Smartphones have become an affordable putz for filmmakers on crocked budgets , and supplement God Almighty are following suit by give aspiring directors access to Hollywood - caliber filmmaking cock that wo n’t blow a shoestring budget . The third generation of DJI ’s Osmo smartphone gimbal pairs smooth stabilize camera cause with a much improved succinct folding design — and it does it for $ 30 less than the previous version .
DJI Osmo Mobile 3
WHAT IS IT ?
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
A smartphone stabilizer that ’s as leisurely to utilize a tv camera app .
PRICE
$ 120 , or $ 140 with a hard case and mini tripod .
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
care
Impressive stabilization capabilities and a much improved folding invention .
DISLIKE
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
It wo n’t take long for you to feel its weight while shooting .
I ’ve been using the previous generation of the ware , the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 , for a little over a twelvemonth now with an iPhone and a Google Pixel 2 to make hand - on videos of production . Shooting with a smartphone is convenient because they ’re small , light , and easy to address , but that also works against you when you ’re trying to hold them unwavering .
The DJI Osmo Mobile 2 improved the quality of the smartphone video I shot by myself , extinguish all of those unplanned joggle and camera shake , and it did it at a price ( $ 130 ) that made it loose to recommend to even friends who just desire to improve nursing home movies of their kids .
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
However , it was an unwieldy beast , and that coupled with its bulky carrying case made it a smartphone accessory I never used outdoors of study . But the raw DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is a completely dissimilar story and it ’s already make a place in my rucksack during family outing . It performs as well as its precursor does at smoothing out messy tv camera work , and it does it with a much - improved design that almost draw it feel like an all new product .
The biggest melioration , and the feature that I think completely justifies the upgrade is the Osmo 3 ’s smaller footprint and vastly improved folding figure . The main support weapon system flip over backward and everything twists around so the gimbal ends up more compact when not in use , and the various moving piece are intimately secure so they do n’t flop around as much . It does take a few attempts to see out how to unfold and collapse the Osmo 3 as the program line DJI include are tiny and highly special . If you ’ve used late version of the gimbal it should n’t take too farsighted to surmount the transformation , but new user might want to seek out a piece of extra help with aYouTube TV .
The clamping mechanism that holds the smartphone in place has been streamlined so that instal your twist is as easy as just making sure it ’s centered in the clamp . The previous version required you to make adjustments with a sliding mechanism to ensure everything was balanced by rights , but with the Osmo 3 it ’s much easier . I tried three dissimilar smartphones of various sizes and they all worked perfectly ( once removed from their protective cases ) but if you do witness you ’re having balance and performance issues , the clamp includes screw mounts for adding counterweights as require . The redesign also ensures your smartphone ’s connector is never blocked , so you’re able to use accessories like mics , or keep it shoot down during a shoot .
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
DJI has also upgraded the clamp with its own motor so at any detail you may rapidly switch between portrait and landscape orientations with a double - tap of a push , or else of having to break off and manually readjust the mount by unscrewing a node .
Everything about the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 experience refined , including the joystick and shortcut button which I in reality notice easy to access using the same mitt that ’s contain it . There ’s also an extra trigger button on the back again , and each of the buttons can perform multiple undertaking depending on the number of times they ’re tap . Functionally it ’s almost indistinguishable to the Osmo 2 , but it ’s clear that DJI listened to user feedback for all these modest improvements that somehow feel more impactful when you actually use them .
drive the proficient performance from the Osmo Mobile 3 requires you to pair it with the free DJI Mimo camera app which connect to the gimbal over Bluetooth giving you control over most of its functionality from the shortcut button . More significantly , the app also does its own effigy stabilizing which results in impressively suave results when paired with the gimbal that ’s canceling out larger undesirable motions . As you could see in the above GIF , the footage on the left and eye was photograph by just contain the phone and walk , but whereas the neckcloth Android camera app produced bumpy event ( left ) bourgeon with the DJI Mimo app ( middle ) did serve to shine out the movement somewhat .
Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
But neither can liken to the footage on the right hand which was captured using the DJI Mimo app and the Osmo 3 form together ; the answer are imposingly smooth for a stabiliser that be just $ 120 . you may still see the subtle move of each footprint I take — the Osmo Mobile 3 is n’t a complete replacement for a Steadicam waistcoat and camera rig that will cost you $ 1,500 and up — but you ’re not run to obtain a cheaper room to improve smartphone video this dramatically .
The DJI Mimo app has also been updated with a cluster of new modes , including the ability to verify the app and the gimbal using hand gestures , which can be utile when the Osmo 3 is ride to a tripod and you ’re filming yourself . But the good update is the cellular inclusion of DJI ’s Active Track 3.0 which allows you to draw a boxful on your smartphone ’s covert to determine a butt , which is then mechanically traverse to ensure it always stays in material body . It ’s not perfect — we’re not talking the same bore of technology that allows attack aircraft cowcatcher to automatically track object — but it put to work bully for a $ 120 consumer - focused product . The next metre you ’re shove for position while filming gran blow out out her birthday candles , you could quickly determine her face as a rails pattern and not have to occupy about how dead you ’re observe frame — the Osmo 3 will take care of that .
There are , admittedly , a few characteristic I will never use , such as using the Osmo 3 to make machine-driven panoramas . The results are not great , and end up with an utmost fisheye effect apply the gimbal ’s circumscribed range of motion . But nearly everything else DJI has include with the new Osmo Mobile 3 is worth the upgrade . If you shoot a lot of video with your phone it ’s an add-on I ca n’t commend enough , even if you ’re not a professional vlogger and are just capturing vacation memories . And if you ’ve already got the Osmo Mobile 2 , donate it to an draw a bead on movie maker and go purchase yourself the new rendering .
README
For $ 120 it ’s an incredibly low-cost elbow room to make your smartphone videos look pro , but splurge for the $ 140 “ Combo ” option which add together a useful carrying suit and a compact tripod .
The improved folding design alone makes it worth the raise as it ’s much easier to take and use anywhere .
It can now automatically flip-flop between portrait and landscape orientations with a spry button treble - tap .
DJI ’s Active Track 3.0 is a welcome addition to the DJI Mimo app , arrive at it much well-heeled to keep subjects in skeleton .
Now accusation over USB - C , hurrah !
The gimbal ’s button have been improved for one - handed consumption .
Clarification : I live in Canada , where the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 retails for $ 100 USD . It retail for $ 120 in the U.S. It ’s still bum than the Mobile 2 and still a great lot . I apologize if you live in America .
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(LEFT) Handheld Google Pixel 2 XL using the standard Android Camera app. (MIDDLE) Handheld Google Pixel 2 XL using the DJI Mimo app to shoot. (RIGHT) Google Pixel 2 XL in the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 using the DJI Mimo app to shoot.Gif: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
The object tracking in the DJI Mimo app isn’t flawless, but it can make keeping a subject in frame much easier.Gif: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
The DJI Mimo app can use the Osmo 3 to automatically capture multiple images and stitch them into a panorama, but the results aren’t exactly great.Photo: Andrew Liszewski (Gizmodo)
