DJI Osmo, Osmo + and Osmo Mobile: professional image stabilization for amateur filmmakers

The Chinese drone manufacturer DJI is not a rare topic here in the blog, which is one of many occasions to get familiar with the product range DJI Osmo too busy. Under the name "Osmo", DJI sells devices for video recording with simultaneous image stabilization by a gimbal with three axes. DJI Osmo +, DJI Osmo Pro and DJI Osmo Mobile offer different functions and application options for different requirements. In this post I would like to compare the individual DJI Osmo models and also discuss their use with the iPhone.

DJI Osmo: Stabilized camera, balanced smartphone and 4K recordings

The handy steadycam from China has been part of the DJI range since 2015; It was first presented at the CES 2015. The handheld with intelligent gimbal has been on the market since October of the same year. There are now different models and since 2016 every Osmo + or Osmo Plus and Osmo Pro has also been included DJI Osmo FlexiMic, a small flexible microphone with a 3,5mm jack connector. There was also one for that back then press report.

It is now 2017 and the range is not only designed for fans of stabilized cameras, but also for amateur filmmakers with an affinity for smartphone cameras. You can even take professional slow-motion recordings with the iPhone. Incidentally, the possibility of using the DJI Osmo cameras to record videos in 4K resolution to create. But let's take a closer look at the individual models.

Three models in comparison: Plus, Pro and Mobile

	DJI Osmo + (Osmo Plus)	DJI Osmo Pro (Combo Offer)	DJI Mobile (use with smartphone)
Own camera	ja	ja	no
Own sound recording	ja	ja	no
Three-axis gimbal	ja	ja	ja
Gimbal / camera	Zenmuse X3 Zoom	Zenmuse X5, lens can be exchanged	Zenmuse M1 / ​​none
Optical zoom	3,5-fold	No zoom	Depending on the smartphone
Digital zoom	2x (lossless with Full HD recordings)	No zoom	Depending on the smartphone
Max Resolution	4K video, 12 MP photos	4K videos, 16 MP photos	Depending on the smartphone
Supports	Video in slow motion, panorama, long exposure, etc.	Video in slow motion, burst shooting, etc.	Depending on the smartphone
Size:	61,8 x 48,2 x 161,5 mm	61,8 x 48,2 x 161,5 mm	61,8 x 48,2 x 161,5 mm
Weight	221 g (without gimbal)	201 g (without gimbal)	201 g (without gimbal)
Speichermedium	microSD (Class 10, UHS 1 or higher) or smartphone	microSD (max.64GB, Class 10, UHS 1 or higher) or smartphone	Smartphone storage, SD card in the smartphone
Film and take photos without a smartphone	ja	ja	no
DJI accessories can be used	ja	ja	ja
product image
Details and order	Here	Here	Here

Provides complete data sheets for the individual models DJI.com. Wifi transmission including frequencies, battery capacity, operating temperatures, etc. are also given there.

Plus and Pro: How is the sensor different?

The DJI Osmo Plus handheld has a Zenmuse X3 zoom camera with a corresponding gimbal. A 1 / 2,3 inch CMOS sensor is built into the camera, which effectively records 12,4 megapixels. The small sensor was criticized in one or the other test that I have read in poor lighting conditions. But if you want to film your summer vacation and other daytime activities, the Plus model will be sufficient.

With the Pro Product, there is a bit more technology that can be used for high-profile productions, even in weaker light. Because a 5/4 CMOS sensor is built into the Zenmuse X3 gimbal. To classify the whole thing: the X3 sensor is as big as that of the GoPro, the X5 sensor as big as that of the Panasonic Lumix GH4. If you compare a test of the Plus and a test of the Pro model, it becomes clear that weak light is not the problem with the more expensive product.

DJI Osmo Pocket - The gimbal including camera

At the end of 2018, DJI presented a mini gimbal with a built-in camera: The DJI Osmo Pocket. This one films with 4K and 60 fps and has a 1/2,3 inch sensor, which we also know from the DJI Osmo Plus. The integrated touch screen in the Osmo Pocket allows the gimbal to be operated without the iPhone. However, there is a port that allows connection to the iPhone to use advanced features.

Accessories: from handheld gimbal to action machine

Both DJI and other manufacturers have plenty of accessories for the individual DJI Osmo models. This is how the gimbal and camera on the DJI Osmo Pro can be exchanged and these lenses can be attached (sometimes with the required balancing ring):

• DJI MFT 15mm f / 1.7 ASPH
• Panasonic Lumix 15mm f / 1.7
• Olympus M. ED 12mm f / 2.0
• Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f / 1.8
• Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm f / 3.5-5.6 EZ
• Olympus M.Zuiko 25mm f1.8
• Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f1.8

The Osmo accessories offered by DJI for basically all three models ensure that their functionality exceeds that of a handheld. For example, there is a bracket for the car roof, various tripods, replacement batteries, extensions, charging stations and so on. Incidentally, DJI uses the SanDisk Extreme microSD with 64GB suggested. It is also recommended to use a smartphone for photo and video recordings, as the cameras of the models mentioned can be accessed via DJI Go App can control. A holder for smartphones is included in the scope of delivery of the devices.

DJI Osmo Mobile: Use iPhone and Co. on a handheld tripod

A gimbal in connection with the camera created for it is something nice. But if you have already followed the links to the DJI Shop (see table), then you have probably already seen the individual prices. So if you are not looking for a tripod, gimbal, handheld stabilization, etc. for professional productions, but are also satisfied with cell phone recordings, you should take a look at the mobile model.

With the DJI Osmo Mobile, the cell phone can not only be used as a control element (with the DJI Go app), but also takes on the central role of the receiving element. Whether it's fast action, a romantic sunset or a mixture of different shots - stable images and interesting camera shots are definitely more beautiful to look at with the DJI device than if an iPhone, Android device or other mobile phone had only been carried by hand. Also a clear plus for holiday videos or private travel documentation!

Film with the iPhone

The Zenmuse gimbals and cameras, which are used in the Plus and Pro models and in the DJI drones (Phantom, Inspire, Mavic, Spark, etc.), are recommended for more professional projects; the iPhone can also do a lot in the video and photography categories. Whether normal photo, live photo, panorama, video in Full HD or 4K: the cameras of the iPhone and the Plus models of the same can be used for many things. That was on the last Keynote-Events are always highlighted.

The iPhone 7 Plus, for example, has this camera data sheet (excerpt):

• 12 MP camera with wide angle and telephoto lens
• Wide angle: ƒ / 1.8 aperture
• Telephoto lens: ƒ / 2.8 aperture
• 2x optical zoom, up to 10x digital zoom (6x for videos)
• Optical image stabilization
• 6 element lens
• Autofocus with focus pixels
• Serial pictures
• self-timer
• 4K video @ 30 fps
• 1080p HD video @ 30 fps / 60 fps
• 720p HD video @ 30 fps
• Optical image stabilization for video
• time lapse
• Continuous autofocus
• While recording 4K video photos @ 8 MP

What will be launched on the market in September 2017, i.e. in just a few months, is hard to imagine. Because the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus will once again be by far “the best iPhones of all time”. But Android products can now also be seen in some categories of functionality. About that Sony Xperia XZ Premium with super slow motionthat conjures up an incredible 960 frames per second.

iPhone 7 Plus with and without Osmo Mobile

Here I have selected a video for you in which recordings of the iPhone 7 Plus with and without stabilization by the DJI device are compared. The test clearly shows that wobbling and rapid movements with the gimbal are a thing of the past. In addition to driving around the block, there are certainly thousands of other application examples:

Links to the online shop

• DJI Osmo Mobile: Buy here
• DJI OsmoPlus: Buy here
• DJI Osmo Pro Combo: Buy here

The DJI Go app

Anyone who has already found out about the DJI drones from Phantom and Inspire to Mavic and Spark is sure to know the manufacturer's own control app for smartphones and tablets. These DJI Go app is used next to the copters to control the DJI Osmo products. But it's not just about starting and stopping a recording. It's also about exposure, panorama shots, automatic shooting sequences and, by and large, about making full use of the possibilities offered by the handheld. I've already selected the DJI Go download for iOS and Android for you;)

• Download for iOS on iPhone and iPad
• Download for Android smartphone and tablet

Small note: this app is not the same as for Phantom 4 (Pro), Inspire 2, Mavic Pro, and Spark. There is a separate app for the new DJI products. Details can be found in the Contribution to DJI Spark.

Useful links and reading tips

• SD card designations: What are Class, SDHC, SDXC, UHS, I, A, V and Co.?
• For your vacation videos: Which media for data backup?
• In the test: inLine smartphone lenses on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 Plus
• Photos with the iPhone 7: Learn to take photos with Apple and video tutorials
• Incidentally, Stanley Kubrick was the first filmmaker to professionally rely on the use of a steady cam (when shooting The Shining): Stanley Kubrick Films

Your feedback on the topic

What do you think of the stabilizer for videos and photos with the smartphone or of one-handed steadycams with their own cameras on top? Do you tend to buy in order to literally have video recordings under control in the future? Feel free to leave your opinion on DJI Osmo. Feedback from users is also welcome! ;)

Johannes Domke

[On vacation] After graduating from high school, Johannes completed training as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which led to his independence. He has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others, for several years now. His articles include product introductions, news, instructions, video games, consoles and much more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.