Welcome to my review of the DJI Osmo Mobile. The DJI Osmo Mobile is the new gimbal from DJI for your smartphone.

The Key Features

– ActiveTrack technology built into the DJI GO app allows the Osmo Mobile to automatically keep your smartphone facing you as you move. (not available on the android app currently, only iOS)
– The Osmo Mobile’s 3-axis gimbal system smooths out the movements you make, turning every shot into cinematic video.
– With a few taps, the Osmo Mobile motion timelapse feature shoots video showing the passing of time.
– The Osmo Mobile lets you share special moments in real time using YouTube Live inside the DJI GO app.
– Shoot better photos in low light, with powerful camera stabilisation and full manual camera control.
– The Osmo Mobile’s panorama function automatically captures and blends 9 separate photos together to create one stunning photo.
– Used with its range of accessories, the Osmo Mobile can be mounted almost anywhere, giving you even more opportunities to get that perfect shot.
– Enjoy more than just DJI GO. Osmo Mobile is open for developers to customise.

Above is the optional base to quickly drop the DJI into. The underneath of the base also has a standard tripod screw.

The photo below shows the extension arm secured into the tripod base. The tripod legs extend further in one solid movement.

Video Overview of Hardware, Accessories and DJI Go App

The Lowdown

– The Osmo Mobile supports smartphones measuring from 58.6mm-84.8mm width and up to 8.4mm thick.
– ActiveTrack – The fastest it can track is the same as its Max Controllable Speed, 120°/s.
– ActiveTrack is a feature currently only available on iOS.
– YouTube Livestreaming or Stream Live to Facebook.
– DJI Go App – Lots of extra features (see video) but needs update to fully support iOS 10 and the iPhone 7 Plus telephoto lens.
– iPhone 6S Plus or 7 Plus does not fit with a case on.
– Apart from the normal timelapse mode, there is a motion timelapse option
– The optional base has a tripod screw underneath
– The DJI Go Movie editing app has a wealth of great music but does seem to degrade video quality slightly compared to using iMovie in iOS.
– Connects perfectly every time. With the iPhone 7 and the loss of the headphone jack, it becomes impossible to use an external mic without some trickery or additional hardware.

Sample Video from the DJI Osmo Mobile using the iPhone 7 Plus

My Experience

I have used the DJI Osmo Mobile extensively now and I was surprised that none of the reviews and YouTube videos mentioned that if you are using the iPhone 7 Plus or similar sized phone, it won’t fit or stabilise with any case fitted. I tried with the Apple silicone and leather case. Also, at the time of writing this review (I delayed the review too hoping for an update from DJI), the DJI Go app only supports 1080p video at 30fps and not 60fps as per the default camera app. You can use the DJI with other third party camera apps. The iPhone 7 Plus telephoto lens is not supported in the app either yet from DJI. It looks like DJI need to update the app properly for iOS 10! To connect the DJI to a tripod you will need the extension arm. This has a standard tripod mount screw underneath. If I had know this prior to purchase I would not have bought the DJI tripod base, as this used with the extension arm is not still enough in the winds of Dartmoor.

In the photo above you can see the extension arm is attached to my normal tripod and securely. I am keeping the DJI tripod base as this works well indoors as a lightweight alternative. The plastic base from DJI is ideal for placing the DJI Osmo Mobile into for quick use, say on a table for editing VLOGs.

The motion time lapse mode is fantastic. Panoramic shots are spooky good. The gimbal just moves all buy itself to take the panoramic photos. However, the file size outputted is only around 3mb vs the native iPhone app which can be over 3 times this size.

One problem using the DJI with the iPhone 7 is the OIS on the iPhone sometimes conflicts with the DJI. There is not much you can do about this, accept during post processing when this can be fixed. All the footage shown has not been adjusted to enable you to see what you get first hand.

Despite some of the negatives, which will likely be solved when DJI updated their app, I have found the DJI Osmo Mobile a joy to use. The included software adds lots of extra functionality and the active tracking is superb.

Conclusion

Despite some bugs in the DJI Go app, it is one of the easiest gimbals to use and setup. It also works really well and the extra options provided by the software make it a joy to use. Highly recommended.

More detailed information and pricing on the DJI Osmo Mobile – Click HERE.

For the latest pricing on Amazon UK – Click HERE.