 4 compatibility in its description. You attach the filters to the lens in one move and remove them just as quickly, so they don't complicate shooting.

This range covers most situations: from a lightly overcast day to harsh sun. When buying, check that the seller states compatibility with the Pocket 4, and not only with another model.

Why you need an ND filter with a fixed f/2.0 aperture

The Osmo Pocket 4 has a 1-inch sensor and a 20 mm lens with an f/2.0 aperture (DJI specification). The aperture is fixed, so you can't stop it down to limit the amount of light.

That leaves two options: a faster shutter speed or a lower ISO. In full sun, the shutter speed gets very short, and motion in your video then looks jittery and choppy.

An ND filter darkens the image without changing colors. This lets the camera work with a slower shutter speed, and motion looks smoother.

Filmmakers follow the rule that the shutter speed should be about twice as fast as the frame duration, meaning 1/(2 × fps). At 24 fps, that's 1/48 s, and at 30 fps, it's 1/60 s. Without a filter, it's hard to get there in the sun.

Digital Camera World lists magnetic ND filters among the most commonly recommended accessories for the Pocket 3 and 4. The reason is simple: with a fixed aperture, shutter speed and ISO are the only ways to control light.

Below, we've gathered filter sets whose descriptions list compatibility with the Osmo Pocket 4. We chose them based on how manufacturers describe compatibility and which filters come in the set.

Our recommended ND filters for DJI Osmo Pocket 4

Which filter for which weather, and what a CPL is

The filter name tells you how much it darkens the image. ND8 is 3 stops, ND16 is 4, ND32 is 5, and ND64 is 6. Each additional stop cuts the light in half.

• Overcast day: a weaker filter, for example ND8.
• Full sun: the middle and stronger end of the set, so ND16 or ND32.
• Snow and beach: a stronger filter, because light reflects off the bright surface.

If you are not sure, start with a weaker filter and add a stronger one if the image is overexposed or the shutter speed is still too fast.

Fun fact: ND32 darkens the image by 5 stops, or 32 times. That is where the number in the name comes from: it is simply the darkening factor.

A polarizer (CPL) is something different. It is not an ND filter, but it removes glare from water and glass. It comes in handy at a lake, by the sea, or when you are filming through a window. Sets with CPL and ND in one box are convenient, because you have both types on hand.

Pocket 4 or Pocket 4P: not every set fits

The 4P version has two lenses, so filters for it are different products from those for the standard Pocket 4. Sets sold for the 4P are not simply a bigger choice for your camera.

Clifton Cameras reports that DJI offers its own magnetic ND set for the Pocket 4P. For the standard Pocket 4, choose filters described as compatible with the Pocket 4.

Fun fact: according to Clifton Cameras, the ND filter for the Pocket 4P weighs about 3 grams, so it does not weigh down the gimbal. A magnetic filter therefore has little effect on stabilization.

Compatibility with the Pocket 3 in the description is a good sign, but it does not replace a mention of the Pocket 4. If the description lists both models, you can buy with confidence.

Most common questions about ND filters for the Osmo Pocket 4

Which ND filters for the DJI Osmo Pocket 4?

Preferably a magnetic ND8-ND32 set with a compatibility note for the Pocket 4. It covers an overcast day and harsh sun, and attaching it takes a moment. It is good if the set also includes a polarizer.

Does the Osmo Pocket 4 need ND filters?

If you shoot in the sun and care about smooth motion, yes. The f/2.0 aperture is fixed, so without a filter the camera has to shorten the shutter speed. A filter lets you keep the shutter speed close to the 1/50 s rule at 25 fps.

Do Pocket 3 filters fit the Pocket 4?

The descriptions of some sets list compatibility with both the Pocket 3 and Pocket 4, so those sets fit both. Do not assume this up front, though. Look for an explicit mention of the Pocket 4 in the product description.

Which ND filter for sun for the Osmo Pocket 4?

In full sun, reach for ND16 or ND32. On snow and at the beach, a stronger one is useful, because bright surfaces reflect a lot of light. For an overcast day, ND8 is enough.

How does an ND filter differ from a CPL?

An ND darkens the image without changing colors and lets you lengthen the shutter speed. A CPL is a polarizer that removes glare from water and glass, but it is not an ND filter. For shooting in the sun, you will want both.

Sources

• DJI: Osmo Pocket 4 specs - manufacturer page (dji.com)
• Digital Camera World: Best accessories for the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and Pocket 4 - industry article (digitalcameraworld.com)
• Digital Camera World: DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review - industry article (digitalcameraworld.com)
• T3: DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review - industry article (t3.com)
• Clifton Cameras: DJI Osmo Pocket 4P Magnetic ND Filter Set - industry article (cliftoncameras.co.uk)