DJI Releases New Osmo Mobile: a Gimbal for Your Smartphone

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by Fabian ChaundySeptember 2^nd, 2016

The Osmo Mobile is now the latest addition to the DJI family, coming shortly after the recent release of the DJI Osmo+. Aiming to bring the functionality and ease of use of DJI’s small handheld stabiliser to your smartphone, the Osmo Mobile could prove attractive to both enthusiasts and professionals alike.

DJI has been bringing steady footage solutions to the masses with multiple variations of their drone and gimbal products, and recently also the baby in their catalogue, the cute little DJI Osmo. Available in different configurations — from the humble original Osmo to the venerable Osmo Raw with the Zenmuse X5R camera — there is now yet another: the Osmo Mobile. This new offering lets you use your smartphone as a camera, bringing DJI stabilisation to the budget-conscious shooter… and perhaps a pro or two out there, as well!

The Osmo Mobile accepts smartphones anywhere between 58.6 and 84.8mm long and up to 8.4mm thick. Simply attach your phone with the included clamp, balance the camera to ensure proper functionality by adjusting the locking knobs and you’re ready to go.

The handle on the Osmo Mobile features a photo shutter button, a video record button and a customisable joystick to control the direction the camera faces in. Under your index finger, you will find a trigger, which allows you to momentarily lock the camera’s direction, re-center the camera, or enter selfie mode, by pressing it once, twice or three times respectively.

One of the good things about the Osmo Mobile is that you can use the stabiliser’s basic functions with any camera app on your phone, such as the impressive Filmic Pro, which Richard wrote about here. However, the real potential of the Osmo Mobile is realised when connecting via Bluetooth using the DJI GO app. This opens up advanced functionality such as ActiveTrack, which lets you to select a subject on the screen of your smartphone for the Osmo to follow.

The Panorama and Time-lapse options are also available through the DJI GO app, allowing you to set start and end frames, and having the app and gimbal work in conjunction to take care of the rest. Please note that some functions are only available in the iOS version of the app.

At a price of between USD $299.00 – $409.00 depending on the range of accessories included, the Osmo Mobile is priced very reasonably. I am sure it will prove very attractive to smartphone shooters wanting to add a touch of cinematic quality to their work, especially when combined with Filmic Pro and third party lenses for smartphone cameras. The advanced features of the app, in conjunction to long-lasting removable batteries, make this a truly attractive solution for these kind of shooters.

In addition, considering the rise of the use of smartphones for news gathering applications, this could also prove to be a very useful tool for journalists. The optional Universal Mount available for the Osmo range means reporters in the field could easily attach small audio and lighting accessories in order to make their iPhone rig a very flexible, professional and compact solution indeed.

For more information, head over to the DJI Osmo Mobile product page.

Would DJI’s Osmo Mobile fit in your workflow at all? Let us know in the comments below!