DJI Pocket 2 Video File Size Comparison for 4K, 2.7K, FullHD 1080p 30fps and 60fps, Battery Saver vs High Quality Recording

Earlier this week, I did a little experiment to answer one of the questions that I often get from my readers and viewers about the DJI Pocket 2, which is "How big are the differences in video file sizes when recording in 4K, 2.7K, and FullHD 1080p using this device?"

Others also asked, "Is there a big difference in file size when recording same resolution videos in Battery Saver Mode and in High-Quality Mode?"

 

Before I give you the results of my experiment, allow me to talk about the different video resolutions and frame rates that are supported by DJI Pocket 2.

DJI Pocket 2 can record FullHD 1080p, 2.7K, and 4K videos in 24 frames per second, 25fps, 30fps, 48fps, 50fps, and 60fps.

These resolutions give maximum flexibility to vloggers, videographers, and Youtubers in terms of how cinematic they want their clips to look and also when it comes to creativity in post-production.

DJI Pocket 2 has two video shooting modes:

Battery Saver, which - according to some users and experts in the DJI forums - supposedly helps you extend the uptime of the device by not applying noise reduction while you're recording videos.

High-Quality Mode, on the other hand, applies instant image processing - specifically noise-reduction - while you're recording videos which can potentially lead to shorter uptime. This mode is available only when recording 1080p, 2.7K, and 4K videos in 24, 25, 30, 48, and 50fps. Sadly, it's not available for all three resolutions in 60fps.

While shooting High-Quality may seem like a good idea for those who always carry a powerbank with them, I'd like to point out this major downside of recording videos in this Mode that I discovered: The noise reduction tends to also smear or soften details which can lead to artifacting or "ghosting". I believe this is what explains the slightly smaller file sizes of High-Quality videos recorded using the DJI Pocket 2 versus those recorded in Battery Saver Mode.

This claim is reinforced in these 1-minute 1080p, 2.7K, and 4K 30fps/60fps video file sizes that I got in my experiment.

FullHD 1080p 60fps 1-Minute Video File Size

Battery Saver Only (No High-Quality Recording Option) - 445MB

FullHD 1080p 30fps 1-Minute Video File Size

Battery Saver - 223MB

High Quality - 132MB

2.7K 60fps 1-Minute Video File Size

Battery Saver Only (No High-Quality Recording Option) - 592MB

2.7K 30fps 1-Minute Video File Size

Battery Saver - 370MB

High Quality - 290MB

4K 60fps 1-Minute Video File Size

Battery Saver Only (No High-Quality Recording) - 739MB

4K 30fps 1-Minute Video File Size

Battery Saver - 592MB

High Quality - 592MB

Here are the exact file sizes that I got from this experiment.

Check out the VLC files from top to bottom:

FullHD 60fps Battery Saver (DJI_0732)

FullHD 30fps High Quality (DJI_0731)

FullHD 30fps Battery Saver (DJI_0730)

2.7K 60fps Battery Saver (DJI_0729)

2.7K 30fps High Quality (DJI_0728)

2.7K 30fps Battery Saver (DJI_0727)

4K 60fps Battery Saver (DJI_0726)

4K 30fps High Quality (DJI_0725)

4K 30fps Battery Saver (DJI_0724)

Here are my findings and recommendations:

1. The video file size difference when shooting in Battery Saver Mode versus High-Quality Mode is more prominent or noticeable in FullHD and 2.7K 30fps. The difference is so little and almost non-existent in 4K 30fps.

2. Based on file size alone, I think Battery Saver Mode will give you far clearer details in your video (versus High-Quality Mode), which is useful in post-production and it can also help minimize artifacting when you upload the clip directly on Youtube.

3. To enjoy Youtube's vp9 codec compression while making sure that you are not using up too much storage and that you are getting good video quality, I think 2.7K 30fps Battery Saver Mode is the sweet spot.

4. Personally, I think Battery Saver Mode is the best shooting mode for DJI Pocket 2 in all lighting conditions. However, if you don't like minimizing noise in post-production and you're the type who just uploads videos directly to Youtube or Facebook after shooting, then shooting in High-Quality makes sense.

5. For video creators, shooting several videos or one long video with total runtime of 60 minutes will require around 13.3GB, 22.2GB, and 35.5GB of storage for 1080p, 2.7K, and 4K 30fps, respectively, in Battery Saver Mode on DJI Pocket 2.

So there you have it! I hope you found this information useful if you also own and use the DJI Pocket 2, which I think is one of the most innovative gadgets ever released thus far.

To wrap up, I'd like to like to give this recommendation for those who are planning to purchase a DJI Pocket 2: Get it with the Creator Combo which includes practically everything you will need to be a one-man video production powerhouse. Eventually, you will realize that the additional money you spent on it was well worth it. Also, if you're in the Philippines, buy this amazing pocket gimbal camera from Digital Walker, which is the official and authorized retail partner of DJI in our country. If you want peace of mind as regards getting after-sales support should you need it, purchase your DJI Pocket 2 Creator Combo from Digital Walker.